1 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:07,800 Speaker 1: Hello, and welcome to this edition of Big Fish Small Pod. 2 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:11,240 Speaker 1: As always, big Fish Small Pod is presented by MPT 3 00:00:11,560 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 1: College Consulting. You can check him out at MPT Collegeconsulting 4 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: dot com. And we want to welcome a brand new 5 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:22,320 Speaker 1: episode of my series where I'll be conducting interviews regarding 6 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: the new Marlins draftees. Today's we have Danny Williams from 7 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:33,880 Speaker 1: University of Washington. Talk to us, Danny, the Marlins just 8 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: selected Cam Clayton infielder from you DUB. I wanted to 9 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: talk to you as someone who knows about Washington a 10 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: little bit there from the U dub Daily Sports, what 11 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 1: you write for. Just talk to us a little bit 12 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: about Cam, his profile and maybe the Huskies overall season 13 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:53,280 Speaker 1: with him last year. 14 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure, Thank you for having me again. Cam 15 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 2: is a kind of an interesting story. His twenty twenty 16 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 2: three season was spectacular and he was predected to go third, 17 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:09,120 Speaker 2: fourth round, but decided to come back to school because 18 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,399 Speaker 2: he thought he wasn't getting enough money or you know, 19 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 2: the money that he deserves, so decided to come back 20 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 2: and it kind of hurt his stock. Drafted fourteenth round. 21 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 2: To you guys, and I might be a little bit biased, 22 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 2: but I think that's kind of a steal and get into. 23 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:25,160 Speaker 3: That a little later. 24 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:29,120 Speaker 2: But yeah, is twenty twenty four seasons start out, Rough 25 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 2: was batting around two thirty towards the middle of the season, 26 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 2: then kind of figured some things out towards the end, 27 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 2: ended up with pretty solid numbers. 28 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 3: So yeah, I like him as a prospect. 29 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 2: He won PAC twelve Defensive Player of the Year last 30 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:48,440 Speaker 2: year as a shortstop, only made four errors, you know, 31 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 2: playing a premier defensive position. So I think his upside is, 32 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 2: you know, is really good. And yeah, I think he'll 33 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 2: be I think he'll be a high riser for sure, 34 00:01:57,080 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 2: and definitely a sleeper. 35 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 1: And you mentioned him his defense. Let's talk a little 36 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 1: bit about his defense, especially being able to play the 37 00:02:07,080 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 1: shortstop position, something that morelans have been needing as of late. 38 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 1: Talk to us a little bit what you've seen him 39 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: manding that position, just such a premium position. 40 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, he's got a canon. That's his strength is his arm. 41 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:24,760 Speaker 2: He's got decent range. I think at the next level 42 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 2: he can obviously play short or second. 43 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, he was just he was always a guy where. 44 00:02:31,919 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 2: It felt like if they needed a big play up 45 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:36,200 Speaker 2: the middle, when there were two outs, you know, a 46 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 2: couple of guys on he would always make that play. 47 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 2: Like I mentioned, only four airs. I know errors are 48 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 2: kind of an archaic defensive stat these days, but in 49 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:46,399 Speaker 2: college you can't really you know, get into. 50 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 3: The super nitty gritty with all that. 51 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:52,919 Speaker 2: But yeah, and he always played hard when you watched 52 00:02:52,960 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 2: him play, he never took any plays off diving for 53 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:57,919 Speaker 2: every ball, it seem like that would go up the 54 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 2: middle or towards the third base side. 55 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 3: Yeah. 56 00:03:01,080 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 2: I think his his hustle, his arm are gonna be 57 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 2: there no matter what position he plays. I think the 58 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 2: thing he struggles with a little bit, like I mentioned 59 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 2: for is his range. 60 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 3: Can't really. 61 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,240 Speaker 2: You know, get to those those backhands, doesn't really have 62 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:20,040 Speaker 2: you know, the ideal frame like a you know, an 63 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 2: O'Neill Cruise or La Da La Cruz, like one of 64 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:24,559 Speaker 2: those guys, one of those big kind of modern day shortstops. 65 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 3: But the arm is there. 66 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 2: He is a little inaccurate at times, but yeah, he's 67 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:32,919 Speaker 2: I think that's definitely his main strength is his defense. 68 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 2: And I think no matter what he plays second short, 69 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 2: he'll be a quality defender if you make it to 70 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 2: the majors. 71 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, I want to go we go a little later 72 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 1: on his offense, but I want to talk to you, 73 00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 1: as someone who covered the team up in the University 74 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,200 Speaker 1: of Washington, tell us a little bit about him. Klaian 75 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: the person tell us something that us folks down here 76 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 1: in the three or five may not know about Cam 77 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 1: or our throat this season his time with the Huskies. 