1 00:00:04,078 --> 00:00:07,358 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 2 00:00:15,078 --> 00:00:18,398 Speaker 1: Hey Daron, Welcome back to the Book of Joe podcast 3 00:00:18,478 --> 00:00:22,198 Speaker 1: with me, Tom Barducci and Joe Madden. Joe, it's hard 4 00:00:22,198 --> 00:00:24,718 Speaker 1: to believe, but this weekend we are coming up on 5 00:00:24,798 --> 00:00:28,478 Speaker 1: the quarter pole of the twenty twenty five Major League 6 00:00:28,518 --> 00:00:32,238 Speaker 1: Baseball season. So I want your perspective. Can I still 7 00:00:32,278 --> 00:00:36,198 Speaker 1: say it's early or is that past its freshness date? 8 00:00:36,238 --> 00:00:37,038 Speaker 2: At this point. 9 00:00:37,558 --> 00:00:39,758 Speaker 3: There's trends that are definitely being created. 10 00:00:39,998 --> 00:00:41,958 Speaker 4: When you're describing to me, always thought about it as 11 00:00:41,998 --> 00:00:44,638 Speaker 4: slow time, and then it turns into fast time. Spring 12 00:00:44,718 --> 00:00:47,278 Speaker 4: training a slow time beginning of the season's slow time. 13 00:00:47,678 --> 00:00:49,958 Speaker 4: Then all of a sudden, this hamster wheel starts spinning 14 00:00:49,958 --> 00:00:52,158 Speaker 4: and it becomes fast time, and all of a sudden, 15 00:00:52,198 --> 00:00:54,758 Speaker 4: before you know it, it's the All Star break. Yeah, 16 00:00:54,798 --> 00:00:58,638 Speaker 4: there's trends that are setting up, and you're looking at 17 00:00:58,638 --> 00:01:01,158 Speaker 4: teams like an alas the Al East is kind of 18 00:01:01,238 --> 00:01:04,278 Speaker 4: underwater compared to the Central as an example, and of 19 00:01:04,318 --> 00:01:07,358 Speaker 4: course even on the western side of things, the athletics 20 00:01:07,358 --> 00:01:09,838 Speaker 4: what they're doing makes that side even a little bit 21 00:01:09,878 --> 00:01:10,478 Speaker 4: more pertinent. 22 00:01:10,518 --> 00:01:12,318 Speaker 3: But yeah, it's the. 23 00:01:12,558 --> 00:01:15,918 Speaker 4: Orioles having struggles last night, the watch the video of 24 00:01:15,958 --> 00:01:18,918 Speaker 4: the Angels and the Blue Jays how the Angels came 25 00:01:18,958 --> 00:01:21,598 Speaker 4: back against Hoffmann in the eighth inning as an example, 26 00:01:21,678 --> 00:01:25,518 Speaker 4: blue Jay's not gaining any traction once again. So yeah, 27 00:01:24,998 --> 00:01:29,558 Speaker 4: it's it's hard to think that if you aren't showing 28 00:01:29,718 --> 00:01:32,358 Speaker 4: signs of being like exceptional in a sense this year, 29 00:01:32,958 --> 00:01:34,998 Speaker 4: it's hard to think that all of a sudden, it's 30 00:01:35,078 --> 00:01:38,318 Speaker 4: just gonna happen coming out of camp. The fast starters 31 00:01:38,318 --> 00:01:42,358 Speaker 4: really always benefit on an annual basis, and there's those 32 00:01:42,558 --> 00:01:47,598 Speaker 4: anomaly moments, Astros coming back, Nationals coming back years ago, 33 00:01:47,758 --> 00:01:50,998 Speaker 4: the Rockies coming back. But it's hard to do that. 34 00:01:51,118 --> 00:01:53,678 Speaker 4: It's like an NBA game. Although your Knicks, the Knicks 35 00:01:53,678 --> 00:01:55,398 Speaker 4: did it the other night. They came back hard and 36 00:01:55,438 --> 00:01:57,558 Speaker 4: they held on and won it. But it's hard to 37 00:01:57,598 --> 00:02:00,118 Speaker 4: come back. It just is you expend a lot of 38 00:02:00,238 --> 00:02:02,518 Speaker 4: energy in the process and it's difficult. 39 00:02:02,638 --> 00:02:05,038 Speaker 3: So I think there are that are sitting up right. 40 00:02:04,878 --> 00:02:08,918 Speaker 1: Now, absolutely, and I want to dive into individual trends here, Joe, 41 00:02:09,398 --> 00:02:12,718 Speaker 1: because I think the biggest story of this season so 42 00:02:12,838 --> 00:02:16,958 Speaker 1: far as we reach the quarterpole is Aaron Judge, and 43 00:02:17,478 --> 00:02:19,838 Speaker 1: we know he's been great, There's no question about it. 44 00:02:19,878 --> 00:02:22,638 Speaker 1: But he's gone next level this year. And they also 45 00:02:22,678 --> 00:02:26,558 Speaker 1: want to talk about vis A VI Juan Soto, because 46 00:02:26,598 --> 00:02:29,118 Speaker 1: it's clear to me at this point, Joe, that Mon 47 00:02:29,198 --> 00:02:32,518 Speaker 1: Soto misses Aaron Judge a lot more than Aaron Judge 48 00:02:32,918 --> 00:02:37,038 Speaker 1: missus Mon Soto. You look at that Yankee lineup and 49 00:02:37,078 --> 00:02:40,598 Speaker 1: it's top heavy. I mean, Bellinger really hasn't gotten on track. 50 00:02:40,718 --> 00:02:43,598 Speaker 1: Gold Schmidt is getting his hits, He's not necessarily doing 51 00:02:43,638 --> 00:02:45,478 Speaker 1: a lot of damage in terms of the long ball. 52 00:02:45,998 --> 00:02:49,158 Speaker 1: So behind Aaron Judge, you know, there's not a whole 53 00:02:49,198 --> 00:02:52,078 Speaker 1: lot of thump going on there in the Yankee lineup. 54 00:02:53,038 --> 00:02:56,398 Speaker 1: But right now, Joe, I mean, he's hitting four to twelve, 55 00:02:56,878 --> 00:02:59,998 Speaker 1: which is just ridiculous. His on base percentage is over 56 00:03:00,518 --> 00:03:04,158 Speaker 1: five hundred. It's five oh three, and he's slugging over 57 00:03:04,278 --> 00:03:05,878 Speaker 1: seven hundred, almost eight hundred. 58 00:03:06,598 --> 00:03:08,118 Speaker 2: Let me give you a couple of numbers here. 59 00:03:08,198 --> 00:03:10,238 Speaker 1: Joe's the guy who's managed for a long time and 60 00:03:10,238 --> 00:03:11,518 Speaker 1: done it well in the major leagues. 61 00:03:11,558 --> 00:03:12,798 Speaker 2: How this is even possible? 62 00:03:13,638 --> 00:03:19,238 Speaker 1: Aaron Judge is hitting five to twenty against fastballs, five 63 00:03:19,478 --> 00:03:22,918 Speaker 1: twenty against fastballs, and do you realize that Aaron Judge 64 00:03:23,638 --> 00:03:27,838 Speaker 1: is seeing an above average rate of fastballs. The percentage 65 00:03:27,878 --> 00:03:31,838 Speaker 1: of fastballs he sees is above major league average, and 66 00:03:31,878 --> 00:03:34,878 Speaker 1: he is seeing and this is unbelievable to me, forty 67 00:03:34,958 --> 00:03:38,078 Speaker 1: nine point eight percent of pitches in the strike zone, 68 00:03:38,158 --> 00:03:40,158 Speaker 1: which is more than he saw last year, more than 69 00:03:40,158 --> 00:03:43,718 Speaker 1: he's ever seen. I don't know why people haven't gotten 70 00:03:43,758 --> 00:03:47,158 Speaker 1: the message, Joe, you just cannot pitch this guy right now. 71 00:03:47,638 --> 00:03:49,718 Speaker 1: Tell me what you see and how you would approach 72 00:03:49,758 --> 00:03:50,438 Speaker 1: Aaron Judge. 73 00:03:51,038 --> 00:03:55,078 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean just talking about the fastballs. I'm sure 74 00:03:55,078 --> 00:03:57,478 Speaker 4: it has something to do analytically with these different groups 75 00:03:57,478 --> 00:04:00,878 Speaker 4: because they all bring from the same well. But it 76 00:04:00,958 --> 00:04:03,518 Speaker 4: sounds like, you know, let's challenge him with the fastball, 77 00:04:04,118 --> 00:04:06,558 Speaker 4: and let's locate this fastball in a certain area. But 78 00:04:06,598 --> 00:04:09,478 Speaker 4: the problem I ran into a lot the last couple 79 00:04:09,478 --> 00:04:12,918 Speaker 4: of years. It's just overall fastball command. Guys are throwing balls. 80 00:04:13,038 --> 00:04:15,598 Speaker 4: Baseball is hard, but it's hard for them to hit 81 00:04:15,638 --> 00:04:18,118 Speaker 4: the exact spot that they're looking for. I start right there, 82 00:04:18,358 --> 00:04:20,038 Speaker 4: so I'd have to look at it more deeply to 83 00:04:20,158 --> 00:04:23,318 Speaker 4: see how badly these different pitchers are missing their targets 84 00:04:23,358 --> 00:04:25,678 Speaker 4: while the ball's coming back to the middle or wherever, 85 00:04:25,718 --> 00:04:28,998 Speaker 4: wherever that hotspot is for him. 86 00:04:29,438 --> 00:04:31,718 Speaker 3: That's the number one. Number two. Yeah, I listened. 87 00:04:31,758 --> 00:04:33,558 Speaker 4: I watched a little bit of the game last night, 88 00:04:34,478 --> 00:04:36,838 Speaker 4: and how they rallied late was kind of exceptional against 89 00:04:37,078 --> 00:04:40,718 Speaker 4: the pitching that the Padres had, But it happens. They 90 00:04:40,758 --> 00:04:42,638 Speaker 4: just they strung together some singles and all of a sudden, 91 00:04:42,638 --> 00:04:45,958 Speaker 4: here we go. But why again, you said, listen, I'm 92 00:04:45,998 --> 00:04:48,758 Speaker 4: not denegrating anybody else on that team, but why would 93 00:04:48,758 --> 00:04:49,758 Speaker 4: you pitch to this guy? 94 00:04:49,798 --> 00:04:49,998 Speaker 3: Now? 95 00:04:50,518 --> 00:04:52,718 Speaker 4: They were forced to in that situation. Later in the game, 96 00:04:52,758 --> 00:04:54,518 Speaker 4: I think they walked them. But yeah, there was an 97 00:04:54,518 --> 00:04:57,278 Speaker 4: intentional walk, I think as it turned out. But yeah, 98 00:04:57,558 --> 00:05:02,198 Speaker 4: it's listen, Analytics doesn't like the intentional walk. Analytics doesn't 99 00:05:02,198 --> 00:05:06,158 Speaker 4: necessarily like pitching around people. You. I've always got a 100 00:05:06,198 --> 00:05:08,278 Speaker 4: hard time from guys when I would do that. Even 101 00:05:08,718 --> 00:05:11,358 Speaker 4: it started like with Harper when we walked them so 102 00:05:11,358 --> 00:05:14,518 Speaker 4: many times back in once sixteen or sixteen, right, fifteen 103 00:05:14,558 --> 00:05:15,518 Speaker 4: or sixteen. 104 00:05:15,958 --> 00:05:17,238 Speaker 3: And I didn't get any grief for that. 105 00:05:17,318 --> 00:05:19,718 Speaker 4: But eventually it comes back to that these guys don't 106 00:05:19,798 --> 00:05:22,358 Speaker 4: like that putting another runnerund base, and that's when you 107 00:05:22,358 --> 00:05:25,878 Speaker 4: start treating everybody the same, just based on data. That 108 00:05:25,998 --> 00:05:27,558 Speaker 4: makes no sense to me. And that's what we were just 109 00:05:27,598 --> 00:05:28,078 Speaker 4: talking about. 110 00:05:28,078 --> 00:05:31,158 Speaker 3: The trends. We just opened up about trends. Trends exist. 