March 20, 2026 • 39 mins
Spring Training is wrapping up in Arizona as the Guardians get ready to head to Seattle for the season opener. Guardians President Chris Antonetti joins the show to talk about the final roster moves, and expectations for 2026. Plus, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez stop by to talk about their strong springs being building blocks for the regular season. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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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
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Gimm Rosen House along
with you as we join you from Guardians Spring training
in Goodyear, Arizona for the last time this spring. This
is it the team break camp after the game against
the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix on Tuesday,
and it's on to Seattle for the season opener on
(01:09):
Thursday night. And of course you can hear that right
here on the Cleveland Clinic Gardians Radio Network with that
ten to ten First Pitch Busy Show lined up for
you today. The top of the baseball operations department had
a chance to visit with Chris Antonetti late in the
day yesterday, Still some spots to be decided at that
point in time, but a great opportunity to talk to
Chris about a young ball club, something that was by
(01:32):
design in the off season. And it certainly has been
a solid spring with just a few minor hiccups along
the way.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Well, there are a couple injuries that we're navigating, but
By and large, we've been healthy for most of camp,
and I think maybe the biggest theme was coming into
camp we were optimistic about not only the major league
players we had, but the wave of young players that
we think can impact us in the near future. And
a lot of those guys got opportunities to play in camp,
and we were elated with what we were able to
(02:03):
see from that group and what they might be able
to do for us moving forward.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
And you've been consistent with that message really throughout the
offseason in terms of giving young players an opportunity, and
that's going to be the really what makes this team
tick this season? And how pleased do you been with
some of those who are going to impact this team,
not even the ones in that next wave.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, we're still facing some really tough choices right now
because of how well that young group has played, and
we sent some guys down even to the minor leagues
that we think are not too far away from impacting
our major league team. So again, some difficult decisions that
we have to navigate, but by and large, a very
healthy sign for us organizationally.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Some of those young players, I know there's one that
everyone likes to talk about the number one pick, Travis Bizana.
What did you see from him this spring that was different?
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Travis continues to mature and develop. I think he benefited
a lot from the experiences he had last year, some
of the adversity he faced, and then had another unique
experience this year and playing some very meaningful games at
the WBC. And one of the amazing things about Travis
is his ability to reflect and learn from each of
those experiences. So I'm confident that he's learned from both
(03:16):
the adversity he faced last year and the unique experience
of playing in pressure pack games in the WBC. That
will really serve him well going forward and exciting to
see what he does here in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
And obviously, pitching the backbone of what's going to make
this team go. You had six starters down the stretch
last year, and it seems like all would love to
see that again to start the season. How important can
that be and what do you think about depth wise
heading into the season from a starting pitching standpoint.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Well, we know we're going to need far more than
five or six or seven starters over the course of
the season. That's just the realities of Major League baseball
and sometimes the attrition that happens. So the more options
we can have that we feel are capable of pitching
in the Major League and helping us win games the better.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
And staying on the pitching theme, what is it about
this organization that allows it to and in the case
of a Peyton Paul at a Rule five kid who's
really impressed this spring, to take someone from another organization
and have them take that next step in their career.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Well, I think it all starts with understanding each individual
player and person and understand what are the things that
they do well that we can leverage and help them
perform and as a major league player or pitcher, And
I think Carl Willis and his team on the pitching
side do an extraordinary job of partnering with each player
to develop a plan that is unique to that player
(04:38):
to help him be the best.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Version he can be.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
And the way Carl approaches it and the team dynamic
they have is really extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Flipping it back to the offensive side, you added a
Reese Hoskins, Jose Ramirez, obviously huge for your club. Is
there that room the growth that you were looking for
in the offseason from what you've seen this spring actually
to score some more runs and have that be a
big component.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
We know we need to be better offensively. We were
not good enough last year despite making the postseason. We
know that our offense needs to be better and we
need to do a better job of generating runs. We
think and believe that a large portion of that will
happen with the continued growth and development of some of
the players that were on the roster last year, plus
some contributions from guys that were at the upper levels
(05:24):
of our minor league system. And you combine that with
maybe a strategic addition or two externally and hopefully that
leads substantial improvement.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
And yet in closing, you have an experienced manager now
and which made me seem odd to say, but year
three for Steven Vote, what have you seen from Voter
this spring that has you really encouraged that he continues
to grow well.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
As you said, Voter's been through a lot in the
last two years and has you know, weathered that incredibly
well and has led us to two American League Central championships.
So the goal is to win another AL Central and
hopefully advance and secure that elusive World Series. But one
of the things that continues to amaze me about Voter
is his willingness to continue to learn and grow and
(06:07):
develop each day to try to get better. He is
not complacent or satisfied with where we are as an
organization and where he is personally, and is constantly seeking
for us and driving for us and him to continue to.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Improve because it seems like it's been a great spring.
Thanks so much for coming by, and we'll see on
opening day or beyond.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
My pleasure Rosie has always thank you.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
It's Guardian's President of baseball Operations, Chris Santonetti. Stay with us.
We'll have more to come after this.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Progressive presents ways to save money that aren't bundling your
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Speaker 5 (06:43):
Thanks again for taking me to the game, man, I
can't wait to get in there. By the way, what's
in the bag?
Speaker 1 (06:47):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (06:47):
I bring my own hot dog and peanuts saves a ton,
ah saddi. And what about the beach chairs? Why buy
seats when you can save big and bring your own.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
We can't get in with enough tickets.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Tickets, what do you think the portable TV is for?
Speaker 4 (06:59):
Don't save money pretending to go to the game. You
could save hundreds Vice witching to Progressive get a quote
at progressive dot com forgress to kesualteus coming you feel
it's the other insurers. Nothing will win those states situations.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
MM now the one two pitch breaking ball ahead a
ton deep bright center on the run of steam and
makes the running catch as he got to it just
(07:34):
before the track in deep right center.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Here's the pitch swung on and that's line right center field.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Aconia giving it a run, Dives can't get to it,
pits past him, rolls to the wall. One runners in.
That's Jones Bright behind him. As Kwan pinned the third
with a two run triple. Daniel Stephen Harling bangs up
the middle behind second, sliding back nd agram by sneak
and up throwing get him. Daniel Sneeman with a sliding
(08:04):
backheaded stop behind second, popped up and threw out Fearling.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Heck of a play. Every one ripped a third diving stop.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Stephen to his feet drows to first, got him at first.
What a play by Daniel Sneemen.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Kwan darting down the line at third.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Trying to distract Garcia, working out of a set position
and looking at that runner the next offering, swung out
in blasted hi deep to right.
Speaker 6 (08:36):
God, how about that A grand slammed all right by
Daniel Sneemen. Oh, what a celebration awaiting him in the
first base. Dugout and the Guardians stunned the cellout crowd
(08:56):
and lead it five to three.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Welcome back to Guardian's Weekly Jim Rosen House along with
you from Guardians Spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. Things winding
down here with record high temperatures. It was one hundred
and seven at one point yesterday before the Guardians took
on the Mariners last night. One more broadcast for you,
that'll be tomorrow afternoon, a three zero five first pitch
(09:25):
against the Cincinnati Reds Man. You can hear it right
here on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Daniel Schneman
will be on the ball club once again, filling that
vital utility role as he begins his third season in
the major leagues. And when we caught up with them
earlier this week, he talked about how his camp was
going and that he's not taking anything for granted, treating
(09:47):
things just like he would any other spring in this organization.
Speaker 7 (09:52):
Yeah, I'm kind of treating it like every other spring,
coming in, trying to be at my best, try to
have a good offseason. You learn more and more every year,
so I feel like just trying to take the things
that I knew I needed to get better at that
I learned last year and bringing it into camp this year.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Was there one takeaway that was more than others of
things that you needed to get better at and work on.
Speaker 7 (10:13):
I think I've said it a couple of times and
the couple of interviews I've done, but just trying to
maintain my strength and speed. I feel like when I do,
I'm at my best and I'm more consistent.
