1 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:21,319 Speaker 1: The latest edition of the Hammer Territory Podcast, and we 2 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: are proud once again to present the best law firm 3 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 1: that there is as part of the Foul Territory family 4 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: of podcasts, The Coleman and Coleman Podcast. Sean Coleman, Scott Coleman, 5 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 1: I pointed my hand the wrong way, but you get 6 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 1: the point, Scott. Always a pleasure to be with you. 7 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:41,960 Speaker 1: How have you been, sir, Hope Paul's will is Sean. 8 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 2: I am doing great. The Coleman combo back at it again. 9 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 2: I think it's probably been two months since you and 10 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,680 Speaker 2: I lasted a podcast together. But here we are what 11 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 2: all of America has not been waiting for. But it 12 00:00:56,680 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 2: should be a good show. We have a really special 13 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 2: player to talk about tonight, which always makes these episodes 14 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 2: really fun to record and hopefully fun to listen to. 15 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:08,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, Yeah, and we'll get right into who that special 16 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,679 Speaker 1: player is a big emphasis on the letter s. But 17 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: of course, you know, we are Hammer Territory, part of 18 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: the Foul Territory family of podcasts, and we can't go, 19 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 1: you know, too long into the show, but I'll let 20 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,280 Speaker 1: you know all the great content that we got out there. 21 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:26,679 Speaker 1: You know, we talked about so many different things. We've 22 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 1: talked catching with Aj Prazinski, We've taught braves, minor leagues 23 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 1: with Ben Badler, we've talked San Diego Padres rumors potentially 24 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 1: with Kyle Glazer. Scott and Brad did that last time. 25 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 1: So the whole key is, while we're here for you 26 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:40,520 Speaker 1: to enjoy this show, make sure you check out all 27 00:01:40,520 --> 00:01:44,120 Speaker 1: the great content we've put out since the new year started. 28 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:46,839 Speaker 1: But the thing about the off season, you know, Scott, 29 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: you mentioned it before. Maybe if you condense the off season, 30 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: maybe that would make it a bit more exciting. But 31 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 1: the one thing that is a bit exciting about how 32 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 1: long the baseball off season is you always are on 33 00:01:57,360 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 1: the brink of a major development. And we once again 34 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 1: saw that over the past forty eight hours. Pete Alonzo, 35 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: who had been one of the more I guess captivating 36 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 1: free agents out there, just you know what he may 37 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 1: sign for, what's his market like? What wound up not 38 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 1: being that fruitful, But he did get a pretty good 39 00:02:16,160 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: payday going back to the New York Mets, adding more 40 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:23,959 Speaker 1: pop to what currently is forming to be one of 41 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:28,560 Speaker 1: the better lineups in baseball. We know Pete Alonzo, I 42 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 1: don't think he's as scary as he was a few 43 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 1: years ago, Scott, But without a doubt, when you added 44 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,320 Speaker 1: him to a lineup with Soto and the Intos and Lindora, 45 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 1: that's a pretty dagum good lineup. And you know that 46 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,360 Speaker 1: Pete Alonzo can can succeed with the Mets. 47 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 2: Yeah. I mean, I don't know about you and everybody listening, 48 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 2: but I mean, in my mind, I just kind of 49 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 2: was counting down the days until the Mets and Pete 50 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 2: Alonzo reunited. I know there was some reported interests from 51 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 2: other teams, but it just felt like to me that 52 00:02:57,639 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 2: he was going to end up with the Mets. And yeah, 53 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 2: interesting contract, one year, thirty million, and then he has 54 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 2: an opt out after that. I think it's twenty four 55 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:09,639 Speaker 2: million in year two, but even then, at most it's 56 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 2: two years guaranteed for Alonso. 57 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 1: You know. 58 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: It really just reminded me just how good the National 59 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,960 Speaker 2: League East is going to be this upcoming year. You 60 00:03:20,040 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 2: have the Braves, you have the Mets, you have the Phillies. 61 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 2: Legitimately that might be three of the four best teams 62 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 2: in baseball and they're going to just beat each other's 63 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:32,360 Speaker 2: brains out all summer long, and I mean, it's just 64 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 2: shaping up to be an all time race for the 65 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 2: Division in the next what nine months from now, because 66 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:42,280 Speaker 2: you have three of truly elite rosters, I feel, and 67 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 2: also rosters that have some legitimate World Series and one 68 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 2: hundred win upside. And there's only so many teams in 69 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 2: baseball right now that you can say that for. 70 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:53,240 Speaker 1: Absolutely. And the other thing that stands out to me 71 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: about the Mets, Scott is that we know how aggressive 72 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: they are. They are not shy to throw the money around. 73 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:01,360 Speaker 1: The thing that's stands out to me is that, you know, 74 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 1: we don't really have going into the season like a 75 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: Garrett Crochet level type of pitcher. But you know, we 76 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:08,560 Speaker 1: look at Dylan Ces, we look at Michael King of 77 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: the Padres. If they may not contend. What I'm getting 78 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: at is is that I think the Mets still have 79 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 1: plenty of question marks about their pitching staff. And I'm 80 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:18,760 Speaker 1: saying that as a brave span but what is a 81 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:22,039 Speaker 1: bit scary about the Mets, I think is that they're 82 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 1: going to go. They've got the lineup, they've got the 83 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: lineup to win. They are the dark horse when any 84 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 1: pitcher's name comes up. They've got the arsenal when it 85 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: comes to, you know, assets with minor leaguers, They're not 86 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,520 Speaker 1: going to be afraid from any contracts. The thing that 87 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:38,400 Speaker 1: stands out to me about the Mets is as good 88 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: as they've been in adding talent this offseason, they can 89 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 1: add even more when it comes to the trade deadline. 