111 00:05:31,518 --> 00:05:34,198 Speaker 4: Guys get hot, guys get cold, guys get better, they 112 00:05:34,198 --> 00:05:37,678 Speaker 4: get worse. You know, something's bothered them. They're not talking 113 00:05:37,678 --> 00:05:40,198 Speaker 4: about all these different things. So there's no reason to 114 00:05:40,278 --> 00:05:43,078 Speaker 4: attack this guy, right I'd make Rice do his job. 115 00:05:43,238 --> 00:05:46,638 Speaker 4: I would make Wells do his job. I would Grisham 116 00:05:46,718 --> 00:05:49,398 Speaker 4: right now. I mean, Grisham's always been a fine outfielder, 117 00:05:49,438 --> 00:05:51,838 Speaker 4: but what he's doing right now again is like crazy good. 118 00:05:52,238 --> 00:05:55,358 Speaker 4: So I'd have to believe they're gonna regress it the mean 119 00:05:55,398 --> 00:05:59,398 Speaker 4: at some point here, but for right now, playing the Yankees, 120 00:06:00,118 --> 00:06:01,478 Speaker 4: I am not pitching to this dude. 121 00:06:01,518 --> 00:06:01,998 Speaker 3: I'm just not. 122 00:06:02,118 --> 00:06:04,878 Speaker 4: I mean, And if you're gonna say let's attack him 123 00:06:04,878 --> 00:06:07,398 Speaker 4: with the fastball, that's for those that really know how 124 00:06:07,438 --> 00:06:08,518 Speaker 4: to command their fastball. 125 00:06:08,558 --> 00:06:09,118 Speaker 3: I think. 126 00:06:09,358 --> 00:06:12,318 Speaker 4: So long answer, there's a lot going on there, but 127 00:06:13,358 --> 00:06:14,558 Speaker 4: it just doesn't make any sense. 128 00:06:14,598 --> 00:06:16,678 Speaker 3: He's he's hitting like Bonds right now. 129 00:06:16,718 --> 00:06:18,758 Speaker 4: He's just hitting like Barry Bonds and the kind of 130 00:06:18,758 --> 00:06:20,358 Speaker 4: treatment we had to give him back in the day. 131 00:06:20,918 --> 00:06:23,478 Speaker 1: You're absolutely right, and I like your point about the fastballs. 132 00:06:23,478 --> 00:06:25,518 Speaker 1: I think that's a big part of it. You know, 133 00:06:25,638 --> 00:06:27,478 Speaker 1: Aaron Judge has always been one of the best high 134 00:06:27,478 --> 00:06:29,398 Speaker 1: fastball hitters in the game. And part of that to 135 00:06:29,438 --> 00:06:32,598 Speaker 1: me is, you know, he's six foot seven and pitchers 136 00:06:32,678 --> 00:06:34,998 Speaker 1: just don't elevate the ball enough to him. What they 137 00:06:35,078 --> 00:06:39,078 Speaker 1: think is top rail to him is actually in his 138 00:06:39,158 --> 00:06:41,598 Speaker 1: nitro zone. And the other thing I've noticed this year, 139 00:06:41,718 --> 00:06:44,958 Speaker 1: Joe is he did have if there was one hole, 140 00:06:45,158 --> 00:06:47,358 Speaker 1: and it's not really a hole, but one place where 141 00:06:47,398 --> 00:06:48,998 Speaker 1: you can keep him in the ballpark and turn him 142 00:06:48,998 --> 00:06:51,238 Speaker 1: into a singles hitter, is the pitch down in a way. 143 00:06:51,478 --> 00:06:53,398 Speaker 1: If you can dot that up down and a way, 144 00:06:53,598 --> 00:06:55,838 Speaker 1: he's not going to do damage. Well he is this year, 145 00:06:56,118 --> 00:06:58,918 Speaker 1: he's hitting everything. And you look at Aaron Judge in 146 00:06:58,958 --> 00:07:01,398 Speaker 1: his twenties. He was a two seventy six hitter in 147 00:07:01,398 --> 00:07:03,358 Speaker 1: his twenties, And I know batting average is not the 148 00:07:03,558 --> 00:07:05,598 Speaker 1: be all and end all, but just use that as 149 00:07:05,598 --> 00:07:08,518 Speaker 1: a rule of thumb. Two seventy six hitter in his twenties. 150 00:07:08,798 --> 00:07:13,278 Speaker 1: In his thirties, he's hitting three thirteen. He has become 151 00:07:13,838 --> 00:07:18,118 Speaker 1: a pure hitter, a great pure hitter, and not just 152 00:07:18,398 --> 00:07:21,118 Speaker 1: a slugger. We already always knew he was a great slugger. 153 00:07:21,638 --> 00:07:24,318 Speaker 1: He's hitting four to seventy three when he puts the 154 00:07:24,358 --> 00:07:27,278 Speaker 1: ball in play this year. Now, that's not sustainable. His 155 00:07:27,398 --> 00:07:29,958 Speaker 1: career average is three fifty. He hits the ball really hard, 156 00:07:29,998 --> 00:07:32,038 Speaker 1: so his ground balls, when he does hit them, they're 157 00:07:32,038 --> 00:07:34,398 Speaker 1: going to get through for hits. But he can't hit 158 00:07:34,438 --> 00:07:36,718 Speaker 1: four to seventy three on balls in play. But right now, 159 00:07:36,838 --> 00:07:39,958 Speaker 1: I I'm with you, Joe, you have to walk him. 160 00:07:40,718 --> 00:07:43,398 Speaker 1: I go back to a game where Alex Cora, the 161 00:07:43,398 --> 00:07:46,158 Speaker 1: Red Sox manager, had a base open with load Guerrero 162 00:07:46,278 --> 00:07:48,278 Speaker 1: up late in the game, decided to pitch to him. 163 00:07:48,718 --> 00:07:51,638 Speaker 1: Guerrero wins the game hanging breaking ball three to two. Now, 164 00:07:51,638 --> 00:07:54,518 Speaker 1: the pitcher, justin Slayton, did have moho and two. But 165 00:07:54,678 --> 00:07:56,478 Speaker 1: alex Cora I liked his answer. He said, you know, 166 00:07:56,558 --> 00:07:59,238 Speaker 1: if we're October, I'm walking him. But at this point, 167 00:07:59,278 --> 00:08:01,638 Speaker 1: I want to find out about my guys and I 168 00:08:01,678 --> 00:08:04,358 Speaker 1: want to trust him, and especially when the count got two, 169 00:08:04,558 --> 00:08:06,918 Speaker 1: then you're full green light and go after him. So 170 00:08:07,238 --> 00:08:10,278 Speaker 1: probably context matters too, but I think Aaron Judge right 171 00:08:10,278 --> 00:08:13,278 Speaker 1: now is just so good the best hit are in baseball. 172 00:08:13,878 --> 00:08:17,638 Speaker 1: I'm not tempted to try to get himself out. He's 173 00:08:17,678 --> 00:08:18,318 Speaker 1: not going to do that. 174 00:08:18,598 --> 00:08:20,598 Speaker 4: You just got to get to oh and three and 175 00:08:20,678 --> 00:08:22,598 Speaker 4: really get him out. You know, oh and two doesn't 176 00:08:22,598 --> 00:08:25,998 Speaker 4: work sometimes. I understand Alex's point there, and I honestly 177 00:08:26,038 --> 00:08:28,078 Speaker 4: have to have had those same thoughts. 178 00:08:28,878 --> 00:08:30,398 Speaker 3: The thing is that this is different. 179 00:08:30,438 --> 00:08:32,238 Speaker 4: I mean, the Red Sox are trying to beat these 180 00:08:32,238 --> 00:08:37,238 Speaker 4: guys or within that division, Guerrero Judge whomever. These games 181 00:08:37,278 --> 00:08:41,078 Speaker 4: build momentum, where they take momentum away. I've always believed 182 00:08:41,078 --> 00:08:44,398 Speaker 4: in that too, when you lose close games late, give 183 00:08:44,478 --> 00:08:47,718 Speaker 4: up something late. And if you've had these like different 184 00:08:47,958 --> 00:08:50,758 Speaker 4: internal struggles within yourself as a manager, should I do 185 00:08:50,798 --> 00:08:52,998 Speaker 4: this or not? And then you choose to do the 186 00:08:53,038 --> 00:08:55,758 Speaker 4: one thing and then it turns out not very good 187 00:08:55,758 --> 00:08:58,358 Speaker 4: and even though you might have been leaning in the 188 00:08:58,398 --> 00:09:00,358 Speaker 4: other direction. That's the old Zim thing. If it comes 189 00:09:00,398 --> 00:09:02,718 Speaker 4: to your mind, do it. And I really try to 190 00:09:02,878 --> 00:09:05,158 Speaker 4: train myself to do that as I moved it a 191 00:09:05,198 --> 00:09:07,718 Speaker 4: little bit further along, because when you start having those 192 00:09:07,718 --> 00:09:11,638 Speaker 4: internal debates, man, it's it's not good. It's not good. 193 00:09:11,678 --> 00:09:13,678 Speaker 4: I think something like that. You have to make up 194 00:09:13,678 --> 00:09:15,758 Speaker 4: your mind before the game. And if his mind had 195 00:09:15,758 --> 00:09:17,758 Speaker 4: been made up before the game, as an example that listen, 196 00:09:17,798 --> 00:09:19,758 Speaker 4: I'm gonna but still early. I'm and to make sure 197 00:09:19,798 --> 00:09:22,358 Speaker 4: they're gonna try to give these guys every opportunity. But 198 00:09:22,518 --> 00:09:24,758 Speaker 4: you know, it's the same thing we said with Bonds 199 00:09:24,758 --> 00:09:26,358 Speaker 4: in this World series. I know it's a different time 200 00:09:26,358 --> 00:09:29,598 Speaker 4: of the year, but these guys are you're when you're 201 00:09:29,678 --> 00:09:34,558 Speaker 4: that good, you're gonna you're probably gonna bet wrong if 202 00:09:34,558 --> 00:09:37,398 Speaker 4: you're gonna bet that your guy's going to get this 203 00:09:37,438 --> 00:09:40,038 Speaker 4: particular guy in that moment, especially when they're playing as 204 00:09:40,078 --> 00:09:40,718 Speaker 4: well as they are. 205 00:09:40,998 --> 00:09:42,318 Speaker 3: So I'm all about that. 206 00:09:42,518 --> 00:09:47,278 Speaker 4: I I I don't I prefer not pitching to him. 207 00:09:47,278 --> 00:09:49,158 Speaker 4: And you know, you've got a guy like with a 208 00:09:49,358 --> 00:09:52,958 Speaker 4: lead control and command, whoever that guy is in today's game, 209 00:09:53,478 --> 00:09:56,438 Speaker 4: uh you know the Gram or somebody like that. Maybe 210 00:09:56,638 --> 00:09:58,878 Speaker 4: you let him roll with that fastball, try to dot 211 00:09:58,918 --> 00:10:01,078 Speaker 4: him up down in a way. But listen, my my 212 00:10:01,158 --> 00:10:03,598 Speaker 4: experience has been that with when you get guys out 213 00:10:03,638 --> 00:10:05,998 Speaker 4: there and today's pitcher just tries to throw as spin 214 00:10:06,078 --> 00:10:09,198 Speaker 4: and throw as hard as he can and not locate necessarily. 215 00:10:09,358 --> 00:10:10,558 Speaker 3: That's where I have an issue. 216 00:10:10,838 --> 00:10:12,158 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'd agree with you on that. 217 00:10:12,358 --> 00:10:15,118 Speaker 1: I think you trust your ace if you will or 218 00:10:15,158 --> 00:10:18,438 Speaker 1: maybe your closer, but anybody else, you just don't try 219 00:10:18,438 --> 00:10:21,198 Speaker 1: to attempt Aaron Judge. He's too good right now. As 220 00:10:21,198 --> 00:10:23,078 Speaker 1: far as onan soda, I want to get your take 221 00:10:23,158 --> 00:10:24,918 Speaker 1: on what you see, Joe. I'll give you just some 222 00:10:25,038 --> 00:10:28,878 Speaker 1: numbers here, because he still gets on base right even 223 00:10:28,918 --> 00:10:31,078 Speaker 1: when he's not going well. He controls the strike zone 224 00:10:31,158 --> 00:10:33,158 Speaker 1: very well. He just passed Mickey Mantle for the most 225 00:10:33,238 --> 00:10:36,518 Speaker 1: walks ever before the age of twenty seven, and he's 226 00:10:36,518 --> 00:10:38,438 Speaker 1: still getting on base for the New York Mets. 227 00:10:38,478 --> 00:10:39,718 Speaker 2: He's just not doing any damage. 