1 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:33,480 Speaker 1: Well, here we are with another edition of earning their Stripes. 2 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: My name is Ian Smith, and as we sit here 3 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,159 Speaker 1: today in the dog days of the offseason, we are 4 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:40,400 Speaker 1: lucky enough to have a special guest on the show 5 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,920 Speaker 1: today who is coming off just a dominating twenty nineteen season, 6 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 1: and that's Marlin's pitching prospect Alex Bessia, a seventeenth round 7 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:51,600 Speaker 1: pick in the twenty eighteen MLB draft. Alex is coming 8 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:53,800 Speaker 1: off a season where he struck out one hundred batters 9 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:57,040 Speaker 1: in just sixty six innings across three levels of the minors, 10 00:00:57,080 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: and then finished his season looking untouchable in Arizona Fall League. 11 00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: Thanks for taking the time today, Alex, and how you doing. 12 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 2: Very good, very good. Thank you for having. 13 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: Me absolutely man. Well, how's your off season going so far? 14 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:12,960 Speaker 2: It's been good. It's been good. I'm joining my off 15 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 2: season here in San Diego. It's been it's been kind 16 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 2: of a it feels like it's been a short off season, 17 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 2: but I've been joying it. Been able to spend some 18 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 2: quality time with my family and stuff, So that's been good. 19 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: Well, talking about last season, you started the year in 20 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 1: Clinton where you put up some pretty good numbers, but 21 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: Once you were promoted to Jupiter, you took it to 22 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:33,960 Speaker 1: a whole other level. Did pitching in the cold weather 23 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:36,040 Speaker 1: for the first time of your career have any effect 24 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 1: on your game in your mind? 25 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 2: I mean, pitching in the cold was definitely some adversity 26 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 2: that I've never really pitched in the cold, but I 27 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 2: didn't I didn't think that hindered anything. I felt like 28 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 2: my off season going into the twenty nineteen season was 29 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 2: pretty good, and then I got into spring training and 30 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: we were tweaking some mechanical stuff and that kind of 31 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 2: transferred into Clinton and I was on the verge of 32 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 2: figuring things out with Clinton, and that's when I got 33 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 2: moved up to High. So once I got into High, 34 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:16,120 Speaker 2: that's where everything was feeling really good. And I think 35 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 2: obviously the numbers kind of showed it, but I just 36 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,960 Speaker 2: felt more and more confident once I got on the 37 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 2: mound each time, you know, I felt like my preparation 38 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 2: and routine and stuff was just really locked in. Once 39 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:31,799 Speaker 2: I got into HIA. 40 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:35,680 Speaker 1: Well absolutely, man, we'll talking about Hi. I mean, July 41 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 1: seventeenth on through the Arizona Fall League, you were just ridiculous. 42 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:44,079 Speaker 1: Thirty three and a third endings ZR runs forty nine 43 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 1: strikeouts to four walks. Did you really realize how dominant 44 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:48,640 Speaker 1: you were during that time? 45 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 2: No, No, not really. I I've kind of got this 46 00:02:53,840 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 2: thing where I don't look at my stats. It's not 47 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 2: like a big thing of mine. And that of started 48 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 2: back in my freshman year of college that there was 49 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 2: a time where my mom and dad they would always 50 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 2: text me and stuff about like different strikeouts or e 51 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 2: r A and stuff. When I told them, I was like, 52 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 2: I don't want you guys to ta like text me 53 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 2: or talk to me about my stats. Just as long 54 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,280 Speaker 2: as I'm you know, I'm pitching good and stuff, that's 55 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 2: all I really care about because I know I'm giving 56 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 2: my team the best opportunity, you know, to win. And 57 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 2: that's like this year. The first time I had seen 58 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 2: my stats is when I had the Marlins had posted 59 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 2: a picture on their Instagram page. I was scrolling through 60 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 2: and it has the little like stat line at the bottom, 61 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 2: and I scrolled over to my name and it had 62 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:50,960 Speaker 2: the sixty six innings and a hundred strikeouts. And I 63 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 2: literally called my mom and I was like, is that legit? 