WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:07.519 Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network. Guardians Weekly is brought 2 00:00:07.559 --> 00:00:51.200 to you by Progressive helping Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance. Hi, 3 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:56.359 everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Gym rosen House along with you from Progressive 4 00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:00.520 Field in downtown Cleveland, where the Guardians are taking on the San Diego Padres 5 00:01:00.600 --> 00:01:07.200 this weekend. Two more sellouts on the docket. Already on Friday night with 6 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:11.200 the homestand opener, and on Saturday, when the Guardians are back at it 7 00:01:11.239 --> 00:01:15.319 against the Padres with a seven to ten first pitch. That game sold out, 8 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:19.480 and then Sunday, the series concludes with a one forty start time. 9 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:23.400 Detroit follows San Diego to town for a four game set starting on Monday night. 10 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:26.560 Good show lined up for you Today, we'll hear from three of the 11 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:32.719 Guardians All stars, Josh Naylor, David Frye, and Stephen Kwan. We'll 12 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:37.959 talk draft with Paul Gillespie, who's the vice president of scouting for the Guardians. 13 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:44.040 We'll hear from President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti his comments following the selection 14 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:49.640 of Travis Bozana, the second baseman out of Oregon State who became the top 15 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:53.920 pick in this year's draft. The Guardians had it, that's who they picked. 16 00:01:53.400 --> 00:01:57.599 And right now we will hear from Travis Bazana, who was in town 17 00:01:57.640 --> 00:02:02.400 on Friday and around some of his future teammates for the first time, and 18 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:06.840 when we caught up with him, he talked about what it was like spending 19 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:13.159 the day at Progressive Field for the first time. It's been incredible getting to 20 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:16.400 talk to the organization about the plans ahead, but then also being on the 21 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:23.319 field and getting to meet meet the team, meet the staff, and sort 22 00:02:23.319 --> 00:02:25.479 of soak it all in a little bit on Progressive Field. So it's been 23 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:30.520 an incredible day and I'm happy to have put pen to paper and it's yeah, 24 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:35.759 it's awesome. You don't know which team is going to draft you for 25 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:38.719 sure, but it seems like you had a pretty good hunch and you did 26 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:43.560 your homework on this team and that was a good thing for you. You 27 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:46.639 found out some great things about the organization. What is it about Cleveland and 28 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:52.840 the Guardians that really had you excited when they did draft you? Yeah, 29 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:55.120 I mean to start off, like the big league team, the young that 30 00:02:55.280 --> 00:03:00.360 winning, they have an identity that lead is play with the hair on fire 31 00:03:00.520 --> 00:03:08.919 intensity, and then the front office, it's like just smart, quality people 32 00:03:08.919 --> 00:03:13.439 that want to win and and care about the people around them and treat people 33 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:17.479 with respect. And then just yeah, I mean I just felt I felt 34 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:23.680 like I could be me and be It was comfortable conversations and a great cohesive 35 00:03:23.719 --> 00:03:27.400 bunch that plan to have head and have a great vision for the future. 36 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:30.280 And I just it was exactly what I wanted to be. Yeah, where 37 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:35.039 I wanted to be headed. You were never teammates with Steven Quand, but 38 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:38.560 Oregon State has a great baseball family. How much did you talk to him 39 00:03:38.680 --> 00:03:44.719 about what goes on here? Yeah, we had some brief communication. We 40 00:03:45.120 --> 00:03:49.800 talked, but I mean I didn't want to like dig too deep on hit 41 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:53.759 on his and I know he's busy in the middle of a season, and 42 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:57.960 also like I don't want him to feel like he had the pressure of like 43 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:00.680 letting me know anything, Like I don't know, I just wanted to leave 44 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:04.199 him be. But we talked about a good amount of stuff and he just 45 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:09.400 lets me know I'm always supported and he's gonna be there if I need anything. 46 00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:14.879 And I just know how much of a quality teammate person and player he 47 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:19.360 is, So I just was excited to be a part of it. Baseball 48 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:23.120 for kids here in the States, it's what they do that the game has 49 00:04:23.160 --> 00:04:27.800 been around for more than one hundred years, not so in Australia where you 50 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:30.920 grew up. How were you able to develop the passion for this game that 51 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:34.680 you need to get where you are today? Yeah, I don't know how 52 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:39.079 I developed the passion. It was so innate. It's been there for a 53 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:44.360 long time, the passion for the game. But yeah, I just tried 54 00:04:44.360 --> 00:04:47.519 to find every resource I could to grow in the game. I mean, 55 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:50.879 lucky enough, I grew up with a time of internet, so I could 56 00:04:50.920 --> 00:04:56.600 watch MLB highlights and anything I needed to to figure out how I could be 57 00:04:56.600 --> 00:05:01.720 the best player I could be. But uh, yeah, it's It was 58 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:06.360 a great journey in Australia, and I hope that more more players from Australia 59 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:13.040 can continue to have big League dreams and have the resources to go out and 60 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:15.839 pursue that. You had a tremendous college career, You've had a little break. 