June 7, 2025 • 39 mins
Recapping the trip to Yankee Stadium for the Guardians, and a conversation with their manager, former Cleveland Indians Aaron Boone. Plus, hot hitting Nolan Jones and starter Gavin Williams join the show. Also, the weekly Farm Report with V.P. of Player Development Stephen Osterer talking Akron Rubber Ducks. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
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 (00:53):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rose in house
along with you from Progressive Field on Town Cleveland. This
weekend the Guardians taking on the Houston Astros. Good show
lined up for you. Today, we'll have a full Minor
league report with Stephen Ostro, the vice president of player
development for the Guardians, updating us on the Akron Rubber Ducks,
(01:15):
and Jayalen Norman was in Akron this weekend. She'll visit
with Catcher Cooper Ingele and then I'll also hear from
Nolan Jones, Guardian outfielder, and Gavin Williams, who had a
tremendous performance on the mound last weekend against the Angels.
And we'll also visit with Yankees manager and former Cleveland
Indian Aaron Boone. So a lot to get to on
(01:36):
this week's show, including the week in review, and it
hasn't been an easy week for the Guardians as they
were in New York to play the Yankees in a
three game series that started Tuesday night. At three to
two victory for New York, but the Guardians did even
up that series at one win a piece with a
stellar performance. On Wednesday. The Guardians offense jumped on Yankee
(01:58):
starter Clark Schmidt early right from the start, Stephen Kuan
leading off the game of the walk, and then On
hell Martinez stepped in. Here's on Hell Martinez switch inter
manning left handed in center field.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
The pitch swung on driven Hi deep to right. Forget
about it. On hell Martinez with a towering two run
home run to right and the Guardians jump on top
two to nothing two banners into the game. Wow, did
he put a charge into that one? On hell Martinez
(02:33):
has now hit four home runs, three of them left handed.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Jose Ramirez followed that up with a double, and then
Daniel Schneman delivered a big two out hit.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Here's the two to one offering, swung and ripped to
right base, hit near the line, It'll go to the wall,
It'll score Ramirez schneaming on his way to second base,
sliding with a two out RBI double and the Guardians
slugging percentage and ending number one Z one is off
the charts. Two doubles a home run three nothing Cleveland.
(03:06):
So it was an early lead for Luis Orties on
the mound, and he responded with another terrific performance. Runner
first two down or Tees about to make his twentieth
pitch of the inning. Here it comes, swung on a
week chopper to the second baseman. Schneman charges gloves, throws
to first, ding over and Ortees throws up a donut.
(03:30):
Now the two to two strike three call out looking
as lemayhew and as always, if a Yankee hitter is
called out on strikes, they go back to the dogout
in total shock and disarray. Ortez comes sent, he lets
it fly and Aaron Judge takes strike three call a
(03:54):
slider surprised him on the inside corner. Four strikeouts for Orties.
That was massive.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Ortiz worked five and two third shutout innings before turning
it over to Tim Herron, who had some great defense
behind him. In the seventh.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Now the pitch swung on, grounded up the middle the
second baseman schnemin' the second one, Arius dunsit to first
double played in the inning. Well done by Schneeman and
Arius and the Guardians keep the Yankees off the board
through seven three nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Then in the eighth inning, the Guardians added to the
lead thanks to Kyle man Zardo.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
The bitch swung on hit high deep to right center
field and gone. Kyle man Zardo with his eleventh home run,
and the Guardians get a big insurance run for nothing Cleveland.
Here in the eighth on a two out solo homer
(04:55):
to the right center by Kyle man Zardo, and man
who had five home runs all of last year with Cleveland,
has more than doubled that. That one went four hundred
and five feet to the bleachers and right center.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
And in the ninth annual class looked unhittable.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Not much of this crowd remains on hand, maybe the
only people left for those taking the subway home. Here's
the next offering, swinging and a mess got him of
the slider. Closse strikes out judge. Now the O two delivery,
strike three call out, looking at another wicked cutter at
(05:43):
one hundred miles an hour, two down in the Yankee
ninth Now the one to two swinging an a miss
Bowl game Class A strikes out the side. Cleveland pitches
its eighth shutout, and the the Yankees shut out for
the second time all year, Guardians win it four nothing,
(06:06):
so the.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Guardians had even up. The series had won went a piece,
but the Yankees returned the favorite with a four to
nothing shut out win on Thursday night, and then then
the series opener against the Astros right here at Progressive
Field on Friday night. Houston wins it by a four
to two score. Stay with us, we want me come back,
We'll hear from outfielder Nolan Jones. That's next the Guardians
(06:27):
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Speaker 2 (07:09):
Jim Rose announced back with You Where at Progressive Field,
Downtown Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros this weekend, and the
Reds coming to town starting a series on Monday night.
Nolan Jones Guardians outfielder started slow offensively this season, but
he has worked hard to get his season going and
it has paid off for the real nice stretch the
last couple of weeks. In fact, at one point on
(07:32):
Friday night, he was in a stretch where he was
ten for his last twenty at the plate. We caught
up with him in New York and he talked about
the biggest key to getting the better results lately.
Speaker 6 (07:42):
Yeah, I think just sticking with my process and you know,
simplifyings and things a little bit, you know, maybe uh,
trying a little less hard and just allowing some things
to happen on the field, you know, just going out
there playing and doing my part and not trying to
put so much preussure on myself.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
And I heard you mention that trying less uh the
other day. How hard is it to do that though,
To actually back off a little bit and just let
your talent shine through.
Speaker 6 (08:06):
Yeah, It's really hard, obviously, this is uh, you know,
our lives and we want to go out there. We
want to get hits every day and help the team
win and be a part. And so I think it's
really hard, but you know, I think just trusting in
it and trusting in your abilities and knowing that it's
in there and you don't have to search for it
as you.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
From that mental standpoint. Difficult when when you believe in
what you're doing but don't necessarily see the results to
to kind of get through that.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
Yeah, definitely. I mean, like I just kind of talked about,
I think it's it's just it's trusting in your work.
You know, we're here for long days, hitting in the cage,
hitting on the field, hitting in the cage again before
the game, and you know, you see the you see
the results there and you see that you know the
ball's jumping off your bat and you're hitting at good angles,
and you know, you get into the game and not
having those same outcomes, and I think it's just trusting
(08:52):
that it will come and and sticking with your routines
and your plans.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Nolan Jones joining us from Yankee Stadium and No, just
talking earlier about that process and staying with that, you
had people who believed in you and believed in some
of the advanced numbers that would say, hey, it's gonna
turn quickly. How important is that to have that support
from coaches, manager, front office?
Speaker 7 (09:16):
Yeah, it's huge.
Speaker 6 (09:16):
Obviously looking up at the scoreboard and seeing some pretty
disgraceful numbers is not is not easy. But when you're
obviously getting that support from you know, the manager and
the hitting coaches and you know, telling you to keep
going and trusting your process and and not changing anything
for results, I think it really helps. And you know,
it's still confidence in you.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Teammate wise, maybe not all teams are the same, but
this one seems to be a close knit group. Does
that help when when you're trying to get to a
good place and maybe it takes longer than you hope.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
Yeah, definitely, I think. I mean, I think having guys
that are there to pick you up, and obviously, you know,
being on a winning ball club and trying to rally
through that and support those guys and doing what I
can know. Obviously sometimes it's not happening at the plate,
but you can make a big play on defense that
definitely helps. And then having having leaders around the clubhouse
(10:09):
like you know, Jose and Kwan and all these guys
to talk through these situations and and you know been
so confidence in his huge Nolan, thanks for the time,
appreciate it, of course, thanks for having me. Good to
see some good things happening for it. Nolan Jones at
the plate as he has worked hard at it and
finally seeing some of those uh times in the cage
(10:29):
and some of the hard work payoff as well. Another
player on this ball club has been working hard to
get his season really turned in a positive direction, as
Gavin Williams, and he put together a beauty of a
start last Sunday right here at Progressive Field against the Angels,
took a no hitter into the sixth inning, and he
talked about what's allowed him to be successful.
Speaker 7 (10:50):
In that outing.
Speaker 8 (10:52):
Yeah, I think just from the beginning of the game,
just mixing the whole time. I mean, first picture of
the game was a curveball and that's never really happened before.
