1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:01,240 Speaker 1: Welcome in. 2 00:00:01,360 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 2: It's the Budweiser Reds Hot Stove League, presented by you DF. 3 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:08,520 Speaker 2: We are coming to you from Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. 4 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:10,560 Speaker 2: The Reds are about to lace them up and battle 5 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 2: the Guardians in Cactus League play under the lights here 6 00:00:14,120 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 2: in Goodyear. 7 00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 3: With Jim Day. I'm Tommy Thraw. 8 00:00:15,960 --> 00:00:18,240 Speaker 2: It's great to be with you as we talk Reds 9 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:20,600 Speaker 2: Baseball for the next hour. We've got some great guests 10 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,239 Speaker 2: lined up. We're gonna hear from Reds third Basement keep 11 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 2: Brian Hayes. Also a chat with Red's reliever, one of 12 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:29,240 Speaker 2: the newcomers to this team this year, Pierce Johnson, who's 13 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 2: always a fascinating guy. A couple of good conversations coming up. 14 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 2: But Jim, as we now really get into the full 15 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 2: swing of the final week of spring training action, things 16 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:43,239 Speaker 2: are starting to come into view a little clearer, and 17 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:46,840 Speaker 2: the question now becomes it's been a question all spring. 18 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 2: There have been some cuts, but who doesn't make this 19 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 2: team and how how is Terry Francona the Reds organization 20 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 2: going to put the bench together. These are things that 21 00:00:59,840 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 2: are certainly a concern right now. And look, you kind 22 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 2: of said it on the air yesterday during the game. 23 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:09,039 Speaker 2: I don't know that you could go wrong because you 24 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:11,759 Speaker 2: have Reese Hines that swinging the bat really well. Blake Dunn, 25 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 2: who was reassigned yesterday, looked good. That those two guys, 26 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:20,919 Speaker 2: I don't think obviously Dun's not going to Hines probably 27 00:01:20,959 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 2: isn't going to make this team. 28 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 3: But they give you depth now, and. 29 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 4: It's two guys you want to play every day, right 30 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:28,000 Speaker 4: because you do believe they. 31 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: Are major league players at some point. 32 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 2: So you feel good kind of about where those guys 33 00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 2: are out off their spring, even though they're probably not 34 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:36,119 Speaker 2: going to be on this team. 35 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 3: Now they get you the next year. Guys. 36 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 2: All right, JJ Bleda, he's been outstanding now. He hasn't 37 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 2: hit well in the big leagues, had a tough year 38 00:01:44,319 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 2: last year, but he's looked excellent this year. A couple 39 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 2: of years ago he did he did. That's right, So 40 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 2: can he refine that. Okay, there's one option. Dane Myers, 41 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 2: you know, is going to be a good defender. He 42 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 2: gives you an option in center f arm. He's looked 43 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 2: good at the plate even this spring. Lefties, well, now 44 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 2: you have Nathaniel Low does the logjam at first base 45 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 2: and prohibit him from being able to make this team. 46 00:02:09,440 --> 00:02:11,920 Speaker 2: And is Will Benson a lock? Those are your decisions 47 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 2: coming into the final week of the season. 48 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 4: Yeah, to further explain it to people, there's four bench spots. 49 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 4: Basically one is going to your backup catcher barring injury. 50 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:21,239 Speaker 1: That's Jose A. Travino. 51 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 4: We believe, although he's not been told that Will Benson 52 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 4: is a lock to make this team. 53 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:27,959 Speaker 3: Correct. 54 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:31,880 Speaker 4: The wrench in it is you've got left hand Will 55 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:34,919 Speaker 4: Benson's a left handed hitter. Nathaniel Lowe is a left 56 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:38,680 Speaker 4: handed hitter. JJ Bolde is a left handed hitter. So 57 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 4: do you want your entire bench outside of your catcher 58 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,920 Speaker 4: to be left handed batters? Do you want them to 59 00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 4: be all outfielders if you don't choose low So those 60 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 4: are tough decisions. But to me, Dane Meyers being a 61 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 4: right handed hitter who can play all three outfield spots 62 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:03,359 Speaker 4: as Ken Benson, but legitimately play center field, and you're 63 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 4: confident than him backing up TJ. Friede or moving TJ. 64 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 4: Frieda to the left on certain days, that gives him an advantage. 65 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 3: To me, I agree with. 66 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:15,359 Speaker 1: Bleday. 67 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,799 Speaker 4: I think they're really intrigued by what he can bring 68 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,839 Speaker 4: to the table. The problem for low is that how 69 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 4: many first basemen can you carry? Right, They've got South Stewart, 70 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,520 Speaker 4: who is probably you're going to see him play mostly 71 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 4: at first when he's in the field. He can play second, 72 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 4: he can play third, but I think they would like 73 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 4: to if he's going to play in the field, first 74 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 4: base would be. 75 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:37,840 Speaker 1: The position he's going to date some. 76 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:41,839 Speaker 4: And you also have au Haano Suarez, who is when 77 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 4: he's he's gonna play some first base, they say, and 78 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 4: Spencer Steer who was a finalist from the Gold Glove 79 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 4: at first. 80 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: Base last year. 81 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 4: So how many first basemen would you want to carry 82 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 4: on the roster. That's what will work against Nathaniel Lowe. 83 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, the benefit is that he's not an outfielder. 84 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 2: The detriment is he plays a position in only a 85 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 2: position where you have plenty of options. 86 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:07,600 Speaker 3: I don't know. 87 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 5: I mean, for me, it's a pretty easy decision just 88 00:04:12,600 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 5: because I really, I mean, JJ Bleda for me is 89 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 5: a very very intriguing, very intrigue and Dane Meers for me, 90 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:24,440 Speaker 5: came into camp on the team. So those are probably 91 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 5: the two guys I'd go with. But the other option, 92 00:04:27,600 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 5: or the other part about Nathaniel Low that makes him 93 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 5: very intriguing is the fact that he gives you a 94 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,120 Speaker 5: bona fide power thread off the bench. 