Jesse Carver Interview:
Did you grow up a Mississippi State fan?
"Yes sir, ever since I was little. My step-mom is from here and my step-brother played for State. His name is Jason Williams. He was a pitcher."
Have you been able to attend many Mississippi State games?
"Yeah, I got to go to quite a few this year. I sit in the left-field lounge."
So, you aren't going to be surprised by the number of people and the atmosphere at MSU games?
"No, not at all. That's one thing that drew me to State, the number of people who attend their games."
Are you going to be an invited walk-on?
"They told me that I will be an invited walk-on and if they have any leftover scholarship money, they would work with that."
When did they ask you if you wanted to be a Bulldog?
"I visited with them after one of the LSU games. I talked to Coach Schoenrock mainly. We talked about the possibilities of me playing in the future. He asked me if I wanted to be a Bulldog and I said 'yes sir, I do'."
What did Coach Rock say he liked about you?
"My breaking ball. He said I have a very effective curveball that has a hard break on it. He told me that it could get out any SEC hitter. It breaks real late and I thrown it just about as hard as I throw a fastball. I don't change any arm speed."
Who taught you how to throw the hard curve?
"I taught myself. I throw everything hard."
How fast do you throw your curve?
"Probably about 77 to 78."
What other pitches do you throw?
"I throw two different change-ups, a curveball and a couple of fastballs."
What is the difference in the fastballs?
"One of them is straight with just a little tail and the other one tails a lot."
What's the velocity of your fastball?
"It is normally 86 to 87."
What have you topped out with your fastball?
"89."
What you are doing this summer? Are you playing with a team?
"I am playing with the West Point Bryan Packers."
Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, Jesse.
"Thank you, bye."
Gene Swindoll is the owner of Gene's Page, the unofficial source for Mississippi State sports on the internet. The URL for Gene's Page is http://mississippistate.theinsiders.com. You can contact him by emailing swindoll@genespage.com.