64 00:03:55,680 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 2: She was all, yeah, that's that's legit. I was like, wow, 65 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:02,280 Speaker 2: all right, pretty cool. So that yeah, so that's like 66 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,360 Speaker 2: something that I like to do. It keeps it simple 67 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 2: for me. You know. My my only goal is to 68 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 2: go out there and put up a zero for that inning, 69 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 2: since you know, coming out of the pen. That's like 70 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 2: the biggest thing is to kind of pass that torch 71 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 2: to the next guy. As long as I put up 72 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,480 Speaker 2: a zero, you know, and keep my team in it. 73 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 2: You know, that's all I really care about. All the 74 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 2: other stuff it isn't super important to me. So yeah, yeah. 75 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 3: You're putting on zeros every night. So I never had. 76 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:38,440 Speaker 1: But well, I have to ask about the Mississippi game 77 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: next your innings. It's probably had everything you can ask 78 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 1: for in a game. You picked off a runner at second, 79 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:47,040 Speaker 1: you had your only allowed walk in double A that night, 80 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 1: you worked out of danger and you had to, and 81 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 1: you had a plate appearance that resulted in a walk 82 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: off walk. 83 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 4: Too too swing and a foul into the middle of 84 00:04:56,160 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 4: the catcher, and the yetto strike three sign retired pass 85 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 4: a scoreless tenth and eleventh innings. Here in the bottom 86 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:08,160 Speaker 4: of the eleventh the three to zero basketball. 87 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 5: Low ball four. 88 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 4: It's a walk golf walk for Alex Passia and his 89 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 4: first ever played appearance. 90 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 3: Uh, just tell me a little bit about that night. 91 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:24,799 Speaker 2: You know, that was seriously one of like the the 92 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 2: coolest experiences ever because I was told that I was 93 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:33,880 Speaker 2: going to go in if we had either tied it, 94 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 2: and I was like, okay, So like you know, I 95 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 2: start stretching and stuff and going through my routine. One 96 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:45,080 Speaker 2: guy gets to hit, another guy gets to hit, the 97 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 2: guy hits the double scores of two runs and now 98 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,560 Speaker 2: I'm in Now like I'm I'm getting hot in the 99 00:05:51,680 --> 00:05:55,080 Speaker 2: in the bullpen stuff, and so yeah, that that was cool. 100 00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:01,839 Speaker 2: You know, me and me and Jazz we were I 101 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 2: think it was like either that day or the day before. 102 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 2: We were working on pickoffs the second and he had 103 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 2: put it on and stuff, and I was and I 104 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:16,279 Speaker 2: was super on board with him, and we got that guy. 105 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:21,159 Speaker 2: I thought that was a super like cool play. Yeah, 106 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 2: and then Smoke comes up to me and goes, hey, 107 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 2: have you ever hit before? And I was like what, 108 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 2: like what. 109 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:29,280 Speaker 3: Do you mean? 110 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 2: And so yeah, he yeah, that was that was a 111 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 2: very very interesting, you know plate appearance. I mean, he 112 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 2: had told me, he goes, You're not going to swing 113 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 2: the bat until you get a strike, and I was like, 114 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 2: all right, so you know, sounds good. I understand because 115 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,280 Speaker 2: I'm pretty sure we had no outs, so if I 116 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 2: would have struck out anyway, we would have had two 117 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:48,240 Speaker 2: more chances to get the guy in. So yeah, that 118 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:52,680 Speaker 2: was I totally understood that. So yeah, and I saw 119 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:55,720 Speaker 2: the first pitch. I think it was anywhere between ninety 120 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 2: two and ninety four, and I was like, wow, that's 121 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 2: what it looks like because I had no ever. I 122 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 2: haven't the last time I can remember. I think it 123 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,280 Speaker 2: was my sophomore year in high school. 124 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:08,640 Speaker 1: Maybe. 