WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:07.559 Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio networking. Guardians Weekly is front 2 00:00:07.599 --> 00:00:51.320 to you by Progressive helping Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance. Hi everyone, 3 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:57.079 Jim Rosenhouse with you for Guardians Weekly from Globe Life Ballpark in Arlington, 4 00:00:57.159 --> 00:01:02.159 Texas this week, as we join you from the hot of the Dallas Fort 5 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:07.959 Worth area. One hundred and two was the game time temperature outside for Friday 6 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:10.599 Night series opener. Of course, the roof was closed, so it was 7 00:01:10.640 --> 00:01:15.920 a very comfortable seventy four degrees inside, but that's something that the teams will 8 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:21.079 contend with throughout the weekend when they are outside the ballpark. A tough start 9 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:25.239 to the post All Star Break activities for the Guardians. Will get to that 10 00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:29.560 shortly, but first look at what's to come on this week's show. Paul 11 00:01:29.599 --> 00:01:33.680 Gillespie, who's the senior vice president of Scouting for the Guardians. He'll give 12 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:38.400 us a complete wrap up on the just completed amateur draft. We'll also hear 13 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:42.159 from assistant pitching coach Joe Torres, and it's another segment of at the Ballpark 14 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:46.879 with Bobby d That's all coming your way shortly, but first to look at 15 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:49.519 the week gone by, and although it was a tough start to play after 16 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:53.120 the All Star Break, big time highlight in a twelve to four loss to 17 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:57.840 Texas on Friday night, the work of the Nailer brothers Bone Nailer in the 18 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:04.959 third inning got things started. The pitch swung on and blasted hi deep to 19 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:13.400 right way out a here deep into the lord deck has Bone Nailor has his 20 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:22.080 second major league home run, a mammoth towering blast to right and the Guardians 21 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:29.840 have the early two nothing lead. That was majestic and Bone Nailer now two 22 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:36.960 home runs, seven RBIs and it has been quite a week for the Nailor 23 00:02:37.080 --> 00:02:44.719 family because the youngest boy, Miles drafted by the Oaklana's and later in the 24 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:49.759 third a man on and big brother Josh Naylor stepped in. Grams really had 25 00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:54.560 to labor this ending. The right hander's ready. Here it comes, swung 26 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:59.039 on, ripped a deep right down the line, It goes, It is 27 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:07.240 go. The Nailer Brothers eight with two run home runs, Josh Naylor right 28 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:15.159 down the right field line makes it a for nothing Cleveland lead, and Josh 29 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:21.479 with his twelfth home run it gives him sixty six Army eyes. And that's 30 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:29.520 the first time the Nailer brothers have had home runs together in not only the 31 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:34.639 same game, but the same ending. Big brother wasn't going to let little 32 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:38.639 brothers show him up. And those home runs by the Nailer brothers the first 33 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:45.280 time in franchise history that brothers had hit home runs in the same game. 34 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:49.759 How about that. Congratulations to Josh and bow Naylor. But that was it 35 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:53.919 for the Guardians on Friday night. They were up for nothing. Texas won 36 00:03:53.960 --> 00:03:57.560 the ball game twelve to four. A tough night for the Guardians. Bullpen, 37 00:03:57.960 --> 00:04:00.960 stay with us, let me come back. We'll draft with Paul Gillespie, 38 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:04.599 the senior vice president of scouting for the Guardians. That's next on the 39 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:13.599 Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio network. Score pass out of bounds. Those are sports 40 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:15.800 words. Some people hear any sports word and they can't help but listen. 41 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:19.639 Like drive drive is another sports word, and drive vers who switched and save 42 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:24.800 with Progressive could save hundreds. You might say those savings are on par with 43 00:04:24.920 --> 00:04:28.120 the best in the league. You see, pars also a sports word, 44 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:30.759 So I know you're still listening, and that's called covering our basis. Okay, 45 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:34.199 I'm done now, but I'm serious about drivers saving big with Progressive Now, 46 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:49.199 I'm really dune Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. 47 00:04:54.160 --> 00:04:58.839 Jim Rosenhouse back with you on Guardians Weekly from Globe Life Field in Arlington, 48 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:02.399 Texas. The Audians and Rangers meeting in the first three game series coming 49 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:06.120 out of the All Star Break. Saturday, a four o five first pitch. 50 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:12.600 Sunday a two thirty five first pitch before the team heads to Pittsburgh for 51 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:16.279 a three games set with the Pirates. Earlier this week, it was Baseball's 52 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:20.839 amateur Draft, and as always, every team so optimistic of how things went. 53 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:26.519 Paul Gillespie's the senior vice president of scouting for the Guardians. He says 54 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:30.480 it's exciting time for everyone involved, and he says the feeling after the three 55 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:35.480 days concluded about what you expect. A lot of optimism as all the picks 56 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:39.560 were made and it was time to get to work. Yeah, thanks, 57 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:45.920 Rodie. I think it's a It's a great feeling always around the organization. 