July 11, 2026 • 38 mins
A look back at the week in review highlighted by a big win over the red hot Miami Marlins. Plus, we'll chat with all three of the Guardians All Stars; Travis Bazzana, Parker Messick, and Cade Smith. Also, the weekly Farm Report with VP of Player Development Stephen Osterer who fills us on draft preparations ahead of selection Saturday. 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 (00:52):
Hi, everyone, Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along with you.
This weekend. We're in Miami, Florida, where the Guardians are
wrapping up pre All Star game play against the Marlins,
a three game weekend series that began on Friday night.
We'll have more on that in our week in review
coming up a little bit later on in the show,
(01:13):
Vice President of Player Development Steven Ostro will talk Columbus Clippers.
We'll hear from pitcher Gavin Williams and the All Stars
rookies Travis Bazana and Parker Messik, as well as closer
Cade Smith. But first our weekend review, as the Guardians
had an off day on Monday, then a big series
against the Twins started Tuesday night in Minneapolis. The Twins
(01:35):
were winners three to one on Tuesday night, and they
won again on Wednesday night and come from behind fashion
walking it off with a six to five victory. So
the Guardians headed into play on Thursday trying to salvage
the finale of the three game series, and they struck
first with Gabrielarius batting in the second inning. Gabrielarius hid
(01:55):
the plate and he swings and drives one high deep
to laft center right, Arius into the bullpen, Guardians in
front one nothing. Arius with three home runs in the
last week now and there has not been a cheapie.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
In the bunch.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Meanwhile, on the mound, Gavin Williams was dealing early in
this one perfect game. Through four seven strikeouts, Guardians up
won nothing. The one to two to bell waved at
and missed strike three, no chance on the hard breaking pitch.
He finally gave up a hit in the fifth, breaking
up the perfect game, and then the Twins scratched across
(02:37):
a run to tie the game at won, but it
didn't stay tied for long, as in the sixth chase,
the latter put the Guardians back in front. The two
to one pitch swung on and that's blasted high and
deep to right, hard run to Ltder. He comes through
again in the later innings and he puts Cleveland back
(02:59):
in front two to one Guardians. In the seventh a
couple of walks put two men on and it was
Brian Rochio trying to deliver switch hitter right side the
pitch to him. He swings lines at the third over
the glove, fair ball down the left field line. This
is going to score Bailey right behind him his quand
(03:20):
there'll be a play at the plate.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Quan slides safe at home plate.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
It's a two run double for Bryant Rocchio and the
Guardians had the big hit they were looking for. It
is now four to one. The Twins got one of
those runs back in the bottom of the seventh inning,
making it a four to two game, and it stayed
that way until the ninth when Patrick Bailey stepped in.
Here comes the one to zero from Go swung on
(03:48):
and launched hi and deep to right.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Way back there home run Patrick Bailey, a towering.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Blasts that cleared the wall by plenty and right, and
the Guardians now lead it five to two. And then
it was all star closer Kate Smith on to finish
things up in the ninth inning. Two outs, bases empty,
four to two Cleveland. Bottom of the ninth the two
to two swing and a miss strike three, and the
(04:20):
Guardians are back in the win column. The four game
losing skit is history, as they win it this afternoon
by a final score of five to two. So the
Guardian salvaged the finale of the series in Minnesota and
it was on to Miami where they opened up a
new series on Friday night. Scoreless game until the fourth inning.
(04:43):
That's when Chase de Latter stepped in with one man
on the two to two, swung on and lift it
highest bright center field home run the ladder.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
He knew he got all of that one. That's a
deep part of this ballpark. He stood and looked at
the Cleveland dug out while that ball was going way
into the seats. He tried to challenge him with a
fastball right there. He had took a big swing on
that first pitch of this sad bat, and I think
he just kind of got that pitch he was looking
for with that.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Pitch, number ten on the season for the Latter, a
two run shot over the three hundred and eighty seven
foot sign and the Guardians have the lead at two
to nothing. In the fifth, Austin Hedges reached with a single,
extending his hit streak to seven games. He'd get to
third on a Stephen Kuan base hit, and then with
(05:34):
one out, Travis Bozana came to the plate. The two
to two is on its way, swung on and he
skies at to the left, should be plenty deep enough.
Back is Hernandez who makes the catch, tagging heading for
home his hedges. He will score just ahead of the throw.
Hedges makes it three to nothing. Cleveland on the sackfly
(05:57):
by Bazana. Meanwhile the mound, All star Parker Messick was
sharp as usual. Here's the one one swung on ground
ball right side, smothered by Manzardo, flips to Messic covering
and ain't got there in time. What a play by Manzardo.
Good cover by Messick, and we will head to the
(06:17):
sixth inning with the no hitters still in order. For
Parker Messick, it is three nothing. The Guardians in front.
Miami finally broke through in the sixth with a solo
home run from Roberto Hernandez that broke up the no
hitter in the shutout, and in then the seventh, Miami's
Leo Jimenez belted another solo homer that made it a
(06:38):
one run game at three to two, and it was
up to Colin Holderman to help out the Guardian's bullpen
and hold the lead. Here's the one one pitch swung
on and there's a slow tapper to the first baseman.
Manzardo flips to Holderman covering he got there in time.
Good job, Colin Holderman works out of it. Another run
on the board for the Marlins, but we will head
(06:59):
to the and the Guardians are still in front, three
to two. Here in Miami, Hunter Gaddis worked a scoreless
eighth inning before turning it over once again to Kate Smith.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
In the ninth.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Smith sets, here's his pitch swung on and here's a
high fly ball the left.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
This should do it.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Pawn Is under it, makes the catch and the Guardians
win the opener of this three game weekend series by
a final score of three to two. So a good
finish to the week for the Guardians and they head
into Saturday's game still atop the American League Central Division,
tied with the White Sox. Guardians will take on the
(07:40):
Marlins Saturday afternoon at four to ten Sunday at one
to close out the road trip. Stay with us when
we come back. We'll hear from the three All Stars
that will be representing Cleveland at the All Star Game.
In Philly next week. That's next on the Cleveland Clinic
Radio Network.
