WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:07.440 Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network. Guardians Weekly is brought 2 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:51.280 to you by Progressive helping Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance. Hi everyone, 3 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:56.479 Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along with you this weekend from 4 00:00:56.560 --> 00:01:00.719 Atlanta, Georgia, where the Guardians are taking on the Atlanta in a three 5 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:04.280 game series start of a two city trip Forard Cleveland. We'll take on Houston 6 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:10.200 next week Tuesday through Thursday. Good show lined up for you today in just 7 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:15.840 a little bit, we will hear from outfielder Stephen Kwan, relief pitcher Hunter 8 00:01:15.959 --> 00:01:19.840 Gaddis, and also visit with starting pitcher Tanner Bibby and also another member of 9 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:25.480 the starting rotation, Ben Lively, as well as a farm report with Rob 10 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:30.120 Sortfolio, the director of player development for the Guardians. But first our weekend 11 00:01:30.200 --> 00:01:34.439 review and after an off day on Monday, the Guardians finished up their homestand 12 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:41.159 with a three game series against Boston and on Tuesday night, with rain falling 13 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:45.359 throughout much of the ballgame, the Guardians received some good pitching in this one 14 00:01:45.760 --> 00:01:49.280 as they needed it. Tanner hout going for the Red Sox. He shut 15 00:01:49.319 --> 00:01:52.760 down the Guardians a week prior in Boston. For the Guardians, it was 16 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:57.480 Ben Lively making his decond start on the young season, and he was shocked. 17 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:02.000 Ben Lively is one strikeaway from being the first Cleveland pitcher to go six 18 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:07.879 innings in a two and a half week span, and that is so critical 19 00:02:07.240 --> 00:02:13.039 to save that bullpen. Now the kick and the delivery from the veteran right 20 00:02:13.080 --> 00:02:16.759 hander, and it swung on line shot right at the center fielder. Tyler 21 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:23.080 Freeman had to jump at the last moment and made the catch, and Ben 22 00:02:23.199 --> 00:02:29.280 Lively continues to dominate scoreless. In the middle of the sixth from Downtown Cleveland. 23 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:31.439 The Red Sox got the game's first run in the seventh inning on a 24 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:37.280 solo home run by Willy r Abreu, but the Guardians answered in the bottom 25 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:40.319 of the seventh. Will Brennan got it started with a double, bringing Tyler 26 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:45.840 Freeman to the plate. The two strength pitch swung on, banged up the 27 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:51.680 middle, pasit center Brennan his third. He's coming home. We are tied 28 00:02:52.039 --> 00:03:00.080 at one, and that's why manager Steven Vote did not fun even on an 29 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:07.479 oh two count. Tyler Freeman stayed locked in and he continues to torture the 30 00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:13.680 Red Sox with a two strike RBI single to center, and it's a one 31 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:19.759 to one game, and Tanner Hawk has proven to be human. Later on 32 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:23.800 in the seventh Brian Rochio's sack fly gave the Guardians a two to one lead, 33 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:27.639 and then in the eighth inning, Jose Ramirez let things off with a 34 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:31.520 blast. Now the set in the one two pitch swung on hit pretty well 35 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:42.080 to right. That goes Refsneider. Track walk dom Jose Ramirez took a ninety 36 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:46.719 seven mile an hour fastball on the outside corner and shot it the other way 37 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:54.479 to write number four for Jose Ramirez and the Guardians get a mamoth insurants running 38 00:03:54.599 --> 00:04:00.400 now lead it three to one in the eighth inning and josez Now with two 39 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:04.719 home runs from each side of the plate this year, and then a big 40 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:09.879 two out hit from Esteban flori All extended the lead a little bit further. 41 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:15.080 Now the set now the two to two pitch swung and ripped a deep right 42 00:04:15.400 --> 00:04:18.040 bank, goes Refsnyder. It's over his head, rips off the wall. 43 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:23.480 In the third is Freeman Hill try to score, there will be no throat 44 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:30.759 to the plate it's an RBI double for Estevan flori All and the Guardians now 45 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:38.079 laid at four to one. A left on left matchup and scoring from first 46 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:43.199 was Freeman and the Red Sox did not do a very good job with the 47 00:04:43.279 --> 00:04:47.240 relay coming to the cutoff man from Rev. Snyder and they would have had 48 00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:51.199 a play at the plate, but they just never got any kind of a 49 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:56.959 throw off to the plate and the Guardians with two and the seventh two in 50 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:01.000 the eighth and their late ending magic continues. And in the ninth it was 51 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:06.600 a Manuel classe on to try and nail down another say nothing into the count 52 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:11.759 four to one. Cleveland base is empty, two down in the ninth clause, 53 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:18.839 let's hit rip and a bray you a swing and ans bogging clause Pump 54 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:25.680 set fisted the gloves strangs out the side and the Guardians, with another dominant 55 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:30.720 pitching performance tonight, wipe out the Boston Red Sox four to one. So 56 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:34.800 a night start to the series against the Red Sox on a chili night on 57 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:40.720 Wednesday, it was all Boston as they shut out the Guardians ate nothing, 58 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:45.680 so that set up the rubber match of the series on Thursday, a cold 59 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:48.439 afternoon game Downtown made it tough on the hitters, but it didn't bother Will 60 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:53.600 Brennan. In the second inning, Now the wind up and now the one 61 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:58.959 two delivery swung and hit a ton deep bright field. Back is a bray 62 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:08.160 you and it is gone even into the wind well. Brennan hits his third 63 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:14.120 and the Guardians with a one nothing lead. Here in the second. Still 64 00:06:14.120 --> 00:06:16.600 in the second, after two walks and a hit batter, the bases were 65 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:24.759 loaded for Jose Ramirez, Anderson's ready. He fires a sway the drive to 66 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:35.800 deep right, how way back on pitch number ten, deepen of the lord, 67 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:44.240 decking right, a grand slam for Jose, a five nothing Cleveland lead, 68 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:49.120 and Alex carl with a walk to the mound one hitter too late. 69 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:55.000 Boston clought their way back into it with two runs in the third and two 70 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:58.720 more in the sixth inning to make it a one run Guardians lead at five 71 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:02.000 to four, But in the cell