58 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:48.879 There's just a ton of excitement around the draft, right like everybody loves the 59 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:55.519 draft, bringing you you know, new young talent into the organization, and 60 00:05:56.199 --> 00:06:00.040 I think our scouts have spent in a lot of cases the better part of 61 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.160 the year getting to know these players on the field and off the field, 62 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:06.120 and I think, you know, it's an opportunity for them to see a 63 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:11.480 lot of their hard work on display and a lot of their hard work come 64 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:17.519 to fruition as well. It's an all hands on deck sort of initiative when 65 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:21.680 we prepare for the draft. So we've got members of the front office, 66 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:29.439 members and player development, our analysts, coaches, everyone really pulling on the 67 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:33.720 same rope in the same direction, try to prepare the organization for acquisition decisions. 68 00:06:33.720 --> 00:06:40.040 So it is really a sense of in a lot of ways relief because 69 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:42.560 you know, we got through it and we feel really good about it. 70 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:47.959 But we also um there's also a sense of great pride because it is a 71 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:55.879 really big collaborative effort, effort and just a ton of teamwork that's involved to 72 00:06:56.439 --> 00:06:59.279 pull something like this off. Well, let's get right to some of the 73 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:02.279 picks. And the first pick the Guardians had was number twenty three overall, 74 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:06.800 which recently that that slot in the draft along to Gavin Williams, and here 75 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:11.480 he is already just a couple of years in to his pro career. He 76 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:15.800 went with a high school catcher out of southern California, Ralphie Flasquez. Tell 77 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:19.199 us about him, what made him stand out as as someone that you could 78 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:23.959 take in the first round. Yeah, thanks, Leszy. We're really excited 79 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:29.639 about Ralphie. So, Ralphie is a strong body, physical and athletic left 80 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:35.360 handed hidden catcher from Huntington High School out in California. The thanks a standard 81 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:43.720 about him, Ralphie. Just his ability to senter the baseball consistently, not 82 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:46.920 only the ability to move the ball around to all fields, but the ability 83 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:51.160 to impact the ball for power as well. So we think he has the 84 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:56.439 potential to be, you know that middle of the order run producer in time. 85 00:07:57.279 --> 00:07:59.839 You know, feel to hit, ability to control the strike zone. 86 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:03.639 Um, those are the things that stand out about him. He's sort of 87 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:07.040 a mainstay on the Summer Stowcase circuit, so we're able to see him a 88 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:11.680 lot, see him in a lot of different environments. UM, and he's 89 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:18.720 performed back there. He always performed there, so really great to see him 90 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:22.519 at all the events and just kind of go out and do his thing. 91 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:26.399 UM. Over and over again. UM. He's also UM, he's a 92 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:31.360 catcher, but he also has played in first base, somewhat new to catching. 93 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:35.080 UM. So we're looking forward to to partnering with him to find out 94 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:41.039 how, you know, we want to approach his defense. UM, he 95 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:46.320 really wants to catch. UM. We really like his his approach to the 96 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:52.799 game. UM, his makeup, he has some qualities and teammate qualities. 97 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:58.000 UM that we cover it. So UM, he's an impressive person both on 98 00:08:58.080 --> 00:09:01.440 the field and off the field, and we're super excited to get going with 99 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:07.200 Ralphie. It's interesting Paul high school catchers, that's not the easiest thing to 100 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:13.679 scout and project, but Cleveland's had some success with the former number one pick 101 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:16.360 is now in the major leagues in bow Naylor. And because you have that 102 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:20.879 that recent body of work to look at, and maybe it doesn't matter at 103 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:24.600 all, but does that make it a little bit easier or at least you 104 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:28.519 have more information on what you're looking for in that type of kid. Yeah, 105 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:31.879 I think that's a great question. I think really every kid is a 106 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:37.440 little bit different, right and with with Ralphie's specifically, UM, you know, 107 00:09:37.559 --> 00:09:41.679 he's he is new to catching. UM. So I think we want 108 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:45.320 to, um, you know, not put the cart before the horse and 109 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:48.519 get him in the organization. And we know that he's he's he's worked at 110 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:52.440 it and we've seen him do it. Um. He's also shown him some 111 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:54.919 versatility. He's played some third base, he's played some first base as well. 112 00:09:56.440 --> 00:10:00.960 UM at his time on the showcase circuit ended Huntington Beach School. So 113 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:05.360 I think we have some options with him, and we're looking forward to the 114 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:09.919 partner with him and getting his thoughts as well to think about one of the 115 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:16.080 