228 00:10:39,718 --> 00:10:43,038 Speaker 1: What I see here is his bat speed is down 229 00:10:43,238 --> 00:10:46,918 Speaker 1: two miles per hour. His swing length is down. Those 230 00:10:46,918 --> 00:10:49,558 Speaker 1: are also those numbers, by the way, top five in 231 00:10:49,598 --> 00:10:52,238 Speaker 1: baseball in terms of the difference from last year to 232 00:10:52,278 --> 00:10:56,598 Speaker 1: this year. What I see is someone who is not 233 00:10:56,918 --> 00:10:59,958 Speaker 1: turning on the baseball and getting beat by velocity. And 234 00:10:59,998 --> 00:11:03,318 Speaker 1: that to me is shocking to see Wan Soto not 235 00:11:03,438 --> 00:11:07,558 Speaker 1: catch up velocity because I again high fastballs. He eats 236 00:11:07,638 --> 00:11:09,998 Speaker 1: him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But last year at 237 00:11:09,998 --> 00:11:11,718 Speaker 1: this time he had twenty two hits to the pole 238 00:11:11,798 --> 00:11:14,678 Speaker 1: side and slugged over eight hundred. This year pul side 239 00:11:14,798 --> 00:11:18,238 Speaker 1: just fourteen hits and he's slugging five eighty five. Here's 240 00:11:18,238 --> 00:11:21,238 Speaker 1: the big difference to me, Joe. Last year against pitches 241 00:11:21,358 --> 00:11:24,158 Speaker 1: ninety five and above, he hit three forty seven and 242 00:11:24,238 --> 00:11:26,758 Speaker 1: slugged over seven hundred, one of the best in baseball 243 00:11:26,798 --> 00:11:30,198 Speaker 1: on elite velocity. This year, he's hitting one fifty eight 244 00:11:30,838 --> 00:11:34,278 Speaker 1: and slugging five hundred. He's three for nineteen. He's got 245 00:11:34,318 --> 00:11:36,638 Speaker 1: three hits against ninety five plus this year. 246 00:11:37,638 --> 00:11:38,518 Speaker 2: I just see a guy. 247 00:11:38,558 --> 00:11:40,598 Speaker 1: I don't see the swing that's changed, but I see 248 00:11:40,598 --> 00:11:43,798 Speaker 1: a guy that timing wise, similar to Aaron Judge last year. 249 00:11:43,878 --> 00:11:46,718 Speaker 1: First month of the season is simply not there. I 250 00:11:46,758 --> 00:11:49,198 Speaker 1: don't know why it's happening. It could just be the 251 00:11:49,238 --> 00:11:53,438 Speaker 1: ebbs and flows of this game. The baseball gods are saying, 252 00:11:53,478 --> 00:11:56,558 Speaker 1: you're not quite right. But it's strange for me to 253 00:11:56,558 --> 00:11:58,758 Speaker 1: see one Soto not on time. Tell me what you 254 00:11:58,798 --> 00:12:01,798 Speaker 1: see of mon Sota this first quarter of the season. 255 00:12:02,198 --> 00:12:04,918 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, I didn't realize those new eric those numbers, 256 00:12:04,918 --> 00:12:08,198 Speaker 4: but yeah, it's just obviously something is not right. Just 257 00:12:08,238 --> 00:12:11,078 Speaker 4: to to just interject, though, I'm watching Alonzo now, we're 258 00:12:11,118 --> 00:12:12,878 Speaker 4: talking about missing Judge. 259 00:12:12,878 --> 00:12:13,758 Speaker 3: What about Alonzo? 260 00:12:14,278 --> 00:12:16,318 Speaker 4: What this guy's doing right now is kind of almost 261 00:12:16,438 --> 00:12:20,198 Speaker 4: Judge like, so it's like he's already he's already He's 262 00:12:20,278 --> 00:12:22,438 Speaker 4: actually got Judge with him right now, it's just got 263 00:12:22,478 --> 00:12:23,398 Speaker 4: a different last name. 264 00:12:23,838 --> 00:12:24,078 Speaker 3: I mean. 265 00:12:24,118 --> 00:12:26,158 Speaker 4: The think big thing about Alonzo that really stands out 266 00:12:26,198 --> 00:12:27,878 Speaker 4: to me where I think Sodo has had an influence 267 00:12:27,958 --> 00:12:31,278 Speaker 4: possibly although they haven't played a lot together, is look 268 00:12:31,278 --> 00:12:33,638 Speaker 4: at a Lonzo's walks versus his strikeouts right now. 269 00:12:33,678 --> 00:12:37,318 Speaker 1: It's incredibly best played discipline of his career right right. 270 00:12:37,118 --> 00:12:40,558 Speaker 4: And that and I don't know where that has rubbed 271 00:12:40,558 --> 00:12:42,478 Speaker 4: off on him or not, or this is part of 272 00:12:42,518 --> 00:12:46,878 Speaker 4: his motivation from kind of being ostracized during the last 273 00:12:46,918 --> 00:12:49,318 Speaker 4: off season in regards to teams. 274 00:12:49,078 --> 00:12:49,718 Speaker 3: Wanting him or not. 275 00:12:50,158 --> 00:12:52,958 Speaker 4: So Soto's got that now. The thing about Soda and 276 00:12:52,998 --> 00:12:55,318 Speaker 4: I listen, I'm a Sodo guy, but you paid all 277 00:12:55,358 --> 00:12:57,278 Speaker 4: that money for a guy that's an on base percentage guy, 278 00:12:57,318 --> 00:13:01,638 Speaker 4: guy that does like to walk. So it's it's he's 279 00:13:01,638 --> 00:13:03,678 Speaker 4: gonna hit. He's gonna hit more than he's hit right now. 280 00:13:03,998 --> 00:13:06,518 Speaker 4: But I would keep an eye on the bat speed 281 00:13:06,558 --> 00:13:10,438 Speaker 4: thing that is an analytical component I like because it's 282 00:13:10,518 --> 00:13:14,038 Speaker 4: obviously he's not catching up the fastballs. Something's slowed down 283 00:13:14,038 --> 00:13:15,838 Speaker 4: a bit. In there, and there's no reason too. He's young, 284 00:13:16,078 --> 00:13:18,798 Speaker 4: he's not hurt. He's in a different ballpark. I don't 285 00:13:18,798 --> 00:13:20,558 Speaker 4: even know what the weather's been like. But even in 286 00:13:20,598 --> 00:13:22,798 Speaker 4: that ballpark there the way that sets up compared to 287 00:13:22,798 --> 00:13:24,758 Speaker 4: the way the Yankee Stadium sets up. 288 00:13:24,678 --> 00:13:25,118 Speaker 3: Who knows. 289 00:13:25,278 --> 00:13:26,678 Speaker 4: It's like you know, you know what it's like sitting 290 00:13:26,678 --> 00:13:29,158 Speaker 4: on a t box and if of a whole fits 291 00:13:29,198 --> 00:13:31,958 Speaker 4: your eye or not, and if it doesn't fit your 292 00:13:31,998 --> 00:13:34,958 Speaker 4: eyes becomes more problematic as the one that if you 293 00:13:34,998 --> 00:13:36,518 Speaker 4: look at the fairway and it fits your eye and 294 00:13:36,558 --> 00:13:38,398 Speaker 4: all of a sudden you take a better swing. So 295 00:13:38,958 --> 00:13:44,238 Speaker 4: give him time to really adjust to the background and 296 00:13:43,598 --> 00:13:46,118 Speaker 4: the quirkiness of that ballpark. 297 00:13:46,558 --> 00:13:49,398 Speaker 3: I do believe in that. I do believe that has issues. 298 00:13:48,998 --> 00:13:50,878 Speaker 4: That you know, people never talk about, and if you did, 299 00:13:50,918 --> 00:13:53,758 Speaker 4: you think somebody's crazy. So give him a little bit 300 00:13:53,798 --> 00:13:56,198 Speaker 4: more time. He's got judge hitting behind him right now. 301 00:13:56,278 --> 00:13:59,558 Speaker 4: So that's conversation I think needs to stop. I think 302 00:13:59,558 --> 00:14:03,358 Speaker 4: it's more internal with him. I can't even think that 303 00:14:03,438 --> 00:14:06,518 Speaker 4: the size of the contract. I don't think that has 304 00:14:06,518 --> 00:14:08,118 Speaker 4: anything to do with that. I really don't. I mean, 305 00:14:08,118 --> 00:14:10,558 Speaker 4: the guy just warphed into the city last year. Like 306 00:14:10,598 --> 00:14:12,638 Speaker 4: it was nothing. He did all what he did all 307 00:14:12,758 --> 00:14:14,958 Speaker 4: last year, like it was a big old yawn. He 308 00:14:15,038 --> 00:14:17,558 Speaker 4: just he's got this wrapped up. So I just say, 309 00:14:17,638 --> 00:14:19,918 Speaker 4: give him time, let him adjust, and I think adjust 310 00:14:20,318 --> 00:14:22,478 Speaker 4: to the environment as much as anything matters. 311 00:14:22,718 --> 00:14:24,038 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm with you on that, Joe. 312 00:14:24,078 --> 00:14:26,918 Speaker 1: I mean, we always try to look for ways to 313 00:14:26,918 --> 00:14:29,398 Speaker 1: get inside a guy's head and explain why he's hitting 314 00:14:29,518 --> 00:14:32,038 Speaker 1: or why he is hitting. And this is the guy, 315 00:14:32,078 --> 00:14:34,078 Speaker 1: as you mentioned, he got to New York last year 316 00:14:34,078 --> 00:14:36,198 Speaker 1: with the Yankees and just hit the ground running. 317 00:14:36,518 --> 00:14:37,958 Speaker 2: There was no break in period. 318 00:14:37,998 --> 00:14:41,118 Speaker 1: So you can't tell me that he's getting to New York, 319 00:14:41,318 --> 00:14:43,518 Speaker 1: you know, with the Mets, and now he's struggling. 320 00:14:43,558 --> 00:14:45,918 Speaker 2: That doesn't make sense. Was it interesting? 321 00:14:45,958 --> 00:14:46,118 Speaker 3: You know? 322 00:14:46,158 --> 00:14:48,718 Speaker 1: The other day I was talking to Carlos Mendoza, the manager, 323 00:14:49,038 --> 00:14:53,118 Speaker 1: and I mentioned that Juan Soto has not done a 324 00:14:53,318 --> 00:14:57,398 Speaker 1: full blown, on full blown Juan Soto shuffle at all 325 00:14:57,478 --> 00:15:02,198 Speaker 1: this year, not once. So the body language just quite 326 00:15:02,478 --> 00:15:05,798 Speaker 1: isn't the same. He's not just to my eye, Joe, 327 00:15:05,838 --> 00:15:09,798 Speaker 1: he's just not feeling like the superman hitter that he is. 328 00:15:09,878 --> 00:15:13,238 Speaker 1: And Mendoza said, I've noticed that, and you know, I 329 00:15:13,278 --> 00:15:17,518 Speaker 1: believe the same thing that we're not seeing the body language, 330 00:15:17,598 --> 00:15:20,598 Speaker 1: the confidence that you always saw, you know, looking the 331 00:15:20,598 --> 00:15:22,838 Speaker 1: picture in the eye and doing that shuffle. And he's 332 00:15:22,878 --> 00:15:25,918 Speaker 1: done a semi shuffle, but not the full on Juan 333 00:15:26,078 --> 00:15:26,958 Speaker 1: Soto shuffle. 334 00:15:27,038 --> 00:15:28,678 Speaker 2: So that kind of body language. 