1 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 1: What's up everybody. Welcome into another edition of Crush City Territory. 2 00:00:09,080 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 1: I'm Channel Room, joined as always by Tyler Stafford, and 3 00:00:12,200 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: sometimes we're joined by Josh Reddick. Today we upgraded in 4 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: the Josh department. We have Josh Miller, the Astros pitching coach. 5 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 1: Starting a tradition. I think, Josh, because last year we 6 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:27,320 Speaker 1: had you on about a week before pictures and catchers 7 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 1: reported to to preview the pitching staff, you kindly agreed 8 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:34,080 Speaker 1: to do it again. It was a good year for 9 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 1: you guys pitching wise last year, so I'm gonna I'm 10 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:39,879 Speaker 1: gonna credit Crush City Territory with the success that you 11 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: guys had pitching wise last year. 12 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:44,239 Speaker 2: Okay, happy to talk to you guys again. Have some 13 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:47,280 Speaker 2: exciting pictures in camp here that'll get started next week, 14 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,919 Speaker 2: so we'll put credit where credit is due. Thank you 15 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,160 Speaker 2: guys to getting us off on a good foot last year. 16 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: If you're watching on YouTube, you can see that Josh 17 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,639 Speaker 1: is at dike In Park right now. He's outfitted, he's 18 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:02,680 Speaker 1: he's he's dressed like a coach. He's dressed like he's 19 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: been working today. He's in the coach's office, just coming 20 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:09,119 Speaker 1: off the field. You've had a few guys in throwing bullpens, 21 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: throwing live vps, so things have really gotten started already, Josh. 22 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 1: I think that's the kind of the misconception that some 23 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: people have is that you guys, it's not one of 24 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 1: these things where these guys roll off their couch, go 25 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 1: to West Palm and they're gonna throw their first bullpens 26 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: like this. Uh, stuff starts very early. Kind of give 27 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 1: us a sense of where some of these guys are 28 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: in their ramp ups and kind of what going to 29 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 1: West Palm like, what transitions will be made. Then. 30 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, the game's changed quite a bit. Even 31 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:38,960 Speaker 2: back when I was playing in the minor leagues twenty 32 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 2: twenty five years ago, you know, there was you had 33 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 2: to get an off season job, you couldn't really train 34 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:46,040 Speaker 2: year round. It was a it was a different animal, 35 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 2: and things have started to, you know, become trend more 36 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:51,880 Speaker 2: like it's a year round thing. For these guys. They 37 00:01:52,240 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 2: put in a ton of time training keeping their body right, 38 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 2: and you know, there's there's different thoughts to to how 39 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:00,080 Speaker 2: you keep the arm going in the off season to 40 00:02:00,080 --> 00:02:03,120 Speaker 2: get it ready for next season. There's really not much 41 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 2: downtime and we've had a good crew of guys here 42 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:08,320 Speaker 2: at the ballpark that uh, you know, have stayed in 43 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 2: the Houston area and we you know, open up the 44 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 2: clubhouse and the complex to to them, and you know 45 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 2: we're here to you know, help guide them through the 46 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: preparation process so they could train appropriately and be ready 47 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 2: for spring. You know, the guys are usually on a 48 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 2: structured program where they they might play catch a couple 49 00:02:25,960 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 2: of times a week after the season, keep the arm moving, 50 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 2: and then they you know, add some volume, some intensity 51 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 2: to the throwing sessions. They start throwing off the mound 52 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 2: sometime in December or early January. And you know we're here. 53 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 2: We have our our bullpen catchers. Javier Bracamante, Caleb Nuniez 54 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 2: are local. I'm I'm local, Joe a Spot of the 55 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:49,639 Speaker 2: manager's local, a couple of their coaches, Tommy Calmore, Jason Bell. 56 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,520 Speaker 2: We all come in and you know, help help the 57 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:55,520 Speaker 2: guys and and provide any anything they need to get 58 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 2: them ready for spring. You know, most of these guys 59 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:00,640 Speaker 2: are ready to face hitters. We started that week some 60 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:03,080 Speaker 2: guys you know, throwing pitches from the mound here at 61 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 2: Dyke And Park to hitters, and we'll transition into that 62 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 2: in West Palm and then the games are right around 63 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:11,919 Speaker 2: the corner. So excited about the group we've had here 64 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 2: and the group that have been training abroad at their homes, 65 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 2: and and excited to get started at spring training. 66 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 3: When when guys are coming back, you know, you haven't 67 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 3: seen them in a in a couple of months, and 68 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:24,919 Speaker 3: you know you're getting ready for spring training. Obviously I'm 69 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:29,519 Speaker 3: assuming they're not you know, throwing max effort or anything yet, 70 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 3: Like what are you as a coach looking for to 71 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 3: just see that progress is where you want it to be, 72 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 3: or how can you tell somebody has had a good 73 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 3: off season. 74 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 2: Well, every everybody's a little bit different. One person might 75 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 2: need to train differently than another. Some people can take 76 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 2: more time off, some people need to keep the arm moving. 77 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:54,120 Speaker 2: Everybody's you know, we're in constant communication of giving a 78 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 2: roadmap or a game plan on things that you know 79 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 2: may have went really well that we want to continue 80 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,520 Speaker 2: doing going into next year. Some things that need to 81 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 2: be short up a little bit and have a little 82 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: bit of a plan that they can tackle with their 83 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 2: off season training. You know, yeah, we we we don't 84 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:11,640 Speaker 2: really like it if they're if they're going, you know, 85 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:15,440 Speaker 2: redlining in in December and you know, using some of 86 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 2: that uh energy and effort and and maybe a little 87 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:22,120 Speaker 2: too soon in the calendar, but uh, you know, we 88 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 2: want them peeking at the right times. And I think 89 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:28,680 Speaker 2: it's reasonable to not set expectations super high. You know, 90 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:30,560 Speaker 2: we don't want we don't want to see Hunter Brown 91 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:33,279 Speaker 2: throwing ninety nine his first spring start here in a 92 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:37,920 Speaker 2: few weeks. But you know, you got check checkpoints and 93 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 2: mile markers along the way that you want to see, 94 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:41,280 Speaker 2: and you want to see hit and you want to 95 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 2: see some things tackled, like maybe it's another pitch or 96 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:46,919 Speaker 2: command of a certain pitch, or maybe a small delivery 97 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 2: tweak that all these guys are tuned to and and 98 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 2: uh they put the work in and it's uh, you 99 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 2: know something that it's my job and and our our 100 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:57,359 Speaker 2: new assistant pitching coach, Ethan Katz's job to stay in 101 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:00,720 Speaker 2: contact with these guys and and answer any quest, vide 102 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 2: any feedback. 103 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 1: That I'm glad you brought up, Ethan, because I wanted 104 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 1: to get there before we get to the guys on 105 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:11,720 Speaker 1: the pitching staff. Obviously a lot of turnover this offseason 106 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:15,799 Speaker 1: on the pitching side. Obviously, Murphy now the lead pitching 107 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:19,280 Speaker 1: coach to the Pirates. Congratulations again. I know, Josh, you 108 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: and Murph worked together for so long. I know that 109 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 1: had to be thrilling for you to see him get 110 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: that promotion. But as he exits, Ethan comes in. We've 111 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,720 Speaker 1: had Ethan on the pod before. He spoke very glowingly 112 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 1: of you, Josh about the interview process and how that went. 113 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: I'm curious as you're going through that process and you 114 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,720 Speaker 1: and Ethan start to talk, are you guys, is it 115 00:05:40,760 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: more that you guys see things the same way, you're 116 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: using the same words, same languages, or is it some 117 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: things that maybe he saw a little bit different that 118 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: you opened your eyes too, and maybe there's a little 119 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 1: bit of a fresher perspective coming in. Just give us 120 00:05:53,080 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 1: a little bit of an insight as to what it's 121 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:56,119 Speaker 1: been like early on working with Ethan. 122 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,920 Speaker 2: Sure, like you said, you know, Murphy and I very close. 123 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 2: We worked together for a long time, going back to 124 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:05,719 Speaker 2: the minor leagues. He's an integral part of the you know, 125 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 2: the pitching success that we've had here throughout the system, 126 00:06:08,839 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 2: including the big leagues. The last handful of years. Excited 127 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:13,600 Speaker 2: to see him, you know, go and grow with a 128 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 2: good pitching staff over in Pittsburgh. Him and I are close, 129 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 2: and I expect to remain close with him going forward 130 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:22,479 Speaker 2: and wish him the best. 131 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 1: You know. 132 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 2: The interview process was pretty long, and we we talked 133 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 2: quite a few candidates, but Ethan Ethan Katz stood out 134 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 2: as you know, a guy that that has worked with 135 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 2: high level pitchers in the past at the major league level, 136 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:39,479 Speaker 2: is a very very smart attuned to uh, you know, 137 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 2: pitching vernacular. Uh. He can he can speak the analytics, 138 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 2: he knows his stuff, had time in San Francisco, got 139 00:06:47,160 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 2: up to the big leagues with them, and then and 140 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:51,720 Speaker 2: then ran the White Sox pitching department for the last 141 00:06:51,760 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 2: handful of years, and we just felt really good about 142 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:56,960 Speaker 2: him as a person, about his knowledge base. We're still 143 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 2: gonna get get to know you uh type scenario. You 144 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 2: but him and I have been working very closely, and 145 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 2: you know, he's you know, made calls and spoken with 146 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 2: all of our players on the roster and and you know, 147 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 2: we're looking forward to get in uniform and and get 148 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 2: get our turfs on the field and and get up 149 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 2: and run it. In West Pond. 150 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,320 Speaker 3: Don't get don't get Josh Reddick going about needing to 151 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 3: wear your cleats around. That's that's all he says you 152 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 3: need to do. That's the last part of getting in 153 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 3: baseball shape. He talks about how hard it is to 154 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:26,800 Speaker 3: where cleats for three hours. 155 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 2: Well, it is. It is something I always said that, 156 00:07:29,320 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 2: you know, to get ready for spring training for a picture, 157 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 2: you should, uh you know, get up and then go 158 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 2: to the mall and run a lap and then walk 159 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 2: around for like four or five hours. And you know, 160 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 2: that's that's the life of a picture, at least it 161 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 2: used to be back in the day. Uh. We don't 162 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 2: make the guys really shag BP anymore. So it's more 163 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:51,560 Speaker 2: individual focus. Gets the box, get there, get their uh 164 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 2: their arm ready for for the season. 165 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 3: But uh yeah, no no more after no more BP. 166 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 3: After last year, we're gonna we're we're gonna avoid that. 167 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 2: Sound good. 168 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:05,040 Speaker 3: Sounds like we need a field trip to the galleria 169 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 3: and just get everybody out on the ice rink, get 170 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 3: the get the hearts going. 171 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 2: That would add add a little another element of danger 172 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 2: here a good ice skater, but I have seen many 173 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 2: people take a take a spill. 174 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, the turnover is not limited obviously to the coaching staff. 175 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 1: Dana made no excuse. Dana made no way to hide it. 176 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 1: From the beginning of the off season. His his focus 177 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 1: was pitching, pitch and pitching. And they have given you 178 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 1: a lot of new faces, a lot of new arms 179 00:08:34,040 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 1: in general. I'm curious, you know when there isn't when 180 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 1: there is such a stated directive in the off season 181 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:40,959 Speaker 1: of we are going to go sign a bunch of pitchers. 182 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,439 Speaker 1: How and obviously Dane is the one making the final call, 183 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:47,240 Speaker 1: he constructs the roster. But but how much are you 184 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 1: involved maybe in the process of does Dana send you, hey, 185 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 1: we're looking at this guy, we're talking about maybe trading 186 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 1: for this guy. Or is it a situation where you 187 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 1: see it like we see it, of oh, they signed 188 00:08:58,240 --> 00:08:59,559 Speaker 1: this guy, like let me go look at his video, 189 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 1: let me see what we got here. Or is it 190 00:09:01,040 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: kind of a blend of both. 191 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 2: It's a it's a blend of both. But most most 192 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 2: of the time, you know, Dane is going to clude 193 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 2: Joe and I into any type of high level decisions 194 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,800 Speaker 2: that that are bound to be made. We got a 195 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 2: ton of smart guys that work in the office and 196 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 2: look through this stuff, and we communicate with them often 197 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,520 Speaker 2: and you know, give our input, give our thoughts. Uh. 198 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 2: Sometimes they'd here too, sometimes they're not. But we're all 199 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,440 Speaker 2: part of the part of the equation that goes into 200 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,720 Speaker 2: making these decisions. And ultimately it's Dana and Joe and 201 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 2: and uh, you know they make the calls on the 202 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:31,360 Speaker 2: on the high level roster decisions, but they take our 203 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 2: input for sure. You know, I've been you know, given 204 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 2: quite a few guys to look at in my tenure 205 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 2: here and feel good about the guys that we've acquired 206 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 2: this offseason, and and we'll get our first look at 207 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 2: him here in a few weeks. 208 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: I think, Uh, the one guy that you guys acquired 209 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 1: that I think has gotten a ton of fanfare and 210 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 1: I think everyone is most excited to see is Tatsuya 211 00:09:56,559 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 1: e And I I heard you had an interview on 212 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 1: MLB Network Radio shortly after and it sounded like you 213 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:06,679 Speaker 1: were a stun that you guys landed Tatsuya Emi, as 214 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,480 Speaker 1: you know everyone else was, because just had not been 215 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: someone that you guys were linked to. Obviously, with the 216 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: posting deadline, it created some external factors. But now that 217 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 1: you've gotten to Joe mentioned last week that you guys 218 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,760 Speaker 1: have had some zoom calls with him, that you guys 219 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: have kind of started to set his schedule a little bit. 220 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 1: And as you've kind of started to break him down 221 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 1: and look at the stuff, what what do you think 222 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,400 Speaker 1: you guys have here in Tatsuya Emi. 223 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 2: I mean, he, you know, looks like the uh, you know, 224 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 2: electric high level pitcher that you know can come and 225 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:43,439 Speaker 2: dominate a game. You know, he moves very athletically, the 226 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:45,839 Speaker 2: ball jumps out of his hand. He's got some unique 227 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,840 Speaker 2: secondary weapons that think we think will play. He commands 228 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 2: his pitch as well. He's got some some charisma and 229 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 2: some uh you know, some energy about him that I 230 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,440 Speaker 2: think will play well here for the fans. And you know, 231 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 2: we're excited to excited to get started. And again, like 232 00:11:00,080 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 2: with Ethan Katz on the coaching staff, with Tatsuya we're 233 00:11:02,440 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 2: still in the get to know your phase and we'll see, 234 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:08,360 Speaker 2: you know, how the acclamation of you know, from the 235 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,080 Speaker 2: MPB schedule to the MLB schedule and what that looks like. 236 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,720 Speaker 2: But you know, it seems like in our early conversations, 237 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 2: all systems are go. He's he's up for anything. He's 238 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:19,320 Speaker 2: he's willing to do what's needed and what's best for 239 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 2: the team, and you know, we're excited to get started 240 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 2: with him. 241 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:24,480 Speaker 3: All right, I want to nerd out a little. You 242 00:11:24,520 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 3: mentioned the secondary stuff with Emi. He has a very 243 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 3: unique slider. It seems like one of those and correct 244 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 3: me if I'm wrong, but it seems like one that 245 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 3: was more in vogue fifteen twenty years ago. It's one 246 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 3: of those sliders that is it dives more than it 247 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:42,520 Speaker 3: does sweep across the zone. And if you know, it 248 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:45,840 Speaker 3: feels like recently, the you know, the big secondary stuff 249 00:11:45,840 --> 00:11:48,840 Speaker 3: in the big leagues is you know, the big sweepers, 250 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 3: the ones that really move across the plate. How does 251 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 3: having a slider like that change the way that you're 252 00:11:57,320 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 3: you know, you're tunneling your other pitches, Like how does 253 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 3: his play differently off a fastball than you know, a 254 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 3: larger like sweeping slider. 255 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:09,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, it is unique. The pitch kind of does dies down, 256 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 2: doesn't have much you know, horizontal movement, actually might have 257 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 2: some you know backward arm. Yeah. You know, you'd say, 258 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:20,959 Speaker 2: looking at his arm slot, which is a lower slot, 259 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 2: you'd expect him to, you know, to get the outside 260 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:24,959 Speaker 2: of the ball and sweep a breaker, but it doesn't 261 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 2: do that. So there's some uniqueness to the way that 262 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 2: pitch moves, and it can you know, assume it helps 263 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 2: its performance because hitters don't get to see a pitch 264 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:38,240 Speaker 2: that does that that often, especially when he's able to 265 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:40,680 Speaker 2: command it at an elite level and throw it at 266 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:43,959 Speaker 2: a high velocity. You know, we like those characteristics and 267 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 2: expect the pitch to perform pretty well here too. 268 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 1: I feel like we could do this whole pod on 269 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 1: Emi because I have like a lot of questions about 270 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: him in general. But something you mentioned a little bit 271 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:57,480 Speaker 1: earlier is that the acclimation process from MPB to MLB, 272 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 1: and that's something that I mean, this is made a 273 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:02,920 Speaker 1: big deal of when you guys signed him, like you 274 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 1: guys have not this is a first for the Astros organization, 275 00:13:06,480 --> 00:13:09,080 Speaker 1: Like he is believed to be the first pitch the 276 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 1: first player to ever come straight from MPB to play 277 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 1: for the Astros. Obviously with a pitcher who he pitched 278 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:19,480 Speaker 1: every fifth day and NPB you come here, you guys 279 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 1: are going to open in a six man but there 280 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 1: could be times this year where he pitches every fourth day. 281 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: How have you as a pitching coach. I'm going to 282 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: presume that this is something you've never had to do 283 00:13:30,600 --> 00:13:34,440 Speaker 1: hands on either, right, Like assimilate a guy from MPB 284 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: to MLB. 285 00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:39,120 Speaker 2: Well, it's similar. It's similar to acquiring a college pitcher 286 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:42,319 Speaker 2: in the draft, you know, and you tend to want 287 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:48,160 Speaker 2: to go more conservative at first while they get acclimated 288 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 2: to professional baseball and are pitching on a you know, 289 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 2: a more dense game schedule. So you want to you know, 290 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:58,679 Speaker 2: lower volume, lower pitch counts, lower innings totals as they 291 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:01,640 Speaker 2: get used to pitching every fifth or sixth day as 292 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 2: opposed to every seventh day. And you know that's it's 293 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:11,000 Speaker 2: not all too you know, different from what the MPB 294 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 2: schedule is. But I'll just say that, you know, uh, 295 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 2: Tetsu is not a not a nineteen year old or 296 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 2: twenty year old college player either. He's a twenty seven 297 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 2: year old, you know, elite athlete, and you know we're 298 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:23,720 Speaker 2: gonna listen to him and get his subjective feedback and 299 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 2: kind of make you know, sound decisions as best we 300 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:29,760 Speaker 2: can as we get to know him and get ready 301 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 2: for the season. 302 00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: The one thing when you and again this is talking 303 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: to other people that have watched him pitch as is 304 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 1: talking to maybe scouts and other people in the industry, 305 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: They they quite the one thing that keeps coming up 306 00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 1: about him is the fastball. Is maybe that the fastball 307 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 1: is a little straight, maybe that it maybe doesn't have 308 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: the characteristics that maybe just jump off of video or 309 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: analytics wise, I guess as you've looked at his fastball 310 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 1: and as you've looked at the characteristics of that pitch, 311 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 1: where do you think it is and how how do 312 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 1: you think it could play at the big league level. 313 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 2: I mean, he's got elite velocity. It's it's mid upper nineties. 314 00:15:07,160 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 2: You know, he throws it in the zone. Maybe there's 315 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 2: some some areas of the zone he could target a 316 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 2: little more effectively and efficiently to help it play up. 317 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 2: But we you know, we don't have any We don't 318 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:19,280 Speaker 2: think it's a it's a short fastball. We think it's 319 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 2: a good fastball that that will be able to play 320 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 2: and especially in conjunction with his his slider, which is unique. 321 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:26,840 Speaker 2: He throws a change up and a split. He has 322 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:29,000 Speaker 2: a curve ball that he makeses in as well. You know, 323 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:30,840 Speaker 2: we think that the fastball will be able to do 324 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:33,560 Speaker 2: its job and play just fine in his arsenal. 325 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 3: So when you know, when the ashers are acquiring somebody 326 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 3: and you're talking to them for the first time and you're, 327 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 3: you know, you're kind of digesting what they have versus 328 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 3: what you think you can help them improve. How do 329 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,760 Speaker 3: you how do you balance just letting them know, Okay, 330 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 3: here's here's what you do well, versus you know, here's 331 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 3: what we're gonna do. You know, I guess how soon 332 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 3: into the conversation are you letting them know that they 333 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 3: throw a sinker now, even if they don't know it. 334 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:08,000 Speaker 2: You know, it's something that we usually would would bring 335 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:10,560 Speaker 2: up in a in a more formal setting, typically during 336 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 2: spring training. We do this every year with every picture, 337 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 2: you know, have some type of performance review and then 338 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 2: some type of roadmap for the work in spring training 339 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:22,920 Speaker 2: and the work during the early parts of the season 340 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 2: that we think can drive performance positively, you know, And 341 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:30,360 Speaker 2: it's it's never we're not pounding the table and saying 342 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:32,600 Speaker 2: you need to do this. You know. We also realize 343 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,920 Speaker 2: that these guys need to be comfortable with the pitches 344 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 2: that they throw and when they throw them. But you know, 345 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 2: we suggest things and then get their feedback. And go 346 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 2: from there. You know, these type of things like I 347 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:47,200 Speaker 2: like I mentioned, we want it to be in a 348 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:50,720 Speaker 2: more formal setting, uh, with some you know, bells and whistles, 349 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 2: maybe a buttoned up presentation, some some not just me 350 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 2: talking at somebody, get some of the high level smart 351 00:16:58,520 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 2: guys in the room as well, and it's a it's 352 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 2: a back and forth and it's a it's something that 353 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 2: we do, like I said, with everybody every spring training 354 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 2: and then and go from there, start the conversation and 355 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 2: go from there. 356 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: Speaking of sinkers, another guy that we've had on the 357 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: pod this offseason, Mike Burrows, another new member of your rotation. 358 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 1: He made it very clear that he has a sinker. 359 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: He has a sinker and he wants to throw it more. 360 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:28,119 Speaker 1: It is something that he was working at toward the 361 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 1: end of his tenure with the Pirates last season. I 362 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:34,880 Speaker 1: get more broadly than just the sinker stuff. What about 363 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 1: Mike Burrows? You guys saw him first hand last year 364 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 1: pitched against you guys at PNC Park as a member 365 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:43,719 Speaker 1: of the Pirates. What about Mike Burrows excites you? And 366 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:47,280 Speaker 1: this is a guy that's a young pitcher. It's still 367 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:49,200 Speaker 1: kind of maybe learning his way in the big leagues, 368 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 1: hasn't been in the big leagues that long kind of 369 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:53,400 Speaker 1: where do you think maybe there are steps for development 370 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 1: and growth and what excites you the most about Mike Burrows? 371 00:17:57,119 --> 00:18:01,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, another another good acquisition this offseas in. You know, 372 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:05,159 Speaker 2: feel really really strongly about Mike. He got kind of 373 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:06,679 Speaker 2: on the map and on the scene in the big 374 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:10,240 Speaker 2: leagues last year and had some success. Did at a 375 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 2: sinker and it and it and it performed pretty well 376 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 2: and we are gonna ask him to throw it some 377 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:16,800 Speaker 2: and he's on board with that for sure. But he's 378 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 2: a you know, kind of a high energy writing, goes 379 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 2: some hard fast balls, has a hard slider, really good curveball. 380 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 2: The change up is probably his best pitch. 381 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:26,119 Speaker 1: You know. 382 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 2: We feel like the a sinker you know, could could 383 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 2: play up and helped his other stuff play up, while 384 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:33,920 Speaker 2: we saw with Hunter Brown the last couple of years. 385 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:38,719 Speaker 2: But it's a you know, really high, high ceiling arm 386 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 2: that we feel real good about. 387 00:18:40,200 --> 00:18:42,199 Speaker 3: When you've got a guy like Burrows who has, like 388 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,159 Speaker 3: you mentioned, the change up is elite. I mean, he 389 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 3: is very very good with the change up. Hitters had 390 00:18:48,320 --> 00:18:51,320 Speaker 3: almost no success. They hit one forty seven on his 391 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:53,440 Speaker 3: change up last year, and he threw it twenty four 392 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 3: percent of the time. When you when you have a 393 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 3: guy like that that got hit around on the primary stuff, 394 00:18:59,800 --> 00:19:02,919 Speaker 3: but you know you've got good secondary stuff. What what 395 00:19:03,119 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 3: is the process for Is it increasing the usage of 396 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:11,040 Speaker 3: that secondary stuff? Specifically? Is it tweaking the fastball so 397 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 3: that it can play better off a changeup? 398 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:12,919 Speaker 1: Like? 399 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 3: How do you take something that's already very successful a 400 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 3: quarter of the time and try to keep that you 401 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 3: know for every pitch. 402 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:22,639 Speaker 2: Well, that's the that's the name of the game, is 403 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:26,560 Speaker 2: trying to find the find the recipe for success. You 404 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:28,280 Speaker 2: know that the simple thing is, hey, just throw the 405 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:31,879 Speaker 2: pitch more. But you know there's gonna be some upper bound, 406 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 2: some threshold where it's gonna lose its effectiveness and you're 407 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:38,000 Speaker 2: gonna have to find that find that area. 408 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 1: You know. 409 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 2: I think with Mike, he definitely could probably throw his 410 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 2: change up a little bit more, But we think that 411 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 2: maybe throwing his sinker a little more could help his 412 00:19:44,800 --> 00:19:47,679 Speaker 2: other stuff too. There's some things he's working on with 413 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,199 Speaker 2: his slider that might allow it to play up. So 414 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 2: you know, we feel feel good about Mike's uh overall 415 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 2: repertoire and you know the small things that he's doing 416 00:19:57,800 --> 00:20:00,239 Speaker 2: to to short up coming into camp U I did 417 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 2: to see him in person. I know he's been, you know, 418 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:05,840 Speaker 2: living training up in the Northeast this offseason. We've had 419 00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:09,399 Speaker 2: some good conversations and uh pumped to get working with 420 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 2: him next week down in West pump. 421 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 3: I mean, I watched Chris Devinski go to an All 422 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 3: Star game throwing a change up every pitch, so you 423 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 3: know it's it works sometimes. 424 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 2: Yes, it's Tommy Cainley good. Yeah, ninety change ups worked 425 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 2: in the worked in the show for a long time too. 426 00:20:24,760 --> 00:20:27,159 Speaker 1: Do you have you did you reach out to Strami 427 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:28,760 Speaker 1: at all about Mike Burrows. 428 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:33,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, we got great feedback from Shami and others within 429 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:38,760 Speaker 2: the Pittsburgh organization about about Mike. Love the guy, love 430 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:42,840 Speaker 2: the competitiveness, the work ethic. We all positive feedback about. 431 00:20:42,840 --> 00:20:46,800 Speaker 1: It would seem to me, I'm just a I'm just 432 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:48,800 Speaker 1: a lowly reporter. I just like project these things, But 433 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 1: it would seem to me, You're going to go into 434 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:56,720 Speaker 1: spring training with four rotation spots that are pretty pretty 435 00:20:56,760 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 1: set in stone. Hunter Brown, who will we will talk 436 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:01,320 Speaker 1: about Hunter Brown. I know we're twenty minutes into this 437 00:21:01,359 --> 00:21:03,480 Speaker 1: and we haven't talked about Hunter. We'll talk about Hunter. 438 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:06,399 Speaker 1: Don't worry. But you've got Hunter, You've got Christian Javier, 439 00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: you've got Tetsuya Emi, and you've got Mike Burrows. That 440 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:11,840 Speaker 1: would seem to be the four that you know, you 441 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,960 Speaker 1: could probably say right now have pretty firm holed on 442 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 1: a rotation spot. Joe has been pretty forthright that you 443 00:21:19,359 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 1: guys are going to open the season in a six 444 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:23,639 Speaker 1: man rotation, so that would leave two spots kind of 445 00:21:23,680 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: back there, there's a lot of names and you got 446 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:28,880 Speaker 1: and one thing Dana did this winner is he gave 447 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 1: you a lot of options. He gave you a lot 448 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:33,119 Speaker 1: of depth, and he gave you a lot of guys 449 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:35,879 Speaker 1: that are going to be vying for that spot. Josh, 450 00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:40,879 Speaker 1: it could be like one of the most fierce competitions 451 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:43,120 Speaker 1: I'd think in my time covering the team, I can't 452 00:21:43,160 --> 00:21:46,439 Speaker 1: remember going in the spring with a competition like this 453 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:48,960 Speaker 1: for the final two rotation spots. I guess how exciting 454 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 1: is that for you that you guys have a lot 455 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 1: of different guys that could, if they pitch well, that 456 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:55,919 Speaker 1: could crack the rotation and kind of how do you 457 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,760 Speaker 1: size that up? How you size those two open spots up, 458 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:00,480 Speaker 1: you know, as a week before where you get to 459 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:00,960 Speaker 1: West Palm. 460 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:04,119 Speaker 2: It always always feels good to have have pitching depth 461 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 2: and competition during camp for sure. You know, a lot 462 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 2: a lot of guys that we feel good about. You know, 463 00:22:10,880 --> 00:22:14,160 Speaker 2: we got Spencer Araghetty, finished the season on the injured list, 464 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:16,119 Speaker 2: but he's got dynamite stuff that we've seen play at 465 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 2: the major league level before aj Blue Ball, you know, 466 00:22:19,720 --> 00:22:22,880 Speaker 2: finished the season with you know what, twenty scoreless innings 467 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:25,120 Speaker 2: that you know, it was really dynamite for us down 468 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:28,639 Speaker 2: the stretch. Jason Alexander really held things together like like 469 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,119 Speaker 2: glue last year and he'll be in there pitching. You 470 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:34,680 Speaker 2: got Lance mccullors, who's you know, been a huge member 471 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:37,040 Speaker 2: of this organization and it's got great stuff if it's on. 472 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:39,840 Speaker 2: You know, we got tons of tons of good arms. 473 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 2: We we acquired another guy from from the Asian market 474 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:45,520 Speaker 2: and Ryan Weiss, who's a big physical writing that we 475 00:22:45,680 --> 00:22:47,919 Speaker 2: He came in during fan Fest week and through for us. 476 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:51,320 Speaker 2: He's got a super unique split change up thing that 477 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 2: that he commands pretty well. And he's a big physical guy. 478 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 2: Like I said, we got Nate Pearson who we acquired 479 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:58,919 Speaker 2: early in the off season. He'll be you know, on 480 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:02,400 Speaker 2: the mend from am a little elbow thing, but he'll 481 00:23:02,400 --> 00:23:04,320 Speaker 2: be stretched out as a starter during camp. You know, 482 00:23:04,359 --> 00:23:07,320 Speaker 2: a ton of guys to feel good about. I didn't 483 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,199 Speaker 2: even probably touch on all of them there, but you know, 484 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:12,720 Speaker 2: it's good to have depth, and it's a good group 485 00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:15,919 Speaker 2: to you know, have have compete during during spring. 486 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:19,120 Speaker 3: So you're gonna have all of these guys stretched out 487 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:22,840 Speaker 3: and you know kind of thinking in that mind frame 488 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:26,399 Speaker 3: of starting pitching, but you also know that some of 489 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:29,960 Speaker 3: those guys you know, are probably going to play some 490 00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:34,840 Speaker 3: roles in the bullpen, you know, in addition to triple 491 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:37,199 Speaker 3: a starting and you know, keeping stretched out and all 492 00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:40,800 Speaker 3: of that kind of stuff. How does that change how 493 00:23:40,880 --> 00:23:43,840 Speaker 3: how you're approaching with them, you know throughout the spring training. 494 00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:46,639 Speaker 3: You know, when do you kind of know, Okay, this 495 00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:49,040 Speaker 3: person's probably not gonna be the rotation. Does it change 496 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 3: the way that you're approaching them as a coach or 497 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:54,959 Speaker 3: the way that they're approaching getting ready for the season 498 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:57,080 Speaker 3: if they think they're going to be a starter versus 499 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 3: a reliever. 500 00:23:58,000 --> 00:23:59,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a big thing for a picture to know, 501 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 2: you know, what role they're preparing for. You know, having 502 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:08,800 Speaker 2: having guys that have the flexibility to you know, change 503 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:11,600 Speaker 2: on a dime due to circumstances is huge for me 504 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 2: because you do need to make that make that choice. Hey, 505 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:17,399 Speaker 2: we got to get you ready for a reliever. We 506 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:20,159 Speaker 2: might need you to throw, you know, three out of 507 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:22,760 Speaker 2: the next six or seven days to make sure that 508 00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 2: you're bouncing back and can handle that once the season 509 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:29,359 Speaker 2: ends up. So it's a it's a math problem. You 510 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 2: kind of run out of time as you get deeper 511 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:34,679 Speaker 2: into camp and and you know, having a guy be 512 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:36,639 Speaker 2: on a starter schedule all spring and then say, hey, 513 00:24:36,680 --> 00:24:38,800 Speaker 2: you're just going to the bullpen. You know that's fine 514 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:41,960 Speaker 2: on paper, but we have to treat that a little 515 00:24:42,000 --> 00:24:44,600 Speaker 2: differently once the opening day comes. We can't just use 516 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:47,480 Speaker 2: him as a traditional reliever. If that's the case, the 517 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:49,679 Speaker 2: body's probably not going to be used to it and 518 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:53,159 Speaker 2: not ready to bounce back after an outing as a 519 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 2: guy who's been training as a reliever would. So, you know, 520 00:24:56,560 --> 00:24:58,520 Speaker 2: there are things that we need to think about and 521 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:00,879 Speaker 2: there is a decision point where it would be nice 522 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:03,400 Speaker 2: to know, hey, this guy's you know, we're gonna transition 523 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 2: you to a t more of a bullpen roll for 524 00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:08,080 Speaker 2: the last X amount of days of camp, and that's 525 00:25:08,119 --> 00:25:10,760 Speaker 2: what you're looking at your role for the start of 526 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,240 Speaker 2: the season, So we can prepare them that way. You know, 527 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:18,800 Speaker 2: might not be given that opportunity to make that decision 528 00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:21,840 Speaker 2: when when appropriate, but we'd like to have an idea 529 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:25,680 Speaker 2: and transition guys and give them some runway. 530 00:25:26,680 --> 00:25:29,320 Speaker 1: And as we have as Tyler and I have talked 531 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:32,280 Speaker 1: about on previous pods, because you guys are opening in 532 00:25:32,320 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 1: a six man rotation, and because you know there's a 533 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:37,200 Speaker 1: lot of games and a lot of days early in 534 00:25:37,240 --> 00:25:40,199 Speaker 1: the season, and there's gonna be guys even in your 535 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:42,680 Speaker 1: rotation that maybe their first or second time through the 536 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:45,800 Speaker 1: rotation may not be stretched out to ninety five to 537 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:49,120 Speaker 1: one hundred and five pitches. Yet it's going to reinforce 538 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:52,400 Speaker 1: the importance of you know, having swing guys in the bullpen, 539 00:25:52,480 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 1: maybe doing some piggyback starts or some design tandem starts 540 00:25:56,840 --> 00:25:59,639 Speaker 1: that first run or two through the rotation. So I 541 00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:02,840 Speaker 1: guess in that vein like how vital could guys like 542 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:05,160 Speaker 1: blue Ball, who has done it before, who has been 543 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:07,919 Speaker 1: the back end of a tandem start before or you know, 544 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:10,439 Speaker 1: Ryan Weisse if if you know, maybe there's not a 545 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:13,480 Speaker 1: spot in the rotation for him, he can do that 546 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:15,719 Speaker 1: out of the bullpen. You look at Spencer Aarraghetti has 547 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:18,200 Speaker 1: done that before in the minor leagues. Like, how valuable 548 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:20,639 Speaker 1: will that role be, especially early in the season. 549 00:26:21,520 --> 00:26:24,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it could could play huge. You know, 550 00:26:24,440 --> 00:26:26,800 Speaker 2: we'll we're gonna get to camp and get everybody kind 551 00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:28,800 Speaker 2: of going and and we'll we'll line up what we 552 00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:31,200 Speaker 2: think is the best the best way to get through 553 00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:33,359 Speaker 2: the get through the games. But you know, we're starting 554 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:35,520 Speaker 2: with a seven game homestand we got to pitch at 555 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:37,359 Speaker 2: least nine innings in each one of those games. We 556 00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 2: got to figure out who's going to do it. And 557 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:41,520 Speaker 2: then we go on a road trip and you know, 558 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:44,720 Speaker 2: you know there's a couple off days sprinkled in there 559 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:47,240 Speaker 2: that should provide some reprieve. But then we have thirteen 560 00:26:47,280 --> 00:26:50,120 Speaker 2: games in a row, and you know it's gonna kind 561 00:26:50,119 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 2: of force our hand a little bit on how we 562 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:54,119 Speaker 2: deploy guys. But you know, we'll sit down, put our 563 00:26:54,160 --> 00:26:57,560 Speaker 2: heads together, pick up the pieces after spring training, so 564 00:26:57,600 --> 00:26:59,760 Speaker 2: to speak, and line the guys up as best we can. 565 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:04,680 Speaker 1: All right, twenty seven minutes in, we're gonna mention the 566 00:27:04,840 --> 00:27:08,639 Speaker 1: reigning Cy Young finalist and the unquestioned ace of your staff, 567 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 1: Hunter Brown. I don't like we talked about it on 568 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 1: the pod Josh earlier this season, but I think when 569 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 1: he went out in his first start of the year 570 00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:22,680 Speaker 1: against the Nets, and this is just ingrained in my mind. 571 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:26,880 Speaker 1: I think it was Lindor Soto and Alonso he faced, 572 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:30,440 Speaker 1: and it was ninety nine. It was electric ninety nine. 573 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:32,640 Speaker 1: Like my jaw was on the table, like, I did 574 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:34,240 Speaker 1: not know that was in there. I did not know 575 00:27:34,320 --> 00:27:37,840 Speaker 1: that was coming. Like when you saw that, was it 576 00:27:37,920 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 1: just like, oh, man, like we're in for this kid's 577 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:41,920 Speaker 1: in for a pretty special season. I know you had 578 00:27:41,920 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 1: probably thought it in the spring training, but to see 579 00:27:44,359 --> 00:27:47,960 Speaker 1: that first inning against those hitters, were you as kind 580 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:50,720 Speaker 1: of just eye as wide as we were, and just 581 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:53,000 Speaker 1: how did that maybe set the tone for the season 582 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:53,760 Speaker 1: that Hunter had. 583 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:56,399 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it was an electric start to his season. 584 00:27:56,520 --> 00:27:58,960 Speaker 2: You know, he had had a pretty good spring. Yeah, 585 00:27:59,000 --> 00:28:02,720 Speaker 2: we've been we've had high hopes and thoughts of what 586 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:06,000 Speaker 2: his performance would be going back, you know, for four 587 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:09,879 Speaker 2: years or so. But to see that was it was 588 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:13,119 Speaker 2: like a oh Man, here we go, you know. Unfortunate 589 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:16,080 Speaker 2: he really he carved like a perfect cutter up and 590 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 2: into Soto and he got the barrel to it and 591 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:20,040 Speaker 2: hit a home or it kind of dragged dragged the 592 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:21,960 Speaker 2: outing a little bit for him. But yeah, it was 593 00:28:21,960 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 2: a good It was a good first one. Again. I 594 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:28,800 Speaker 2: don't want to see him throwing ninety nine in spring training. 595 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:31,280 Speaker 2: I think, you know, well, we'll ease into a spring 596 00:28:31,320 --> 00:28:35,200 Speaker 2: training build up and get rolling there, but you know, 597 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:38,760 Speaker 2: expecting big things from Hunter. He's he's been here in 598 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 2: Houston since the second week of January and been working 599 00:28:41,720 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 2: out here and things have looked great and we're we're 600 00:28:44,680 --> 00:28:46,080 Speaker 2: excited to get started again. 601 00:28:47,200 --> 00:28:49,200 Speaker 1: This is gonna sound like a dumb question for a 602 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:51,960 Speaker 1: guy that just had the season that he had, and 603 00:28:52,400 --> 00:28:55,280 Speaker 1: is I mean, was unquestionably one of the best pitchers 604 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 1: in the American League. Where can he get better? Because 605 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:00,640 Speaker 1: you hear ballplayers all the time time, even like the 606 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:03,040 Speaker 1: best of the best, even like the Otani's and the 607 00:29:03,120 --> 00:29:05,800 Speaker 1: judges of the world, say like, I can always be better. 608 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:07,920 Speaker 1: I can I can always get that a little bit better. 609 00:29:08,840 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 1: Where can he get better? Where can there be some 610 00:29:11,640 --> 00:29:15,440 Speaker 1: some evolution? Even if it's small, kind of minute granular things. 611 00:29:15,680 --> 00:29:19,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's some small, minute granular things that we think 612 00:29:19,040 --> 00:29:21,960 Speaker 2: he could he could tackle and he agrees that, you know, 613 00:29:22,040 --> 00:29:24,480 Speaker 2: can help him maybe miss miss some more bats against 614 00:29:24,520 --> 00:29:27,920 Speaker 2: right handed hitters, maybe drive account a little more in 615 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:32,200 Speaker 2: his favor against lefties. We'd expect guy with his stuff 616 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:36,680 Speaker 2: to strike out more guys probably now he's he's really 617 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:39,000 Speaker 2: hard dominant with the four seam two C mix, so 618 00:29:39,080 --> 00:29:42,400 Speaker 2: that's going to lend a little bit more contact. But uh, 619 00:29:42,440 --> 00:29:44,479 Speaker 2: you know, just some small things that we think he 620 00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:47,080 Speaker 2: can shore up and and you know, move the needle 621 00:29:47,120 --> 00:29:50,280 Speaker 2: a little bit. But I think you would ask everybody 622 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 2: here in the office and in the in the clubhouse 623 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:54,480 Speaker 2: if we could just dial up a you know, a 624 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:56,760 Speaker 2: repeat of the performance, we would we would take it 625 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:59,400 Speaker 2: and we would be all very happy about it. 626 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:02,720 Speaker 1: I think the thing that's also been impressive, Josh, and 627 00:30:02,920 --> 00:30:04,720 Speaker 1: we've discussed this a little bit. You know, he is 628 00:30:04,800 --> 00:30:06,760 Speaker 1: now this is three years in a row that he 629 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:11,520 Speaker 1: has reset his career high and innings pitched like, he 630 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:16,360 Speaker 1: keeps increasing workload and it doesn't look like it's really 631 00:30:16,560 --> 00:30:19,000 Speaker 1: wearing on him much. I mean late late in the 632 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:22,160 Speaker 1: season last year he was as dominant late and as 633 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:24,040 Speaker 1: you guys were clawing for a playoff spot as he 634 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 1: was at the beginning of the year. Does that just 635 00:30:25,680 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 1: speak to just the conditioning that he is in or what? 636 00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:33,280 Speaker 1: What do you attribute the fact that as there's been 637 00:30:33,320 --> 00:30:36,240 Speaker 1: so much concern around the sport workload wise and not 638 00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:40,680 Speaker 1: wanting that you guys have been successful with each year, 639 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:43,240 Speaker 1: this guy throwing more and more in him coming out 640 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:45,920 Speaker 1: of it healthy and still dominant late in the year. 641 00:30:46,520 --> 00:30:48,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, he's he's been a little different than 642 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:51,720 Speaker 2: most guys. He's you know, he's thick, he's strong, he's 643 00:30:51,760 --> 00:30:56,160 Speaker 2: he's he's diesel, you know, and you know he's he's 644 00:30:56,160 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 2: handled the work. He sets his sights out on on 645 00:31:00,160 --> 00:31:02,520 Speaker 2: in some bulk innings, and he wants to you know, 646 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:04,320 Speaker 2: wants to get to two hundred and wants to be 647 00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 2: the guy and wants to do all those things. And 648 00:31:06,560 --> 00:31:09,240 Speaker 2: you know that's step one, is to have a guy 649 00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:11,640 Speaker 2: that wants to do it and wants to take on 650 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:13,760 Speaker 2: the workload. And you know, he does put in the 651 00:31:13,800 --> 00:31:16,000 Speaker 2: work and does a great job with our strength staff 652 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:17,920 Speaker 2: and staying on top of things in the training room, 653 00:31:17,960 --> 00:31:20,600 Speaker 2: and he's got a good process about his routine, and 654 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,960 Speaker 2: you know, I think you know, all the guys have 655 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:26,880 Speaker 2: their own certain ways about things, but for him, what 656 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:29,200 Speaker 2: he does really gets him ready to post. 657 00:31:30,120 --> 00:31:35,200 Speaker 3: So we briefly mentioned Christian Haavier earlier. Obviously coming back 658 00:31:35,200 --> 00:31:38,600 Speaker 3: from injury last year, you know, was really just more 659 00:31:38,600 --> 00:31:41,800 Speaker 3: about are you healthy? Can he come back? 660 00:31:42,280 --> 00:31:42,520 Speaker 1: You know? 661 00:31:42,720 --> 00:31:44,480 Speaker 3: And so I mean it was obviously just great to 662 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:48,400 Speaker 3: see him back on the mound and you know, getting 663 00:31:48,440 --> 00:31:52,479 Speaker 3: through starts. What do you expect from him this season 664 00:31:52,560 --> 00:31:55,880 Speaker 3: after coming off the injuries and you know, really hasn't 665 00:31:56,000 --> 00:31:59,440 Speaker 3: played a full season since twenty twenty three, What are 666 00:31:59,480 --> 00:32:03,280 Speaker 3: the expect to What are I mean, is there innings limits? 667 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:04,719 Speaker 3: But I mean, you know what what are you kind 668 00:32:04,760 --> 00:32:06,959 Speaker 3: of expecting of him from from this season? 669 00:32:07,720 --> 00:32:09,400 Speaker 2: I mean, it was, like you mentioned, great to see 670 00:32:09,440 --> 00:32:11,000 Speaker 2: him get back out there and compete on a major 671 00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:13,760 Speaker 2: league field. We saw stuff kind of tick back up 672 00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:17,840 Speaker 2: closer to pre injury levels. Expect him to be a 673 00:32:17,880 --> 00:32:20,680 Speaker 2: little a little finer, maybe get to get closer to 674 00:32:20,800 --> 00:32:22,760 Speaker 2: what he what we saw in twenty twenty two, when 675 00:32:23,040 --> 00:32:26,600 Speaker 2: you know l Repteel was was dominant, you know, but 676 00:32:26,640 --> 00:32:28,800 Speaker 2: we're gonna we're gonna see the good in visits and 677 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:31,920 Speaker 2: visit fastball from him, a sweeper, the same stuff. The 678 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:34,960 Speaker 2: change up, which was added in twenty three is still 679 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:36,960 Speaker 2: a you know, a big piece and and something that 680 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:39,760 Speaker 2: we think he can he can lean on. He's been 681 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:44,560 Speaker 2: throwing in the Dominican. He's feeling good. We expect a 682 00:32:44,560 --> 00:32:47,440 Speaker 2: full workload from Christian and are excited to get him 683 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:48,320 Speaker 2: going again in spring. 684 00:32:50,280 --> 00:32:53,480 Speaker 1: Quickly to your bullpen where you have to feel excellent 685 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:57,640 Speaker 1: about the back end. Brian abrew you as your setup guy, 686 00:32:57,720 --> 00:33:00,760 Speaker 1: Josh Ador is your closer. Can obviously those roles can 687 00:33:01,000 --> 00:33:03,720 Speaker 1: flip on any day if you need, but you feel 688 00:33:03,760 --> 00:33:05,920 Speaker 1: great about those two guys, And I think that was 689 00:33:05,960 --> 00:33:08,000 Speaker 1: also the case last year. Going in the last year, 690 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:10,960 Speaker 1: you and there was a lot of uncertainty, I guess 691 00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:13,520 Speaker 1: from us and from people that cover the team going 692 00:33:13,560 --> 00:33:15,880 Speaker 1: into camp of just like who's going to get the 693 00:33:15,880 --> 00:33:18,400 Speaker 1: ball to the back end, and then you guys just 694 00:33:18,480 --> 00:33:21,200 Speaker 1: kind of answered the questions with a bunch of you know, 695 00:33:21,920 --> 00:33:24,720 Speaker 1: quite frankly, guys that were not on my radar, guys 696 00:33:24,720 --> 00:33:27,280 Speaker 1: that you know in our eyes, Guys that were kind 697 00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:30,400 Speaker 1: of just or guys in tripa that that really took 698 00:33:30,440 --> 00:33:33,200 Speaker 1: the next step. I'm thinking of Brian King, Steven Okert, 699 00:33:33,480 --> 00:33:37,720 Speaker 1: Caleb Ard who no longer obviously had to get off 700 00:33:37,720 --> 00:33:39,479 Speaker 1: the roster as part of the moves this year. But 701 00:33:41,200 --> 00:33:43,480 Speaker 1: as you look at the middle of the bullpen going 702 00:33:43,480 --> 00:33:47,640 Speaker 1: in the spring this year, where do you give us 703 00:33:47,640 --> 00:33:51,440 Speaker 1: some guys that you think could comprise maybe that bridge 704 00:33:51,600 --> 00:33:54,520 Speaker 1: to a bray You and Hater and maybe how important 705 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:57,080 Speaker 1: they're going to be because Joe has been pretty forthright 706 00:33:57,080 --> 00:34:00,600 Speaker 1: that he wants to stay away from four outs from 707 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:02,840 Speaker 1: Brian Abrady You in April and May, and the same 708 00:34:02,880 --> 00:34:05,240 Speaker 1: with Josh Hater who had the injury to him last year. 709 00:34:05,560 --> 00:34:08,160 Speaker 1: Kind of who are going to be those guys that 710 00:34:08,320 --> 00:34:11,560 Speaker 1: absorb a lot of those leverage outs maybe between the 711 00:34:11,719 --> 00:34:13,399 Speaker 1: sixth and the seventh and the fifth. 712 00:34:13,400 --> 00:34:16,840 Speaker 2: And we saw, you know, last year, a trifecta of 713 00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:20,160 Speaker 2: lefties that were just super good for us, and Steve Okert, 714 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:23,720 Speaker 2: Bennett SUSA and Brian King. They're all back and expect 715 00:34:23,719 --> 00:34:27,160 Speaker 2: them to, you know, to repeat their performance. It's gonna 716 00:34:27,160 --> 00:34:29,919 Speaker 2: be hard to improve upon it. You know, we feel 717 00:34:29,960 --> 00:34:33,480 Speaker 2: real good about that group. We acquired Danielle del Santos 718 00:34:33,640 --> 00:34:35,799 Speaker 2: last year and he pitched some really big innings for 719 00:34:35,880 --> 00:34:40,000 Speaker 2: us in you know, July, August, September. He'll be back. 720 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:43,960 Speaker 2: We had a Rule five pick from the Cincinnati organization, 721 00:34:44,080 --> 00:34:47,759 Speaker 2: Rodery Munoz, who's got a really unique, interesting slider. He 722 00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:50,000 Speaker 2: throws pretty hard, and you know, we'll see what it 723 00:34:50,040 --> 00:34:53,400 Speaker 2: looks like in camp when he gets in there. Jaden Murray, 724 00:34:53,800 --> 00:34:56,000 Speaker 2: who's been working out here in Houston, was added to 725 00:34:56,040 --> 00:34:58,640 Speaker 2: the roster last year and was also pretty dynamite for 726 00:34:58,719 --> 00:35:00,839 Speaker 2: us down the stretch. You know, he'll get a crack 727 00:35:00,880 --> 00:35:03,799 Speaker 2: at some things there. Some of those guys that we 728 00:35:03,880 --> 00:35:07,200 Speaker 2: mentioned as starting options might fall to a bullpen roll 729 00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:09,880 Speaker 2: if if we we deem that necessary, and they'd all 730 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:12,160 Speaker 2: be ready. You know, all those guys were mentioned earlier. 731 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:14,880 Speaker 2: We have some off you know, some non roster invite 732 00:35:14,920 --> 00:35:19,800 Speaker 2: guys that are interesting and exciting. Peter Lambert coming coming back. 733 00:35:20,239 --> 00:35:22,040 Speaker 2: It's got a you know, a link the major league 734 00:35:22,040 --> 00:35:24,359 Speaker 2: track record and then pitch in Japan last year. He'll 735 00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:27,279 Speaker 2: be back on a minor league deal. Cody Bolton was 736 00:35:27,280 --> 00:35:30,040 Speaker 2: a guy that we acquired uh end of last year. 737 00:35:30,080 --> 00:35:32,640 Speaker 2: He finished the season in sugar Land. He'll be in 738 00:35:32,719 --> 00:35:35,320 Speaker 2: camp as an NRI I. We got some guys internally 739 00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:42,160 Speaker 2: that pitched well in uh Michael nor Hudson, Leech Limber, Santa. 740 00:35:42,840 --> 00:35:46,320 Speaker 2: We saw Logan van Why last year. He was taking 741 00:35:46,320 --> 00:35:48,040 Speaker 2: off the forty man roster in the offseason, but his 742 00:35:48,160 --> 00:35:49,960 Speaker 2: back and he'll be in camp. So we got a 743 00:35:50,040 --> 00:35:52,279 Speaker 2: you know, a pretty good group of guys that we 744 00:35:52,400 --> 00:35:55,080 Speaker 2: feel good about. You know, the last few years, we've 745 00:35:55,080 --> 00:35:57,120 Speaker 2: seen some some guys that are not on the radar 746 00:35:57,480 --> 00:36:00,120 Speaker 2: come in and really perform and make their way on 747 00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:02,200 Speaker 2: our team. You know, we saw Luis Contreras a couple 748 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:06,480 Speaker 2: of years ago. We had Steve Ookert last year just 749 00:36:06,920 --> 00:36:10,279 Speaker 2: come in and really really shine during spring and earn 750 00:36:10,320 --> 00:36:12,400 Speaker 2: a role and pitch some meaningful innings for us. So, 751 00:36:12,840 --> 00:36:14,520 Speaker 2: you know, we feel good about the group we have. 752 00:36:15,480 --> 00:36:17,160 Speaker 2: They're gonna have to do. It's gonna have to perform 753 00:36:17,239 --> 00:36:20,759 Speaker 2: during camp, but you know, we we expect good things. 754 00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:25,239 Speaker 1: Tyler won't ask it, so I'll ask it. He's a 755 00:36:25,239 --> 00:36:28,600 Speaker 1: big AJ blue ball guy. Tyler really likes AJ blue Ball. 756 00:36:30,800 --> 00:36:33,719 Speaker 1: He he is a starter in every sense. He's part 757 00:36:33,719 --> 00:36:36,200 Speaker 1: of the triple A rotation. Had made his major league 758 00:36:36,200 --> 00:36:39,319 Speaker 1: debut as a starter, has made some traditional starts, but 759 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:41,240 Speaker 1: we saw him last year, come out of the bullpen, 760 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:43,160 Speaker 1: and when he was able to run it up a 761 00:36:43,160 --> 00:36:45,360 Speaker 1: little bit, he got a little extra juice on it 762 00:36:45,400 --> 00:36:47,880 Speaker 1: when he knew he had little short spurts. Like the 763 00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:52,960 Speaker 1: stuff really really ticked up with the understanding that, like 764 00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:55,520 Speaker 1: we talked about earlier, everyone in that group is probably 765 00:36:55,520 --> 00:36:57,479 Speaker 1: gonna be stretched out in camp and then you guys 766 00:36:57,520 --> 00:37:00,480 Speaker 1: make some decisions, but maybe for the law long term 767 00:37:00,520 --> 00:37:03,000 Speaker 1: with aj blue ball kind of where where do you 768 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:05,160 Speaker 1: think he profiles best? 769 00:37:06,800 --> 00:37:09,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I think you look at the the player. 