PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- 21 year old right handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel started the season for the Sea Dogs as the highest rated prospect on the team according to Baseball America. 

The hard-throwing Pimentel was rated the sixth best prospect in the Boston Red Sox minor league system overall, but he thought he should be starting the season in Boston, not Portland.

"I want to play in the big leagues because that is my dream, that is what I have been working [toward], trying to get better every day to play in the big leagues," explained Pimentel.  "I've been playing all my life, you know, since I was a kid, all the time. Also, I lived really close to the field - down in the Dominican Republic - so that is all I have been doing all my life."

The early part of the season has been stormy for Stolmy, as he has struggled with his command.  As of June first, he is 0-7 with and ERA above 8.  He says he knows what he needs to do to right the ship and keep climbing the minor league ladder.

"I need to keep working on my control," he said.  "You know, a little bit on my curveball, but I think everything is fine because every time I wake up, every time I come to the field, I just want to think about getting better.  Work on what I need to get better."

Stolmy says his work ethic will help him fulfill his big league dreams.

"I want to help my family, you know, and I want to get some money, too, but I have a passion. I think I have a passion for baseball because that's what I have been doing all my life. So when I was a kid, I wasn't think about maybe I am going to get signed or not, or I am going to get a lot of money you know. So that is passion, that I have been feeling for a long time."

Want to learn more about Stolmy?  We asked him six questions about baseball, and his life off the field, you can see and hear his answers by clicking on the video box to the left.

NEWS CENTER