It kind of kind of got me. But just just mixing.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
When you mentioned kurb Baal to start the game, did
you not know that when when you took the mound
or did both surprise yet.
Speaker 8 (11:10):
I mean, I think the coaching staff and Bo they
talked about it a little bit before, but apparently I
walked off after getting done with warm ups too quick
for both to tell, like talk to me about it.
So it kind of surprised me. But I mean they
had it in the back of their mind, but it
definitely surprised me.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Krey Klueber has been around a little bit and a
new role for him, and you were mentioning that you've
talked to him a little bit, just kind of picking
his brain. And when you talk to someone like that,
what are some of the things that he's been able
to help you with in a very short period of time.
Speaker 8 (11:44):
Yeah, I mean, mindset is a thing one of the
biggest things and routines, Like with him, he had the
same routine every day. He knew what he was going
to get doing the same thing every day. I mean,
it can it can be boring, but it definitely helps
out the long run. So just talking to him, talking
to him about that, it's helped out. I've kind of
(12:06):
added a few things from him just to do in
my daily routine and it's kind of coming into play.
So it's it's definitely helping out a lot, trying to
try to learn some pitch scripts from him, but it's
kind of a little a little hard for me, especially
with the two seamer sinker that I got and the
way he threw is it's gonna be impossible for me
to throw.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
There was only one Corey Klueber for sure. Hey, and
then closing an off day yesterday here in New York City.
You're from North Carolina. What is it like for you
to spend an off day here in the biggest city
in the world.
Speaker 8 (12:38):
Yeah, it's definitely kind of crazy. Most people I'll ever
be around my life' it's it's a nice city. It's
a nice city, but definitely not my favorite one. But
it's fun. A lot of a lot of stuff to
do here.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
All right, Kevin, thanks a lot for coming, b I
appreciate it.
Speaker 8 (12:56):
Yeah, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
That's Gavin Williams now searching for that can consistency, seeing
he he can back up that great outing last Sunday
with another good one here this weekend. Aaron Boone is
the Yankees manager. He's been so for eight seasons now
and took them to the World Series against the Dodgers
a year ago. He's a former Cleveland, Indian who played
here back in the two thousand and five, two and
(13:19):
six seasons. We've talked to him about his playing days
in Cleveland, also a little football, and how he became
a fan of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. But
he's start with baseball's top slugger, Aaron Judge, who's having
another monster season for the Bronx Bombers. And here's what
Aaron Boone had to say about one of the best
players in all of baseball.
Speaker 9 (13:40):
Man.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
I mean, I've you know, I've got to witness now
most of his career and seen his just his hunger
to get a little bit better every single year. He's
playing so well defensively in right field this year for us,
the consistency of his bats day in and day out
has just been and it's remarkable, you know. But I
(14:04):
got to watch twenty twenty two where he won the
MVP with sixty two homers, and he was probably better
last year where he won the MVP again, And I
don't know if it's better this year yet or not,
but it's it's awfully impressive what he does. And I've
kind of run out of superlatives to talk about him.
The biggest thing is, you know, he matches his greatness
(14:26):
on the field with who he is as our captain
in our clubhouse.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
We're joined by Yankees manager Aaron Boone, a former Cleveland, Indian.
You've done a lot in your career playing wise now
managing here in New York broadcasting for a little bit
the two years in Cleveland. What was your takeaway when
you look back on that in terms of how it
was and things you remember.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Yeah, so, just a great organization from from top down
at that time, Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti and then
obviously Mark Mark moved on. But a lot of life
time relationships that I that I formed over there, and it's,
as you know, just a lot of great people that
(15:06):
work for that organization. And it's no surprise that you
know they've they've maintained a level of consistency while not
always doing it with a big payroll obviously, but it's
just such a close knit, well run progressive organization that
has a lot of smart, quality people uh involved with
(15:27):
it and people that I have a lot of respect for.
And I got to experience that as a player.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
And tonight's the last game of the season series. Who
knows if they meet again in the in the postseason.
What are you seeing over there or over the games
that have been played between these two clubs so far.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
Well, Jose Ramirez is still Jose Ramirez, and the underrated
is not underrated. I've I got Actually, it's funny you
say that. Somebody sent me something because they know I'm
a staunch opposition to this overrated narrative on Jose Ramirez.
He's just He's a Hall of Fame player that continues
(16:02):
to just and he's obviously playing at such a high
level right now and comes in here very hot. But
you know, you know they're they got platoon options over there,
so they create matchup challenges for you. Obviously, a bullpen
that's that's very deep and talented and always a team
that seems to kind of play the game the right way,
(16:24):
and you know it's going to be a factor deep
into the season.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
All Right, we'll finish with this off the field. Born
and raised Southern California, but you moved around a lot.
You're a staunch Eagles fan, and I know this. Obviously,
the playoff run this year is a lot of fun.
They go to the Super Bowl and all that, and
you had a chance to be at a lot of
those games For fans who don't know why the Eagles
from where you grew up.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
So, born in San Diego, but moved to South Jersey
when I was a baby for Philly. My dad played
with the Phillies from seventy two to eighty one. I
lived in Jersey through through fifth grade. So I was
a huge Eagles, huge sixer fan, and that's never changed
even when I went back to southern California and went
through middle school and high school and went to USC
(17:06):
and always been an Eagle fan. And coming back to
the East Coast, it's a lot easier for me to
be there. I went to all three playoff games this
year ahead of the super Bowl, a couple in the
regular season, so and I've kind of passed on that
passion to my kids and even my wife, So we
all kind of love going down there in the offseason.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
And do you take anything from what they do and
think of ways to apply it here? Are you strictly
just it's fun to be a fan?
Speaker 4 (17:34):
Yeah, pretty much fan. You know, I've although fortunate that
I've gotten to meet a lot of people down there.
I know Howie roseman the GM, and I know coach
and Big Dom who's kind of become famous in himself,
so they take really good care of me. I've been
to practice and everything. So but that said, I'm more
of just a fan and you're always trying to absorb things.
(17:54):
But it's been a lot of fun watching watching last
year unfold.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Aaron, thanks a lot for the time. Appreciate it. Yeah,
great fun chat with Aaron Boone, the Yankees manager, and
then we thank him for his time while the team
was in New York this week. Stay with us when
we come back, we will talk minor league system. Joining
us next. Vice President of player development Stephen Oster that's next,
(18:45):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rose announced back with
you a progressive field in downtown Cleveland. Stephen ostro Or
is the vice president of player development for the Guardians.
We check in with him each week and talk about
a team in the system. This week that means double
a accurate and we start on the pitching side of
things with starting pitcher Austin Peterson, and he says that
(19:07):
the front office really likes the progress that Peterson has
made so far this season.
Speaker 10 (19:11):
Yeah, for sure, Austin is someone we we've talked about
a couple of times up to this one, and he's
continuing to show some of that improved velo that we
saw in the early parts of the year as the
volumes build up and he's he's sustaining it.
Speaker 7 (19:24):
So that's that's been great to watch.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
You know, like you said, he's stacking.
Speaker 10 (19:29):
Up the good outings, uh, controlling controlling counts as as
the primary calling card here and throwing strikes and you know,
things have.
Speaker 7 (19:38):
Progressed really well for him.
Speaker 10 (19:39):
I think the emphasis moving forward is is just to
continue refining and kneeling.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
Down his plan of attack.
Speaker 10 (19:46):
You know, some of the things we're working on are
you know, limiting big, big misses with the fast one
the cutter, and trying to maybe reel in a little
bit of the north south execution and part of the
zone so that I think hopefully he can continue to
move the needle on converting on his strikeout opportunities. You know,
he throws a lot of strikes and he has been
limiting damage quite a bit over the course of his career.
(20:08):
But you know that jumped to Triple A and the
major leagues is it's very real from like a hitter's
preparing for his.
Speaker 7 (20:15):
Standpoint and you know, not chasing.
Speaker 10 (20:18):
And you know, this is kind of the level that
we have guys like Peterson who controls stuff pretty good
to really refine his plan of attack.
Speaker 7 (20:26):
And execute the good spots. So you know, he's he's.