335 00:15:28,798 --> 00:15:30,838 Speaker 1: I don't know if you looked at that as a manager, Joe, 336 00:15:30,878 --> 00:15:32,318 Speaker 1: but it's caught my eye. 337 00:15:32,398 --> 00:15:33,438 Speaker 2: That's not quite the same. 338 00:15:33,998 --> 00:15:36,878 Speaker 4: The thing that I really was curious, found curious was 339 00:15:36,878 --> 00:15:40,678 Speaker 4: when that article came out about him actually admitting it's 340 00:15:40,678 --> 00:15:44,438 Speaker 4: different without Judge hitting behind him, and that created a 341 00:15:44,438 --> 00:15:47,478 Speaker 4: way bigger, a much bigger stir than it deserved. It's 342 00:15:47,518 --> 00:15:50,838 Speaker 4: like everything else media wise today, that was like way blown, 343 00:15:50,878 --> 00:15:52,398 Speaker 4: way out of proportion. But I don't know to what 344 00:15:52,438 --> 00:15:54,078 Speaker 4: extent it might have gotten in his head a little bit. 345 00:15:55,078 --> 00:15:59,038 Speaker 4: Confidence is such a tenuous situation, and we live and 346 00:15:59,078 --> 00:16:01,878 Speaker 4: die by everybody does. Our whole world's always about confidence. 347 00:16:01,918 --> 00:16:05,118 Speaker 4: The economy is about confidence, confidence in the dollar or not, 348 00:16:05,478 --> 00:16:09,318 Speaker 4: regarding whether one investor or not, So it's it's it's 349 00:16:09,358 --> 00:16:13,678 Speaker 4: all about confidence. And I think that article demonstrated how 350 00:16:13,718 --> 00:16:15,798 Speaker 4: he was feeling. But then I think it might have 351 00:16:16,078 --> 00:16:18,238 Speaker 4: the reaction to that might have hurt him a little bit. 352 00:16:18,318 --> 00:16:21,318 Speaker 4: That's that's I thought that was kind of dumb actually, 353 00:16:21,358 --> 00:16:23,238 Speaker 4: not that he said it, but how the reaction was 354 00:16:23,278 --> 00:16:25,358 Speaker 4: and then how then maybe he processed it in the 355 00:16:25,358 --> 00:16:27,518 Speaker 4: wrong way, or who knows, he's going. 356 00:16:27,478 --> 00:16:28,958 Speaker 3: To come back. He's gonna be really good. 357 00:16:30,078 --> 00:16:32,838 Speaker 4: He's you know, the kind of hit or he is 358 00:16:32,838 --> 00:16:33,958 Speaker 4: is going to show up once again. 359 00:16:34,678 --> 00:16:35,438 Speaker 3: We don't know why. 360 00:16:35,478 --> 00:16:38,358 Speaker 4: There's a little bit less than maybe something's bothering that 361 00:16:38,358 --> 00:16:40,518 Speaker 4: he's not even talking about. And I wouldn't doubt that 362 00:16:40,558 --> 00:16:42,398 Speaker 4: either there might be something going on with a hand 363 00:16:42,438 --> 00:16:44,918 Speaker 4: or wrist or rib, something might be bothering him that 364 00:16:44,918 --> 00:16:48,238 Speaker 4: he's not fessing up to. If in factor's a diminished 365 00:16:48,278 --> 00:16:50,798 Speaker 4: bat speed, So just give him time, it's going to happen. 366 00:16:50,838 --> 00:16:54,838 Speaker 4: But all these little micro things I think have conspired 367 00:16:54,918 --> 00:16:56,558 Speaker 4: to make it a difficult start for him. 368 00:16:56,838 --> 00:16:59,838 Speaker 1: Well, next week, Joe the New York Mets go into 369 00:16:59,878 --> 00:17:03,918 Speaker 1: the Bronx Swan Sota returns to Yankee Stadium. Mets Yankee, 370 00:17:03,958 --> 00:17:06,878 Speaker 1: He's at Yankee Stadium. What do you think that scene 371 00:17:06,918 --> 00:17:07,318 Speaker 1: is going to be? 372 00:17:07,358 --> 00:17:09,358 Speaker 4: Like left the bed on? I think he's gonna he's 373 00:17:09,358 --> 00:17:11,078 Speaker 4: gonna turn it on right there. I think he's gonna 374 00:17:11,118 --> 00:17:14,318 Speaker 4: have a good series. He will rise to the occasion. 375 00:17:14,358 --> 00:17:14,678 Speaker 3: I believe. 376 00:17:14,718 --> 00:17:17,358 Speaker 4: I think the confines there is gonna be Like I said, 377 00:17:17,398 --> 00:17:21,558 Speaker 4: it's very It's a comfortable place for him to play baseball. 378 00:17:21,598 --> 00:17:24,038 Speaker 4: We'll see what happens between now and then, but by 379 00:17:24,038 --> 00:17:25,558 Speaker 4: the time he gets back there, I think he's gonna 380 00:17:25,558 --> 00:17:26,078 Speaker 4: be ready to go. 381 00:17:26,678 --> 00:17:26,918 Speaker 5: Well. 382 00:17:27,078 --> 00:17:30,238 Speaker 1: Aaron Judge is tied for the major league home run 383 00:17:30,358 --> 00:17:33,718 Speaker 1: lead with twelve and when we get back after this 384 00:17:33,798 --> 00:17:36,558 Speaker 1: short break, we're going to talk about somebody he is 385 00:17:36,758 --> 00:17:39,318 Speaker 1: tied with, and I believe it's one of Joe Madden's 386 00:17:39,598 --> 00:17:55,798 Speaker 1: favorite hitters. Welcome back to the Book of Joe Podcasts. 387 00:17:55,998 --> 00:17:58,038 Speaker 1: Joe Menon, I want to take you back, and why 388 00:17:58,078 --> 00:18:01,558 Speaker 1: not to your twenty sixteen Chicago Cubs, and that team 389 00:18:01,758 --> 00:18:04,278 Speaker 1: was the youngest team to win the World Series, especially 390 00:18:04,318 --> 00:18:07,558 Speaker 1: in a Game seven. And I look back on just 391 00:18:07,838 --> 00:18:11,758 Speaker 1: the plethora of everyday players, position players you had from 392 00:18:11,798 --> 00:18:16,678 Speaker 1: ages twenty two to twenty six right, just absolutely loaded 393 00:18:16,798 --> 00:18:20,798 Speaker 1: with young up and coming or even early established talent. 394 00:18:21,518 --> 00:18:23,798 Speaker 1: And when I look at those guys, Joe, the one 395 00:18:23,838 --> 00:18:27,118 Speaker 1: who now is at the top of his game is 396 00:18:27,238 --> 00:18:31,318 Speaker 1: Kyle Schwarber. Listen, we got Javey Baya is struggling, maybe 397 00:18:31,318 --> 00:18:33,878 Speaker 1: a bouncing back a little bit, becoming a jack of 398 00:18:33,878 --> 00:18:36,998 Speaker 1: all trades with Detroit. Chris Bryant his injury histories. We 399 00:18:37,078 --> 00:18:39,558 Speaker 1: know about Hore Silaira was on that team. He's hitting 400 00:18:39,558 --> 00:18:41,958 Speaker 1: two twenty one with the Angels. Anthony Rizzo doesn't have 401 00:18:41,998 --> 00:18:45,078 Speaker 1: a job. Addison Russell's at a baseball, Albert Almore at 402 00:18:45,078 --> 00:18:48,238 Speaker 1: a baseball. Wilson Contreras has been just an average hitter 403 00:18:48,278 --> 00:18:52,638 Speaker 1: for the Cardinals. And here's Kyle Schwarber better than he's 404 00:18:52,758 --> 00:18:57,038 Speaker 1: ever been, slashing two fifty two, four oh eight on 405 00:18:57,158 --> 00:19:01,438 Speaker 1: base percentage, five eighty five slug and his home run 406 00:19:01,718 --> 00:19:05,558 Speaker 1: the other night was number two ninety six of his career. 407 00:19:06,278 --> 00:19:10,038 Speaker 1: Kyle Schwarber, like Judge, is getting better through his thirties, 408 00:19:10,158 --> 00:19:11,758 Speaker 1: especially against left handed hitting. 409 00:19:12,358 --> 00:19:13,158 Speaker 2: They used to own him. 410 00:19:13,238 --> 00:19:15,758 Speaker 1: Last year he hit three hundred against lefties. This year 411 00:19:15,798 --> 00:19:19,598 Speaker 1: he's hitting three to four. So, Joe, if you go 412 00:19:19,718 --> 00:19:22,678 Speaker 1: back and you look at your twenty sixteen team in 413 00:19:22,678 --> 00:19:24,598 Speaker 1: that version of Kyle Schwarber, of course, he had the 414 00:19:24,678 --> 00:19:26,878 Speaker 1: knee injury and didn't come back until the postseason the 415 00:19:26,878 --> 00:19:28,798 Speaker 1: World Series, but you knew what he was like as 416 00:19:28,798 --> 00:19:31,198 Speaker 1: a player, as a young hitter. Tell me what you 417 00:19:31,238 --> 00:19:34,798 Speaker 1: see now as Kyle Schwarber is just absolutely crushing it. 418 00:19:35,438 --> 00:19:36,718 Speaker 3: Watch him in the box. 419 00:19:36,998 --> 00:19:39,558 Speaker 4: I mean he's always kind of like got the same 420 00:19:39,638 --> 00:19:42,078 Speaker 4: routine going on. He walks into the box, he slides 421 00:19:42,078 --> 00:19:44,238 Speaker 4: his one foot front and then back, and then he 422 00:19:44,278 --> 00:19:47,358 Speaker 4: settles in whatever. But I'm telling you what, he cannot 423 00:19:47,398 --> 00:19:49,358 Speaker 4: be more calm getting in the box right now. He 424 00:19:49,398 --> 00:19:51,758 Speaker 4: walks in there like he's gonna sit down in his 425 00:19:51,798 --> 00:19:53,278 Speaker 4: favorite chair to get ready to hit. 426 00:19:53,678 --> 00:19:56,198 Speaker 3: His confidence cannot be cannot be higher. 427 00:19:56,718 --> 00:20:00,038 Speaker 4: And his comfort level with his mechanics and how he's 428 00:20:00,038 --> 00:20:01,958 Speaker 4: seeing things right now cannot be higher. 429 00:20:02,038 --> 00:20:05,918 Speaker 3: That's what I'm seeing. So it's like of standing in. 430 00:20:05,878 --> 00:20:09,758 Speaker 4: That box and he and he really feels extremely comfortable. 431 00:20:09,758 --> 00:20:12,558 Speaker 4: And it's highlighted by the fact the navigated a lefty. 432 00:20:13,198 --> 00:20:15,518 Speaker 4: When we first had him there, you wanted to hit 433 00:20:15,558 --> 00:20:17,198 Speaker 4: him lead off when we did, I thought that was 434 00:20:17,238 --> 00:20:20,318 Speaker 4: a very interesting concept. The problem with that was at 435 00:20:20,318 --> 00:20:23,278 Speaker 4: that time versus the left hand, it was very difficult 436 00:20:23,318 --> 00:20:26,598 Speaker 4: for him to really be successful. It's just just learning, 437 00:20:26,838 --> 00:20:29,038 Speaker 4: just learning how to do it, that's all. But then again, 438 00:20:29,078 --> 00:20:31,078 Speaker 4: if you're trying to win and you got other options, 439 00:20:31,118 --> 00:20:33,718 Speaker 4: it's it's difficult to just put the guy out there 440 00:20:33,718 --> 00:20:36,278 Speaker 4: against the better lefties at that time, so you're you're 441 00:20:36,318 --> 00:20:38,798 Speaker 4: moving it back and forth. And when you do that, 442 00:20:38,838 --> 00:20:40,958 Speaker 4: even especially to a young player, even though you know 443 00:20:40,958 --> 00:20:42,878 Speaker 4: it's the right thing to do, you can just you know, 444 00:20:42,998 --> 00:20:46,638 Speaker 4: nick their confidence just a little bit because they believe 445 00:20:46,638 --> 00:20:48,918 Speaker 4: they're better than that. Why am I not good enough? 446 00:20:49,478 --> 00:20:51,078 Speaker 4: How am I going to get to this next level? 