best ways UM to sort of hit his development head on. Senior Vice president 116 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:20.039 of Scouting Paul Gillespie joining us. We're talking about the Chess Completed Amateur Draft 117 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:24.360 of twenty twenty three, and Paul, let's go to round two, number 118 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:28.799 fifty eight. Overall, you picked a left handed pitcher out of Rhode Island, 119 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:33.919 Alex Clemy, and gosh, you look at his numbers and they're ridiculous, 120 00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:37.279 But I know you look at much more than that. What stood out 121 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.039 to him to pick him that high? Yeah? No, you know, 122 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:41.519 I mean you make a good point. You know, I think it was 123 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:45.840 forty three innings and I think you struck out over one hundred batters this year 124 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:52.159 m at Bishop Hendrick Bishop Hendrick in High School up in Rhode Island. Um, 125 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:54.679 he pitches his team to the States in my finals this year. So 126 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:58.759 had a really great year. But UM, if things a standard about Alex, 127 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:03.519 I guess i'd start sort of on the field, um. You know, 128 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:07.039 six foot five, six foot six, left hander. UM, just 129 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:13.240 really long, loose, lean body. You know, you can dream on 130 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:18.279 on on guys like this. You know, the way he moves, um. 131 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:22.080 You know, he's got a fastball that's reached nine one miles an hour 132 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:28.679 in the past. He also shows quite a bit of of now stuff with 133 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:33.039 the with the breaking ball and and with the developing changeup as well. So 134 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:37.960 he's just a steady progression UM. Over the last couple of years in his 135 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:41.639 development. UM, he was UM on the eighteen and under team with t 136 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:46.200 USA, So he's been around, um the big competition and you know, 137 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:50.320 kind of similar to Ralphie, another guy, he's been a sort of a 138 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:54.679 mainstay on the summer showcase circuit. You know, he's been everywhere and he's 139 00:11:54.720 --> 00:12:00.639 sort of sort of done everything. UM. So I'm really excited about about 140 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:05.759 Alex. You know, it's a really nice blend of projection. UM. 141 00:12:05.799 --> 00:12:09.559 But also you know, given you know his fastball velocity, there's a lot 142 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:15.559 of things that he does well now too. So really excited to get him 143 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:20.879 UM where we did UM, I think transitioning a little bit to some of 144 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:26.600 the things he does really well off the field. Really intelligent kid. UM, 145 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:33.080 Alex has a really advanced understanding for UM, some of the modern pitching 146 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:37.840 methods. UM. He really understands his body, the way his body moves. 147 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:43.200 He has a really good understanding of UM some of the foundations of pitch 148 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:50.399 design. And he's already thinking about oh, UM, really excited about and 149 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:54.720 the draft and I know he's ready to get going. So UM he's he's 150 00:12:56.000 --> 00:13:03.240 a great kid. And really to get him and finishing up on that first 151 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:07.519 day of the draft, your sixty second overall pick in the competitive balance round. 152 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:11.399 Uh. He went at least in college, he was a reliever Andrew 153 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:15.480 Walters out of the University of Miami. So so you go from a high 154 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:18.080 school kid and the pick prior to maybe a little more polished coming out of 155 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:22.759 college. And what are you seeing from Andrew Walters that that has the organization 156 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:30.200 excited? Yeah, Andrew is uh you know, physical rank reliever a University 157 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:35.200 of Miami. UM. You know sort of speaks for itself. His record 158 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:39.759 of success UM, misses a lot of bass throws, a lot of strikes. 159 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:45.279 UM. He gets it done with the fastball that UM sort of sits 160 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:48.320 in the mid nineties. He's been up to the upper nineties in the past, 161 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:50.679 you know, touching ninety nine. UM. One of the things that 162 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:58.039 he's been working really hard on is developing his slider, and as he's incorporated 163 00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:01.200 that, it really given him another weapon and to finish hitters off. You 164 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:05.639 know, the fastball is really unique. UM. He can really pitch with 165 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:09.799 at the top of the zone and get a lot of swing swings and misses 166 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:13.919 up there. UM. So just thinking about you know, the tracker track 167 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:18.559 record that he has, UM. You know, he's he's really gotten it 168 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:24.480 done. UM in big situations. And you know, the ACC one of 169 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:28.679 the best conferences out there. UM. So the success he's had UM over 170 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:33.799 here career. I think he appeared in uh seventy games out of the bullpen. 