90 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:47,279 Speaker 1: Potentially they have, and they have an ability about themselves 91 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: that most teams don't to still get significantly better. 92 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 2: And I think for years the Mets have been spending 93 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 2: crazy money. And we know that the Braves have just 94 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 2: completely dominated this division for what thirty years at this point, 95 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,720 Speaker 2: basically more than my adult life. Right at this point, 96 00:05:03,760 --> 00:05:06,479 Speaker 2: the Braves have just completely dog walked the rest of 97 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 2: the East. But now they have David Stearns running the 98 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: show in New York who was about as battle tested 99 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:15,600 Speaker 2: as it was in Milwaukee, and it seems like New 100 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:18,040 Speaker 2: York has a lot of really smart folks behind the scenes. 101 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 2: And then for the Phillies, it's funny going into the year, 102 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 2: I almost wonder if now the Braves and Mets are 103 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:27,360 Speaker 2: going to be the two odds on favorites to win 104 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 2: the division and Philadelphia will be third, maybe just by 105 00:05:30,800 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 2: a hair but Philadelphia will be third. And it's easy 106 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 2: to forget that the Phillies won this division comfortably a 107 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 2: year ago. Maybe not comfortably, but I think it was 108 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 2: five or six games and they cooled the Jets, whereas 109 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:44,600 Speaker 2: the Braves and the Mets had to play up until 110 00:05:44,600 --> 00:05:47,480 Speaker 2: the very final day of the season. But the nalyast 111 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 2: is going to be a gauntlet. It's fastining Sean, I mean, 112 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 2: I want to get your take on this. I was 113 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:54,839 Speaker 2: thinking about it earlier. In my mind, I almost feel 114 00:05:54,880 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 2: like the Phillies have the safest floor of those three teams. 115 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,520 Speaker 2: I don't know if they have the highest ceiling, but 116 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:05,520 Speaker 2: I do think they have. I think they have the 117 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 2: safest floor for a couple of reasons. The pitching staff 118 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 2: is awesome. They're getting older, but I don't think they're 119 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 2: gonna hit that age cliff just yet, at least as 120 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 2: a whole team. And I think the Mets are fascinating 121 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 2: because I think the Mets maybe have the biggest blend 122 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 2: of both upside and downside, because I don't know if 123 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 2: I trust that starting rotation. The lineup is just fantastic 124 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 2: at the top, but towards the bottom, I'm not in 125 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:30,760 Speaker 2: love with it. And then for the Braves, I think 126 00:06:30,760 --> 00:06:33,479 Speaker 2: the Braves have the highest ceiling of these three, but 127 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 2: they also have significant risk because what if Ronaldcunya Junior 128 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:40,239 Speaker 2: is not himself, what if Spencer Strider is in himself? 129 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 2: What if Chris Sale gets hurt again? And sure every 130 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,479 Speaker 2: team has injury concerns, but it really is going to 131 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 2: be a super fun and probably stressful summer watching these 132 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:53,280 Speaker 2: three teams square off, because, along with the Dodgers and 133 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 2: I guess the Yankees in the American League, it feels 134 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 2: like they are a clear five best rosters in the game, 135 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 2: and it turns out that sixty percent of them happen 136 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 2: to be in our division. 137 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:05,280 Speaker 1: I think you have to nail on the head. I 138 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: think that, yes, the Phillies have the highest floor. They 139 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 1: have the best mix of talent in their lineup, talent 140 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 1: in their pitching staff. I think the Mets have the best. 141 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 1: I think you could say that they have the best 142 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 1: top heavy part of the lineup. Like if you were 143 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: to look around Major League Baseball and you were to 144 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:27,960 Speaker 1: see where teams are going into this season, what team 145 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: stands out as second when it comes to the top 146 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: three of an order after the Dodgers. I think you 147 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 1: can make a case the Mets could be right there 148 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: with anyone. But I do agree with you. I think 149 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: the Braves by far have the biggest assortment of questions, 150 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 1: but I also think that they have the potential to 151 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: be the deepest team and that's what gives them the 152 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:48,160 Speaker 1: highest ceiling. Plus youth is still on their size compared 153 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: to especially the Phillies and the Mets, so I think 154 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: you have to nail on the head Phillies best floor. 