March 7, 2025 • 39 mins
Joining the show from Goodyear this week it's Cade Smith and Paul Sewald from the bullpen, starter Triston McKenzie, and outfielder Will Brennan. Plus, the one and only Tyler Naquin is back and trying to transition from position player to pitcher. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
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Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along
with you from Goodyear Arizona Guardians spring training. With less
than three weeks to go now before opening day in
Kansas City. So things starting to wind down in terms
of spring training, believe it or not. Not really, there's
still certainly plenty of baseball action left and some things
(01:14):
to be decided, but we are inching closer to that
March twenty seventh opening day in KC against the Royals.
Good show lined up for you today. We may have
broken a new record. Five different players will stop by
and talk to us for a little bit, including Tyler Naquin.
That's right, a blast from the past. Tyler Naquin is
(01:36):
in camp after a major league career as a fine outfielder,
he's trying to make a comeback as a pitcher, and
here he is in minor league camp for the Guardians,
and we'll talk to him about how that transpired. As
he signed a contract earlier this week and begins that road.
He hopes back to the major leagues on the mound
this time.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Well.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Also here from starting pitcher Tristan McKenzie, outfielder Will Brennan,
and relief pitchers Paul Seewald and Kate Smith. So a
lot to get to on this week's show, and we'll
start it off with a visit from outfielder Will Brennan,
who last year hit two sixty four with eight homers
thirty runs driven in, did spend a little bit of
(02:17):
time at Columbus in when he came back, certainly swung
the bat better, split some time and right field with
John Kenzie. No, well, that could be his role for
this season. We'll see. Still some things to be decided
in the outfield, but Brennan did some things in the
offseason to try and take that next step forward in
what would be his fourth major league season, and he
(02:39):
says getting the spring training is always fun, especially with
this group.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yeah, it's good to be back.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
I think everyone had a really good winner, you know.
I think we're ready to go out and play against
some really good competition in spring and compete and see
where it lies.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
After that.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
When you say it had a really good winner, I
think in today's day A. You almost have to. For you,
what does that mean? A good winner?
Speaker 5 (03:03):
What'd you do?
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Spend time with family, all the other things off the field.
Took care of that, and then you know, spend a
lot of time in the weight room and made some
really good swing adjustments and you know, tune ups and
really got after in that arena. And then you know,
came out here early, face some lives and got ready
to go.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
And when you look at making some adjustments or changes,
obviously you have a routine that you're comfortable with. Did
you get out of that comfort zone a little bit
and try some new stuff?
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Yeah? I have to. Every year, you got to adapt.
Every year is something different. You know, I think it's
the best game of the world. You start back at
zero and and you got to work your way up
that ladder again. You know, definitely got out of my
comfort zone, worked out with some new guys this year,
and so see where it goes from there.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
And when you look back at last season, I know,
is it some up and downs? Obviously? How did you
assess it at the end and how did that allow
you to make some adjustments in the winter.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
Yeah, I mean, you know, I always look at it
from a team perspective. Made to the ALCS, I think
that's a really successful year as a team. You know,
for me, it was just you know, being able to
you know, start in right field or come off the
bench whenever they needed me and help the team win
ball games. That was how I always operate.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
You know.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Definitely a rocky year, but improved on a lot of
things and definitely something to build off of.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
When you look at where you're at in your career,
this is always going to be a young team and
you're still a young player, but you've been around a
little bit. Do you feel I don't know veterans the
right word, but do you do you feel like you've
kind of established yourself a little bit or you're getting
to that point?
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
I mean I think that's gonna be the biggest hump
for this team to get over. As you know, we
have a lot of young guys that have been in
the league for you know, one and a half to
two and a half to three years, and you know,
establishing that we belong here, you know, and we do
belong We've been here and now it's just go out
and win games. I think I don't think veterans status
is ever gonna hit and we have guys like Carlos
(05:00):
and guys like Jose. You know, those guys are going
to obviously lead the charge in that aspect. But yeah,
being able to help the younger guys around me in
positions that I've been in and help them out.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
You mentioned Carlos Santana. I know spring's just starting, but
what do you see from him so far or maybe
from what you've heard from others that played to them.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, I've already seen a huge, you know, leadership role
just kind of get filled up. You know, he's obviously
somebody that's done it for a really long time, had
some really you know, a lot of success here and
kind of everywhere. He's been so guy that's you know,
be a sponge around and you know he's going to
lead the charger.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Can't wait.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
That's outfielder Will Brennan getting ready for a new season,
his fourth It would be in the major leagues when
things get going at the end of the month in
Kansas City, hoping to be a part of the starting rotation.
Right hander Tristan McKenzie and up and down season A
year ago for t mac was three and five in
the big leagues with the eer up over five runs
(06:01):
a game in sixteen starts for Cleveland, but spent significant
time in the second half at Triple A. Columbus went
to work in the off season to try and regain
some of that form that made him an eleven game
winner back in twenty twenty two. He's had some injury
issues since, and he explains some of the frustrations that
he went through a season ago, especially at the start.
Speaker 6 (06:25):
I felt good last year, but I think I felt
a little bit behind the eight ball when I was
out here in spring training. I just felt like I
was moving a little bit slow, and right now, I
feel right on time.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
And when you look back at last year, obviously some
frustrations there. What was most difficult that you were trying
to get to and it just wasn't working out for you.
Speaker 6 (06:42):
I just felt like I'd lacked like a certain level
of like intensity or like edge out on the mound,
like early on in the season, and I just felt
like there was some stuff that happened in the in
the previous year in twenty three, where the off season
was a little bit different, and this offseason I had
a norm offseason, so like from like a physical I.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
Felt ready last year, but this year I.
Speaker 6 (07:02):
Just feel more mentally ready to take the mound and
stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
And when you say normal off season, what does that
look like for you?
Speaker 6 (07:10):
I mean I'm home working out at Christy's Sports Performance.
I really didn't travel.
Speaker 5 (07:14):
As much this year, but usually I'll travel for a
little bit.
Speaker 6 (07:17):
I went to the Bahamas for a week, but outside
of that, I was really just home training, playing some
video games.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
And I know one of the things that is a
great thing that you do is your camp. And when
you told me earlier this week that how long you
been doing it, explain how long you've been doing the
camp and what it means to the kids.
Speaker 6 (07:35):
Yeah, I mean this year was my eighth year, and
for me, the camp is really just about giving back
to the community that raised me, the community that made
me into the baseball player in the man that I
have today, And just wanted to give the kids want
a good outlet via baseball, teaching them the right things
and then two teaching.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
Them to get back to their community as well.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
So they're learning. What do you learn from now?
Speaker 6 (07:57):
A ton of stuff I learned that I have or
negative aura or something I don't know, Like they were
telling me all kinds of things. I learned so much
from them and they're super open minded and they always
shoot you straight.
Speaker 5 (08:08):
So's it's a good experience every time.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
How old are so?
Speaker 6 (08:12):
We range from about six to fourteen fifteen shy. We
might open it up, open up the age brackets a
little bit more moving in the future.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
But is it something that's that's really gaining momentum down
there for you.
Speaker 5 (08:26):
Uh a year.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Maybe I don't know about momentum, but it definitely feels
like a mainstay. Like I feel like every time we
get close to the time of the year, I started
to get questions about when's the camp.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
My cousin's interested. People definitely want to come down and
be a part of it.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
So you get back out here for spring training, you
have a nice first first outing and it doesn't I
don't care who you are. It seems like that first
outing for pictures you just don't know and what did it?
What did it mean to you to have a good
one at least results wise?
Speaker 6 (08:55):
Yeah, I mean I was really just trying to go
out there and not do too much. Really just go
out there myself or strikes get the team involved get
some quick outs, and I felt like it went really
well in terms of like me just executing my stuff
and setting out with my goal in mind, and really
just working on some of the stuff that we've been
working on with Carl in terms of delivery, just attacking hitters,
(09:16):
and like what the mindset.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Is this year, We've seen you at your best and
that was as good as it gets in baseball. A
couple of years ago. You're starting to get that feeling
and is there a certain feeling that you're looking for
when you're on the mound that lets you be you?
Speaker 6 (09:32):
I mean, I don't think I'm looking for anything specifically.
I think it's more just like knowing the team that
I have around me, knowing the guys that I have
around me, that I can just go out there and pitch.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
And that's really what I'm trying to get back to.
Speaker 6 (09:42):
And I think that's what a majority of twenty two
andenty two was for me, is like just going out
there and getting out for the boys.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
And you know what it looks like for this team
to be good. It seems like a lot of the
ingredients are there, and are you seeing that here early
in the spring yeah.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
I mean, I think we all saw it last year,
and we've been talking to meetings about what last year
means to us in terms of like that now being
like our floor, that's what we have in our mind,
is like that's the minimum we can do. So going
out there and just putting our best foot forward and
looking forward to the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
This year actually always fun to catch up with Tristan
McKenzie and you probably could tell just by listening a
real positive outlook, and he's looked good so far this spring.
Stay with us when we come back. We'll hear from
the senior member of The Guardian's Bullpennies in on a
free agent contract, talking about veteran right hander Paul Sewald.
(10:34):
Is it with him? Next seventh in two Down the Pitch,
swat a set of slider a new career high fourteen.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Strikeouts for Tristan McKenzie.
Speaker 7 (10:49):
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Speaker 2 (11:29):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhouse along with you
from Guardian Spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. It's been a
great spring and the Guardians are back at it this afternoon.
If you're tuned to our show on Saturday, they'll take
on the San Diego Padres in Peoria with a three
ten first pitching and hear it right here on the
Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Paul Seawald is hoping to
(11:53):
be a part of the Guardian's bullpen. He's a veteran
right hander who has spent eight seasons parts of in
the Major Leagues with the Mets, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. Had
a great season in twenty twenty three, was thirty four
saves and went to the World Series with Arizona. He's
now with a new ball club and he says fitting
in at this point in his career with the new
(12:14):
club is fairly easy to me.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
It's easy.
Speaker 8 (12:17):
I've played against these guys. I've kind of reports against
these guys. They wear jerseys, so you get to know
their name. We will.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Staff is a lot harder. Staff is a lot.
Speaker 8 (12:24):
Harder to make sure you kind of know everybody. Wannie
printed me out, you know, the headshots and names and jobs,
so I could try and figure out who everybody is,
so I'll get the hang of it. When I did
that in Seattle, it was twenty one and everyone had masks,
so by the end of camp I still didn't know anybody.
So I'm doing way better than I was in twenty one.
We'll get the hang of it. But last time I checked,
the Mountins are still sixty feet six inches here like
(12:45):
they are in Arizona in Seattle, So I'll get the
hang of it in no time.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
And most importantly, the pitching coaches are trying to learn you,
and then I'm sure you them. How long does that
take for them to get comfortable with helping you along
the way.
Speaker 8 (12:58):
I felt that they were comfortable trying to help me
in my recruiting video zoom. So that's who these guys are,
and I'm excited that if I feel like I need
the help that they're there. Hopefully we don't have any
conversations other than way to go, so that's not necessarily realistic,
but I think that's kind of their perspective, is they
don't I don't need to be fixed. I am a
(13:19):
great pitcher and that's why the team wanted me, and
I just need to be myself now. If I feel
like I'm headed towards the sides of the guardrails, I'm
excited that I have really good rails here to kind
of keep me back on the tracks and have a
great year.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
The connection with Steven Vote explain how that came into
play getting you here.
Speaker 8 (13:36):
Yeah, he was the center focus of telling Chris, hey,
I want you know, I think paulsy Won is a
perfect addition to this amazing bullpen already. And and so
they reached out and got to have a zoom meeting
and got to talk to him, you know, one on one,
a little bit about what the Cleveland Guardians are all about,
who we are, what he thinks of me as as
(13:56):
the manager. That's really important. You need to make sure
that the manager wants you on their team, and he's
just an amazing person that I thought I pitched my
very very best when I was around him, So I'm
excited to be around him more often and pitch even better.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
And you mentioned amazing bullpen. It was the best in
baseball a year ago. How aware of that were you
last summer as it was happening? And then obviously when
you're looking for a team.
Speaker 8 (14:19):
Yeah, we came here in early August, right at the
turn of August, and everyone kind of came out and
we were looking at stats and it was like, my god,
they're throwing just bullets over here, so aware of it
as a competitor against them, and then you know, it
was obviously a question I had for Chris, like why
do you feel like you need me? This is you know,
you guys had a pretty good bullpen. You obviously have
(14:41):
arguably the best closer in baseball, and you know I've
done closing. I'm certainly not going to close here. Why
do you want me? And his answer was trying to
make a strength more of a strength. So I see
no different playing a lot of four to three, three
to one type of games, and and the more bullpen
guys you can have, the less everyone has to pitches,
the more fresh they can be down the stretch. And
and as you guys saw, starters come out very early
(15:02):
in the postseason. So the more bullpen guys you have,
the better down the stretch.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
So you mentioned being there in August seeing the team
as a member of the Diamondbacks a lot of hard throwers,
but the best bullpens could show a variety of looks
and explain for fans who haven't seen you pitch, what
are we looking at?
Speaker 8 (15:20):
Yeah, I mean I was part of a bullpen that
had Matt Brash throwing one hundred unders, Munnos throwing a hundred,
and then me throwing ninety two right after them, and
everyone kind of shook their head, like, I don't really
know why that guy pitches the ninth. But I am
most effective when I'm throwing the ball at the top
of the zone and sweeping sliders off of that and
throwing two different, two totally different pitches that go to
(15:40):
different directions and have a ton of deception and it
just kind of throws people off. I'm at my very
best when people strike out and they just look at
the scoreboard and can't figure out why they got their
doors blown away on a ninety two mile or fastball,
and nothing gets me going quite like that. So you're
not gonna see the stuff of Gaddis or Cat Smith
or especially class A. But at my best, I'm just
(16:01):
as effective as all those guys. I just I just
doing a little differently.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
It's the beauty of baseball right there, Paul, see you
while joining us. You're on a stage in your career
where you're looking for a team for a deep end
of the off season this year maybe compared to past years.
How difficult was that and what was going through your
mind as the off season continue to wear on.
Speaker 8 (16:23):
Yeah, without saying a lot about the free agency process,
it just you know, the reliever market didn't really get
going until the turn of the year, and so I
was very confident that I was going to have a
place to play. And at the end of the day,
training in December and November has nothing to do with
whether you have a team. I knew I was playing
this year, so not being on a team had had
(16:45):
no impact on my work ethic and in my work.
It was a little weird, you know, following news and
who signed where without having any idea where I was
going to play. You know, usually when you're with the team,
you kind of cheer if your team gets somebody, or
you're you know, your kind of WinCE when you know
maybe your rival get somebody. I didn't really know where
I was going, so I was just kind of following
the news, and the reliever market never really happened, so
(17:06):
I was kind of just being patient, and we waited
for the perfect spot, and I think I landed in it.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
And you mentioned the plus is about knowing Steven Voden
and the bullpen. We were talking before we got started.
You had a chance to pitch in a World Series.
This team obviously has those aspirations. How important was it
to be with a quote contender?
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Yeah, I you.
Speaker 8 (17:26):
Know, there were possibilities for me to close on teams
that won't have many closing opportunities. That was never something
that I wanted to do. I'm here to try and
win games. I've spent the last four years winning a
lot of games, and you just have a lot more
fun on winners. It's just doesn't matter your role. It's
just a lot better to be on a winning team.
This team won the Ale Central last year, and I
(17:48):
don't see any reason we shouldn't win the al Central
this year and give us, give us a chance to
pitch in October, and once you've been there, you're just
addicted to going back. So I can't wait to putch
in another postseason game.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Paul, great to meet you. Thanks, Thanks, that's better and
right hand or Paul Seawald getting ready for another season
in the major leagues and really looking forward to being
part of what was Major League Baseball's best bullpen a
season ago. Stay with us, We'll have more to come
as we continue from Goodyear. After this time out on
the Cleveland Clinic. Guardians Radio Network, Guardian's Weekly continues from Goodyear, Arizona.
(18:47):
Jim Rosenhouse along with you from Guardians Spring training and
there's always a lot of different stories as the spring
moves along, and none more surprising than earlier this week
when Tyler Naquin, a former outstanding outfielder for the Guardians
and at that time the Indians, part of the twenty
sixteen World Series team, he has signed a minor league
(19:10):
contract as a pitcher, and he hopes to reach the
big leagues once again in that role. He's a former
first round draft picked by Cleveland back in twenty twelve,
finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in
that twenty sixteen season. Five years with the Indians and
eight years overall in the major leagues as a really
good outfielder with a big arm. That was one of
(19:32):
the keys defensively for him, and he's hoping that translates
to the mound. How did all this happen? Well, he
explains where he was a year ago in January and
why the decision came to pass.
Speaker 9 (19:45):
Yeah, just as I told them, just it was a
pretty brief discussion and parking lot of my buddies, Jim
that we really Clay Tillman in College station. We just decided, Hey,
we're going to pitch, and we started playing catch, and
you know, we never stopped lift. He owns the gym
and he writes my programs and whatnot. And then I
work with Jase Hutchins and Jack Mahala at Texas A
(20:08):
and M in the analytic department for pitching. And I've
reached out to my old teammates and pitchers and stuff,
and I said, I'm gonna I'm gonna give this thing
a go. And and I've kind of put all these
minds and stuff together in order to to just kind
of build a Frankenstein, if you will, of what works
for me.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Circling back though to that conversation in the parking lot
prior to that, though, how did that come into your
your line of thinking? Were you looking to get back
in the game and this was the avenue or was
it something different? Yeah?
Speaker 9 (20:40):
No, I mean I you know, I was missing baseball obviously,
and I hadn't got a phone call, not one single time.
So I just kind of looked at him. I was like, man,
maybe I should just pitch, and he was like, all right,
let's do it.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
And that was it.
Speaker 9 (20:55):
And we started throwing and you know, getting the arm
acclimated to just you know, throwing more often, and you know,
started touching the mound. And that was all of twenty
twenty four, you know, and just figuring figuring stuff out.
I went down to Houston and did some stuff with
David Evans for about three months and just continued and
(21:19):
continued to touch the mound and develop and lift and
figure out what worked for me.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
So to make that next step where a major league
organization I actually wants to sign you. Uh, how did it?
How did that develop?
Speaker 4 (21:31):
And how did you end up.
Speaker 9 (21:32):
Here with Cleveland, right, And I think whenever I realized like, hey,
we have something here, probably back in August of twenty
four I started a throwing program at Texas A and
M with the head athletic trainer, Kayleie Swain, and just
working you know, you know Michael Early at A and
M and that coaching staff. They allowed me to use
(21:53):
the facility as well as I was on staff there
and just having that and knowing like, hey, there's a
chance here. And after I was throwing bullpens and started
to climb velocity and develop pitches and just see what
type of profile I was as a reliever. I liked it,
(22:15):
and the people around me were like, hey, we need
to get in front of some teams. And so through
a pro day on the twenty second of January on
this last January, and didn't really hear much. And then
my agent reached out to Cleveland and Cincinnati and you know,
some different teams, and I sent some video to some
guys in Cleveland and whatnot, and it was that's how
(22:37):
we kind of got rolling.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Did you talk at all of to Chris Antinati or
Mike Chernoff or that high up or or was it
more pitching development and scouts things like that.
Speaker 9 (22:46):
No, I mean I didn't speak to anybody.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
There was a.
Speaker 9 (22:50):
Scout, Brett came from Austin, Texas down to College Station,
Texas watched me and I had a really good day
and he was excited about it. So I was just
as excited and we kind of got the ball rolling
from there. And they're in.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Contact Tyler Nike when joining us. He's a pitcher now
in the minor league system for the Guardians. And you
walked into this building, the complex here in goodyear. You
are a part of some really good teams, the World
Series team in particular year of rookie year. What kind
of memories maybe came back to you when you walked
into this place thinking about some really good times in
(23:25):
your career.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
Yeah, a lot.
Speaker 9 (23:27):
I mean it's I was very thankful to come back
to a team that there's you know, familiar faces and
some good energy here.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
You know, it could have been anywhere.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
And you know, from what I've heard and what I've
been told is that Cleveland is you know, you know,
top of the pack, if not number one in developing pitching.
And that's something that I've been saying this whole past
year and twenty four.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
Man, if I think.
Speaker 9 (23:50):
If I could just with what I have built now,
with all of my resources back home, if somebody could
just get me and mold me and help me out,
I think that I could really really do something with this.
And you know, to be here at the at the
number one spot with it is and be familiar with
people here is just you know, it's a great opportunity.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Obviously, you have to have a big arm, and that
was a big key for you as an outfielder in
the major leagues. It's a little fuzzy because it's a
long time ago, but I think we might have first
met in a spring training when you were in big
league camp and and I might have asked you about
your throwing arm, how that developed rocks throw throwing rocks
in the in the water in Texas. Would you have
(24:33):
ever thought it would lead to this at this point
in time.
Speaker 9 (24:35):
Yeah, no, especially not that early. But you know people
have asked me, you know, where's the arm strength? And
I you know, my older brother had an incredible arm
as well, and he him and I would you know,
we'd leave a football out or baseball's out, and you know,
they'd get rained on and stuff, and so we would
always just pick up some type of ball and we'd
back up and see who could throw it over the
(24:57):
power line from the farthest back.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
No warming up or nothing. So it's like, I don't.
Speaker 9 (25:00):
I've never done bands or you know, the weighted balls
or anything, so I just don't. That's the only type
of weighted ball or anything that I had done up until,
you know, last year when I started this pitching. And
so I mean I've done bands and stuff obviously, but
not consistently.
Speaker 5 (25:16):
So I think at a young.
Speaker 9 (25:17):
Age, I think just throwing a bunch of rocks at
the creek with him and and just throwing footballs and
baseballs and water logged ones at that.
Speaker 5 (25:26):
For sure probably helped.
Speaker 4 (25:27):
He didn't definitely didn't hurt it.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
I thought it was interesting because you mentioned the throw
from the outfield compared to working off a mound and
trying to to reach your full potential. That way very
very different. Explain how different that is.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
It is you also have a little bit of momentum.
Speaker 9 (25:43):
You know, some guys crow hop or whatever, but it's
more of a shuffle from the outfield. But you know,
you can tend to have a little bit longer of
an armstroke from the outfield, and you're working more uphill,
your shoulders are tilted more uphill. And now on the
transitioning you know, it's tough with a really long arm
to sync that up. But also I haven't been doing it,
(26:07):
you know, with That's why I'm excited to do it
with these guys. But learning how to work down the
slope of the mound and linear to the catcher is
you know, it's definitely different from the outfield. But I
do watch my outfield throws when I first started this
and still to this day, just to kind of see
how my body sinks up and and whatnot in order
(26:27):
to move directly, you know, straightforward, you know, instead of
pulling off or you know, letting the arm fly out,
or you know, just being late with the arm.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Do you have a timetable you put on yourself to
to see if this thing works? And if so, where
does it begin as you get started here in goodyear?
Speaker 4 (26:44):
Yeah, I would say the timetable starts now, you know, just.
Speaker 5 (26:48):
Enjoy it.
Speaker 9 (26:48):
It's it's a lot of it's already been a lot
of fun. But I mean now that I'm you know,
I've put pen to paper, and I'm here. It's extremely exciting.
It looks and feels like it's gonna be a lot
of fun, especially being here. And I know that you know,
this organization, you know, would like to see me succeed,
(27:10):
and so I couldn't be happier with that. I think
I'm in the best spot that I could put potentially
could have ever been in. So I think there's really
no timetable. Just do it safe, do it the right way,
and uh, you know, when I'm ready to go get innings,
I'm ready to go get innings, and then just ride
it out.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Tyler, great to see it, Good luck with everything, Thank you,
thank you. Great story. Tyler Andnquin trying to make it
back to the big leagues on the mound and knowing
his competitive nature, I wouldn't put him past him to
get there at some point at a time. Stay with
us so we came back. We'll hear from one of
the best relievers in all of baseball, young right hander
Cade Smith. That's next on the Cleveland Planet Guardian's radio
(27:49):
on Netward.
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Speaker 1 (28:33):
The mainor league debut of Cage Smith Smith with that
mid nineties fastball. He's also got the slider and the
split finger six five two thirty out of Vancouver. That next,
offering a swing and a miss, Kate Smith strikes out
the first major league hitter he faces. The pitch a
(28:58):
swing in the massonic right slider. Kate Smith has faced
two and struck out a pair. Now the two to
two got him swinging out a wicked splitter. Kate Smith
strikes out Riley Green. Three Tigers face three punch outs.
Here's Colt Keith. Now the one two got him swinging
on the heat ninety seven miles an hour. Kate Smith
(29:21):
into his postseason debut. Four batters face, four strikeouts. Welcome
back to Guardian's weekly Jim rosen House back with you
for our final segment. As we join you from Goodyear,
Arizona and Guardian Spring Training. Kate Smith is looking forward
to his second major league season, this time a year ago,
(29:45):
there were thoughts that maybe he could make the roster
at some point in the season. Well, he did on
opening day, the last man to be named of the
opening a roster. And man did he have a rookie
season to remember. He finished fifth in the American Rookie
of the Year voting, going six and one with an
ERA at one point nine to one, one hundred and
(30:06):
three strikeouts, and seventy five innings, and he was part
of the best bullpen in baseball. And he explains what
the biggest key key things to his success was a
year ago.
Speaker 11 (30:18):
I think the biggest thing has just been being consistent
with the way I do things right, sticking to you know,
my prep, my routines, my work, like knowing my strengths
inside and out, not trying to deviate from anything to
try and overcompensate or do too much but just sticking
to what, you know, what qualities are that make me
effective in really trusting that and trusting the work that
(30:40):
I've put in. It's not about trying to do something different,
something new. It's about sticking with what has gotten me
to this point and continuing to develop that.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
How much trial and error was there to get you
to a good spot where you're confident with that? Especially
at this level.
Speaker 11 (30:55):
I mean there's been a ton of conversations, tond of
you know, trying different things, seeing what sticks. Kind of
learning process, like the ability for Cleveland to develop pictures
is you know phenomenon. I've learned a ton from them,
and you know, there's been a bunch of conversations there
to figure out things that might work for me and
what would be specific to me. So that's been a
(31:16):
huge part of it.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
Certainly you can do that in the minor leagues as
you're developing, but you get up here and it's so
much about performance and you know, being successful. Are you
still able to try some things up here or do
you have to be careful with that?
Speaker 11 (31:31):
I think the adjustments become different in the sense that
they probably become more refinements. There's no you know, scrapping
everything and throwing it out of the window and trying
something completely new, Like there was you know, big overhauls
as part of my development right when I signed. But
as you continue to build and find things that work
for you and build on those things to improve them, the.
Speaker 4 (31:54):
Injustance you make become smaller and smaller.
Speaker 11 (31:56):
And the things that I think separate guys at this
level are such small difference is that the adjustments you're
making are just as small but so significant because we're
playing a game separated by such a thin margin.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
How thin is that margin, like, for instance, with a
with a grip or maybe release point, things like that,
How small can that be to be the difference between
success and maybe leaving pitches out over the point?
Speaker 11 (32:21):
I mean, there's like everything is measured right and measured
down to decimal, So if you want to, you could
say that that's as thin as a margin is. Right,
they have everything measured and recorded, and there is you know,
data and feedback for all those super small changes and
super small differences, and so it is really pretty fine
(32:44):
tune in that aspect. But also, like I mean, you're
talking about filling up a strike zone, right, like that's
the goal. That's a Again, the difference between you know,
a mishit ground ball and a hard hit line drive.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
Is not a big difference either.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Everybody's different and how much they use the information, analytics
technology all of that, how much do you welcome that
and how much do you dive into all that.
Speaker 11 (33:09):
Yeah, I absolutely came into the mindset I wanted to
learn when I signed and so I've definitely really tried
to dig into that and learn what I could from it.
But there's definitely a balance, right. You don't want to
be overwhelmed with all the information. You want to have
a you know, be able to take themes and lessons
from it and then also filter it through what you
know your strengths are so that you don't get overwhelmed
(33:32):
and just so bogged down with all the information that
you can't compete. So it is about just keeping it
in its rightful place and maintaining balance.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
And it is a couple of years ago when you
signed here. When you look back at that, I remember
you saying last year you went to school on the
teams that were interested and how different is it here
maybe than some other teams that were interested in you.
Speaker 4 (33:57):
I don't know. I have no frame of reference, never
han't been with the other team.
Speaker 11 (34:00):
But I can't you know, speak highly enough of Cleveland's
ability to develop and and the time and effort that
they've put into me to develop me, and and so
extremely grateful and thankful for that. And I've enjoyed it too.
It's been it's been a fun process to learn and
to improve and you know, to put work in and
see that.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Kate Smith joining us as the Guardians continue spring training
here in Goodyear. Okay, you look at last season, durability
such a big key and being available, especially out of
the bullpen. What do you think allowed you to be
so available and then pile up appearances and then most
of them being effective.
Speaker 11 (34:39):
Yeah, I think that there was a you know, one
of the biggest lessons I learned from the other guys
in the bullpen is seeing how they know what they
need to do to prepare themselves and they're not gonna,
you know, waste time doing things that are not effective
for them. They're not going to spend time doing you know,
unnecessary very extra prap or whatever.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
It's.
Speaker 11 (35:02):
They know what they need to get themselves ready, and
that's what they do. They stick to their routines, they're
consistent with it. So that was a big lesson I learned.
And then other thing was, you know, the culture down
in the bullpen was all about just making sure that
you are ready whenever the phone rings, even if it's
not you know, for you, it's about having.
Speaker 4 (35:18):
That kind of shared mentality of preparing yourself.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
And it's just such an individual game, but you kind
of touched on that team dynamic. And and then the
bullpen's a team within a team. What's it like down
there on a nightly basis? From a fun standpoint and
then a serious standpoint.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
No, it is so much fun.
Speaker 11 (35:34):
I mean, there's just you know, it's a collection of
unique characters and they come together in a way that's
you know, never going to be replicated in anything else.
And so you just enjoy that, enjoy the inside jokes
and the you know, all the gimmicks and teasing and
stuff like that that goes on. But from a serious standpoint,
like I think that is you know, very fortunate to
have a culture that was set by the older guys
in the bullpen.
Speaker 4 (35:54):
That was so.
Speaker 11 (35:56):
You know, significant and so also think healthy, like having
that perspective of it's not about individuals down here. It's
actually about can we you know, maintain the lead. Can
we do what we can to put the team in
a position to win or keep them in a position
to win, and understanding that that's our job. That's how
we contribute in the way we do that is by
making sure that we're ready, even if our name doesn't
(36:17):
get caught, and if it does, making sure that you're
ready and you go out and you compete.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
When you look at everything that happened last year, some
some great things for you personally, and then a run
through the postseason, how has that change your perspective as
you come in here this season.
Speaker 11 (36:32):
I mean, that was such a special experience to be
able to experience post season baseball in my first season,
and so I think that everyone in here wants to
do that again.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
You know, we got a.
Speaker 11 (36:42):
Taste of how good we are and how good we
can be and you know, falling short and understanding that,
like that's what we're striving for, right Like, that's that's
the standard we're measuring ourselves against. And the work that
we put in is not to you know, get to
that spot and fall short again, but it's to get
there and go farther and so you know, that's a
cool thing to see in the clubhouse. The way the
guys work and aren't preparing for that is that that
(37:04):
goal is very clear that we want to go farther
than we did last year. And so yeah, extremely grateful
to be able to experience that and to have been
in that situation, and you know, playing those stadiums and
in those games, and just so much fun to be
in that too, and to see those you know atmospheres
how they just played out and just yeah, such a
(37:25):
fun experience.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Answer reliever Kate Smith. Looking to have another big year
out of that Guardian's boltpen as they look too equal
if they can some of last year's outstanding work. That
really was a huge key to this team reaching the postseason.
That's going to do it for our show this week
until next week for Brian Motsee, who does great work
putting together our shows each and every week. This is
(37:50):
Jim Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians
Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive, helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along
with you from Goodyear Arizona Guardians spring training. With less
than three weeks to go now before opening day in
Kansas City. So things starting to wind down in terms
of spring training, believe it or not. Not really, there's
still certainly plenty of baseball action left and some things
(01:14):
to be decided, but we are inching closer to that
March twenty seventh opening day in KC against the Royals.
Good show lined up for you today. We may have
broken a new record. Five different players will stop by
and talk to us for a little bit, including Tyler Naquin.
That's right, a blast from the past. Tyler Naquin is
(01:36):
in camp after a major league career as a fine outfielder,
he's trying to make a comeback as a pitcher, and
here he is in minor league camp for the Guardians,
and we'll talk to him about how that transpired. As
he signed a contract earlier this week and begins that road.
He hopes back to the major leagues on the mound
this time.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Well.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Also here from starting pitcher Tristan McKenzie, outfielder Will Brennan,
and relief pitchers Paul Seewald and Kate Smith. So a
lot to get to on this week's show, and we'll
start it off with a visit from outfielder Will Brennan,
who last year hit two sixty four with eight homers
thirty runs driven in, did spend a little bit of
(02:17):
time at Columbus in when he came back, certainly swung
the bat better, split some time and right field with
John Kenzie. No, well, that could be his role for
this season. We'll see. Still some things to be decided
in the outfield, but Brennan did some things in the
offseason to try and take that next step forward in
what would be his fourth major league season, and he
(02:39):
says getting the spring training is always fun, especially with
this group.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
Yeah, it's good to be back.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
I think everyone had a really good winner, you know.
I think we're ready to go out and play against
some really good competition in spring and compete and see
where it lies.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
After that.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
When you say it had a really good winner, I
think in today's day A. You almost have to. For you,
what does that mean? A good winner?
Speaker 5 (03:03):
What'd you do?
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Spend time with family, all the other things off the field.
Took care of that, and then you know, spend a
lot of time in the weight room and made some
really good swing adjustments and you know, tune ups and
really got after in that arena. And then you know,
came out here early, face some lives and got ready
to go.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
And when you look at making some adjustments or changes,
obviously you have a routine that you're comfortable with. Did
you get out of that comfort zone a little bit
and try some new stuff?
Speaker 3 (03:32):
Yeah? I have to. Every year, you got to adapt.
Every year is something different. You know, I think it's
the best game of the world. You start back at
zero and and you got to work your way up
that ladder again. You know, definitely got out of my
comfort zone, worked out with some new guys this year,
and so see where it goes from there.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
And when you look back at last season, I know,
is it some up and downs? Obviously? How did you
assess it at the end and how did that allow
you to make some adjustments in the winter.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
Yeah, I mean, you know, I always look at it
from a team perspective. Made to the ALCS, I think
that's a really successful year as a team. You know,
for me, it was just you know, being able to
you know, start in right field or come off the
bench whenever they needed me and help the team win
ball games. That was how I always operate.
Speaker 5 (04:17):
You know.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Definitely a rocky year, but improved on a lot of
things and definitely something to build off of.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
When you look at where you're at in your career,
this is always going to be a young team and
you're still a young player, but you've been around a
little bit. Do you feel I don't know veterans the
right word, but do you do you feel like you've
kind of established yourself a little bit or you're getting
to that point?
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
I mean I think that's gonna be the biggest hump
for this team to get over. As you know, we
have a lot of young guys that have been in
the league for you know, one and a half to
two and a half to three years, and you know,
establishing that we belong here, you know, and we do
belong We've been here and now it's just go out
and win games. I think I don't think veterans status
is ever gonna hit and we have guys like Carlos
(05:00):
and guys like Jose. You know, those guys are going
to obviously lead the charge in that aspect. But yeah,
being able to help the younger guys around me in
positions that I've been in and help them out.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
You mentioned Carlos Santana. I know spring's just starting, but
what do you see from him so far or maybe
from what you've heard from others that played to them.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, I've already seen a huge, you know, leadership role
just kind of get filled up. You know, he's obviously
somebody that's done it for a really long time, had
some really you know, a lot of success here and
kind of everywhere. He's been so guy that's you know,
be a sponge around and you know he's going to
lead the charger.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Can't wait.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
That's outfielder Will Brennan getting ready for a new season,
his fourth It would be in the major leagues when
things get going at the end of the month in
Kansas City, hoping to be a part of the starting rotation.
Right hander Tristan McKenzie and up and down season A
year ago for t mac was three and five in
the big leagues with the eer up over five runs
(06:01):
a game in sixteen starts for Cleveland, but spent significant
time in the second half at Triple A. Columbus went
to work in the off season to try and regain
some of that form that made him an eleven game
winner back in twenty twenty two. He's had some injury
issues since, and he explains some of the frustrations that
he went through a season ago, especially at the start.
Speaker 6 (06:25):
I felt good last year, but I think I felt
a little bit behind the eight ball when I was
out here in spring training. I just felt like I
was moving a little bit slow, and right now, I
feel right on time.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
And when you look back at last year, obviously some
frustrations there. What was most difficult that you were trying
to get to and it just wasn't working out for you.
Speaker 6 (06:42):
I just felt like I'd lacked like a certain level
of like intensity or like edge out on the mound,
like early on in the season, and I just felt
like there was some stuff that happened in the in
the previous year in twenty three, where the off season
was a little bit different, and this offseason I had
a norm offseason, so like from like a physical I.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
Felt ready last year, but this year I.
Speaker 6 (07:02):
Just feel more mentally ready to take the mound and
stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
And when you say normal off season, what does that
look like for you?
Speaker 6 (07:10):
I mean I'm home working out at Christy's Sports Performance.
I really didn't travel.
Speaker 5 (07:14):
As much this year, but usually I'll travel for a
little bit.
Speaker 6 (07:17):
I went to the Bahamas for a week, but outside
of that, I was really just home training, playing some
video games.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
And I know one of the things that is a
great thing that you do is your camp. And when
you told me earlier this week that how long you
been doing it, explain how long you've been doing the
camp and what it means to the kids.
Speaker 6 (07:35):
Yeah, I mean this year was my eighth year, and
for me, the camp is really just about giving back
to the community that raised me, the community that made
me into the baseball player in the man that I
have today, And just wanted to give the kids want
a good outlet via baseball, teaching them the right things
and then two teaching.
Speaker 5 (07:52):
Them to get back to their community as well.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
So they're learning. What do you learn from now?
Speaker 6 (07:57):
A ton of stuff I learned that I have or
negative aura or something I don't know, Like they were
telling me all kinds of things. I learned so much
from them and they're super open minded and they always
shoot you straight.
Speaker 5 (08:08):
So's it's a good experience every time.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
How old are so?
Speaker 6 (08:12):
We range from about six to fourteen fifteen shy. We
might open it up, open up the age brackets a
little bit more moving in the future.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
But is it something that's that's really gaining momentum down
there for you.
Speaker 5 (08:26):
Uh a year.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Maybe I don't know about momentum, but it definitely feels
like a mainstay. Like I feel like every time we
get close to the time of the year, I started
to get questions about when's the camp.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
My cousin's interested. People definitely want to come down and
be a part of it.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
So you get back out here for spring training, you
have a nice first first outing and it doesn't I
don't care who you are. It seems like that first
outing for pictures you just don't know and what did it?
What did it mean to you to have a good
one at least results wise?
Speaker 6 (08:55):
Yeah, I mean I was really just trying to go
out there and not do too much. Really just go
out there myself or strikes get the team involved get
some quick outs, and I felt like it went really
well in terms of like me just executing my stuff
and setting out with my goal in mind, and really
just working on some of the stuff that we've been
working on with Carl in terms of delivery, just attacking hitters,
(09:16):
and like what the mindset.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Is this year, We've seen you at your best and
that was as good as it gets in baseball. A
couple of years ago. You're starting to get that feeling
and is there a certain feeling that you're looking for
when you're on the mound that lets you be you?
Speaker 6 (09:32):
I mean, I don't think I'm looking for anything specifically.
I think it's more just like knowing the team that
I have around me, knowing the guys that I have
around me, that I can just go out there and pitch.
Speaker 5 (09:41):
And that's really what I'm trying to get back to.
Speaker 6 (09:42):
And I think that's what a majority of twenty two
andenty two was for me, is like just going out
there and getting out for the boys.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
And you know what it looks like for this team
to be good. It seems like a lot of the
ingredients are there, and are you seeing that here early
in the spring yeah.
Speaker 6 (09:56):
I mean, I think we all saw it last year,
and we've been talking to meetings about what last year
means to us in terms of like that now being
like our floor, that's what we have in our mind,
is like that's the minimum we can do. So going
out there and just putting our best foot forward and
looking forward to the end of the year.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
This year actually always fun to catch up with Tristan
McKenzie and you probably could tell just by listening a
real positive outlook, and he's looked good so far this spring.
Stay with us when we come back. We'll hear from
the senior member of The Guardian's Bullpennies in on a
free agent contract, talking about veteran right hander Paul Sewald.
(10:34):
Is it with him? Next seventh in two Down the Pitch,
swat a set of slider a new career high fourteen.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Strikeouts for Tristan McKenzie.
Speaker 7 (10:49):
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Speaker 2 (11:29):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhouse along with you
from Guardian Spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. It's been a
great spring and the Guardians are back at it this afternoon.
If you're tuned to our show on Saturday, they'll take
on the San Diego Padres in Peoria with a three
ten first pitching and hear it right here on the
Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Paul Seawald is hoping to
(11:53):
be a part of the Guardian's bullpen. He's a veteran
right hander who has spent eight seasons parts of in
the Major Leagues with the Mets, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. Had
a great season in twenty twenty three, was thirty four
saves and went to the World Series with Arizona. He's
now with a new ball club and he says fitting
in at this point in his career with the new
(12:14):
club is fairly easy to me.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
It's easy.
Speaker 8 (12:17):
I've played against these guys. I've kind of reports against
these guys. They wear jerseys, so you get to know
their name. We will.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Staff is a lot harder. Staff is a lot.
Speaker 8 (12:24):
Harder to make sure you kind of know everybody. Wannie
printed me out, you know, the headshots and names and jobs,
so I could try and figure out who everybody is,
so I'll get the hang of it. When I did
that in Seattle, it was twenty one and everyone had masks,
so by the end of camp I still didn't know anybody.
So I'm doing way better than I was in twenty one.
We'll get the hang of it. But last time I checked,
the Mountins are still sixty feet six inches here like
(12:45):
they are in Arizona in Seattle, So I'll get the
hang of it in no time.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
And most importantly, the pitching coaches are trying to learn you,
and then I'm sure you them. How long does that
take for them to get comfortable with helping you along
the way.
Speaker 8 (12:58):
I felt that they were comfortable trying to help me
in my recruiting video zoom. So that's who these guys are,
and I'm excited that if I feel like I need
the help that they're there. Hopefully we don't have any
conversations other than way to go, so that's not necessarily realistic,
but I think that's kind of their perspective, is they
don't I don't need to be fixed. I am a
(13:19):
great pitcher and that's why the team wanted me, and
I just need to be myself now. If I feel
like I'm headed towards the sides of the guardrails, I'm
excited that I have really good rails here to kind
of keep me back on the tracks and have a
great year.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
The connection with Steven Vote explain how that came into
play getting you here.
Speaker 8 (13:36):
Yeah, he was the center focus of telling Chris, hey,
I want you know, I think paulsy Won is a
perfect addition to this amazing bullpen already. And and so
they reached out and got to have a zoom meeting
and got to talk to him, you know, one on one,
a little bit about what the Cleveland Guardians are all about,
who we are, what he thinks of me as as
(13:56):
the manager. That's really important. You need to make sure
that the manager wants you on their team, and he's
just an amazing person that I thought I pitched my
very very best when I was around him, So I'm
excited to be around him more often and pitch even better.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
And you mentioned amazing bullpen. It was the best in
baseball a year ago. How aware of that were you
last summer as it was happening? And then obviously when
you're looking for a team.
Speaker 8 (14:19):
Yeah, we came here in early August, right at the
turn of August, and everyone kind of came out and
we were looking at stats and it was like, my god,
they're throwing just bullets over here, so aware of it
as a competitor against them, and then you know, it
was obviously a question I had for Chris, like why
do you feel like you need me? This is you know,
you guys had a pretty good bullpen. You obviously have
(14:41):
arguably the best closer in baseball, and you know I've
done closing. I'm certainly not going to close here. Why
do you want me? And his answer was trying to
make a strength more of a strength. So I see
no different playing a lot of four to three, three
to one type of games, and and the more bullpen
guys you can have, the less everyone has to pitches,
the more fresh they can be down the stretch. And
and as you guys saw, starters come out very early
(15:02):
in the postseason. So the more bullpen guys you have,
the better down the stretch.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
So you mentioned being there in August seeing the team
as a member of the Diamondbacks a lot of hard throwers,
but the best bullpens could show a variety of looks
and explain for fans who haven't seen you pitch, what
are we looking at?
Speaker 8 (15:20):
Yeah, I mean I was part of a bullpen that
had Matt Brash throwing one hundred unders, Munnos throwing a hundred,
and then me throwing ninety two right after them, and
everyone kind of shook their head, like, I don't really
know why that guy pitches the ninth. But I am
most effective when I'm throwing the ball at the top
of the zone and sweeping sliders off of that and
throwing two different, two totally different pitches that go to
(15:40):
different directions and have a ton of deception and it
just kind of throws people off. I'm at my very
best when people strike out and they just look at
the scoreboard and can't figure out why they got their
doors blown away on a ninety two mile or fastball,
and nothing gets me going quite like that. So you're
not gonna see the stuff of Gaddis or Cat Smith
or especially class A. But at my best, I'm just
(16:01):
as effective as all those guys. I just I just
doing a little differently.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
It's the beauty of baseball right there, Paul, see you
while joining us. You're on a stage in your career
where you're looking for a team for a deep end
of the off season this year maybe compared to past years.
How difficult was that and what was going through your
mind as the off season continue to wear on.
Speaker 8 (16:23):
Yeah, without saying a lot about the free agency process,
it just you know, the reliever market didn't really get
going until the turn of the year, and so I
was very confident that I was going to have a
place to play. And at the end of the day,
training in December and November has nothing to do with
whether you have a team. I knew I was playing
this year, so not being on a team had had
(16:45):
no impact on my work ethic and in my work.
It was a little weird, you know, following news and
who signed where without having any idea where I was
going to play. You know, usually when you're with the team,
you kind of cheer if your team gets somebody, or
you're you know, your kind of WinCE when you know
maybe your rival get somebody. I didn't really know where
I was going, so I was just kind of following
the news, and the reliever market never really happened, so
(17:06):
I was kind of just being patient, and we waited
for the perfect spot, and I think I landed in it.
Speaker 2 (17:10):
And you mentioned the plus is about knowing Steven Voden
and the bullpen. We were talking before we got started.
You had a chance to pitch in a World Series.
This team obviously has those aspirations. How important was it
to be with a quote contender?
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Yeah, I you.
Speaker 8 (17:26):
Know, there were possibilities for me to close on teams
that won't have many closing opportunities. That was never something
that I wanted to do. I'm here to try and
win games. I've spent the last four years winning a
lot of games, and you just have a lot more
fun on winners. It's just doesn't matter your role. It's
just a lot better to be on a winning team.
This team won the Ale Central last year, and I
(17:48):
don't see any reason we shouldn't win the al Central
this year and give us, give us a chance to
pitch in October, and once you've been there, you're just
addicted to going back. So I can't wait to putch
in another postseason game.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Paul, great to meet you. Thanks, Thanks, that's better and
right hand or Paul Seawald getting ready for another season
in the major leagues and really looking forward to being
part of what was Major League Baseball's best bullpen a
season ago. Stay with us, We'll have more to come
as we continue from Goodyear. After this time out on
the Cleveland Clinic. Guardians Radio Network, Guardian's Weekly continues from Goodyear, Arizona.
(18:47):
Jim Rosenhouse along with you from Guardians Spring training and
there's always a lot of different stories as the spring
moves along, and none more surprising than earlier this week
when Tyler Naquin, a former outstanding outfielder for the Guardians
and at that time the Indians, part of the twenty
sixteen World Series team, he has signed a minor league
(19:10):
contract as a pitcher, and he hopes to reach the
big leagues once again in that role. He's a former
first round draft picked by Cleveland back in twenty twelve,
finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting in
that twenty sixteen season. Five years with the Indians and
eight years overall in the major leagues as a really
good outfielder with a big arm. That was one of
(19:32):
the keys defensively for him, and he's hoping that translates
to the mound. How did all this happen? Well, he
explains where he was a year ago in January and
why the decision came to pass.
Speaker 9 (19:45):
Yeah, just as I told them, just it was a
pretty brief discussion and parking lot of my buddies, Jim
that we really Clay Tillman in College station. We just decided, Hey,
we're going to pitch, and we started playing catch, and
you know, we never stopped lift. He owns the gym
and he writes my programs and whatnot. And then I
work with Jase Hutchins and Jack Mahala at Texas A
(20:08):
and M in the analytic department for pitching. And I've
reached out to my old teammates and pitchers and stuff,
and I said, I'm gonna I'm gonna give this thing
a go. And and I've kind of put all these
minds and stuff together in order to to just kind
of build a Frankenstein, if you will, of what works
for me.
Speaker 2 (20:28):
Circling back though to that conversation in the parking lot
prior to that, though, how did that come into your
your line of thinking? Were you looking to get back
in the game and this was the avenue or was
it something different? Yeah?
Speaker 9 (20:40):
No, I mean I you know, I was missing baseball obviously,
and I hadn't got a phone call, not one single time.
So I just kind of looked at him. I was like, man,
maybe I should just pitch, and he was like, all right,
let's do it.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
And that was it.
Speaker 9 (20:55):
And we started throwing and you know, getting the arm
acclimated to just you know, throwing more often, and you know,
started touching the mound. And that was all of twenty
twenty four, you know, and just figuring figuring stuff out.
I went down to Houston and did some stuff with
David Evans for about three months and just continued and
(21:19):
continued to touch the mound and develop and lift and
figure out what worked for me.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
So to make that next step where a major league
organization I actually wants to sign you. Uh, how did it?
How did that develop?
Speaker 4 (21:31):
And how did you end up.
Speaker 9 (21:32):
Here with Cleveland, right, And I think whenever I realized like, hey,
we have something here, probably back in August of twenty
four I started a throwing program at Texas A and
M with the head athletic trainer, Kayleie Swain, and just
working you know, you know Michael Early at A and
M and that coaching staff. They allowed me to use
(21:53):
the facility as well as I was on staff there
and just having that and knowing like, hey, there's a
chance here. And after I was throwing bullpens and started
to climb velocity and develop pitches and just see what
type of profile I was as a reliever. I liked it,
(22:15):
and the people around me were like, hey, we need
to get in front of some teams. And so through
a pro day on the twenty second of January on
this last January, and didn't really hear much. And then
my agent reached out to Cleveland and Cincinnati and you know,
some different teams, and I sent some video to some
guys in Cleveland and whatnot, and it was that's how
(22:37):
we kind of got rolling.
Speaker 2 (22:38):
Did you talk at all of to Chris Antinati or
Mike Chernoff or that high up or or was it
more pitching development and scouts things like that.
Speaker 9 (22:46):
No, I mean I didn't speak to anybody.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
There was a.
Speaker 9 (22:50):
Scout, Brett came from Austin, Texas down to College Station,
Texas watched me and I had a really good day
and he was excited about it. So I was just
as excited and we kind of got the ball rolling
from there. And they're in.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Contact Tyler Nike when joining us. He's a pitcher now
in the minor league system for the Guardians. And you
walked into this building, the complex here in goodyear. You
are a part of some really good teams, the World
Series team in particular year of rookie year. What kind
of memories maybe came back to you when you walked
into this place thinking about some really good times in
(23:25):
your career.
Speaker 5 (23:26):
Yeah, a lot.
Speaker 9 (23:27):
I mean it's I was very thankful to come back
to a team that there's you know, familiar faces and
some good energy here.
Speaker 4 (23:34):
You know, it could have been anywhere.
Speaker 9 (23:37):
And you know, from what I've heard and what I've
been told is that Cleveland is you know, you know,
top of the pack, if not number one in developing pitching.
And that's something that I've been saying this whole past
year and twenty four.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
Man, if I think.
Speaker 9 (23:50):
If I could just with what I have built now,
with all of my resources back home, if somebody could
just get me and mold me and help me out,
I think that I could really really do something with this.
And you know, to be here at the at the
number one spot with it is and be familiar with
people here is just you know, it's a great opportunity.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Obviously, you have to have a big arm, and that
was a big key for you as an outfielder in
the major leagues. It's a little fuzzy because it's a
long time ago, but I think we might have first
met in a spring training when you were in big
league camp and and I might have asked you about
your throwing arm, how that developed rocks throw throwing rocks
in the in the water in Texas. Would you have
(24:33):
ever thought it would lead to this at this point
in time.
Speaker 9 (24:35):
Yeah, no, especially not that early. But you know people
have asked me, you know, where's the arm strength? And
I you know, my older brother had an incredible arm
as well, and he him and I would you know,
we'd leave a football out or baseball's out, and you know,
they'd get rained on and stuff, and so we would
always just pick up some type of ball and we'd
back up and see who could throw it over the
(24:57):
power line from the farthest back.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
No warming up or nothing. So it's like, I don't.
Speaker 9 (25:00):
I've never done bands or you know, the weighted balls
or anything, so I just don't. That's the only type
of weighted ball or anything that I had done up until,
you know, last year when I started this pitching. And
so I mean I've done bands and stuff obviously, but
not consistently.
Speaker 5 (25:16):
So I think at a young.
Speaker 9 (25:17):
Age, I think just throwing a bunch of rocks at
the creek with him and and just throwing footballs and
baseballs and water logged ones at that.
Speaker 5 (25:26):
For sure probably helped.
Speaker 4 (25:27):
He didn't definitely didn't hurt it.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
I thought it was interesting because you mentioned the throw
from the outfield compared to working off a mound and
trying to to reach your full potential. That way very
very different. Explain how different that is.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
It is you also have a little bit of momentum.
Speaker 9 (25:43):
You know, some guys crow hop or whatever, but it's
more of a shuffle from the outfield. But you know,
you can tend to have a little bit longer of
an armstroke from the outfield, and you're working more uphill,
your shoulders are tilted more uphill. And now on the
transitioning you know, it's tough with a really long arm
to sync that up. But also I haven't been doing it,
(26:07):
you know, with That's why I'm excited to do it
with these guys. But learning how to work down the
slope of the mound and linear to the catcher is
you know, it's definitely different from the outfield. But I
do watch my outfield throws when I first started this
and still to this day, just to kind of see
how my body sinks up and and whatnot in order
(26:27):
to move directly, you know, straightforward, you know, instead of
pulling off or you know, letting the arm fly out,
or you know, just being late with the arm.
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Do you have a timetable you put on yourself to
to see if this thing works? And if so, where
does it begin as you get started here in goodyear?
Speaker 4 (26:44):
Yeah, I would say the timetable starts now, you know, just.
Speaker 5 (26:48):
Enjoy it.
Speaker 9 (26:48):
It's it's a lot of it's already been a lot
of fun. But I mean now that I'm you know,
I've put pen to paper, and I'm here. It's extremely exciting.
It looks and feels like it's gonna be a lot
of fun, especially being here. And I know that you know,
this organization, you know, would like to see me succeed,
(27:10):
and so I couldn't be happier with that. I think
I'm in the best spot that I could put potentially
could have ever been in. So I think there's really
no timetable. Just do it safe, do it the right way,
and uh, you know, when I'm ready to go get innings,
I'm ready to go get innings, and then just ride
it out.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Tyler, great to see it, Good luck with everything, Thank you,
thank you. Great story. Tyler Andnquin trying to make it
back to the big leagues on the mound and knowing
his competitive nature, I wouldn't put him past him to
get there at some point at a time. Stay with
us so we came back. We'll hear from one of
the best relievers in all of baseball, young right hander
Cade Smith. That's next on the Cleveland Planet Guardian's radio
(27:49):
on Netward.
Speaker 10 (27:52):
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Speaker 1 (28:33):
The mainor league debut of Cage Smith Smith with that
mid nineties fastball. He's also got the slider and the
split finger six five two thirty out of Vancouver. That next,
offering a swing and a miss, Kate Smith strikes out
the first major league hitter he faces. The pitch a
(28:58):
swing in the massonic right slider. Kate Smith has faced
two and struck out a pair. Now the two to
two got him swinging out a wicked splitter. Kate Smith
strikes out Riley Green. Three Tigers face three punch outs.
Here's Colt Keith. Now the one two got him swinging
on the heat ninety seven miles an hour. Kate Smith
(29:21):
into his postseason debut. Four batters face, four strikeouts. Welcome
back to Guardian's weekly Jim rosen House back with you
for our final segment. As we join you from Goodyear,
Arizona and Guardian Spring Training. Kate Smith is looking forward
to his second major league season, this time a year ago,
(29:45):
there were thoughts that maybe he could make the roster
at some point in the season. Well, he did on
opening day, the last man to be named of the
opening a roster. And man did he have a rookie
season to remember. He finished fifth in the American Rookie
of the Year voting, going six and one with an
ERA at one point nine to one, one hundred and
(30:06):
three strikeouts, and seventy five innings, and he was part
of the best bullpen in baseball. And he explains what
the biggest key key things to his success was a
year ago.
Speaker 11 (30:18):
I think the biggest thing has just been being consistent
with the way I do things right, sticking to you know,
my prep, my routines, my work, like knowing my strengths
inside and out, not trying to deviate from anything to
try and overcompensate or do too much but just sticking
to what, you know, what qualities are that make me
effective in really trusting that and trusting the work that
(30:40):
I've put in. It's not about trying to do something different,
something new. It's about sticking with what has gotten me
to this point and continuing to develop that.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
How much trial and error was there to get you
to a good spot where you're confident with that? Especially
at this level.
Speaker 11 (30:55):
I mean there's been a ton of conversations, tond of
you know, trying different things, seeing what sticks. Kind of
learning process, like the ability for Cleveland to develop pictures
is you know phenomenon. I've learned a ton from them,
and you know, there's been a bunch of conversations there
to figure out things that might work for me and
what would be specific to me. So that's been a
(31:16):
huge part of it.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
Certainly you can do that in the minor leagues as
you're developing, but you get up here and it's so
much about performance and you know, being successful. Are you
still able to try some things up here or do
you have to be careful with that?
Speaker 11 (31:31):
I think the adjustments become different in the sense that
they probably become more refinements. There's no you know, scrapping
everything and throwing it out of the window and trying
something completely new, Like there was you know, big overhauls
as part of my development right when I signed. But
as you continue to build and find things that work
for you and build on those things to improve them, the.
Speaker 4 (31:54):
Injustance you make become smaller and smaller.
Speaker 11 (31:56):
And the things that I think separate guys at this
level are such small difference is that the adjustments you're
making are just as small but so significant because we're
playing a game separated by such a thin margin.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
How thin is that margin, like, for instance, with a
with a grip or maybe release point, things like that,
How small can that be to be the difference between
success and maybe leaving pitches out over the point?
Speaker 11 (32:21):
I mean, there's like everything is measured right and measured
down to decimal, So if you want to, you could
say that that's as thin as a margin is. Right,
they have everything measured and recorded, and there is you know,
data and feedback for all those super small changes and
super small differences, and so it is really pretty fine
(32:44):
tune in that aspect. But also, like I mean, you're
talking about filling up a strike zone, right, like that's
the goal. That's a Again, the difference between you know,
a mishit ground ball and a hard hit line drive.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
Is not a big difference either.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Everybody's different and how much they use the information, analytics
technology all of that, how much do you welcome that
and how much do you dive into all that.
Speaker 11 (33:09):
Yeah, I absolutely came into the mindset I wanted to
learn when I signed and so I've definitely really tried
to dig into that and learn what I could from it.
But there's definitely a balance, right. You don't want to
be overwhelmed with all the information. You want to have
a you know, be able to take themes and lessons
from it and then also filter it through what you
know your strengths are so that you don't get overwhelmed
(33:32):
and just so bogged down with all the information that
you can't compete. So it is about just keeping it
in its rightful place and maintaining balance.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
And it is a couple of years ago when you
signed here. When you look back at that, I remember
you saying last year you went to school on the
teams that were interested and how different is it here
maybe than some other teams that were interested in you.
Speaker 4 (33:57):
I don't know. I have no frame of reference, never
han't been with the other team.
Speaker 11 (34:00):
But I can't you know, speak highly enough of Cleveland's
ability to develop and and the time and effort that
they've put into me to develop me, and and so
extremely grateful and thankful for that. And I've enjoyed it too.
It's been it's been a fun process to learn and
to improve and you know, to put work in and
see that.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Kate Smith joining us as the Guardians continue spring training
here in Goodyear. Okay, you look at last season, durability
such a big key and being available, especially out of
the bullpen. What do you think allowed you to be
so available and then pile up appearances and then most
of them being effective.
Speaker 11 (34:39):
Yeah, I think that there was a you know, one
of the biggest lessons I learned from the other guys
in the bullpen is seeing how they know what they
need to do to prepare themselves and they're not gonna,
you know, waste time doing things that are not effective
for them. They're not going to spend time doing you know,
unnecessary very extra prap or whatever.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
It's.
Speaker 11 (35:02):
They know what they need to get themselves ready, and
that's what they do. They stick to their routines, they're
consistent with it. So that was a big lesson I learned.
And then other thing was, you know, the culture down
in the bullpen was all about just making sure that
you are ready whenever the phone rings, even if it's
not you know, for you, it's about having.
Speaker 4 (35:18):
That kind of shared mentality of preparing yourself.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
And it's just such an individual game, but you kind
of touched on that team dynamic. And and then the
bullpen's a team within a team. What's it like down
there on a nightly basis? From a fun standpoint and
then a serious standpoint.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
No, it is so much fun.
Speaker 11 (35:34):
I mean, there's just you know, it's a collection of
unique characters and they come together in a way that's
you know, never going to be replicated in anything else.
And so you just enjoy that, enjoy the inside jokes
and the you know, all the gimmicks and teasing and
stuff like that that goes on. But from a serious standpoint,
like I think that is you know, very fortunate to
have a culture that was set by the older guys
in the bullpen.
Speaker 4 (35:54):
That was so.
Speaker 11 (35:56):
You know, significant and so also think healthy, like having
that perspective of it's not about individuals down here. It's
actually about can we you know, maintain the lead. Can
we do what we can to put the team in
a position to win or keep them in a position
to win, and understanding that that's our job. That's how
we contribute in the way we do that is by
making sure that we're ready, even if our name doesn't
(36:17):
get caught, and if it does, making sure that you're
ready and you go out and you compete.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
When you look at everything that happened last year, some
some great things for you personally, and then a run
through the postseason, how has that change your perspective as
you come in here this season.
Speaker 11 (36:32):
I mean, that was such a special experience to be
able to experience post season baseball in my first season,
and so I think that everyone in here wants to
do that again.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
You know, we got a.
Speaker 11 (36:42):
Taste of how good we are and how good we
can be and you know, falling short and understanding that,
like that's what we're striving for, right Like, that's that's
the standard we're measuring ourselves against. And the work that
we put in is not to you know, get to
that spot and fall short again, but it's to get
there and go farther and so you know, that's a
cool thing to see in the clubhouse. The way the
guys work and aren't preparing for that is that that
(37:04):
goal is very clear that we want to go farther
than we did last year. And so yeah, extremely grateful
to be able to experience that and to have been
in that situation, and you know, playing those stadiums and
in those games, and just so much fun to be
in that too, and to see those you know atmospheres
how they just played out and just yeah, such a
(37:25):
fun experience.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Answer reliever Kate Smith. Looking to have another big year
out of that Guardian's boltpen as they look too equal
if they can some of last year's outstanding work. That
really was a huge key to this team reaching the postseason.
That's going to do it for our show this week
until next week for Brian Motsee, who does great work
putting together our shows each and every week. This is
(37:50):
Jim Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians
Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:22):
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