171 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:37.399 UM, you know, around a hundred innings, and I think he 172 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:43.320 struck out like one hundred and seventy batters so UM swinging miss stuff with with 173 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:48.360 Andrew. Um, he comes from an athletic family. UM. You know, 174 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:52.360 both his parents were college athletes. Um. His dad played basketball, 175 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:56.360 his mom played softball. Um. And he also had an uncle who played 176 00:14:56.399 --> 00:15:01.679 football, UM for the University of Miami. UM and the Jet. So 177 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:07.080 just an athletic family and super excited about about Andrew. He wants to get 178 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:13.639 going, and you know he's he's worked really hard to put himself in the 179 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:16.320 position that he's in. And Paul, just to recap the draft a couple 180 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:20.759 of years ago, Holy smokes, it was it was pitching heavy and college 181 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:24.320 pitching heavy if you wanted to find it even further. But it seems like 182 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:31.600 this year a real nice blend of college, high school pitching, position player, 183 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:35.240 outfield, shortstops, three catchers in there, but a little bit of 184 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:39.919 everything by designer. Is it just how it happened to work out based on 185 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:45.639 taking that best player available as each round came up. Yeah, Yeah, 186 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:50.279 I think it's a it's a great question. Um, every year is a 187 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:54.879 little bit different. UM. So I would say our strategy sort of as 188 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:58.080 a general matter, as a general matter, is just we're just looking to 189 00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:03.679 take the best are available at each pick, UM, and we know UM, 190 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:07.879 and I think we've shown that there's talent to be UM in the middle 191 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:11.240 and in the in the back front of the draft. It's just just not 192 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:15.279 the you know, the round one, round two, UM. There's there's 193 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:18.440 a lot of talent to be found, UM at all areas of the draft 194 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:22.320 this year. I think if you were to go back and look at maybe 195 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:26.639 what some of the UM public that we're saying, I think, you know, 196 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:30.960 people would say, like, you know, this is a really UM 197 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:33.440 deep draft from from the college ranks, and I think, UM, you 198 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:40.120 know, maybe that's a little bit um by the by the players we took, 199 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:44.679 especially on Day two. UM. But at the same time, UM, 200 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:48.519 it's it's it's one of those things. It's it's really hard to predict. 201 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:52.799 So UM our scouts do a really good job of knowing all players, 202 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:56.440 all of demographics, because I think we have to be the organization that UM 203 00:16:57.080 --> 00:17:03.440 is capable of handling. Anybody walks those through those doors. So UM. 204 00:17:03.640 --> 00:17:08.839 Yeah, I think in general we're just looking to take, you know, 205 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:14.000 the best player available. So UM, I do like a nice blend, 206 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:18.039 but I can't say it was by by design, just because every year it 207 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.839 is different and it's so hard to predict. Well, I know it'd be 208 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:25.000 exciting to see and follow these young players as they make their way toward the 209 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:29.440 major leagues. Paul as always, thanks for coming by and and get some 210 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:33.279 rest. I know it's been a I'm sure a sleepless several days, but 211 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:37.279 I know a lot of hard work and good feelings around the organization. Thank 212 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:40.839 you, Rosie. I will definitely take you up on some sleep and then 213 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:45.640 and then we'll hopefully get these guys in and then we'll start startling. Twenty 214 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:49.359 twenty four so um looking and we're looking forward to it. So thank you 215 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:53.400 so much for your time and always always enjoy coming by and chatting with you. 216 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:59.119 That Senior vice president of Scouting Paul Collespie with the rundown on some of 217 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:03.759 the top picks that the Guardians made in this year's amateur draft. Stay with 218 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:07.319 us when we come back. We'll visit with assistant pitching coach Joe Torres. 219 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:42.920 That's next on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Netboard. Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. 220 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:48.319 Jim Rosenhouse back with you from Arlington, Texas and Globe Life Ballpark, 221 00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:52.599 where the Guardians are taking on the Rangers this weekend. Joe Torres is the 222 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:56.559 assistant pitching coach for the Guardians and we had a chance to visit with Joe 223 00:18:56.640 --> 00:19:00.880 recently and talk about some of the young pitching that has been in the major 224 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:03.960 leagues for a good portion of the season now, talking about Tanner Bibi, 225 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:10.400 and also Gavin Williams and soon to be again Logan Allen, who will rejoin 226 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:15.480 the ball club next week for a start in Pittsburgh, and all three throughout 227 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:19.240 the season. They've talked about the foundation that they received after they were drafted. 