155 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: I think Mets potentially have the best potential to catch 156 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:58,920 Speaker 1: fire kind of like they did last year, and the 157 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: Braves have the highest ceiling. But Scott, I would to, 158 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,640 Speaker 1: you know, pivot a bit as well, because again we 159 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: talk about the fact that you have notable names still 160 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: out there on the free agent market that could certainly 161 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: be attractive to teams. But one name in particular, I 162 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 1: think has been someone that has interested the Braves all 163 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: off season, but they really haven't made a move like 164 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 1: many teams have it because he has a qualifying offer 165 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: stuck on him. And we got a question from Twitter 166 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: that was asking when it comes to Nick Pavetta, who 167 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 1: the Braves have had interest in when it comes to 168 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 1: that qualifying offer and the fact that if you look 169 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:38,439 Speaker 1: to sign him, I believe that a team would lose 170 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 1: their second and fifth pick in the upcoming draft. When 171 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 1: does that stipulation fall off? When can Pavetta be able 172 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:48,320 Speaker 1: to sign with the team without having them risk losing 173 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:50,440 Speaker 1: draft picks? And Scott, I know that we talked about 174 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: it a bit earlier. I think we found some some 175 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 1: info on that question. 176 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,559 Speaker 2: Very good question, by the way, Yeah, yeah, a few 177 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 2: folks have asked about Nick Povetta and just as Sean 178 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 2: not a team like the Braves who were in the tax, 179 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 2: or at least were in the tax, would lose two 180 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 2: draft picks and international free agent money next summer. So 181 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 2: if it's for like a superstar, like if the Braves 182 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:16,600 Speaker 2: are just dead set on Willia Damas or just one 183 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 2: of the high high end free agents this offseason, then okay, 184 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:22,600 Speaker 2: we know how much of a crapshoot the draft is 185 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 2: and even more so international free agent spending. You don't 186 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:28,439 Speaker 2: want to just give away your picks in your international money. 187 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:30,320 Speaker 2: But for a star that's going to be in your 188 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:35,199 Speaker 2: team for a decade, sure, whatever, But because Pavetta somehow 189 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:38,960 Speaker 2: took the qualifying offer, it's not a coincidence that he 190 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:41,679 Speaker 2: is not signed with a team yet. I mean, Paveeta 191 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 2: is fine. I love the idea of him as a 192 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 2: back end starter for this team with some real upside 193 00:09:46,679 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 2: for more. But at the cost of what you're going 194 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 2: to have to pay Paveta and lose two picks and 195 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 2: international money just doesn't make a lot of sense for me, 196 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 2: even if it is like a bargain one year deal 197 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 2: for him at this point point. And somebody asked about 198 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:06,880 Speaker 2: when the qualifying offer penalties drop off. Based on some research, 199 00:10:06,920 --> 00:10:10,000 Speaker 2: I think Stephen our co host Stephen Tolbert pulled, I 200 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 2: don't think the draft penalties fall off until after the draft, 201 00:10:13,679 --> 00:10:17,360 Speaker 2: which is July. And the idea of waiting, I mean 202 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 2: that is not going to wait that long. I don't 203 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 2: think I'm wondering if he just goes back to Boston, 204 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:26,480 Speaker 2: because obviously Boston wouldn't lose anything by resigning him. But yeah, 205 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 2: so Paveta interesting. I really do feel the Braves would 206 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 2: have had serious interest if he did not have all 207 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 2: of this qualifying offer nonsense attached. And frankly, it blows 208 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 2: my mind that baseball penalizes players like this, but that's 209 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:43,319 Speaker 2: a discussion for the next collective bargaining agreement. 210 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:47,440 Speaker 1: I guess absolutely. It's a fascinating conversation, one that's been 211 00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 1: going on for decades. But it seems like that no 212 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,280 Speaker 1: one who actually has a say in those type. 213 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 3: Of things wants to Yeah, let's talk about arms, and 214 00:10:56,679 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 3: let's talk about arms with upside, and let's talk about 215 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 3: one of the biggest surprises that could not have come 216 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 3: at a better time, one of the biggest surprises in 217 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:08,360 Speaker 3: baseball last year, but could not have come at a 218 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 3: better time for the Braves, and that is one Spencer 219 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 3: Swelling Box Scott, as we're going through, you know, some 220 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 3: of the major players for the Braves, you know, in 221 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:19,199 Speaker 3: terms of their success in twenty twenty five. 222 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:22,840 Speaker 1: And Scott, I'll start here. You know, even before the 223 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:26,320 Speaker 1: twenty and twenty four season, I think that many were 224 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:30,080 Speaker 1: talking about what about this offseason, what was going to 225 00:11:30,160 --> 00:11:33,680 Speaker 1: happen when we saw Max Reed and Charlie Morton both 226 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:36,600 Speaker 1: become a free agent. And of course we've seen what 227 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:39,800 Speaker 1: many expected to happen, at least for free He left 228 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 1: for a big payday with the Yankees. Charlie Morton is 229 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 1: now with the Orioles, So what was going to happen? 230 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 1: What was going to happen for the Braves who had 231 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:51,480 Speaker 1: some internal options, but who was going to step up 232 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: to potentially fill the roles? Aj Smith Shaller got an 233 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:57,960 Speaker 1: opportunity oblique injury despite a good start against the Cubs 234 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 1: out two months. Hirst and Walder look good for about 235 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 1: an inny and a half and they got locked in 236 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 1: Washington and then lo and behold one of the best 237 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,760 Speaker 1: names that we've seen in the Braves uniform. Surprised his 238 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:13,559 Speaker 1: name can fit on a Braves uniform is Spencer Swellenbach 239 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:18,400 Speaker 1: comes along and is absolutely sensational as a rookie Scott. 240 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 1: You know, we talk about, you know, the elder Statesman 241 00:12:20,679 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: having great years last year in Azuna and Sale and Iglesias, 242 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:25,719 Speaker 1: but it's hard to top one the better stories of 243 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 1: Braves baseball in recent memory, Spencer Swellingbox's rookie season. 