By Paul Gierhart

Thomas Diamond
Pitcher - Texas Rangers

Thomas Diamond, then the top-rated baseball prospect in Louisiana, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 38th round of the 2001 draft. Instead of signing out of high school, Diamond chose to play baseball at the University of New Orleans.

“I knew I wasn’t mentally prepared for pro ball out of high school,” said Diamond.

After three successful seasons with the Privateers, Diamond became the Rangers First Round Pick (#10 overall) in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.

How hard was the decision to sign with the Rangers over returning to UNO for his senior year? A simple answer…

”The decision wasn’t hard at all,” Diamond proclaims without hesitation, just a month after joining the Clinton LumberKings in the Midwest League.

After reading the headlines on the University of New Orleans baseball web site on Diamond, it’s easy to see, he really didn’t have anything else to prove to the college baseball world.

Mar. 26, 2004 - Diamond Ties School and Sun Belt Record with 17 Strikeouts in 5-3 win

Apr. 19, 2004 - Diamond Wins Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week for 3rd Time

May 25, 2004 - Thomas Diamond Named All-Sun Belt Conference

June 7, 2004 - Diamond Taken as No. 10 Overall Pick

June 26, 2004 - First Rounder Thomas Diamond Signs With Texas Rangers

Q & A with Thomas Diamond…

TPA: Through your high school career do any special teams stick out in your mind?

Diamond: My senior year in high school our team was ranked third in the country for a few weeks.

TPA: How would you describe your high school career at Archbishop Rummel HS in New Orleans, LA? Were there any special coaches or teammates that left an impression with you on how you will approach the pro game?

Diamond: Like a roller coaster…as a sophomore I pitched pretty good. Junior year I was hit and my senior year I pitched good again.

TPA: What role has your family played in your baseball career?

Diamond: They’re my biggest fans and supporters. It would not be possible without them.

TPA: Describe your baseball career at the University of New Orleans.

Diamond: A constant learning process.

TPA: What thoughts/emotions did you experience before, during and after the June 2004 draft?

Diamond: I was nervous until I heard my name, then I was relieved. The decision wasn’t hard to turn pro.

TPA: After signing with the Rangers, what were your experiences like at Class A Spokane?

Diamond: Great place to play, with great fans, and great teammates.

TPA: What aspects of your game do you feel you need to work on and what is your off season training like?

Diamond: My breaking pitches. There really is only about three weeks off, and then back to work.

TPA: What is your attitude towards in-person and through-the-mail autograph seekers?

Diamond: In-person is better, due to the fact that I like to talk to people.

TPA: What are your earliest recollections of professional baseball players & games attended? Did you collect baseball memorabilia as a kid?

Diamond: The players I met were always willing to sign things. I thought that was incredible. I collected cards as a kid.

TPA: Outside of baseball what are your likes and dislikes?

Diamond: I love to fish, but I don’t like not catching anything. It’s a good thing that doesn’t happen very often.

TPA: Complete this sentence…When I’m not playing baseball, you would find me________.

Diamond: …fishing, with my family, or with my girlfriend.