61 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:20.000 How quickly can can you get going and start to attack this thing and 62 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:23.879 get where you want to be? Yeah? Yeah, I had a quick 63 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:27.879 quick little break, decompressed with my family, but was right back into training 64 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:31.639 and this last three four weeks has been about prepping to be on a minor 65 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:35.120 league feel by the start of August. That was kind of my goal, 66 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:41.120 be out there playing in the start of August, be ready when I get 67 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:45.920 drafted by whoever called my name, And uh, yeah, I'm feeling pretty 68 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:47.759 prepped. And I'm gonna get a couple of workouts in the next couple of 69 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:54.720 days so to yeah, talk and plan for the future with with the organization, 70 00:05:54.879 --> 00:06:00.319 and go to Lake County next week sometime and and get started and befully 71 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:04.120 hopefully be playing for the rest of the year in the minors and be on 72 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:09.240 a team that is going to the postseason. You mentioned ad and the path 73 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:13.879 to the major league is different for everybody. Expectations, Uh what are they 74 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:17.480 for you? Yeah, I mean I don't really have any. I I 75 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:23.720 think that I all I want to focus on is that I'm continuing to get 76 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:29.879 better every day, be a great teammate, and just focus on my preparation 77 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.759 and and being out there, focus on the process and putting myself in the 78 00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:36.240 best position to perform every day. And I believe that if I do those 79 00:06:36.279 --> 00:06:40.800 things and control what I can control. Soon enough, I'm going to be 80 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:44.759 able to be a valuable player at the major league level and and and I'll 81 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:46.800 move through the ranks. But uh, first off, just got to start. 82 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:51.759 It's a process, is a journey and and start and and just move 83 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:57.720 your way up. But I'm I have no expectations or anything that's gonna like 84 00:06:58.279 --> 00:07:02.639 aggravate me in any way. I'm just excited to like go and prove myself 85 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:09.360 and move. Prove myself and move and really, yeah, build good relationships 86 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:12.759 with the organization. Travis, welcome to Cleveland. Thanks for coming back. 87 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:15.959 Yeah, thank you. That is the first overall pick in this year's draft. 88 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:21.279 He belongs to the Cleveland Guardians infielder Travis Bizana. Stay with us when 89 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:27.160 we came back. We'll hear from Chris Antonetti his comments on the new acquisition. 90 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:36.519 That's next on the Cleveland Clinic, Guardians radio and netboard. With the 91 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:44.079 first pick of the twenty twenty four MLB Draft, the Cleveland Guardians select Travis 92 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:50.920 Bazana, a second baseman from Oregon State University. Drivers who switch and save 93 00:07:50.959 --> 00:07:56.720 with Progressive could save hundreds, which could be life changing life I mean, 94 00:07:56.759 --> 00:08:00.399 you could put that money towards that zero turned lawnmore you've always wanted. And 95 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:03.720 after using its head shaping technology to meticulously sculpt the face of the Mona Lisa 96 00:08:03.720 --> 00:08:07.439 into your grass, you'll become the undisputed king of Saturday Morning, Low and 97 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:11.079 care, leaving your neighbor and sworn enemy Gary the question his place in the 98 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:16.759 delicate neighborhood ecosystem. And it's all because you could save money switching at Progressive 99 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:20.839 dot Com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company in affiliate. It's not available in tho States. 100 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:35.639 Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along with you from Progressive 101 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:41.000 Field in downtown Cleveland, where the Guardians are hosting the San Diego Padres this 102 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:46.360 weekend. Earlier this week, as a matter of fact, Sunday night, 103 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:52.720 the Guardians selected Travis Pizana with the first overall pick in this year's amateur draft, 104 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:56.480 and shortly after that selection, Chris Antonetti, the Guardian's president of Baseball 105 00:08:56.519 --> 00:09:01.919 Operations, addressed the Cleveland media and talked about the thing, well, as 106 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:05.960 you know, we selected Travis Bizano with the first overall pick in the Major 107 00:09:07.080 --> 00:09:11.720 League Baseball draft, and we are thrilled to welcome Travis into the organization. 108 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:15.639 It's a player in person that we've got a great opportunity to know, not 109 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:18.240 only over the course of the last few months, but over the course of 110 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:20.919 the last few years. And we view him to be a dynamic player. 111 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:26.759 He's a guy that makes really good swing decisions, controls the strike zone really 112 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:31.840 well, rarely swings and misses, and can really impact the baseball and we 113 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:33.559 think he's got a chance to impact the game in a variety of ways. 114 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:37.600 But as impressive as he is as an athlete and as a player, he's 115 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:43.080 just as impressive or more impressive as a person. He has been relentless, 116 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:46.639 I think from the time he was three years old to take advantage of every 117 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:50.799 resource available to him to become the best baseball player he could possibly be. 118 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:56.120 And I think it's a testament to his hard work and the sport system that 119 00:09:56.159 --> 00:10:00.360 he's had around him to be able to get to this point. I know 120 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:05.600 in talking with Travis, he's excited for the opportunity to join an organization and 121 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:09.919 join our organization, and if you've heard him speak, he's very passionate about 122 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:15.919 the opportunity he has to help US win games and through that platform, elevate 123 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:18.799 the profile of baseball in Australia. So with that, I'm happy to answer 124 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:24.480 any questions that anyone has, Chris, when when you look at Bizano, 125 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:28.399 is he a second basement surely or can he play somewhere else? We think 126 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:33.799 he's really athletic, Terry and I believe he can be a very good defensive 127 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:37.759 second basement in time and has the athleticism to potentially play other positions, but 128 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:39.960 he'll go out as a second basement. I just wondered, you've be good 129 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:43.720 at You've had to put a number of your infielders into the outfield, and 130 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:46.600 I thought, so he's good at least in terms of athletically, that could 131 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:48.759 be a possibility. He's a really athletic player. Yeah. And then the 132 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:52.799 other premature