Q & A : The Miracle's Steve Tolleson

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers Miracle

The giving of a diamond ring has given Steve Tolleson a new outlook on the baseball diamond.

Tolleson, 23, has been leading off and starting at shortstop this season for the Fort Myers Miracle, the Class A minor-league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

Jan. 20, Tolleson, a Dorman (S.C.) High School graduate and former University of South Carolina player, married fellow Spartanburg, S.C., native Baileigh.

Entering Friday, Tolleson carried a .270 batting average (20-for-74).

The Twins selected Tolleson in the fifth round of the 2005 draft after he hit .316 (62-for-196), with four home runs, as a sophomore at the University of South Carolina.

"He has fit in nicely as our leadoff hitter," Miracle manager Kevin Boles said. "He's had some quality at-bats. We're putting him at shortstop, and he has done a nice job. He's also a guy who can play second base and spot-start at third base.

"The biggest thing with him is his presence. He works counts, and he draws walks. He sets the tone, and that gives the rest of our team a good look at the opposing pitcher. He's also been a stolen base threat. We've given him the green light. He's a very intelligent player."

The son of former major-leaguer Wayne Tolleson, Steve Tolleson talked to The News-Press.

Q: Has getting married had an effect on your game?

A: I think it has made a major difference. Before, when it was just me, I'd go home, and the bad days seemed like bad days. Now, you leave the game at the field a little bit more.

Q: You drew 49 walks last season, and you already have 11. What's your approach at the plate?

A: I'm a guy who gets on base a lot because I walk quite a bit. I like to think of myself as an aggressive hitter also. I'm a selective hitter. I'm not your typical leadoff guy, where I'm going to bunt the ball. I'm more of a doubles guy.

Q: You played shortstop throughout high school and college, but spent most of last season at second base. How do you like being at shortstop again?

A: I kind of got comfortable playing second. The first time I went back over to shortstop again this spring, it felt a little awkward. But as soon as I fielded the first ground ball, it felt back to where I was before. I'm glad I get an opportunity to play shortstop again. Playing with the Twins' organization, you have to learn to play different positions.