VYPE: You got to play in the Commissioner's Cup last summer, attend the MLB All-Star game in Cleveland and meet Commissioner Rob Manfred. What was that experience like for you?
Hyder: That was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only was I playing baseball, which is the game I love the absolute most, I met a lot of cool people. I met a lot of people that I consider my brothers now from different states. Like you said, I got to meet the Commissioner himself and a bunch of different legends.
VYPE: I know one legend you got to meet was Ken Griffey Jr. What makes him the guy you really look up to and enjoyed meeting?
Hyder: During his time, he was one of the most energetic players there was. There's not a lot of people you can compare to him. His humbleness, matched with his energy on and off the field is just insane. I take that to heart, personally.
VYPE: You play second and third here at St. Pius X. What do you enjoy the most about playing the infield?
Hyder: My primary position is third base. As everybody knows, that's the hot corner, especially if a righty is up. The ball is going to get up on you quick. What I love about playing there is I don't have time to get in my head, I just have to react."
VYPE: Playing a position like third, how much do you like watching a guy like Alex Bregman?
Hyder: Every day. I love it. I look at highlights on third basemen all the time. I want to be like them, and I want to do the best I can at that position.
VYPE: You are entering your junior year, which is a big recruiting season for you. What is it like for you knowing that there is a real opportunity out there for you to play college baseball and maybe even past that level?
Hyder: Right now, it's still a surreal moment. I'm not going to get big-headed. I'm going to stay humble about it. The schools that are looking at me the most are Oklahoma, Sam Houston and Rice. Those are three really good baseball programs and I don't want to mess up my chances of going there.
VYPE: How important is it to you to be a good leader on and off the field?
Hyder: That means a lot to me. We have to know how to give constructive criticism and not just jump on our teammates. For me, coach putting me in that position is a crazy moment because I'm a junior. For him to give it to me, I know it's a big role. It's big shoes to fill but I feel like I'm filling them pretty well … I just feel that I know how to connect with my peers.
VYPE: Finally, how much fun do you have? I mean, it's baseball, it's fun right?
Hyder: It's a grind but I love it. I love the work ethic. I just love everything about it. I love it.