decision that we fortunately do not need to make now, but we've 133 00:10:54.360 --> 00:10:56.440 and the versatility of outfielder. And the last thing, Yeah, I saw 134 00:10:56.440 --> 00:11:01.120 the twenty eight homers in that how much is that real power or was it? 135 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:03.960 Because it seem like there's a lot of inflated on run stats all around 136 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:07.799 college baseball this year. Yeah, the overall offensive environment in college baseball is 137 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:13.120 up but when you evaluate him relative to his peers, he comes out at 138 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:16.679 or near the top of the charts in terms of power and productivity and ability 139 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:18.879 to impact the ball. And if you look at some of his metrics and 140 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:22.879 the process and the progress that he's made over the last few years, we 141 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:28.000 believe that there is impact in there as well. Chris, how did how 142 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:31.720 did your guys scouting him change once you guys got the top pick? Like, 143 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:33.720 how well did you know him before? Then? Again, he's a 144 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:37.200 guy that we have been tracking, and you know, as a college player 145 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:39.879 we had a little bit longer of a track record to be able to follow 146 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:41.600 them. And he plays in a big conference in the Pac twelve, So 147 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:46.759 certainly a name that was familiar to us. But you know, coming prior 148 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:48.960 to the draft, you know, we weren't thinking that we would be in 149 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:54.039 a range in the draft where he would be available to us. But once 150 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:56.960 we got once we learned that we had the opportunity to make the first selection, 151 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:01.480 he was one of a handful of or actually I shouldn't say a handful, 152 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:05.639 one of a dozen or so players where we really ramped up our scouting 153 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:09.960 efforts. Hey, Chris, this is a question I think fans will want 154 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:13.879 to ask, do you have a projection on when he'll be able to join 155 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:18.320 the Guardians our major league team, Jeff or just the organization. Yeah, 156 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:24.320 it's impossible to predict timelines, Jeff. Ultimately, players will impact that through 157 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:28.000 their how they go about their day to day and then their success that they 158 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:31.120 have at each level and how they handle adversity. There's so many things that 159 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:37.279 go into that. It's it's impossible to project a specific specific time. Chris, 160 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:41.960 when did you settle on Bizano? We you know, we spent We 161 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:48.200 didn't know exactly who our selection would be until just within a couple of hours 162 00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:52.960 of the draft starting. Was that when you're started to make a call to 163 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:54.720 guys, Terry. I'm not going to go into the specifics of it, 164 00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:58.480 Terry, but I would say we had a small handful of players that we 165 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:01.600 considered. The first picked a dozen. I thought you can't go on the 166 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:03.320 last day with a dozen guys, So no, No, that was on 167 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:07.679 our scouting. I think asking about how we got to know the players and 168 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:11.759 our scouting efforts, Chris, what what was the difference between him and the 169 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:15.720 conduct to you guys? Again, I think we there were. I think, 170 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.960 as I shared with you, there were a number of players that we 171 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:24.480 felt we're deserving considerations for the first overall pick, and we got an opportunity 172 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:28.440 to know all of them well and could see them all being very successful players, 173 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:31.080 and we would have loved the opportunity to welcome them all into the organization, 174 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:33.679 but that's not how it works, and we had to settle on one 175 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:39.240 and we're thrilled to welcome Travis to the organization. You know, his plate 176 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:43.600 discipline is almost off the charts. What meant how attractive was that to you? 177 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:48.440 With the kind of you know, the profile you have for your hitters, 178 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:52.720 and why is he able to do that? Yeah, I think there's 179 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.840 a lot in that, Paul. I think ultimately we see him having the 180 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:58.960 totality of ingredients to be a really successful hitter. As I said, he 181 00:13:58.480 --> 00:14:03.240 recognized his pitch is exceedingly well, he knows the strike zone, makes good 182 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:07.080 swing decisions. When he does choose a swing, he makes elite level contact. 183 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:11.840 And I think what's really grown in Travis's game over the past year or 184 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:15.919 so is the ability to add impact and drive the ball. And we saw 185 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:18.399 the benefits of that with increased power this year, so we think he has 186 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:22.600 a chance to be a really dynamic offensive player. Chris, it seems like 187 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:26.200 there's a lot of talk about him and just how much he dives into analytics 188 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:28.480 and how he's sort of talked about that with his teammates, And is that 189 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:31.840 pretty evident with you guys whenever you're just having conversations with him, that he 190 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:37.000 is way into all of that stuff. And I would actually I would expand 191 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:41.080 that, Mandy to not just analytics. He paps into every resource available to 192 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:45.360 him to get the most out of his ability and in fact, to increase 193 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:52.240 his level of ability, whether that's through analytic information, strength and conditioning resources, 194 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:56.720 mental resources, every aspect. He's a tenant to sleep, he's atentive 195 00:14:56.759 --> 00:15:01.000 to nutrition, and he can elaborate in great detail about how all of those 196 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:05.200 things can impact performance. And I think what's extraordinarily impressive is he thinks about 