Speaker 8 (10:24):
So that was my biggest priority.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Playing the game. Yeah, how did that season last year?
Do you feel like you're starting to I'm always asitant
to say figure this thing out because it's hard, but
do you feel like you're getting to a good place
in terms of how you play the game, both offensively
and defensively.
Speaker 8 (10:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
I usually just reiterate the same thing. My production goes
hand in hand with one of my body's at its best,
and so that's the thing I learned the most, and
I feel like, you know, at the beginning of the
past couple of years, I've started off strong and then
you know, my production kind of started to taper off
along with my with my body kind of wearing down.
Speaker 8 (11:03):
And so that's the biggest thing I'm learning.
Speaker 7 (11:05):
I learned that more and more each year, and I
just try to find a way to maintain it the
best I can.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Daniel Sneaman joining us, So you mentioned trying to do
that maintain but going to work in the off season
visibly you came in in tremendous shape. What did you
do this off season? Tell us about how you get
to a really good place.
Speaker 7 (11:24):
Just eating, Eating and lifting, those are the two biggest things.
Got to spend a ton of time with my family.
That kind of takes my mind off things a lot.
So it helps me really be able to focus on
when I'm working and focus on what I need to
do to get better.
Speaker 8 (11:36):
And so obviously.
Speaker 7 (11:37):
I know the strength and strengths and weaknesses I have
at the plate. I try to always stay on the
heater because that's what I what I hit best. But
just find a way to be able to do damage
on off speed while I'm staying on the heater.
Speaker 8 (11:50):
That's that's kind of my The tough.
Speaker 7 (11:53):
Thing I struggle with, and so I know I got
to do more damage that you know, and do a
better job at taking and swinging at strikes on off
speed in the zone. So just trying to kind of
take those two things and do the best I can with.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Them, and obviously time in the weight room helps with that.
Not everybody enjoys it.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
How about you?
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Is that something you enjoy getting in there and throwing
some iron around.
Speaker 8 (12:14):
I do. And it's funny because I didn't always enjoy it.
Speaker 7 (12:17):
I think when I really learned the importance of it,
I started to enjoy it more and that kind of
flipped it like that switch kind of flipped in the
off season after my twenty twenty two season, and so
ever since then, I've really enjoyed getting in the weight
room and I really look forward to it every single
year in the off season. But now I really got
to focus more on during the season as well.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Are we looking at machines or free weights or a
combination of both.
Speaker 8 (12:40):
Combination of both.
Speaker 7 (12:41):
I think they both have a really good purpose and
I think there's a time for both. So just communicating
with the strength guys, finding out what I need to
do when I need to do it.
Speaker 8 (12:51):
And going from there.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
But Daniel steam enjoining us at team wise, obviously the
team has high expectations and you're a big part of that.
What are you seeing here with seemingly a lot of
players in a similar situation as you, where they've had
major league time starting to figure it out and maybe
reaching that really good spot in their career.
Speaker 7 (13:12):
Yeah, I think we all just learn more and more
every year. And I think all these guys on this
team are really smart and they understand how to work
and what to work on. And so the more and
more experience we all get, I think the better we're
all going to get. And so I think, you know,
I don't know how, I don't know what kind of
expectations everyone else has for us, but I know we
believe in the group we have, and we believe that
in all the work that we're putting on putting in
(13:33):
in the offseason is going to translate.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
It's Daniel Schneman will see a lot of him both
at infield spots and in the outfield on occasion. Same
holds true, but probably a lot more in the outfield.
For on Hell Martinez, who's had a big spring so far,
we saw him come through in key spots last season,
but not consistently, And he talked about some of the
work he did in the off season in order to
(13:57):
be ready to go from day one of camp.
Speaker 7 (14:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (14:00):
I put a lot of work in those season, obviously
on my left side, like trying to get my rhythm
better and be able to be consistent. I feel like
coming into the spring training like that will soul help
show up. So I'm just trying to keep it going.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
It's well known your dad played in the major leagues
for a while. How important is he to what you
do in the winter time.
Speaker 8 (14:21):
Yeah, he's I mean.
Speaker 9 (14:25):
I always say that I'm not gonna be he never
gonna be enough to thanks him because like he always around,
like doing the off season and in the season two
So a big hug.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Yeah, take us inside that. What is a day in
the off season, like when when you know you're gonna
be working with him? How how do you guys feed
off each other to get the most out of what
you're doing.
Speaker 9 (14:47):
Yeah, I mean he he knows me really well obviously,
so we put a lot of work in, like physically,
but the in the mental side too. He always like
they're like nest like in my right shoulder, talking to me,
like helping me understand, like how good I can be
and it doesn't matter like whatever I'm going through or
(15:09):
like the year that I had, Like that I'm that
I'm always able to keep getting better and get better
at this game and not let me like be away
from that I can be capable of.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
You look at last season and you spent most of
it here, but you were saying we're not happy with
how what were some of the things that that you said, Hey,
I can be better.
Speaker 9 (15:31):
Yeah, I mean it's at the let's side.
Speaker 8 (15:33):
You obviously like it was.
Speaker 9 (15:35):
It was a little hard for me, like don't be
able to be as consistent as that I know that
I can be. And that's something that I took to
the off season and like take as a grinder and
be able to work a lot on it my defense
side too, Like obviously my first year playing the outfield,
a lot of a lot of teams that I got
to learn and that I did from last year. Take
(15:58):
it to this year and like get better.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
When you look at at this team and how they
can be better than they were a year ago, which
was a playoff team. So much of it is improvement
for the players who are currently here. Do you feel
that that that you can be a big part of
that it if you haven't improved season this year, that
makes the team that much better.
Speaker 9 (16:16):
Yeah, for sure. You know, like we when you look
into this schoolhouse, like we we've been growing up together,
like since we were like John, like we came through
the minor league, like always thinking like being able to
be in this situation like playing playoffs together, like when
and go all the way to the championship. Me personally
for sure, like I know, like the guy that I
(16:38):
can become off and just like I gotta take my confidence,
you know, like when I go through the field, like
and I show I show up with confidence and like understanding,
like I'm gonna do what I'm able to do like
that this in my hand, like a lot of good
teams happen, so understanding the come with that confidence every
(17:00):
single day. He held me a lot.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
That is the outfielder and maybe sometimes infielder on hell
Martinez with a real good outlook heading into the season.
Stay with us, let me come back a lot more
after this on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Here's the set and the two swung on. This has
hit pretty well to the gaff and right center. Long
run for Martinez.
Speaker 6 (17:23):
Made the diving catch from.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
Is Pilly throws it back in. What a sensational diving
catching right center by the center fielder on Hell Martinez
down the one two swung on line drive toward the
gap left center. It'll get down for a base head
it'll roll to the wall. Que will score Martinez around second.
(17:48):
He's going for three. The throw head first slide HiT's
a triple. Here's the pitch to Peterson and he swings
and drills at the center back on it is Martinez
still going back, makes the catch, slams into the wall,
hung on to it for the out. What a play,
buy on Hell Martinez and that saves a run. The
(18:09):
pitch swung on hit pretty well deep break field.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
This ball is gone.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
A line drive home run to right ion Hell Martinez
down the wine and the O two swung on broken
(18:39):
bad roller up the middle too, is right back end.
Steenen throws across the body, got him bat went as
far as the baseball and Kobe Allard dazzling through three.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
No.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
One oh swung on grounded. The short gobbled up by
Arius the Bazooka throw the first Allard makes quick work
of the Mets. The pitch a long one ahead of
the laft back. Go Schneeman, He'll make the catch right
in front of the track. What a job, Kobe Allard.