a big insurance run came across the plate 72 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:08.639 thanks to the legs of Jose Ramirez. Now the one one runner first goes 73 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:12.680 pitches off the glove of McGuire. Ramirez is coming home. Nobody's at the 74 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:16.519 plate balls flipped back to the plate, Martin wasn't there. Hosey scores, 75 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:24.920 Naylor goes to third, and Ramirez, again the smartest base runner in baseball, 76 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:30.680 steals a run on a ball that glanced off the glove of McGuire, 77 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:35.800 went behind him about four or five feet. Hosey never hesitated, the pitcher 78 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:43.240 never covered the plate, and so it'll be a stolen base for Naylor and 79 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:50.439 a pass ball that enabled Hosey to score. And Jose Ramirez just continues to 80 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:56.240 be a one man wrecking crew at six to four Cleveland. He is something 81 00:07:56.319 --> 00:08:01.279 special and we get to watch him every day. Wow. And once again 82 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:05.720 it was a Manuel class a on to close things out in the ninth on 83 00:08:05.959 --> 00:08:09.160 field playing ref Snyder as if he were a left handed pull hitter. The 84 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:16.360 one two pitch, a swing in a little weak pop, shallow left arius 85 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:22.879 near the foul line, makes a catch ball game and the Guardians have another 86 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:28.800 series win. They take five out of seven from Boston here in twenty twenty 87 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:35.480 four, and they win the finale today six to four, So a nice 88 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:37.919 finish to the homestand for the Guardians. And then it was on the road, 89 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:43.360 opening up the series here in Atlanta on Friday night, and after an 90 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:46.840 early start with a home run off the bat of Stephen Kwan, it was 91 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:50.519 all Braves after that, and Chris Sailor was terrific plenty of offense for Atlanta 92 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:54.559 in a six to two Brave victory over the Guardians. Game two of the 93 00:08:54.600 --> 00:09:01.080 series Saturday night, seven twenty and the series wraps up Sunday afternoon at one 94 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:03.440 thirty five. Stay with us when we come back. We'll hear from outfielder 95 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:11.639 Stephen Kwan. That's next a Cleveland clinic. Guardians Radio Network. When you 96 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.639 switch and save with Progressive, you could use that money towards going to see 97 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:18.279 your favorite team in the playoffs. Progressive cannot guarantee that you can go see 98 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:20.039 your favorite team in the playoffs. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive could 99 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:22.600 safe hundreds on average, but we cannot guarantee that your favorite team will make 100 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:26.120 the playoffs or even finish with a winning record. They could easily lose more 101 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:28.840 than half thir games and finish in the cellar because they think badly and haven't 102 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:31.440 made the playoffs in years. Savings very possible. Playoffs. Highly double switch 103 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:35.960 and see if you could save at Progressive dot Com, Progressive Cashley Insurance and 104 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:37.240 affiliate. It's not available in all states. We cannot be held liable for 105 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:52.080 your favorite teams terrible and frankly embarrassing performances now wherever. Welcome back to Guardians 106 00:09:52.120 --> 00:09:58.039 Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse along with you from Truest Park in Atlanta, Georgia. 107 00:09:58.399 --> 00:10:01.480 The Guardian's taking on the Braves this weekend. They haven't been here to Atlanta 108 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:07.039 since the twenty sixteen season when they played at Old Turner Field. It's their 109 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:11.879 first visit here to a beautiful new ballpark and Truest Field. Stephen Kuan's been 110 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:16.639 off to a red hot started to play for the Guardians this season. He 111 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:22.399 has been at or among the league leaders in batting through the first three four 112 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:26.639 weeks of the campaign and with him being on a tier since the season began, 113 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:30.879 he talked about what's allowed him to get off to a great start. 114 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:33.480 Yeah, I think a lot of it is being aggressive of balls in zone. 115 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:37.879 I think last year and even the first year, identity was kind of 116 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:43.120 like support role. See a bunch of pitches, allow Hosy and all of 117 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:45.159 them to kind of get a feel for what the pitcher has and then that 118 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:46.720 kind of put me in some tough spots, a lot of two shrike counts, 119 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:50.120 and I can work my way in two shrike counts, but you know, 120 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:52.759 to really slug and yeah, that is really hard. So I think 121 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:56.919 giving myself a little more credit this year and swingers, some pitches and zone 122 00:10:56.919 --> 00:11:00.559 are really helping. And it seems like with men on base or our base 123 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:03.320 is loaded, maybe even ramp that up even further. Is that a plan 124 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:05.960 of attack when when you do have a chance to drive in some runs? 125 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:09.440 Yeah, absolutely, I think uh Hegi and a couple other of the coaches 126 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:13.120 said it really well, you know, like I think for us like Runnings 127 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:16.240 competition, it's nervous, nerve wracking for us as hitters, but even more 128 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:18.679 more nerve wracking for the pitchers, like you know, they're changing their whole 129 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:22.279 kind of strategy when Runnings on base, taking advantage of that and understanding like 130 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.000 you know, they're the ones in a tough spot right now, like I 131 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:28.679 should be comfortable attacking, being aggressive, and then you know, trying to 132 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:31.879 push the envelope. It sounds like a great plan, but I'm sure it 133 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:35.080 doesn't always work. But the team as a team is over three hundred right 134 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:37.720 now, men in scoring position. So can that go up and down the 135 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:41.200 lineup? Yeah? I think so. You can have a plan and that's 136 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:43.840 kind of the foundation. You know, execution is obviously way harder, and 137 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:46.759 then obviously baseball is going to do its thing. You know, you can 138 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.799 hit a ball really hard and somebody catches it. But I think if we 139 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:52.879 can kind of stick to that plan and whatever plan is for that day, 140 