197 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:09.919 he's able to utilize those resources in a way that translates and helps him on 198 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:13.559 the field, which is the ultimate goal. And he is. As you 199 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:16.480 get to spend time with Travis, I think you'll come there appreciate he is 200 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:22.080 a very impressive, immature and thoughtful young man, Chris, how is he 201 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:26.600 at second base? Defensively? He's really athletic, Terry. I think we 202 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:30.600 think he has a chance to grow into a good defensive second baseman. It's 203 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:33.600 probably the area of his game where he's maybe less He's a little bit less 204 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:37.320 refined than maybe some other elements. But we think he has a chance or 205 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:41.360 excited to get him into our system, have him partnered with our instructors to 206 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:45.320 help him grow and develop in that area. And the other thing, did 207 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:48.240 he have any like the kiff in West Virginia had that hamstring things? Did 208 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:54.720 this guy have any injury issues at all? None? Recently? What did 209 00:15:54.000 --> 00:16:00.279 Stephen Kwan tell you about this guy? It's universal for anyone who's come in 210 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:07.799 contact with him about how universally respected he is as a teammate. That was 211 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:11.320 one of the things that we really tried to learn about all the players throughout 212 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:15.080 the process, and that's one thing to continue to come out and Steven reiterated 213 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:18.960 that just how great a teammate he is, how well respected he is, 214 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:22.080 and I mean there are literally hundreds of stories of how great a teammate in 215 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:26.240 person Travis is and the things that he does to support others and help them. 216 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:33.279 Chris, how much did the bonus pool and negotiations play into this bit? 217 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:38.320 I think I was pretty candidate in how we were looking at things. 218 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:44.440 Our goal is to continue to bring in the most talent we possibly can with 219 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:48.399 the draft, and so we would look at the ability of the player and 220 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:52.360 then our ability to sign the player. And we're fortunate in this case that 221 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:55.600 we got a player that we love in Travis, and you believe we have 222 00:16:55.639 --> 00:17:00.279 the financial parameters in place of an agreement. Chris, You've talked about a 223 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:04.359 couple of times how impressive he is a is a guy and just how you 224 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:11.240 know, universal, universally respected he is. He's making history too. Guardian's 225 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:15.400 making history and he's making history being from Australia. So just kind of when 226 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:18.960 you when you learned about his journey, what did what was something that popped 227 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:23.559 up that really kind of opened your eyes or caught your attention. There's so 228 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:26.559 much, Nate, but I will elaborate on that a bit. I mean 229 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:30.119 to think about a young man who's you know, from the time he was 230 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:34.400 a teenager, to think about the impact he could have, not just uh 231 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:38.480 and get benefits to himself, but the impact on others and to elevate all 232 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:42.599 of Australian baseball based upon what he might be able to achieve. To think 233 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:48.000 about somebody who's able to look outside themselves and have that type of purpose and 234 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:52.920 then have the dedication and commitment to work to bring that to reality is exceedingly 235 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:57.759 impressive for anybody, let alone a teenager. As President of Baseball Operations, 236 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:03.759 Chris Antonet talking about first round draft pick Travis Stay with us when we come 237 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:07.799 back. We'll hear about the Guardians draft as a whole. They've made twenty 238 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:12.920 one selections this year and we'll hear about it from Vice President of Scouting Paul 239 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:41.559 Gillespie. That's next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Welcome back to 240 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:45.599 Guardians Weekly. Chim Rosenhaus back with you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. 241 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:52.720 Normally that is the epicenter for the team's draft activities in the amateur draft, 242 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:56.799 but with the renovations they had to move it to an off site location and 243 00:18:57.079 --> 00:19:03.119 one of those involved heavily VI President of Scouting Paul Gillespie. This the third 244 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:06.640 draft that he is running, and we talked to him about several of the 245 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:11.240 new draft picks, including the number one overall selection Travis Bazana, and Paul 246 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:18.240 says the organization is excited and couldn't be happier with how the overall process went. 247 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:22.799 We couldn't be more more proud of the organization and our people. So 248 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:27.680 many people across the organization this year contributed to the draft, maybe more than 249 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:34.359 ever. I think we're just exceedingly proud of our people. Were exceptionally proud 250 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:40.279 of our scouts. They did a tremendous job getting to know players and executing 251 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:45.000 the scouting process. They take so much pride in what they do, and 252 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:48.480 we're really proud of them and proud of our people. And certainly what makes 253 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:55.359 the selection of Travis Bazana unique is he hails from Australia by way of Oregon 254 00:19:55.440 --> 00:20:00.519 State, So you have plenty of opportunities to see him very recently state side. 255 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:04.880 But when you first heard about him and started following him, you used 256 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:11.920 to be on that international side of the scouting department. How wide ranging is 257 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:14.880 that and how did that come into play here when when he was just a 258 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:18.640 high school player in Australia. Yeah, that's a that's a great question. 