95 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 4: And he's a really good first is I mean, did 96 00:04:39,279 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 4: he did he not win a gold. 97 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 3: Gloss a couple of years ago. 98 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 1: So we're finally to the point. 99 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 4: This is a great problem to have because normally it's like, okay, 100 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 4: and maybe him, maybe these are legitimate players. 101 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 3: That are going to that are going to be able 102 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 3: to help your bench. 103 00:04:57,200 --> 00:05:00,320 Speaker 4: Yes, And then you've got guys like you mentioned, Reese 104 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 4: Hines and Blake Donne, who if they have to be 105 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:07,120 Speaker 4: called up, hey, fantastic. I mean, Hines is at a 106 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 4: terrific spring, Blake Done seems to be reborn a bit. 107 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:15,160 Speaker 4: It's gonna be interesting. It's gonna be interesting. I'm not 108 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,479 Speaker 4: sure they can go wrong in any regard if all 109 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 4: are healthy. 110 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 2: Well, the beauty of it is when we sit here 111 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,919 Speaker 2: and talk about these guys. Bla day went deep yesterday, 112 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:27,920 Speaker 2: Nathaniel Lowholmer yesterday, and oh, by the way, Reese Hines 113 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 2: off the bench went yeah yesterday. So right, well, there 114 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 2: you go. As far as yesterday's game is concerned. There 115 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,359 Speaker 2: still seems to be one glaring concern, and as we 116 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:43,720 Speaker 2: inch closer to opening day with Andrew Rabbits struggling again yesterday, 117 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:45,720 Speaker 2: and I know he said he wasn't worried about it, 118 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:49,479 Speaker 2: but I'll be honest with you, I am just because 119 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 2: the command wasn't there, and that's what I feel like 120 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 2: we need to start seeing at. 121 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 3: Some point out of Andrew Rabbits. 122 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:57,240 Speaker 4: Oh, it was a really interesting line yesterday. He got 123 00:05:57,320 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 4: up and down four times. But with the spring training 124 00:05:59,839 --> 00:06:01,880 Speaker 4: rule where you can lift a guy and putting back 125 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 4: out on the mound, he ends up pitching two plus. 126 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 4: I mean it's two innings as the line eight earned runs, 127 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 4: he walked three, but he threw seventy six pitches only 128 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:14,840 Speaker 4: forty three strikes. I mean there, that's where your concern is. 129 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:17,919 Speaker 4: And he's not commanding the fastball, and that is his 130 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 4: bread and butter, the four seamer up in the zone, 131 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 4: and it was all over the place yesterday. He didn't 132 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 4: look comfortable. I think we both said he didn't look 133 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 4: comfortable on the mound. Now, after the game, he said, 134 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 4: I'll read the quote. Mechanic wise, I was sound the 135 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 4: offspeed pitchers were good, except the one to Macan, which 136 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 4: was a towering home run. He says, Oh, I'm overall frustrated. 137 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 4: The results aren't what I wanted. 138 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: Obviously. I feel my process is there. My working the 139 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: bullpens has been there. 140 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 4: I'm waiting out the storm, waiting to see when it'll click. 141 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:52,279 Speaker 4: So there you go, waiting out the storm. Has it 142 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,279 Speaker 4: said it's not clicking. Well, here's though, he's got one 143 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 4: more start. 144 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 1: To do it before opening day. 145 00:06:57,760 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 2: Here's what I'm curious about. The adrenaline'll be the on 146 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 2: opening day. That might get him through that start. But 147 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,880 Speaker 2: what does he look like in the subsequent starts? Is 148 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 2: it more of this or does does the adrenaline of 149 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 2: being back in the season kind of help him get 150 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 2: through it? Time will tell here. It's so hard to 151 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 2: tell in Arizona. It's just it's easy to overreact to 152 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 2: what we see out. I'll get fold in March, no doubt. 153 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 2: If he pitches well on opening day, all this will 154 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 2: be forgot. Brandon Phillips, Aaron Harang, Reggie Sanders, and Lou 155 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 2: Panel have all been selected as the Reds Hall of 156 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 2: Fame inductees of twenty twenty six. The four inductees will 157 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,200 Speaker 2: be honored on the field April twenty fifth as part 158 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 2: of the Reds Hall of Fame Induction Celebration presented by 159 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:42,720 Speaker 2: P and C. Get your tickets for this historic weekend 160 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 2: now at Reds dot com slash tickets. We've got more 161 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,840 Speaker 2: when we come back. Red's Third Basement Key Brian Hayes 162 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 2: coming up in a little while. But next I sit 163 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 2: down with Red's reliever Pierce Johnson. It's the Budweiser Reds 164 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: Hot Stove League presented by UDF on the Reds Radio Network. 165 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 2: Welcome back in to the Budweiser's Hot Stove League presented 166 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 2: by UDF. It is our final show from the Cactus League. 167 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 2: Next week's show we will be on the eve of 168 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 2: Opening Day and we'll be right across the street from 169 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 2: Great American Ballpark to bring you the final Hot Stove 170 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 2: League show of the Hot Stove Season. Earlier, I had 171 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 2: a chance to catch up with one of the newest 172 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 2: Reds relievers. That would be Pierce Johnson. Johnson pitching for 173 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:29,000 Speaker 2: the Atlanta Braves last year, and this is a guy 174 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 2: that has had quite a bit of success over his careers. 175 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 2: The Reds look to rebuild the bullpen. In the offseason, 176 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 2: they turned and signed Pierce Johnson. He logged fifty nine 177 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 2: innings out of the Braves bullpen last year. He was 178 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 2: a workhorse, pitching in sixty five games and posted an 179 00:08:44,160 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 2: ERA of just over three three point zero five. He 180 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:50,719 Speaker 2: figures to be a big piece the Reds bullpen. As 181 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 2: we talk about battles to be one, I would say 182 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 2: his is won. The Reds brought him in to be 183 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 2: an integral part of that bullpen. And now here's my 184 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 2: conversation with Red's reliever Pierce Johnson. Visiting now with Pierce Johnson. Pierce, 185 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 2: First things first, you're in a new organization. It's something 186 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:10,360 Speaker 2: that you've done a few times now. But does it 187 00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 2: ever get easier when you bounce from team to team? 188 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:14,360 Speaker 6: It does, It does. 189 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 7: It's one of those things where you've played enough where 190 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:20,040 Speaker 7: you know a couple of the guys on the team, 191 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 7: so the transition is definitely faster, a little easier. 