770 00:37:09,560 --> 00:37:12,360 Speaker 2: You look at the body, the long, leanness, the stuff, 771 00:37:12,520 --> 00:37:15,400 Speaker 2: the dots like he's a he's he's a starting pitcher, 772 00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:20,959 Speaker 2: but you know, if team need requires it, he's shown 773 00:37:21,000 --> 00:37:23,799 Speaker 2: that he can be a reliever. And and you know, 774 00:37:23,840 --> 00:37:27,719 Speaker 2: the stuff was was great last year in September, you 775 00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:29,960 Speaker 2: know it was it was dynamite to see him come 776 00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:32,160 Speaker 2: up and have success, especially his his major league debut. 777 00:37:32,200 --> 00:37:35,920 Speaker 2: He threw the ball so well and was really dragged 778 00:37:35,960 --> 00:37:38,920 Speaker 2: by Like the last battery faced was a Crawford Box 779 00:37:39,480 --> 00:37:42,680 Speaker 2: Grand slam on an executed slider. It was like, oh man, 780 00:37:43,280 --> 00:37:45,080 Speaker 2: you know it's it was a tough one to feel, 781 00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:47,279 Speaker 2: but I'm glad he was able to get back to 782 00:37:47,280 --> 00:37:50,160 Speaker 2: the big leagues last year and find some success because 783 00:37:50,200 --> 00:37:53,600 Speaker 2: he is a great kid, somebody to root for. You know, 784 00:37:53,640 --> 00:37:55,640 Speaker 2: I'd expect he's gonna he's gonna play a role on 785 00:37:55,680 --> 00:37:58,239 Speaker 2: our team this year. Whatever role that is will will 786 00:37:58,719 --> 00:38:03,560 Speaker 2: be determined, But you know I expect from Aj, whether 787 00:38:03,640 --> 00:38:07,080 Speaker 2: that's as a starting pitcher or really mm hmm. 788 00:38:07,480 --> 00:38:09,919 Speaker 3: Yeah, Chandler is a hater. I don't know why. It's 789 00:38:10,040 --> 00:38:12,239 Speaker 3: very rude of him. Part of it is because I 790 00:38:12,280 --> 00:38:15,160 Speaker 3: have a very soft spot in my heart for Brad Peacock. 791 00:38:15,800 --> 00:38:18,640 Speaker 3: Uh and and blue Ball reminds me a lot of him. 792 00:38:18,760 --> 00:38:20,879 Speaker 3: Through ninety eight change ups last year, did not give 793 00:38:20,960 --> 00:38:24,279 Speaker 3: up a hit on one. It's pretty good. Uh So 794 00:38:24,880 --> 00:38:27,200 Speaker 3: you know, I'm sure he'll find a spot somewhere. 795 00:38:27,719 --> 00:38:30,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, real quick before we let you go. Because everyone 796 00:38:30,640 --> 00:38:34,719 Speaker 1: loves prospects. I think the one, the one pitching prospect 797 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:37,080 Speaker 1: internally from you guys that I think draws a lot 798 00:38:37,120 --> 00:38:39,640 Speaker 1: of attention is Miguel Yoa, who was on the forty 799 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:42,080 Speaker 1: man who got protected. He's on the forty man roster now. 800 00:38:42,120 --> 00:38:45,760 Speaker 1: So we'll be in camp, in big league camp. Last 801 00:38:45,800 --> 00:38:48,080 Speaker 1: year in big league camp, maybe struggled a little bit 802 00:38:48,080 --> 00:38:50,279 Speaker 1: to find the strike zone was and that's kind of 803 00:38:50,320 --> 00:38:53,080 Speaker 1: been the The knock on him a little bit is 804 00:38:53,080 --> 00:38:55,440 Speaker 1: that he does not throw a ton of strikes, but 805 00:38:56,360 --> 00:39:00,000 Speaker 1: the stuff's elite. What are you expecting to see from again, 806 00:39:00,600 --> 00:39:02,920 Speaker 1: maybe in his second big league camp, maybe he his 807 00:39:03,200 --> 00:39:05,480 Speaker 1: minds at ease a little bit more. He's maybe not 808 00:39:05,520 --> 00:39:07,719 Speaker 1: going to be overthrowing as much. Kind of what do 809 00:39:07,760 --> 00:39:09,680 Speaker 1: you expect to see from him? And what what future 810 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:10,879 Speaker 1: do you think? He has? 811 00:39:11,320 --> 00:39:16,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, really special fastball, similar career arc to Christian Javier 812 00:39:16,480 --> 00:39:18,960 Speaker 2: in the minor leagues, you know, really tough to hit, 813 00:39:19,040 --> 00:39:22,759 Speaker 2: really good fastball, gets swings and misses. Maybe a little 814 00:39:22,800 --> 00:39:24,799 Speaker 2: bit radic with his command. We need to see that 815 00:39:24,840 --> 00:39:27,160 Speaker 2: improve a little bit. And he's aware he's making some changes. 816 00:39:27,880 --> 00:39:30,720 Speaker 2: They made some some changes during the season. Sean Buchanan, 817 00:39:30,920 --> 00:39:34,280 Speaker 2: our triple A pitching coach and him, you know, clean 818 00:39:34,320 --> 00:39:36,279 Speaker 2: some things up second half of the of the year 819 00:39:36,360 --> 00:39:39,279 Speaker 2: and and we saw some improvement. Expect him to hit 820 00:39:39,280 --> 00:39:41,840 Speaker 2: the ground running and maybe be a little more comfortable, 821 00:39:42,200 --> 00:39:45,120 Speaker 2: uh in in a big league camp environment. I'd expect 822 00:39:45,160 --> 00:39:46,920 Speaker 2: him to pitch on a starter schedule. But again, it's 823 00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:49,000 Speaker 2: a guy that could profile as a as a reliever, 824 00:39:49,080 --> 00:39:51,520 Speaker 2: depending on how things shake out and how things go. 825 00:39:51,640 --> 00:39:55,480 Speaker 2: But you know, he's, uh, he's got a special fastball, 826 00:39:55,520 --> 00:39:59,680 Speaker 2: he's got some some interesting secondary pitches. And you know, 827 00:39:59,680 --> 00:40:01,440 Speaker 2: the name the game is to be able to command 828 00:40:01,520 --> 00:40:04,440 Speaker 2: him and throw strikes and and minimize the walks and 829 00:40:04,440 --> 00:40:06,960 Speaker 2: that allow him to have success. And and you know 830 00:40:06,960 --> 00:40:09,320 Speaker 2: we're gonna work to improve that that area. 831 00:40:09,960 --> 00:40:12,759 Speaker 3: You know, there's the saying is there's no such thing 832 00:40:12,760 --> 00:40:15,319 Speaker 3: as too much pitching. I think you guys proved that 833 00:40:15,400 --> 00:40:17,040 Speaker 3: last year. Do you know, off the top of your 834 00:40:17,080 --> 00:40:19,160 Speaker 3: head how many guys you had throw more than ten 835 00:40:19,239 --> 00:40:20,359 Speaker 3: innings for you last year? 836 00:40:20,800 --> 00:40:25,520 Speaker 2: Oh? Man, I know that. I know that, Like I guess, 837 00:40:25,040 --> 00:40:28,760 Speaker 2: I mean, I would say, like twenty. 838 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:36,120 Speaker 3: Twenty seven, twenty seven is exactly right. Twenty seven guys 839 00:40:36,160 --> 00:40:38,839 Speaker 3: through ten or more innings for the shows last year. 840 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:41,840 Speaker 2: So that's not even counting our counting our best guy, which. 841 00:40:41,719 --> 00:40:44,920 Speaker 3: Was you lost your star reliever in Chas McCormick. 842 00:40:45,000 --> 00:40:47,360 Speaker 2: That's what I was gonna say. Chas McCormick and says, 843 00:40:47,400 --> 00:40:49,920 Speaker 2: our salads are really and Cooper Hummel, you know, not 844 00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:55,759 Speaker 2: a great. 845 00:40:52,920 --> 00:40:56,319 Speaker 1: You got Sally back though, so yeah, hopefully you won't 846 00:40:56,320 --> 00:40:56,680 Speaker 1: need him. 847 00:40:57,000 --> 00:40:59,439 Speaker 3: But you know, I mean that that just goes to show. 848 00:40:59,480 --> 00:41:02,640 Speaker 3: And I mean, as you know, opening day roster is 849 00:41:02,640 --> 00:41:06,800 Speaker 3: a snapshot. But there's twenty six total players on that roster. 850 00:41:07,080 --> 00:41:10,360 Speaker 3: You had twenty seven guys throw ten or more innings 851 00:41:10,440 --> 00:41:13,080 Speaker 3: last year, so it's it's not set in stone for sure. 852 00:41:13,440 --> 00:41:16,799 Speaker 1: Yeah before okay, really the last one before we let 853 00:41:16,880 --> 00:41:19,440 Speaker 1: you go, Josh, if I would have told you in 854 00:41:19,480 --> 00:41:23,799 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen when from ber Valdez comes to the big 855 00:41:23,880 --> 00:41:26,400 Speaker 1: leagues and you lay your eyes on him and you 856 00:41:26,680 --> 00:41:29,040 Speaker 1: get to see him that first year, if I would 857 00:41:29,040 --> 00:41:30,960 Speaker 1: have told you this guy's going to be a forty 858 00:41:30,960 --> 00:41:34,120 Speaker 1: million dollar a year pitcher in twenty eighteen, what would 859 00:41:34,120 --> 00:41:34,600 Speaker 1: you have said. 860 00:41:36,719 --> 00:41:38,680 Speaker 2: I would have been flabberg acid. I wouldn't have had 861 00:41:38,680 --> 00:41:45,560 Speaker 2: any words, wouldn't have any words. It was amazing. Forever 862 00:41:45,719 --> 00:41:48,000 Speaker 2: grateful for the things he did for the organization. Here 863 00:41:48,040 --> 00:41:50,359 Speaker 2: we go way back to Kassimi Florida when he came 864 00:41:50,400 --> 00:41:54,320 Speaker 2: over from the Dominican Complex announced in the minor league system, 865 00:41:54,920 --> 00:41:59,680 Speaker 2: tremendous worker, what a what a great picture. I'll be 866 00:41:59,760 --> 00:42:02,839 Speaker 2: rooting when he's not pitched against us, and hope good 867 00:42:02,840 --> 00:42:03,520 Speaker 2: things for Fever. 868 00:42:04,480 --> 00:42:10,160 Speaker 1: It's truly incredible. You know, twenty eighteen, twenty nineteen Fromber 869 00:42:10,280 --> 00:42:13,040 Speaker 1: was probably not I mean twenty nineteen there was a 870 00:42:13,160 --> 00:42:14,879 Speaker 1: case to be made. He was on the forty man roster, 871 00:42:14,960 --> 00:42:17,719 Speaker 1: chopping block, and then in the next five seasons had 872 00:42:17,719 --> 00:42:20,120 Speaker 1: a one twenty eight r A plus in nine hundred 873 00:42:20,120 --> 00:42:22,719 Speaker 1: and seventy three innings and won a World Series clinching game. 874 00:42:22,760 --> 00:42:26,080 Speaker 1: For you, guys, it is he is. He embodies player 875 00:42:26,120 --> 00:42:28,799 Speaker 1: development success, and Josh, you are a big part of 876 00:42:28,800 --> 00:42:33,239 Speaker 1: that player development. Pitching development Fromber is at the top 877 00:42:33,239 --> 00:42:35,200 Speaker 1: of the list in terms of guys that you have 878 00:42:35,400 --> 00:42:39,640 Speaker 1: developed in, guys that you have nurtured through struggles early 879 00:42:39,719 --> 00:42:41,239 Speaker 1: and things like that. But you've got a ton of 880 00:42:41,280 --> 00:42:44,840 Speaker 1: those guys still on your roster Javier Hunter Brown, just 881 00:42:44,880 --> 00:42:47,440 Speaker 1: to name a few. But we really appreciate this. This 882 00:42:47,600 --> 00:42:49,160 Speaker 1: was great. I told you we keep you for twenty 883 00:42:49,200 --> 00:42:50,960 Speaker 1: five minutes, and we kept you for forty three, so 884 00:42:51,000 --> 00:42:55,440 Speaker 1: that's my fault. Thank you again for taking time from 885 00:42:56,560 --> 00:42:58,799 Speaker 1: dyke in Park to join us. And before I know, 886 00:42:58,840 --> 00:43:01,640 Speaker 1: it's going to get busy as you get to wes Palm. 887 00:43:01,640 --> 00:43:03,560 Speaker 1: But this was great. We really appreciate you. Giving us 888 00:43:03,560 --> 00:43:06,960 Speaker 1: some insight to a new look Astro's pitching staff. 889 00:43:07,600 --> 00:43:10,680 Speaker 2: No problem, thanks guys. Nice talking to you as always. Guys. 890 00:43:10,719 --> 00:43:13,239 Speaker 1: You can follow me on Exit Chandler Underscore Room. You 891 00:43:13,280 --> 00:43:15,759 Speaker 1: can follow Tyler at Tyler C. Stafford. Please rate and 892 00:43:15,800 --> 00:43:18,560 Speaker 1: review us on Apple and Spotify. You can subscribe to 893 00:43:18,600 --> 00:43:21,719 Speaker 1: the YouTube channel as well to get notified every time 894 00:43:21,760 --> 00:43:24,000 Speaker 1: we post a new video. We will be back later 895 00:43:24,040 --> 00:43:27,239 Speaker 1: this week with a more comprehensive preview, maybe of the 896 00:43:27,239 --> 00:43:30,600 Speaker 1: offensive side before we get to West Palm Beach, but 897 00:43:30,760 --> 00:43:32,560 Speaker 1: until then we will talk to you later. 898 00:43:33,239 --> 00:44:03,200 Speaker 3: Lagrasso is always greener on the other side. Bye.