259 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:23.119 Our history with Travis is actually is pretty extensive. You know, our international 260 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:30.119 Scouting department actually identified him as a high school player back back in twenty eighteen, 261 00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:33.720 and so we do have a good bit of history with him, you 262 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:37.799 know, prior to him landing at Oregon State here here in the US. 263 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:42.440 So we've spent so much time getting to know him over the years, and 264 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:47.200 you know, it's been such a pleasure getting to know him. His makeup 265 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:52.279 is super impressive and just the way he goes about his business is something that's 266 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:57.599 you know, super inspiring as well. Vice President of Scouting Paul Gillespie joining 267 00:20:57.640 --> 00:21:03.119 us talking draft just completed for the Guardians and as important as anything else, 268 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:07.839 the fact that the Guardians had a record amount of pool money to use to 269 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:11.640 sign a lot of picks that maybe they wouldn't be able to and take some 270 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:15.960 chances, and Paul says that was a big key and they felt mission accomplished 271 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:19.759 in this year's draft. Yeah, that's a that's a great question, I 272 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:22.799 think coming into the year, you know, once we found out we had 273 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:26.160 the number one, number one overall pick, I mean, I think you 274 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:32.680 can just describe it as just unbelievable excitement for not only our scouting staff. 275 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:37.079 But for the organization, I mean you said it never have, never have 276 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:41.400 we had the number one overall pick in the history of our organization. But 277 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:47.160 with that, we also had the biggest bonus pool in the history in the 278 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:52.599 history of the sport too, so unbelievable opportunity for the organization to not only 279 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:56.160 you know, we pick first, so nobody's going to pick before us, 280 00:21:56.319 --> 00:22:02.400 which is super exciting, but also the opportunity to bring in the best complement 281 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:06.319 of players into the organization. And I think the way we were able to 282 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:08.480 navigate the draft and the players we were able to bring in, I think 283 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:15.519 it's something that we're super excited about. I think any team, all thirty 284 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:21.079 clubs, after you finished Day three of the draft, everybody thinks they did 285 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:23.880 exceptionally well, right, that's sort of like the natural reaction. Yeah, 286 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:30.240 we did a great job. I think this year does feel a little bit 287 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:33.559 different. Of course, we had the first dick and we were able to 288 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:37.960 take Travis Bizana, but the other players that we were able to bring into 289 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:41.799 were just as excited about them too. So along those lines, a couple 290 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:47.440 of high school pitchers in the top ten rounds. Cam Sullivan at number seven, 291 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:52.440 seventh round and Chase Mobley a tenth round pick. When you look at 292 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:56.960 at where you got them and knowing that they have college commitments, so that 293 00:22:57.079 --> 00:23:00.880 might drive up their price a little bit. Is that a great example of 294 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:04.119 what that extra money allowed you to do with two pictures that you really like 295 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:08.359 that it might have been more difficult to sign if it was a different circumstance. 296 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:14.559 Yeah, I think it's a I think that's a fair characterization of that 297 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:19.880 situation. I think you know Cam Sullivan, really talented, arm lean, 298 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:25.039 projectable high school r handed pitcher. He's from Mount Vernon to high school in 299 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:30.680 Indiana. His fastballs up to ninety seven, really strong capacity just to spend 300 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:37.599 the baseball, and really encouraging foundations across his across his mix. He was 301 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:45.279 the number one overall prospect in Indiana by Perfect Game. You know, an 302 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:51.000 above average athlete, really coordinated actions, above average, explosive arm speed. 303 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:57.039 So we're super excited about him. And then you mentioned Chase Mobley, another 304 00:23:57.559 --> 00:24:04.359 really exciting high school pitching prospect. He's big, he's athletic, he's from 305 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:11.440 the Tampa area. His fastball has been up to the triple digits before he 306 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:17.839 can create really interesting shapes with the ball. He has unique angles, you 307 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:22.359 know, two seamers, four seamers, different breaking ball shapes. He was 308 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:27.079 committed to Forlist State University. But we're really excited about our prospects and potential 309 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:33.559 to bring Chase into the organization as well. Exceptional young man with a really 310 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:38.799 high ceiling. And those two are are two of sixteen pitchers taken out of 311 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:44.759 the twenty one selections in the draft and for for Cleveland. When when you 312 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:49.079 can add sixteen pitchers to the organization based on what they have done track record 313 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:53.319 wise, pitching wise, how exciting is that to be able to do that 314 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:59.200 on a particular draft. Yeah, super exciting. You know, we've we've 315 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:04.880 already been having some really fun conversations with our player development group and our pitching 316 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:08.400 group, you know, talking about how how full their hands are going to 317 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:12.319 be, and they're super excited to bring these young arms into the into the 318 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:21.000 organization and start partnering with them and start building their plans out for for their 319 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:25.519 futures. But you know, the the arms and the type of arms we 320 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:27.279 were able to bring in, I think it's a it's a good group. 