Speaker 5 (07:59):
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Speaker 6 (08:06):
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Speaker 6 (08:28):
A Situations.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Kim Rosenhaus back with you from Lone Depot Park in Miami,
where the Guardians are taking on the Marlins this weekend. Meanwhile,
in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, it's Major League Baseball's All
Star Game and the Guardians will have three representatives, including
two rookies for the first time, and it's the first
time any rookie will represent the Guardians since Sandy Alamar
(09:00):
back in the nineteen ninety contest. Group includes Travis Bizanna
the Second Basement. We sat down with him today. He
got the news, and he says even he was a
little surprised to be named an All Star this early
in his career.
Speaker 7 (09:14):
You know, it didn't have the best maybe month of June,
and yeah, to have the late nud from my ps
is a really good feeling.
Speaker 8 (09:22):
But I didn't really expect to.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Baseball has been so important to you for such a
long time, and being from another country, does it hit
home even more for you to be an All Star
in this game here now?
Speaker 7 (09:34):
Yeah, it hasn't really hit yet, but I think when
I get in the clubhouse with you know, a lot
of future Hall of famers and incredible players that I
have looked up to and continue to that's probably when
it's all gonna hit. But yeah, these kind of feats
bring me back to the kind.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
Of why I play and why I obsessed out of
the game so much.
Speaker 7 (09:54):
And I feel like I got an opportunity to impact
a lot of people, especially back home.
Speaker 8 (09:58):
So it's cool.
Speaker 7 (10:00):
They'll get to watch me run out on a ULSA
game and you know, share the field with some of
the greats.
Speaker 8 (10:05):
So it's really cool thought.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
And what does it say about how you go about
it trying to be as consistent as you can and
at times spectacular.
Speaker 7 (10:15):
Yeah, I feel like I haven't even I haven't really
and I don't want to become off arrogant.
Speaker 8 (10:20):
I feel like I haven't.
Speaker 7 (10:21):
Really played to the level I really would want to
hold myself to through this short sin the big leagues,
and there's been some good and some bad, and I
think soon they'll be a more consistent version of myself.
But to be there and to get that nod is
really cool.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
And I think at times like this, a lot of
times players point to those who have helped them along
the way, and whether it's someone on the baseball field
or someone off the baseball field, it are there certain
people who have helped you along the way that helped
you get to this point?
Speaker 8 (10:52):
Yeah, definitely. I mean a couple of people.
Speaker 7 (10:54):
My parents always, whether I struggled or had success, they
were always by my side, supporting me, never like put
pressure on performance, which allowed me to kind of be
free and go and achieve cool things. And I had
some mentors, you know, multiple that always told me to
not set limits on myself and they wish when when
they got to the big leagues, that they kept setting
(11:17):
you know, goals and tried to take it further versus
just oh I'm here now, wow, because then you know,
you lose it quick.
Speaker 8 (11:24):
So I always kind of wanted to look past.
Speaker 7 (11:27):
Just being a major league and performing to where I
could experience cool things like this is, you know, hopefully
something I continue to do.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Yeah, A lot of times being on a good team helps.
And then how has this team helped?
Speaker 7 (11:38):
Yeah, I mean the clubhouse that these guys with you
know a lot of time in the major leagues have
helped me grow quickly. And also just like through the
ups and downs there they're the perfect you know, voices
to be by by you.
Speaker 8 (11:53):
So yeah, we.
Speaker 7 (11:54):
Got amazing clubhouse, amazing staff, what an organization. We just
continue to you know, win baseball games and support guys
like Pawk and I to be All Stars as rookies.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Travis, congratulations, appreciate it.
Speaker 8 (12:10):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah, big time. Congrats to Travis Bizana. Also to Parker Messik,
another rookie, one of two rookies to make the All
Star team along with Bizanna, and he says it wasn't
something he expected, but he's excited to be a part
of the Midsummer Classic.
Speaker 9 (12:25):
Yeah, I mean I didn't have any expectations, like you said,
I just was honestly just trying to take it one
game out of time, just trying to make the team
out of spring training. So I mean, it's just a
blessing to be in this conversation and to have been selected.
I'm strupe for grateful to the Lord and everything he's
blessed me with. Yeah, I just can't say any more
than that.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
It means different things to different players. Some follow it
growing up, others don't. How about you and your family?
How big a deal is the All Star Game?
Speaker 9 (12:51):
Yeah, I mean it's awesome. I definitely was one of
the ones that always watched with my friends in middle
school and high school growing up.
Speaker 6 (12:56):
We'd always meet it.
Speaker 9 (12:57):
At the same buddy's house and hopp in the pool
or hotsu in the mid the summer and watch the game.
So it's one of those cool things that it's He
was texting me just today and we were talking about
how surreal it is that that I'm going to be
on the other side of the TV screen now.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
And it's different nowadays, and that it's more than just
the one day, and what are the expectations going in
in terms of the whole event and what you might
be a part.
Speaker 9 (13:18):
Of Yeah, I'm just gonna, honestly, I don't know. I'm
just gonna try and take it all in and experience
every little piece that I can and whether that's playing
the game, whether it's not, I have no idea. So
I'm just going to try and enjoy every every little
bit that I can.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
You're there because of the season that you've had, And
can you point to any one thing that's allowed you
to have the type of consistent success which everyone's shooting
for that that you've had.
Speaker 9 (13:40):
Yeah, I think it's it all stems from my faith
and the Lord Jesus Christ. I mean, I think without him,
I wouldn't be in this position. I think He's had
his hand and every single piece of my career. And
you know I can when I when I sit down
and think about it, I just can't even put into
words how grateful I am at the things that he's
you know, proved to be true in my life. And
I think he's the reason I'm here, and I just
want to glorify his name.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
And does that help you get through it? You haven't
had many low times, but does that help you when
when you are struggling a little bit maybe not apparent
to the outside.
Speaker 9 (14:09):
And yeah, absolutely, I mean even the bad games, I
just know how faithfully he is and that that one
bad game doesn't define me as a person, doesn't define
me as a player, and the Lord defines me as
as a person. So I carry that out too the field,
you know, every time I take the rubber, and that
just gives me all the confidence in the world, even
after bad ones, that the next one, you know, could
be a good one.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
You're the person going to the All Star Game, so
obviously you've gotten it done on the mount, But what
about this team has helped you be the become the
pitcher that you can be to get to an All
Star Game.