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:54.480 I think we're gonna be a good spot. Not sure if you heard the 141 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:58.759 other night after the game, Josh Naylor was complimentary of you in that you 142 00:11:58.799 --> 00:12:03.559 get this thing going. You've been a leadoff hitter a lot in your career 143 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:09.000 even before pro ball. How enjoyable and how natural it is is it for 144 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:11.679 you now to be in that spot where you set the table. Yeah, 145 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:15.120 it's a lot of fun. It's a huge honor, obviously. It's again 146 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:18.879 that's it was kind of my identity before as being that support role character, 147 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:22.320 just trying to do anything I can, like if I get out communicate to 148 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:26.240 the team. It's definitely familiar home. It's definitely difficult at times as well, 149 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:28.960 when you don't see a guy you're kind of the guinea pig out there 150 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:31.759 trying to figure out what the guy has that day. But it's a lot 151 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:35.519 of fun. It's definitely a huge privilege and one that I love being a 152 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:39.159 part of. And team wise, you kind of touched on it in the 153 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:43.960 spring about last year and the challenges, especially for some of the younger players. 154 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:48.679 In hindsight, something that that has kind of fueled this season when when 155 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:52.679 you look at it the way it's gone so far. Yeah, I think 156 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:58.399 so. I think last year was a huge indicator of how how maybe not 157 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:01.480 to go by things. I think that was a huge step for a lot 158 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:05.879 of players, including myself, on like preparation kind of what we're trying to 159 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:09.759 do. Having that year of experience, I think with all of us has 160 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.159 been super instrumental. I think you kind of feel more more comfortable, You 161 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:15.080 feel like you belong in a lot of those things. It seems like it's 162 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:18.279 working out so far. The fun factor. It seems like this team's having 163 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:20.279 a ton of fun. I'm sure winning is a big part of that, 164 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:24.399 but I feel like it was happening maybe even before some of the dramatic victories. 165 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:28.960 Is there anyone in particular or a certain thing that's spurring that on and 166 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:31.759 making this a really fun bop club. Yeah. Absolutely, Hedges makes it 167 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:37.039 always a lot of fun. I like to say that he's always he's usually 168 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:39.440 the one saying the dumbestuff in the locker room. So when he's saying the 169 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:41.639 dumbest stuff, people aren't afraid to say dumb things as well. And I 170 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:46.679 think when you can feel looser and more like yourself, that just creates a 171 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:50.039 really good locker room. He's always saying some outrageous stuff and he's yelling, 172 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:54.559 we're all yelling. We're just really pulling for each other. It feels like 173 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:56.960 a real team. It doesn't feel like, you know, we're coworkers or 174 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.000 any of that. Like we enjoy seeing each other. We hang out with 175 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.279 each other off the fields. It's a good group of guys. Now, 176 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.759 Steven as always thanks for the time. Appreciate it. Yeah, appreciate it. 177 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:07.120 Rosie always fun to visit and talk hitting among other things. With Steven 178 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:13.320 Kwan and the offense taking care of business early in the season, so has 179 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:18.480 the bullpen with some unfamiliar arms from years past, including Hunter Gattis, who's 180 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:24.519 been terrific this season. He's made that transition from being a starting pitcher to 181 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:28.360 the bullpen, and he talked about how much he's enjoying that new role and 182 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:33.519 that it's exceeded even his own expectations so far. Definitely. I mean, 183 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:37.519 I'm really just enjoying it. You know. I told Vote and you know 184 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:39.480 the rest of the guys when we first got in a spring training I'll say, 185 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:41.080 I just want the ball, you know, I just want the ball. 186 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.320 I want to throw the ball as many time as I can, whatever 187 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:48.799 it is, starting or leaving, I didn't care. So but it's been 188 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:52.120 going well. When did you realize it that this would be the role? 189 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:58.200 At what point in spring training when they told me like four or five days 190 00:14:58.279 --> 00:15:01.600 left to spring training? Probably, I mean I kind of noticed I was 191 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.879 only going out for one inning towards the in the spring training, so I 192 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:07.879 kind of figured, but uh, you know, there's still a little doubt 193 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:11.720 of like maybe there's something maybe not. But then once when they officially told 194 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:15.120 me, I was like, Okay, what's been the biggest difference you think 195 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:18.919 in this role as opposed to when you were starting. I mean you could 196 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:20.159 just go and you know, if it's one inning, just go out and 197 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:24.799 give one hundred and ten percent of whatever you got that day. You know 198 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:28.240 we're starting, it's like you kind of you ease into the game. You 199 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:31.320 know, you don't just throw every pitch as physically hard as you can per 200 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:35.480 se. So it's nice to just be able to go, like, you 201 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:39.879 know, let it deeper inning and it seems like you have a different persona 202 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:43.039 on the mound now. Maybe not, I don't know. Do you approach 203 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:46.080 it differently when you got there now and especially in key spots late in the 204 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:48.720 game. Oh yeah, you know, I like to it's a little psycho 205 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:52.000 mode. I've always pitched better or angry, and I, you know, 206 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.879 starting it's like I can't, like I said, I can, you know, 207 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.080 give one hundred and ten on every single pitch. But you know, 208 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:03.799 in this relieve in this role is you know, it's really just psycho mode. 209 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:07.799 Go let it eat. So you say you're angry, Does anyone have 