244 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:34,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, the Braves don't make the playoffs as short as 245 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 2: they were the Braves. There's no chance the Braves would 246 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,840 Speaker 2: have made the playoffs last season without Spencer Schwellenbach coming 247 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 2: out of maybe not nowhere because it wasn't like he 248 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,680 Speaker 2: was a thirtieth round pick who nobody had heard of before. 249 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 2: But I don't believe Schwellenbach was on a single top 250 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 2: one hundred prospect list coming into the last year. The 251 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 2: prospect guys at Battery Power, who cover the Braves better 252 00:12:56,960 --> 00:13:01,320 Speaker 2: than I think anyone, they had Schwellenbach on their top 253 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:03,840 Speaker 2: twenty five for the Braves, and credit to them for 254 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 2: kind of picking Schwalenbach out of the crowd as a 255 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 2: guy who can make an impact. But even the biggest 256 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 2: fan of Schwellenbach this time of year ago, I don't 257 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:15,680 Speaker 2: know if anybody could have seen him going. I mean, honestly, 258 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 2: pound per pound with almost any starter in baseball, especially 259 00:13:19,559 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 2: once he got going in the second half. You know, 260 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 2: it's funny. We had Kyle Glazer on the show a 261 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 2: few nights ago, and Kyle is a Padres reporter, and 262 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:30,800 Speaker 2: I don't expect him to follow Spencer Schwalenbach the way 263 00:13:30,559 --> 00:13:34,240 Speaker 2: that we all do, But when talking about hypothetical trades, 264 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 2: Glazer kind of thought, well, the Padres would probably ask 265 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,199 Speaker 2: for a Spencer Schwellenbach in a trade for Dylan Cees. 266 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 2: And of course I could hear our listeners yelling at 267 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:47,480 Speaker 2: their radio in the car. That's insane. But I think 268 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:50,560 Speaker 2: because Schwellenbach was not a Paul Skins or even a 269 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:54,319 Speaker 2: consensus top one hundred prospect, that maybe nationally he didn't 270 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:57,000 Speaker 2: quite catch on the way that others did. But I mean, 271 00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 2: we're going to talk about some numbers tonight, but Schwalenbach 272 00:13:59,760 --> 00:14:03,000 Speaker 2: was as good as anybody in the National League, especially 273 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,000 Speaker 2: once he really hit his groove in the last couple 274 00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 2: of months. 275 00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,920 Speaker 1: So we're gonna come at this from a few perspectives, 276 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 1: right And you know, Paul Skimes in the twenty twenty 277 00:14:13,280 --> 00:14:16,320 Speaker 1: four season, you know, he was one of those rookie 278 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,840 Speaker 1: sensations when it came to an arm we're talking about, 279 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:21,040 Speaker 1: you know what we've seen before, like with a with 280 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:24,080 Speaker 1: a carry wood and uh, you know before that Fernando 281 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:27,240 Speaker 1: Alzuelas Paul Skins was at that level in terms of 282 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 1: in terms of the production matching the hype. But from 283 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:37,920 Speaker 1: June June twenty second through August twenty second of last year, 284 00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 1: I tweeted this out right around the end of August, 285 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: and I don't have the tweet in front of me. 286 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: Spencer Schweldenbach over a two month stretch, Scot was just 287 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 1: as good, if not better. He was especially better, relevantly 288 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 1: better in the metrics that you know, showed how good 289 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:00,200 Speaker 1: a pitcher he is. In terms of what he him 290 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: self controls. Spencer Swellenbach was toe to toe with Paul 291 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 1: Skeins when it comes to productivity. That's how good of 292 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 1: a rookie season he had. Now I'm not saying he 293 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: deserved Rookie of the Year, but Paul Skens was a 294 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:16,760 Speaker 1: historic rookie level pitcher and for much of the season 295 00:15:17,160 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: Swellenbach was step up step with him when it came 296 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: to production. 297 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:25,239 Speaker 2: And here's some numbers to back up what sewn just said. 298 00:15:25,520 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 2: So basically in the second half of the season, and 299 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,120 Speaker 2: I always think it's weird that, like the first half, 300 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 2: in the second half for baseball are dictated by the 301 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 2: All Star Game. But by the time the All Star 302 00:15:35,960 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 2: Game comes around, you've played like, you know, one hundred 303 00:15:38,160 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 2: and ten games or one hundred games, whereas it's a 304 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 2: one sixty two season. But I digress. But basically, from 305 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 2: July first on, this is how Spencer Schwellenbach ranked among 306 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:54,000 Speaker 2: qualified starting pitchers. He ranked eighth in War eighth, and 307 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 2: the only seven pitchers ahead of him are like bona 308 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 2: fide stars, including his teammate Chris Saale Zach Wheeler, like 309 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 2: the best pitchers in the game. And it wasn't fluchy 310 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 2: in any way, shape or form, because Schwellenbach was ninth 311 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 2: in ERA, he was tenth in fipth and ex FIP, 312 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 2: and he was eleventh in his strikeout to walk rate. 313 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:19,440 Speaker 2: And if you look at something like Spencer Schwellenbach's statcast 314 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 2: profile or his Baseball Savant page, I mean, everything is 315 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 2: impressive with his game, and I mean there's just so 316 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 2: much to be encouraged by for a pitcher who once 317 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 2: upon a time was thought of as a real prospect 318 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:34,360 Speaker 2: and was the second round pick for a reason. But 319 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 2: as we kind of said, I don't know if anyone 320 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 2: had this in the cards for Schwallenbach, And there's just 321 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:42,560 Speaker 2: so much here to be excited about, and God willing, 322 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 2: let's hope his health cooperates. But just I mean, you 323 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:49,360 Speaker 2: talk about a pitcher who really changed not just last season, 324 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:51,800 Speaker 2: but the trajectory of this team and some of the 325 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 2: decision making this team made this offseason. I don't think 326 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 2: it's a coincidence that there is not a big panic 327 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 2: with the starting rotation right now because of just how 328 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 2: how good Schwellenbach was last year. 329 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:06,480 Speaker 1: And what made him so good, Scott Luis Gil, I 330 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:09,760 Speaker 1: believe the Yankees rookie. I was looking through some tweets earlier. 