447 00:20:51,118 --> 00:20:54,838 Speaker 4: There's a little pressure involved, so there's Wow. The underlying 448 00:20:54,918 --> 00:20:58,718 Speaker 4: dynamics involved in situations like that are so tumultuous, so 449 00:20:58,878 --> 00:21:01,518 Speaker 4: you just you can't measure all that. So my point, 450 00:21:01,838 --> 00:21:04,038 Speaker 4: but what I'm seeing is I'm seeing him walking in 451 00:21:04,078 --> 00:21:07,798 Speaker 4: the box. Wow loose. I mean you talk about tension free. 452 00:21:07,878 --> 00:21:11,518 Speaker 4: My god, He's he's got the most tension free approaching 453 00:21:11,798 --> 00:21:14,918 Speaker 4: at the plate right now. He's never in trouble. You 454 00:21:14,918 --> 00:21:16,718 Speaker 4: can strike him out five times and all he's going 455 00:21:16,758 --> 00:21:17,998 Speaker 4: to come back and he's now he's going to rip 456 00:21:18,038 --> 00:21:20,318 Speaker 4: you on the sixth time. So that's what I'm saying. 457 00:21:20,358 --> 00:21:24,238 Speaker 4: Has been a difference. And whatever they're doing there regarding 458 00:21:24,918 --> 00:21:28,398 Speaker 4: maybe it's just reps, but giving the information k Long 459 00:21:28,478 --> 00:21:30,958 Speaker 4: might be doing. Whatever it is, there's a better approach 460 00:21:31,038 --> 00:21:34,598 Speaker 4: versus the lefty. And they have a lot of lefties 461 00:21:34,638 --> 00:21:36,518 Speaker 4: that are in that lineup a lot, so maybe there's 462 00:21:36,558 --> 00:21:40,798 Speaker 4: a compilation of talking everybody whatever, but there's a different 463 00:21:40,998 --> 00:21:43,518 Speaker 4: mental approach. But more than anything, man, if you want 464 00:21:43,558 --> 00:21:46,318 Speaker 4: to look at somebody that has a tension free swing 465 00:21:46,358 --> 00:21:49,158 Speaker 4: that walks into the box like he owns it, it's him. Yeah. 466 00:21:49,238 --> 00:21:51,478 Speaker 1: I think the work with Kevin Long you mentioned it 467 00:21:51,558 --> 00:21:54,598 Speaker 1: goes back to Washington, and it really started then and 468 00:21:55,158 --> 00:21:57,518 Speaker 1: ever since Kyle and Kevin Long have been together here 469 00:21:57,518 --> 00:22:01,678 Speaker 1: in Philadelphia, they've got a routine going where, for instance, 470 00:22:01,718 --> 00:22:03,838 Speaker 1: when the coach does straight on soft toss, he may 471 00:22:04,078 --> 00:22:05,998 Speaker 1: sure he does it from an angle, from a left 472 00:22:05,998 --> 00:22:06,598 Speaker 1: handed angle. 473 00:22:06,758 --> 00:22:07,438 Speaker 2: Kevin's lefty. 474 00:22:07,478 --> 00:22:10,518 Speaker 1: Anyway, when he sets up the pitching machine, it's always 475 00:22:10,598 --> 00:22:12,358 Speaker 1: at the left handers release point. 476 00:22:12,558 --> 00:22:15,598 Speaker 2: I think that's just a great idea where Kyle Schwarber. 477 00:22:15,158 --> 00:22:17,278 Speaker 1: Because you know, coming up through the system and growing 478 00:22:17,358 --> 00:22:19,758 Speaker 1: up in minor leagues, you're gonna see more right handers 479 00:22:19,758 --> 00:22:21,878 Speaker 1: than left handers. You're gonna see about seventy five percent 480 00:22:21,958 --> 00:22:24,998 Speaker 1: right handers. So what they've done is they've literally trained 481 00:22:24,998 --> 00:22:26,878 Speaker 1: his eyes to see that ball coming from the left 482 00:22:26,878 --> 00:22:29,318 Speaker 1: handed slot over and over and over again. He does 483 00:22:29,398 --> 00:22:33,118 Speaker 1: it every single day, takes it like vitamins. And as 484 00:22:33,158 --> 00:22:36,398 Speaker 1: you know, he's he's a guy who's dedicated to his craft. 485 00:22:36,518 --> 00:22:38,878 Speaker 1: And Kyle Schwarber wants to get better. You know, he 486 00:22:38,958 --> 00:22:41,198 Speaker 1: was embarrassed by his number of strikeouts a couple of 487 00:22:41,238 --> 00:22:43,718 Speaker 1: years ago, striking out more than two hundred times. He 488 00:22:43,798 --> 00:22:46,038 Speaker 1: made that a priority to try to get that down. 489 00:22:46,078 --> 00:22:48,518 Speaker 1: He's still going to strike out, we get that, but 490 00:22:48,558 --> 00:22:50,398 Speaker 1: he cares about that. He's not a guy who just 491 00:22:50,478 --> 00:22:52,158 Speaker 1: chalks it up to well, I'm going to take my 492 00:22:52,198 --> 00:22:54,198 Speaker 1: three hacks and if I strike out, I strike out. 493 00:22:54,678 --> 00:22:56,518 Speaker 2: He wants to be a great player. 494 00:22:56,598 --> 00:22:58,758 Speaker 1: And he's also as you know, Joe, he's a great 495 00:22:58,958 --> 00:23:01,238 Speaker 1: teammate and he's been a bunch of places, right. But 496 00:23:01,558 --> 00:23:03,678 Speaker 1: you talk to anybody who's played with Kyle Schwarber and 497 00:23:03,758 --> 00:23:06,358 Speaker 1: he's on their top five list of top five teammates. 498 00:23:06,718 --> 00:23:09,398 Speaker 4: Yeah, he was not raised by wolves. I mean, this 499 00:23:09,438 --> 00:23:13,118 Speaker 4: guy was raised properly and just is uh. The whole 500 00:23:13,118 --> 00:23:14,518 Speaker 4: time there with the Cobs, there was a lot of 501 00:23:14,518 --> 00:23:17,838 Speaker 4: real professional people around, whether the guys that were playing 502 00:23:17,878 --> 00:23:20,358 Speaker 4: at that time, the coaching staff and also the alumni 503 00:23:20,718 --> 00:23:21,998 Speaker 4: so he was a lot, he was around a lot of. 504 00:23:21,958 --> 00:23:23,758 Speaker 3: Greatness, and he's he's a great observer. 505 00:23:24,638 --> 00:23:27,158 Speaker 4: He's one of those guys he doesn't just shoot off 506 00:23:27,198 --> 00:23:29,718 Speaker 4: his mouth and when he does speak, it's it's the 507 00:23:29,758 --> 00:23:32,518 Speaker 4: words are measured. He's just not saying things. Comes from 508 00:23:32,518 --> 00:23:36,118 Speaker 4: a blue collar situation where he grew up. I've been 509 00:23:36,118 --> 00:23:38,838 Speaker 4: to all of his back in the day, the different 510 00:23:38,878 --> 00:23:41,998 Speaker 4: fundraisers we had throughout Chicago. We all had different foundations, 511 00:23:41,998 --> 00:23:45,438 Speaker 4: and Sharps was about first responders. That's what his family is, 512 00:23:45,878 --> 00:23:48,478 Speaker 4: and I would obviously we'd all attend the event, and 513 00:23:48,558 --> 00:23:52,878 Speaker 4: I was so impressed by the authenticity of this particular. 514 00:23:52,358 --> 00:23:54,798 Speaker 3: Group of people they got together. 515 00:23:55,758 --> 00:23:57,878 Speaker 4: You could see the fact that the influence from the 516 00:23:57,998 --> 00:24:01,718 Speaker 4: from the parents and through his wife and everybody else. 517 00:24:01,758 --> 00:24:04,638 Speaker 4: It was just it was just a real solid foundation 518 00:24:04,718 --> 00:24:06,798 Speaker 4: that he works from. It's just like he does as 519 00:24:06,798 --> 00:24:09,798 Speaker 4: a hitter. So he's not gonna be denied ever. Like 520 00:24:09,878 --> 00:24:13,318 Speaker 4: you said, the strikeout thing, I'm gonna fix it really 521 00:24:13,358 --> 00:24:17,798 Speaker 4: focused and today, actually this is going to be great 522 00:24:18,118 --> 00:24:19,798 Speaker 4: because our quote of the day is going to fit 523 00:24:19,878 --> 00:24:20,198 Speaker 4: into this. 524 00:24:20,278 --> 00:24:22,958 Speaker 3: I just thought of that. But just tell him he 525 00:24:22,958 --> 00:24:25,238 Speaker 3: can't do something, Brother and he'll show you that he can. 526 00:24:25,838 --> 00:24:26,358 Speaker 3: I love that. 527 00:24:26,838 --> 00:24:29,838 Speaker 1: By the way, the last five seasons, the only two 528 00:24:29,918 --> 00:24:33,158 Speaker 1: players who have more home runs than Kyle Schwarber Aaron 529 00:24:33,238 --> 00:24:38,438 Speaker 1: Judge and Shoe Otani. Schwarber is third, and he's coming 530 00:24:38,478 --> 00:24:42,798 Speaker 1: up on career number three hundred, just four away from that, Joe. 531 00:24:42,798 --> 00:24:45,158 Speaker 1: We also have to talk about one of the quiet 532 00:24:45,198 --> 00:24:47,718 Speaker 1: trends in the game. It should be getting more attention, 533 00:24:48,398 --> 00:24:50,638 Speaker 1: but it's the Miami Marlins, so they don't get a 534 00:24:50,638 --> 00:24:53,798 Speaker 1: lot of attention. What they are doing on the mound 535 00:24:54,038 --> 00:24:56,958 Speaker 1: is stunning to me. We talked before about the Boston 536 00:24:56,998 --> 00:25:00,158 Speaker 1: Red Sox and how they ran away from fastballs last season. 537 00:25:00,238 --> 00:25:01,638 Speaker 1: It caught up to him in the second half of 538 00:25:01,638 --> 00:25:05,558 Speaker 1: the season, and they're throwing more fastballs this year. Part 539 00:25:05,598 --> 00:25:08,038 Speaker 1: of that is they do have Garrett Crochet right and 540 00:25:08,078 --> 00:25:12,558 Speaker 1: Walker Buehler, who should be throwing their fastballs. The Marlins 541 00:25:12,598 --> 00:25:15,878 Speaker 1: this year and I'm not using cutters here, just two 542 00:25:15,878 --> 00:25:19,518 Speaker 1: seamers and four seamers. The Marlins are throwing thirty five 543 00:25:19,718 --> 00:25:24,398 Speaker 1: percent fastballs. They're actually spinning the ball more than they 544 00:25:24,438 --> 00:25:29,158 Speaker 1: are throwing fastballs. That's the lowest since Baseball has been 545 00:25:29,198 --> 00:25:30,278 Speaker 1: able to record these things. 546 00:25:30,278 --> 00:25:31,238 Speaker 2: Since twenty fifteen. 547 00:25:32,118 --> 00:25:35,718 Speaker 1: So I'll give you the three lowest fastball percentages, Joe, 548 00:25:36,358 --> 00:25:40,198 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty five Marlins, the twenty twenty four Red 549 00:25:40,238 --> 00:25:43,878 Speaker 1: Sox where just about thirty seven percent, and get this, 550 00:25:43,958 --> 00:25:48,038 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty five Chicago White Sox at forty one percent. 551 00:25:48,798 --> 00:25:51,238 Speaker 1: The Marlins are thirteen to twenty two. The last year 552 00:25:51,278 --> 00:25:53,158 Speaker 1: is Red Sox were eighty one and eighty one, and 553 00:25:53,158 --> 00:25:55,398 Speaker 1: the White Sox this year are ten and twenty six. 554 00:25:55,918 --> 00:25:59,318 Speaker 1: I mean, come on, and where the Marlins ranks in 555 00:25:59,438 --> 00:26:02,398 Speaker 1: terms of pitching staff Their last in the major leagues 556 00:26:02,638 --> 00:26:05,878 Speaker 1: and earn run average last and walks. They throw the 557 00:26:05,918 --> 00:26:08,318 Speaker 1: most pitches when they're behind on the count. And here 558 00:26:08,358 --> 00:26:12,598 Speaker 1: they are throwing thirty five percent fastballs. You look at 559 00:26:12,598 --> 00:26:17,478 Speaker 1: their starting rotation. Everybody other than Edward Cabrera is throwing 560 00:26:17,558 --> 00:26:20,478 Speaker 1: fewer fastballs than they've ever thrown in their life, including 561 00:26:20,518 --> 00:26:23,038 Speaker 1: Sandy al Cantre. I mean, you got a kid like 562 00:26:23,118 --> 00:26:27,158 Speaker 1: Max Meyer, He's thrown thirty five percent fastball. He's a guy, 563 00:26:27,278 --> 00:26:29,318 Speaker 1: the young player with a young arm. He's throwing it 564 00:26:29,478 --> 00:26:30,598 Speaker 1: as his foundation pitch. 