ROCHESTER, Mich. - Former Oakland Golden Grizzly and United Shore Professional Baseball League (USPBL) pitcher Tyler Palm reflects on his journey that led him to signing with the Minnesota Twins after pitching for the Eastside Diamond Hoppers last weekend.

Q: How does it feel to be signed by a MLB team?

A: "I mean it's a dream come true. I've dreamed about playing in the MLB and this is now a step closer towards the goal. It is awesome to see the hard work and luck on my side."

Q You are now the third consecutive player (second pitcher) from Oakland to sign with a MLB team over the past two seasons following Zach Sterry (2017) Jake Lee (2018). What does this say about the Oakland baseball program and the direction it is going?

A: "It says a lot. Being a mid-major, there isn't enough credit given to us. We also have previous players like Jake Paulson and Mike Brosseau who also are doing very well in their systems. With our coaching staff developing players, our draft classes are only going to get bigger."

Q: After graduation, take us through your journey which led you to pitching in the USPBL

A: "After the draft, I was obviously not selected so I had a choice to either call it quits or take the longer road. My amazing advisor Derrick Ross hooked me up in the USPBL a couple weeks later. I was fortunate to get a spot and was one of four developmental players in the league. This spot was perfect for me because I was coming off an aggravated shoulder impingement so it was similar to receiving a redshirt. I was still getting paid to play but I wasn't playing in game situations until my month in the developmental role was up. Justin Orenduff and Will Fox helped me out each and every day when I was in that role and improved my mechanics and also arm health."

Q: What are some of the things you worked on that sparked the Twins to be interested in signing you?

A: "Working with Justin Orenduff and Will Fox every day last year improved my efficiency when it came to mechanics. At the end of the year, I sat down with Justin and he told me "straight up" what I had to do to succeed that next year. I had to get optimum efficiency from my back leg and improve my arm positioning at foot strike. I worked on that every single day this past off season. Also, my overall strength had increased because of my workout program and eating habits. In addition, my consistency in the strike zone and velocity also increased from last year."

Q: Take us through that amazing night at the USPBL game when you found out you had been signed after you finished pitching

A: "When I finished the fifth inning, my manager Paul Noce said to stick around, so I thought Justin wanted to come over and talk about my mechanics because I felt a little off. I stayed in the dugout for a half inning then Paul said come with me really quick so I walked out and I saw my family and girlfriend making their way out there too. I was a little rattled, but when I saw the tears in my mom's eyes, then I knew that I was about to be picked up by a team but I didn't know which one it was. Justin Orenduff set up the whole thing and it truly was an incredible moment that I was fortunate to share with my loved ones."

Q: Was it more of a surprise to you after finding out that you were allowed to pitch in the game?

A: "It was definitely a surprise but Justin is a smart man and had me at an 80-pitch count limit so it worked out perfectly. Luckily, I had a decent enough game that it made the moment even better."

Q: What advice would you give any current student-athletes who aspire to play at the next level after graduating from Oakland

A: "My advice would be to surround yourself with the right people. I was fortunate to have a great family that always had my back, a supportive girlfriend, and great like-minded friends. Having Ian Yetsko as my roommate this off season definitely helped because he was all over me about my eating habits/workout programs and my throwing partner."

"My other piece of advice is to look yourself in the mirror everyday (metaphorically) and ask yourself, "did I get better today"? If you can look in the mirror and say that, then you will never have regrets going forward no matter what happens. Follow your dream!"

#WEARtheBEAR