228 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:22.279 And bear in mind for Bobby and Williams, it wasn't that long ago, 229 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:26.519 as they were part of the twenty twenty one draft, but they were 230 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:30.440 sent to Arizona, not to a club to play in games when they were 231 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:37.480 first drafted. And Joe Torres says that's part of early development that's so important 232 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:42.319 for young pitchers these days, as especially for newly drafted players their early days 233 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:48.519 as professionals. It lays the groundwork for future success. I think it's been 234 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:51.559 huge for him. I mean, I think that's something you definitely asked them 235 00:19:51.559 --> 00:19:53.839 and they'll tell you the same. So you know, prior, like you 236 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:57.400 know, go back ten years, maybe even five years. Once guys get 237 00:19:57.480 --> 00:20:00.640 drafted, it used to be, hey, you get one week and you're 238 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:03.960 pretty much in an affiliate pitching somewhere or playing somewhere. And I think when 239 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:08.559 COVID came around and we didn't have a season then and we actually had our 240 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:14.319 false season kind of come back again, you know, prior to an instructional 241 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:17.680 league, you know, we started moving forward and saying what can we do 242 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:22.000 in the future to help onboard guys into professional baseball. And I think as 243 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:25.839 an organization, you know, we actually built a foundations program where we kind 244 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:29.880 of brought guys in and um kind of gave them the landscape of the organization 245 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:33.200 and kind of get give them the things that we value and kind of work 246 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:37.279 through the foundational components before they even got out to playing a season and playing 247 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:41.319 baseball. So I think that's what we're trying to do and trying to take 248 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:44.440 advantage of. And I think the feedback from players have been really great about 249 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:48.079 that, and because in all three cases they're coming off of college seasons, 250 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:52.720 so their innings had certainly put them at a level where you don't want to 251 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:56.400 pile on innings at that point. So what do they do in Arizona when 252 00:20:56.720 --> 00:21:00.519 when these kids come in and they're not going to an affiliate and they're not 253 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:03.200 pitching innings, what are they doing to really set themselves up for future success? 254 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.720 If you actually it's kind of while if you think about they're leaving college 255 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:11.559 and they're almost getting an extension of that, but now it's just baseball focus 256 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:15.160 only, so they're getting a chance to really get into all domains. They're 257 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:18.839 learning, you know, the mental side, the S ANDC side, medical 258 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:22.119 obviously the fundamental portion. So I mean they take classes, I mean they 259 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:26.279 work through these things and they learn you know the importance of the routines and 260 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:30.359 and and what they have to do to kind of prep themselves and learn themselves 261 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:33.480 best so they can be professional players, you know, not in year one, 262 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.880 year two, but you know, hopefully have a long major league career. 263 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.119 So, I mean there's a lot of time that goes into it. 264 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:41.640 We have fantastic people in player development that are they're leading the charge there and 265 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:45.880 educating these players. And uh and once again, so far as it seems 266 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:48.559 like it's paying off, and the three currently in the rotation William's, Allen 267 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:56.160 and Bobby you saw them to varying degrees early on any surprise at their quick 268 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:59.279 move and how they've performed at the major league level based on what you knew 269 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:02.759 well, I mean when you take each guy like, it's like, you 270 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:06.960 know, Logan and Tanner, both guys were known as um ultra competitors, 271 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:10.839 ultra strike throwers in college. Um, you know, and then you get 272 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:14.079 into a system, and it was kind of like fine tuning some little things, 273 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:15.200 um, you know. For Tanner, he was able to kind of 274 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:18.319 you know, learn a little about delivery and just how it can translate to 275 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:22.200 velocity and and um, you know, I think overall the game and the 276 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:26.279 industry, you can see that guys are able to pick things up so much 277 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:30.880 quicker with the technology and the coaching that's out there now. So um, 278 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:34.240 you know, I wouldn't say I'm surprised necessarily, um, but it's definitely 279 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:37.519 a welcome treat to see these guys, you know, move as fast as 280 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:41.079 they are. Joe Torres joining us in the coach's corner. He's the assistant 281 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:44.200 pitching coach and Jo want your second season at this and then you've had some 282 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:48.359 time to kind of survey it and and see how it goes. And um, 283 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:52.400 what have your impression has been in this position for you at this level, 284 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:56.279 watching young pictures and older pictures developed all on the scene. Yeah, 285 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:59.880 well, I guess I'm fortunate. I get a chance to be