210 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:11.759 to because you're a gentle giant and one of the nicest people on the team. 211 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:14.159 Does someone get you riled up before you go out there? No, 212 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:18.039 I know where to find it. You know, multiple years of you know, 213 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:22.919 my dad knows the secret too of I pitch better angry. So I 214 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:26.360 know how to you know, he he helped me growing up get to that 215 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:29.639 mode, you know, or it helps me to perform. But I know 216 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:32.039 how to get there, and you know what it takes to get to that 217 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:36.879 spot. You mentioned being accepted in the bullpen. There's not some initiation you 218 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:40.720 have to go through, is there. No, it's just you know last 219 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.840 year when I would kind of show up, you know, there's always just 220 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:45.759 jokes around like, oh yeah, you know you're a starter. You're a 221 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:48.000 starter, you know, just messing around it all. It's all fun and 222 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:49.799 games. But it's just good, you know, to be out there. 223 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:53.440 Everybody's supporting each other. So it's real nice. When you look at the 224 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:57.000 series coming up with the Atlanta Braves, you're going back home first time in 225 00:16:57.039 --> 00:17:00.799 the major leagues. What's what are you looking forward or two about that? 226 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:04.119 I mean, spend time with the family, you know, especially nobody has 227 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:07.000 to travel too far. You know, I don't have to worry about where 228 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.519 they're going to stay the night. You know, they used to go back 229 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:11.960 home, so uh, it'll just be nice. You know, I've grew 230 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:15.880 up around there, you know, was a Braves fan early on, and 231 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:21.200 uh, it'll just be nice to actually play in a game inside the field, 232 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:25.839 and you mentioned being a Braves fan, any particular players that you grew 233 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:29.119 up following and enjoying watching. Yeah, Rock Hill for Call, way back 234 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:32.680 in the day, Jipper Jones, you know those were the two like big 235 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:37.400 times growing up, that was it. And so decisions on road trips that 236 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:41.279 that not many have to make. But uh, you could you could stay 237 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.680 at home? Did did they save a bed for you? Or is your 238 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:45.759 room still intact where you grew up? Hi, I would have to ask. 239 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:48.720 I'm sure, I'm sure my mom, will you know, figure something 240 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:52.200 out? I'm sure say would love it. You know, maybe a night 241 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:55.400 I can go spend at home, but uh, I don't know. I 242 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:59.279 like the hotel too. It's nice maybe get away for a little bit too. 243 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:03.319 So we'll all part of a new road trip starting for the Guardians. 244 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:06.119 Hunter, thanks Loft for coming. I appreciate it. Thank you, appreciate 245 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:11.440 you man. It's Hunter gaddis sure having a great weekend here in Atlanta as 246 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:15.359 he comes back home to pitch in front of the home folks. Stay with 247 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:18.079 us when we come back. We'll hear from starting pitchers Tanner Bibby and Ben 248 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:22.880 Lively. That's next. As we continue with Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic 249 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:38.599 Guardians Radio Network, runners will be moving on this three to two pitch. 250 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:45.000 Here it comes and McCann swings and missus the change up again. It's been 251 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:52.680 his best pitch today, Iby with this fourth strikeout. Guardians Weekly continues from 252 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:57.119 Atlanta, where the Guardians are taking on the braves this weekend. Jim Rosenhouse 253 00:18:57.160 --> 00:19:00.319 along with you. Great to have you with us on Saturday morning. If 254 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:06.279 you're listening in on our flagship station WTAM, or if you're listening to us 255 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:11.759 in podcast form wherever you download your favorite podcasts. You know that the Guardians 256 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:14.119 are off to a good start this season, and a lot of that has 257 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:18.599 been good starting pitching, including from one of last year's solid rookies, Tanner 258 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:22.480 Byby, now in his first full major league season, pitched well in a 259 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:26.599 win over Oakland last Sunday, and we caught up with him afterwards and he 260 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:32.240 talked about his progression since his first outing of the season, and he says 261 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:37.240 he's finally pleased with how things are going the last two starts. Yeah, 262 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:40.400 definitely, I feel like the last two starts have been definitely more me. 263 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.200 I mean, I don't think I'm like I said, always said, there's 264 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:45.279 no one's to finished product yet, but I think I'm getting closer and closer 265 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:49.720 to where i can be comfortable ever start, be more efficient every start, 266 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:53.240 and I think I'm just doing better and better every start. And when you 267 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:57.240 look at that progression, I'm sure everyone would like to get out of the 268 00:19:57.279 --> 00:20:02.200 gate throwing their best right away. But is it just not realistic sometimes? 269 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:06.279 I mean sometimes no, I mean sometimes you're working through body stuff and some 270 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:10.799 mental stuff. I think getting out of the gates hot is a I don't 271 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.160 want to say it's a rare thing, but it's definitely difficult because I mean, 272 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:17.559 coming off the year last year and coming right into this year, it's 273 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:21.359 very different. And I think being able to kind of come back from the 274 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.960 start I had, I think it was, Uh, it's good. I 275 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:26.480 like where I'm at right now. How about transitioning from spring training to regular 276 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:30.079 season. What's the biggest difference when when you look at a start during the 277 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:36.480 spring to a regular season start. Regular season starts matter. There. You're 278 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:38.000 in a big stadium, You're back to where you were at the end of 279 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:41.039 the year, and it's a it's it's night and day. I mean, 280 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:45.000 there's a reason people say that spring training doesn't really matter too much, So 281 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:48.880 yeah, you just got a It's a very big difference where you live. 282 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:52.240 I mean the weather here from Arizona is also super different. So yeah, 283 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:56.880 stay with us. Will have more with Tanner Bibby after this short break. 