321 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:33.160 It's also a diverse group that you know, No, No two of these 322 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:37.599 guys is the same, right, They have a lot of a lot of 323 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:42.720 different strengths, whether it be size, delivery, arm action, pitch profiles, 324 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:47.440 make up. I mean, there's a lot of really cool things that 325 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.720 I think our pitching group is going to be able to do with these young 326 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:53.559 arms. And one drafted player that I thought has an interesting background with that 327 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:57.880 Cleveland connection. Your second round pick, the catcher out of North Carolina State, 328 00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:03.079 Jacob Cozart, his dad Craig, longtime coach at High Point University, 329 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:08.880 the college coach uh former Cleveland closer Cody Allen, who had just a tremendous 330 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:14.920 career. And obviously obviously you need the tools to be there for a player 331 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:18.319 that you select, But can you tell he's a coach's son in terms of 332 00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:22.000 how he handles the game and especially at that position. Absolutely, I think 333 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:27.759 he definitely has those attributes that you're talking about. I mean, as a 334 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:33.039 catcher, some of the things we like about him is just that you know, 335 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:37.440 the ability to manage the staff, the ability the ability to run a 336 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:41.200 pitching staff and then a catcher. He has a lot of things that you 337 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:45.839 want to look for right size, strength, durability, just the ability to 338 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:51.559 catch, the ability to receive, you know, really good exchange and he 339 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:56.839 just provides a really great top target back there for the for the for the 340 00:26:56.880 --> 00:27:02.079 pitchers. So we really like his ability and his propensity to handle a staff 341 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:07.279 in the future. At the same time, on the offensive side, he 342 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:12.200 has shown really good year over year progressions in terms of his ability to manage 343 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:18.440 the strike zone, control the strike zone, much better swing decisions over the 344 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:22.440 last couple of years. So, and he's got power. So when you 345 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:27.160 look at a guy like Jacob and the things that he's able to do on 346 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:30.839 both sides of the ball, I think there's a ton of excitement around him 347 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:34.400 and we can't wait to get him in the organization and start to partner with 348 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:38.400 him as well. So the draft is complete, the last thing you're doing 349 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:42.039 is kicking your feet up on the desk and relaxing, right, I mean, 350 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:47.200 it never ends, it seems. So you draft these players and how 351 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:52.000 busy has this week been as as you try and transition them and do the 352 00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:55.440 detail work that you need to do to kind of complete the process for them. 353 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:57.680 Yeah, that's a that's a great one. Well, I think you 354 00:27:57.720 --> 00:28:03.599 know, first I would say our scouts are already out working on the twenty 355 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:11.480 twenty five draft, and now that that work actually started before the twenty twenty 356 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:15.480 four draft was underway. So to your point, it is a never ending 357 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:21.079 cycle. So they're definitely no rest for the weary. But in terms of 358 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:26.200 the players that we we we draft, we just drafted. The first thing 359 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:32.799 we'll do is get everybody together and start taking each player through the physical and 360 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:37.279 medical and take process. That will take a handful of days here, and 361 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:41.640 you know, assuming all goes well, we'll look to sign these players here 362 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:47.359 over the next you know, call it, call it a week or so, 363 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:52.519 start to partner with them, start to onboard them. We'll take them 364 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:56.759 through really everything they need to know on the front end of of what it 365 00:28:56.799 --> 00:29:03.119 means to be a Cleveland Guardian and start to start them on their ascent to 366 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:10.519 the major leagues and what we hope are long, healthy and prosperous careers here 367 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:14.839 in Cleveland. Paul, the draft is always exciting, but this year was 368 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:18.799 more so for obvious reasons. And congratulations on everything. Thank you so much 369 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:22.359 for coming by for a long Yeah, thank you so much, and I 370 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:27.039 always enjoy stopping by, and I really appreciate your time. That was a 371 00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:30.720 busy man right there, Paul Gillespie, who had quite a week this week 372 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:36.920 with three days of the draft and now the signing process happening, and it 373 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:40.599 will be long before they start all over again, as he kind of animated 374 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:45.559 there during the course of our conversation, they're already working on twenty twenty five 375 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:48.200 his department. Stay with us. When we come back, we'll hear from 376 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:52.759 some of the All Stars who participated in this year's All Star Game. That's 377 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:56.079 when we returned with our final segment after this on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio 378 00:29:56.200 --> 00:30:02.319 Network. Do you switch and save with Progressive? You could use that money 379 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:06.640 towards golf lessons to become a scratch golfer. Progressive cannot guarantee that you will 380 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:08.720 ever become a scratch golfer. Scratch golfers are really, really good drivers who 381 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:11.240 switch and save with Progressive good save one hundreds on average, And sure you 382 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:14.519 could put that money towards lessons. But if you can't hit the broadside of 383 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.799 a barn and think you're going to become a scratch golfer, your delusional. 