It was a long summer for Jake Peavy. Normally, the number 2 overall draft pick is the toast of the town, but Peavy spent the dog days of summer pitching for the Iowa Cubs while the man who was picked 1 spot ahead of him is a Rookie of the Year candidate who went 7-0 down the stretch with a 2.58 ERA for the World Champion Minnesota Twins. We sat down with Peavy and asked him what he thinks of Prior’s success and how he thinks that can translate for him next summer.

Chicago Tribune: So Jake what do you think of how well Prior threw down the stretch for the Twins?
Jake Peavy: It was fun to watch, but it was also hard to watch knowing that I’m good enough to be that guy as well and haven’t had the opportunity to show it to the fans in Chicago.

CT: You had one of the best minor league debut seasons is history going 6-0 with a 1.36 era between Peoria and Iowa. Did you expect to handle professional hitters that well right out of the gate?
JV: Not to sound cocky, but I did.

CT: So you had a 15/1 K/BB ratio last year, can the Cubs fans expect 60 k’s and just 4 walks in 45 innings to translate to the big club next season?
JV: My goal everytime I pitch is to pitch a perfect game, and the first thing I have to do is not walk anyone. The fans in Chicago can expect someone who doesn’t give up many free bases and gives the team a chance to win everytime out.

CT: Where do you see yourself fitting in with the Cubs rotation next season?
JV: Well we’ve got a solid veteran in Lieber and an emerging ace in Kerry(Wood), so I hope to learn a lot from Liebs and I see me and Kerry being the toughest starting pitching duo in baseball.

CT: So I asked where you see yourself next season?
JV: I’ll be in the rotation from day 1, I got a phone call from our new GM when he took the job and Mr. Keathley told me I’m gonna be pitching in Chicago for a long time and he’s counting on me to help bring the World Series back to Wrigley Field.

CT: Thanks for taking the time Jake and we look forward to those World Series games too.