125 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, different. Yeah, that was a different level of 126 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 3: talent there in double A. 127 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:15,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, just a little bit, just a little bit. 128 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 3: Well, I have to ask about the Jacksonville crowd a 129 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 3: little bit. 130 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:20,640 Speaker 1: It's been it's been known as one of the best 131 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:23,920 Speaker 1: atmospheres in mynor League baseball. But how it was pitching 132 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 1: in high pressure situations in that stadium, You know. 133 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:34,320 Speaker 2: That that was honestly a super like cool and surreal 134 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 2: feeling because you always imagine, you know, a big crowd 135 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 2: where like you can really feel that. I always think 136 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 2: about like the World Series, like those pitchers have to 137 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 2: be you know, the adrenaline and heart rate has to 138 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 2: be going through the roof. And definitely in Jacksonville though, 139 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 2: there the crowd day in and day out, Like I 140 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 2: don't I was there, Yeah, I think I played ten 141 00:07:56,440 --> 00:08:01,840 Speaker 2: or twelve games there, and yeah, the crowd was absolutely 142 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 2: just roaring most of those nights with you know, whether 143 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 2: it was in seventh days, ninth in ay, you know, 144 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:10,960 Speaker 2: we were winning stuff. Yeah, that was that was a 145 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: lot of fun. They get into it when you strike 146 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 2: out a guy and they they're cheering for you, or 147 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 2: even like when one of our hitters hits a home 148 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 2: run or something, oh man, they go nuts. It's that. 149 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 2: That crowd was always packed. So yeah, that was cool. 150 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 2: Those people are also super, super nice and welcoming. 151 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 3: Well that's awesome. 152 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:30,680 Speaker 1: It's been a fun stadium. I haven't spent too much 153 00:08:30,680 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 1: time up there because it's a little bit of a 154 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 1: drive for me, but I spent some time there last 155 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 1: year at a couple of six those starts, and it's 156 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: i mean, it was one hundred degrees out in the stadium, 157 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 1: was packed to. 158 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 3: Watch base to watch a minor league game. 159 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 1: And it's just it's just a different experience than you 160 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: get to be like I mean, especially going from Jupiter 161 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:46,840 Speaker 1: to Jacksonville. 162 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:47,559 Speaker 3: I know that could be. 163 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:51,160 Speaker 1: But we'll get back to your pitching a little bit here. 164 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:54,719 Speaker 1: Your fastball, being a lefty hitting ninety eight is a 165 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:57,360 Speaker 1: legit weapon. But your change up seem to seem to 166 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,000 Speaker 1: develop a lot this year and your slider flash plus 167 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 1: and you're in Arizona. How do you feel like your 168 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 1: secondaries are coming along right now? 169 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 2: But I think that my changeup has been by far 170 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:14,440 Speaker 2: the you know, my my best pitch in a you know, 171 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:19,079 Speaker 2: close situation two to three two counts. I don't, I don't. 172 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 2: I'm not shy with that pitch at all. I can 173 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 2: throw it, you know, whenever or whenever I would like to. 174 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 2: And that was that was a super big pitch that 175 00:09:29,960 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 2: I had learned at Instructs after twenty eighteen when I 176 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 2: after I got drafted, I went to Instructs and that 177 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 2: was pretty much what they had told me. They were like, 178 00:09:38,840 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 2: You're only gonna throw the change up, And I was like, 179 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 2: all right, sounds good, Like I don't I understand what 180 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 2: you mean. And I'd worked on it through the off season, 181 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 2: you know, and got a really good feel for it 182 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:55,120 Speaker 2: early in spring training, and then you know, every time 183 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 2: I had got into the bullpen, it was you know, 184 00:09:57,120 --> 00:09:59,840 Speaker 2: that was the first thing that I wanted to feel 185 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 2: good because I knew that the fastball was going to 186 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:05,160 Speaker 2: be there because my mechanics felt really good. I wasn't 187 00:10:05,240 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 2: you know, pulling off or leaking it or anything with 188 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 2: my front side, and so that was really good. And 189 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 2: then once I got the high that was where we 190 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 2: started talking more about the slider because