192 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 6: And I feel like I know myself better. 193 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 7: Every time I've gone to a new team, So being 194 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:30,839 Speaker 7: myself helps that transformation too. 195 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,920 Speaker 2: Because of that, Cincinnati was fairly alluding to you, wasn't it. 196 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 7: Yeah, I mean when your best friend is playing for 197 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 7: this team, it's pretty easy to want to go play there. 198 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 7: But I mean also playing against his team. It's a 199 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 7: really good, young, talented team. It's a peski lineup. It's 200 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 7: the pitching coach obviously, as we're staring at DJ over here. 201 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 7: He he was my pitching coordinator in the minor leagues. 202 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 7: I had a really good relationship with him. The two 203 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 7: hitting coaches were in the Cubs organization when I was there. 204 00:09:58,280 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 7: You know, it's just little things like that they go 205 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 7: long way where that definitely helps the transition. But I mean, 206 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 7: it's been a phenomenal time so far, and I can't 207 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 7: wait for the season to actually get started. 208 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 2: For you, was it was it a phone call or 209 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 2: where you kind of taking some feelers from some other teams, 210 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 2: trying to get a feel for where you might end up, 211 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 2: or was this kind of the team you had in 212 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:21,600 Speaker 2: mind all along. 213 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:24,199 Speaker 7: We definitely had some bites from some other teams, and 214 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 7: when you're in that situation, you kind of have to 215 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:29,040 Speaker 7: visualize yourself in all of those places and you have 216 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 7: to find what's the best fit. And this for us 217 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 7: was the by far the best fit, and you know, 218 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:38,359 Speaker 7: we ran with the opportunity and we're super excited for it. 219 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 2: Your journey has been It's not all that unique because 220 00:10:41,360 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 2: other guys have gone through where they've gone to Japan 221 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:47,280 Speaker 2: and kind of not necessarily reinvented themselves, but it clicks 222 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 2: and then you come over and have success. Was there 223 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 2: a point when you left the US you went to 224 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:54,439 Speaker 2: Japan you thought I may never pitch in the big 225 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:54,960 Speaker 2: leagues again. 226 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:55,760 Speaker 8: Absolutely. 227 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,160 Speaker 7: It was one of those things where I ran out 228 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,199 Speaker 7: of options. And for the people that don't know, options 229 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 7: are great if you you know, have them, and terrible 230 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:06,560 Speaker 7: if you don't, and you know, you can see it 231 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 7: both ways. 232 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 6: But I ran out of options, you know I was. 233 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 6: I was with the Cubs and. 234 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:13,520 Speaker 7: They had some phenomenal, phenomenal teams, but got San Francisco 235 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 7: bur my last option, and so all I really had 236 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 7: is minor league deals. And when you're kind of fighting 237 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 7: that uphill battle of young prospects with options and you know, 238 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 7: a healthy team, it's you kind of have to have 239 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 7: the stars aligned to be able to stick in the 240 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:27,320 Speaker 7: big leagues for as long as I have now. After Japan, 241 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:29,719 Speaker 7: but I kind of went over there and I was like, look, 242 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 7: I'm going to pitch the way I want to pitch. 243 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 6: I'd kind of lost. 244 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:34,120 Speaker 7: Who I was as a pitcher and kind of as 245 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 7: a person and was just kind of grasping at straws. 246 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 7: And so when I went over there, I was like, 247 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 7: I'm going to pitch the way I want to pitch, 248 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 7: and if I finish my career here, I can hang 249 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 7: my hat on the fact that I went out the 250 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:45,040 Speaker 7: way I wanted to. But when I did that, everything 251 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 7: kind of fell into place and really kind of transformed 252 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 7: my career and my life and really everything. 253 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 2: What does that mean for you? Pitch the way you 254 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 2: want to pitch? 255 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,440 Speaker 7: You know, in the minor leagues, there's always pitching coaches 256 00:11:57,440 --> 00:11:59,439 Speaker 7: and they want you to do well, right, but everybody's 257 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 7: trying to put their print on you and saying, hey, 258 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 7: you should do this and it'll make you better. 259 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 6: You should do that, or you know, whatever it may be. 260 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 7: And I've had some phenomenal pitching coaches throughout my career, 261 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 7: But when you have eight different voices telling you something, 262 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 7: and all of a sudden, you kind of forget what 263 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 7: your strengths are and who you are on the mound 264 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 7: and how you should pitch, and now you're pitching in 265 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 7: new roles because you're not throwing well, and you know, 266 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 7: it's kind of just a domino effect. And I just 267 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 7: kept spiraling a little bit. I still had a little 268 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:25,959 Speaker 7: bit of success, but I had some really bad outings too, 269 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 7: And so I understand why the Giants got rid of you, 270 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 7: right Like, it's just one of those things. But I 271 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 7: went over there, and I had somebody right before I 272 00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 7: went tell me, hey, man, like your fastball plays at 273 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 7: the top of the zone and your curveball is elite. 274 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 7: I want you to throw it more often, and I 275 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 7: want you to just kind of run with those two 276 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 7: things and then. 277 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 6: We'll add to it. 278 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:45,559 Speaker 7: And all of a sudden, when I started doing that, 279 00:12:45,840 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 7: everything just kind of took off. 280 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:50,120 Speaker 2: You talk about a fastball playing at the top of 281 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:51,720 Speaker 2: the zone, A lot of that has to do with spin. 282 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:53,679 Speaker 2: You get a lot of spin on your breaking ball 283 00:12:53,720 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 2: as well. These analytics, I feel like, are becoming more 284 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 2: mainstream now in the game. They haven't been for all 285 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 2: that long. Has that helped you understand why certain pitches 286 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 2: in your arsenal are effective the way they are? 287 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 7: Absolutely, I'm going to say analytics are great, but it's 288 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 7: a part of the equation. 