Carl every 286 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:03.759 day, and Rigo and you know our priorabul pen coach Byan Sweeney, um 287 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:07.960 and this entire staff, you know. So it's it's the experience that I'm 288 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:10.640 I'm able to be around every day and be a sponge. That's huge for 289 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:12.759 me. And then the role itself is pretty cool where I I you know, 290 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:17.000 I'm kind of in the middle of everything or or part of everything, 291 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:18.960 and um, so it's a jack of all trades where I can go ahead 292 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:23.200 and support as much as Rigo and Carl need um, and then you know, 293 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:26.240 just be there and be around the players as much as possible. So 294 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:30.079 it's it's fun for me. It's exciting. It's been an exciting time for 295 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:32.960 sure, on the pitching side for Cleveland. Joe, thanks for coming by. 296 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.319 I appreciate it. Yeah, sure, than thanks, Rosie. That's 297 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:38.960 Joe Torres, the assistant pitching coach for the Guardians and State tuned. We'll 298 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:44.880 have one more segment of Guardians Weekly after this short break the Cleveland Clinic Guardians 299 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:56.680 Radio Network. Those are sports sounds, and people have sports so much it 300 00:23:56.720 --> 00:24:00.000 makes them pay attention. When I say drivers who switch and save it Progressive 301 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:06.559 save hundreds, and we all know how sports fans feel about big saves. 302 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:11.279 See what I did there. Save is also a sports word, So save 303 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:17.200 big when you switch to Progressive. Oh that's a golf club, Progressive Casualty 304 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:37.680 insurance company and affiliates, potential savings will vary. Jim Rose announced back with 305 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:41.680 you from Global Life Field in Arlington, Texas, where the Guardians are taking 306 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:45.039 on the Rangers this weekend. And we close this week's show with another edition 307 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:51.200 of At the Ballpark with Bobby D. Bob Dibia, Guardians Senior Vice President, 308 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:57.759 the perfectly manicured field, the unmistakable room of a ballpark, hot dog, 309 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:04.839 and the Electricity is celebrating another victory. This is at the Ballpark with 310 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:11.920 Bobby D. The ballpark is home to many stories, many memorable moments, 311 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:17.119 and colorful personalities. Joining me on this segment of At the Ballpark. We're 312 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:22.119 going to take you away behind the scenes to a gentleman who does some special 313 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:30.920 and unique things for our organization and has done them for almost thirty plus years. 314 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:34.279 More than thirty plus years. His name is John Jakovic. He is 315 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:40.559 an artist and graphic designer. John. Thanks for joining us. Thank you 316 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:42.680 Bobby for having me. It's fun to be here. You and I first 317 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:52.079 met to do special illustration graphic design for our players to highlight their memorable moments 318 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:56.920 in their careers. The first time. Let's go back to nineteen ninety two. 319 00:25:57.400 --> 00:26:04.000 Kenny Lofton. Kenny often becomes the all time americanly Rookie Stolen base champion 320 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:10.559 with sixty six steals back in ninety two, and we come to you and 321 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:15.839 say we want to commemorate, We want to highlight his achievement and do something 322 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:22.480 special for him and put the sixty six on a base. Could you do 323 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:26.440 that? Yes? I did, And what happened was they provided a base. 324 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:30.599 And one thing about a base, most people don't realize that it's not 325 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:33.880 just a flat base when you look at it, it's a Hollywood base called 326 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:38.680 and it has got a relief in it both east, west, north and 327 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:44.480 south and also on a diagonal, so when you are painting it by hand. 328 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:48.200 You need to hold the brush steady and not dip in and out and 329 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:52.680 cover all the spots on it, utilizing the right paint helps and the right 330 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:56.680 brush as well. And we loaded up the bases. Kenny Lofton presently holds 331 00:26:56.720 --> 00:27:02.960 twelve of those, both for Cleveland and the other teams he played for Texas, 332 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:07.720 Chicago Yankees, and so on. So that's a special way to start 333 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:10.880 our career with you guys. Well, let's continue out with Kenny for a 334 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:14.519 second. So the bases that you did for him as he moved on through 335 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:21.559 his career, you highlighted the milestones at a hundred, and he reached out 336 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:26.039 to you playing for other teams and wanted to have that in his man cave 337 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:32.400 at his house in Los Angeles. And what was the best one? The 338 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:34.920 final one, yes, the final one of six hundred twenty two basses, 339 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:40.680 if I remember correctly, was the last one we did for him. He 340 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:42.920 did send me a picture at one point of all of them on his wall 341 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:47.839 in LA and he had him framed and actually made my work look like a 342 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:51.279 