284 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:59.480 Tanner, I know when we talked in the spring, you mentioned you had 285 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:03.559 worked on some things in the off season. Are you seeing the fruits of 286 00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:06.680 that coming into play here as you get deeper into the season. Yeah. 287 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:08.519 I think that's the one thing throw my entire starts has been the best is 288 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:14.279 my actual stuff. I think my stuff has been really good. It's more 289 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:17.000 about throwing quality pitches and commanding the zone, which I think the last two 290 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:22.440 starts I think I definitely have done. So I think I think we're almost 291 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:25.680 there. We're almost to a good spot. And team wise, what a 292 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:30.720 start for this team. I hesitate to say, did you see this coming 293 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:33.920 in the spring, But obviously you're always confident. But what is it about 294 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:37.839 this team early on that's allowed it to have a good amount of success. 295 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:41.079 I think it's just the chemistry and the energy and the wine to win. 296 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:48.039 I think with how young we are and at everyone's stage out without their career, 297 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:51.279 I think it's a good thing for us to have energy, for us 298 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:53.519 to have some fun. And I think that's what we're doing. I think 299 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:59.599 that the first is it twenty one games. I think we've out energized a 300 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:02.880 lot of team games. I think we've out chemistried a lot of teams, 301 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:07.480 and I think we've out wanted it in my opinion. But yeah, that's 302 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:10.640 what I would say is helping us a lot. How does that chemistry happen? 303 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.400 It Is it just because a lot of you played together in the minor 304 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:15.519 leagues? I mean definitely helps. I mean I feel like a lot of 305 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:18.839 us play together in the minor leagues. I mean we got some good veterans 306 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:22.680 and hedgy and cookie. Now. I think it's just a good, a 307 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:26.359 nice, healthy mix. And I think everyone it's just good people. I 308 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:29.039 think everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to win for each other, everyone 309 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:30.880 wants each other to do well. I think it's just a good recipe for 310 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:34.759 success, and obviously you enjoy each other's company. Off day. Yesterday you 311 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:37.200 go to the Cavs game. What did you think of that? All scene? 312 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:40.440 Over there. Oh my god, that was amazing. I mean they 313 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:44.240 I've heard that they've showed out for Calves games, but that was my first 314 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:48.200 one, first basketball game ever that I've been to professionally. But they showed 315 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:51.920 out, and I mean the Cavs dominated all games, so it was really 316 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.279 fun to watch. All right, Tanner, Well, you've been fun to 317 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:56.640 watch too. Is the season gets going here? Thanks Left for coming. 318 00:22:56.640 --> 00:23:00.319 I appreciate it. Yeah, absolutely, thank you. And starting pitchers Tanner 319 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:03.720 Biby, who's joined in the rotation by Ben Lively, who had a late 320 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:07.920 start to his season because of an illness during spring training, but in his 321 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:12.000 two starts, both against Boston, he's been terrific, and he talked about 322 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:15.640 how he's been able to catch up and get back on track so quickly. 323 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:21.039 I mean, you're staying with my strengths and just keeping my pitches competitive, 324 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.759 throwing the ball over the plate and get in the head. Tuesday night against 325 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:26.880 the Red Sox, second time you face them and back to back starts, 326 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:30.680 is that a challenge in terms of how you approach that. I mean in 327 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:33.079 a way, I mean you always had like the voice in the back of 328 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:36.359 your heads, like, oh they've seen everything before, Like you got to 329 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.599 mix up everything, but it was kind of the same game plan. We 330 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:41.920 just mixed the sides of the blade and up and down. So it's two 331 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:45.880 strong starts of a season that was delayed for fans who don't know you missed 332 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:51.039 some time in spring training due to a virus that really it seemed like it 333 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:55.599 hit almost everybody on the ball club. How tough was it for you? 334 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:59.319 How long were you down, and how bad a shape were you in at 335 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:03.440 a certain point. I mean like the third day again that that was I 336 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.920 couldn't even get out of my bed and I felt just like worn out. 337 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:08.559 I was sweating like all night long and I'd get real freezing, and yeah, 338 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:12.839 ended up losing like twelve fifteen pounds. And the first day I tried 339 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:15.920 to play catch, it was like I was using my whole body to throw 340 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:19.599 like sixty feet and I was like this sucks. Like the yeah then just 341 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:22.079 they just I mean, yeah, I was messed up. Me and Zay 342 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:26.240 were kind of on the same program and we were both knocked down and we 343 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:30.000 started building up together and it was pretty fun. You get to work with 344 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:33.200 him, and you know, we got started getting competitive and just keep on 345 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:36.720 going. And in your situation though, you're you're with a new ball club 346 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:38.400 and you want to make that impression. How tough was that to not be 347 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:41.079 able to do that? Oh? I mean yeah, there's nothing you can 348 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:44.079 do about it. And that's what I thought about, and I was like 349 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:45.599 