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The Solar Sox have had a productive week thus far. We won three games in a row with a combined effort of timely hitting and pitching.

Then our game was cut short on Monday (Oct. 17) because of rain. Of course, the rain stopped the minute the game was called after the sixth inning. I'd have thought that would never happen again since I've seen rain once in three months. But we were rained out again on Tuesday.

I have seen some great ballplayers here in Arizona. Most of these players will be on 40-man rosters next year, if not the Major League 25-man roster.

The Solar Sox have a lot of catching up to do if we want to make it to playoffs. Although this league is basically a showcase, some of the players do have a drive to win something while here in Arizona. As for myself, I live here, so I would not mind playing in a championship game.

I feel that playing in this league is great experience for the future to come. Playing against the Minor League's best is a great learning tool on how to develop mentally as a pitcher. Most of the players are here to work on the physical aspect of the game, but at the same time they are readjusting their mental capacity. The mental part is something you either have or you do not. It lives deep beneath the surface, and some people can reach it more easily than others. I have seen a lot of good, talented ballplayers waste their talents because they were not able to fathom the pressure or reality of the game.

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In a situation like the Arizona Fall League, do you make any special effort to get to know your fellow Giants prospects (assuming you haven't played with them before)? Or is the future so uncertain and the time so short that you try to refrain from making friends with someone with whom you may never play again? -- Lyle

It is basically impossible to ignore or not befriend a teammate of the same organization or others. In baseball, burning bridges is never a good idea because eventually you will run into these people you have burned one time or another. Everybody has their own opinions and/or rituals about befriending people they may never play with again. My philosophy is to try and be kind towards all the players so that one day down the road they might remember me and do the same thing.

Are there times when you are warming up and you can just tell that all your pitches are working and are there times when nothing seems to be working? In the second instance, what do you do? -- Andre

Of course, I have times when I am warming up and my pitches are looking pretty nasty ... and there are times where I picture my pitches being shattered around the yard and everybody on the other team having a high-five fest on my behalf. In that situation, you just need to go into the clubhouse and take your uniform off and then sprint home without being seen. Maybe call a friend and lay low for awhile until things look safe again. All kidding aside, I usually take deep breaths and try to remain calm. I try not to focus on the entire game resting on my shoulders and having my pitches not be there. It is part of the game and being perfect is not, so you have to roll with the punches.

What has been the funniest thing that you've seen happen down in the Minor Leagues? -- Joe

I would say charting an instructional league game two years ago and watching the pitcher hit a bird in mid-air with the ball. The bird flew back behind the batter and hit the fence where it fell to its death. The funny part about that is witnessing some of my teammates eating that same bird for dinner later that night ... or was it me? We will not pay attention to the particulars.

There are a lot of statistics surrounding pitchers: wins, losses, ERA, strikeouts and walk totals. Which of these do you feel gauges your pitching ability the best? Do you actively care about your statistics or just making your individual pitches? -- David

There are so many variables in statistics with pitching. Strikeouts are one of the only stats that are positive towards the pitcher's sole purpose. It is one of the only stats that shows how a pitcher does on his own. Unfortunately, you could lead the league in strikeouts and home runs. I think wins are probably the most important stat because it shows that whenever a pitcher throws, he is bound to win. Like all the stats, there can be weird circumstances involving the reasons why a pitcher's stats are the way they are. I do care about my stats to a certain extent. I care about whatever stat pertains to the situation I am involved in. If I am closing, then I want to make sure my blown saves are non-existent. Also, if I am pitching in a tied ballgame, I want to make sure my losses are non-existent as well. As for the rest of the statistical realm, I honestly want to make sure each pitch I throw has a purpose and is positive for the team.

What is your take on lifting during the season and offseason? Is it healthy for a pitcher or is it just for a hitter? Is there such thing as too much lifting? -- Dwayne M.

Well, to each his own. Everyone is built differently, and I guess they will have to find out on their own if lifting too much is detrimental. I enjoy lifting all the time because it is my alone time to get the negative energy out of my system. I feel that lifting heavy is only to be used for legs, as far as pitchers are concerned. I have lifted extremely hard before, and now I lift light weights and do a lot of cardio. I have seen no difference in my pitching, but I have seen a difference in my energy levels. When I lift light and do cardio, my body responds well and distributes enough energy for everyday activities like baseball. Again, each individual has to learn their bodies' abilities and limits and until then, there is no saying how it affects a pitcher.