289 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:17,920 Speaker 6: It's not the entire equation. 290 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:20,040 Speaker 7: I think there's a lot of old school things that 291 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:21,680 Speaker 7: are kind of getting pushed out of the game that 292 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 7: I'm not necessarily a big fan of because from the 293 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 7: mentality side, we call them like heart and balls pitching 294 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 7: coaches that kind of go out there and just say, hey. 295 00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 6: Compete with your best stuff. 296 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 7: But the analytics can help and say, hey, your fastball 297 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 7: at the top of the zone and then your curveball 298 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:39,120 Speaker 7: off of that is your best stuff. Let me show 299 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:41,320 Speaker 7: it to you, and they can show you the data 300 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 7: and all the information that can kind of just reiterate 301 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 7: what they were trying to say, which will help you 302 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 7: have confidence in your stuff on the mound, which, in 303 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:50,200 Speaker 7: all reality, that is the game. 304 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 3: Right. 305 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:55,839 Speaker 2: Take us through getting into the game because you grew 306 00:13:55,960 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 2: up around the sport. Your dad worked for the Padres, 307 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 2: and I think whenever everybody here is a major leaguer 308 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 2: and their dad was part of an organization, they think 309 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:06,360 Speaker 2: a coach, your dad was in marketing. How did that 310 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 2: help you get into this game? 311 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,679 Speaker 7: Yeah, So when I say yeah, I have those conversations 312 00:14:11,679 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 7: with people all the time. 313 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 6: I'm like, yeah, my dad work for the Podjets, They're like, early, 314 00:14:13,920 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 6: where did he coach? I'm like, no, no, no, no, he was. 315 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 7: He was doing marketing and he really had he had 316 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:21,120 Speaker 7: an awesome job. And I got to grow up going 317 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:22,760 Speaker 7: to all the games in San Diego when they had 318 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 7: some phenomenal teams, some Hall of Fame players, and you know, 319 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 7: just when you kind of just get to watch those 320 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 7: games growing up, it really kind of just grows your 321 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 7: love for the game. And I follow those guys while 322 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 7: I was young, and then I got to finally play 323 00:14:35,880 --> 00:14:37,160 Speaker 7: for my hometown team. 324 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,600 Speaker 2: Is there anything like that being able to play basically 325 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:41,040 Speaker 2: at home. 326 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 7: No, No, And because I live in Denver and I 327 00:14:43,880 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 7: got to play for Denver as well. I mean, truly, 328 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 7: I think I'm one of the luckiest guys in baseball 329 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 7: being able to play for his two favorite teams growing up. 330 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 7: But it's I love this game. I got to love 331 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 7: for the game in San Diego, and you know, I'm 332 00:14:56,200 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 7: just blessed by God to be able to continue doing 333 00:14:58,000 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 7: what I'm doing. 334 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:01,680 Speaker 2: Was there ever a time when, and maybe pitching wasn't 335 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 2: what you wanted to do? I mean, you grew up 336 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 2: loving Tony Gwinn and watching him and arguably one of 337 00:15:07,720 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 2: the greatest hitters of all time? Was that kind of 338 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 2: on your mind. 339 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 7: As a kid as a kid, Yes, And then I 340 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 7: started facing guys that threw like me, and I said. 341 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 6: Nah, I'm good. I'm gonna pass on that. I'm just 342 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:20,120 Speaker 6: gonna stick to pitching. 343 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 7: But I mean, I was okay hitter in high school, 344 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:24,920 Speaker 7: but I wouldn't have panned out in college or anything 345 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 7: like that. 346 00:15:25,480 --> 00:15:28,080 Speaker 2: I always like it, Emilio says, I became a pitcher 347 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 2: because it's way easier than hitting. It's not that easy, 348 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 2: but it is definitely easier than hitting. 349 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 3: Right. 350 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 7: Now, run with your strengths, right, And I actually Emilio 351 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 7: has one AB in the big leagues and I was 352 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 7: there for it, and he put together a really good AB. 353 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 7: So but I had one AB as well, and I 354 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:43,560 Speaker 7: grounded out and he struck out. 355 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 6: So I'm just saying. 356 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 7: I'm just saying I might have been a better hitter 357 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:46,680 Speaker 7: than him. 358 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 2: Right, you put it in play that counts for something. 359 00:15:49,760 --> 00:15:51,120 Speaker 2: What do you want to get out of this season 360 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 2: like this is? You come from Atlanta, good organization there, 361 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 2: They've had a lot of success. This team got to 362 00:15:59,120 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 2: the playoff last year. What do you want to see 363 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 2: from yourself and as a part of this bullpen this year, I. 364 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 7: Just want to be the best version of myself on 365 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 7: and off the field. I just I want to compete 366 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 7: with myself every single day. I've learned that comparing yourself 367 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 7: to other players and other things is kind of a 368 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 7: detriment to yourself, and so really it's just me versus 369 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 7: me out there, and I want to be the best 370 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 7: version of myself, and I want to be able to 371 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 7: be a leader and help the younger guys and kind 372 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 7: of maybe help them get over the hurdles that took 373 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 7: me a little bit longer, learn more from the pitching 374 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:31,320 Speaker 7: coaches and from my other peers to to really just 375 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:33,680 Speaker 7: you know, hone in my craft and go out there 376 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 7: and be effective every single night every time my name 377 00:16:36,040 --> 00:16:39,520 Speaker 7: is called, and ultimately win. I mean, that's we all 378 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 7: want to win this game, and our window of playing 379 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 7: is always closing, right, It's I don't get to play 380 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:46,000 Speaker 7: this game forever, and this is a really good, talented team, 381 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 7: and I just want to be. 382 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 6: A part of that. Pierce thyks for the time, appreciate 383 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:49,680 Speaker 6: it absolutely, thanks for having me. 384 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 2: That's my chat with Red's reliever Pierce Johnson, A wonderful guy, 385 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 2: and as fans get to know him a little bit more, 386 00:16:56,440 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 2: they are going to love this guy. 387 00:16:58,320 --> 00:16:59,240 Speaker 1: Sound bite machine. 