384 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:19.119 Sorry just telling it. Like it is savings. Maybe scratch golfer, don't 385 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:22.680 hold your breath, switch and see if you can save at Progressive dot Com 386 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:26.839 Progressive Canshley Insurance affiliate. It's not available in all states. It's universally accepted 387 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:47.960 that golf is hard. Progressive cannot guarantee improve performance on the course. Welcome 388 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:52.640 back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you from Progressive Field in downtown 389 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:56.920 Cleveland, and it was quite the week for the five Guardians All Stars who 390 00:30:56.000 --> 00:31:02.079 represented Cleveland in Arlington, Texas, the American League taking down the National League 391 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:04.279 once again on Tuesday night. They're on quite a role in that regard a 392 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:10.039 five to three final score. David Fry had the game time base hit in 393 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:14.200 the third inning. Stephen Kuan walked and scored in that third inning, and 394 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:18.839 in the fifth Boston's Jaron Duran hit a two run home run that ended up 395 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:22.680 being the difference in the five to three win. Amanuel Classe was on in 396 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:26.079 the ninth. He struck out two and picked up the save. And on 397 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:29.640 Monday night, it was Jose Ramirez putting on a good show in the home 398 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:33.720 run derby as he advanced past the first round with twenty one home runs before 399 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:41.400 being eliminated in the semi finals. The Dodgers Taskar Hernandez ended up outslugging Philly's 400 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:45.519 third baseman Alec Baum in the finals to take the home run crown. Jose's 401 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:48.799 teammate Josh Naylor had a front row seat for the derby and he talked about 402 00:31:48.839 --> 00:31:53.039 what it was like watching Josey swing for the fences. Yeah, I know, 403 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:56.880 knowing that he's always going to rise to the occasion as extremely awesome to 404 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:59.440 see and the player he is, he's meant for those big moments, and 405 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:01.599 we try to cheer on as best as we could. Me Kwan and Class 406 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:06.279 and five are so excited for just his opportunity and him to be on the 407 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:09.640 biggest stage in the world. Talk about how meaningful it is to to have 408 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:15.519 MLB bring family into this process and have them get to experience this alongside you. 409 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:19.279 It's it's awesome and we wouldn't be here without them. My parents did 410 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:22.279 such a great job raising me and my brothers, and you know, always 411 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:24.480 making us motivated and determines the do we want to do And you know that 412 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:28.200 the sky's the limit and you can do whatever you want just just keep working 413 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:30.799 hard, keep their head down and just have fun. And I'm happy they 414 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:32.799 could share this experience with me. Do you think Bow and Miles are having 415 00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:36.440 a good time. I think they are, and I think they they're looking 416 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:38.160 forward to being here one day hopefully we can all sit beside each other in 417 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:43.160 the locker room, and fellow All Star David Fry said it was quite an 418 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:46.920 experience watching the top power hitters in the game. Pretty incredible. It was 419 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:52.359 like one of the coolest experiences I think I've been a part of obviously having 420 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:55.160 like Nails class a Kwan out there with them, and that we were kind 421 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:58.640 of like, I think about the only team that like, we were like 422 00:32:58.720 --> 00:33:00.359 right there next to Jose Wat. He was hitting, like going crazy after 423 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:04.319 every homer, and I really thought he was gonna win. But that was 424 00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:08.000 so much fun. Kind of a special experience for you having this take place 425 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:14.359 in your home state. Describe what it's been like having family around to share 426 00:33:14.359 --> 00:33:17.319 in that experience and seeing people that care a lot about you. Yeah, 427 00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:22.200 I mean, so the amount of techs that I've gotten is just so cool. 428 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:23.880 Of like people that I talked to a bunch and the people that I 429 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:27.440 haven't talked to in a long long time who were reaching out like, hey, 430 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:29.400 I'm going to be at the game. Don't know if you've seen me. 431 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.440 And like last night at the derby, I just look up and I've 432 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:35.119 seen like five six people that I haven't seen in years and get to talk 433 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:37.119 with them for a little bit and obviously having family here close by. This 434 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:43.599 has been really special and Steven Kwan baseball's best hitter for average at the All 435 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:46.920 Star Break. He sat down with MLB Network to talk about his first half 436 00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:52.000 and also batting lead off for the American League at the Midsummer Classic. All 437 00:33:52.079 --> 00:33:55.880 right, let me just talk to you real quick, because you've been able 438 00:33:55.920 --> 00:34:00.839 to hit and now the pops there, you got nine home. What has 439 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:05.160 been that change? Because that's been fun to watch average average left center and 440 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:07.039 left center eyeballs. Next thing, you know, you make a mistake. 