the only thing I was telling myself was getting my body ready and make sure 350 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:49.640 everything's healthy and ready to go. Starting picture Ben Lively joining us and Ben, 351 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:55.319 you you arrive here with Cleveland with an interesting career under your belt. 352 00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:59.440 It included some time in Korea. Tell us about that time spent. What 353 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.599 did it mean to you to be able to go over there in terms of 354 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:04.200 your career and what did it do to help you? I mean, yeah, 355 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:07.319 it was wild. There was really cool, really cool culture shock and 356 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:11.839 I ate everything. It was so cool seeing all the traditional stuff and all 357 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:15.079 the like everything they had to offer. It was so cool. But for 358 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:18.599 me, over there was just like a really growing up moment. Like even 359 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:21.559 if you have a bad game, you can sull it, can get mad 360 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:23.279 all you want to, but like over there just put in perspective for me 361 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:26.200 that there was no one there. It was like, dude, figure it 362 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:30.599 out, Like like you got to figure out now and like that kind of 363 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:33.440 progressed me to like be more disciplined, like I am now, Like I 364 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:37.039 I feel like now I don't get as frustrated about a lot of the small 365 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:40.240 things that did earlier in my career. So it sounds like for you it 366 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:44.079 was an adventure. Not everybody looks at it that way. How come you 367 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:47.079 did? Like? How did you arrive at that mindset when you went over 368 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.880 there? Oh, I'm always like that. If I'm somewhere cool, I 369 00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:51.880 want to go walk around and see what they have to offer. I want 370 00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:52.759 to go look in the mountains. I want to go golf, I want 371 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:56.039 to go check out the beach. Of course, I'm gonna look for waves 372 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.720 everywhere. But it was I mean, yeah, it's just that's just who 373 00:25:57.720 --> 00:26:00.799 I am. I like being outside. So what are you looking forward to 374 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:04.000 in Cleveland this summer? Have you kind of done some research on some fun 375 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:07.000 things you can do? Definitely a rock and roll Hall of Fame. Definitely 376 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:11.599 gotta go there and probably gonna spend a full day staring at everything. But 377 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:14.839 do that, and I'm gonna check out the beaches here, who knows, 378 00:26:14.839 --> 00:26:18.440 probably go fishing here too, and fishing wise, it runs in your family. 379 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:22.240 Explain just how deep those roots are for you to be on the water. 380 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:25.240 No, since birth. Yeah, my dad's been fishing since his senior 381 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:27.720 year of high school. And that's what I grew up doing on the side 382 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:30.799 and wouldn't change it for anything. I can't wait to do it when I'm 383 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:34.559 done playing too. You've been with a bunch of ball clubs, different organizations. 384 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:38.920 What's been fun about this group so far? Just I mean, everyone's 385 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.720 just so positive and it's awesome, Like everyone like you look at everyone, 386 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:45.119 It's like no one's gonna be yes. It's like this is the coolest vibe 387 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:48.640 to walk into, and it just like makes everybody confident, Like even if 388 00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:52.519 you're struggling a little bit, you're gonna see that and feed off everybody else 389 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:56.440 and you're gonna keep being competitive and keep getting better no matter what. Nice 390 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:59.279 going again last night, Ben, thanks a lot for coming back. Appreciate 391 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:02.720 it. That is Ben Lively who has been a real nice shot in the 392 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:07.359 arm for the rotation, especially with the injury that has ended the season for 393 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:11.640 Shane Bieber. It's all hands on deck now and Lively has done some nice 394 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:14.920 work so far. In his two starts. Stay with us while we come 395 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:18.559 back. We'll have a minor league report with Rob Sortfolio, the director Player 396 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:23.039 Development. That's next time the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Now the two 397 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:30.079 strength pitch Strength three called what an Inning for Ben Lively has Ben Lively with 398 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:34.759 a ten pitch third inning. There's now three strikeouts in the game and we 399 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:41.200 are scoreless in the middle of the third. When you switch and save with 400 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:44.599 Progressive, you could use that money towards scoring court side seats for your favorite 401 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:48.319 team. Progressive cannot guarantee that you can score court side seats. Drivers who 402 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:51.039 switch and save with Progressive good save one hundreds on average, but court side 403 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:52.680 seats can be astronomical. Maybe if your team plays in a smaller market, 404 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:56.079 you could swing it. Even Still, it's unlikely. Maybe fourthrow which are 405 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:59.720 still incredible seats that you'll enjoy greatly. Savings possible court side long shot, 406 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:03.160 switch and see if you could save at Progressive dot Com. Progressive Kenshley Insurance 407 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:07.279 Affiliate's not available in all states. Progressive cannot guarantee that someone really tall will 408 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.279 not sit in front of you at the game, rendering your excellency. It's 409 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:22.720 just okay, Welcome back. It's Guardians Weekly from Atlanta. This week, 410 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:27.160 Jim Rosenhouse along with you for our final segment. As always, we try 411 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:32.440 and catch up with Rob's sortfolio, the director of player development for the Guardians, 412 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:36.680 and this week that meant a phone call down to lynch Berg, Virginuary. 