565 00:26:30,758 --> 00:26:31,318 Speaker 2: The slider. 566 00:26:31,318 --> 00:26:34,718 Speaker 1: He's throwing that more than any other pitch. You know, 567 00:26:34,798 --> 00:26:37,078 Speaker 1: Connor Gillespie's throwing the change up more than he throws 568 00:26:37,118 --> 00:26:40,678 Speaker 1: any other pitch. It's unusual for me to see Joe. 569 00:26:40,798 --> 00:26:42,638 Speaker 1: One thing if I was starting to see results, but 570 00:26:42,678 --> 00:26:44,918 Speaker 1: I'm not seeing results. I'm seeing a team walking a 571 00:26:44,918 --> 00:26:47,358 Speaker 1: lot of guys and last in the major leagues in era. 572 00:26:49,118 --> 00:26:52,238 Speaker 1: It's just part of extrapolating a trend we're seeing, Joe, 573 00:26:52,318 --> 00:26:56,838 Speaker 1: where everybody's trying to shape pitches and mis bats, and 574 00:26:56,878 --> 00:26:59,398 Speaker 1: what you said earlier stands out to me. Just the 575 00:26:59,438 --> 00:27:02,918 Speaker 1: fastball command isn't there. Does that mean you're gonna have 576 00:27:02,958 --> 00:27:05,718 Speaker 1: command to your breaking It's just fascinating to me to 577 00:27:05,758 --> 00:27:07,758 Speaker 1: see the Marlins go this far in this direction with 578 00:27:07,838 --> 00:27:08,798 Speaker 1: such a young staff. 579 00:27:09,158 --> 00:27:11,438 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm sure on paper it looks really good to 580 00:27:11,518 --> 00:27:13,758 Speaker 4: throw those breaking balls, and I'm sure their their data 581 00:27:13,798 --> 00:27:17,158 Speaker 4: supports that attempt. But at the end of the day, 582 00:27:17,238 --> 00:27:20,718 Speaker 4: this is one of those things man that for me, 583 00:27:20,798 --> 00:27:22,998 Speaker 4: for us as coming up, and I still believe it 584 00:27:23,078 --> 00:27:25,318 Speaker 4: to be true. The number one thing I would want 585 00:27:25,358 --> 00:27:28,198 Speaker 4: all my minor league guys coming into the organization be 586 00:27:28,238 --> 00:27:30,918 Speaker 4: able to do is commander fastball number one, because everything 587 00:27:31,238 --> 00:27:33,278 Speaker 4: still works off of that when you're when you're able 588 00:27:33,318 --> 00:27:36,518 Speaker 4: to dot up a fastball, you know all the different 589 00:27:36,598 --> 00:27:40,878 Speaker 4: quadrants are, or just go to wherever you wherever you 590 00:27:40,998 --> 00:27:44,438 Speaker 4: dotted up the best normally when it comes to a fastball. 591 00:27:44,918 --> 00:27:47,798 Speaker 4: My experience growing up as a catcher, and then even 592 00:27:47,998 --> 00:27:51,118 Speaker 4: with different pictures with the Angel organization, primarily as they 593 00:27:51,158 --> 00:27:53,518 Speaker 4: catch them all the time, a lot of guys have 594 00:27:53,638 --> 00:27:57,798 Speaker 4: one spot they locate their fastball best too, and hopefully 595 00:27:57,918 --> 00:28:00,518 Speaker 4: a lot of times it's down in a way. Sometimes 596 00:28:00,518 --> 00:28:03,678 Speaker 4: it could be in elevated in sometimes it just maybe 597 00:28:03,718 --> 00:28:05,838 Speaker 4: have to top of the strike zone. We're like becoming 598 00:28:05,838 --> 00:28:08,438 Speaker 4: more of a trend, but you normally find a spot 599 00:28:08,478 --> 00:28:11,878 Speaker 4: that you really can and back again. You would have 600 00:28:12,238 --> 00:28:14,638 Speaker 4: bullpen sessions where you didn't move on to your next 601 00:28:14,638 --> 00:28:17,118 Speaker 4: pitch until you really found that slot where you could 602 00:28:17,118 --> 00:28:19,398 Speaker 4: command a fastball to that spot that you wanted to 603 00:28:19,878 --> 00:28:22,318 Speaker 4: and then everything works off of that. I don't understand 604 00:28:22,318 --> 00:28:25,318 Speaker 4: why you would think that everything works off a slider 605 00:28:25,478 --> 00:28:28,038 Speaker 4: or an off speed pitch and then the fastball is 606 00:28:28,038 --> 00:28:30,518 Speaker 4: held in your back pocket. Part of that also, and 607 00:28:30,678 --> 00:28:32,678 Speaker 4: you kind of alluded to it, is that's part of 608 00:28:32,678 --> 00:28:34,678 Speaker 4: why guys can't get into the third time to the 609 00:28:34,718 --> 00:28:37,838 Speaker 4: banding order or pitch sixth inning or beyond, because you're 610 00:28:37,878 --> 00:28:42,198 Speaker 4: showing all your stuff from Jump Street and you're not 611 00:28:42,238 --> 00:28:44,078 Speaker 4: taking the advantage of the ability. You're working on the 612 00:28:44,078 --> 00:28:47,158 Speaker 4: ability to get quick outs, quickouts in an any quickouts 613 00:28:47,198 --> 00:28:49,438 Speaker 4: early in the game. That then permits you to pitch 614 00:28:49,478 --> 00:28:52,318 Speaker 4: more deeply into the game and feel strong and be 615 00:28:52,358 --> 00:28:54,798 Speaker 4: able to do things in the latter part. I like, 616 00:28:55,238 --> 00:28:58,638 Speaker 4: for me, if I'm running it, I like fastball fastball command. 617 00:28:58,678 --> 00:28:59,038 Speaker 3: First. 618 00:28:59,518 --> 00:29:01,758 Speaker 4: Off of that, I like straight change up or change 619 00:29:01,798 --> 00:29:05,038 Speaker 4: up second. Those are the two foundation pitches I believe. 620 00:29:05,038 --> 00:29:07,798 Speaker 4: And then off of that, how does this sky's arm 621 00:29:07,958 --> 00:29:10,878 Speaker 4: work best? Some guys can't throw a natural curve. I 622 00:29:11,038 --> 00:29:13,918 Speaker 4: like the natural curveball. Third, and then after that, if 623 00:29:13,918 --> 00:29:16,838 Speaker 4: you can't really do that, then I do like slider 624 00:29:16,838 --> 00:29:18,318 Speaker 4: and the last pitch I would want to teach as 625 00:29:18,318 --> 00:29:21,278 Speaker 4: a cutter. And to me, that's like a poor man's 626 00:29:21,358 --> 00:29:23,958 Speaker 4: version of a breaking ball. If your hand, wrist, arms 627 00:29:23,998 --> 00:29:26,638 Speaker 4: just don't work well enough to throw those other pitches, 628 00:29:26,678 --> 00:29:28,118 Speaker 4: then we could go to the cutter and just try 629 00:29:28,158 --> 00:29:29,718 Speaker 4: to get the ball move a little bit at the end. 630 00:29:30,518 --> 00:29:33,038 Speaker 4: So that would be my order of preference in building 631 00:29:33,118 --> 00:29:33,838 Speaker 4: a young pitcher. 632 00:29:34,238 --> 00:29:36,718 Speaker 3: Coming to my organization. I would want him. 633 00:29:36,918 --> 00:29:38,678 Speaker 4: First of all, let's see where that fastball is going. 634 00:29:38,718 --> 00:29:41,358 Speaker 4: And I would give you throw a change up. Throw Mikey, 635 00:29:41,358 --> 00:29:42,158 Speaker 4: do you throw a change up? 636 00:29:42,198 --> 00:29:44,438 Speaker 3: No? But here let's work on different grips. 637 00:29:44,638 --> 00:29:46,878 Speaker 4: And I want to give you a change up number two, 638 00:29:46,918 --> 00:29:49,558 Speaker 4: and then if you could spin a curve ball. Spinning 639 00:29:49,558 --> 00:29:52,318 Speaker 4: a curveball to me like probably the most effective pitch 640 00:29:52,318 --> 00:29:54,838 Speaker 4: of the opposite side hitter along with the change up. 641 00:29:54,838 --> 00:29:56,118 Speaker 3: And what happens a lot of times. 642 00:29:56,558 --> 00:29:59,198 Speaker 4: The demise of a lot of young pictures is the 643 00:29:59,198 --> 00:30:01,118 Speaker 4: fact that they can't get out the opposite side hitter. 644 00:30:01,518 --> 00:30:03,398 Speaker 3: And to me, the change up and the curveball are 645 00:30:03,398 --> 00:30:04,438 Speaker 3: the two best way up. And there. 646 00:30:04,638 --> 00:30:06,278 Speaker 4: I could go on and on about this, but I 647 00:30:06,358 --> 00:30:10,118 Speaker 4: believe in that I don't understand other than data that 648 00:30:10,238 --> 00:30:11,998 Speaker 4: looks pretty on a piece of paper, it's been not 649 00:30:12,038 --> 00:30:13,118 Speaker 4: supported in real life. 650 00:30:13,238 --> 00:30:15,678 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think you're onto something there, Joe, because we're 651 00:30:15,798 --> 00:30:19,478 Speaker 1: going through another iteration of how pitching is changing and evolving. 652 00:30:19,638 --> 00:30:21,478 Speaker 1: Because for a while there, as we know, when the 653 00:30:21,558 --> 00:30:24,638 Speaker 1: launch angle era hit for hitters, that high four steing 654 00:30:24,718 --> 00:30:27,238 Speaker 1: fastball really played right, getting a lot of swings and 655 00:30:27,238 --> 00:30:29,838 Speaker 1: misses and pop ups, top of the zone, velocity began 656 00:30:29,878 --> 00:30:32,678 Speaker 1: to increase and pitchers could live up there. Now what 657 00:30:32,718 --> 00:30:35,918 Speaker 1: I'm seeing is everybody wants to move the ball in 658 00:30:36,038 --> 00:30:40,118 Speaker 1: different directions. If you watch now, especially for starters, they 659 00:30:40,158 --> 00:30:43,878 Speaker 1: have separate menus of pitches for right handers and left handers. 660 00:30:44,038 --> 00:30:46,638 Speaker 2: And everybody now wants to move the ball. Everybody has. 661 00:30:46,678 --> 00:30:49,438 Speaker 1: Alex Cord told me he has three fastballs. Now, you know, 662 00:30:49,598 --> 00:30:52,318 Speaker 1: the for seamer, the sinker, and the cutter. Everybody's got 663 00:30:52,358 --> 00:30:54,878 Speaker 1: three breaking balls. Everybody throws a breaking ball to a 664 00:30:54,958 --> 00:30:58,478 Speaker 1: right handed hitter or a left handed hitter. And I think, 665 00:30:58,718 --> 00:31:02,078 Speaker 1: just there's this approach now that let's move keep moving 666 00:31:02,078 --> 00:31:06,518 Speaker 1: the ball and shaping pitches on analytics and data and 667 00:31:06,558 --> 00:31:08,758 Speaker 1: spin rates and all these things. Not everybody can do 668 00:31:08,838 --> 00:31:11,798 Speaker 1: it that well, but people want to go into pitch 669 00:31:11,878 --> 00:31:15,078 Speaker 1: shaping I think more than commanding the baseball. 