it seemed like 191 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 2: the fastball and the changeup were good, you know, they 192 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:27,640 Speaker 2: were consistent, and that's where that's with the slider. I 193 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:30,319 Speaker 2: wanted that to be consistent too, because having three pitches 194 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 2: is you know, always ideal. You don't want to just 195 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:36,640 Speaker 2: be a two pitch pitcher. So that's been what I've 196 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:39,320 Speaker 2: been working on. And then the Fall League I made, 197 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 2: I felt like I made really good progress with it 198 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 2: with the shape, and then it was just now working 199 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,080 Speaker 2: on the consistency. And so during the off season here 200 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,440 Speaker 2: when I get into throwing and everything, that's definitely gonna 201 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:53,680 Speaker 2: be a pretty big focus. 202 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 1: I mean, that's got to be a great feeling knowing 203 00:10:56,120 --> 00:10:59,160 Speaker 1: you're going into the last year's offseason, I mean, throwing 204 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,199 Speaker 1: your change up and being being happy with it, but 205 00:11:01,280 --> 00:11:03,560 Speaker 1: then now throwing it so dominantly and they know you 206 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: can throw it dominantly, and I mean the. 207 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 3: Numbers are really really there to prove itself. 208 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:09,560 Speaker 1: So that's got to be a great feeling knowing your 209 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:11,040 Speaker 1: pictures are coming along like they. 210 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:14,880 Speaker 2: Are right right, Yeah, And it's it's you know, I'm 211 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 2: not trying to rush anything. I understand the process, and 212 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 2: you know, I know it's not going to just you know, 213 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:25,680 Speaker 2: be an overnight thing. And I think that's kind of 214 00:11:25,760 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 2: helped that process because I'm not trying to force anything. 215 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:33,079 Speaker 2: I understand that. You know, if I can throw three 216 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 2: or four, you know, on a good day five sliders 217 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 2: in a row that are consistent with the same shape, 218 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 2: I'll take it, you know. And it's just building off 219 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 2: that day in and day out to throw six, seven, 220 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:48,960 Speaker 2: eight in a row that you know, have the same shape, 221 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 2: They've got the same speed, they're you know, they're hitting 222 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 2: the glove or you know, there looks like they're going 223 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 2: going to be the outside corner and it dies out. 224 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 2: You know, those are certain things that I kind of 225 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:06,000 Speaker 2: look forwround, playing catch or throwing a flat ground and 226 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:06,720 Speaker 2: stuff like that. 227 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 1: You got to take all the little victories you can 228 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 1: I mean, I mean, especially in times like that, when 229 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 1: you feel like your pictures are coming along like that, 230 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 1: I mean, everything's a victory at that point. 231 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, exactly, there is not, you know, just trying 232 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 2: to stay as positive as possible. It's something that I 233 00:12:23,480 --> 00:12:26,760 Speaker 2: like to strive for, you know, in any situation, just 234 00:12:26,800 --> 00:12:30,920 Speaker 2: because baseball is a pretty tough game that there's a 235 00:12:30,920 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 2: lot of criticism and tweaks that, well, you could do 236 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:36,400 Speaker 2: this better, and you can do this better, and you know, 237 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:39,920 Speaker 2: I try to keep it as simple as possible. 238 00:12:39,920 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 1: Absolutely, man, And you're looking you're taking the best approach 239 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,960 Speaker 1: of this and it's showing well. I like to talk 240 00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:47,400 Speaker 1: to you about your approach with lefties and righty's because 241 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:50,200 Speaker 1: you've actually been more successful in your pro career against 242 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 1: righties being a left handed pitcher, striking out I think 243 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 1: thirty six percent of every righty face. What do you 244 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:58,479 Speaker 1: think makes you effective in those matchups? 