413 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:40.359 He's taking in some of the action from the single A ball club there 414 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:44.440 and we start on the position side with Rob and one of the top players 415 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:49.039 on that position front is Ralphie Velasquez. Just eighteen years of age. He's 416 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:53.319 last year's first round draft pick for the Guardians, and Rob talked about how 417 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:57.519 he's handled that jump to the next level at such a young age in the 418 00:28:57.559 --> 00:29:02.799 farm system, you use the word young that that would almost be an understatement 419 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:07.519 for some of the physician players we have on this team, which which is 420 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:11.160 awesome. You know, part of that is a result of just some of 421 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.759 the new rules in minor league baseball. You know, five or six years 422 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:18.039 ago, there was a level in between rookie ball and the full season squad. 423 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:21.519 That level doesn't really exist anymore. So you can get a lot of 424 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:26.759 these really talented but young players, and a lot of them are high schoolers 425 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:30.240 too that you haven't really lived on their own, whether it's in college or 426 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:36.680 wherever. So it creates a really cool set of challenges as guys are trying 427 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:40.640 to just adapt to the highest level of baseball they've ever played, but also 428 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:44.279 really being on their own, like driving their own routine at the field away 429 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:47.640 from the field. When you mentioned Ralfie, who you know, obviously we 430 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:51.440 took in the first round last year. High school kid got a taste of 431 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:56.759 pro ball in Arizona, and man, he's transitioned really nicely so far for 432 00:29:56.079 --> 00:30:00.079 the Hillcats. And one of the things that's fun of about watching him play 433 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:04.039 is is just the professionalism and how he goes about his at bats, the 434 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:08.599 consistency. You know, he really manages the zone well, he can put 435 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:12.559 a charge into the baseball. There's some, you know, pretty impressive things 436 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:18.240 he does in the batter's box. You know, our staff here in Lunchburg 437 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:22.319 has done a great job of putting a plan in place to continue to allow 438 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:26.119 him to impact both sides of the ball. And another young position player that 439 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:32.079 you have with some interesting bloodlines for sure, Jason Churio playing the outfield off 440 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:34.000 to a nice start too, and what are you seeing from him. Yeah, 441 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:37.480 you know, I think a lot of people know his older brother, 442 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:41.240 Jackson, and we're pretty excited about the younger, the younger of the two 443 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:45.559 cheerios that we get to work with every day. And you know, similar 444 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:48.960 similar to Ralfie, just another young kid, just eighteen years old, going 445 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:53.039 to be nineteen in the middle of the season. So two really young players 446 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:57.200 that are talented. And I think the thing that's exciting about both of them 447 00:30:57.279 --> 00:31:02.880 is they come to the field ready to work every day and and Jason is 448 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:08.519 has a chance to impact the ball really in kind of the five tools areas, 449 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:11.680 Like he gets on base a ton, he doesn't strike out, and 450 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:17.680 he's learning how as he develops physically to kind of tap into some of his 451 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:21.519 strength and power offensively. He's a switch hitter. His brother just hits right, 452 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:26.039 and Jason hits from both sides of the plate. And we're continuing to 453 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:29.599 just you know, raise the raise the bar on what he's able to do 454 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:32.039 and and so that you know, hopefully in a couple of years when he's 455 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:34.880 facing upper level pitching, you know he's able to impact the ball from both 456 00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:38.480 sides of the plate, but center field, right field, fans will see 457 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:41.599 him playing all over the place in the outfield as we just continue to add 458 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:47.160 versatility to his plate. But you know, really smart kid, comes from 459 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:49.000 a great family, and uh, you know, we're we're really excited to 460 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:52.119 see how he does in his first full season as well as Ralphie and I 461 00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:56.960 know you love middle endfielders. Your shortstop at Lynchburg is on hell Hanoah. 462 00:31:56.359 --> 00:32:00.359 And what has he done to put himself on the radar? Yeah, So 463 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:02.079 you know, this is a kid that got a chance to come to this 464 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:06.799 level last year, So Ralphie, you know, he's kind of the Ralphie 465 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:12.039 and Cherio of this team in twenty twenty three. So it was a really 466 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:17.440 young kid that we challenged. He's now repeating the level at nineteen years old, 467 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:23.400 and man, it's noticeable to jump that he's made. And this is 468 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:27.240 a kid that worked with us a lot in the offseason on you know, 469 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:30.759 some of the finer elements of his defense is throwing, like making sure he's 470 00:32:30.920 --> 00:32:35.039 inaccurate thrower of the baseball. There are some mechanical work we did do ensure 471 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:38.599 that short stop was a position that he could play long term, and he 472 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:45.039 really worked on his body added some really good strength, just continues to get 473 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:49.279 better athletically, and I think that's shown through so far when you're looking at 474 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:52.519 some of the things he did last year and some of the things he's doing 475 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:54.799 this year. He's really raised his game from a complete player side of things. 476 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:59.559 He's playing an awesome short stop. He's also bounced around playing some second 477 00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:02.720 and third. To your point, Rosie is, I think our organizations become 478 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:07.000 well known for loving mental infielders. We got to make sure those guys are 479 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:10.119 versatile, given how many of them we have. But he now has done 480 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:13.680 an awesome job, and he's been a great teammate, you know, vocal 481 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:15.759 leader on the bench, really pulling up some of his teammates that are a 482 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:20.400 little bit younger. And he's kind of, you know, at twenty years 483 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:24.200 old somehow the veteran of the position players on this team and using his experience 484 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:28.960 to his advantage so far. Rob s Folio joining us the director of player 485 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:31.839 development for the Guardians, and we're talking single Aid Lynchburg this week and some 486 