Baseball is not an easy sport. From the physical demands to the mental nuances, it is one of the most difficult sports to play. Different positions have different difficulties, but any position can be tough, which is why two-way players are even more valuable and talented. One of those players to watch this summer is a two-way player from Molino, Florida who will suit up for the North Palm Beach Flamingos, Cole Fryman. Cole, son of former all-star and current Cleveland Guardians coach Travis Fryman, is a right-handed pitcher and infielder for the Samford University Bulldogs in Alabama. I was able to talk with Cole and learn more about his baseball background and his goals for the upcoming summer season.
Where did you start your college career and how did you end up at Samford?
Fryman: My brother took his visit. He graduated in 2018, so he got his offer in 2015. And I went on a visit with them. And I just fell in love with the place and was able to get an offer my freshman year of high school, and I’d been committed there ever since.
Do you have a favorite team and player to watch?
Fryman: Oh, yeah, my dad coaches for the Cleveland Guardians, so they’re my natural favorite team. And I like Jose Ramirez, the third baseman. I liked him a lot. I liked his playstyle as a switch hitter. He’s an overall good guy. My dad tells me a lot of stories about him.
This will be your first year with the CLPB. Do you have any goals, and what are you most looking forward to this summer?
Fryman: I’m excited just for the professional atmosphere around this place. It’s got a good reputation for people that have been there before and from people I just hear from word of mouth. So I’m excited to get involved and do it and hopefully develop as a player. Mostly physically, I’m pretty skinny. So I’m trying to put on some weight. So that’s nice. Hopefully, it can do that for me.
That’s awesome. How did you find out about this opportunity to compete in the CLPB?
Fryman: It was through my summer coach. It was between Virginia and South Florida. I pretty much just wanted to be in Florida somewhere and it was even better when I found out how professional it was and the kind of the workouts they do.
That’s good. Obviously, you’re a pitcher but can also play in the field. What specific tools or attributes are you planning to work on this summer?
I think just keeping my athleticism this year. I’ve been mostly a pitcher. And so just keeping the athleticism being able to get some of the bats and stuff like that, but overall, just playing some games because there’s nothing like what I’ve read.
That’s definitely important. Last thing, name your favorite baseball movie.
I have not seen a lot of baseball movies, but I’ll go with The Sandlot. It’s a classic.