OF/C, 5’10” 206 , B: R T: R
  Purdue
  Hometown: Normal, Ill

A midseason all-star for the Mallards last year, Comadena batted .340 in 28 games this spring for the Boilermakers. In addition, he had 5 HR with 13 2B, and 20 RBI. Comadena also committed no errors making the majority of his appearances in the outfield. As a player that will be primarily in the lead off spot this summer for the Mallards, Comadena sets his sights on having another midseason all-star selection added to his resume and hopes to have more playing time behind the plate.

Do you prefer catching over the outfield?
“I prefer catching, but the transition from the backstop to the outfield wasn’t easy because your constantly focused on every pitch and situation when catching. But in the outfield there are maybe times where I don’t even make a play in the game and so it makes things more difficult when staying focused on the game. I’ve talked to C.J. about this summer and I hope he gives me some opportunities to catch for the Mallards.”

When did you start playing ball?
“For as long as I could remember, basically when I started walking. I also played basketball and football but baseball was my first love.”

Who are some of your favorite ball players?
“My family is from Pittsburgh and I follow the pirates all the time so Andy Van Slyke was one of my favorite players and hitters. For catchers I really like Roman Hernandez from the Orioles and Benji Molina. Marcus Giles is another player I look up to cause he reminds me of myself as a player, the way he approaches the game and his body style. Craig Biggio is great too, I enjoy his work ethic everyday that he plays.”

How has your game developed in the past few years?
“I have really improved my hitting especially since high school. I’m doing a good job these days taking the ball to right field rather than trying to always pull it. I’m also staying back on off speed pitches and trying to drive those the other way.”

How do you prepare for a game day?
“I have a good routine, actually Bobby Hubbard and I worked together last year by lifting in the morning and coming to the ball park early to take batting practice and work off a batting tee, and I am sure we will be doing the same thing this season.”

Why did you decide to become a Boilermaker?
“My Dad went to Purdue and growing up we always went to the football games so I became familiar with the campus. I’m just a huge Purdue fan in general and I knew that playing baseball at Purdue would be a dream come true.”

Being a seasonal veteran with the Mallards and the Northwoods League, what are you going to work on this summer to help your game?
“I’ll probably be hitting from the lead off spot again for the Mallards and I want to cut back on my strike outs. Last year I had too many and as the lead off man I need to be on base and help the ball club as much as possible. By putting the ball in play more I can increase my chances of getting on base and that way I can reach my goal of having another midseason all-star selection.”

Do you have a favorite memory from playing ball?
“Honestly, playing at all the cool ball parks through our competitive schedule. Ole Miss had a great stadium and it reminded me of Madison because of all the fans, the seats are always filled and they are very loud. Auburn was fun to play as well because it was rated as one of the top college stadiums to in the country.”

What is one word that describes you as a player?
“Probably competitor, I always want to win and that attitude has helped me through high school and especially at Purdue because the coaching staff threw me into the fire as a freshman.”

You have played for C.J. for a few seasons now, what do you think of him as a field manager?
“I love C.J., he is such a different guy from the coaches I have at Purdue. He was successful as a player and has gone to places in his baseball career that we can only dream about and I think those who have played from him admire that. C.J. is a easy going guy, he’ll hang with us in the clubhouse and he lets us play. He is a coach that I will always remember playing for.”