388 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:00,880 Speaker 3: We're gonna love him. Yeah, you got that. 389 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 4: We're all spoken. Gonna be a steady diet of the 390 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,159 Speaker 4: old number two. He's got an elite curveball, and I 391 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 4: think he's gonna take some of the pressure off of 392 00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:12,560 Speaker 4: Santition in putting out fires. Last year, it was all 393 00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:16,480 Speaker 4: Santion when there were men on base in those middle innings, 394 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:18,400 Speaker 4: they would bring him in at any point. I think 395 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:20,199 Speaker 4: Pierce Johnson is going to take up some of that 396 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:22,800 Speaker 4: slack and it really help this bullpen. 397 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:24,320 Speaker 3: No question, say big. 398 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:27,640 Speaker 2: With no fees on regular season full price tickets, catch 399 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 2: the biggest matchups and best promos. This offer is available 400 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:33,439 Speaker 2: online only at Reds dot com slash tickets. 401 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:36,399 Speaker 3: It excludes opening day hurry. Ends March twenty fifth. 402 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:40,560 Speaker 2: Well, we talked about position battles to start the show. 403 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 2: Now the question is who's going to round out the bullpen. 404 00:17:43,600 --> 00:17:46,439 Speaker 2: Caleb Ferguson, it's been announced we'll begin the season on 405 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 2: the injured list. That opens up another spot on the 406 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 2: Reds bullpen, and we'll talk about that when the Budweiser 407 00:17:52,440 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 2: Reds Hotstove League presented by UDF continues next on the 408 00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:01,360 Speaker 2: Reds Radio Network. You from Goodyear Arizona Reds and Guardians 409 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 2: coming up a little bit later across the network. Don't 410 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:06,000 Speaker 2: miss a moment this season with Reds dot Tv streaming 411 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 2: the entire season within the Reds territory for just ninety 412 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 2: nine ninety nine watch games at home or on the 413 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:14,119 Speaker 2: go and stay connected all year long, subject to national exclusivities. 414 00:18:14,520 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 2: Visit Reds dot tv for details and start streaming today. 415 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:20,480 Speaker 2: The Reds know they have a gold glover at third base, 416 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 2: and Key Brian Hayes, it's not just the glove that 417 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:25,960 Speaker 2: makes him a great player. He comes from a big 418 00:18:26,040 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 2: league family. His dad had a nice major league career, 419 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 2: but the bad is something that he wants to come 420 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 2: around here in twenty twenty six, here's my conversation with 421 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 2: Key Brian Hayes. 422 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 3: Visiting now with Key Brian Hayes. 423 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:42,720 Speaker 2: Key, you look at what you did when you came 424 00:18:42,760 --> 00:18:46,000 Speaker 2: over from Pittsburgh last year. It felt like you were 425 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 2: a little more comfortable maybe at the plate. Is that 426 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:49,720 Speaker 2: the best way to describe it? Maybe just a little 427 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 2: bit more comfortable. 428 00:18:51,720 --> 00:18:55,880 Speaker 9: Yeah, I think just being in a new environment and yeah, 429 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:57,879 Speaker 9: just trying to do anything I can to do to 430 00:18:57,920 --> 00:19:01,800 Speaker 9: help us win. That was really my main focus, not 431 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 9: really try to be anyone crazy or anything, just try 432 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:08,600 Speaker 9: to be myself and contribute however I could. 433 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 8: So, but yeah, right. 434 00:19:11,119 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 9: Away coming over just clubhouse was great, welcome me with 435 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,199 Speaker 9: open arms, staff was great. So it was just a 436 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:20,720 Speaker 9: really good situation for me. And then we were playing 437 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 9: meaning from ball to try to make the playoffs, so 438 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:28,640 Speaker 9: that was also an extra added motivation or whatnot. So yeah, 439 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:31,320 Speaker 9: coming into this year, being able to be with the 440 00:19:31,359 --> 00:19:34,600 Speaker 9: team all the way through spring and already feel like 441 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:37,640 Speaker 9: I've gotten to know a lot of guys even more 442 00:19:37,680 --> 00:19:41,200 Speaker 9: on a personal level outside of baseball. So yeah, it's 443 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:43,120 Speaker 9: been great and just looking forward to this year. 444 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 2: How how much of a boost can it be for you, 445 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:50,160 Speaker 2: like to just get a clean slate. 446 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:51,960 Speaker 3: You're over here, it's a new organization. 447 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:55,000 Speaker 2: It's it's kind of like, you know, I've heard people 448 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,200 Speaker 2: when they go off to college wipe the slate clean. 449 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,119 Speaker 2: You're a new person. Is there an element of that 450 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 2: when you come over to organization? 451 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 8: Yeah? 452 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:05,640 Speaker 9: Yeah, whenevery I was in the same org from since 453 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 9: twenty fifteen when I got drafted, so it was pretty 454 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 9: much a decade and whenever I found out I was 455 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 9: getting traded, just in my mind you kind of think 456 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:17,480 Speaker 9: about all the way back then, and then then you 457 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:20,000 Speaker 9: think about, man, I'm gonna be in a different environment, 458 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:23,480 Speaker 9: around different people. Just every day to day is just 459 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:26,880 Speaker 9: gonna be different, and you don't really know what to expect. 460 00:20:26,920 --> 00:20:30,040 Speaker 8: But I mean it was great right away, and the. 461 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 9: First week was a little hectic just getting to find 462 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:37,280 Speaker 9: my footing. We had the Bristol Classics, so but yeah, 463 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 9: I mean I've always kind of lived by like everything 464 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 9: happens for a reasoned type of thing. So yeah, I'm 465 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 9: just excited and glad I was able to experience the 466 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:48,680 Speaker 9: playoffs and then but we want a lot more, obviously, 467 00:20:48,720 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 9: we want to win a World Series here. So yeah, 468 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 9: we've just been trying to take it day by day 469 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:58,040 Speaker 9: and help each other get better and figure out where 470 00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:01,880 Speaker 9: where we be, where we can be better and win 471 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:02,680 Speaker 9: more games. 472 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,000 Speaker 2: The gloves something that's always been there for you. I 473 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,119 Speaker 2: don't necessarily want to say it comes easy for you, 474 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:12,199 Speaker 2: because it's only easy because you put the work in 475 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 2: for it to come easy. I know, the bad is 476 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,919 Speaker 2: something you want to come around. So so where do 477 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:20,159 Speaker 2: you want to get to from an offensive standpoint, and 478 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:21,120 Speaker 2: what's the path there? 