670 00:31:15,558 --> 00:31:18,278 Speaker 2: And that's what I'm saying, Joe is really good. 671 00:31:18,358 --> 00:31:21,518 Speaker 1: Pitchers now are throwing just a whole suite of pitches 672 00:31:21,518 --> 00:31:23,798 Speaker 1: now that they would not have thrown before. 673 00:31:24,278 --> 00:31:25,158 Speaker 3: Even like Skeins. 674 00:31:25,518 --> 00:31:27,518 Speaker 4: We talked about that Skins wanting to add a pitch 675 00:31:27,558 --> 00:31:29,918 Speaker 4: this year. See here's what I always wanted to do 676 00:31:29,998 --> 00:31:33,118 Speaker 4: too with But all my guys, you have all these 677 00:31:33,158 --> 00:31:36,278 Speaker 4: different pitches, right breaking balls. Let's says breaking ball specifically, 678 00:31:36,718 --> 00:31:39,678 Speaker 4: which works better against if your right hand? Which works 679 00:31:39,718 --> 00:31:42,478 Speaker 4: better against the lefty? Which works better against the righty? Fat? 680 00:31:42,478 --> 00:31:45,638 Speaker 4: I guess I would say that your slider works better 681 00:31:45,638 --> 00:31:48,758 Speaker 4: against the righty, and your curveball should work better against 682 00:31:48,798 --> 00:31:51,398 Speaker 4: the lefty. Like I said, change up, I like when 683 00:31:51,398 --> 00:31:56,518 Speaker 4: it works against both sides. James Shields outstanding, Kyle Hendricks outstanding, 684 00:31:56,718 --> 00:32:00,318 Speaker 4: Alex Cobb outstanding. To get underneath the right handed hitter. 685 00:32:01,278 --> 00:32:05,558 Speaker 4: Proliferation of elevated fastballs being thrown, which really causes I say, 686 00:32:05,638 --> 00:32:07,878 Speaker 4: right on right, you're trying to really get over top 687 00:32:07,918 --> 00:32:09,358 Speaker 4: of that ball. A lot of times that leaves a 688 00:32:09,398 --> 00:32:11,918 Speaker 4: hole underneath. You find where the hole is, and if 689 00:32:11,958 --> 00:32:14,438 Speaker 4: the holes underneath the right handed hitter, a right handed 690 00:32:14,518 --> 00:32:17,398 Speaker 4: changeup is devastating to that particular hitter if you if 691 00:32:17,438 --> 00:32:20,718 Speaker 4: you could move it down and down and in. Alex Cobb, 692 00:32:21,718 --> 00:32:25,398 Speaker 4: Kyle Hendrix, James Shills were really good at this particular pitch. 693 00:32:25,838 --> 00:32:28,958 Speaker 3: So identify, just don't throw a bunch of pitches. 694 00:32:29,398 --> 00:32:32,438 Speaker 4: What do I do well against the writing, and what 695 00:32:32,478 --> 00:32:34,678 Speaker 4: do I do well against the lefty. The cutter to me, 696 00:32:35,078 --> 00:32:36,838 Speaker 4: to me is more more, should be more of an 697 00:32:36,838 --> 00:32:39,438 Speaker 4: opposite side pitch, and I like it When it's elevated. 698 00:32:39,478 --> 00:32:42,558 Speaker 4: In Mariano Rivera, it was like a buzz stop. Left 699 00:32:42,558 --> 00:32:44,718 Speaker 4: handers couldn't get to it because it would just cut in. 700 00:32:45,078 --> 00:32:46,918 Speaker 4: It would be about bell time, maybe a little bit. 701 00:32:46,798 --> 00:32:47,238 Speaker 3: Better than that. 702 00:32:47,358 --> 00:32:49,038 Speaker 4: Nothing you can do with it, not a thing you 703 00:32:49,038 --> 00:32:52,438 Speaker 4: can do with it. So the figure that out first, 704 00:32:52,478 --> 00:32:54,598 Speaker 4: and I have to believe people are smart enough to 705 00:32:54,678 --> 00:32:56,878 Speaker 4: understand that. But that would be where I would begin 706 00:32:56,998 --> 00:32:59,678 Speaker 4: with all my pitches too, left you hit left, your 707 00:32:59,758 --> 00:33:03,078 Speaker 4: right handed pitcher versus the lefty versus writing, Where does 708 00:33:03,438 --> 00:33:05,758 Speaker 4: the shape of my break and ball work best against 709 00:33:05,798 --> 00:33:09,638 Speaker 4: these guys? And not try to force the round peg 710 00:33:09,718 --> 00:33:13,198 Speaker 4: into the square hole? Whatever? What works best? Based on this? 711 00:33:13,278 --> 00:33:15,238 Speaker 4: And how do I see the plate? How do I 712 00:33:15,318 --> 00:33:17,998 Speaker 4: see hitters? And then also just let's start getting deeper 713 00:33:17,998 --> 00:33:20,678 Speaker 4: into ballgames whatever? How do we get deeper into a 714 00:33:20,718 --> 00:33:23,518 Speaker 4: ball games? Is it even discussed? I could go on on, man, 715 00:33:23,838 --> 00:33:26,198 Speaker 4: these are the things that I'd like. I'm not around 716 00:33:26,318 --> 00:33:28,598 Speaker 4: enough to see it firsthand, which I really wish I was. 717 00:33:29,078 --> 00:33:31,038 Speaker 4: This is stuff that I see on occasion when I'm 718 00:33:31,038 --> 00:33:33,438 Speaker 4: watching a game, I like to be on the field. 719 00:33:33,638 --> 00:33:35,638 Speaker 3: I like to. 720 00:33:34,878 --> 00:33:37,238 Speaker 4: Scout, like use my scouting ie to really tell you 721 00:33:37,318 --> 00:33:40,038 Speaker 4: exactly how I feel. But this is what I believe 722 00:33:40,038 --> 00:33:42,758 Speaker 4: in right here. I would start from these premise and 723 00:33:42,798 --> 00:33:43,758 Speaker 4: then it would work from there. 724 00:33:44,238 --> 00:33:44,518 Speaker 2: Yeah. 725 00:33:44,878 --> 00:33:48,758 Speaker 1: I almost think of it as designer pitching, right you know. Yeah, 726 00:33:48,878 --> 00:33:51,558 Speaker 1: people just want to design pitches, and as I said, 727 00:33:51,598 --> 00:33:54,558 Speaker 1: it's hard to do to execute it as good as 728 00:33:54,558 --> 00:33:57,398 Speaker 1: it looks on paper. But I think given the technology 729 00:33:57,398 --> 00:34:00,398 Speaker 1: and the tools, people are really into that now and 730 00:34:00,478 --> 00:34:03,318 Speaker 1: real quickly. Joe in twenty fifteen, so ten years ago, 731 00:34:04,318 --> 00:34:08,638 Speaker 1: hitters would see fifty seven percent fastballs. That number this year, 732 00:34:08,678 --> 00:34:11,478 Speaker 1: ten years later is down to forty seven percent. It's 733 00:34:11,518 --> 00:34:13,998 Speaker 1: the lowest percentage ever. So we'll keep an eye on 734 00:34:14,038 --> 00:34:16,838 Speaker 1: the Marlins. As I mentioned, the Red Sox did this 735 00:34:16,958 --> 00:34:19,558 Speaker 1: last year and their ERA went up a full run 736 00:34:19,598 --> 00:34:21,478 Speaker 1: in the second half of the season. The Marlins are 737 00:34:21,518 --> 00:34:24,758 Speaker 1: already starting from the worst ERA in the league. 738 00:34:24,518 --> 00:34:27,398 Speaker 2: So we'll see how that develops when we come back. 739 00:34:27,878 --> 00:34:32,198 Speaker 1: I am just about ready to write off the Baltimore Orioles. 740 00:34:32,318 --> 00:34:34,238 Speaker 2: I want to see if Joe Madden agrees with me 741 00:34:34,318 --> 00:34:36,918 Speaker 2: on this. We'll do that right after this at. 742 00:34:36,838 --> 00:34:51,638 Speaker 5: The Book of Joe Joe. 743 00:34:51,638 --> 00:34:53,918 Speaker 1: I know you like the Baltimore Orioles, so do I, 744 00:34:53,958 --> 00:34:56,038 Speaker 1: but I can't. I got to tell you that they're 745 00:34:56,078 --> 00:34:58,358 Speaker 1: the most disappointing team in baseball for me this year. 746 00:34:58,518 --> 00:35:01,158 Speaker 1: There's no question about it. You look at their staff 747 00:35:01,198 --> 00:35:03,918 Speaker 1: era twenty ninth. In era they've allowed the most home 748 00:35:04,038 --> 00:35:06,598 Speaker 1: runs they're twenty eighth, and strikeouts their twenty eighth and 749 00:35:06,638 --> 00:35:08,838 Speaker 1: whip their twenty sixth, then strikeout to walk. 750 00:35:08,918 --> 00:35:10,998 Speaker 2: Right, They're just not getting it done on the mound. 751 00:35:11,518 --> 00:35:12,038 Speaker 2: We know that. 752 00:35:12,198 --> 00:35:14,398 Speaker 1: And even offensively, this should be a much better team 753 00:35:14,678 --> 00:35:17,038 Speaker 1: their twenty sixth and batting average twenty sixth. Then on 754 00:35:17,158 --> 00:35:20,078 Speaker 1: base percentage you look at their record, they're thirteen to 755 00:35:20,118 --> 00:35:23,318 Speaker 1: twenty one, and you can say, well, it's early, right, 756 00:35:23,398 --> 00:35:25,678 Speaker 1: we talked about this at the start of this episode. 757 00:35:25,998 --> 00:35:26,518 Speaker 2: It's early. 758 00:35:26,638 --> 00:35:29,438 Speaker 1: Well, there's only been eight teams in the history of 759 00:35:29,478 --> 00:35:33,078 Speaker 1: baseball that started thirteen and twenty one or worse and 760 00:35:33,198 --> 00:35:36,958 Speaker 1: made the postseason. And there's only been one who have 761 00:35:37,038 --> 00:35:39,558 Speaker 1: done that out of the very difficult American League East. 762 00:35:39,558 --> 00:35:43,478 Speaker 1: That was in nineteen eighty nine, Toronto Blue Jays. It's 763 00:35:43,478 --> 00:35:46,198 Speaker 1: happened once in the past twelve years. That's the twenty 764 00:35:46,238 --> 00:35:49,438 Speaker 1: four Astros. I think they're just about out of it, Joe, 765 00:35:49,518 --> 00:35:52,118 Speaker 1: I really do. I just don't see where this team 766 00:35:52,198 --> 00:35:55,198 Speaker 1: is going to get better, especially on the mound and 767 00:35:55,278 --> 00:35:58,918 Speaker 1: playing uphill in the American League East. I know you've 768 00:35:58,918 --> 00:36:02,238 Speaker 1: done it. It's a difficult road to go. Tell me 769 00:36:02,278 --> 00:36:04,118 Speaker 1: what you see. The Orioles and with their chance, are 770 00:36:04,278 --> 00:36:05,518 Speaker 1: getting back into this thing. 771 00:36:05,958 --> 00:36:09,198 Speaker 4: In spite of their offensive deficiencies. That's one thing that's 772 00:36:09,198 --> 00:36:11,878 Speaker 4: something I think they can overcome. But the pitching deficiencies 773 00:36:11,878 --> 00:36:15,598 Speaker 4: are almost impossible. All the different injuries they've had, the 774 00:36:15,598 --> 00:36:18,078 Speaker 4: different guys they brought in that really have not performed, 775 00:36:18,598 --> 00:36:19,118 Speaker 4: that's the. 776 00:36:19,078 --> 00:36:19,958 Speaker 3: Tough one right there. 