Stoneham Native Working His Way to the Big Leagues

When Mickey Wiswall was tracking the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft on his computer with his family last year, he was unsure what was going to happen. As he and his family nervously waited, sure enough with the 222^nd overall pick the Seattle Mariners selected the Stoneham native.

“I thought I was going to get a call before being selected, but my name just popped up on the computer screen and everyone went crazy,” Wiswall said. “It was really a special moment. It was one of the best days of my life.”

Wiswall had an outstanding three-year college career at Boston College playing third base and first base. He started 165 out of a possible 167 games in his career. He tallied 37 home runs, racked up 152 RBI and hit .310. Wiswall was also an All-ACC second team honoree in his sophomore year and an All-ACC first team honoree his junior year. He ranks second at Boston College in career home runs, third in RBI and hits (208) and eighth in runs with 133.

Wiswall’s normal day at the field is time consuming and at first he didn't know what to expect.

“The days are pretty long," Wiswall confessed. "I usually get to the field around 7:30 a.m. for either a quick workout or some early work, which either consists of hitting in cages or some extra defensive drills.

“Then from 9 a.m. to noon are team fundamentals, after that is usually time to grab some lunch and head back out to the fields for the games. I'm usually done around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. But, like my dad says, ‘It definitely beats the real world.'”

Wiswall understands how tough it is to play against the best competition in the world, but knows to keep his confidence in the meantime.

“I have learned in pro ball you have to be consistent every day and establish routines in order to be competitive and comfortable in the batter’s box and in the field,” Wiswall said. “When it comes down to it you have to have the same mindset and confidence whether you are facing a fellow minor league arm or Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez.”

In 2009, Wiswall was lucky enough to play in the Cape Cod League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. He proceeded to make the Cape Cod League All-Star game and play under the bright lights of Fenway Park, a dream come true for the youngster.

Every since Wiswall was young he loved baseball and worked hard at every game and practice.

“Since I picked up a bat and ball for the first time, I had a strong passion for the game. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to head to a school like Belmont Hill, which helped me prepare academically and athletically for Boston College,” Wiswall said. “The older I got the more I played and the more respect for the game I had. Now to think I'm playing baseball for a living is unbelievable. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and am grateful to the Mariners organization.”

Wiswall has yet to get the call up to the Mariners' active roster, but continues to work toward that goal. He didn't make the big club out of spring training.

If Wiswall didn't choose the baseball route, he stressed he would do whatever possible to finish his final year at Boston College and get his degree.

“I'm not sure what my future holds after baseball, but I feel completely confident that with my Boston College degree some doors will open in the working world,” Wiswall said.