million dollars. But it was fun doing him all of them. You and 343 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:55.319 I were connected through an old friend of ours, Carl Horreb. We got 344 00:27:55.359 --> 00:28:00.519 a shout out to an old employee of our and chose Carl Horde. For 345 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:06.319 those old timers listening, you might remember the team shop on East twelfth and 346 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:11.440 Euclid Avenue, across the street from the Statler Hotel. Carl Horde ran that 347 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:15.920 you did signage for that, you did signage for our golf outings, and 348 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:19.920 so that's how we knew one another. And then we went and through a 349 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:25.000 little bit of a curveball through a basse at you. And since that time, 350 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:29.799 you've done batch, you've done baseballs. I'm sure you've done other items 351 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:33.880 that I'm not even aware of. But tell us about some of the highlights 352 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:40.559 of some of the most incredible things that you've been able to provide our players 353 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:48.839 with an incredible piece of memorabilia featuring a highlight of their career. Some of 354 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:52.720 the other good things that I think I have done for people is Corey Kluber 355 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:59.319 has twenty two baseballs commemorating different milestones in his career as well the presentation of 356 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:03.359 Jim Tone Me when he was his last time here in Cleveland. All the 357 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:07.319 baseballs I created for his milestones for home runs that were put in the case 358 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:11.920 that was made with the jersey and so on, and I got to go 359 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:17.880 on the field that day to watch it. Recently, the home plate I 360 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:23.039 hand letter for Victor Martinez on his farewell trip to Cleveland and onto the other 361 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:30.400 cities. Champagne bottle for both CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. CC Sabathia also 362 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:36.400 had shown in one of my pieces of memorabilia for him in his showcase on 363 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:42.720 MTV Cribs, and also it was shown again at another segment of million dollar 364 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:47.640 rooms at his home. So it's been a lot of fun doing that. 365 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:53.880 The bases extra balls for other people too, were very, very fun to 366 00:29:55.000 --> 00:30:00.759 do and satisfying. Charlie Nag I know that we presented Charlie with a plaque 367 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:07.240 with one hundred and twenty nine baseballs that you assisted us with representing the one 368 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:12.799 hundred and twenty nine wins in his career in a Cleveland uniform. I think 369 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:18.480 that still ranks ninth or tenth all time in the history of our franchise. 370 00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:22.160 We taxed you a little bit on that one, didn't we you should do. 371 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:26.079 I'm sitting there at home, I get a phone call and they want 372 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:30.160 to dump you know, twelve thirteen dozen baseballs on me and say you got 373 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:33.039 a week and a half to do them. I go what, and he 374 00:30:33.119 --> 00:30:33.839 said, yeah, you got a week and a half to do them. 375 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:40.799 So everything every statistic on every ball for the score of the win with number 376 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:44.880 win it was who we played against, and sawn was all on every one 377 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:49.640 of those. We accomplished it again. The Indians made wonderful looking wooden cases 378 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:55.839 for these, and he must have a giant home because those things were huge. 379 00:30:56.519 --> 00:31:00.559 John. We've kept you awful busy this year. We've had players their 380 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:06.680 major league debut and one of the ways to commemorate that is your artistry on 381 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:11.039 baseballs. Tell us about some of the fun ones you've done. What's really 382 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:15.279 fun about a body is that seeing the faces of them when I meet them 383 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:22.119 at some point years later. Or Guardian's Affair, Wahoo Club luncheon where we 384 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:26.400 are blessed to get some great young talent to come and spend an hour and 385 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:30.480 a half with us or so answering questions, signing autographs. And when I 386 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:34.160 come to the table, they meet me and I do tell them who I 387 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:41.839 am, and they're very appreciative, very appreciative. Especially the young and also 388 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:45.799 the veteran players as well. And you find out that they're giving them to 389 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:49.039 their parents, they're giving them to their girlfriend, they're putting it on the 390 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:53.200 mantel. Grandma likes to look at it. And it's just a wonderful feeling 391 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:56.880 to know that they're appreciated and not just taking it throwing at the bottom of 392 00:31:56.920 --> 00:32:00.880 their athletic bag, and you know, getting about it. So tell me 393 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:07.759 what might have been the most unique item that we've asked you to put your 394 00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:12.880 work on. Again, we've done Baseball's bats bass, but anything come to 395 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:19.440 mind is one of the most odd requests by yes to you. Years ago, 396 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:24.400 you provided me with a home plate for Elizabeth Dole when she was in 397 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:30.200 town as she was I think the president or the chapter president of the Red 398 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:36.920 Cross, and