331 00:17:10,040 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 1: You put out a fantastic tweet about how Swellenbach beat 332 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: Gil in nearly every statistical category as a pitcher. If 333 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,280 Speaker 1: Swellebach was in the American League, he should have won 334 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:23,400 Speaker 1: Rookie of the Year, that's how good he was. Now. 335 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 1: Credit to Jackson Merrill and Paul Skeins. They deserved me 336 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 1: one and two in the Rookie of the Year voting. 337 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:30,879 Speaker 1: I think Swellingbock clearly was the third best rookie in 338 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 1: the National League last year. But one of the reasons 339 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:35,720 Speaker 1: why you talked about it, and I'll let you get 340 00:17:35,720 --> 00:17:38,639 Speaker 1: into your comparison that you came up with before we 341 00:17:38,760 --> 00:17:40,359 Speaker 1: had that we started the podcast, because I think it's 342 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 1: a great comparison. It was the consistency of Swellenbach being 343 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 1: able to not only have a deep assortment of pitches, 344 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:51,679 Speaker 1: a deeper assortment than you typically see from rookies, but 345 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:55,040 Speaker 1: he could throw any of the pitches for a strike 346 00:17:55,320 --> 00:17:58,480 Speaker 1: at any time in the count. Now if you remember, 347 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:02,399 Speaker 1: we had some conversation about how he got lucky earlier 348 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:05,160 Speaker 1: on in the season because man, he threw a lot 349 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:07,199 Speaker 1: of sliders in that zone, so it was kind of 350 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:09,359 Speaker 1: scary that someone was going to connect with it. But 351 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 1: as we went along, that slider became a very very 352 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 1: good weapon. But Scott that it's not only the arsenal 353 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,960 Speaker 1: that Schwellenbach has but his ability to utilize it anywhere 354 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 1: in any time when it comes to opposing hitters. 355 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, Schwellenbach was twenty four years old for 356 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,720 Speaker 2: just about all of last season, and when you watch 357 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:31,440 Speaker 2: him out there, I mean he pitches like a guy 358 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:33,919 Speaker 2: who's been doing it for a decade and is in 359 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 2: his thirties. And this is really impressive for a guy 360 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,560 Speaker 2: his age, and not only a player Swollenbach's age, but 361 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 2: the fact that he underwent Tommy John right after being 362 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 2: drafted in twenty twenty one, so he basically did not 363 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 2: pitch the rest of the fall of twenty one or 364 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:54,200 Speaker 2: all of twenty twenty two. So you're talking about someone 365 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 2: who basically had a year in what two months in 366 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 2: the minor leagues to get ready. But Schwellenbach threw five pitches, 367 00:19:01,320 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 2: and they were legitimately good pitches last year twenty nine 368 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 2: percent fastball, twenty percent slider, which you said was just 369 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:12,200 Speaker 2: such an effective wipeout pitch down the stretch. He threw 370 00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 2: a cutter seventeen percent of the time, he threw a 371 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 2: curveball fifteen percent of the time. He even has a 372 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:21,640 Speaker 2: splitter that he threw thirteen percent and a sinker at 373 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 2: seven percent. There's not many twenty four year olds in 374 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:28,400 Speaker 2: baseball who can come even close to having five legitimate 375 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:31,280 Speaker 2: pitches in their back pocket whenever they want them. And 376 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:34,040 Speaker 2: kind of like Max Freed, he kind of got the 377 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 2: sense with Schwellenbach where he had so much in his 378 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 2: arsenal that he was never giving the hitter of the 379 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:42,359 Speaker 2: same at bat twice or even the same pitch twice 380 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:46,639 Speaker 2: in a game. Just really impressive a guy beyond his years, 381 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:49,320 Speaker 2: I think. And the fact that he has such good 382 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:52,560 Speaker 2: command and isn't just walking everybody, which is such a 383 00:19:52,680 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 2: challenge for young pitchers. The fact that Schwellenbach has full 384 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 2: command of those five pitches, especially to me anyway, is 385 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,280 Speaker 2: maybe the most impressive thing he did last year. 386 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 1: A one point six to seven walk rate as a rookie, 387 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:07,960 Speaker 1: Like I think that there were a couple of stretches 388 00:20:08,000 --> 00:20:10,800 Speaker 1: during the season where Sarah Lang is just a phenomenal, 389 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:14,200 Speaker 1: phenomenal mind when it comes to baseball. She pointed out, 390 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:17,399 Speaker 1: you know how historic swelling Box stretches a few times 391 00:20:17,400 --> 00:20:19,639 Speaker 1: were of his low walk rate, the fact that he 392 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:21,879 Speaker 1: just was so good at keeping the ball on the 393 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:25,400 Speaker 1: strike zone. But Scott, another thing that stands out about 394 00:20:25,440 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 1: swelling Bach. You know, we talk about the fact, you know, 395 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: in recent years, it's really seemed like the teams who 396 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:33,639 Speaker 1: utilized their bullpen the least that sets them up with 397 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 1: the best success for the playoffs. But swelling Bach, I 398 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: think in what thirteen of his last fifteen starts six 399 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:43,919 Speaker 1: or more innings pitched, he was out there facing lineups 400 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:46,800 Speaker 1: three times. True. You know, we talk about how many 401 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:50,280 Speaker 1: braves in a postseason matchup can be able to go 402 00:20:50,359 --> 00:20:55,160 Speaker 1: through opposing lineups multiple times. Spencer Swellenbach showed that capability. Well, 403 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:56,680 Speaker 1: we'll get a bit more detailed on that in just 404 00:20:56,720 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 1: a second. But Spencer Swellingbot being a workhorse well all so, 405 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:03,640 Speaker 1: being very very good, that's not something you usually see 406 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 1: in a picture as young as he is. It's a 407 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: great development for him to be both things. 