Brandon Douglas may not be a household name, but he had one of the best batting averages in the MiLB in 2010.

The Detroit Tigers don’t exactly have the Major League ready skill at second base like some big league clubs, but what they do have is depth. Brandon Douglas, a member of the Lakeland Flying Tigers and Erie Seawolves in 2010, may be the diamond of the batch.

Sure, he’s nobody your everyday Tigers fan would know, but he cannot be overlooked. Combined between Single-A and Double-A last season, Douglas hit .345 in 281 at bats total. You may think his average decreased during the increase in competition, but it actually jumped from .331 to .359 after the move to Erie.

I was lucky enough to ask Brandon a few questions about his youth, his batting average, defense and his goals for 2011. Here’s the interview…

1. Since you were born in Iowa, a state that does not have a Major League baseball team, which baseball team (in any league) did you watch as a young player?

BD: Growing up the Cubs and Braves were the only teams on tv. Alot of my friends were cubs fans so I decided I would be a Braves fan. Last year during spring training I was asked to fill in for a day with the big league club and we traveled to Disney to play the Braves. I remember during the game looking over and seeing Bobby Cox in the dugout and Chipper Jones at 3rd. I had a blast!

2. Any MLB players you idolized as a youth?

BD: David Eckstein was a player that I watched growing up. He wasn’t on tv alot but whenever he was on tv I would always watch. He was a guy that didn’t have the greatest arm, didn’t have the greatest speed, and didn’t hit for alot of power but he always played hard. He knew his role and it seemed like he never tried to do to much.

3. What made you decide to re-enter the draft after being selected in the 32nd round by the Reds in 2007? What part of your game improved that you were selected in the 11th round by the Tigers just a year later?

BD: To me the biggest thing I needed to get better at was the mental side of the game. I was really hard on myself and when i struggled I’d beat myself up. One mistake led to another and one bad at bat led to another bad at bat. There was other things i needed to do but i’d say that was the biggest thing. Baseball isn’t an easy game. You’re going to strike out and you’re going to make errors. Those things happen. The quicker you forget and move on the better things will be!

4. In three minor league seasons you have hit .331 and had one of the best batting averages in the MiLB last season with a .345, how do you consistently put up phenomenal hitting numbers? Who/what is the key to this success at the plate?

BD: I think theres a few reasons why I’ve done ok hitting since joining the tigers organization. My swing has stayed consistant. I haven’t really changed anything since leaving college. Another thing would be my approach. I know who I am as a hitter. I know what I can do and I know what I can’t do. I’m not a guy that’s going to have 10,15,20 homers a year. I”ll be lucky if I hit 1!! I’m a singles/doubles hitter and i’m fine with that. My job is to get on base. I’ll leave the homers up to the big guys!

5. You have played in the Gulf Coast League, Oneonta, West Michigan, Lakeland and Erie; which stop has been the most beneficial to you for the game of baseball or personally? Why?

BD: To be honest, they all have been very important. I’ve found that each league is different and as you move up things change. The way pitchers pitch, the strike zone and plenty more.

6. Last season you had a .995 fielding percentage at second base; what is the key to playing a great defensive middle infield position?

BD: This past year was my second year at second base. I definitely felt more comfortable over there and i think that’s why I did so well. Kevin Bradshaw (at the time was the rover infielding instructor) really worked with me alot the first year. Some people don’t realize how different or how difficult changing positions is. The angle of the ball coming off the bat is different and getting lined up in relay positions is different. You have to know before every pitch where you have to be in every situation!

7. With your recent success at Double-A Erie, where do you expect to start the 2011 season? Back with the Seawolves, down to Lakeland or up to Toledo?

BD: It really doesn’t matter where I start out this year. Just as long as i’m healthy and in the line-up i’ll be happy!