By Kevin Winter SportsTicker Staff Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Virtually any pitcher who has come from Texas in recent years has been compared to Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens. It may not be fair, but that's the way it is.

Colt Griffin is no different.

Griffin was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the ninth overall pick in the 2001 draft. Coming out of Marshall, Texas, he started hitting 100 miles per hour on the radar gun by his senior season in high school. He had signed a letter of intent to attend Louisiana Tech, but once he was drafted, professional baseball was the only thing on his mind.

The 6-4 righthander was sent to Spokane in the short-season Northwest League for the remainder of the 2001 season. In just three appearances, Griffin allowed seven earned runs in 2 1/3 innings. It was the experience, however, that proved most valuable.

Now 19, he is in his first full season with the Burlington Indians of the Class A Midwest League and owns a 4-3 record with a 3.99 ERA in 12 appearances.

Griffin recently took time to discuss what it is like being compared to legends when you are only in high school and life in his first full minor league season.

Q: A lot of people know you as the only high school pitcher that is ever believed to hit 100 mph on the radar gun, but you did not always throw that hard. When did the velocity come around?

A: It was in the fall before my senior year. I started throwing hard and Louisiana Tech, the school I signed with, came to watch me pitch. The scout said I hit 92 that day and this was back in November before the season started. Then it came around and my first start was when I hit 96 and it kind of went up every game. After I got drafted, I talked to the guy from Louisiana Tech and he said that day that I hit 92, I was actually hitting 96. I grew a lot my sophomore and junior year but I was still filling out and then it finally all came together.

Q: When you signed with Louisiana Tech, were you going to college as an outfielder or as a pitcher?

A: I really didn't know yet. I was an outfielder/I don't know! They weren't really sure yet. I could do either one. I guess they figured they had a 2-for-1 deal.

Q: It seems that if you're a pitcher coming out of Texas and you throw hard that you are going to be compared to either Nolan Ryan or Roger Clemens. Is that the case?

A: That's pretty much true! When I was coming out of Texas, Baseball America said I was the next Roger Clemens. That's some big shoes to fill! I don't know where they get it. I guess they just have to say something!

Q: So you did not pay attention to it?

A: Not really. I'm nothing like Roger Clemens so it really doesn't matter.

Q: Is that too much to say about a young player?

A: Not really. It makes you feel good to some sort but it still is some big shoes to fill. It didn't pressure me where I said that I have to go do this to fulfill their expectations. I didn't put pressure on me.

Q: Were you ready for last year?

A: I got ready but I hurt myself by not throwing all summer. I had to get back in the swing of it, throwing everyday it takes a toll on you.

Q: When you finished your high school season and then got drafted and had to start throwing again, as a pitcher, how difficult is it to get yourself ready again?

A: It was pretty tough because throwing all through high school and then laying off, my arm tightened up pretty good. That's one thing they did, they took it easy with me that way I wouldn't hurt myself. They did the smart thing.

Q: So for you, the numbers last season didn't really mean anything?

A: The whole purpose of them sending me there was to soak up the environment, sitting there with the guys and seeing how it goes for the full season this year.

Q: How much were you able to learn?

A: I learned a lot just sitting on the bench, talking to guys, watching different people and going everywhere. It was a humbling experience and it helped a lot.

Q: Are you taking this season in stride and just learning what you can?

A: I'm trying to soak up as much as I can! It helps me but then it hurts me sometimes because I'm taking in too much and trying to figure out all of these things at once, instead of just one step at a time. My pitching coach (Jose Bautista) and I, we're starting to slow it down instead of doing three different things in one day. That's helped a lot lately.

Q: How many times this year have you caught yourself, or has your pitching coach caught you thinking too much and not pitching and not reacting?

A: The games I do bad in, he can come out there and tell me exactly what I'm thinking! The games when I get in that rhythm and I'm not thinking of anything, I just go out there and throw lights out. I just have to get into that mindset every time out.

Q: Seven walks in your last start? What happened?

A: That's the bus ride (Burlington arrived in West Michigan at 7:00 a.m. in the morning for a 4:00 p.m. afternoon game). I was tired after warming up! I kind of knew it was coming and I tried to battle my way out but I couldn't do it.

Q: You were on bus rides in college but its not the same, is it?

A: No because we do it everyday, even when we're at home. When we're at home, we're at the ballpark for 8-10 hours a day. Then you get on a bus and go for seven hours and you get to wake up in three hours and play another one. You've got to eat right and get your rest. You have to take care of yourself big time.

Q: Coming into this season, did you set any goals for yourself or is that something that you don't really do?

A: I just want to take as much in and learn as much as I can, then pick the good and the bad apart at the end of the year and go in next year and put it all together.

Q: Do you sometimes find yourself day-dreaming that you are playing Class A ball and you are only 19 years old?

A: Yeah, I do. Especially with the good games, that's when I think about it. During the bad, I just try to shake it off and go out there and get them the next time. You don't want to get any negative thoughts in your head. Usually when I do well, I come in and have to remind myself that I still have a lot to work for and that I'm not going to do it every time.