408 00:21:08,520 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean again, it just really underscores his command 409 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:15,680 Speaker 2: and not issuing walks and not letting any spiral from him, 410 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 2: and the fact that he does a pretty good job 411 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:22,120 Speaker 2: of keeping the ball on the ground as well. That's something. Sure, 412 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 2: maybe you give up a base runner, but if you 413 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:25,879 Speaker 2: can get out of your jam quickly with a double play, 414 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:28,880 Speaker 2: that that's just going to keep your pitch count down 415 00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:31,679 Speaker 2: and make life so much easier for you. And I 416 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 2: know there's no scientific way to quantify this, but man, 417 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:38,320 Speaker 2: I think even going back to like Little League days, 418 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 2: because everybody can probably attest to this, there's nothing worse 419 00:21:41,880 --> 00:21:44,400 Speaker 2: than a starting pitcher or a pitcher in general who 420 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:47,480 Speaker 2: just can't find the strike zone. And I feel like 421 00:21:47,560 --> 00:21:50,640 Speaker 2: when you have constant action, because you're always having strikes thrown, 422 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 2: fielders are going to be more alert. They're not just 423 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 2: standing there begging the starter throws a strike. I mean again, 424 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,199 Speaker 2: it's kind of more of a metaphorical thing and not 425 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:02,720 Speaker 2: a scientific driven idea, But whenever you have a pitcher 426 00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:05,879 Speaker 2: throwing strikes and keeping the defense behind you loose and active, 427 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,679 Speaker 2: it's only gonna help. And I think, again, man, just 428 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:12,720 Speaker 2: even as we were doing some research for this show tonight, 429 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 2: I knew Schwellenbach was good. Obviously, we did podcasts after 430 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:18,959 Speaker 2: all the starts, and at more times than not it 431 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:21,720 Speaker 2: was a good start. But even I was like, Wow, 432 00:22:21,960 --> 00:22:25,119 Speaker 2: this kid is like really really really good. And again 433 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:27,920 Speaker 2: for someone who is not a bona fide this kid 434 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 2: can't miss prospect coming up, I mean even more impressive. 435 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:36,639 Speaker 1: So we talk about the control, we talk about the consistency. 436 00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:40,960 Speaker 1: But the thing that stood out to me even early 437 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:44,560 Speaker 1: on in the season, Scott, that you saw me make 438 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:47,240 Speaker 1: a start against a good team and you're like, he 439 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:50,879 Speaker 1: did pretty good on the road against Baltimore, against the Mets, 440 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 1: against the Phillies. You're like, Okay, he put together another start, 441 00:22:54,040 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 1: all right, this got to be a fluke. He put 442 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:58,400 Speaker 1: together another start, and you're just like, this kid does 443 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:04,320 Speaker 1: pretty well against teams. Looked it up and here is 444 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:10,000 Speaker 1: Spencer swelling box numbers in twenty twenty four against playoff teams. 445 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:14,160 Speaker 1: We're talking about across ten starts against teams that made 446 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:18,480 Speaker 1: the playoffs in twenty twenty four, Scott across ten starts, 447 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:21,800 Speaker 1: going back to being the work course, sixty four point 448 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 1: one innings, pitched. So basically six and two thirds innings 449 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:29,359 Speaker 1: each start seven to zero in those ten starts with 450 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:36,040 Speaker 1: a one point two ERA fifty six strikeouts, nine walks. 451 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:41,359 Speaker 1: So we've talked about it for multiple years the Braves, 452 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:46,680 Speaker 1: while they've had quality pitching, can it be trustworthy in 453 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:50,680 Speaker 1: the playoffs? Can it maintain health going into the playoffs? 454 00:23:51,480 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 1: We've asked these questions. Spencer swelling Box a workhorse. Spencer 455 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 1: swelling Box has shown that he can go multiple times, 456 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 1: he can go deep in games. But to me, the 457 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:04,360 Speaker 1: biggest thing about his rookie season he was absolute nails 458 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 1: against quality opposition. Yeah, will you talk about an option 459 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:10,680 Speaker 1: that could be there to support a Strider and a 460 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:14,240 Speaker 1: Sale in the playoffs? Spencer Schwellenbach is one heck of 461 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:16,320 Speaker 1: a third option I think for this phrase team for 462 00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:16,960 Speaker 1: years to come. 463 00:24:18,359 --> 00:24:22,560 Speaker 2: That's a great pull. Those numbers are incredible that he 464 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 2: was so good against the best teams in the game, 465 00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:28,119 Speaker 2: because there are probably pitchers out there where if you 466 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:31,720 Speaker 2: really dissected it, it's like, okay, yeah, anyone can be good, 467 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:34,600 Speaker 2: or most guys can be good against the Marlins and 468 00:24:34,680 --> 00:24:37,760 Speaker 2: the Pirates and the Rockies and whoever else. But to 469 00:24:37,840 --> 00:24:41,160 Speaker 2: do it that well. And it's funny if you ask 470 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 2: a New York Mets fan what they think of Spencer Schwellenbach, 471 00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 2: they'll say a bad word because he just mowed them down. 472 00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 2: I think about that start he had on a Saturday 473 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:55,480 Speaker 2: afternoon at City Field. I think it was the start 474 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 2: after the Braves had just lost back to back games 475 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:02,359 Speaker 2: in disastrous face. I think it was right after Ramon 476 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:06,240 Speaker 2: Loriano had overrun that ball in right field and then 477 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:09,320 Speaker 2: they had that awful squeeze attempt and I mean I 478 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:11,679 Speaker 2: was like banging my head against the wall and it 479 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:14,879 Speaker 2: was just that was maybe the lowest