you provided me a base to commemorate her coming hair. And 399 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:40.279 it was nice to her to sign a baseball formula that I still have. 400 00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:47.119 But yeah, I guess everyone is kind of unique because every person who had 401 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:52.319 either debut ball, the debut means they had a home run. The debut 402 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:54.920 might mean they had to first strike out, it's their first win, their 403 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:59.480 first save. A lot of guys too, they went the Grand Slam that 404 00:32:59.559 --> 00:33:02.799 they hit to commemorate it. I guess all of them are special, all 405 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:07.400 of them are unique, and I'm just thankful to be the guy that's doing 406 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:12.279 it now. Again, think back in part one we talked the many you 407 00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:15.400 did for Kenny Loft and the bases and Corey Klumer and C. C. 408 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:22.759 Sabathia and Charlie Naggy one hundred and twenty nine Baseball. You have any idea 409 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:31.240 how many items that you may have done for us and b have you catalogued? 410 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:36.640 I hope you've taken photos of every thing that you've done for us, 411 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:40.119 so that there is a true catalog of all the incredible things you've been able 412 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:45.759 to assist us with. I have actually all of the items that I do 413 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:50.680 for the players, whether they're still here in Cleveland or have moved on and 414 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:53.039 come back and ask me to do something for them. I take a photograph 415 00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:58.119 of everyone, because of course I do not get to keep these items they're 416 00:33:58.160 --> 00:34:00.839 in their trophy cases. I take a picture of them, and if there's 417 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:06.920 an opportunity somewhere along the line to get an autograph of it, I will 418 00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:12.039 try to get an autograph on that photograph. So yeah, that is definitely 419 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:19.159 one of the things that I like doing your craft. Is it becoming somewhat 420 00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:24.400 of a lost art with computer graphic design nowadays? I mean you truly do 421 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:31.599 everything by hand, painstakingly detailed as you could imagine, putting the date, 422 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:38.039 the moment, the achievement on a baseball or a bat. All of that 423 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:45.079 is done by hand. So chat a little bit about your craft and is 424 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:50.360 it a dying art of sorts? It definitely is. You just do not 425 00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:53.880 find a lot of people handle lettering out there anymore. Everything, like you 426 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:59.239 said, is put on computers or you know, photographically, you put on 427 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:04.119 balls. And as I've come across a lot of people who appreciate the hand 428 00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:07.079 lettering, the old fashioned style and still come to me to do things. 429 00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:13.960 You ask me the question about how many you think I've done? Probably at 430 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:17.960 least seven hundred items for the Indians. I'm pretty sure I'm correct or close 431 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:22.119 to that. I've done over a thousand items in my career for colleges and 432 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:28.880 high schools and so on, little league kids. I really enjoy doing any 433 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:34.880 one of them for anybody, and the statistics we put on are not only 434 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:37.079 would you guys give me to put on, but I go and research the 435 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:42.719 game and add everything up to the temperature of the game. It's kind of 436 00:35:42.760 --> 00:35:45.360 crazy to do that, but you know what, some of you'll say, 437 00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:49.639 he pitches better in warm weather, or he pitches better in cold weather. 438 00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:52.880 So I put it on there for us to know fifty years later what it's 439 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:58.119 about. John. I'm a half of the Cleveland Guardians organization. Are many 440 00:35:58.320 --> 00:36:05.119 many players who you have treated to your incredible artwork. Thank you so very 441 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:09.360 much for all these years again, starting back in nineteen ninety two with Kenny 442 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:15.360 Lofton's Rookie of the Year record of sixty six stolen bases. It started with 443 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:21.719 that base and we're still going strong. As players have made their major league 444 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:27.559 debut this year. We intend to keep you busy, John, and just 445 00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:30.760 thanks for sharing those thoughts with us. Thank you, Byevy. I appreciate 446 00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:35.360 you having me and I hope to continue this service to you for many years 447 00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:40.559 to come. Here's hoping you enjoyed today's visit with artists graphic designer John Jacobit. 448 00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:46.119 We look forward to sharing at the ballpark stories on the Cleveland Guardians Radio 449 00:36:46.400 --> 00:36:58.400 network. That's another edition of at the Ballpark with Bobby d And that'll put 450 00:36:58.440 --> 00:37:01.519 a rap on this week's edition of Guardians Weekly. As always, thanks to 451 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:06.119 Brian Matzay for all of his help in putting together our show each week. 452 00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:09.760 Until next time, This is Jim Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening to 453 00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:42.320 Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Guardians Weekly has been brought 454 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:46.440 to you by Progressive helping Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance