1 00:00:03,320 --> 00:00:07,320 Speaker 1: And we are excited to announce that Baseball America's twenty 2 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:10,520 Speaker 1: twenty five Minor League Player of the Year is Pirates 3 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:14,920 Speaker 1: shortstop slash center fielder Connor Griffin. I want to just 4 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: kind of highlight a couple of things here that stand 5 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: out about Connor Griffin. This year, Connor Griffin hit three 6 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: thirty three That is the highest batting gaverage in full 7 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: season minor leagues by a teenager since Vladimir Guerrero Junior 8 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:30,640 Speaker 1: hit three eighty two back in twenty eighteen. Connor Griffin 9 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: also played shortstop most of the year eighty eight games 10 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:39,680 Speaker 1: I believe seven errors. There was only three teenage shortstop 11 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:42,680 Speaker 1: seventy five more games this year who had ten or 12 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:44,800 Speaker 1: fewer errs. Connor Griffin was one of those, and by 13 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: the way, doing it while making some sensational catches, since 14 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: plays that you just want to watch over and over 15 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 1: and over. And on top of that, no drafted teenager 16 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: had ever had a twenty forty season twenty homers, forty 17 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:02,320 Speaker 1: steals in the minor leagues. Ever, this year, Connor Griffin 18 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 1: hit twenty one homers while stealing sixty five bases. Put 19 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 1: it all together, and Connor Griffin. Congratulations, you are Baseball 20 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 1: America's twenty twenty five Minor League Player of the Year. 21 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:17,319 Speaker 1: Congrats on the season, and just what has the last 22 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 1: year been like for you? But this time last year, 23 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 1: you're just coming out of the draft and here you are, 24 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: You're in Double A and you know, just coming off 25 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: of a thrilling playoff series. 26 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:29,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's it's been a crazy year. But I'm super 27 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 2: thankful for the Pirates taking a chance on me last 28 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:35,400 Speaker 2: year's draft, and it's been been a heck of a year. 29 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 2: Learned so much about myself. I really feel like I 30 00:01:38,240 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 2: grew as a baseball player. And now I'm back home 31 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 2: and get to get into the off season, take some 32 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 2: time off, and get ready to keep going next year. 33 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 3: Hey, Connor, Jeff Ponce got the opportunity, obviously meet you 34 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 3: or chatty a little bit last week out in Al Tuna. 35 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 3: Great series that you had there. Unfortunately, guys came up 36 00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 3: a little short against a very talented, eerie team. Thank 37 00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:02,520 Speaker 3: you hit six hundred during the series, so can't be 38 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 3: too angry about the performance. But we talked a little 39 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 3: bit when we chatted about, you know, just sort of 40 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:11,400 Speaker 3: the adjustments you had to make in high in low a. Uh, 41 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 3: and then you know getting up to high, getting up 42 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 3: to double A, your numbers in your line in comparison 43 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:19,919 Speaker 3: to your peers actually improved at each level. So talk 44 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 3: to me a little bit about making those adjustments and 45 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 3: dealing with some of the adversity. 46 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. I just think experience is you know the most 47 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 2: important thing. Uh. As as the season went on, I 48 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 2: felt like I continued to stack up good days and 49 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 2: you know, become the hitter and the defensive player that 50 00:02:35,520 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 2: I that I became. And there's always there was always something, 51 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 2: a different challenge every day that I was trying to overcome. 52 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:46,119 Speaker 2: But the main thing is just making sure I show 53 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 2: up ready to win, ready to ready to compete every 54 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 2: day and uh, try to find find some way to 55 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 2: grow as a player. But uh, there was a there 56 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 2: was always there's always something, and you know with the 57 00:02:57,200 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 2: hitting hitting side, just making sure to be consistent. That 58 00:02:59,919 --> 00:03:02,360 Speaker 2: was that was my biggest thing. Continue to show up 59 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:04,680 Speaker 2: and be consistent and be who I am every day. 60 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 2: And then defensively at shortstop, it was a it was 61 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 2: kind of you know big mentally for me, just you know, 62 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 2: making sure I'm focused every single every single pitch and uh, 63 00:03:14,639 --> 00:03:16,799 Speaker 2: just giving it, given, giving it my all every time 64 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 2: I'm out there. So just shot to be the same 65 00:03:18,639 --> 00:03:21,000 Speaker 2: player at every level and continue to do what I did. 66 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 1: Connor, we kind of like to pour over swings look 67 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,040 Speaker 1: at all that, But one thing that jumped out to 68 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: me probably the most looking at your swing from high 69 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: school to now is just how physically different you are. 70 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 1: How much has that kind of been a big part 71 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: of your you know, adjustment to pro balls. Like physically 72 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 1: it looks like you really kind of have filled out 73 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 1: over the past, you know, twelve to sixteen months. 74 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think I think when I got drafted, I 75 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 2: was right around like two hundred and ten pounds and 76 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 2: now now I'm up to about two twenty five. That's 77 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:54,520 Speaker 2: what I got to going into spring training, So I 78 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 2: think that was a huge jump for me. I started 79 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 2: swinging a thirty three and a half, a little bigger 80 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 2: bat than I was, and high school, I started being 81 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:03,920 Speaker 2: able to use my legs more just be in the 82 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:07,520 Speaker 2: ground and and then I always always had the power, 83 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:10,400 Speaker 2: but uh, it's just being consistent with the power and 84 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 2: that's what eventually came from that, and it was a 85 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 2: it was a great off season last year, I trained 86 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 2: really hard, made sure I was eating well, and I 87 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:20,960 Speaker 2: wanted to get to spring training at two twenty five, 88 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 2: and that's what I did, and I think it really 89 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 2: I think I've benefited from it really good. 90 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 3: Let's take in a little deeper, because you talked about 91 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 3: this with me last week as well, working with your 92 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:33,599 Speaker 3: dad in the off season on your swing and cleaning 93 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:36,200 Speaker 3: up some things. What sort of stuff did did you 94 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 3: guys focus on and clean up? 95 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, we focused a lot on the lower half, making 96 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,600 Speaker 2: sure I'm saying on my back side and not jumping 97 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 2: out of it. Didn't want to make ninety five feel 98 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 2: like one hundred every time I'm in the box. So 99 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 2: plus it helped me see the ball a little better, 100 00:04:52,680 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 2: have more time and uh. And then just really really 101 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:59,039 Speaker 2: focusing on direction. Uh. In high school, I think we 102 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 2: talked about this that I was arm barring a little bit, 103 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:04,039 Speaker 2: made sure to try to be a little shorter to 104 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 2: the ball and then just maintain a good direction and uh, 105 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 2: and then really worked out for me. So I'm gonna 106 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 2: continue to hammer down those things and super thankful for 107 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,360 Speaker 2: my dad who's helped me get to where I'm at 108 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 2: and we're going to continue to work this offseason and 109 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 2: try to try to continue to get better. 110 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,279 Speaker 1: So you mentioned about spring training that kind of felt 111 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 1: like that was a big moment for you as far 112 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:29,400 Speaker 1: as like the Pirates fans and all that. The anticipation 113 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 1: started building because you know, you got to play a 114 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: lot in big league games in spring training. How important 115 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 1: though was that for you? Also you got to make 116 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:40,280 Speaker 1: some plays, you got to get kind of that feel 117 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: of what big league spring trainings like. Did that kind 118 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,040 Speaker 1: of really kind of springboard you into the season? 119 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that was the biggest part of my 120 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,359 Speaker 2: season was was spring training. Uh, not even playing in 121 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:55,599 Speaker 2: the games, just being every day with the big league staff, 122 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 2: the veterans and just you know, trying to figure out 123 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 2: how to become a pro. And it was was really 124 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 2: easy sitting there watching guys like Paul Skins and Andrew McCutcheon, 125 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 2: you know how just watching how they go about their day. 126 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:08,720 Speaker 2: And uh, I learned. I learned a lot at big 127 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,040 Speaker 2: league camp and getting to get into the games and 128 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:13,840 Speaker 2: play a little bit in front of the fans. It 129 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 2: was it was awesome. Got to kind of make a 130 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 2: name for myself and and uh, and then I continued 131 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,000 Speaker 2: on to my season, and I think it I think 132 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,599 Speaker 2: it really prepared me for my for my first year 133 00:06:24,760 --> 00:06:27,160 Speaker 2: was uh being a big league camp, so it was 134 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 2: it was a great experience for me. 135 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 1: Now, in spring training you did a lot of playing 136 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: in the center field, and then obviously as the season 137 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:35,239 Speaker 1: went along, you played, you know, much more at short 138 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 1: so a little bit it got to play both, though 139 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:39,800 Speaker 1: still played both. One of the things that stood out 140 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 1: to me about you at shortstop, which maybe it's because 141 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:44,839 Speaker 1: of center field. I don't know if it's wide receiver background, 142 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:45,719 Speaker 1: do you have it. I don't know if you have 143 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:48,159 Speaker 1: that in your background or what, but your tracking of 144 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: balls over your head at shortstop. A lot of guys 145 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 1: they kind of that's that's a tough one for them. 146 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 1: That seemed to be something that you almost like embraced 147 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: was seeing that pop fly that was gonna end up 148 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 1: in short set or or you know, in short left field. 149 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 1: Is that kind of like where did that come from? 150 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 2: Yeah? I think it just it came from me being 151 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 2: an outfielder. First. I've always I've always loved outfield. I mean, 152 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 2: I can say that outfield definitely comes more natural to me, 153 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:19,720 Speaker 2: but being as short I just I just I just 154 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 2: want to make plays, and uh so when those kind 155 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 2: of in between balls are right behind me, I just 156 00:07:25,040 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 2: I feel like I'm a center fielder again. I go 157 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 2: back and and try to track them down. But I 158 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 2: think I think it is it's cool. It's really cool 159 00:07:32,200 --> 00:07:35,559 Speaker 2: how outfield and infield kind of worked together. I feel 160 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 2: like I feel like they suck me at short most 161 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,480 Speaker 2: of the year just because, uh, you know, it kept 162 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,160 Speaker 2: my my footwork sharp and if I needed to go 163 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 2: to the outfield, I could. But I think in spring 164 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 2: training they really didn't know whether I was going to 165 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 2: play centerfield or sure, so out there just giving me 166 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,760 Speaker 2: reps at both spots, and and then when the season 167 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 2: started they said, hey, let's sick it short and we'll 168 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,000 Speaker 2: let you play some centerfield if you want. But uh 169 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 2: but I spent most of the year short, and I 170 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 2: loved it. I feel like I feel like I became 171 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:06,800 Speaker 2: a really decent shortstop, and I feel like I grew 172 00:08:06,880 --> 00:08:10,440 Speaker 2: a lot at that position, and just not not just fundamentals, 173 00:08:10,440 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 2: but just you know, the mental side, where to be 174 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 2: on certain plays, things like that, things that I didn't 175 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 2: really think about when I was in high school. I 176 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 2: just kind of tried to be an athlete and go play, 177 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 2: But I really I really learned a lot, especially starting 178 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:23,679 Speaker 2: in spring training. 179 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:27,000 Speaker 3: What sort of things you know, you talked about being 180 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 3: around the veterans and and you know, obviously growing as 181 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 3: a player defensively offensively. What sort of things have you 182 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:38,680 Speaker 3: adapted or you know, maybe brought into your routine in 183 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:40,719 Speaker 3: terms of like your pregame work and all that sort 184 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 3: of stuff that maybe is a little different than you 185 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:44,120 Speaker 3: know when you were in high school, and you know, 186 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 3: things are a little different, and the resources and stuff 187 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:48,280 Speaker 3: for different things too. 188 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,239 Speaker 2: I think just the way they take care of themselves 189 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:53,959 Speaker 2: to start the day. They I mean they get their 190 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:57,760 Speaker 2: hours before even taking a swing in the cage or 191 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 2: taking taking ground balls, They're they're there, They're getting their 192 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 2: body loose in the gym, and I think that's something 193 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:06,960 Speaker 2: that I learned that helped me feel great all year, 194 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:11,199 Speaker 2: was having a good activation workout. And I mean I 195 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 2: remember watching Paul Skien sit out, sit outside in the 196 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 2: grass and stretch and do things for an hour to 197 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:20,680 Speaker 2: two hours before he even started to pick up a baseball. 198 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 2: So I think that stuff is really important, gets your 199 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 2: mind right, gets you locked in for the day, and 200 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 2: I think I added that stuff to my routine and 201 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 2: it kind of helped me feel good, helped me feel 202 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:33,559 Speaker 2: consistent every day knowing that I was doing the same 203 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 2: routine every time I showed up to the field. 204 00:09:37,360 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 1: Connor the other thing. I just want to kind of 205 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:40,839 Speaker 1: end this with this is on my end is thank 206 00:09:40,880 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 1: you for joining us. But we've had a few high 207 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:45,080 Speaker 1: school players of the Year who've also gone on to 208 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 1: be our Minor League Player of the Year. Joe Mauer, 209 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 1: Byron Buxton, Bobby Witt Junior, Jackson Holiday and now you. 210 00:09:53,040 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: That's a that's a pretty good group to be part of. 211 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 1: I would so I did want to kind of ask 212 00:09:57,520 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: you with that, who did you grow up kind of 213 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 1: like who is your player that you kind of watched 214 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: as a kid, and said, I want to be like that. 215 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's crazy to say this, but I love watching 216 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 2: Ronald Acunya junior play that that was That was a 217 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 2: guy I love watching another Layer of the Year Yep, 218 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 2: a lot of a lot of energy, you know, swings 219 00:10:17,200 --> 00:10:19,280 Speaker 2: it and has a heck of an arm. So I 220 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 2: just love watching how he played the game. And I 221 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 2: was a Braves fan growing up. My dad's from Georgia, 222 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 2: so he always had the braz On at the house, 223 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:28,680 Speaker 2: So that was that was definitely the guy I love 224 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 2: to watch. 225 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:32,240 Speaker 4: Connor last one for me at the finish line you 226 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 4: mentioned schemes. 227 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 2: Do you keep in touch with him? 228 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 4: And if so, I mean, I know Paul has been 229 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 4: brilliant up in the major leagues, but is one of 230 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 4: those intense gamers and he's going to tell us, as 231 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 4: we've talked to him, say like last year at at 232 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 4: the Awards for Rookie of the Year, that he loves 233 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 4: the win and obviously the individual accomplishment, but he's like, 234 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:58,960 Speaker 4: not good enough. I need postseason ball and he hasn't 235 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 4: seen that yet in his first couple of seasons. So 236 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 4: if you have spoken to him, do you guys talk 237 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 4: about what the future could look like in Pittsburgh. 238 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's cool. He uh, he stays in touch. He'll 239 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,079 Speaker 2: he'll text me, you know, every every now and then, 240 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:12,880 Speaker 2: just checking in making sure everything's going well. And uh, 241 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 2: when we were in spring training, we got to spend 242 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 2: a lot of time together and it's just it's just 243 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 2: cool to see the type of competitor he is, and 244 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 2: I mean he wants to win more than anything. And uh, 245 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 2: if you can get a lot of guys around him 246 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 2: that you know, have that same mentality, like, it's gonna 247 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:28,680 Speaker 2: be a it's gonna be a fun few years. And 248 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 2: I just can't wait to continue to grow as a 249 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:33,440 Speaker 2: player and try to try to be there as quick 250 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:35,960 Speaker 2: as I can, just to be around that that that 251 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 2: type of player and because I just know it'll it 252 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 2: makes everybody better who's around him. And the most important 253 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 2: thing is winning, and we want to win bad. It 254 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 2: was cool to be in Double A and make it 255 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:48,440 Speaker 2: to the playoffs for the altun To Curve for the 256 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:51,839 Speaker 2: first time since twenty eighteen, so I got my first 257 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 2: taste of that. I mean, the fans even in Double 258 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:56,680 Speaker 2: A were you know, so excited that we made the playoffs, 259 00:11:56,720 --> 00:12:00,120 Speaker 2: Like I can't imagine uh getting to Pittsburgh eventually and 260 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 2: then doing the same thing. So that's definitely the definitely 261 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:04,839 Speaker 2: the main goal. But I know there's a lot of 262 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 2: work to be done. I'm gonna continue to grow as 263 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 2: a player and you know, continue to work hard and 264 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:11,439 Speaker 2: see what happens. 265 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 4: Great answers, awesome to have you on. Congratulations Connor, thank 266 00:12:15,640 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 4: you so much for joining us. Congratulations on the Award. 267 00:12:18,800 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 2: Thank you, I appreciate it. Thanks for thanks for believing 268 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:21,439 Speaker 2: in me.