479 00:21:21,880 --> 00:21:25,480 Speaker 9: I think one more than anything the last like two 480 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 9: or three years, kind of battling the back and stuff, 481 00:21:30,119 --> 00:21:34,159 Speaker 9: I think getting trying. The main focus is this offseason 482 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:36,720 Speaker 9: was to figure out how to get in a better 483 00:21:36,760 --> 00:21:40,600 Speaker 9: position to catch balls more out front, because I mean, 484 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:42,960 Speaker 9: there's nothing really wrong with my swing, it's just more 485 00:21:43,119 --> 00:21:46,679 Speaker 9: contact point. Just kind of talking even when I was 486 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 9: with the Pirates and then even talking with the hitting 487 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 9: guys here, it's more contact point. 488 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:55,760 Speaker 8: I make the contact. Our work counts pretty well. 489 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:57,959 Speaker 9: It's just whenever I'm putting the ball in play, I'm 490 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:02,119 Speaker 9: hitting it on the ground. So but more than anything, 491 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:03,960 Speaker 9: it comes or there's a lot of things that come 492 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:08,280 Speaker 9: with that, picking spots, when to do damage, times, when 493 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 9: to bring it back, stuff like that. But I think 494 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 9: the main thing is if I can get my contact 495 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:15,719 Speaker 9: be behind the ball a little better, I'm gonna hit 496 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 9: the ball. 497 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:17,000 Speaker 8: I'm gonna drive the ball. 498 00:22:17,040 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 9: And then and our ballpark, especially like it'll i'll I should. 499 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:22,399 Speaker 8: Hit well in it. 500 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:25,720 Speaker 9: So that's been the main focus coming into the spring 501 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:26,200 Speaker 9: this year. 502 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 2: How's that gone, like, do you feel like you're in 503 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:29,680 Speaker 2: a good spot there. 504 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:32,440 Speaker 9: I feel like it's decent, it could be better. That 505 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:35,800 Speaker 9: just comes with at bats. And then now my lap 506 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:39,040 Speaker 9: my first back to back was the other day, So 507 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:41,639 Speaker 9: now I'm about to play three in a row. And 508 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,240 Speaker 9: but I mean, before you know it, spring is almost over. 509 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 9: So but I mean they have I think the minor 510 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:50,959 Speaker 9: league guys they've started, they're about to start game, so 511 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 9: we'll be able to get extra bats like if we're 512 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:56,600 Speaker 9: off and stuff like that. But I think so far, 513 00:22:56,760 --> 00:22:59,200 Speaker 9: like in my VP, that's been really good. In the game, 514 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:03,280 Speaker 9: it's been okay. I've hit some balls how I've wanted 515 00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:06,639 Speaker 9: I've had somewhere I thought I missed him. But that 516 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:09,840 Speaker 9: just comes with spring, and I feel like I'll really 517 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:12,919 Speaker 9: know once we we get going in the season. 518 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:15,560 Speaker 2: I know a guy that's really important to you, your 519 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:18,160 Speaker 2: dad being one, but John Nuntley's another guy that's that's 520 00:23:18,160 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 2: always been very important to you from a hitting standpoint. 521 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:24,479 Speaker 2: How did that come to be and what is it 522 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:26,639 Speaker 2: about him that just you guys. 523 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 3: Click so well. 524 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:31,399 Speaker 9: So we first worked he had came to the Pirates 525 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,800 Speaker 9: in twenty nineteen. That was my first big League camp, 526 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:37,960 Speaker 9: and I just remember my dad kind. 527 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:39,360 Speaker 8: Of saying because my dad played with. 528 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 9: Him, I think in spring one year, and he just 529 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 9: remembered like him hitting or whatever, and he was just like, 530 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:46,480 Speaker 9: if you ever like if you ever, if he's ever 531 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:48,720 Speaker 9: talking to you, make sure you're listening, like he knows 532 00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:52,239 Speaker 9: what he's talking about type of thing. But yeah, I 533 00:23:52,280 --> 00:23:55,000 Speaker 9: was hitting really well in spring in nineteen, so he 534 00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 9: didn't really say anything to me. 535 00:23:56,600 --> 00:23:58,919 Speaker 8: So, I mean I asked him one day. I was like, 536 00:23:58,920 --> 00:23:59,760 Speaker 8: what do you got like. 537 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:03,439 Speaker 9: For my dad like told me, like to talk to 538 00:24:03,480 --> 00:24:05,359 Speaker 9: you or whatever. He's like, man, I ain't got nothing 539 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 9: for you, Like you're tearing the ball off the or 540 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:10,439 Speaker 9: tearing the cover off the ball, like keep doing what 541 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:12,640 Speaker 9: you're doing. So I was kind of and he ended 542 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 9: up going to Double A I think that year, and 543 00:24:14,760 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 9: I went to Triple A, so I didn't really work 544 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:20,640 Speaker 9: with him at all. And then going into spring twenty, 545 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,080 Speaker 9: he was the alt site once we got shut down 546 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:26,240 Speaker 9: and came back, so that was when I first worked 547 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:26,600 Speaker 9: with him. 548 00:24:26,640 --> 00:24:28,360 Speaker 8: He was a hitting coach there. 549 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 9: And so I missed the first month of the season 550 00:24:32,560 --> 00:24:35,320 Speaker 9: because I got COVID on the two point zero taken 551 00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:39,320 Speaker 9: or whatever. So I was down in the all site 552 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:42,640 Speaker 9: and that was when I first started to work with him. 553 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:46,280 Speaker 9: And then long story short, I mean some of the 554 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:48,639 Speaker 9: stuff he had me doing, I didn't really understand it 555 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 9: at first, but I mean it put me in a position, 556 00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:54,600 Speaker 9: like my body in a position to catch the ball 557 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:56,960 Speaker 9: out front, because I mean in the minor leagues I 558 00:24:57,320 --> 00:24:59,320 Speaker 9: would do it here and there a lot more than 559 00:24:59,800 --> 00:25:02,959 Speaker 9: like these past few years. But there was he was like, 560 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:07,119 Speaker 9: there's way more in the tank there. So yeah, I 561 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:10,720 Speaker 9: mean we did some weird stuff like super elevated high 562 00:25:10,720 --> 00:25:13,760 Speaker 9: tea and but a lot of it just it made 563 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:19,439 Speaker 9: me stay behind the ball. It's just weird, and like 564 00:25:19,520 --> 00:25:21,200 Speaker 9: for me, I don't like to really do a lot 565 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:24,320 Speaker 9: of because I'm like an overthinker sometimes, like I want 566 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:27,359 Speaker 9: to be perfect with everything and with hitting, like it's 567 00:25:27,720 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 9: especially nowadays super hard to be perfect. You just got 568 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:34,119 Speaker 9: to be close to it and trusting trust, like with 569 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:38,359 Speaker 9: your hands and and everything. And yeah, I mean he 570 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:40,480 Speaker 9: pretty much simplified it to where all I had to 571 00:25:40,520 --> 00:25:42,560 Speaker 9: do was kind of just think about my approach up 572 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:45,119 Speaker 9: there and all my the way I would move in 573 00:25:45,160 --> 00:25:45,600 Speaker 9: the box. 574 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:49,880 Speaker 8: I was taken care of, like in our work, So yeah, 575 00:25:49,920 --> 00:25:51,919 Speaker 8: I don't know, It's just I don't know. 576 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:54,280 Speaker 2: It just I gotta imagine as a hitter, like there's 577 00:25:54,320 --> 00:25:56,439 Speaker 2: times where you probably feel a little lost like this, 578 00:25:57,880 --> 00:25:59,840 Speaker 2: you almost feel like you've never swung a bat before. 