point. But I 480 00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:17,680 Speaker 2: think the next day Schwellenbach went out there and struck out. 481 00:25:18,000 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 2: Was it thirteen batters over seven innings or something? Crazy, dude, 482 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:25,240 Speaker 2: It's just so good. It was awesome against the Mets. 483 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:28,040 Speaker 2: He pitched in that last series as well against New York. 484 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:31,680 Speaker 2: So again it's the theme of this podcast, and I'll 485 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:34,480 Speaker 2: say it one last time, but just such an impressive 486 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:37,479 Speaker 2: rookie season for Schwellenbach, and it feels like, based on 487 00:25:37,520 --> 00:25:39,680 Speaker 2: how good he was at the end of the year 488 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:42,119 Speaker 2: versus the pitcher he was at the start, it feels 489 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:44,520 Speaker 2: like he can be even better. And if the Braves 490 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:46,600 Speaker 2: are gonna get thirty starts out of him next this 491 00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:49,199 Speaker 2: upcoming season, I mean, the sky is the limit, and 492 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:52,880 Speaker 2: I mean, hell, are you telling me that in October 493 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 2: we're talking about Schwellenbach being like a legitimate vote getter 494 00:25:56,560 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 2: for cy Young. I'm not saying he's gonna win the award, 495 00:25:59,320 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 2: because that's the that would be pretty pretty hot take ish. 496 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:03,919 Speaker 2: But you tell me he's going to be on the 497 00:26:03,960 --> 00:26:05,920 Speaker 2: ballot somewhere. I could see it. 498 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:11,160 Speaker 1: And getting kind of diverting, you know, the conversation away 499 00:26:11,160 --> 00:26:14,520 Speaker 1: from Swellenbach a bit more is I think another aspect 500 00:26:14,560 --> 00:26:16,919 Speaker 1: of this Braves organization is, you know, we kind of 501 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,199 Speaker 1: do these position capsules. I guess we could kind of 502 00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:21,760 Speaker 1: coordinate this one to be you know, the pitching depth 503 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:23,760 Speaker 1: capsule or you know kind of the you know, you know, 504 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:27,520 Speaker 1: the hierarchy of arms and the Braves starting rotation. You know, 505 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:29,639 Speaker 1: of course, many people were going to talk about Heirston 506 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:32,720 Speaker 1: Waldrip and they're going to talk about ag Smith, shobber King, Kaminitti, 507 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:35,440 Speaker 1: who's now in the system as well. But names like 508 00:26:35,680 --> 00:26:40,040 Speaker 1: J J R. Richie, you know, other names like that 509 00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:42,040 Speaker 1: that I think you would probably put in the back 510 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 1: half of the top ten arms in the Brave system. 511 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:49,280 Speaker 1: It stands out to me that those guys could be 512 00:26:49,320 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 1: the names to watch in the Brave system, one or 513 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:53,560 Speaker 1: two of them having breakout starts, because I don't think 514 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:56,000 Speaker 1: anybody was going to sit here and put Spencer Strider 515 00:26:56,280 --> 00:26:58,119 Speaker 1: as soon as he was drafted at the top of 516 00:26:58,119 --> 00:27:01,000 Speaker 1: the Braves Minor League. I don't think they were gonna 517 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:03,480 Speaker 1: do that With Swill and Block. The Braves have a 518 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:06,919 Speaker 1: knack for being able to find these gyms, and I 519 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:09,080 Speaker 1: wonder if they could do it once again with some 520 00:27:09,119 --> 00:27:11,239 Speaker 1: of the depth that they have with their arms. I 521 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:13,520 Speaker 1: think that watching out for the next one or two 522 00:27:13,840 --> 00:27:16,239 Speaker 1: big breakout stars in the Braves Minor League system when 523 00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:18,639 Speaker 1: it comes to pitchers, that could be a big narrative 524 00:27:18,680 --> 00:27:19,560 Speaker 1: to watch this season. 525 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:23,720 Speaker 2: Yeah. I mean, it's really kind of been the motto 526 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 2: and theme of the Braves during this run of being 527 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:29,800 Speaker 2: really really good is yes, they've developed top end talent 528 00:27:29,880 --> 00:27:32,520 Speaker 2: as well as anybody in the game, but it seems 529 00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:35,200 Speaker 2: like every summer that they just pluck someone out. And 530 00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:38,320 Speaker 2: I mean, heck, Michael Harris was a well regarded prospect 531 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:40,959 Speaker 2: and he was called up a couple months into the season, 532 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:43,520 Speaker 2: he wins Rookie of the Year and is a five 533 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 2: tool all Star level centerfielder. Similarly, Spencer Strider was not 534 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:51,760 Speaker 2: a consensus top one hundred prospect by any means, comes 535 00:27:51,840 --> 00:27:54,760 Speaker 2: up and was arguably as dominant as any pitcher on 536 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:59,399 Speaker 2: an inning by inning basis as a rookie. It's incredible 537 00:27:59,440 --> 00:28:01,920 Speaker 2: that the Brave continue to churn out players who maybe 538 00:28:01,920 --> 00:28:04,440 Speaker 2: are not highly regarded in the eyes of the top 539 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:08,240 Speaker 2: one hundred prospect lists. And you know, yes there are 540 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:10,920 Speaker 2: I'm sure that as we do in the coming months, 541 00:28:11,000 --> 00:28:13,879 Speaker 2: kind of like our season preview type episodes for the Braves. 542 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:17,400 Speaker 2: This year, there's gonna be a player who we either 543 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:19,640 Speaker 2: don't say his name, or maybe we say it one 544 00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:23,399 Speaker 2: time and then nine months from now we're gonna be going, man, 545 00:28:23,520 --> 00:28:26,199 Speaker 2: this guy has is having a great year. You know, 546 00:28:26,400 --> 00:28:29,680 Speaker 2: there's a couple guys in the system. Hopefully Hurston Waldrip 547 00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:32,640 Speaker 2: can stay healthy and bounce back. I felt like last 548 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:35,840 Speaker 2: year was kind of a lost year. Similarly, Aja SMIs 549 00:28:35,840 --> 00:28:38,680 Speaker 2: Shauber sounds like he kind of changed some things and 550 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 2: maybe tweaked his mechanics a bit. Hopefully he can stay 551 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:44,560 Speaker 2: healthy and make that impact even a little deeper down 552 00:28:44,600 --> 00:28:47,440 Speaker 2: the list. I know Blake Burkhalter has some fans in 553 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 2: the organization as a possibility, and a whole bunch more 554 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:53,960 Speaker 2: so we will see. But inevitably we'll do a podcast 555 00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:56,840 Speaker 2: in July about a rookie who maybe wasn't on our 556 00:28:56,920 --> 00:28:59,440 Speaker 2: radar and he threw six score lists that night, and 557 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:01,720 Speaker 2: it's his third straight start in a row. That's really good, 558 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:04,120 Speaker 2: and and it just it just helps your team out 559 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:06,720 Speaker 2: so much because you know you're going to have injuries 560 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:09,480 Speaker 2: and underperformance at times, and the way the Braves have 561 00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:11,680 Speaker 2: done with the last few years is just so impressive. 