Athlete of the Week: Dylan Barber

Congratulations to Patch's Athlete of the Week Dylan Barber

What’s your favorite sport other than baseball?

"I like to surf... a few of my buddies taught me how. I have a 5’9” board. It’s a lot of fun and I like it. I also really like basketball. I want to try out for Bogie’s team next year. I could probably be a guard or point guy. I’m pretty decent."

What kind of music do you like?

"I like rap, hip hop. Two of my favorite artists are Wiz Khalifa and L’il Wayne."

 What kind of GPA do you have at school?

"Currently I have a 2.85 but I’m headed to getting a 3.0."

Are you taking any special or honors classes at school?

"Actually, I just got the papers recently that confirmed that I’ve met all the requirements for Dual Enrollment. That’s when you take classes at Bogie and St. Pete College during the school year. It gets you college credit and lets you explore what you might want to major in, in college. I’d like to study forensic science; I’m really into the computer side of it and I’m good with computers. But I’m also good in English. I took the Florida Writes essay tests, where you get a topic and 45 minutes to write an essay. It’s like taking the FCAT for English. It’s graded 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).. I got at least a 4 on two or three of them. I like to write."

What are your plans for the summer?

"I’d like to play in the Summer Ball League. Brian Warner, who was a coach at Bogie last year, puts together a summer team and we travel to games all over the country. We compete all through the summer and it keeps you in good condition for the fall sports."

Being just a sophomore, have you even thought about college yet?

"I know I want to play baseball wherever I go. I’ve thought about wanting to play for the Florida Gators. If not them, then maybe out West somewhere."

Who are your role models?

"Definitely my Dad, Bobby Barber and my Uncle, Billy Barber. Both played at Bogie and both went on to play ball. My dad played for the Cincinnati Reds minor league team, Uncle Billy was an all-around great player. I’m the third generation of Barbers, including my old brother Austin, to play for Bogie. My grandfather played baseball too, it’s in our blood."

Do you like school?

"Um, not really. I mean I like some school; I like Business Software and Computers. I think that’s why I like Forensic Science so much because you have to use computers and understand them to make the science work. I’m good in technology, so I like that."

What have been some challenges you’ve faced in life?

"Last year I had a benign tumor in my knee. I could have kept playing ball, but I chose towards the end of the season last year to have surgery, which gave me some decent time to rehab so I could come back strong this year. Then, I was skim boarding and hurt my right thumb. They had to put a metal rod and a screw in by the thumb to hold it in place. But I can bend it fine now and it doesn’t affect my play."

Do you have a girlfriend?

"Nope, single and looking…(LOL)"