579 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:02,159 Speaker 2: Do you ever go back during times like that and 580 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:05,320 Speaker 2: look at the video of when you were successful and 581 00:26:05,359 --> 00:26:06,919 Speaker 2: try to break it down? Or for you, is it 582 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 2: more of like a mental thing I'm not seeing the 583 00:26:09,080 --> 00:26:11,200 Speaker 2: ball as well, or I'm not able to kind of 584 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:12,680 Speaker 2: figure out how these guys want to attack me. 585 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:14,080 Speaker 3: For you, what is it? 586 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:19,760 Speaker 9: I think what happened with me like before, Like even 587 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 9: when I was with the Pirates the year I hurt 588 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:25,720 Speaker 9: my back in twenty two, I started having like alignment issues, 589 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:30,200 Speaker 9: and like with hitting, you want to stay pretty with 590 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:32,280 Speaker 9: your direction through the middle of the field and then 591 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:36,480 Speaker 9: contact point determines where it goes on the field. So 592 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:40,199 Speaker 9: I think for a while I was chasing that I 593 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:43,040 Speaker 9: was trying to figure out a comfortable way to set 594 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:46,400 Speaker 9: up because sometimes it felt like my hips were going 595 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:48,840 Speaker 9: left and my upper body was going right, like I'm 596 00:26:48,880 --> 00:26:50,320 Speaker 9: losing sight of the pictures. 597 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:54,680 Speaker 8: A lot of stuff like that, so it made it like. 598 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:57,280 Speaker 9: I would try to look at twenty like, because that 599 00:26:57,320 --> 00:26:59,400 Speaker 9: was the best I had hit like up until that point, 600 00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:02,159 Speaker 9: especially in the big leagues. But it was like, my 601 00:27:02,280 --> 00:27:06,679 Speaker 9: body's not allowing me to get in that setup and stuff, 602 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 9: so I had to try to figure out different ways. 603 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 9: Then some days I'd feel good, some days I wouldn't 604 00:27:13,080 --> 00:27:16,960 Speaker 9: feel great, and that I then I was going on 605 00:27:17,119 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 9: and off the IL, so it was just a constant 606 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:24,160 Speaker 9: like tornado, and then we're trying different things. But last 607 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:25,879 Speaker 9: year I felt like I finally got to where I 608 00:27:25,880 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 9: didn't go on the IL and I was able to 609 00:27:30,080 --> 00:27:30,720 Speaker 9: manage the. 610 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:33,399 Speaker 8: Alignment better. 611 00:27:33,480 --> 00:27:36,720 Speaker 9: So I think this year or going into the offseason, 612 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:39,440 Speaker 9: I was able to hit a lot more for one, 613 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 9: and then focus on kind of getting back to where 614 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 9: I was at in twenty three, because that back half 615 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:49,160 Speaker 9: of twenty three, like I was, I was killing the ball, 616 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 9: and that was post when I hurt my back. So 617 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:55,080 Speaker 9: figuring out what I was doing set up wise, in 618 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 9: the cage, wise, all that type of stuff, and then 619 00:27:58,119 --> 00:28:01,320 Speaker 9: ultimately figuring out how to get back, like in my 620 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 9: getting off of my body and just thinking about my 621 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:06,679 Speaker 9: approach and just being aggressive and hitting. 622 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:10,880 Speaker 8: That's kind of where I've been at coming into this year. 623 00:28:11,040 --> 00:28:13,080 Speaker 3: Do you feel like your back is in a pretty 624 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 3: good spot now? 625 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:15,720 Speaker 2: Do you feel like you're in a good place to 626 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:17,920 Speaker 2: manage that and get through the long haul? 627 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:21,199 Speaker 9: Yeah, for sure. Yeah, I feel like I have no 628 00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:25,760 Speaker 9: limitations right now at all. Even last year for the 629 00:28:25,800 --> 00:28:28,040 Speaker 9: most part. I mean there was some days for sure 630 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:30,439 Speaker 9: where I was hurting, but I was able to grind 631 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 9: through it and kind of get myself to rebound back 632 00:28:34,600 --> 00:28:37,680 Speaker 9: to not going to il and stuff. But this year 633 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 9: had a really good off season, incorporate some pilates. Still 634 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:45,760 Speaker 9: doing that in season with Robin, so that's been great. 635 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:48,200 Speaker 9: I noticed a lot of guys do it, so I 636 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:50,880 Speaker 9: was like, hey, why not try it? Last year when 637 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:53,400 Speaker 9: I and I it was super hard at first, but 638 00:28:53,480 --> 00:28:56,080 Speaker 9: then going into the off season. 639 00:28:57,440 --> 00:28:59,240 Speaker 8: Just being consistent with. 640 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:02,400 Speaker 9: Her, like we laugh every time, Like, man, you would 641 00:29:02,400 --> 00:29:05,600 Speaker 9: have been tapped out after this first exercise last year. 642 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:10,160 Speaker 9: So but yeah, my body's feeling great, running good. I 643 00:29:10,200 --> 00:29:13,440 Speaker 9: feel good on defense, and yeah, I'm just excited to 644 00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:16,040 Speaker 9: be here for a full season with everyone talk. 645 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:18,080 Speaker 3: About the defense and let you go on this. 646 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:22,000 Speaker 2: You win your second gold glove last year, congratulations on that? 647 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:23,959 Speaker 3: Is the defense like an escape for you? 648 00:29:24,080 --> 00:29:26,480 Speaker 2: Like is that almost therapeutic to go out and take 649 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:27,360 Speaker 2: round balls. 650 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:28,520 Speaker 8: In a sense? 651 00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:31,320 Speaker 9: I mean, growing up, I always just because I mean 652 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 9: I was outside kid, so I was me and my 653 00:29:34,520 --> 00:29:37,600 Speaker 9: two older brothers were We just always were outside. So 654 00:29:37,920 --> 00:29:40,120 Speaker 9: I mean we'd be out there until mom said dinner 655 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:44,080 Speaker 9: was ready. So I had like a brick wall like 656 00:29:44,120 --> 00:29:47,560 Speaker 9: in our garage, like casebo area, and we would throw 657 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:50,840 Speaker 9: balls off the wall and read hops and figure out 658 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:54,680 Speaker 9: angles and so, I mean it started super young. And 659 00:29:55,840 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 9: and then having my dad and my brother he pitched, 660 00:29:58,600 --> 00:30:02,120 Speaker 9: but he was also a really good so having them 661 00:30:02,240 --> 00:30:05,080 Speaker 9: stay on me whenever I was a kid, it's definitely 662 00:30:05,120 --> 00:30:08,120 Speaker 9: helped payoff. And then once I got into pro ball, 663 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:11,600 Speaker 9: the infil coordinator over there with the Pirates, Gary Greeney, 664 00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 9: he taught me a bunch of little intricate stuff within 665 00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:19,000 Speaker 9: the game and just little stuff with my hands, and yeah, 666 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:22,040 Speaker 9: I just I just try to focus on it as 667 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:24,520 Speaker 9: much as I can, just be very intentful in my 668 00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:27,960 Speaker 9: practice and try to treat my reps as game like 669 00:30:28,040 --> 00:30:28,560 Speaker 9: as I can. 670 00:30:28,680 --> 00:30:31,120 Speaker 2: So I appreciate the time, thanks so much, having great 671 00:30:31,160 --> 00:30:32,840 Speaker 2: rest of the spring and good season. 