78 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, Cam Clinton was always a big, kind of locker 79 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 2: room guy. It seemed kind of a guy that the 80 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 2: other players evolved around, especially coming off his big twenty 81 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 2: twenty three season and coming into the twenty twenty four season. 82 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 2: They lost a lot of guys, a lot of big hitters, 83 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:21,040 Speaker 2: Kobe Morales who's with the Yankees now, Will Simpson who's 84 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 2: with the A's, Johnny Tencher who's with the Guardians, a 85 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:25,840 Speaker 2: lot of big bats. So they kind of needed him 86 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:29,040 Speaker 2: to be this big presence in their lineup, and I 87 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 2: think a lot of that pressure got. 88 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 3: To him early in the season. But it kind of 89 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:34,839 Speaker 3: shows funny story. 90 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 2: I was covering the game and he comes out of 91 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 2: the dugout and something looks different about him, Like, what 92 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 2: is it? 93 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 3: I can't tell. 94 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 2: Usually he's rocking, you know, the flow, the long locks 95 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 2: but comes out shaved head with the glasses and you 96 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 2: can tell, Okay, this guy, this guy does not care 97 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 2: what he looks like. He doesn't care like if he 98 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 2: has all the like arm sleeves and chains or anything. 99 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 2: He's just there to compete and be the best player 100 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:02,479 Speaker 2: you can. And I really think that speaks volumes for 101 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 2: a team that I think needed his leadership and his 102 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 2: presence kind of in the in the middle of that 103 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:08,640 Speaker 2: order and at you know, the most premier. 104 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:09,559 Speaker 3: Defensive position on the field. 105 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, mentioning it there, it just seems like definitely 106 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 1: like a locker room type player. Just what else maybe 107 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:19,600 Speaker 1: did you see from him from there? You could talk 108 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:21,359 Speaker 1: a little bit off the field in any stores you 109 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 1: may have, or on the field in terms of canby 110 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 1: someone set stood out Tea from his tenure. 111 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 2: Nothing, I know, I personally didn't get to cover him 112 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 2: all too much. Last season was my first season you know, 113 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 2: covering the team really in depth. But I just noticed that, 114 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 2: you know, he always after every at bat, no matter 115 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 2: if it was you know, striking out on you know, 116 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 2: three pitches or fouling off a couple of battling, he 117 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:53,680 Speaker 2: would always kind of have the same demeanor he would 118 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 2: one't get too down, one't get too high. 119 00:05:57,240 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 3: Even keel guy. 120 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,919 Speaker 2: And like I mentioned the four earlier with you know, 121 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 2: kind of the leadership aspect. You want a guy like 122 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 2: that on your team who's not gonna let his play 123 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 2: dictate how he's feeling around the team, right, And like 124 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 2: I mentioned before, he was struggling at the beginning of 125 00:06:15,880 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 2: the season, But I think caring himself the way that 126 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,920 Speaker 2: he did really you know, prepared him and like kept 127 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 2: him afloat for later in the season when they needed 128 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 2: most and when he really you know, started to turn. 129 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:28,160 Speaker 3: It on. 130 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:32,440 Speaker 1: And playing New dub You know, the Pac twelve is 131 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 1: a very under tough conference in terms of baseball. We 132 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 1: saw the number one pick from its stake. Oh, there 133 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:42,360 Speaker 1: are lots of talented players come from that conference. How 134 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,560 Speaker 1: did you see him produce or see him play when 135 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 1: he when it was conference play, when it was time 136 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 1: to play again the Beers, the Ducks, any teams like 137 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: that in the conference play where it seemed like stakes 138 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 1: are just a little bit higher. 