By Hilary May; Special to ESPNRISE.com

Danny Diekroger is going into his senior year at Menlo School, in California. The middle infielder is off the Milwaukee Brewers Area Code Team tryout in July. In 2009 he hit .400, with two homers and 33 RBI.

ESPNRISE.com: If you could pick another sport to play, which would it be and why?

Danny Diekroger: Well, I also play football at Menlo (quarterback) so I guess that counts. Football is great. There is something special about the team aspect that you can't get in other sports.

ESPNRISE.com: What do your pre-game rituals consist of?

Danny Diekroger: I don't really have any special pre-game rituals other than things that prepare me for the game. I guess one thing is that I'm always paranoid about is getting my swing ready. My biggest fear is going into a game without having hit pre-game, anything from whiffles to soft toss to pepper, anything to get my bat going.

ESPNRISE.com: If you could face one hitter/pitcher of any era, who would it be and why?

Danny Diekroger: Roger Clemens. I like facing fast pitching, and getting a hit off him would just be sweet.

ESPNRISE.com: Why do you play the game of baseball?

Danny Diekroger: I really started playing because, in a household of three boys, what else are we supposed to do in the backyard? All of my life I've played and I haven't really questioned why. It's just fun.

ESPNRISE.com: Who are the key influences to your success in the game of baseball?

Danny Diekroger: My older brother, Kenny, has been a huge influence on my baseball career. Since we're only a year apart, we've played together a ton, and he has always set high standards for me to follow. Though we've had our fair share of fights, I've always looked up to him. (He has a scholarship to go to Stanford, and just got drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the second round).

ESPNRISE.com: Where do you see yourself in baseball in the future and what are you doing now to get there?

Danny Diekroger: I want to play in the pros. I think there would be nothing better than doing something I love every day, and getting paid to do it. Right now I'm playing every day, working to get better in all aspects of my game.

ESPNRISE.com: What are your plans for the summer?

Danny Diekroger: On top of all the summer football practices, I am playing with a summer team and doing various camps and showcases.

ESPNRISE.com: If you could hang out with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Danny Diekroger: If I could hang out with one person it would be Jesus. The dude can walk on water.

ESPNRISE.com: What do you do when you are not playing baseball?

Danny Diekroger: When I'm not playing baseball I'm playing football. Food, sleep, and hanging out with friends all fit in there somewhere.

ESPNRISE.com: Who is your favorite music artist?

Danny Diekroger: I can't say I have a favorite artist, because I like all kinds of music. Usually, during football season I get into more hip-hop type music, but when baseball comes around I'm all about classic rock.

ESPNRISE.com: If you had a free round trip ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Danny Diekroger: I would go to the island in the TV show "Lost". That place is insane, and if you don't watch Lost, I suggest you start.

ESPNRISE.com: Write something interesting about yourself that most people don't know.

Danny Diekroger: I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit of a closet nerd. I especially like math and science, and I'm not afraid to admit it.