672 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:33,760 Speaker 8: All right, thank you. 673 00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:37,200 Speaker 2: That is Red's third basement and keep Brian Hayes and 674 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:39,640 Speaker 2: Jim From what we've seen so far out of him 675 00:30:39,680 --> 00:30:41,880 Speaker 2: in the spring, I would say the bat is making 676 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:43,080 Speaker 2: some progress. 677 00:30:43,360 --> 00:30:45,600 Speaker 4: He has always been good in spring training. But one 678 00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:47,680 Speaker 4: thing they want him to do is at least one 679 00:30:47,760 --> 00:30:50,520 Speaker 4: pitch print bat, particularly early in the count. Let it eat, 680 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:52,840 Speaker 4: let it rip. So we're gonna see if that has 681 00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:55,480 Speaker 4: an effect on him maybe driving the baseball a little 682 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:56,080 Speaker 4: more of the season. 683 00:30:56,120 --> 00:30:57,800 Speaker 3: He definitely had some juice. We saw it. 684 00:30:57,840 --> 00:30:59,360 Speaker 2: I mean, his first hit as a Red last year 685 00:30:59,400 --> 00:31:01,640 Speaker 2: after he came home the Pirates was a home run. 686 00:31:01,920 --> 00:31:04,800 Speaker 2: He's had some success at the play throughout his major 687 00:31:04,880 --> 00:31:07,560 Speaker 2: league career. The question is can he sustain it over 688 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:09,720 Speaker 2: one hundred and sixty two games. He did say the 689 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:13,040 Speaker 2: back's feeling good, which is certainly encouraging. We wrap up 690 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:16,240 Speaker 2: the Budweiser reds Hot Stove League. It's the Cactus League 691 00:31:16,280 --> 00:31:19,400 Speaker 2: finale of the Budweiser reds Hot Stove League presented by 692 00:31:19,480 --> 00:31:21,080 Speaker 2: UDF on the Reds Radio Network. 693 00:31:21,080 --> 00:31:23,880 Speaker 3: When we come back, welcome back in. 694 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:27,560 Speaker 2: It's the Budweiser reds Hot Stove League presented by UDF 695 00:31:27,640 --> 00:31:29,760 Speaker 2: With Jim Day, I'm Tommy through all Reds gearing up 696 00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:32,760 Speaker 2: for an Ohio Cup showdown with the Cleveland. 697 00:31:32,400 --> 00:31:34,080 Speaker 3: Guardians here good Year Ballpark. 698 00:31:34,120 --> 00:31:39,480 Speaker 2: In short order, we've been talking about various things, and 699 00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 2: one of the battles that has been up for grabs 700 00:31:43,600 --> 00:31:46,080 Speaker 2: this spring, and there haven't been many, but who is 701 00:31:46,120 --> 00:31:48,200 Speaker 2: going to be the fifth starter? Then Hunter Green goes down. 702 00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 2: Now who becomes the fourth and fifth starters? And you 703 00:31:51,120 --> 00:31:54,560 Speaker 2: have three guys there that are all in very similar situations. 704 00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:56,960 Speaker 2: Chase Burns Now he's kind of the outlier of the 705 00:31:56,960 --> 00:31:59,720 Speaker 2: group because he did pitch last year. Then you have 706 00:31:59,760 --> 00:32:02,680 Speaker 2: Red Louder who missed most of the last season, and 707 00:32:02,720 --> 00:32:04,640 Speaker 2: then you have Brandon Williamson who missed all of last 708 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:08,040 Speaker 2: season and is recovering from Tommy John surgery. 709 00:32:07,960 --> 00:32:09,960 Speaker 3: Battling it out for those last two spots. 710 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:13,880 Speaker 2: Well, when you look at it, Brandon Williamson's probably the 711 00:32:13,920 --> 00:32:16,040 Speaker 2: one of the group that has thrown the best. And 712 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:18,880 Speaker 2: then you have Louder and then Burns. Well, it was 713 00:32:18,920 --> 00:32:21,760 Speaker 2: announced today Terry Francona talking with the media before the 714 00:32:21,800 --> 00:32:24,720 Speaker 2: game and earlier this afternoon over the complex. All three 715 00:32:24,760 --> 00:32:26,760 Speaker 2: guys are going to be on the team. Now, the 716 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:30,120 Speaker 2: question is how do you balance that between two rotation spots. 717 00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:32,120 Speaker 4: Well, not only Williams are the best of that group. 718 00:32:32,160 --> 00:32:34,640 Speaker 4: He may be the best pitcher we've seen all spring 719 00:32:34,680 --> 00:32:39,000 Speaker 4: when you take the entire spring into account. But yeah, 720 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:41,479 Speaker 4: it was this afternoon he talked to the media. Not 721 00:32:41,520 --> 00:32:44,360 Speaker 4: only those guys Burns, Louder and Williams around, he also 722 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:49,040 Speaker 4: told Connor Phillips that he's in the bullpen and mark 723 00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:49,960 Speaker 4: what's the date, Tommy? 724 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:52,120 Speaker 1: Because we were actually sounded smart yesterday. 725 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:55,280 Speaker 4: This is exactly what we speculated about during the game, 726 00:32:55,720 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 4: that perhaps all three of those guys are going to 727 00:32:58,240 --> 00:33:01,080 Speaker 4: be on And as Terry frank Conan explained it, we 728 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:05,080 Speaker 4: attempted to explain it yesterday. It kind of protects them. 729 00:33:05,080 --> 00:33:07,200 Speaker 4: Burns they had to dial back a little bit. He 730 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:09,959 Speaker 4: had some issues with range of motion, so we went 731 00:33:10,040 --> 00:33:10,600 Speaker 4: two innings. 732 00:33:10,680 --> 00:33:13,720 Speaker 1: Last time. Louder's pitch count got up. He's coming back 733 00:33:13,720 --> 00:33:14,440 Speaker 1: from injury. 734 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:16,200 Speaker 4: So the last thing you want to do at the 735 00:33:16,240 --> 00:33:18,520 Speaker 4: beginning of the season is put yourself behind the eight 736 00:33:18,520 --> 00:33:19,320 Speaker 4: ball with the bullpen. 737 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:21,280 Speaker 1: If one of those guys goes short. 738 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:24,240 Speaker 4: On one day, then you have Williamson there to piggyback 739 00:33:24,360 --> 00:33:26,560 Speaker 4: or vice versa. I want to keep Chase Burns on 740 00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:30,160 Speaker 4: a five day regiment, which we understand Rhet Louder has 741 00:33:30,320 --> 00:33:32,320 Speaker 4: never worked out of the bullpen, so you want to 742 00:33:32,400 --> 00:33:35,080 Speaker 4: keep him on that five day regiment. I think this 743 00:33:35,160 --> 00:33:38,360 Speaker 4: is the smartest way to go, and it also allows 744 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:42,280 Speaker 4: you to bring your best arms. North Burns, Louder, and 745 00:33:42,320 --> 00:33:45,320 Speaker 4: certainly Williamson are in that group. And now we're down 746 00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:48,760 Speaker 4: to basically one bullpen spot with Connor Phillips now being on. 747 00:33:49,040 --> 00:33:51,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, and the question is how does that bullpen spot 748 00:33:53,040 --> 00:33:55,640 Speaker 2: fall into place. We'll find out in short order over 749 00:33:55,680 --> 00:33:57,440 Speaker 2: the next few days. And you also got to figure 750 00:33:57,480 --> 00:34:01,120 Speaker 2: out position player wise what's there. But all that's going 751 00:34:01,160 --> 00:34:04,040 Speaker 2: to be figured out before this team returns and before 752 00:34:04,080 --> 00:34:07,480 Speaker 2: opening Day begins a week from Thursday. So there's still 753 00:34:07,520 --> 00:34:10,240 Speaker 2: some stuff to decide. But that is a big question 754 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:13,440 Speaker 2: mark that was answered today. We've got more and we 755 00:34:13,480 --> 00:34:16,080 Speaker 2: wrap things up as the Budweiser Reds Hot Stove League 756 00:34:16,239 --> 00:34:22,600 Speaker 2: presented by UDF along the Reds Radio Network. Welcome back 757 00:34:22,640 --> 00:34:26,440 Speaker 2: in the Budweiser Reds Hot Stove League presented by UDF 758 00:34:26,440 --> 00:34:30,160 Speaker 2: from Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona. Coming up shortly, Nick 759 00:34:30,239 --> 00:34:33,200 Speaker 2: Lidolo toes the slab for the Red Legs. He's going 760 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:36,960 Speaker 2: against Colby Allard of the Cleveland Guardians. The Reds twelve 761 00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:39,800 Speaker 2: and eleven so far in Cactus League play, the Guardians 762 00:34:39,840 --> 00:34:43,640 Speaker 2: the inverse eleven and twelve. Big thanks to our guest today. 763 00:34:44,560 --> 00:34:48,600 Speaker 2: Great conversation with Key Brian Hayes. Also big thanks to 764 00:34:48,840 --> 00:34:52,160 Speaker 2: Jim Davis and Pierce Johnson. Yes, Ben yd ma Yid, 765 00:34:52,320 --> 00:34:54,880 Speaker 2: I'm Tommy. Throw stick around. Reds Baseball is coming up 766 00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:56,600 Speaker 2: next on the Reds Radio Network.