441 00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:08.920 Now you're circling the pillows. Yeah, I mean, so far of my 442 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:12.599 career, I've had Jose Ramirez behind me just doing it. I mean, 443 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:14.880 same size. I feel like we're just as strong. But I mean he 444 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:17.840 hits what twenty five thirty a year? Just try to discacle how he does 445 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:21.400 it. You know, he just tries to get extended on everything. He's 446 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:24.119 always on the fastball, not afraid to look stupid and swinging and missing on 447 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:27.360 one of them. He's been a great role model for me for that. 448 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:29.800 That's a great point. So with him, you know, with that being 449 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:32.400 said, that's somebody that you look up to as far as like watching because 450 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:36.000 we used to follow Man and rameras around. I'm sure you had a picture 451 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:38.119 that you followed around, so that that player right there, to me, 452 00:34:38.199 --> 00:34:40.599 has always been underrated ever since. So I don't know it's because where he 453 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:44.480 plays, but you look at those numbers he puts up, it's another level 454 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.639 one hundred percent, and that's how you want to He doesn't like all the 455 00:34:45.679 --> 00:34:49.639 fame, the glamour and everything. He took his deal, he knew exactly 456 00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:52.360 what he was doing. He balls. He keeps us accountable with that. 457 00:34:52.400 --> 00:34:53.760 I mean, that's why he's a dog. He's the guy that you follow 458 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:58.000 in Cleveland. You watch him today, he get to take batting practice in 459 00:34:58.039 --> 00:35:01.199 the same group as Aaron Judge. What was that like watching that first him? 460 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:04.880 Oh my god, it's surreal. Always been a huge fan with him 461 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:07.239 obviously, just it speaks to the beauty of baseball. I mean, a 462 00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:08.360 guy like me can play, and then a guy like him can patrol the 463 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:12.559 outfield the same spot. He's the guy. I mean, it was cool 464 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:15.199 just kind of seeing how his body sequences. I was. I was hypnotized 465 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:19.559 by it. Kudos to your fan base in Cleveland and what they were able 466 00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:22.440 to do, because that's really, really, that's the highest honor you can 467 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:24.159 get. Yeah, no, shout out obviously shout out to Cleveland. It 468 00:35:24.199 --> 00:35:28.280 was really cool, super affirming. I got her in that little May time, 469 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:30.880 and I think that to me felt like I lost all my chances to 470 00:35:30.920 --> 00:35:32.280 become an All Star. I just didn't think I would be eligible enough for 471 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:35.360 all of that, and to be able to kind of continue that going into 472 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:37.800 June. I feel very lucky to be able to make it out. Yeah 473 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:40.599 high highest seeing hit high. He's the highest hitter in the world right now, 474 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:45.880 and that's been amazing to watch. And I'm just telling you you nailed 475 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:47.159 something earlier in this interview. You said, this is what makes our game 476 00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:52.400 of baseball great. You could play it Al Tuvey to Aaron Judge, to 477 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:55.239 Randy Johnson, that's what makes this game. So when did you become like, 478 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:59.199 yeah, I'm going to the show, or what moment was that? 479 00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:01.079 Was it? Colin high school? How do way? We have dreams? 480 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:04.199 But I'm saying when you really locked in, like yeah, I could eat 481 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:06.880 it. Yeah, that might have been more recent than I'd like to admit. 482 00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:09.320 Probably twenty twenty one two. I kind of felt like I had a 483 00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:13.519 shot at it, kind of again figuring out some of that pop. I 484 00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:15.639 knew what kind of player I was gonna be though. I mean I hit 485 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:17.400 my grow spit at thirteen and then grow after that, so and everybody kept 486 00:36:17.400 --> 00:36:20.239 going. So I was like, Okay, I gotta really impact the game 487 00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:22.840 another way, getting on base singles, playing good defense. Yeah, it 488 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:25.239 didn't come until around twenty one when I thought this could be a morality. 489 00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:29.280 You're a baseball player, your chet, you play chess on one of your 490 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:30.440 things that you like to do too. I love this. We always talk 491 00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:35.800 about physical aspect right to all these physical tools you meditate and the power of 492 00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:37.960 that. Talk about that a little bit, especially for the kids at home, 493 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:40.519 because between our ears is really the difference maker in this game. Yeah, 494 00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:43.960 that's a really cool question. I'm glad you brought that up. Yeah, 495 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:45.800 as you guys know, this game is a mental game. It's like 496 00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:50.000 ten percent physical obviously, and then like the rest of it's mental. I 497 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:52.199 feel like as a hitter, you know, so many thoughts go through your 498 00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:53.559 head and it's like, I'm sure it's the same as pitching, but like 499 00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:57.320 when those thoughts overtake you, I mean, you feel like you're paralyzed. 500 00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:59.719 I feel like with the meditation you can at least you can't get rid of 501 00:36:59.760 --> 00:37:01.000 the thought, because thoughts alway going to be with us. But to be 502 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:04.440 able to identify them, take them for what they are, and then be 503 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:06.760 able to move on. I feel like that's powerful, and you can kind 504 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:08.800 of free yourself from whatever thoughts may enter, and then you can play it 505 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:12.400 free. You can play free, you play well. So quite a week 506 00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:15.800 in Arlington, Texas for five Cleveland All Stars, and they are hoping to 507 00:37:15.840 --> 00:37:21.800 parlay that into a strong second half and a postseason berth As we get deeper 508 00:37:21.840 --> 00:37:25.719 into it, only sixty six games remaining heading into play on Saturday, and 509 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:30.039 the Guardians have a five game lead over the second place Minnesota Twins in the 510 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:35.119 AL Central. Cat's going to do it for this week's edition of Guardians Weekly 511 00:37:35.239 --> 00:37:37.639 is always thanks to Brian Matse for all of his help on our show each 512 00:37:37.679 --> 00:37:43.760 and every week. We will join you next weekend when the team is on 513 00:37:43.920 --> 00:37:47.119 the road, as they will head out on the road and be in Philadelphia 514 00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:52.360 to take on the Red Hot Phillies. Should be some kind of series in 515 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:55.239 the city of brother lead up. So until then, this is Jim Rosenhause 516 00:37:55.280 --> 00:38:00.119 reminding you that you've been listening The Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio 517 00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:15.480 Don't Have Work. Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians 518 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.800 fans save hundreds on car insurance