777 00:36:19,998 --> 00:36:21,998 Speaker 4: To really flip a switch on that, it's going to 778 00:36:21,998 --> 00:36:24,398 Speaker 4: be very difficult, and that's to me, that's where good. 779 00:36:24,478 --> 00:36:26,998 Speaker 4: That's going to be the difference maker regarding whether they're 780 00:36:26,998 --> 00:36:29,238 Speaker 4: going to be able to get back into it or not. 781 00:36:29,518 --> 00:36:32,278 Speaker 4: The players on the field, these are young guys, you 782 00:36:32,278 --> 00:36:35,158 Speaker 4: know right now, they're probably we talked about confidence a 783 00:36:35,238 --> 00:36:38,398 Speaker 4: moment ago. It's definitely at a low point when you 784 00:36:38,478 --> 00:36:40,758 Speaker 4: have to score that many runs on a nightly basis, 785 00:36:40,838 --> 00:36:43,518 Speaker 4: or I haven't followed it closely enough, but to be 786 00:36:43,558 --> 00:36:46,438 Speaker 4: giving up leads, giving up leads late, we score some points, 787 00:36:46,478 --> 00:36:47,798 Speaker 4: and all of a sudden, here comes the other team 788 00:36:47,838 --> 00:36:50,958 Speaker 4: roaring back. Devastating I managed, you know, when you manage 789 00:36:50,958 --> 00:36:54,238 Speaker 4: in Midland, Texas, it's tough. When you score points and 790 00:36:54,278 --> 00:36:57,798 Speaker 4: the other team just keeps coming back. It really wears 791 00:36:57,838 --> 00:37:00,678 Speaker 4: down the offensive side. And I'm not pointing fingers. I'm 792 00:37:00,678 --> 00:37:03,678 Speaker 4: just pointing out that it seems to be what's going 793 00:37:03,718 --> 00:37:05,918 Speaker 4: on right here. So I don't know how they fix 794 00:37:05,998 --> 00:37:08,598 Speaker 4: their pitching. That would be the number one thing. Unless 795 00:37:08,638 --> 00:37:11,638 Speaker 4: they get some kind of consistency on the mound. To 796 00:37:11,638 --> 00:37:14,038 Speaker 4: think that they're going to be able to generate enough 797 00:37:14,118 --> 00:37:17,838 Speaker 4: offense to overcome any kind of pitching deficiencies right now, 798 00:37:18,558 --> 00:37:22,198 Speaker 4: nearly impossible if they can tried and true, I mean, 799 00:37:22,238 --> 00:37:24,078 Speaker 4: I don't even know. You probably know better that you 800 00:37:24,078 --> 00:37:26,438 Speaker 4: do know better than I. Defensively, if they're playing up 801 00:37:26,438 --> 00:37:29,398 Speaker 4: to their standards defensively or not. But those are the 802 00:37:29,438 --> 00:37:31,838 Speaker 4: two things that they got to start winning three to two, 803 00:37:31,958 --> 00:37:34,438 Speaker 4: two to one, four to three kind of games again. 804 00:37:35,158 --> 00:37:37,438 Speaker 4: They got to start winning those holding onto leads late 805 00:37:37,998 --> 00:37:41,878 Speaker 4: and all this stuff really speaks to pitching and defense. 806 00:37:42,278 --> 00:37:45,918 Speaker 4: So without having seen them often enough, I'm not disagreeing 807 00:37:45,918 --> 00:37:47,758 Speaker 4: with you. I think that they are in kind of 808 00:37:47,838 --> 00:37:51,238 Speaker 4: a deep situation. Trouble wise, it's hard to come back. See, 809 00:37:51,238 --> 00:37:53,238 Speaker 4: it's one thing to come if you're like if you're 810 00:37:53,878 --> 00:37:56,878 Speaker 4: behind in the division by five, six, seven, eight games, 811 00:37:56,878 --> 00:37:59,238 Speaker 4: like we were, but you're you're playing well, if you 812 00:37:59,278 --> 00:38:01,958 Speaker 4: have a nice record, if had a nice season, good 813 00:38:01,958 --> 00:38:05,078 Speaker 4: things have occurred. It's okay to you could understand why 814 00:38:05,118 --> 00:38:07,358 Speaker 4: team can fight back. But when a team is just 815 00:38:07,398 --> 00:38:10,118 Speaker 4: like underwater so badly to think that they're just going 816 00:38:10,158 --> 00:38:12,718 Speaker 4: to flip a switch and start playing good baseball, that's 817 00:38:12,758 --> 00:38:14,878 Speaker 4: a difficult part to wrap. 818 00:38:14,678 --> 00:38:15,318 Speaker 3: Your mind around. 819 00:38:15,678 --> 00:38:17,918 Speaker 1: Yeah, and I wonder Joe about the mindset, and you 820 00:38:17,998 --> 00:38:21,078 Speaker 1: kind of alluded to this. When you're not getting consistently 821 00:38:21,358 --> 00:38:23,518 Speaker 1: really good pitching and you feel like you have to 822 00:38:23,558 --> 00:38:26,078 Speaker 1: score a lot of runs, it's there's would seem to 823 00:38:26,078 --> 00:38:27,838 Speaker 1: me a lot of pressure, Like you go into a 824 00:38:27,918 --> 00:38:30,118 Speaker 1: series thinking we've got to outslug the other team. 825 00:38:30,158 --> 00:38:31,038 Speaker 2: That's a hard way. 826 00:38:31,638 --> 00:38:33,598 Speaker 1: I mean that all happened once in a while, but 827 00:38:33,718 --> 00:38:36,118 Speaker 1: to play five months of baseball like that, that's why 828 00:38:36,198 --> 00:38:38,398 Speaker 1: you know, I looked at the Atlanta Braves early. They 829 00:38:38,398 --> 00:38:40,518 Speaker 1: started zero and seven, and you know, a lot of 830 00:38:40,558 --> 00:38:42,398 Speaker 1: things were not going right for the Braves. But you 831 00:38:42,438 --> 00:38:45,638 Speaker 1: saw their pitching staff. You know, some guys that they 832 00:38:45,638 --> 00:38:47,798 Speaker 1: spin the ball as well as anybody. They've got really 833 00:38:47,838 --> 00:38:51,038 Speaker 1: good arms. You saw the potential there that they could have, 834 00:38:51,158 --> 00:38:53,478 Speaker 1: say a month like twenty and ten, which you need 835 00:38:53,518 --> 00:38:56,678 Speaker 1: to do when you start out so poorly. I don't 836 00:38:56,798 --> 00:38:59,398 Speaker 1: see the Orioles having a twenty and ten month because 837 00:38:59,438 --> 00:39:02,238 Speaker 1: I don't see their pitching being that being good enough, 838 00:39:02,278 --> 00:39:05,558 Speaker 1: that consistent enough. You know, well a series here and there, sure, 839 00:39:05,718 --> 00:39:07,838 Speaker 1: but they need to make up ground with some of 840 00:39:07,878 --> 00:39:10,798 Speaker 1: these months where they do play six hundred, seven hundred baseball. 841 00:39:11,158 --> 00:39:13,518 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's hard to out slug your mistakes, it really is. 842 00:39:14,518 --> 00:39:16,438 Speaker 4: The other teams got, you know, pitching their flakers that 843 00:39:16,478 --> 00:39:17,078 Speaker 4: are playing. 844 00:39:16,838 --> 00:39:17,478 Speaker 3: In the East. 845 00:39:18,038 --> 00:39:19,878 Speaker 4: But although the Central is no walk right now, there's 846 00:39:19,918 --> 00:39:23,878 Speaker 4: some really good baseball going on there. There's nowhere to 847 00:39:23,918 --> 00:39:25,878 Speaker 4: hide when you get underwater like that. 848 00:39:26,438 --> 00:39:26,678 Speaker 3: Wow. 849 00:39:27,398 --> 00:39:29,318 Speaker 4: We've talked about this in the past with the Rays, 850 00:39:29,358 --> 00:39:32,678 Speaker 4: we were eighteen under one time, it was twenty three 851 00:39:32,718 --> 00:39:34,758 Speaker 4: and forty one. I think our record was believe that 852 00:39:34,838 --> 00:39:37,518 Speaker 4: or not, and I vowed we're going to get back to. 853 00:39:37,518 --> 00:39:39,318 Speaker 3: Five hundred, and we did. 854 00:39:39,398 --> 00:39:41,798 Speaker 4: We were like sixty four and sixty five and five 855 00:39:41,878 --> 00:39:43,798 Speaker 4: or something like that. Fought so hard to get back 856 00:39:43,838 --> 00:39:45,798 Speaker 4: to that point. But just like we talked about earlier, 857 00:39:46,318 --> 00:39:48,718 Speaker 4: when you fight that hard to get back, I remember 858 00:39:48,718 --> 00:39:51,078 Speaker 4: talking Alex Cob in front of his locker. We were 859 00:39:51,118 --> 00:39:53,598 Speaker 4: so jacked that we finally got back to five hundred 860 00:39:53,758 --> 00:39:57,638 Speaker 4: from eighteen under think about it, eighteen under five hundred. 861 00:39:57,918 --> 00:40:00,318 Speaker 4: He got back to five hundred within the same year. 862 00:40:00,878 --> 00:40:02,478 Speaker 4: But wow, does it take a lot out of it. 863 00:40:02,918 --> 00:40:06,918 Speaker 4: So yes, if they could somehow get that pitching staff 864 00:40:07,078 --> 00:40:10,678 Speaker 4: right it, if they could catch the ball consistently every night, 865 00:40:11,318 --> 00:40:13,758 Speaker 4: I believe that offense will pick it up enough to. 866 00:40:13,718 --> 00:40:14,398 Speaker 3: Make some noise. 867 00:40:14,718 --> 00:40:17,118 Speaker 1: Well, Joe, I've been waiting to get to your final 868 00:40:17,198 --> 00:40:20,278 Speaker 1: thought here because you teased it. That was a great tease, 869 00:40:20,358 --> 00:40:21,958 Speaker 1: by the way, You've had me on the edge of 870 00:40:21,958 --> 00:40:24,438 Speaker 1: my seat here, So I want to know where you're 871 00:40:24,478 --> 00:40:24,998 Speaker 1: going here. 872 00:40:25,118 --> 00:40:28,878 Speaker 4: Well, you know you're talking about Schwerbert, right, Yeah, And 873 00:40:28,918 --> 00:40:32,278 Speaker 4: the fact that when he came up, a lot of 874 00:40:32,358 --> 00:40:34,998 Speaker 4: asayers about him hitting left on left and he wanted 875 00:40:35,038 --> 00:40:38,478 Speaker 4: to sew badly. I can hit lefties. Just give me 876 00:40:38,478 --> 00:40:40,078 Speaker 4: a chance. I can hit lefties. I'm telling you I 877 00:40:40,078 --> 00:40:41,998 Speaker 4: could hit left these but I'd never doubted it. But 878 00:40:42,038 --> 00:40:44,758 Speaker 4: like I said, if you had alternatives, more had to 879 00:40:44,798 --> 00:40:47,878 Speaker 4: play as an example. So we're doing at different things 880 00:40:48,398 --> 00:40:53,158 Speaker 4: platoon wise. Okay, so this is from Albert Einstein. I'm 881 00:40:53,158 --> 00:40:55,998 Speaker 4: grateful to all those people who said no. It is 882 00:40:56,038 --> 00:40:59,798 Speaker 4: because of them. I did it myself. Kyle Swerbert in 883 00:40:59,918 --> 00:41:01,318 Speaker 4: the story Mike Trump. 884 00:41:01,718 --> 00:41:08,478 Speaker 1: That is so good at Einstein, Kyle Schwerber, I always 885 00:41:08,478 --> 00:41:09,358 Speaker 1: had them peg. 886 00:41:09,278 --> 00:41:10,078 Speaker 3: The same breath. 887 00:41:10,118 --> 00:41:12,758 Speaker 2: Yeah, great stuff. 888 00:41:12,838 --> 00:41:13,118 Speaker 3: Joe. 889 00:41:13,198 --> 00:41:16,398 Speaker 1: Hey, We'll see you next week, next time on the 890 00:41:16,398 --> 00:41:17,558 Speaker 1: Book of Joe Podcasts. 891 00:41:18,158 --> 00:41:20,358 Speaker 3: Thanks Tom, We have a great day. 892 00:41:26,798 --> 00:41:29,998 Speaker 1: The Book of Joe podcast is a production of iHeartRadio. 893 00:41:30,238 --> 00:41:35,118 Speaker 1: For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 894 00:41:35,358 --> 00:41:37,118 Speaker 1: or wherever you get your podcasts.