Speaker 10 (20:29):
Continuing to sharpen his skills on those fronts. And Austin
keeps rolling with great start after great start.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
And the just numbers wise for perspective for fans ten
starts as Era was under a run and a half
a game, so at least statistically, he's getting it done
along with all that other good stuff. Zane Morehouse another
college kid out of Texas not too long ago in
the draft of twenty three, and what are you saying
from him as he progresses at double A.
Speaker 10 (20:55):
Yeah, yeah, he's he's been very good since entering New
York for us as a reliever, and you know, the
history for him has been an above average strikethrower.
Speaker 7 (21:04):
But you know, I was working on some delivery.
Speaker 10 (21:07):
Stuff early in the year to maybe access to take
more of the velocity, and we think that's something that
we we could unlock with him, so you know, and
doing that it pulled back a little bit over the
last you know, first month and a half of the
season more or less, and in the last little bit
here he's had a stretch of you know, turning things
around from from a strike throwing standpoint, and also seeing
(21:29):
the velocity take up alongside of it, so you know,
throwing more strikes.
Speaker 7 (21:32):
Of ELO's climbing.
Speaker 10 (21:33):
It was up to ninety eight recently, which is an
awesome sign for him. And the emphasis now is just
accessing better zones, you know, with this fastball and his
slider and you know, working in the new splitter that's
he's been trial running in in the pen a little
bit and trying to get that into games, and we
think that pitch has a real potential to be a
third weapon for him. So Zan continues to show improvement development,
(21:59):
and you know, he's starting to settle in into more
of the Zay Morros that we've seen up until this point.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
And another reliever Jake Miller, who has put up some
nice numbers from the twenty one draft, a college drafted
kid out of the University of San Diego. I feel
like there's a lot of stories like this in the
system where it seems like he was battling some health
things to get going in his career, but now it's
starting to fall into place for him.
Speaker 7 (22:23):
Yeah, that's right, Rosie.
Speaker 10 (22:24):
He's battled injuries for you a good chunk of his
time with us, and you know, he's shown flashes of.
Speaker 7 (22:30):
A high ceiling. But to your point, he never really
had a.
Speaker 10 (22:34):
Long runway of health to get some of the consistent
reps in that he needs to get to develop the
things that he needed to develop. So he's healthy and
had a really good offseason and he's been very, very
good so far this year. He's got a four pitch mix,
you know, a bit of a higher slot and comes
out from a plus extension, so he YEA, his primary weapon,
(22:58):
I think we believe is to be his splitter.
Speaker 7 (23:00):
And makes him really tough on lefties.
Speaker 10 (23:03):
You know, he's got just a minute school two fifteen
ops against right now. His fastball has been in the
mid nineties and he's throwing two sliders for pretty good commands.
Speaker 7 (23:12):
So he's not walking.
Speaker 10 (23:13):
Anyone at this point and has given up i think,
just runs in three of his eighteen outings. Still a
lot to work on and you know, getting more comfort,
you know, deploying that splitter as his primary weapon.
Speaker 7 (23:24):
But you know, we're going to continue to push the.
Speaker 10 (23:26):
Ceiling on the Velo and continue to do everything we
can to support the in game reps and development for Jake.
But he's been a really nice story of a guy
who's given himself an opportunity to continue to develop and
is performing his tailoff right now.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
And we'll stay in the bullpen. One more picture. Zach
Jacobs another college drafted kid from twenty two. What do
you think from him as he works out of the
pen with Akron.
Speaker 7 (23:52):
Yeah, yeah, he had a really good year last year
in Lake County. You know, they relied on him quite
a bit as they won the Midwest League champ being
shipped and yeah, he's been one of the better strike
throwers in our org since entering it.
Speaker 10 (24:05):
You know, his elite zone rates, he can create some
very interesting shapes on his secondaries. But he's just been
light on the vello. And you know, he had a
really good offseason, spent a lot of time with us
and committed to adding more to his physical motor and
it came back with a.
Speaker 7 (24:21):
Nice little love ticking vello. And this is kind of
a common theme.
Speaker 10 (24:26):
You know, with guys who tap in a little bit
more of the physicality and the off season where you know,
just like adding horsepower to your car, it takes a
little bit of time to gain control again and to
feel good about, you know, how you're delivering the ball
out of hand. So you know, he came out of
the gates, maybe not fully himself from a strike throwing perspective,
but the fastball zone rates are back up to the
(24:47):
elite levels that we've seen in the past. You have
to squint to see any ops against him.
Speaker 7 (24:52):
In the last month. The k rates are back up,
the walk rates are.
Speaker 10 (24:55):
Down, so you still got a long long ways to go,
and we still think there's you know, a lot more
sea to gain and work towards on the velocity side.
But you know, Zach's been tearing up double a the
last month, and you know, it's nice to see him
kind of settled back into what we've seen in the
last couple of years.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Joined by the Vice president of player Development, Stephen Oster,
talking double a Akron this week on the Minor League
Report Behind the Dish, Cooper Ingle is one of the
good young prospects in the organization and keys for you
to look at from a catcher's standpoint and what he
may be doing. What would those be most importantly for
you guys.
Speaker 7 (25:31):
Yeah, I mean for first and foremost, he's he's been
tearing it up the last month.
Speaker 10 (25:35):
I think last time we talked to him, it was
a bit more of a slow start, but now the
average has crept up to around three hundred is ops
is over nine out that he's crushing the.
Speaker 7 (25:44):
Right handers and he's been carrying that Akron offense.
Speaker 10 (25:48):
So yeah, I think some of that is just like
the adage of hitters are going to hit, but he's
also put in, you know, a ton of work into
how he loads into his swing and you know the
impact that that's had probably on his on his bat
speed and uh yeah, some of his bat path refinements.
So I think what's what's exciting and all this and
the things that he's you know, continuing to work on.
Speaker 7 (26:10):
Is uh, you know, the defensive side that I know
we talked.
Speaker 10 (26:12):
About before, but he's put a lot of time and
effort into cultivating good routines around his throwing program and
you know, maybe tweaking some of his throwing mechanics.
Speaker 7 (26:21):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (26:21):
And we've we've seen a lot of that uptick over
the last month as well, and may not be showing
as much on the surface numbers per se, but a
lot of the underlying things that we're seeing, uh, you know,
behind the dish, both from a receiving standpoint from a
throwing standpoint, have been very much arrow up. So you know,
Coop continues to work on and is aware of all.
Speaker 7 (26:43):
Of those things that are required of being a really
good major league catcher, you know, off the field as.
Speaker 10 (26:48):
Well, in terms of preparing, knowing your pitchers, knowing the
opponent coming in with a great game plan, and you
know has made some strides there. He's done a really
a lot of really good work with our catching coordinator,
Brian Waltley on that front, the coaches on the ground.
So we're really excited about where Cooper is. You know,
has come over the last you know two months defensively
and then you know, obviously the bat is he's showing
(27:10):
what the bat has done in the past, but you
know continues to improve in that fashion too, So really
really cool to see Cooper you know, take a step
forward right now in Double.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
A and I know, an exciting weekend down at Akron
because you get a really good prospect back to health
and playing on the field. He's put up some tremendous
numbers in the lower minor leagues. On hell, hanaw, how's
he doing and and what do you look to see
from him as he gets back to play.
Speaker 7 (27:35):
Yeah, really exciting.
Speaker 10 (27:36):
He's said to come back officially from the shoulder spreen
he suffered the end of spring training tonight in Akron,
So you know, he got through his progression in Arizona,
looked tremendous on the field like he always had, but
also I think took advantage of his time and shows
some real progress in some of the you know, longer
term development physical goals that we had for him.
Speaker 7 (27:59):
So, you know, we're getting back very talented player who's
just just turned twenty one.
Speaker 10 (28:05):
You know, switch hitting shortstop and who's really a really
well rounded hitter. He doesn't strike out very much. He
continues to show advancing impact and talk in the box,
which is great. And yeah, I mean it's going to
be kind of like spring training for him still with
you know, with getting back into games fully and fully
up to speed at the right level. But you know,
(28:27):
the early signs are really exciting. You know, from from
what we've seen in Arizona as part of the progression
back into games, and yeah, I think he's going to
be ready to rock.
Speaker 7 (28:36):
He's super excited to get back out there and so
are we.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
Exciting stories as always at Double A Acron Austin. Thanks
so much for coming by. Always good to have you on.
Appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (28:47):
Thanks Rosie.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
That is Stephen Aster, the vice president of player development
for the Guardians and new to the ball club this
year is Jalen Norman, and she has been visiting the
different minor league teams throughout the system and providing reports
both on social media, various media outlets and now on
Guardian's Weekly, and we're happy to have her. She had
(29:09):
a chance to sit down with catcher Cooper Ingle of
the Rubber Ducks and talk about how his season is
going so far. The young catcher out of Clemson filled
her in on some good things happening for him this season.
Speaker 5 (29:22):
What were some of the biggest differences for you going
from college baseball.
Speaker 6 (29:26):
To professional Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest thing
is obviously you're playing every day in college, you're playing
three days a week, and then you know once once
you get drafted.
Speaker 7 (29:37):
That's where real development starts.
Speaker 6 (29:40):
I think just as a hitter, facing the caliber of
pitching the you face here in Double A is you know,
a lot better than what you're going to face in college.
Not saying that college, you know, isn't good at all,
It's just there's so much development in minor league baseball
(30:00):
being able to face you know, velocity night and night out,
whereas you might see.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
It one day a week in college.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
How did you settle on Clemson as as a school
for you?
Speaker 6 (30:10):
Yeah, so, I actually grew up a South Carolina fan,
and I was pretty much taught as a kid to
hate Clemson and many lee the head coach at Clemson
at the time was he was a pretty much like
every one of.
Speaker 7 (30:28):
My summer ball games, and I was like, I don't know.
Speaker 6 (30:31):
There's just something wrong about it because I've been it's
been ingrained in me to hate Clemson for my whole life.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
But I don't know.
Speaker 6 (30:39):
He was just a very down to earth coach and
really helped me with my catching and hitting development.
Speaker 7 (30:46):
And he just showed that, you know, he had an
interest in me that other schools.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
Hitting as much. So I ended up deciding to pursue
going to Clemson.
Speaker 5 (30:57):
So does your family now do they cheer for Clemson
or is it still like you went to Clemson but
everyone else is a South Carolina fans.
Speaker 6 (31:02):
No, they I mean they love Clemson baseball for sure.
My dad's side of the family is still big South
Carolina fans. Mom's side of the family all from North Carolina,
so they're big tarhell fans. I was also, you know,
taught to hate Duke growing up. But no, my my
family loves Clemson baseball as a whole, but they choose
not to wear the orange, so they wear the purple
(31:24):
and white.
Speaker 5 (31:25):
And you know, speaking of Duke, we've got quite a
few guys who played acc baseball. Alex Mooney is one
of them who got cjkthas parkrim as it did You
do you have memories playing against any of them in college?
Speaker 6 (31:37):
Yeah? I mean Mooney I got the room with him
all year last year, and they beat us in a
in a series early on in the season when we
played them, so I hear about it probably once a week.
And then the fact that they got to go to
Super Regional and I didn't, so he's always rubbing in
my face. But you know it's a good time and
(31:58):
then yeah, I mean cafus, he's doing here exactly what
he did in college, Like every time he played them,
he would have four hits and games he was tough
to play against. But yeah, just playing all those guys
in the ACC and then being able to, you know,
play with those guys.
Speaker 5 (32:14):
In minor league baseball school and now as a professional player.
What have been some of your biggest learning moments?
Speaker 6 (32:20):
And I was a pro catcher, Yeah, I just think
the preparation aspect when it comes to like game planning
and doing meetings and pitchers and building those relationships and
just being able to have the information given to you
so that you can prepare for other lineups and ultimately
have your entire pitching staff Trusty.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
You bat left and throw right. Were you always a
left handed batter or how how did that come about?
Speaker 6 (32:46):
I think I want to say when I started hitting,
I started switch hitting, and then my dad would make
me bunt right handed in McCage and I didn't might it,
so I'd stopped doing it.
Speaker 5 (32:58):
And you also, we're a non roster invite spring training,
so what was that experience like for you? What were
some of your biggest takeaways.
Speaker 6 (33:05):
Yeah, I mean, the ultimate goal of being in big
leag camp this year was just to soak up as
much knowledge as I could from Bowen and Austin and
David and all the catchers that were in there at
that point, just so that I could further my development
and see what it's like to prepare and play a
baseball game at the highest level.
Speaker 5 (33:24):
You've had some pretty unique experiences already. You were Midwest
League MVP last year. Like I said, you were non
roster invite spring training, you were on the spring breakout roster.
Looking back at your minor league career, even though it's
you know, you're still early on, what do you think
is your favorite moment?
Speaker 6 (33:42):
For me, it was one hundred percent winning the first
half in Lake County last year. We had a special
group of guys, a lot of guys that are that
are here and coaching staff as well. But it's it's
a little different because in minor league baseball you don't
you don't find a lot of closely like tight together groups. So,
(34:03):
you know, that's just kudos to the Guardians organization of
picking the right people in the draft process, and we
had a great group of guys, and ultimately we're able
to accomplish that goal.
Speaker 5 (34:15):
What's your ideal way to spend it?
Speaker 7 (34:16):
Off to getting some.
Speaker 6 (34:18):
Good sleep, cooking some steak and eggs, probably gaming a
little bit with the guys, and I don't know, then
we go see a movie or something.
Speaker 5 (34:29):
Okay, okay, So are you a good cook?
Speaker 6 (34:31):
Yeah, I'm decent. I'm actually just finished all the seasons
and Master Show.
Speaker 5 (34:36):
Okay, So you're like a professional man.
Speaker 6 (34:39):
No, No, I wouldn't say professional, but like I can,
I can get my way around the kitchen doing that.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Is Jayla Norman Ard, Minor League correspondent and actor this
week talking with Cooper Engle, and we'll hear from Jayla
on a regular basis throughout the season. Now on Guardian's
Weekly Stay with Us. We'll have some final thoughts after
this time out on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
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Speaker 2 (35:47):
Uh too.
Speaker 1 (35:47):
Two swung out a weak tamper to third, charged by Ramirez.
Clubs on the grass, throw us on the run, got
it on a bank bank whay hod Melton, make it close,
L tube wide open stands hints one toward third, BA
canded and fair territory by Ramirez steps.
Speaker 4 (36:05):
Throws double play.
Speaker 9 (36:07):
Romez with a tremendous back canded play on the short
hop near the line behind third. Ran stepped on third
through the first and doubled up L twovey Jose Ramirez
putting on a defensive clinic here in the third to
keep the game scoreless. The pit swung on chopper to
(36:29):
third charts by Ramirez, gloves from the grass, throws just
in time. Jose Ramirez can just take the video of
this game and put his stake on a gold club
at third.
Speaker 1 (36:45):
He has been incredible.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Jim Rose anounced back with you a progressive field in
downtown Cleveman the Guardian sam the Houston Astros meeting this weekend.
If I may plans you had four today and you're
hearing this early in the day, come on down to
the ball It is a Manuel Classe Jersey giveaway day
as the Guardians look to square up this series against
Houston at one win a piece. It's a four to
(37:09):
ten first pitch, then tomorrow a one forty start on
a Kid's Funday here at the ballpark. Kids get to
run the basis courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Children's after the
game on Sunday. Then the Reds come in with manager
Terry Francona returning to Cleveland with the Cincinnati Reds. That's
a three game series Monday and Tuesday nights at six
(37:29):
forty and then Wednesday a one ten start. And there
are still fourteen dollars tickets remaining and you can pick
those up on col Guardians dot com until midnight Saturday night.
If you're listening to this on Saturday still fourteen dollars
tickets in select locations for the Red Series, which starts
on Monday night. That's going to do it for our
(37:50):
show this week. Always thank Brian Motse for his help
and putting together the shows each and every week. We
thank Matzi for all of his help, and we'll join
you next week when the team is on the road
in Seattle, the start of a long three city West
Coast road sway. Until then, this is Jim Rosenhouse reminding
you you have been listening to Guardians Weekly on the
Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
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 (00:53):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rose in house
along with you from Progressive Field on Town Cleveland. This
weekend the Guardians taking on the Houston Astros. Good show
lined up for you. Today, we'll have a full Minor
league report with Stephen Ostro, the vice president of player
development for the Guardians, updating us on the Akron Rubber Ducks,
(01:15):
and Jayalen Norman was in Akron this weekend. She'll visit
with Catcher Cooper Ingele and then I'll also hear from
Nolan Jones, Guardian outfielder, and Gavin Williams, who had a
tremendous performance on the mound last weekend against the Angels.
And we'll also visit with Yankees manager and former Cleveland
Indian Aaron Boone. So a lot to get to on
(01:36):
this week's show, including the week in review, and it
hasn't been an easy week for the Guardians as they
were in New York to play the Yankees in a
three game series that started Tuesday night. At three to
two victory for New York, but the Guardians did even
up that series at one win a piece with a
stellar performance. On Wednesday. The Guardians offense jumped on Yankee
(01:58):
starter Clark Schmidt early right from the start, Stephen Kuan
leading off the game of the walk, and then On
hell Martinez stepped in. Here's on Hell Martinez switch inter
manning left handed in center field.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
The pitch swung on driven Hi deep to right. Forget
about it. On hell Martinez with a towering two run
home run to right and the Guardians jump on top
two to nothing two banners into the game. Wow, did
he put a charge into that one? On hell Martinez
(02:33):
has now hit four home runs, three of them left handed.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Jose Ramirez followed that up with a double, and then
Daniel Schneman delivered a big two out hit.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Here's the two to one offering, swung and ripped to
right base, hit near the line, It'll go to the wall,
It'll score Ramirez schneaming on his way to second base,
sliding with a two out RBI double and the Guardians
slugging percentage and ending number one Z one is off
the charts. Two doubles a home run three nothing Cleveland.
(03:06):
So it was an early lead for Luis Orties on
the mound, and he responded with another terrific performance. Runner
first two down or Tees about to make his twentieth
pitch of the inning. Here it comes, swung on a
week chopper to the second baseman. Schneman charges gloves, throws
to first, ding over and Ortees throws up a donut.
(03:30):
Now the two to two strike three call out looking
as lemayhew and as always, if a Yankee hitter is
called out on strikes, they go back to the dogout
in total shock and disarray. Ortez comes sent, he lets
it fly and Aaron Judge takes strike three call a
(03:54):
slider surprised him on the inside corner. Four strikeouts for Orties.
That was massive.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Ortiz worked five and two third shutout innings before turning
it over to Tim Herron, who had some great defense
behind him. In the seventh.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Now the pitch swung on, grounded up the middle the
second baseman schnemin' the second one, Arius dunsit to first
double played in the inning. Well done by Schneeman and
Arius and the Guardians keep the Yankees off the board
through seven three nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Then in the eighth inning, the Guardians added to the
lead thanks to Kyle man Zardo.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
The bitch swung on hit high deep to right center
field and gone. Kyle man Zardo with his eleventh home run,
and the Guardians get a big insurance run for nothing Cleveland.
Here in the eighth on a two out solo homer
(04:55):
to the right center by Kyle man Zardo, and man
who had five home runs all of last year with Cleveland,
has more than doubled that. That one went four hundred
and five feet to the bleachers and right center.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
And in the ninth annual class looked unhittable.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Not much of this crowd remains on hand, maybe the
only people left for those taking the subway home. Here's
the next offering, swinging and a mess got him of
the slider. Closse strikes out judge. Now the O two delivery,
strike three call out, looking at another wicked cutter at
(05:43):
one hundred miles an hour, two down in the Yankee
ninth Now the one to two swinging an a miss
Bowl game Class A strikes out the side. Cleveland pitches
its eighth shutout, and the the Yankees shut out for
the second time all year, Guardians win it four nothing,
(06:06):
so the.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Guardians had even up. The series had won went a piece,
but the Yankees returned the favorite with a four to
nothing shut out win on Thursday night, and then then
the series opener against the Astros right here at Progressive
Field on Friday night. Houston wins it by a four
to two score. Stay with us, we want me come back,
We'll hear from outfielder Nolan Jones. That's next the Guardians
(06:27):
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Speaker 3 (06:30):
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Speaker 2 (07:09):
Jim Rose announced back with You Where at Progressive Field,
Downtown Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros this weekend, and the
Reds coming to town starting a series on Monday night.
Nolan Jones Guardians outfielder started slow offensively this season, but
he has worked hard to get his season going and
it has paid off for the real nice stretch the
last couple of weeks. In fact, at one point on
(07:32):
Friday night, he was in a stretch where he was
ten for his last twenty at the plate. We caught
up with him in New York and he talked about
the biggest key to getting the better results lately.
Speaker 6 (07:42):
Yeah, I think just sticking with my process and you know,
simplifyings and things a little bit, you know, maybe uh,
trying a little less hard and just allowing some things
to happen on the field, you know, just going out
there playing and doing my part and not trying to
put so much preussure on myself.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
And I heard you mention that trying less uh the
other day. How hard is it to do that though,
To actually back off a little bit and just let
your talent shine through.
Speaker 6 (08:06):
Yeah, It's really hard, obviously, this is uh, you know,
our lives and we want to go out there. We
want to get hits every day and help the team
win and be a part. And so I think it's
really hard, but you know, I think just trusting in
it and trusting in your abilities and knowing that it's
in there and you don't have to search for it
as you.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
From that mental standpoint. Difficult when when you believe in
what you're doing but don't necessarily see the results to
to kind of get through that.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
Yeah, definitely. I mean, like I just kind of talked about,
I think it's it's just it's trusting in your work.
You know, we're here for long days, hitting in the cage,
hitting on the field, hitting in the cage again before
the game, and you know, you see the you see
the results there and you see that you know the
ball's jumping off your bat and you're hitting at good angles,
and you know, you get into the game and not
having those same outcomes, and I think it's just trusting
(08:52):
that it will come and and sticking with your routines
and your plans.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Nolan Jones joining us from Yankee Stadium and No, just
talking earlier about that process and staying with that, you
had people who believed in you and believed in some
of the advanced numbers that would say, hey, it's gonna
turn quickly. How important is that to have that support
from coaches, manager, front office?
Speaker 7 (09:16):
Yeah, it's huge.
Speaker 6 (09:16):
Obviously looking up at the scoreboard and seeing some pretty
disgraceful numbers is not is not easy. But when you're
obviously getting that support from you know, the manager and
the hitting coaches and you know, telling you to keep
going and trusting your process and and not changing anything
for results, I think it really helps. And you know,
it's still confidence in you.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Teammate wise, maybe not all teams are the same, but
this one seems to be a close knit group. Does
that help when when you're trying to get to a
good place and maybe it takes longer than you hope.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
Yeah, definitely, I think. I mean, I think having guys
that are there to pick you up, and obviously, you know,
being on a winning ball club and trying to rally
through that and support those guys and doing what I
can know. Obviously sometimes it's not happening at the plate,
but you can make a big play on defense that
definitely helps. And then having having leaders around the clubhouse
(10:09):
like you know, Jose and Kwan and all these guys
to talk through these situations and and you know been
so confidence in his huge Nolan, thanks for the time,
appreciate it, of course, thanks for having me. Good to
see some good things happening for it. Nolan Jones at
the plate as he has worked hard at it and
finally seeing some of those uh times in the cage
(10:29):
and some of the hard work payoff as well. Another
player on this ball club has been working hard to
get his season really turned in a positive direction, as
Gavin Williams, and he put together a beauty of a
start last Sunday right here at Progressive Field against the Angels,
took a no hitter into the sixth inning, and he
talked about what's allowed him to be successful.
Speaker 7 (10:50):
In that outing.
Speaker 8 (10:52):
Yeah, I think just from the beginning of the game,
just mixing the whole time. I mean, first picture of
the game was a curveball and that's never really happened before.
It kind of kind of got me. But just just mixing.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
When you mentioned kurb Baal to start the game, did
you not know that when when you took the mound
or did both surprise yet.
Speaker 8 (11:10):
I mean, I think the coaching staff and Bo they
talked about it a little bit before, but apparently I
walked off after getting done with warm ups too quick
for both to tell, like talk to me about it.
So it kind of surprised me. But I mean they
had it in the back of their mind, but it
definitely surprised me.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Krey Klueber has been around a little bit and a
new role for him, and you were mentioning that you've
talked to him a little bit, just kind of picking
his brain. And when you talk to someone like that,
what are some of the things that he's been able
to help you with in a very short period of time.