139 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely, this past season was a rough one for 140 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:03,200 Speaker 2: the I won't lie. Nineteen thirty one and one not 141 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 2: a great season, and that's kind of a combination of 142 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 2: a couple of things, you know, losing some guys from 143 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 2: a really good twenty twenty three team, and you know, 144 00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:16,280 Speaker 2: like you mentioned, just the strength of the conference. Like 145 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 2: you mentioned Oregon State, Oregon Arizona had a really good year. 146 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 2: Cal I think got snubbed from the tournament. Yeah, but 147 00:07:23,280 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 2: I think one series that sticks out to me is 148 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 2: the last series of the year against Cal. I think 149 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 2: they didn't perform as a team very well, but I 150 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 2: know his performance in those three games, he. 151 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 3: Was, you know, coming up with big hits. 152 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 2: I think he had a two homer game in one 153 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 2: of those And I think, like I mentioned, it speaks 154 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 2: to just how much of a competitor he is. You know, 155 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 2: the team might have you know, not shown up, but 156 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 2: he definitely showed up in those games. And I think, 157 00:07:55,840 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 2: you know, being an older player junior, it really you know, 158 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 2: kind of showed in those you know, important kind of 159 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 2: conference games. Even though the outcome might not have been 160 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 2: what they wanted, his performance individually definitely stepped up for sure. 161 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:11,559 Speaker 3: Yeah. 162 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 1: And you know you mentioned someone as a leader now 163 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 1: for the Keys now coming to the Morelands, But what 164 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 1: did you think maybe he got to the team. What 165 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: do you think maybe if you talk to other players, 166 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 1: they will tell you about Cam just you know, what, 167 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 1: what was the main difference him this season? What do 168 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:32,319 Speaker 1: you think the other players or something like that. In 169 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:35,199 Speaker 1: terms of talking about Cam that he brought to the table. 170 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 2: I think just bringing confidence, especially for a team that 171 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 2: struggled through a lot of the year and had big expectations. 172 00:08:47,520 --> 00:08:50,200 Speaker 2: Just being a guy who held his head high no 173 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:51,960 Speaker 2: matter how he was doing. And I think that speaks 174 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 2: volumes to a lot of the younger players in the 175 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 2: team that struggled through a lot of the seasons, seeing 176 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 2: an older guy dealing with some of the same struggles 177 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 2: and kind of being like, oh man, maybe I shouldn't 178 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 2: be pouting or complaining or you know, making excuses instead 179 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 2: looking at a guy who's one of our best players 180 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,520 Speaker 2: who is struggling right now. You know that isn't really 181 00:09:15,559 --> 00:09:18,880 Speaker 2: saying anything about it, just kind of being himself, focusing 182 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 2: on what he needs to work on. And I think, 183 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 2: you know, having a player like that, especially on you know, 184 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 2: not a great team, is super important, as you know. Unfortunately, 185 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 2: you would know as a Marlins fan, having you know, 186 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:35,439 Speaker 2: a player like that who gives it one hundred percent 187 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:38,319 Speaker 2: day in and day out is awesome. And I kind 188 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 2: of look at a player like that. I'm a Giants 189 00:09:40,040 --> 00:09:44,320 Speaker 2: fan personally, and a player I like, you know who 190 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 2: kind of gives it his all every game even if 191 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 2: he's struggling, is Mike Stemsky. 192 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 3: He's always a. 193 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 2: Guy who, even if he goes over forth the plate 194 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 2: with Forest rekeouts, is going to lay his body on 195 00:09:54,679 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 2: the line in right field for a fly ball if 196 00:09:57,760 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 2: they're down like five to nothing in the night thinning, 197 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 2: doesn't matter. 198 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 3: He's always going to give it his hardest. 199 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 2: And yeah, that's kind of the player that Cam Clayton 200 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 2: I think really really displayed last season. 201 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:10,800 Speaker 3: Well, we just hit ten minutes, Danny. 202 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 1: I want to appreciate you coming on short notice to 203 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 1: give a bit of some feedback and you know, help 204 00:10:17,120 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: the viewers, help the listeners understand a little bit about 205 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,600 Speaker 1: Clint cam and what he can bring to the table 206 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:26,280 Speaker 1: in the Marlins organization. Before I let you go, tell 207 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: the Marlins people where they could find you on Twitter. 208 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:32,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, follow me on Twitter, Danny Underscore W twenty two. 209 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 2: I have my podcast, The Cylinder Role with my brother Frank. 210 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 2: It's mostly about UB sports. So if any Marlins fans 211 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 2: or you double M or you know, we just want 212 00:10:42,640 --> 00:10:44,680 Speaker 2: to listen to a couple of college students talk about sports. 213 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 2: Feel free to tune in Spotify, Apple Music where your podcast. Yeah, 214 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 2: thank you for having me. It's been it's been fun 215 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 2: to talk some husky baseball here in the summer. 216 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 3: No, awesome. 217 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,680 Speaker 1: We'll always have that cost that cross country you know, 218 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 1: that talk ninety degrees we'll here. So it's good to 219 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,760 Speaker 1: have that conversation with different people. But Danny, I appreciate it. 220 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 1: Good luck the rest of the way your career, school, professional. 221 00:11:09,720 --> 00:11:12,680 Speaker 3: I really appreciate you coming on. Yeah, of course, thank you.