Speaker 9 (14:39):
Yeah, when I when I was in the locker room
and I found out, you know, the thinking the team
and saying I couldn't I genuinely couldn't be here without
them was one of the first things that I said,
and you know, I genuinely mean it. The entire staff,
training staff, strength staff, coaching staff, pitching staff, our entire players,
so catching all the all the catchers, I mean, every
single person in our clubhouse has had a hand and
(15:02):
helping me get to this point. I could be more
thankful as a young guy to be in an organization
like this.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Did you realize that before you even got here last
year or did it take being up here to identify
what was going on here that could help you.
Speaker 9 (15:15):
Yeah, there's a common theme I think all the way
through the minor leagues with this organization, but it's definitely
amplified once you make it to the big leagues. And
I think you know when you're on this stage and
everything just means a little bit more. You have to
you have to take that for what it's worth, and
I think our entire staff does an amazing job of
helping you in every facet of the game. So, I
(15:36):
mean it was really easy to see once I got
here last year.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
And closing, you're excited. Obviously, who in your family and
friends circle might be the most excited for you?
Speaker 9 (15:45):
I think everyone. I mean my fiance, all my buddies
back home that he swatched the game with, and then
my family. I think everyone's just super ecstatic. Everyone can't
wait to either be there or watch on TV. So
everyone's been super.
Speaker 6 (15:57):
Happy for me.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
Enjoy of congratulations, Thank you, I appreciate it. And Parker
Messik will be coming off his eighth win of the
season in his last outing on Friday night in Miami.
Kate Smith will join the two rookies in Philadelphia. He
has led all of baseball and saves for much of
the season, and it's his first full season now in
that closer's role, and he says it was pretty cool
(16:19):
to get the news that he was headed to Philly
for the All Star Game.
Speaker 10 (16:23):
Yeah, I think it's pretty cool. I'm really grateful that
this is all that got is open and I'm looking
forward to it.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
When you look at at how far you've come, it's
not that long ago. You were the last man on
the roster to make it out of spring training and
here you are. Do you ever think back to the
progress that you've made and where you are now compared
to them? For sure.
Speaker 10 (16:40):
I mean, you know, it's been a marathon, and I
mean it's a long season, and so I think the
only way you get from back where I was and
now is by taking it one day at a time.
And the only way that I get from where I
am to where I want to go is doing the
same so that it doesn't change my mindset. Still take
it one day at a time, make sure I'm taking
care of my work and being as prepared as I
can and go out and.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
You do it as a clot which gets some more
notorieties certainly, How have you handled that transition to the
highest pressure role there can be?
Speaker 10 (17:09):
I mean it's it's definitely there's been an adjustment period,
but I've learned a lot along the way. I mean,
the trainee staff, the strength staffs, coaching staff has been
there to support me every step of it, and I'm
super thankful for them. So I look forward to continuing to,
you know, learn and improve and grow and like I said,
take it one day at a time.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
And when you look at being part of a really
good team that always seems to help you have those
opportunities to shine. What is it about this team that
helps you?
Speaker 10 (17:35):
I think that culture is such a big thing. I
think the amount of resilience that we have in this clubhouse.
I mean, to be able to fight back some of
the adversity that we've dealt with and continue to do
that day in day out. I think that's super super
important thing. Knowing that we can bear down and deal
with pressure and deal with close and meaningful games because
we've played a ton of them and We've found a
way to succeed in that with the guys that we
have in our clubhouse.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Kate Smith, congratulations on being an All Star. Thank you,
Thank you. Rosie Smith who picked up another save on
Friday night in Miami, his twenty eighth on the season.
So those are your all Stars. Stay with us. We'll
visit with the pitcher who has pitched well enough at
times this season to be an All Star. He'll spend
the break at home, but with ten wins under his belt.
(18:16):
That's Gavin Williams and we'll hear from him when we return.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
And Tanachi scrappy player, the pitch to him and he
swings and misses. He ate them up with string out
number four for Gavin Williams. He's just rolling through this
White Sox lineup tonight now the one too.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
And strike three cold.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
He nailed the outside corner at ninety seven and the
their double digit strikeout game for Gavin Williams this year.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
That's number ten.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhouse along with you
from Miami Lone Depot Park, where the Guardians are taking
on the Marlins this weekend. Gavin Williams will not pitch
this weekend, as he wrapped up his pre All Star
Break pitching on Thursday afternoon with a victory in Minneapolis.
That was his tenth win of the season. One of
his better starts is he was perfect into the fifth
(19:29):
inning and really helped out the bullpen by going seven strong,
and he talked about some of the keys to the
quality starts.
Speaker 11 (19:36):
Uh, yeah, definitely the sharpest start I've had in the
past month. Definitely going in a deep dive with the
mechanics stuff, pitch selection, just little things like that behind
the scenes that I've been trying to work on the
past month.
Speaker 6 (19:51):
They get back to where I need to be.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
You mentioned the mechanics stuff. How difficult is that during
this season to try and make some adjustments that might
not chill right away but help you in the long run.
Speaker 11 (20:03):
Yes, it's very different difficult because one one little thing
you're doing in your delivery you can mess up everything
from the way your pitches are moving to vila really,
so it can definitely be It can definitely be difficult
and it can be frustrating at the same time. Can
you share what it is that that maybe you adjusted
(20:24):
yesterday not maybe not from a pitch sequence, but just
from that delivery and mechanics.
Speaker 6 (20:29):
Uh yeah, just not being so rotational like you can say.
Speaker 11 (20:35):
It's an east west delivery, and I've been trying to
go back to north south, so it's a little bit
of tilting my shoulders, tilting my pelvis a little.
Speaker 6 (20:44):
Bit more, just getting back to my old ways.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
So when you go out there yesterday and it seemed
like you have the good stuff right away, how quickly
you do you notice some differences that have you feeling
extremely confident.
Speaker 11 (20:58):
Fairly quickly, especially with the the four seam fastballs, just
seeing the metrics on it and knowing where it's been
in the past and where I really want it to be.
It's it definitely shows up pretty quick.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
We're indoors in Miami tonight. I mean, this is hot,
human weather you're used to back home. Shouldn't the roof
be open?
Speaker 6 (21:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (21:17):
I wish the roof was open. I'm sure other people don't.
Don't wish it was open, but it doesn't bother me
one bit.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Gavin's a North Carolina guys, so that the weather not
that much different down here in Miami. Hey, getting back
to yesterday's game. Heading into the game, Uh, the bullpen
had been used quite a bit the first two games
of this series. How do you manage knowing that that
a lengthy start would be really helpful for the ball club,
but not trying to think about it too much?
Speaker 1 (21:45):
Uh?
Speaker 11 (21:45):
Yeah, the main thing is just trying to go as
deep as I possibly can. I know in the past
month they've they've come in fairly early for me, So
just trying to trying to get their back and goes
as deep as possible in the game is probably a
big help them.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
And you get through your your first half starts pre
all start break and you are right about the same
spot you were a year ago, at least from an
era standpoint. How have you felt about the first half
and how it is set up now for the second
half for you?
Speaker 11 (22:16):
Yeah, I wish it was a little bit better, just
in all aspects. I know I've had a few rough games,
and I wish those rough games didn't happen. But there's
a lot a lot more I can do in the
second half to be a lot better.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
And it's hard to say, but you have some experience now,
you're not that young kid anymore. Is that helpful knowing
that you can go through some of those ups and
downs and come out in a really good place eventually
because you've done it before.
Speaker 11 (22:44):
Absolutely, just knowing that it's a long season and I'm
gonna have thirty to thirty two starts, it definitely goes
a long ways just not thinking about a couple of
starts and just taking it day by day and working
on the little things, and I know I need to.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
So you make the start yesterday, You're done until after
the All Star break. What's coming up on the break
for you? If you if you head home in North Carolina.
Speaker 11 (23:06):
We'll see I haven't really decided what I really want
to do. Might relax a little bit, I play some golf,
might go to the Bowl.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
Never know.
Speaker 11 (23:15):
We'll see as much a mental break as anything else
in this game. Absolutely, I think there's always a need
for a mental break at any point in the season. Really, Gavin,
nice going yesterday. Thanks a lot for stopping. I appreciate ye,
appreciate you having me.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Yeah, if it's anything like a year ago, Gavin Williams
will be one of the dominant pitchers in the second
half of the season, and you feel like he is
getting closer and closer to that type of picture once
again here in twenty twenty six, we'll take a time out,
and then here from Stephen Ostro, the Guardian's vice president
of player Development, that comes your way. Next on the
Cleveland Clinic Radio.
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Speaker 2 (24:49):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
in Miami. Meanwhile, back in Cleveland, barber director Stephen Osterer
has been keeping tabs on all the different teams in
the system, including Columbus, and we'll start on the mound
with the Clippers, the Triple A ball club with Austin Peterson,
who has been really making good progress this season, and
(25:12):
Austin explains what he's been doing to get on the
radar if needed at the big league level.
Speaker 13 (25:18):
Yeah, he had a good, good offseason as well, and
we were excited in the spring training and unfortunately missed
some time with a triceteps train. But he's come back
online and issuing a lot of the positive things I
think that we were really excited about leading up to
this year.
Speaker 14 (25:35):
Through his first ten.
Speaker 13 (25:36):
Starts, he's big, righty, He's way more strikes in execution
than he is power and stuff necessarily, and just adding
to that arsenal quality has been a focus for him
since he was drafted quite a few years ago, and
you know, we've seen the continued, the velocity continue to
climb upwards. I think he's right around ninety three and
(25:56):
a half miles an hour in the fastball at this point,
so that helped elevate the rest of his pitches, and
you change up has come a long way, I think
in the.
Speaker 14 (26:05):
Last year and a bit too. It's got a little
bit more fade to it.
Speaker 13 (26:08):
He can use it against both sided hitters, and I
think he's just still trying to put everything all together.
Speaker 14 (26:14):
But when on Austin is on.
Speaker 13 (26:16):
He is really dominant and just pounds his own works
really fast and you can get through a ton of innings.
So we were really excited about Austin generally, and I
think he's making some strides towards being a major league
option for us sooner than later.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
And another name that I know is intriguing, and we
haven't really seen him that much in major league camp
for a variety of reasons. But Jrman Gomez, what are
you seeing from him as the season moves along.
Speaker 13 (26:44):
Yeah, he had a bit of a shoulder strain as well,
just missed a bunch of time and finally made his
triple A debut just a few weeks ago. And he
was an awesome story from last year, just a guy
with a lot of talent who started to break through
performance wise.
Speaker 14 (26:59):
And got to the forty man roster.
Speaker 13 (27:01):
Like you said, there hasn't just been a ton of
sample size so far this season, but he's just really
trying to dial in some consistency as he makes more
sites starts and piles them on and Yorman's got really
good stuff in velocity and it's kind of expected, or
it's where we.
Speaker 14 (27:16):
Would expect it right now.
Speaker 13 (27:17):
It's just the execution that likely needs to be smoothed
for him to really put it together. But when he does,
he's a powerful arm. He can run it up in
the upper nineties and sit ninety five ninety six. He'll
collect a lot of strikeouts. And Orman's still twenty three
years old and trying to figure some things out, so
there's lots of time left for his development and getting
(27:38):
him to consistently take the mound moving forward is going
to be a huge part to him learning a little
bit more about himself the level how to prepare and
be prepared to be a major league pitcher.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
One other name on the mound that we wanted to touch on.
We visited with Trenton Denholm last fall when he was
in the Arizona Fall League and talked about trying to
develop the knuckleball and have that be part of his arsenal,
and it seems like he's made some big steps forward
this season without the knuckle. Paul what's going on there
with with Trenton Denholm.
Speaker 13 (28:09):
Yeah, the knuckle ball has been retired for the most party.
He threw it a little bit in the Arizona Fall League,
but that has since gone away.
Speaker 14 (28:19):
Just probably didn't make the progress that he wanted.
Speaker 13 (28:21):
But this is this is a guy, another pitcher from
that twenty one draft class with Biby and Gavin and
Will Dionne and Frank Alaman and you know, he's been
with us for a while and has been a starter
for his entire career. He's always just been this guy
with really good command. He doesn't walk anyone, but he's
he struggled in the past just putting guys away and
(28:42):
enough of a clip to you know, dominate. We would
say probably he had. He had a nice season last year.
He came back without the knuckleball, with maybe a more
complete arsenal. He picked up a sinker towards the end
of last year, really worked on it this offseason, picked
up a bigger slider. So now he's playing six pitches
and he can throw them all for strikes and when
he wants to, and has a really good change up.
(29:04):
So that's enabled him to strike up more guys. So
the k rates are way up from what we've seen
in the past and Triple A at this point for
the last two months. He didn't walk a batter in June.
The underlying stats are really good right now and he's
just a phenomenal human being. So this has been a
really bright development spot for Trenton this year and he's
(29:25):
made some really nice strides and yeah, it's really exciting
to think what progress he can continue to make your
moving forward.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Steven Oster is joining us, the vice president of player
development for the Guardians, and we're talking about some of
the young prospects at Triple A Columbus and as we
head into the All Star break on hell now, it
just seems Nightly is doing something special, whether it's at
the plate or in the field. And what do you
seeing from him progress wise and also not only at
(29:54):
the plate, but defensively too.
Speaker 14 (29:55):
He came out of the gates really strong. I had
a bit of a dry patch off and then he's
just turned it on the last few weeks. I think
he's up to seven home runs now.
Speaker 13 (30:05):
He's driving the ball around from both sides of the play,
which is a really good sign. Just being confident left
and right, and yeah, he continues to showcase a lot
of the things that we've always been excited about and
not striking out a ton and just being a consistent
contact guy. So the group is really excited about where
he's going, the performance that he's putting out there right
(30:27):
now in Triple A. And there's also been a lot
of work by him.
Speaker 14 (30:31):
It's not just talent. He's helped quite a.
Speaker 13 (30:33):
Bit in terms of learning himself, just adjusting to a
more advanced game plan, trying to simplify things as well
as his approach, and just being more consistent. So you know,
he's he's done a really good job of developing himself
and learning at that level offensively, and then to your
point on the defensive side, he's he's really been pushed
(30:54):
and is pushing himself to make practice as hard as
possible just to feel like the speed of the game.
I mean, playing shortstop is really hard at the major
league level, and he's doing a lot of that at
the minor league level. And you know, it's all about
just getting game reps and trying to slow the game
down as much as possible. So practicing hard allows us
and him to do that, and he's been. He's been
(31:15):
really good defensively and continues to make strides at shortstop
and has been exposed to other.
Speaker 14 (31:21):
Positions too to add some versatilities.
Speaker 13 (31:22):
So and how and now has been really good to uh,
you know, to start the year in Columbus, and he's
showing a lot of really positive traits that lead us
to be very excited about his future in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
We have talked about Ralphie Velaskaz a ton all the
way back to spring training, even last year too. Of course,
what's the latest with Ralphie? What's he working on and
how's he progressing?
Speaker 13 (31:44):
Yeah, still still settling in a little bit in triple A.
You know, he's one of the youngest players at the
whole level. He's been challenged by by better pictures, guys
who are maybe more prepared for him. You know, he's
hitting third or fourth every night in the lineups. The
guys are coming in with an actual game plan against
him and the ability to adjust within games.
Speaker 14 (32:03):
So he's learning to fight back a little bit.
Speaker 13 (32:05):
And the last month and probably the last two weeks specifically,
I think he's really started to break through quite a
bit and he's cutting down on the whiff he's making
way better swing decisions at the plate, and he's starting
to drive the ball more consistently. It's just a very
encouraging sign for Ralphie specifically for things that come. And
we've seen this sort of pattern in the past where
(32:25):
he's just about to break out and there's some things
under the hood that we think are going to contribute
to that moving forward. So it continues to get reps
in the outfield as well. Obviously, he's played a ton
of first base all the way up, and just adding
some versatility to him in the outfield has been another
focus for him. So there's just lots of learning going
on across both sides of the ball, and Ralphie is
(32:46):
really maturing as a professional as well.
Speaker 14 (32:49):
I mean, he's a phenomenal kid.
Speaker 13 (32:50):
And works really hard, but he's really starting to actually
understand what it means to take in all the information,
figure out what works for him and how to simplify
it all. Ralphie is starting to figure it out, and
you know, look out over the next few weeks, because
I think he's about to really take off.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
Yeah, we talked so much about the young players on
their way up. You also have unique cases at Triple
A and Bo Naylor certainly fits that mold as a
player who's had major league success but has struggled recently
and is now back at the minor league level. How's
he handling that and what are you seeing in terms
of improvements as he tries to get.
Speaker 14 (33:28):
Back He's handling it well.
Speaker 13 (33:30):
I think after his option, he's spent some time in
Arizona work on the swing, and just got back out
there right around the end of May, so.
Speaker 14 (33:38):
He's had around thirty games.
Speaker 13 (33:40):
I think at this point in Columbus there's some positive
trends right now in his patient's approach, you know, doing
a little bit more damage.
Speaker 14 (33:47):
He's probably still kind of working through the swing.
Speaker 13 (33:50):
Originally it was simplifying it, maybe getting a little bit
more closed off, limiting some of the bigger kick into
his load, and he's kind of worked towards against that
more recently. But you know, those starting to perform, and
you know, getting options when he've been such a big
piece of the success we've had at the major league
level last few years is never easy. But a lot
(34:13):
of credit to Bo, as you know the person that
he is and who he is as a teammate. He's
just been really good down there. You know, he puts
his head down, he works, he helps his teammates, he
elevates the guys around him. So he's just working and
we've seen the results come a little bit more recently,
and obviously there's still things he's trying to work on,
but Bo's a great human and will continue to get better.
Speaker 14 (34:34):
I think we're.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Joined by Steven Oster, vice President of Player Development OUSTI.
The draft is this weekend, and player development obviously will
be a huge part of that. After the draft, and
you know who is working our way into the system.
What's your role in your staff's role during the draft
on Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 13 (34:56):
Yeah, so there's probably a lot more work heading into
Saturday and day than there is on the actual day.
For player development, we spend a ton of time helping
in with assessments and getting to know the players, making
phone calls and just helping our it scouting department to
get to know the player as much as we possibly can.
Speaker 14 (35:14):
So, you know, when we.
Speaker 13 (35:15):
Head into these days, it's obviously as kind of excited
about bringing more players on board, and I think his
player development is involved in that process, it's even more
exciting because you kind of know the player before you
actually select them, so you know, that part is always
exciting for us. And at the same time, you know,
it also means, just with our roster size, that eventually
we're gonna have to say goodbye to some players, So
(35:37):
there is some bittersweetness to it. But you know, for
the two days of the draft, it's really exciting to
bring in new new names, new faces, and you know,
start to get to know a little bit more of
the players that we are going to have in our
system for a while.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
And after the draft there is an all star break
in terms of games on the field. But uh, you
draft players, and I know it's a key in this organization,
their first look at being in the organization. How busy
do you get quickly after the draft and trying to
make sure these guys are ready to go?
Speaker 13 (36:11):
Yeah, I mean we've been preparing for the last few weeks,
if not a month plus for getting these guys into
the system and getting them out to Arizona. So you know,
after after they get drafted, we get them out to
Arizona and get them signed and then you know, effectively
within two weeks after that they are officially added to
our minor league rosters.
Speaker 14 (36:32):
So we do everything we can to onboard them to who.
Speaker 13 (36:36):
We are as an organization and who we are a
player development get to know them as people and try
to build them up to get out there and play games.
You know, in the past, we've we've historically tried to
send out a bunch of the players to Hill City
to go and compete and you know, be a part
of the team. And it becomes really busy both draft
(36:56):
and after the All Star break to do all of
those things. There's a lot of prepery s work that
goes into that. But you know, again it's really exciting
to take it out there at Arizona and meet twenty
plus new guys and you get to spend some time
with them and understand who they are and what they're
trying to work on, and you know, get them rolling.
Speaker 2 (37:14):
A lot of moving parts coming up for sure on
the part of your staff, Austin. Always great to have
you on. Thanks for the time today, of course, Thanks
Rody and as Vice president of player Development Stephen Osterer
talking Triple A Columbus and some of the prospects there
as well as the upcoming draft that's going to do
it for this week's edition of Guardians Weekly. As always,
(37:36):
thanks to Brian Motzi for all of his help on
our show each and every week. Botts and myself will
be back at it next Saturday, back home when the
Guardians open post All Star Break play against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Until then, this is Jim Rosenhause reminding you that you've
been listening to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive Helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Speaker 9 (38:57):
Sh
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
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Speaker 2 (00:52):
Hi, everyone, Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosen House along with you.
This weekend. We're in Miami, Florida, where the Guardians are
wrapping up pre All Star game play against the Marlins,
a three game weekend series that began on Friday night.
We'll have more on that in our week in review
coming up a little bit later on in the show,
(01:13):
Vice President of Player Development Steven Ostro will talk Columbus Clippers.
We'll hear from pitcher Gavin Williams and the All Stars
rookies Travis Bazana and Parker Messik, as well as closer
Cade Smith. But first our weekend review, as the Guardians
had an off day on Monday, then a big series
against the Twins started Tuesday night in Minneapolis. The Twins
(01:35):
were winners three to one on Tuesday night, and they
won again on Wednesday night and come from behind fashion
walking it off with a six to five victory. So
the Guardians headed into play on Thursday trying to salvage
the finale of the three game series, and they struck
first with Gabrielarius batting in the second inning. Gabrielarius hid
(01:55):
the plate and he swings and drives one high deep
to laft center right, Arius into the bullpen, Guardians in
front one nothing. Arius with three home runs in the
last week now and there has not been a cheapie.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
In the bunch.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Meanwhile, on the mound, Gavin Williams was dealing early in
this one perfect game. Through four seven strikeouts, Guardians up
won nothing. The one to two to bell waved at
and missed strike three, no chance on the hard breaking pitch.
He finally gave up a hit in the fifth, breaking
up the perfect game, and then the Twins scratched across
(02:37):
a run to tie the game at won, but it
didn't stay tied for long, as in the sixth chase,
the latter put the Guardians back in front. The two
to one pitch swung on and that's blasted high and
deep to right, hard run to Ltder. He comes through
again in the later innings and he puts Cleveland back
(02:59):
in front two to one Guardians. In the seventh a
couple of walks put two men on and it was
Brian Rochio trying to deliver switch hitter right side the
pitch to him. He swings lines at the third over
the glove, fair ball down the left field line. This
is going to score Bailey right behind him his quand
(03:20):
there'll be a play at the plate.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Quan slides safe at home plate.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
It's a two run double for Bryant Rocchio and the
Guardians had the big hit they were looking for. It
is now four to one. The Twins got one of
those runs back in the bottom of the seventh inning,
making it a four to two game, and it stayed
that way until the ninth when Patrick Bailey stepped in.
Here comes the one to zero from Go swung on
(03:48):
and launched hi and deep to right.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Way back there home run Patrick Bailey, a towering.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Blasts that cleared the wall by plenty and right, and
the Guardians now lead it five to two. And then
it was all star closer Kate Smith on to finish
things up in the ninth inning. Two outs, bases empty,
four to two Cleveland. Bottom of the ninth the two
to two swing and a miss strike three, and the
(04:20):
Guardians are back in the win column. The four game
losing skit is history, as they win it this afternoon
by a final score of five to two. So the
Guardian salvaged the finale of the series in Minnesota and
it was on to Miami where they opened up a
new series on Friday night. Scoreless game until the fourth inning.
(04:43):
That's when Chase de Latter stepped in with one man
on the two to two, swung on and lift it
highest bright center field home run the ladder.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
He knew he got all of that one. That's a
deep part of this ballpark. He stood and looked at
the Cleveland dug out while that ball was going way
into the seats. He tried to challenge him with a
fastball right there. He had took a big swing on
that first pitch of this sad bat, and I think
he just kind of got that pitch he was looking
for with that.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Pitch, number ten on the season for the Latter, a
two run shot over the three hundred and eighty seven
foot sign and the Guardians have the lead at two
to nothing. In the fifth, Austin Hedges reached with a single,
extending his hit streak to seven games. He'd get to
third on a Stephen Kuan base hit, and then with
(05:34):
one out, Travis Bozana came to the plate. The two
to two is on its way, swung on and he
skies at to the left, should be plenty deep enough.
Back is Hernandez who makes the catch, tagging heading for
home his hedges. He will score just ahead of the throw.
Hedges makes it three to nothing. Cleveland on the sackfly
(05:57):
by Bazana. Meanwhile the mound, All star Parker Messick was
sharp as usual. Here's the one one swung on ground
ball right side, smothered by Manzardo, flips to Messic covering
and ain't got there in time. What a play by Manzardo.
Good cover by Messick, and we will head to the
(06:17):
sixth inning with the no hitters still in order. For
Parker Messick, it is three nothing. The Guardians in front.
Miami finally broke through in the sixth with a solo
home run from Roberto Hernandez that broke up the no
hitter in the shutout, and in then the seventh, Miami's
Leo Jimenez belted another solo homer that made it a
(06:38):
one run game at three to two, and it was
up to Colin Holderman to help out the Guardian's bullpen
and hold the lead. Here's the one one pitch swung
on and there's a slow tapper to the first baseman.
Manzardo flips to Holderman covering he got there in time.
Good job, Colin Holderman works out of it. Another run
on the board for the Marlins, but we will head
(06:59):
to the and the Guardians are still in front, three
to two. Here in Miami, Hunter Gaddis worked a scoreless
eighth inning before turning it over once again to Kate Smith.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
In the ninth.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Smith sets, here's his pitch swung on and here's a
high fly ball the left.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
This should do it.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Pawn Is under it, makes the catch and the Guardians
win the opener of this three game weekend series by
a final score of three to two. So a good
finish to the week for the Guardians and they head
into Saturday's game still atop the American League Central Division,
tied with the White Sox. Guardians will take on the
(07:40):
Marlins Saturday afternoon at four to ten Sunday at one
to close out the road trip. Stay with us when
we come back. We'll hear from the three All Stars
that will be representing Cleveland at the All Star Game.
In Philly next week. That's next on the Cleveland Clinic
Radio Network.
Speaker 5 (07:59):
Do you read more about your team in the off
season than in the season season. Does your game day
outfit include a brown bag with eye holes?
Speaker 6 (08:06):
Then you may be.
Speaker 5 (08:07):
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Speaker 6 (08:28):
A Situations.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Kim Rosenhaus back with you from Lone Depot Park in Miami,
where the Guardians are taking on the Marlins this weekend. Meanwhile,
in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, it's Major League Baseball's All
Star Game and the Guardians will have three representatives, including
two rookies for the first time, and it's the first
time any rookie will represent the Guardians since Sandy Alamar
(09:00):
back in the nineteen ninety contest. Group includes Travis Bizanna
the Second Basement. We sat down with him today. He
got the news, and he says even he was a
little surprised to be named an All Star this early
in his career.
Speaker 7 (09:14):
You know, it didn't have the best maybe month of June,
and yeah, to have the late nud from my ps
is a really good feeling.
Speaker 8 (09:22):
But I didn't really expect to.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Baseball has been so important to you for such a
long time, and being from another country, does it hit
home even more for you to be an All Star
in this game here now?
Speaker 7 (09:34):
Yeah, it hasn't really hit yet, but I think when
I get in the clubhouse with you know, a lot
of future Hall of famers and incredible players that I
have looked up to and continue to that's probably when
it's all gonna hit. But yeah, these kind of feats
bring me back to the kind.
Speaker 8 (09:51):
Of why I play and why I obsessed out of
the game so much.
Speaker 7 (09:54):
And I feel like I got an opportunity to impact
a lot of people, especially back home.
Speaker 8 (09:58):
So it's cool.
Speaker 7 (10:00):
They'll get to watch me run out on a ULSA
game and you know, share the field with some of
the greats.
Speaker 8 (10:05):
So it's really cool thought.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
And what does it say about how you go about
it trying to be as consistent as you can and
at times spectacular.
Speaker 7 (10:15):
Yeah, I feel like I haven't even I haven't really
and I don't want to become off arrogant.
Speaker 8 (10:20):
I feel like I haven't.
Speaker 7 (10:21):
Really played to the level I really would want to
hold myself to through this short sin the big leagues,
and there's been some good and some bad, and I
think soon they'll be a more consistent version of myself.
But to be there and to get that nod is
really cool.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
And I think at times like this, a lot of
times players point to those who have helped them along
the way, and whether it's someone on the baseball field
or someone off the baseball field, it are there certain
people who have helped you along the way that helped
you get to this point?
Speaker 8 (10:52):
Yeah, definitely. I mean a couple of people.
Speaker 7 (10:54):
My parents always, whether I struggled or had success, they
were always by my side, supporting me, never like put
pressure on performance, which allowed me to kind of be
free and go and achieve cool things. And I had
some mentors, you know, multiple that always told me to
not set limits on myself and they wish when when
they got to the big leagues, that they kept setting
(11:17):
you know, goals and tried to take it further versus
just oh I'm here now, wow, because then you know,
you lose it quick.
Speaker 8 (11:24):
So I always kind of wanted to look past.
Speaker 7 (11:27):
Just being a major league and performing to where I
could experience cool things like this is, you know, hopefully
something I continue to do.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Yeah, A lot of times being on a good team helps.
And then how has this team helped?
Speaker 7 (11:38):
Yeah, I mean the clubhouse that these guys with you
know a lot of time in the major leagues have
helped me grow quickly. And also just like through the
ups and downs there they're the perfect you know, voices
to be by by you.
Speaker 8 (11:53):
So yeah, we.
Speaker 7 (11:54):
Got amazing clubhouse, amazing staff, what an organization. We just
continue to you know, win baseball games and support guys
like Pawk and I to be All Stars as rookies.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Travis, congratulations, appreciate it.
Speaker 8 (12:10):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yeah, big time. Congrats to Travis Bizana. Also to Parker Messik,
another rookie, one of two rookies to make the All
Star team along with Bizanna, and he says it wasn't
something he expected, but he's excited to be a part
of the Midsummer Classic.
Speaker 9 (12:25):
Yeah, I mean I didn't have any expectations, like you said,
I just was honestly just trying to take it one
game out of time, just trying to make the team
out of spring training. So I mean, it's just a
blessing to be in this conversation and to have been selected.
I'm strupe for grateful to the Lord and everything he's
blessed me with. Yeah, I just can't say any more
than that.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
It means different things to different players. Some follow it
growing up, others don't. How about you and your family?
How big a deal is the All Star Game?
Speaker 9 (12:51):
Yeah, I mean it's awesome. I definitely was one of
the ones that always watched with my friends in middle
school and high school growing up.
Speaker 6 (12:56):
We'd always meet it.
Speaker 9 (12:57):
At the same buddy's house and hopp in the pool
or hotsu in the mid the summer and watch the game.