245 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 2: There isn't something that I do differently when a rioty 246 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 2: or left he comes up to the box. There's nothing 247 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 2: really that I change. I mean, I like to spot 248 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 2: the fastball inside, outside, up and down. I like that 249 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:18,839 Speaker 2: that approach especially after the first swing. If they can't 250 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 2: hit it, I mean it, you know, I'm not going 251 00:13:20,960 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 2: to speed up their bat by trying to throw a 252 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 2: change up or something, you know, slower being able to 253 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:30,440 Speaker 2: you know, hit the corners. It's something that I like 254 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 2: to do. And I guess maybe it's something that I 255 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:37,360 Speaker 2: haven't noticed or something, or maybe it just works. But 256 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:40,840 Speaker 2: I know that the change up definitely has a better 257 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 2: swing and miss with a with a variety. And maybe 258 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 2: that's because I throw it more. And you know, I'm 259 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 2: not too sure, but I would think that the change 260 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 2: up probably has a has a big effect on that. 261 00:13:57,320 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 3: Well, we're gonna talk about your year in total right 262 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 3: here out. 263 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 1: So it must have been a special year because it's 264 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:05,080 Speaker 1: coming full circle almost from starting the year in a 265 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 1: ball to close in the year pitching the best year 266 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,480 Speaker 1: career against the highest level of talent in arison a 267 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:13,440 Speaker 1: fall League, including a save in the championship game. 268 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 3: How is the fall Ley experience for you? 269 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 2: The Fall League was something that I mean, I I'll 270 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 2: never forget that that was getting pulled into the coach's office, 271 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 2: you know, and hearing the news and stuff. That was 272 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:34,160 Speaker 2: that was something that you know, I'll never forget. And 273 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 2: then going there being around all those guys, you know, 274 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:43,560 Speaker 2: was really cool. I really enjoyed it. You know, the 275 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 2: atmosphere is the high end level of baseball. I don't 276 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 2: think that I've ever been around you know, that talented 277 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 2: group before, you know, And I mean I pretty much 278 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 2: told myself that just go out there and compete and 279 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 2: kind of give it, give them what you got, you know, 280 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 2: because I wasn't going to try to go out and 281 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:08,960 Speaker 2: change myself because I was around people that you know, 282 00:15:09,160 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 2: or are super talented. I try to just kind of 283 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 2: rise to that occasion and try to make the most 284 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 2: of every opportunity that I'm that I'm given. So, you know, 285 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 2: going out there and listening to different coaches that was 286 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 2: that was really nice, just to kind of hear different 287 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 2: perspectives and you know, not I wasn't trying to change anything, 288 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 2: but I'm always open to learning new things, and you know, 289 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 2: maybe changing a routine of you know, how I stretch 290 00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 2: or how I throw pre game or something, you know. 291 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 2: And yeah, I love that opportunity. I'm really thankful that 292 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:52,800 Speaker 2: I'm I was able to go, you know, and closing 293 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 2: now the championship game, that I I can definitely see 294 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 2: myself doing that in the future. I like doing that. 295 00:16:01,960 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 5: The two to two popped up right side and Carnacion 296 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:09,520 Speaker 5: size is it up drifting back and the salt r 297 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:13,880 Speaker 5: the rafters in two thoy and nineteen are the Arizona 298 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 5: Fall League. 299 00:16:14,720 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 2: Champions, especially when they called out you know, I kind 300 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:23,120 Speaker 2: of just knew so that that was fun. It was 301 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 2: one fun. 302 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 1: I mean, I think I think your performance in the 303 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:29,480 Speaker 1: Fall League is not getting enough credit for what you 304 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: do either. I know you don't want to hear about 305 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: no stats, but just what you did. You're right ten 306 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:36,960 Speaker 1: nn I mean sixteen k is only two walks. You 307 00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:39,200 Speaker 1: almost struck out nearly half the bat as your face 308 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 1: you only Phase thirty seven struck out sixteen of them. 309 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 1: I mean, just failthy numbers. I mean, I know that's 310 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: going to show leaps and balance in the organization and 311 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 1: going forward. How does it feel, you know, how you 312 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: know you have a real chance to impact the Big 313 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: B club going into just your second full pro season. 