Have you ever wondered what a player is thinking during an at-bat or how they get ready for a trip to the plate?

Back in spring training in Arizona, Jason Heyward pulled back the curtain for us on his routine and why he does what he does from the dugout to the on-deck circle to the batter’s box.

From his plan for those freezing cold early-April games at Wrigley Field to what’s going through his mind every step of the way, the Cubs veteran outfielder was passionate and open about his approach.

“First of all when you come out of the top step [of the dugout], it’s always a special feeling stepping on the field,” Heyward said. “But I feel like the on-deck circle is a unique spot. We’re on the baseball field, we don’t have anywhere to be yet at the moment, but you can kind of take everything in. So for me at Wrigley, that’s still really special.”

There won’t be any fans at Wrigley Field to start the 2020 season, but Heyward loves how close the on-deck circle is to the Cubs faithful sitting in the first few rows.

“For me personally, when I’m standing in the on-deck circle and making my way out here, I feel like I’m going to bat with everybody right here sitting with me,” he said.

Heyward also gives a shout-out to his fiancee as he steps into the batter’s box.

“It’s just nice to separate stuff,” Heyward said. “You bring a little family, you bring a little home into the box with you but at the same time, you know you’re getting ready to go for battle. You got your family, you got your boys – now you go compete and play the game you love.”

When Heyward is in the box, he’s always cognizant of his teammates in the dugout and said there’s always one guy he hears up more than any other (which won’t surprise Cubs fans).

Check out more from Heyward in the complete video feature.