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:37.000 good young arms down there. Let's start with a high school drafted kid from 487 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:39.440 a year ago, Alex clemmy big arm from the left side. What are 488 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:43.599 you seeing so far from him? Yeah, well you hit it right there, 489 00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:46.920 big arm from the left side. Really just in the infancy stages of 490 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:52.039 learning how to pitch professionally, and it is awesome when you get a chance 491 00:33:52.039 --> 00:33:55.119 to work with a kid that is as talented as clem Is. I mean, 492 00:33:55.160 --> 00:34:00.279 this is a big, physical lefty. You'll see him up tonight six 493 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:02.599 ninety seven. Last night he threw was up to ninety six, was really 494 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:07.400 commanding all three pitches out of the gate. And now it's really just about 495 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:12.599 getting him experience, putting him in the environment where he's going to get challenged 496 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:15.159 to throw strikes. He's going to get challenged to use his best stuff in 497 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:19.760 executing game, and it's gonna be a really fun summer. I mean, 498 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:24.440 this kid has has a really strong desire to be great. He shows up 499 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:30.000 every day, he's working his tail off to get better, really refine his 500 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:34.360 delivery, and it's just it's a it's really cool to see young guys like 501 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:37.239 this that come in that are super talented but with a strong desire to just 502 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:40.880 continue to get better and better. And I know you mentioned Jackson Humphreys is 503 00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:45.880 another young high school drafted player who you're excited about on the mound. How 504 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:52.599 come Jackson's another high school kid in North Carolina in twenty twenty two, also 505 00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:54.400 has big stuff from the left side. You know, he battled a little 506 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:58.960 bit of an illness out of the gate, which was unfortunate as he got 507 00:34:58.960 --> 00:35:01.519 settled in here to theffiliates. So we haven't gotten to see him in some 508 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:06.599 extended outings yet, but you know, he started his season last year in 509 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:10.239 the ACL made it up to Lynchburg for a couple of starts and really showcased, 510 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:13.960 you know, some of the some of the big stuff that he has, 511 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:15.559 and I think as he gets healthy, we'll start to see some of 512 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:20.239 that settle in here as well. But just you know, the common theme 513 00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:25.199 with all these guys is talented young player that's going to have to adapt to 514 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:29.840 a lot of new things and his first year as a you know, at 515 00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:34.960 a full season affiliate, and just all the challenges that come with performing early, 516 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:38.280 making sure they're taking their body to be ready to go by the dog 517 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:42.960 days of summer. So it's going to be an exciting progression for these guys 518 00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:45.079 is as we continue to push them, you know, both on and off 519 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:50.679 the field and one more picture, Matt Wilkinson college drafted picture. Do you 520 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:53.199 notice the experience difference at that level? You do? And you know, 521 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:58.800 I'm glad his name's coming up because you know, you just look at his 522 00:35:58.800 --> 00:36:02.280 his draft profile. Know he's a tenth rounder signed for you know, right 523 00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:06.880 around what slot value is for for that pick. But you know, maybe 524 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:09.440 a guy that hasn't gotten some of the prospect type is some of the other 525 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:13.039 names we've talked about so far. But man, this guy can pitch. 526 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:17.039 It's really impressive. Whether he's thrown in a bullpen or he's throwing in game. 527 00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:22.159 If you see this guy down on the count, that's probably a unicorn 528 00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:25.000 right there. I mean, this this is some elite strike throwing with with 529 00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:30.920 really impressive ability to command the baseball and in command three pitches. And you 530 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:36.679 know, he's obviously gotten off to a tremendous start for the Hillcats. And 531 00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:38.719 you know, I think him to your point, having a little bit of 532 00:36:38.760 --> 00:36:45.079 experience in college, you know, makes him stand out just with with with 533 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:46.880 how he pitches versus you know, some of some of the young guys. 534 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:50.360 But you know, this is this is an exciting lefty. I mean, 535 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:54.159 just a trio of really exciting lefties. And you know, while wilk doesn't 536 00:36:54.159 --> 00:36:59.920 have maybe the top end stuff with the velocity that that calam and Jackson do 537 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:05.960 his field to pitch, his ability to throw three pitches for strikes is really 538 00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:07.880 encouraging. And a guy that I'm glad you know is getting a call out. 539 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:12.079 Great stuff as always, Rob, enjoyed the rest of your time down 540 00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:14.679 in Lynchberg, and we'll catch up with you soon, all right, Rosie, 541 00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:19.440 I appreciate it. And just an update on Matt Wilkinson. After Rob 542 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:23.440 talked about him glowingly well, that night, Wilkinson went out and had the 543 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:30.960 game of his young pro career, six no hit innings with fifteen strikeouts. 544 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:37.079 The young man they affectionately called the tug boat, and he promotes that six 545 00:37:37.239 --> 00:37:40.760 one two sixty is a big man and he is off to a great start 546 00:37:40.760 --> 00:37:44.559 in his minor league career. He might not be in Lynchburg long. The 547 00:37:44.599 --> 00:37:47.760 next start could be somewhere else up the minor league ladder. We'll see where 548 00:37:47.800 --> 00:37:52.079 the tugboat Matt Wilkinson. But it was interesting because Rob had all those great 549 00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:54.320 things to say, and then he went out and backed it up that night 550 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:59.639 in front of the farm Director down in Lynchburg. But it's going to do 551 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:01.880 it for our show this week. As always, thanks to Brian Motsee for 552 00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:07.400 putting together the show each and every week. We'll join you next weekend back 553 00:38:07.400 --> 00:38:10.519 home when the Guardians are playing the Angels at Progressive Field. Until then, 554 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:15.199 this is Jim rosen House reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians Weekly on 555 00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:22.000 the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. 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