314 00:16:58,240 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean that's uh. I like that. I mean, 315 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:06,760 Speaker 2: my I don't know, it kind of leaves me speeches 316 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 2: that at the time because I still feel like I 317 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:11,880 Speaker 2: still feel like a kid who's who's the Division two 318 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 2: baseball player? You know, I don't. I don't. I try 319 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 2: to stay you know, humble, and I have I have 320 00:17:19,440 --> 00:17:22,000 Speaker 2: good friends that keep me like that, which is funny, 321 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 2: but yeah, I don't. I don't know. I'm I kind 322 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,919 Speaker 2: of get speechless when I think about that. Definitely, the 323 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:33,880 Speaker 2: it's my goal, you know that that's what I want 324 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 2: to do. Is you know if people have asked, me, oh, 325 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:38,800 Speaker 2: how you know, how does it feel to be in 326 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:42,199 Speaker 2: the position that you're at, And I mean I love it. 327 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 2: I think that I have have a good thing going 328 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 2: and all I want to do is just continue to 329 00:17:47,080 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 2: get better. And you know, it's that's not my call. 330 00:17:51,160 --> 00:17:53,920 Speaker 2: Whether it's you know, this year or next year. It's 331 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,160 Speaker 2: kind of whenever they think that I'm I'm ready, and 332 00:17:57,000 --> 00:18:00,439 Speaker 2: you know, when that time comes, I know, be the 333 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 2: most prepared that I can possibly be. And hey, we're 334 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:05,959 Speaker 2: just gonna we'll go out there and we'll give it 335 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:06,239 Speaker 2: to him. 336 00:18:06,280 --> 00:18:09,360 Speaker 1: You know, absolutely, man, there's nothing wrong with the humble approach. 337 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 1: I mean, your performance is really preceding itself. And I 338 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:14,359 Speaker 1: just really have one more question for you liter to 339 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:17,080 Speaker 1: day and I was just reading back on your college days. 340 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:20,040 Speaker 1: I've seen that you mentioned that Derek Jeter was one 341 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 1: of your favorite players growing up, and I was just 342 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:24,760 Speaker 1: wondering how it feels to be playing for him now 343 00:18:24,760 --> 00:18:25,560 Speaker 1: the air professional. 344 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:26,960 Speaker 3: Yeah. 345 00:18:27,160 --> 00:18:32,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's that's just surreal feeling. You know that. I 346 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 2: vividly remember my my freshman year of college and all 347 00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 2: my roommates and I we were watching his last game 348 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,400 Speaker 2: and we remember, you know, I remember watching him get 349 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 2: that that hit and everything and they won the game, 350 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 2: and you know that was his his final game playing. 351 00:18:56,160 --> 00:18:58,119 Speaker 2: You know, as a little kid, you always do the 352 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:02,399 Speaker 2: Derek Jeter throw, you know, you always you know, he 353 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:06,400 Speaker 2: was my idol. He's, you know, one of my favorite 354 00:19:06,440 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 2: players just because on and off the field, he was 355 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 2: always just super humble. So getting to meet him, that 356 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:17,760 Speaker 2: was a that was a little star struck it a 357 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:21,400 Speaker 2: little bit. You know, he's my boss. You know, he's 358 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:24,520 Speaker 2: seen me pitch. That's just for him to kind of 359 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:28,360 Speaker 2: have my name maybe run through his head. Holy smokes. 360 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 2: You know, that's like a cool thing. So's yeah, you know, 361 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:36,119 Speaker 2: that's I don't know, that's just a it's a crazy 362 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,920 Speaker 2: the crazy thing that you know, back in twenty fourteen, 363 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:42,760 Speaker 2: if you would have told me that he was going 364 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:44,720 Speaker 2: to be my boss one day, I would have been like, huh, 365 00:19:45,240 --> 00:19:48,480 Speaker 2: you're out of your mind, you know, And now it's 366 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:53,080 Speaker 2: that's the reality of it is. Hey, you know, I 367 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 2: love it. It's cool. 368 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:56,960 Speaker 3: It's been great having you today. Man. I appreciate you 369 00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:58,399 Speaker 3: taking the time during your off season. 370 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 2: And yeah, yeah, thank you, thank you. 371 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 1: Excited to meet you this morning and in Jupiter. So 372 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 1: enjoy the rest of your off season. Hope you have 373 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:09,119 Speaker 1: a happy holidays, and thanks for being honest. 374 00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:11,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, thank you, thank you. I appreciate it. And happy 375 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 2: holidays too. Yeah, m 376 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 3: M.