562 00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:16,640 Speaker 1: So, Scott, it's funny that you mentioned July, and remind me, Scott, 563 00:29:16,680 --> 00:29:20,160 Speaker 1: because because I proposed this same scenario to Steven when 564 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:23,000 Speaker 1: it came to Michael Harris the second. Remind me once again, 565 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:26,680 Speaker 1: where is the All Star Game this year? 566 00:29:27,920 --> 00:29:29,160 Speaker 2: It's in Atlanta. 567 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:31,520 Speaker 1: Then, Scott Coleman, I'm gonna put you on the clock 568 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:34,400 Speaker 1: right now, put you on the spot right now. Is 569 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:37,160 Speaker 1: Spencer Swellenbach a member of the National League team this 570 00:29:37,200 --> 00:29:40,960 Speaker 1: summer in Atlanta when they take the field, Not that 571 00:29:41,040 --> 00:29:42,880 Speaker 1: he's going to start the game, but is he a 572 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:45,160 Speaker 1: National League All Star with the game in Atlanta this year? 573 00:29:46,120 --> 00:29:51,160 Speaker 2: I like that, that's a great question. Maybe I let 574 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:53,360 Speaker 2: me let me. I'm gonna say yes. Actually, I'm gonna 575 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:57,400 Speaker 2: say yes. How about that? Why not? I mean, he 576 00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:00,680 Speaker 2: pitched to an all star level last year. He might 577 00:30:00,760 --> 00:30:04,560 Speaker 2: actually have some competition just on his own teammates. I mean, 578 00:30:04,560 --> 00:30:07,520 Speaker 2: if Chris Sale wants to be cy Young again, absolutely, 579 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:11,120 Speaker 2: If Spencer Stryder wants to come back and be Spencer Streider, awesome, 580 00:30:11,600 --> 00:30:14,400 Speaker 2: If Rinaldo Lopez wants to carry an era and the 581 00:30:14,440 --> 00:30:18,360 Speaker 2: ones amazing, right, like, he has some real competition internally. 582 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:21,320 Speaker 2: But yeah, I like that. I hadn't really thought about, 583 00:30:21,440 --> 00:30:23,520 Speaker 2: you know, how many players from this team will be 584 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:26,080 Speaker 2: at the All Star Game? But hey, that would be 585 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:29,760 Speaker 2: a very deserving accomplishment for him. And let's hope that 586 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:32,800 Speaker 2: he again can stay healthy and everything checks out after 587 00:30:32,840 --> 00:30:35,680 Speaker 2: throwing a lot of innings last year, the most professional 588 00:30:35,680 --> 00:30:38,480 Speaker 2: innings of his life by far, that is one thing 589 00:30:38,520 --> 00:30:41,040 Speaker 2: to note and the crush your fingers and say a 590 00:30:41,040 --> 00:30:45,280 Speaker 2: prayer category, But again, man, if health cooperates, I just 591 00:30:45,320 --> 00:30:47,880 Speaker 2: I have a hard time seeing Schwellenbach not being good 592 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:50,120 Speaker 2: based on everything we've just talked about for the last 593 00:30:50,120 --> 00:30:50,760 Speaker 2: twenty minutes. 594 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:54,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, man, and you know, with all the star name 595 00:30:54,240 --> 00:30:56,720 Speaker 1: the star power that the Braves have, he could probably 596 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:58,440 Speaker 1: get kind of lost in the shuffle. But again, that's 597 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:00,680 Speaker 1: why we wanted to do this episode. When you look 598 00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:03,680 Speaker 1: at the numbers, not only are they quite impressive, but 599 00:31:04,040 --> 00:31:07,120 Speaker 1: they show that the performance is valid. It's not a fluke. 600 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:09,719 Speaker 1: Spencer Schwellenbach could be one of the best starters in 601 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:12,680 Speaker 1: the National League for years to come. Scott, as we 602 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:15,520 Speaker 1: wrap up this edition of the Hammer Territory podcast, anything 603 00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:18,200 Speaker 1: else from you when it comes to you know what 604 00:31:18,320 --> 00:31:22,520 Speaker 1: to look for, because hey, this time next week, we're 605 00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:25,320 Speaker 1: going to be having some baseball highlights out there to watch. 606 00:31:25,680 --> 00:31:29,080 Speaker 2: That's right, yeah, baby. I believe pitchers and catchers show 607 00:31:29,160 --> 00:31:32,760 Speaker 2: up on February twelfth, which is less than a week away. 608 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:36,720 Speaker 2: The first full team workout is February eighteenth. I think 609 00:31:36,760 --> 00:31:40,280 Speaker 2: the first spring game is February twenty fourth or twenty fifth. 610 00:31:40,760 --> 00:31:43,320 Speaker 2: So yeah, we're gonna have baseball here soon in our lives. 611 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:47,040 Speaker 2: It'll be great to have the bullpen session videos and 612 00:31:47,120 --> 00:31:50,600 Speaker 2: the PfP videos. You just got to say a prayer 613 00:31:50,600 --> 00:31:53,400 Speaker 2: that no one's elbow or shoulder starts bothering them, which 614 00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:56,200 Speaker 2: is honestly kind of the scary part of everybody starting 615 00:31:56,240 --> 00:32:00,600 Speaker 2: to really ramp up. But God willing, after everything this 616 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:03,600 Speaker 2: team went through injury wise last year, let's hope that 617 00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:06,640 Speaker 2: a healthier season is on the horizon. And yeah, we'll 618 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 2: be back. I know we're gonna probably have a show 619 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:11,840 Speaker 2: over the weekend, even with the Super Bowl going. We'll 620 00:32:11,880 --> 00:32:14,720 Speaker 2: be sure to have another episode soon to feed that 621 00:32:14,840 --> 00:32:17,280 Speaker 2: braves Itch And uh yeah, Sean, this is a lot 622 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:19,120 Speaker 2: of fun, buddy. I'm glad the Coleman's could get. 623 00:32:18,960 --> 00:32:22,880 Speaker 1: Together, absolutely, and it's especially fun when you get to 624 00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:25,880 Speaker 1: talk about yet another young player who's going to be 625 00:32:25,880 --> 00:32:28,600 Speaker 1: Atlanta for in Atlanta for a long time and hopefully 626 00:32:28,640 --> 00:32:31,440 Speaker 1: one that you have confidence will lead us to another 627 00:32:31,520 --> 00:32:34,120 Speaker 1: champion ship. But of course, you can find Scott Coleman 628 00:32:34,200 --> 00:32:37,680 Speaker 1: at Scott Coleman fifty five on next Slash Twitter, myself 629 00:32:37,720 --> 00:32:41,120 Speaker 1: at stats Sac. You can find hammer territory across all 630 00:32:41,160 --> 00:32:44,360 Speaker 1: forms of social media, as well as foul Territory across 631 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:47,120 Speaker 1: all forms of social media, and check out the Family 632 00:32:47,200 --> 00:32:50,760 Speaker 1: of Baseball podcast for foul territory. I can't stress this enough. 633 00:32:51,040 --> 00:32:55,440 Speaker 1: There is a growing family of baseball podcasts, all quality, 634 00:32:55,680 --> 00:32:57,600 Speaker 1: quality content and I don't know if it's to the 635 00:32:57,720 --> 00:33:02,880 Speaker 1: level of Coleman Coleman intent, but still probably not, but 636 00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:06,320 Speaker 1: still good content. The follow along high Bar, very high. 637 00:33:06,120 --> 00:33:07,160 Speaker 2: Bar, Scott. 638 00:33:07,240 --> 00:33:08,880 Speaker 1: Always a pleasure to do this with you. I hope 639 00:33:08,880 --> 00:33:10,680 Speaker 1: to do it again soon, hope all's will on. You're 640 00:33:10,720 --> 00:33:13,080 Speaker 1: in sir, and we'll talk to you again soon. And 641 00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:15,720 Speaker 1: the same goes for all of you. Thanks so much 642 00:33:15,720 --> 00:33:18,200 Speaker 1: for tuning in. We'll talk to you again soon here 643 00:33:18,600 --> 00:33:20,120 Speaker 1: on The Hammer Territory Podcast.