Speaker 8 (11:44):
Yeah, I mean, mindset is a thing one of the
biggest things and routines, Like with him, he had the
same routine every day. He knew what he was going
to get doing the same thing every day. I mean,
it can it can be boring, but it definitely helps
out the long run. So just talking to him, talking
to him about that, it's helped out. I've kind of
(12:06):
added a few things from him just to do in
my daily routine and it's kind of coming into play.
So it's it's definitely helping out a lot, trying to
try to learn some pitch scripts from him, but it's
kind of a little a little hard for me, especially
with the two seamer sinker that I got and the
way he threw is it's gonna be impossible for me
to throw.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
There was only one Corey Klueber for sure. Hey, and
then closing an off day yesterday here in New York City.
You're from North Carolina. What is it like for you
to spend an off day here in the biggest city
in the world.
Speaker 8 (12:38):
Yeah, it's definitely kind of crazy. Most people I'll ever
be around my life' it's it's a nice city. It's
a nice city, but definitely not my favorite one. But
it's fun. A lot of a lot of stuff to
do here.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
All right, Kevin, thanks a lot for coming, b I
appreciate it.
Speaker 8 (12:56):
Yeah, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
That's Gavin Williams now searching for that can consistency, seeing
he he can back up that great outing last Sunday
with another good one here this weekend. Aaron Boone is
the Yankees manager. He's been so for eight seasons now
and took them to the World Series against the Dodgers
a year ago. He's a former Cleveland, Indian who played
here back in the two thousand and five, two and
(13:19):
six seasons. We've talked to him about his playing days
in Cleveland, also a little football, and how he became
a fan of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. But
he's start with baseball's top slugger, Aaron Judge, who's having
another monster season for the Bronx Bombers. And here's what
Aaron Boone had to say about one of the best
players in all of baseball.
Speaker 9 (13:40):
Man.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
I mean, I've you know, I've got to witness now
most of his career and seen his just his hunger
to get a little bit better every single year. He's
playing so well defensively in right field this year for us,
the consistency of his bats day in and day out
has just been and it's remarkable, you know. But I
(14:04):
got to watch twenty twenty two where he won the
MVP with sixty two homers, and he was probably better
last year where he won the MVP again, And I
don't know if it's better this year yet or not,
but it's it's awfully impressive what he does. And I've
kind of run out of superlatives to talk about him.
The biggest thing is, you know, he matches his greatness
(14:26):
on the field with who he is as our captain
in our clubhouse.
Speaker 2 (14:30):
We're joined by Yankees manager Aaron Boone, a former Cleveland, Indian.
You've done a lot in your career playing wise now
managing here in New York broadcasting for a little bit
the two years in Cleveland. What was your takeaway when
you look back on that in terms of how it
was and things you remember.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Yeah, so, just a great organization from from top down
at that time, Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti and then
obviously Mark Mark moved on. But a lot of life
time relationships that I that I formed over there, and it's,
as you know, just a lot of great people that
(15:06):
work for that organization. And it's no surprise that you
know they've they've maintained a level of consistency while not
always doing it with a big payroll obviously, but it's
just such a close knit, well run progressive organization that
has a lot of smart, quality people uh involved with
(15:27):
it and people that I have a lot of respect for.
And I got to experience that as a player.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
And tonight's the last game of the season series. Who
knows if they meet again in the in the postseason.
What are you seeing over there or over the games
that have been played between these two clubs so far.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
Well, Jose Ramirez is still Jose Ramirez, and the underrated
is not underrated. I've I got Actually, it's funny you
say that. Somebody sent me something because they know I'm
a staunch opposition to this overrated narrative on Jose Ramirez.
He's just He's a Hall of Fame player that continues
(16:02):
to just and he's obviously playing at such a high
level right now and comes in here very hot. But
you know, you know they're they got platoon options over there,
so they create matchup challenges for you. Obviously, a bullpen
that's that's very deep and talented and always a team
that seems to kind of play the game the right way,
(16:24):
and you know it's going to be a factor deep
into the season.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
All Right, we'll finish with this off the field. Born
and raised Southern California, but you moved around a lot.
You're a staunch Eagles fan, and I know this. Obviously,
the playoff run this year is a lot of fun.
They go to the Super Bowl and all that, and
you had a chance to be at a lot of
those games For fans who don't know why the Eagles
from where you grew up.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
So, born in San Diego, but moved to South Jersey
when I was a baby for Philly. My dad played
with the Phillies from seventy two to eighty one. I
lived in Jersey through through fifth grade. So I was
a huge Eagles, huge sixer fan, and that's never changed
even when I went back to southern California and went
through middle school and high school and went to USC
(17:06):
and always been an Eagle fan. And coming back to
the East Coast, it's a lot easier for me to
be there. I went to all three playoff games this
year ahead of the super Bowl, a couple in the
regular season, so and I've kind of passed on that
passion to my kids and even my wife, So we
all kind of love going down there in the offseason.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
And do you take anything from what they do and
think of ways to apply it here? Are you strictly
just it's fun to be a fan?
Speaker 4 (17:34):
Yeah, pretty much fan. You know, I've although fortunate that
I've gotten to meet a lot of people down there.
I know Howie roseman the GM, and I know coach
and Big Dom who's kind of become famous in himself,
so they take really good care of me. I've been
to practice and everything. So but that said, I'm more
of just a fan and you're always trying to absorb things.
(17:54):
But it's been a lot of fun watching watching last
year unfold.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Aaron, thanks a lot for the time. Appreciate it. Yeah,
great fun chat with Aaron Boone, the Yankees manager, and
then we thank him for his time while the team
was in New York this week. Stay with us when
we come back, we will talk minor league system. Joining
us next. Vice President of player development Stephen Oster that's next,
(18:45):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rose announced back with
you a progressive field in downtown Cleveland. Stephen ostro Or
is the vice president of player development for the Guardians.
We check in with him each week and talk about
a team in the system. This week that means double
a accurate and we start on the pitching side of
things with starting pitcher Austin Peterson, and he says that
(19:07):
the front office really likes the progress that Peterson has
made so far this season.
Speaker 10 (19:11):
Yeah, for sure, Austin is someone we we've talked about
a couple of times up to this one, and he's
continuing to show some of that improved velo that we
saw in the early parts of the year as the
volumes build up and he's he's sustaining it.
Speaker 7 (19:24):
So that's that's been great to watch.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (19:27):
You know, like you said, he's stacking.
Speaker 10 (19:29):
Up the good outings, uh, controlling controlling counts as as
the primary calling card here and throwing strikes and you know,
things have.
Speaker 7 (19:38):
Progressed really well for him.
Speaker 10 (19:39):
I think the emphasis moving forward is is just to
continue refining and kneeling.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
Down his plan of attack.
Speaker 10 (19:46):
You know, some of the things we're working on are
you know, limiting big, big misses with the fast one
the cutter, and trying to maybe reel in a little
bit of the north south execution and part of the
zone so that I think hopefully he can continue to
move the needle on converting on his strikeout opportunities. You know,
he throws a lot of strikes and he has been
limiting damage quite a bit over the course of his career.
(20:08):
But you know that jumped to Triple A and the
major leagues is it's very real from like a hitter's
preparing for his.
Speaker 7 (20:15):
Standpoint and you know, not chasing.
Speaker 10 (20:18):
And you know, this is kind of the level that
we have guys like Peterson who controls stuff pretty good
to really refine his plan of attack.
Speaker 7 (20:26):
And execute the good spots. So you know, he's he's.
Speaker 10 (20:29):
Continuing to sharpen his skills on those fronts. And Austin
keeps rolling with great start after great start.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
And the just numbers wise for perspective for fans ten
starts as Era was under a run and a half
a game, so at least statistically, he's getting it done
along with all that other good stuff. Zane Morehouse another
college kid out of Texas not too long ago in
the draft of twenty three, and what are you saying
from him as he progresses at double A.
Speaker 10 (20:55):
Yeah, yeah, he's he's been very good since entering New
York for us as a reliever, and you know, the
history for him has been an above average strikethrower.
Speaker 7 (21:04):
But you know, I was working on some delivery.
Speaker 10 (21:07):
Stuff early in the year to maybe access to take
more of the velocity, and we think that's something that
we we could unlock with him, so you know, and
doing that it pulled back a little bit over the
last you know, first month and a half of the
season more or less, and in the last little bit
here he's had a stretch of you know, turning things
around from from a strike throwing standpoint, and also seeing
(21:29):
the velocity take up alongside of it, so you know,
throwing more strikes.
Speaker 7 (21:32):
Of ELO's climbing.
Speaker 10 (21:33):
It was up to ninety eight recently, which is an
awesome sign for him. And the emphasis now is just
accessing better zones, you know, with this fastball and his
slider and you know, working in the new splitter that's
he's been trial running in in the pen a little
bit and trying to get that into games, and we
think that pitch has a real potential to be a
third weapon for him. So Zan continues to show improvement development,
(21:59):
and you know, he's starting to settle in into more
of the Zay Morros that we've seen up until this point.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
And another reliever Jake Miller, who has put up some
nice numbers from the twenty one draft, a college drafted
kid out of the University of San Diego. I feel
like there's a lot of stories like this in the
system where it seems like he was battling some health
things to get going in his career, but now it's
starting to fall into place for him.
Speaker 7 (22:23):
Yeah, that's right, Rosie.
Speaker 10 (22:24):
He's battled injuries for you a good chunk of his
time with us, and you know, he's shown flashes of.
Speaker 7 (22:30):
A high ceiling. But to your point, he never really
had a.
Speaker 10 (22:34):
Long runway of health to get some of the consistent
reps in that he needs to get to develop the
things that he needed to develop. So he's healthy and
had a really good offseason and he's been very, very
good so far this year. He's got a four pitch mix,
you know, a bit of a higher slot and comes
out from a plus extension, so he YEA, his primary weapon,
(22:58):
I think we believe is to be his splitter.
Speaker 7 (23:00):
And makes him really tough on lefties.
Speaker 10 (23:03):
You know, he's got just a minute school two fifteen
ops against right now. His fastball has been in the
mid nineties and he's throwing two sliders for pretty good commands.
Speaker 7 (23:12):
So he's not walking.
Speaker 10 (23:13):
Anyone at this point and has given up i think,
just runs in three of his eighteen outings. Still a
lot to work on and you know, getting more comfort,
you know, deploying that splitter as his primary weapon.
Speaker 7 (23:24):
But you know, we're going to continue to push the.
Speaker 10 (23:26):
Ceiling on the Velo and continue to do everything we
can to support the in game reps and development for Jake.
But he's been a really nice story of a guy
who's given himself an opportunity to continue to develop and
is performing his tailoff right now.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
And we'll stay in the bullpen. One more picture. Zach
Jacobs another college drafted kid from twenty two. What do
you think from him as he works out of the
pen with Akron.
Speaker 7 (23:52):
Yeah, yeah, he had a really good year last year
in Lake County. You know, they relied on him quite
a bit as they won the Midwest League champ being
shipped and yeah, he's been one of the better strike
throwers in our org since entering it.
Speaker 10 (24:05):
You know, his elite zone rates, he can create some
very interesting shapes on his secondaries. But he's just been
light on the vello. And you know, he had a
really good offseason, spent a lot of time with us
and committed to adding more to his physical motor and
it came back with a.
Speaker 7 (24:21):
Nice little love ticking vello. And this is kind of
a common theme.
Speaker 10 (24:26):
You know, with guys who tap in a little bit
more of the physicality and the off season where you know,
just like adding horsepower to your car, it takes a
little bit of time to gain control again and to
feel good about, you know, how you're delivering the ball
out of hand. So you know, he came out of
the gates, maybe not fully himself from a strike throwing perspective,
but the fastball zone rates are back up to the
(24:47):
elite levels that we've seen in the past. You have
to squint to see any ops against him.
Speaker 7 (24:52):
In the last month. The k rates are back up,
the walk rates are.
Speaker 10 (24:55):
Down, so you still got a long long ways to go,
and we still think there's you know, a lot more
sea to gain and work towards on the velocity side.
But you know, Zach's been tearing up double a the
last month, and you know, it's nice to see him
kind of settled back into what we've seen in the
last couple of years.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Joined by the Vice president of player Development, Stephen Oster,
talking double a Akron this week on the Minor League
Report Behind the Dish, Cooper Ingle is one of the
good young prospects in the organization and keys for you
to look at from a catcher's standpoint and what he
may be doing. What would those be most importantly for
you guys.
Speaker 7 (25:31):
Yeah, I mean for first and foremost, he's he's been
tearing it up the last month.
Speaker 10 (25:35):
I think last time we talked to him, it was
a bit more of a slow start, but now the
average has crept up to around three hundred is ops
is over nine out that he's crushing the.
Speaker 7 (25:44):
Right handers and he's been carrying that Akron offense.
Speaker 10 (25:48):
So yeah, I think some of that is just like
the adage of hitters are going to hit, but he's
also put in, you know, a ton of work into
how he loads into his swing and you know the
impact that that's had probably on his on his bat
speed and uh yeah, some of his bat path refinements.
So I think what's what's exciting and all this and
the things that he's you know, continuing to work on.
Speaker 7 (26:10):
Is uh, you know, the defensive side that I know
we talked.
Speaker 10 (26:12):
About before, but he's put a lot of time and
effort into cultivating good routines around his throwing program and
you know, maybe tweaking some of his throwing mechanics.
Speaker 7 (26:21):
Uh.
Speaker 10 (26:21):
And we've we've seen a lot of that uptick over
the last month as well, and may not be showing
as much on the surface numbers per se, but a
lot of the underlying things that we're seeing, uh, you know,
behind the dish, both from a receiving standpoint from a
throwing standpoint, have been very much arrow up. So you know,
Coop continues to work on and is aware of all.
Speaker 7 (26:43):
Of those things that are required of being a really
good major league catcher, you know, off the field as.
Speaker 10 (26:48):
Well, in terms of preparing, knowing your pitchers, knowing the
opponent coming in with a great game plan, and you
know has made some strides there. He's done a really
a lot of really good work with our catching coordinator,
Brian Waltley on that front, the coaches on the ground.
So we're really excited about where Cooper is. You know,
has come over the last you know two months defensively
and then you know, obviously the bat is he's showing
(27:10):
what the bat has done in the past, but you
know continues to improve in that fashion too, So really
really cool to see Cooper you know, take a step
forward right now in Double.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
A and I know, an exciting weekend down at Akron
because you get a really good prospect back to health
and playing on the field. He's put up some tremendous
numbers in the lower minor leagues. On hell, hanaw, how's
he doing and and what do you look to see
from him as he gets back to play.
Speaker 7 (27:35):
Yeah, really exciting.
Speaker 10 (27:36):
He's said to come back officially from the shoulder spreen
he suffered the end of spring training tonight in Akron,
So you know, he got through his progression in Arizona,
looked tremendous on the field like he always had, but
also I think took advantage of his time and shows
some real progress in some of the you know, longer
term development physical goals that we had for him.
Speaker 7 (27:59):
So, you know, we're getting back very talented player who's
just just turned twenty one.
Speaker 10 (28:05):
You know, switch hitting shortstop and who's really a really
well rounded hitter. He doesn't strike out very much. He
continues to show advancing impact and talk in the box,
which is great. And yeah, I mean it's going to
be kind of like spring training for him still with
you know, with getting back into games fully and fully
up to speed at the right level. But you know,
(28:27):
the early signs are really exciting. You know, from from
what we've seen in Arizona as part of the progression
back into games, and yeah, I think he's going to
be ready to rock.
Speaker 7 (28:36):
He's super excited to get back out there and so
are we.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
Exciting stories as always at Double A Acron Austin. Thanks
so much for coming by. Always good to have you on.
Appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (28:47):
Thanks Rosie.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
That is Stephen Aster, the vice president of player development
for the Guardians and new to the ball club this
year is Jalen Norman, and she has been visiting the
different minor league teams throughout the system and providing reports
both on social media, various media outlets and now on
Guardian's Weekly, and we're happy to have her. She had
(29:09):
a chance to sit down with catcher Cooper Ingle of
the Rubber Ducks and talk about how his season is
going so far. The young catcher out of Clemson filled
her in on some good things happening for him this season.