Six innings of relief, sixty four pitches made, gave up
(19:13):
one run and save the bullpen.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Kim Rosenhouse back with you on Guardians Weekly as we
join you from Goodyear, Arizona and Guardian Spring training, which
is wrapping up this weekend. The final Cactus League game
tomorrow against the Reds, and then a pair of exhibitions
downtown against the Diamondbacks here in Phoenix before the team
leaves Arizona for Seattle to open this season. Colby Allard
(19:43):
he has been in the mix to make this ball
club throughout the spring, and it's not easy. It's what
he had to do a year ago and eventually ended
up starting in the minor leagues last season and he
signed late this year. But he talked about how he
handles some of the uncertainty towards the end of spring.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
You know, I think it's just you know, trying to
control what you can control, and that's going out there
and executing pitches and pitching as well as I can.
So I think that's the mentality.
Speaker 8 (20:08):
I'm just taking.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
You know, like we say, it always takes a lot
of guys to you know, have a successful, long.
Speaker 8 (20:12):
One hundred and sixty two game season.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
But obviously just kind of keeping my head down, trying
to pitch as good as we can and see where
the chips fall.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Like a lot of players, I think in your age range,
you weren't able to find a good spot until late
in the offseason, but you return here. Why did that
develop that? And why was that important to you to
get back here?
Speaker 8 (20:32):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (20:32):
You know, I think I mean, first and foremost, I
love it here. You know, I think I love the
people here. I love the coaching staff, the pitching staff,
the players, you know. So honestly, I'm very happy, very
happy to be back here. And you know, I think
we did have a couple of other opportunities, but I
think when you kind of matched matched everything up here
and just you know, just like I said, kind of
very happy to be back in Cleveland uniform and help
(20:53):
this team and kind of like we did last year,
in any role that kind of you know, any role
that kind of looks like. So I'm just honestly all
in all to have to be back.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
And a real nice breakthrough year for you last year.
You've talked about it a lot. What was the biggest
key for you to kind of advance and be able
to get hitters out consistently?
Speaker 5 (21:11):
You know, I think it was just kind of staying
within myself. I think the Guardians pitching department does a
really really good job of kind of educating you on
what you do really really well. And I think a
lot of you know, have previous situations. I was always
trying to raise the floor on things I didn't do well,
not always just going out and maximizing.
Speaker 8 (21:28):
What I do do well.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
And I think it was a little bit of a
combination of shifting focus to maximizing what we do do
really well and continuing to just do it over and
over again, with obviously still trying to hash out some
of the things you're working on, but you know, riding
that balance and you know, still trying to just you know,
execute what we're good at.
Speaker 8 (21:46):
If that makes sense. Is it hard.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
Sometimes to just stick with what you do well when
when maybe you see someone else doing something, you're like, yeah,
i'd love to try that and and maybe try something.
Speaker 8 (21:57):
Different all undred percent.
Speaker 5 (21:59):
I mean, obviously, with the amount of stuff that's in
this game now and the amount of stuff that's in
this building, you know, it's obviously sometimes you want to
go out and chase things. But that's just part of knowing.
It's part of me maturing as a pitcher and knowing,
you know who I am as a pitcher. And I
think it's going to be going out there and you know,
blowing eighty percent heaters by guys in ninety seven and
that's just not who I am, you know. So I
(22:20):
think it's just really just staying within myself and knowing,
Like I feel like I keep saying, you know who
I am as a pitcher.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
Olby Aler joining us. He's back in camp with the
Guardians after a really good season a year ago. And
I feel like every year there's got to be a
half dozen to a dozen games where things don't go
according to plan and guys like you come up big
and you did that last year. How fun are those
games where maybe a starter has to leave early for
whatever reason it might be, and then it's on the
(22:47):
bullpen to get it done.
Speaker 8 (22:48):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 5 (22:49):
That's a very tight knit group down there, and we
all got got to be pretty close last year, and
you know, I think it's Yeah, it's fun. I mean,
obviously every game in the big leagues looks different, you
know what I mean. So, I mean it's fun to
That's been a little bit of a different switch for
me going to the bullpen and you know, having a
little bit more uncertainty, But you know, it's fun. It's
fun going out there and not knowing what it's gonna
look like at seven oh five, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
So it's fun bullpen construction. There's eight guys down there
or normally and we were talking earlier that it does
take a variety and how do you see it when
when when you're looking at bullpens, not only here but
throughout baseball, now, what makes them tick?
Speaker 5 (23:24):
Yeah, you know, kind of like I said, it obviously
takes a lot of guys to get the usual. You know,
it's usually it takes a lot more than eight guys
to get their season bullpen out there. So everyone in
this building, you know, it gets along great and it's
kind of pulling for each other, you know. But I
think it's just it's really just about going out there
and everyone doing everyone you.
Speaker 8 (23:40):
Know, standing in their lane, doing their job.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
And you know, like I said, it's a very tight
knit group down there, and I'm just excited to be
in the mix and be a part of it all.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Right, off season, everybody does some fun stuff or at
least tries to, and weddings are on the on top
of the list. But you had a great experience just
before camp started to play at Augusta around a golf
at the Master's course had to come about. And what
was the experience like for you?
Speaker 5 (24:03):
Yeah, it was obviously unbelievable, hard to put into words
type of experience. We got a Yeah, I got to
go out there and play the part three course and
the and the main course. So it was an awesome,
awesome time. Uh you know, I got an invite, got
an invite from one of one of my good friends
that was good friends with a member over there, and
(24:23):
so yeah, obviously it was an unforgettable twenty four hours
and very very thankful that I got to I got
to get out there and do it.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Did you find a single blade of grass out of place?
Speaker 5 (24:34):
You can't find anything out of place anywhere. No, it's
actually it's actually unbelievable. If there was like eleven people
on site, there was one hundred and fifty staff making
sure everything was dialed. So it was an unforgettable experience,
to say the least.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
A bucket list something you could check off.
Speaker 8 (24:48):
That is definitely. That is definitely the case.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Colby, thanks for coming by to start.
Speaker 8 (24:52):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
It's left handed Colby Allard, who's had an excellent spring
trying to earn a spot on this roster on opening day.
Someone who won't be on the opening day roster, but
maybe a name to keep an eye on throughout the
minor league season as that gets rolling is right hander
Cal Steven. He was acquired in the Shane Bieber trade
at the trade deadline a year ago, and it took
(25:14):
him a little bit of time to get acclimated to
a new system after the trade, but he says this
spring training and a fresh start for him was just
what he needed.
Speaker 10 (25:23):
Yeah. I mean absolutely, it's exciting. It's nice to be
out here, being Arizona in the warm weather. It's been good,
and I think the biggest thing is just like getting
back into those high intent situations, getting on your bullpens,
getting in your lives and just kind of owning the
day and building those routines again.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
And coming over in a midseason trade. I'm sure it
takes a little bit to adjust to new coaches and
things like that, but how different can organizations be. And
I know the Blue Jays do a good job developing
pictures too, But are their differences there that you've noticed
so far?
Speaker 10 (25:58):
Yeah, I would say definitely, like coming over here, like
the personnel change and just getting adjusted to, you know,
the different coaches and the different thought processes and that
kind of thing. But I would say the biggest thing
for me is just like having like the data and
the feedback and the coaches like with you and your
(26:19):
pens and that kind of thing has been really good
for me. And being able to see like immediate feedback
on an iPad or just a coach having something to
say and something that you can feel like clicks or
connects with you has been really good here.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Did you have an idea about that before or maybe
shortly after you were traded or is it just something
that you've learned as you've gone along here.
Speaker 10 (26:40):
Yeah, I think it's just something that like, you know,
you experience being here and how like conscience they are
of keeping, especially like the pictures, like understanding the data
and stuff like that and just being able to have
that feedback like quick and in your bullpens maybe you're
tinkering with the pitch or something like that. Like there's
(27:02):
just a lot of on hand support for us here.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Cal Stephen joining us came over in the trade last
summer from the Blue Jays. Chances are you going to play.
You might get traded at some point in a career,
most most pro players do. What was the reaction for
you and how difficult can that be when you come
up with one organization and then get traded.
Speaker 10 (27:26):
Yeah, it's it's definitely a funny feeling, like you feel
like you know you're gonna be a Blue Jay for life,
or you know wherever you started and that like kind
of feels like home to you or something like that.
But at the end of the day, it's like that's
the situation and you have to embrace it and just
put your best foot forward and just attack the day.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
And you're traded for obviously a marquee pitcher and Shane Bieber.
What was your reaction to that and does it give
you a feeling of confidence? That this organization wanted you
in that trade.
Speaker 5 (28:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (28:02):
Absolutely, I mean it's definitely something that speaks for itself
and you can dig into that or you can just
take it for what it is and go out and
compete and do what you can, because the trade means
a lot. But at the end of the day, it's
like I'm me, I'm not him, and I got to
(28:23):
go out and compete and do what I can to
make it up to the big league club and stay there.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
You mentioned that, and you're in minor league camp. But
as we've seen in years past, pictures can move quickly
in this organization. Do you look at where you stand
right now or even think about that as you go
about your daily routines here?
Speaker 10 (28:45):
Yeah, I mean a little bit. I think I think
all of us look at you know, what can I
do or what can I show? What can I prove
to be like the next guy in the big league roster,
the next guy that makes a step up, the next
guy gets a promotion. So there's a lot that you
can get lost in, and I think the biggest thing
is just to be where your feet are and compete
(29:05):
every day and you know, let the results be what
they are.
Speaker 8 (29:08):
And just prove as much as you.
Speaker 10 (29:11):
Can every day.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Background wise, started at Purdue and then transferred to to
Mississippi State, one of the traditional baseball schools in America.
And what was it like the one year you had there?
From a baseball standpoint.
Speaker 10 (29:25):
Yeah, it's fantastic. I mean, to be able to compete
in an atmosphere like that, with the fans, with the culture,
it's just it's something so special and I'm really grateful
for and you know, I'll continue for them for a
long long time.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
That is Cal Steven, the right hander who was acquired
and the Shane Bieber trade with the Blue Jays last summer,
and it certainly appears as if he is moving quickly
toward a spot in the big leagues. Stay with us
when we come back. It's our final segment that's after
this the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
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Speaker 1 (30:52):
Into left center field, headed for the gap and conserve
as we take a mine.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
Hell you hand me your side. Just welcome back to
Guardian's Weekly Jim Rosen House along with you from Goodyear,
Arizona and Guardian Spring Training. And back in spring training
after a lengthy stay in the World Baseball Classic. In fact,
(31:18):
the team that went the longest team Venezuela, their third
base coach, Guardian's third base coach, Ruglas Odoor, his third
WBC that he's been a participant in as a coach,
and when we caught off with him after he returned,
he talked about why winning the WBC for Venezuela meant
so much to him and the country.
Speaker 12 (31:37):
Well, it's a combination of a lot of things. I
will say that passion is number one. And then you
know the country we were playing for, you know a
lot of people, not just for one part of the country,
but you know a lot of people, and you know,
the love for the game. We came together in such
(32:00):
a you know, short time.
Speaker 8 (32:02):
You know, that was.
Speaker 12 (32:02):
Impressive to see how how quick you know, we got
together and and and uh the guy, the guys play
as a team, so that that that was extremely unbelievable
scenario for all of us. Uh, you know the vibes
you know that we got from fans. You know, we
have a good fan base in Miami, and uh, yeah,
(32:24):
it's a combination of a lot of things.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
When you got the call to say, hey, we want
you as a part of this coaching staff, did you
think it would be what it turned out to be
or was this a surprise that that it happened the
way it did.
Speaker 12 (32:37):
Well, I had an idea because this was my third
w BC tournament, so the the last one was in Miami,
So I had an idea it was going to be
very similar. But uh, you know the fact that we
wanted you know, makes it very special.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Having have that background from Venezuela, so many great players
from there. What does it mean to a player in
that country to be able to show the world how
important baseball is in that country?
Speaker 12 (33:06):
Extremely important. This was the first time that you know,
baseball team in this type of tournament wins you know,
the the championship. And when you know, when we talk
about baseball, what comes to my mind is, uh, you know,
my family and my friends from back home, but also
you know, Luisa Paricio, the only Hall of Famer we have,
(33:29):
and then Dave Conception and the Homer of the Scale
and and all those you know, superstars you know who
play in the middle of the field. But also you know,
we had pretty good arms too, you know, like Fredi Garcia,
Johann Santana and King Hernandez. But yeah, this is for
for all of them, and what we're trying to do
is is to continue, you know, to show you know,
(33:51):
the world and also Venezuela that you know, we can
do you know a lot of good things, you know,
for everybody.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
So many South American countries, Soccer is the big game Venezuela.
Speaker 12 (34:02):
Though it is baseball number one, it is baseball, even
though we have a pretty good soccer team. We have
a lot of soccer players playing in Europe and Division
One teams. But basketball is also getting in there. But yeah,
I would say baseball, soccer and basketball.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
Brookless Odor joining US third base coach and tight game
and the championship against Team USA, you had some decisions
to make. How important is that experience here in terms
of helping you on the world's biggest stage in that tournament?
Speaker 12 (34:35):
Extremely important. The preparation was similar, you know, the way
I prepare to help the Cleveland Guardians was exactly the
same way I was preparing to help the Venezuelan national team.
But the difference was that every single outfielder was a
very good outfielder. You know, for most of those teams,
(34:58):
you know, especially the US team. They they had you know,
good arms, you know, good speed in the outfield. You know,
they had good reactions. You know. So they they were
you know, a pretty tough you know team to beat,
and you know, I was glad we were able, you know,
to to win the Bowl game.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
In theory, a game in Miami should be a home
game for Team USA. But you mentioned how many fans
from Venezuela were there, Describe the atmosphere. How much of
a home game was it for Team Venezuela.
Speaker 12 (35:29):
Oh, definitely. We felt like we were back home and
we had a lot of fans supporting us. It was electric.
It was intense, a lot of emotions, and we really appreciate,
you know, all the baseball fans, especially the Venezuelan fans
who were there.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Suportinos, you're back here, not too much time left and
spring training. What what do you hope to do to
kind of get back up to speed with what's been
going on here?
Speaker 12 (35:54):
No, I'm ready. I'm ready. I've been talking to JB
who was in charge of the infielders. Well I wasn't
here here and and I've been in touch with him,
so I'm I'm ready to continue with my duties here
and excited, you know, to get back and open up
the season.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
And you look around at infield a lot of the
same names at second, short and third base in particular.
How encouraged are you by defense heading into the season,
which always seems to be such a key for this team, right?
Speaker 12 (36:24):
You know, I think we're going to have a pretty
good pitching staff, and when you have that you got
to play defense. For me, the game continues to be
pitching and defense and timely hitting and extremely important to
have the infield is ready for opening Day.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
You've been in this game a long time. You mentioned
three WBC's, so many great experiences here. How enjoyable was
this to kind of break up your spring and have
such a great experience.
Speaker 12 (36:50):
It was great. It was great. The fact that we won,
you know, the championship was extremely uh, extremely very very emotional,
very intense. But the fact that the whole country was
enjoying this, you know win was very very excited, you know,
(37:11):
for me, for my family and for everyone back home.
Speaker 2 (37:14):
Ruby, great to see you back. Congratulations on a tremendous
time I'm sure in your career.
Speaker 12 (37:19):
Thank you, thank you, thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
And as rugless Odor, great to I'm back working with
the infielders and certainly a lifetime highlight experience for him
being part of that World Baseball Classic championship team Venezuela.
That's going to do it. For this week's edition of
Guardian's Weekly, thanks so much for tuning in. As always,
thanks to Brian Motse for all of his help on
(37:43):
our show each and every week. We'll join you next
week from Seattle with the season underway, will be a
couple of games in when we join you next Saturday
from the West coast. So until then, this is Jim
Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening to Guardian's Weekly,
the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio. That word.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Speaker 7 (38:59):
S
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 (00:47):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Gimm Rosen House along
with you as we join you from Guardians Spring training
in Goodyear, Arizona for the last time this spring. This
is it the team break camp after the game against
the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix on Tuesday,
and it's on to Seattle for the season opener on
(01:09):
Thursday night. And of course you can hear that right
here on the Cleveland Clinic Gardians Radio Network with that
ten to ten First Pitch Busy Show lined up for
you today. The top of the baseball operations department had
a chance to visit with Chris Antonetti late in the
day yesterday, Still some spots to be decided at that
point in time, but a great opportunity to talk to
Chris about a young ball club, something that was by
(01:32):
design in the off season. And it certainly has been
a solid spring with just a few minor hiccups along
the way.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Well, there are a couple injuries that we're navigating, but
By and large, we've been healthy for most of camp,
and I think maybe the biggest theme was coming into
camp we were optimistic about not only the major league
players we had, but the wave of young players that
we think can impact us in the near future. And
a lot of those guys got opportunities to play in camp,
and we were elated with what we were able to
(02:03):
see from that group and what they might be able
to do for us moving forward.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
And you've been consistent with that message really throughout the
offseason in terms of giving young players an opportunity, and
that's going to be the really what makes this team
tick this season? And how pleased do you been with
some of those who are going to impact this team,
not even the ones in that next wave.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, we're still facing some really tough choices right now
because of how well that young group has played, and
we sent some guys down even to the minor leagues
that we think are not too far away from impacting
our major league team. So again, some difficult decisions that
we have to navigate, but by and large, a very
healthy sign for us organizationally.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Some of those young players, I know there's one that
everyone likes to talk about the number one pick, Travis Bizana.
What did you see from him this spring that was different?
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Travis continues to mature and develop. I think he benefited
a lot from the experiences he had last year, some
of the adversity he faced, and then had another unique
experience this year and playing some very meaningful games at
the WBC. And one of the amazing things about Travis
is his ability to reflect and learn from each of
those experiences. So I'm confident that he's learned from both
(03:16):
the adversity he faced last year and the unique experience
of playing in pressure pack games in the WBC. That
will really serve him well going forward and exciting to
see what he does here in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
And obviously, pitching the backbone of what's going to make
this team go. You had six starters down the stretch
last year, and it seems like all would love to
see that again to start the season. How important can
that be and what do you think about depth wise
heading into the season from a starting pitching standpoint.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Well, we know we're going to need far more than
five or six or seven starters over the course of
the season. That's just the realities of Major League baseball
and sometimes the attrition that happens. So the more options
we can have that we feel are capable of pitching
in the Major League and helping us win games the better.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
And staying on the pitching theme, what is it about
this organization that allows it to and in the case
of a Peyton Paul at a Rule five kid who's
really impressed this spring, to take someone from another organization
and have them take that next step in their career.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
Well, I think it all starts with understanding each individual
player and person and understand what are the things that
they do well that we can leverage and help them
perform and as a major league player or pitcher, And
I think Carl Willis and his team on the pitching
side do an extraordinary job of partnering with each player
to develop a plan that is unique to that player
(04:38):
to help him be the best.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Version he can be.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
And the way Carl approaches it and the team dynamic
they have is really extraordinary.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Flipping it back to the offensive side, you added a
Reese Hoskins, Jose Ramirez, obviously huge for your club. Is
there that room the growth that you were looking for
in the offseason from what you've seen this spring actually
to score some more runs and have that be a
big component.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
We know we need to be better offensively. We were
not good enough last year despite making the postseason. We
know that our offense needs to be better and we
need to do a better job of generating runs. We
think and believe that a large portion of that will
happen with the continued growth and development of some of
the players that were on the roster last year, plus
some contributions from guys that were at the upper levels
(05:24):
of our minor league system. And you combine that with
maybe a strategic addition or two externally and hopefully that
leads substantial improvement.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
And yet in closing, you have an experienced manager now
and which made me seem odd to say, but year
three for Steven Vote, what have you seen from Voter
this spring that has you really encouraged that he continues
to grow well.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
As you said, Voter's been through a lot in the
last two years and has you know, weathered that incredibly
well and has led us to two American League Central championships.
So the goal is to win another AL Central and
hopefully advance and secure that elusive World Series. But one
of the things that continues to amaze me about Voter
is his willingness to continue to learn and grow and
(06:07):
develop each day to try to get better. He is
not complacent or satisfied with where we are as an
organization and where he is personally, and is constantly seeking
for us and driving for us and him to continue to.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Improve because it seems like it's been a great spring.
Thanks so much for coming by, and we'll see on
opening day or beyond.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
My pleasure Rosie has always thank you.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
It's Guardian's President of baseball Operations, Chris Santonetti. Stay with us.
We'll have more to come after this.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
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Speaker 5 (06:43):
Thanks again for taking me to the game, man, I
can't wait to get in there. By the way, what's
in the bag?
Speaker 1 (06:47):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (06:47):
I bring my own hot dog and peanuts saves a ton,
ah saddi. And what about the beach chairs? Why buy
seats when you can save big and bring your own.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
We can't get in with enough tickets.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Tickets, what do you think the portable TV is for?
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Speaker 1 (07:14):
MM now the one two pitch breaking ball ahead a
ton deep bright center on the run of steam and
makes the running catch as he got to it just
(07:34):
before the track in deep right center.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Here's the pitch swung on and that's line right center field.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Aconia giving it a run, Dives can't get to it,
pits past him, rolls to the wall. One runners in.
That's Jones Bright behind him. As Kwan pinned the third
with a two run triple. Daniel Stephen Harling bangs up
the middle behind second, sliding back nd agram by sneak
and up throwing get him. Daniel Sneeman with a sliding
(08:04):
backheaded stop behind second, popped up and threw out Fearling.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Heck of a play. Every one ripped a third diving stop.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Stephen to his feet drows to first, got him at first.
What a play by Daniel Sneemen.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Kwan darting down the line at third.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Trying to distract Garcia, working out of a set position
and looking at that runner the next offering, swung out
in blasted hi deep to right.
Speaker 6 (08:36):
God, how about that A grand slammed all right by
Daniel Sneemen. Oh, what a celebration awaiting him in the
first base. Dugout and the Guardians stunned the cellout crowd
(08:56):
and lead it five to three.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
Welcome back to Guardian's Weekly Jim Rosen House along with
you from Guardians Spring training in Goodyear, Arizona. Things winding
down here with record high temperatures. It was one hundred
and seven at one point yesterday before the Guardians took
on the Mariners last night. One more broadcast for you,
that'll be tomorrow afternoon, a three zero five first pitch
(09:25):
against the Cincinnati Reds Man. You can hear it right
here on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network. Daniel Schneman
will be on the ball club once again, filling that
vital utility role as he begins his third season in
the major leagues. And when we caught up with them
earlier this week, he talked about how his camp was
going and that he's not taking anything for granted, treating
(09:47):
things just like he would any other spring in this organization.
Speaker 7 (09:52):
Yeah, I'm kind of treating it like every other spring,
coming in, trying to be at my best, try to
have a good offseason. You learn more and more every year,
so I feel like just trying to take the things
that I knew I needed to get better at that
I learned last year and bringing it into camp this year.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Was there one takeaway that was more than others of
things that you needed to get better at and work on.
Speaker 7 (10:13):
I think I've said it a couple of times and
the couple of interviews I've done, but just trying to
maintain my strength and speed. I feel like when I do,
I'm at my best and I'm more consistent.
Speaker 8 (10:24):
So that was my biggest priority.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Playing the game. Yeah, how did that season last year?
Do you feel like you're starting to I'm always asitant
to say figure this thing out because it's hard, but
do you feel like you're getting to a good place
in terms of how you play the game, both offensively
and defensively.
Speaker 8 (10:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
I usually just reiterate the same thing. My production goes
hand in hand with one of my body's at its best,
and so that's the thing I learned the most, and
I feel like, you know, at the beginning of the
past couple of years, I've started off strong and then
you know, my production kind of started to taper off
along with my with my body kind of wearing down.
Speaker 8 (11:03):
And so that's the biggest thing I'm learning.
Speaker 7 (11:05):
I learned that more and more each year, and I
just try to find a way to maintain it the
best I can.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Daniel Sneaman joining us, So you mentioned trying to do
that maintain but going to work in the off season
visibly you came in in tremendous shape. What did you
do this off season? Tell us about how you get
to a really good place.
Speaker 7 (11:24):
Just eating, Eating and lifting, those are the two biggest things.
Got to spend a ton of time with my family.
That kind of takes my mind off things a lot.
So it helps me really be able to focus on
when I'm working and focus on what I need to
do to get better.
Speaker 8 (11:36):
And so obviously.
Speaker 7 (11:37):
I know the strength and strengths and weaknesses I have
at the plate. I try to always stay on the
heater because that's what I what I hit best. But
just find a way to be able to do damage
on off speed while I'm staying on the heater.
Speaker 8 (11:50):
That's that's kind of my The tough.
Speaker 7 (11:53):
Thing I struggle with, and so I know I got
to do more damage that you know, and do a
better job at taking and swinging at strikes on off
speed in the zone. So just trying to kind of
take those two things and do the best I can with.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
Them, and obviously time in the weight room helps with that.
Not everybody enjoys it.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
How about you?
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Is that something you enjoy getting in there and throwing
some iron around.
Speaker 8 (12:14):
I do. And it's funny because I didn't always enjoy it.
Speaker 7 (12:17):
I think when I really learned the importance of it,
I started to enjoy it more and that kind of
flipped it like that switch kind of flipped in the
off season after my twenty twenty two season, and so
ever since then, I've really enjoyed getting in the weight
room and I really look forward to it every single
year in the off season. But now I really got
to focus more on during the season as well.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
Are we looking at machines or free weights or a
combination of both.
Speaker 8 (12:40):
Combination of both.
Speaker 7 (12:41):
I think they both have a really good purpose and
I think there's a time for both. So just communicating
with the strength guys, finding out what I need to
do when I need to do it.
Speaker 8 (12:51):
And going from there.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
But Daniel steam enjoining us at team wise, obviously the
team has high expectations and you're a big part of that.
What are you seeing here with seemingly a lot of
players in a similar situation as you, where they've had
major league time starting to figure it out and maybe
reaching that really good spot in their career.
Speaker 7 (13:12):
Yeah, I think we all just learn more and more
every year. And I think all these guys on this
team are really smart and they understand how to work
and what to work on. And so the more and
more experience we all get, I think the better we're
all going to get. And so I think, you know,
I don't know how, I don't know what kind of
expectations everyone else has for us, but I know we
believe in the group we have, and we believe that
in all the work that we're putting on putting in
(13:33):
in the offseason is going to translate.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
It's Daniel Schneman will see a lot of him both
at infield spots and in the outfield on occasion. Same
holds true, but probably a lot more in the outfield.
For on Hell Martinez, who's had a big spring so far,
we saw him come through in key spots last season,
but not consistently, And he talked about some of the
work he did in the off season in order to
(13:57):
be ready to go from day one of camp.
Speaker 7 (14:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (14:00):
I put a lot of work in those season, obviously
on my left side, like trying to get my rhythm
better and be able to be consistent. I feel like
coming into the spring training like that will soul help
show up. So I'm just trying to keep it going.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
It's well known your dad played in the major leagues
for a while. How important is he to what you
do in the winter time.
Speaker 8 (14:21):
Yeah, he's I mean.
Speaker 9 (14:25):
I always say that I'm not gonna be he never
gonna be enough to thanks him because like he always around,
like doing the off season and in the season two
So a big hug.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Yeah, take us inside that. What is a day in
the off season, like when when you know you're gonna
be working with him? How how do you guys feed
off each other to get the most out of what
you're doing.
Speaker 9 (14:47):
Yeah, I mean he he knows me really well obviously,
so we put a lot of work in, like physically,
but the in the mental side too. He always like
they're like nest like in my right shoulder, talking to me,
like helping me understand, like how good I can be
and it doesn't matter like whatever I'm going through or
(15:09):
like the year that I had, Like that I'm that
I'm always able to keep getting better and get better
at this game and not let me like be away
from that I can be capable of.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
You look at last season and you spent most of
it here, but you were saying we're not happy with
how what were some of the things that that you said, Hey,
I can be better.
Speaker 9 (15:31):
Yeah, I mean it's at the let's side.
Speaker 8 (15:33):
You obviously like it was.
Speaker 9 (15:35):
It was a little hard for me, like don't be
able to be as consistent as that I know that
I can be. And that's something that I took to
the off season and like take as a grinder and
be able to work a lot on it my defense
side too, Like obviously my first year playing the outfield,
a lot of a lot of teams that I got
to learn and that I did from last year. Take
(15:58):
it to this year and like get better.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
When you look at at this team and how they
can be better than they were a year ago, which
was a playoff team. So much of it is improvement
for the players who are currently here. Do you feel
that that that you can be a big part of
that it if you haven't improved season this year, that
makes the team that much better.
Speaker 9 (16:16):
Yeah, for sure. You know, like we when you look
into this schoolhouse, like we we've been growing up together,
like since we were like John, like we came through
the minor league, like always thinking like being able to
be in this situation like playing playoffs together, like when
and go all the way to the championship. Me personally
for sure, like I know, like the guy that I
(16:38):
can become off and just like I gotta take my confidence,
you know, like when I go through the field, like
and I show I show up with confidence and like understanding,
like I'm gonna do what I'm able to do like
that this in my hand, like a lot of good
teams happen, so understanding the come with that confidence every
(17:00):
single day. He held me a lot.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
That is the outfielder and maybe sometimes infielder on hell
Martinez with a real good outlook heading into the season.
Stay with us, let me come back a lot more
after this on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Here's the set and the two swung on. This has
hit pretty well to the gaff and right center. Long
run for Martinez.
Speaker 6 (17:23):
Made the diving catch from.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
Is Pilly throws it back in. What a sensational diving
catching right center by the center fielder on Hell Martinez
down the one two swung on line drive toward the
gap left center. It'll get down for a base head
it'll roll to the wall. Que will score Martinez around second.
(17:48):
He's going for three. The throw head first slide HiT's
a triple. Here's the pitch to Peterson and he swings
and drills at the center back on it is Martinez
still going back, makes the catch, slams into the wall,
hung on to it for the out. What a play,
buy on Hell Martinez and that saves a run. The
(18:09):
pitch swung on hit pretty well deep break field.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
This ball is gone.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
A line drive home run to right ion Hell Martinez
down the wine and the O two swung on broken
(18:39):
bad roller up the middle too, is right back end.
Steenen throws across the body, got him bat went as
far as the baseball and Kobe Allard dazzling through three.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
No.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
One oh swung on grounded. The short gobbled up by
Arius the Bazooka throw the first Allard makes quick work
of the Mets. The pitch a long one ahead of
the laft back. Go Schneeman, He'll make the catch right
in front of the track. What a job, Kobe Allard.
Six innings of relief, sixty four pitches made, gave up
(19:13):
one run and save the bullpen.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Kim Rosenhouse back with you on Guardians Weekly as we
join you from Goodyear, Arizona and Guardian Spring training, which
is wrapping up this weekend. The final Cactus League game
tomorrow against the Reds, and then a pair of exhibitions
downtown against the Diamondbacks here in Phoenix before the team
leaves Arizona for Seattle to open this season. Colby Allard
(19:43):
he has been in the mix to make this ball
club throughout the spring, and it's not easy. It's what
he had to do a year ago and eventually ended
up starting in the minor leagues last season and he
signed late this year. But he talked about how he
handles some of the uncertainty towards the end of spring.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
You know, I think it's just you know, trying to
control what you can control, and that's going out there
and executing pitches and pitching as well as I can.
So I think that's the mentality.
Speaker 8 (20:08):
I'm just taking.
Speaker 5 (20:09):
You know, like we say, it always takes a lot
of guys to you know, have a successful, long.
Speaker 8 (20:12):
One hundred and sixty two game season.
Speaker 5 (20:14):
But obviously just kind of keeping my head down, trying
to pitch as good as we can and see where
the chips fall.
Speaker 2 (20:19):
Like a lot of players, I think in your age range,
you weren't able to find a good spot until late
in the offseason, but you return here. Why did that
develop that? And why was that important to you to
get back here?
Speaker 8 (20:32):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (20:32):
You know, I think I mean, first and foremost, I
love it here. You know, I think I love the
people here. I love the coaching staff, the pitching staff,
the players, you know. So honestly, I'm very happy, very
happy to be back here. And you know, I think
we did have a couple of other opportunities, but I
think when you kind of matched matched everything up here
and just you know, just like I said, kind of
very happy to be back in Cleveland uniform and help
(20:53):
this team and kind of like we did last year,
in any role that kind of you know, any role
that kind of looks like. So I'm just honestly all
in all to have to be back.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
And a real nice breakthrough year for you last year.
You've talked about it a lot. What was the biggest
key for you to kind of advance and be able
to get hitters out consistently?
Speaker 5 (21:11):
You know, I think it was just kind of staying
within myself. I think the Guardians pitching department does a
really really good job of kind of educating you on
what you do really really well. And I think a
lot of you know, have previous situations. I was always
trying to raise the floor on things I didn't do well,
not always just going out and maximizing.
Speaker 8 (21:28):
What I do do well.
Speaker 5 (21:29):
And I think it was a little bit of a
combination of shifting focus to maximizing what we do do
really well and continuing to just do it over and
over again, with obviously still trying to hash out some
of the things you're working on, but you know, riding
that balance and you know, still trying to just you know,
execute what we're good at.
Speaker 8 (21:46):
If that makes sense. Is it hard.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
Sometimes to just stick with what you do well when
when maybe you see someone else doing something, you're like, yeah,
i'd love to try that and and maybe try something.
Speaker 8 (21:57):
Different all undred percent.
Speaker 5 (21:59):
I mean, obviously, with the amount of stuff that's in
this game now and the amount of stuff that's in
this building, you know, it's obviously sometimes you want to
go out and chase things. But that's just part of knowing.
It's part of me maturing as a pitcher and knowing,
you know who I am as a pitcher. And I
think it's going to be going out there and you know,
blowing eighty percent heaters by guys in ninety seven and
that's just not who I am, you know. So I
(22:20):
think it's just really just staying within myself and knowing,
Like I feel like I keep saying, you know who
I am as a pitcher.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
Olby Aler joining us. He's back in camp with the
Guardians after a really good season a year ago. And
I feel like every year there's got to be a
half dozen to a dozen games where things don't go
according to plan and guys like you come up big
and you did that last year. How fun are those
games where maybe a starter has to leave early for
whatever reason it might be, and then it's on the
(22:47):
bullpen to get it done.
Speaker 8 (22:48):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 5 (22:49):
That's a very tight knit group down there, and we
all got got to be pretty close last year, and
you know, I think it's Yeah, it's fun. I mean,
obviously every game in the big leagues looks different, you
know what I mean. So, I mean it's fun to
That's been a little bit of a different switch for
me going to the bullpen and you know, having a
little bit more uncertainty, But you know, it's fun. It's
fun going out there and not knowing what it's gonna
look like at seven oh five, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
So it's fun bullpen construction. There's eight guys down there
or normally and we were talking earlier that it does
take a variety and how do you see it when
when when you're looking at bullpens, not only here but
throughout baseball, now, what makes them tick?
Speaker 5 (23:24):
Yeah, you know, kind of like I said, it obviously
takes a lot of guys to get the usual. You know,
it's usually it takes a lot more than eight guys
to get their season bullpen out there. So everyone in
this building, you know, it gets along great and it's
kind of pulling for each other, you know. But I
think it's just it's really just about going out there
and everyone doing everyone you.
Speaker 8 (23:40):
Know, standing in their lane, doing their job.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
And you know, like I said, it's a very tight
knit group down there, and I'm just excited to be
in the mix and be a part of it all.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
Right, off season, everybody does some fun stuff or at
least tries to, and weddings are on the on top
of the list. But you had a great experience just
before camp started to play at Augusta around a golf
at the Master's course had to come about. And what
was the experience like for you?
Speaker 5 (24:03):
Yeah, it was obviously unbelievable, hard to put into words
type of experience. We got a Yeah, I got to
go out there and play the part three course and
the and the main course. So it was an awesome,
awesome time. Uh you know, I got an invite, got
an invite from one of one of my good friends
that was good friends with a member over there, and
(24:23):
so yeah, obviously it was an unforgettable twenty four hours
and very very thankful that I got to I got
to get out there and do it.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Did you find a single blade of grass out of place?
Speaker 5 (24:34):
You can't find anything out of place anywhere. No, it's
actually it's actually unbelievable. If there was like eleven people
on site, there was one hundred and fifty staff making
sure everything was dialed. So it was an unforgettable experience,
to say the least.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
A bucket list something you could check off.
Speaker 8 (24:48):
That is definitely. That is definitely the case.
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Colby, thanks for coming by to start.
Speaker 8 (24:52):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
It's left handed Colby Allard, who's had an excellent spring
trying to earn a spot on this roster on opening day.
Someone who won't be on the opening day roster, but
maybe a name to keep an eye on throughout the
minor league season as that gets rolling is right hander
Cal Steven. He was acquired in the Shane Bieber trade
at the trade deadline a year ago, and it took
(25:14):
him a little bit of time to get acclimated to
a new system after the trade, but he says this
spring training and a fresh start for him was just
what he needed.
Speaker 10 (25:23):
Yeah. I mean absolutely, it's exciting. It's nice to be
out here, being Arizona in the warm weather. It's been good,
and I think the biggest thing is just like getting
back into those high intent situations, getting on your bullpens,
getting in your lives and just kind of owning the
day and building those routines again.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
And coming over in a midseason trade. I'm sure it
takes a little bit to adjust to new coaches and
things like that, but how different can organizations be. And
I know the Blue Jays do a good job developing
pictures too, But are their differences there that you've noticed
so far?
Speaker 10 (25:58):
Yeah, I would say definitely, like coming over here, like
the personnel change and just getting adjusted to, you know,
the different coaches and the different thought processes and that
kind of thing. But I would say the biggest thing
for me is just like having like the data and
the feedback and the coaches like with you and your
(26:19):
pens and that kind of thing has been really good
for me. And being able to see like immediate feedback
on an iPad or just a coach having something to
say and something that you can feel like clicks or
connects with you has been really good here.
Speaker 2 (26:33):
Did you have an idea about that before or maybe
shortly after you were traded or is it just something
that you've learned as you've gone along here.
Speaker 10 (26:40):
Yeah, I think it's just something that like, you know,
you experience being here and how like conscience they are
of keeping, especially like the pictures, like understanding the data
and stuff like that and just being able to have
that feedback like quick and in your bullpens maybe you're
tinkering with the pitch or something like that. Like there's
(27:02):
just a lot of on hand support for us here.
Speaker 2 (27:07):
Cal Stephen joining us came over in the trade last
summer from the Blue Jays. Chances are you going to play.
You might get traded at some point in a career,
most most pro players do. What was the reaction for
you and how difficult can that be when you come
up with one organization and then get traded.
Speaker 10 (27:26):
Yeah, it's it's definitely a funny feeling, like you feel
like you know you're gonna be a Blue Jay for life,
or you know wherever you started and that like kind
of feels like home to you or something like that.
But at the end of the day, it's like that's
the situation and you have to embrace it and just
put your best foot forward and just attack the day.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
And you're traded for obviously a marquee pitcher and Shane Bieber.
What was your reaction to that and does it give
you a feeling of confidence? That this organization wanted you
in that trade.
Speaker 5 (28:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (28:02):
Absolutely, I mean it's definitely something that speaks for itself
and you can dig into that or you can just
take it for what it is and go out and
compete and do what you can, because the trade means
a lot. But at the end of the day, it's
like I'm me, I'm not him, and I got to
(28:23):
go out and compete and do what I can to
make it up to the big league club and stay there.
Speaker 2 (28:29):
You mentioned that, and you're in minor league camp. But
as we've seen in years past, pictures can move quickly
in this organization. Do you look at where you stand
right now or even think about that as you go
about your daily routines here?
Speaker 10 (28:45):
Yeah, I mean a little bit. I think I think
all of us look at you know, what can I
do or what can I show? What can I prove
to be like the next guy in the big league roster,
the next guy that makes a step up, the next
guy gets a promotion. So there's a lot that you
can get lost in, and I think the biggest thing
is just to be where your feet are and compete
(29:05):
every day and you know, let the results be what
they are.
Speaker 8 (29:08):
And just prove as much as you.
Speaker 10 (29:11):
Can every day.
Speaker 2 (29:12):
Background wise, started at Purdue and then transferred to to
Mississippi State, one of the traditional baseball schools in America.
And what was it like the one year you had there?
From a baseball standpoint.
Speaker 10 (29:25):
Yeah, it's fantastic. I mean, to be able to compete
in an atmosphere like that, with the fans, with the culture,
it's just it's something so special and I'm really grateful
for and you know, I'll continue for them for a
long long time.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
That is Cal Steven, the right hander who was acquired
and the Shane Bieber trade with the Blue Jays last summer,
and it certainly appears as if he is moving quickly
toward a spot in the big leagues. Stay with us
when we come back. It's our final segment that's after
this the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
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Speaker 1 (30:52):
Into left center field, headed for the gap and conserve
as we take a mine.
Speaker 2 (30:58):
Hell you hand me your side. Just welcome back to
Guardian's Weekly Jim Rosen House along with you from Goodyear,
Arizona and Guardian Spring Training. And back in spring training
after a lengthy stay in the World Baseball Classic. In fact,
(31:18):
the team that went the longest team Venezuela, their third
base coach, Guardian's third base coach, Ruglas Odoor, his third
WBC that he's been a participant in as a coach,
and when we caught off with him after he returned,
he talked about why winning the WBC for Venezuela meant
so much to him and the country.
Speaker 12 (31:37):
Well, it's a combination of a lot of things. I
will say that passion is number one. And then you
know the country we were playing for, you know a
lot of people, not just for one part of the country,
but you know a lot of people, and you know,
the love for the game. We came together in such
(32:00):
a you know, short time.
Speaker 8 (32:02):
You know, that was.
Speaker 12 (32:02):
Impressive to see how how quick you know, we got
together and and and uh the guy, the guys play
as a team, so that that that was extremely unbelievable
scenario for all of us. Uh, you know the vibes
you know that we got from fans. You know, we
have a good fan base in Miami, and uh, yeah,
(32:24):
it's a combination of a lot of things.
Speaker 2 (32:27):
When you got the call to say, hey, we want
you as a part of this coaching staff, did you
think it would be what it turned out to be
or was this a surprise that that it happened the
way it did.
Speaker 12 (32:37):
Well, I had an idea because this was my third
w BC tournament, so the the last one was in Miami,
So I had an idea it was going to be
very similar. But uh, you know the fact that we
wanted you know, makes it very special.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
Having have that background from Venezuela, so many great players
from there. What does it mean to a player in
that country to be able to show the world how
important baseball is in that country?
Speaker 12 (33:06):
Extremely important. This was the first time that you know,
baseball team in this type of tournament wins you know,
the the championship. And when you know, when we talk
about baseball, what comes to my mind is, uh, you know,
my family and my friends from back home, but also
you know, Luisa Paricio, the only Hall of Famer we have,
(33:29):
and then Dave Conception and the Homer of the Scale
and and all those you know, superstars you know who
play in the middle of the field. But also you know,
we had pretty good arms too, you know, like Fredi Garcia,
Johann Santana and King Hernandez. But yeah, this is for
for all of them, and what we're trying to do
is is to continue, you know, to show you know,
(33:51):
the world and also Venezuela that you know, we can
do you know a lot of good things, you know,
for everybody.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
So many South American countries, Soccer is the big game Venezuela.
Speaker 12 (34:02):
Though it is baseball number one, it is baseball, even
though we have a pretty good soccer team. We have
a lot of soccer players playing in Europe and Division
One teams. But basketball is also getting in there. But yeah,
I would say baseball, soccer and basketball.
Speaker 2 (34:20):
Brookless Odor joining US third base coach and tight game
and the championship against Team USA, you had some decisions
to make. How important is that experience here in terms
of helping you on the world's biggest stage in that tournament?
Speaker 12 (34:35):
Extremely important. The preparation was similar, you know, the way
I prepare to help the Cleveland Guardians was exactly the
same way I was preparing to help the Venezuelan national team.
But the difference was that every single outfielder was a
very good outfielder. You know, for most of those teams,
(34:58):
you know, especially the US team. They they had you know,
good arms, you know, good speed in the outfield. You know,
they had good reactions. You know. So they they were
you know, a pretty tough you know team to beat,
and you know, I was glad we were able, you know,
to to win the Bowl game.
Speaker 2 (35:17):
In theory, a game in Miami should be a home
game for Team USA. But you mentioned how many fans
from Venezuela were there, Describe the atmosphere. How much of
a home game was it for Team Venezuela.
Speaker 12 (35:29):
Oh, definitely. We felt like we were back home and
we had a lot of fans supporting us. It was electric.
It was intense, a lot of emotions, and we really appreciate,
you know, all the baseball fans, especially the Venezuelan fans
who were there.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Suportinos, you're back here, not too much time left and
spring training. What what do you hope to do to
kind of get back up to speed with what's been
going on here?
Speaker 12 (35:54):
No, I'm ready. I'm ready. I've been talking to JB
who was in charge of the infielders. Well I wasn't
here here and and I've been in touch with him,
so I'm I'm ready to continue with my duties here
and excited, you know, to get back and open up
the season.
Speaker 2 (36:11):
And you look around at infield a lot of the
same names at second, short and third base in particular.
How encouraged are you by defense heading into the season,
which always seems to be such a key for this team, right?
Speaker 12 (36:24):
You know, I think we're going to have a pretty
good pitching staff, and when you have that you got
to play defense. For me, the game continues to be
pitching and defense and timely hitting and extremely important to
have the infield is ready for opening Day.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
You've been in this game a long time. You mentioned
three WBC's, so many great experiences here. How enjoyable was
this to kind of break up your spring and have
such a great experience.
Speaker 12 (36:50):
It was great. It was great. The fact that we won,
you know, the championship was extremely uh, extremely very very emotional,
very intense. But the fact that the whole country was
enjoying this, you know win was very very excited, you know,
(37:11):
for me, for my family and for everyone back home.
Speaker 2 (37:14):
Ruby, great to see you back. Congratulations on a tremendous
time I'm sure in your career.
Speaker 12 (37:19):
Thank you, thank you, thank you very much.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
And as rugless Odor, great to I'm back working with
the infielders and certainly a lifetime highlight experience for him
being part of that World Baseball Classic championship team Venezuela.
That's going to do it. For this week's edition of
Guardian's Weekly, thanks so much for tuning in. As always,
thanks to Brian Motse for all of his help on
(37:43):
our show each and every week. We'll join you next
week from Seattle with the season underway, will be a
couple of games in when we join you next Saturday
from the West coast. So until then, this is Jim
Rosenhouse reminding you that you've been listening to Guardian's Weekly,
the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio. That word.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Speaker 7 (38:59):
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