Speaker 5 (29:22):
What were some of the biggest differences for you going
from college baseball.
Speaker 6 (29:26):
To professional Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest thing
is obviously you're playing every day in college, you're playing
three days a week, and then you know once once
you get drafted.
Speaker 7 (29:37):
That's where real development starts.
Speaker 6 (29:40):
I think just as a hitter, facing the caliber of
pitching the you face here in Double A is you know,
a lot better than what you're going to face in college.
Not saying that college, you know, isn't good at all,
It's just there's so much development in minor league baseball
(30:00):
being able to face you know, velocity night and night out,
whereas you might see.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
It one day a week in college.
Speaker 5 (30:07):
How did you settle on Clemson as as a school
for you?
Speaker 6 (30:10):
Yeah, so, I actually grew up a South Carolina fan,
and I was pretty much taught as a kid to
hate Clemson and many lee the head coach at Clemson
at the time was he was a pretty much like
every one of.
Speaker 7 (30:28):
My summer ball games, and I was like, I don't know.
Speaker 6 (30:31):
There's just something wrong about it because I've been it's
been ingrained in me to hate Clemson for my whole life.
Speaker 1 (30:38):
But I don't know.
Speaker 6 (30:39):
He was just a very down to earth coach and
really helped me with my catching and hitting development.
Speaker 7 (30:46):
And he just showed that, you know, he had an
interest in me that other schools.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
Hitting as much. So I ended up deciding to pursue
going to Clemson.
Speaker 5 (30:57):
So does your family now do they cheer for Clemson
or is it still like you went to Clemson but
everyone else is a South Carolina fans.
Speaker 6 (31:02):
No, they I mean they love Clemson baseball for sure.
My dad's side of the family is still big South
Carolina fans. Mom's side of the family all from North Carolina,
so they're big tarhell fans. I was also, you know,
taught to hate Duke growing up. But no, my my
family loves Clemson baseball as a whole, but they choose
not to wear the orange, so they wear the purple
(31:24):
and white.
Speaker 5 (31:25):
And you know, speaking of Duke, we've got quite a
few guys who played acc baseball. Alex Mooney is one
of them who got cjkthas parkrim as it did You
do you have memories playing against any of them in college?
Speaker 6 (31:37):
Yeah? I mean Mooney I got the room with him
all year last year, and they beat us in a
in a series early on in the season when we
played them, so I hear about it probably once a week.
And then the fact that they got to go to
Super Regional and I didn't, so he's always rubbing in
my face. But you know it's a good time and
(31:58):
then yeah, I mean cafus, he's doing here exactly what
he did in college, Like every time he played them,
he would have four hits and games he was tough
to play against. But yeah, just playing all those guys
in the ACC and then being able to, you know,
play with those guys.
Speaker 5 (32:14):
In minor league baseball school and now as a professional player.
What have been some of your biggest learning moments?
Speaker 6 (32:20):
And I was a pro catcher, Yeah, I just think
the preparation aspect when it comes to like game planning
and doing meetings and pitchers and building those relationships and
just being able to have the information given to you
so that you can prepare for other lineups and ultimately
have your entire pitching staff Trusty.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
You bat left and throw right. Were you always a
left handed batter or how how did that come about?
Speaker 6 (32:46):
I think I want to say when I started hitting,
I started switch hitting, and then my dad would make
me bunt right handed in McCage and I didn't might it,
so I'd stopped doing it.
Speaker 5 (32:58):
And you also, we're a non roster invite spring training,
so what was that experience like for you? What were
some of your biggest takeaways.
Speaker 6 (33:05):
Yeah, I mean, the ultimate goal of being in big
leag camp this year was just to soak up as
much knowledge as I could from Bowen and Austin and
David and all the catchers that were in there at
that point, just so that I could further my development
and see what it's like to prepare and play a
baseball game at the highest level.
Speaker 5 (33:24):
You've had some pretty unique experiences already. You were Midwest
League MVP last year. Like I said, you were non
roster invite spring training, you were on the spring breakout roster.
Looking back at your minor league career, even though it's
you know, you're still early on, what do you think
is your favorite moment?
Speaker 6 (33:42):
For me, it was one hundred percent winning the first
half in Lake County last year. We had a special
group of guys, a lot of guys that are that
are here and coaching staff as well. But it's it's
a little different because in minor league baseball you don't
you don't find a lot of closely like tight together groups. So,
(34:03):
you know, that's just kudos to the Guardians organization of
picking the right people in the draft process, and we
had a great group of guys, and ultimately we're able
to accomplish that goal.
Speaker 5 (34:15):
What's your ideal way to spend it?
Speaker 7 (34:16):
Off to getting some.
Speaker 6 (34:18):
Good sleep, cooking some steak and eggs, probably gaming a
little bit with the guys, and I don't know, then
we go see a movie or something.
Speaker 5 (34:29):
Okay, okay, So are you a good cook?
Speaker 6 (34:31):
Yeah, I'm decent. I'm actually just finished all the seasons
and Master Show.
Speaker 5 (34:36):
Okay, So you're like a professional man.
Speaker 6 (34:39):
No, No, I wouldn't say professional, but like I can,
I can get my way around the kitchen doing that.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Is Jayla Norman Ard, Minor League correspondent and actor this
week talking with Cooper Engle, and we'll hear from Jayla
on a regular basis throughout the season. Now on Guardian's
Weekly Stay with Us. We'll have some final thoughts after
this time out on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio.
Speaker 1 (35:01):
At Warriors.
Speaker 3 (35:07):
Progressive knows when you're on your boat, you're already on vacation,
and vacation you forgets all your worries. Vacation you doesn't
even keep track of time and knows that time is
a meaningless construct designed to control us man. But regular
you knows you don't want to be too far out
in the water after the sun goes down, because vacation
you doesn't know how to navigate in the dark. Yet,
vacation you and regular you really need to get on
the same page. So bundle your boat with your Homer
(35:28):
Auto policy and in an automatic discount from Progressive and
spend the savings on the both of you. Progress a
casualty insurance company at Lad's. Other insurch not available in
all states or situations.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
Uh too.
Speaker 1 (35:47):
Two swung out a weak tamper to third, charged by Ramirez.
Clubs on the grass, throw us on the run, got
it on a bank bank whay hod Melton, make it close,
L tube wide open stands hints one toward third, BA
canded and fair territory by Ramirez steps.
Speaker 4 (36:05):
Throws double play.
Speaker 9 (36:07):
Romez with a tremendous back canded play on the short
hop near the line behind third. Ran stepped on third
through the first and doubled up L twovey Jose Ramirez
putting on a defensive clinic here in the third to
keep the game scoreless. The pit swung on chopper to
(36:29):
third charts by Ramirez, gloves from the grass, throws just
in time. Jose Ramirez can just take the video of
this game and put his stake on a gold club
at third.
Speaker 1 (36:45):
He has been incredible.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Jim Rose anounced back with you a progressive field in
downtown Cleveman the Guardian sam the Houston Astros meeting this weekend.
If I may plans you had four today and you're
hearing this early in the day, come on down to
the ball It is a Manuel Classe Jersey giveaway day
as the Guardians look to square up this series against
Houston at one win a piece. It's a four to
(37:09):
ten first pitch, then tomorrow a one forty start on
a Kid's Funday here at the ballpark. Kids get to
run the basis courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Children's after the
game on Sunday. Then the Reds come in with manager
Terry Francona returning to Cleveland with the Cincinnati Reds. That's
a three game series Monday and Tuesday nights at six
(37:29):
forty and then Wednesday a one ten start. And there
are still fourteen dollars tickets remaining and you can pick
those up on col Guardians dot com until midnight Saturday night.
If you're listening to this on Saturday still fourteen dollars
tickets in select locations for the Red Series, which starts
on Monday night. That's going to do it for our
(37:50):
show this week. Always thank Brian Motse for his help
and putting together the shows each and every week. We
thank Matzi for all of his help, and we'll join
you next week when the team is on the road
in Seattle, the start of a long three city West
Coast road sway. Until then, this is Jim Rosenhouse reminding
you you have been listening to Guardians Weekly on the
Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
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