So it's one of those cool things that it's He
was texting me just today and we were talking about
how surreal it is that that I'm going to be
on the other side of the TV screen now.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
And it's different nowadays, and that it's more than just
the one day, and what are the expectations going in
in terms of the whole event and what you might
be a part.
Speaker 9 (13:18):
Of Yeah, I'm just gonna, honestly, I don't know. I'm
just gonna try and take it all in and experience
every little piece that I can and whether that's playing
the game, whether it's not, I have no idea. So
I'm just going to try and enjoy every every little
bit that I can.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
You're there because of the season that you've had, And
can you point to any one thing that's allowed you
to have the type of consistent success which everyone's shooting
for that that you've had.
Speaker 9 (13:40):
Yeah, I think it's it all stems from my faith
and the Lord Jesus Christ. I mean, I think without him,
I wouldn't be in this position. I think He's had
his hand and every single piece of my career. And
you know I can when I when I sit down
and think about it, I just can't even put into
words how grateful I am at the things that he's
you know, proved to be true in my life. And
I think he's the reason I'm here, and I just
want to glorify his name.
Speaker 2 (14:01):
And does that help you get through it? You haven't
had many low times, but does that help you when
when you are struggling a little bit maybe not apparent
to the outside.
Speaker 9 (14:09):
And yeah, absolutely, I mean even the bad games, I
just know how faithfully he is and that that one
bad game doesn't define me as a person, doesn't define
me as a player, and the Lord defines me as
as a person. So I carry that out too the field,
you know, every time I take the rubber, and that
just gives me all the confidence in the world, even
after bad ones, that the next one, you know, could
be a good one.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
You're the person going to the All Star Game, so
obviously you've gotten it done on the mount, But what
about this team has helped you be the become the
pitcher that you can be to get to an All
Star Game.
Speaker 9 (14:39):
Yeah, when I when I was in the locker room
and I found out, you know, the thinking the team
and saying I couldn't I genuinely couldn't be here without
them was one of the first things that I said,
and you know, I genuinely mean it. The entire staff,
training staff, strength staff, coaching staff, pitching staff, our entire players,
so catching all the all the catchers, I mean, every
single person in our clubhouse has had a hand and
(15:02):
helping me get to this point. I could be more
thankful as a young guy to be in an organization
like this.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Did you realize that before you even got here last
year or did it take being up here to identify
what was going on here that could help you.
Speaker 9 (15:15):
Yeah, there's a common theme I think all the way
through the minor leagues with this organization, but it's definitely
amplified once you make it to the big leagues. And
I think you know when you're on this stage and
everything just means a little bit more. You have to
you have to take that for what it's worth, and
I think our entire staff does an amazing job of
helping you in every facet of the game. So, I
(15:36):
mean it was really easy to see once I got
here last year.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
And closing, you're excited. Obviously, who in your family and
friends circle might be the most excited for you?
Speaker 9 (15:45):
I think everyone. I mean my fiance, all my buddies
back home that he swatched the game with, and then
my family. I think everyone's just super ecstatic. Everyone can't
wait to either be there or watch on TV. So
everyone's been super.
Speaker 6 (15:57):
Happy for me.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
Enjoy of congratulations, Thank you, I appreciate it. And Parker
Messik will be coming off his eighth win of the
season in his last outing on Friday night in Miami.
Kate Smith will join the two rookies in Philadelphia. He
has led all of baseball and saves for much of
the season, and it's his first full season now in
that closer's role, and he says it was pretty cool
(16:19):
to get the news that he was headed to Philly
for the All Star Game.
Speaker 10 (16:23):
Yeah, I think it's pretty cool. I'm really grateful that
this is all that got is open and I'm looking
forward to it.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
When you look at at how far you've come, it's
not that long ago. You were the last man on
the roster to make it out of spring training and
here you are. Do you ever think back to the
progress that you've made and where you are now compared
to them? For sure.
Speaker 10 (16:40):
I mean, you know, it's been a marathon, and I
mean it's a long season, and so I think the
only way you get from back where I was and
now is by taking it one day at a time.
And the only way that I get from where I
am to where I want to go is doing the
same so that it doesn't change my mindset. Still take
it one day at a time, make sure I'm taking
care of my work and being as prepared as I
can and go out and.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
You do it as a clot which gets some more
notorieties certainly, How have you handled that transition to the
highest pressure role there can be?
Speaker 10 (17:09):
I mean it's it's definitely there's been an adjustment period,
but I've learned a lot along the way. I mean,
the trainee staff, the strength staffs, coaching staff has been
there to support me every step of it, and I'm
super thankful for them. So I look forward to continuing to,
you know, learn and improve and grow and like I said,
take it one day at a time.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
And when you look at being part of a really
good team that always seems to help you have those
opportunities to shine. What is it about this team that
helps you?
Speaker 10 (17:35):
I think that culture is such a big thing. I
think the amount of resilience that we have in this clubhouse.
I mean, to be able to fight back some of
the adversity that we've dealt with and continue to do
that day in day out. I think that's super super
important thing. Knowing that we can bear down and deal
with pressure and deal with close and meaningful games because
we've played a ton of them and We've found a
way to succeed in that with the guys that we
have in our clubhouse.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
Kate Smith, congratulations on being an All Star. Thank you,
Thank you. Rosie Smith who picked up another save on
Friday night in Miami, his twenty eighth on the season.
So those are your all Stars. Stay with us. We'll
visit with the pitcher who has pitched well enough at
times this season to be an All Star. He'll spend
the break at home, but with ten wins under his belt.
(18:16):
That's Gavin Williams and we'll hear from him when we return.
Speaker 1 (18:36):
And Tanachi scrappy player, the pitch to him and he
swings and misses. He ate them up with string out
number four for Gavin Williams. He's just rolling through this
White Sox lineup tonight now the one too.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
And strike three cold.
Speaker 2 (18:55):
He nailed the outside corner at ninety seven and the
their double digit strikeout game for Gavin Williams this year.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
That's number ten.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly, Jim Rosenhouse along with you
from Miami Lone Depot Park, where the Guardians are taking
on the Marlins this weekend. Gavin Williams will not pitch
this weekend, as he wrapped up his pre All Star
Break pitching on Thursday afternoon with a victory in Minneapolis.
That was his tenth win of the season. One of
his better starts is he was perfect into the fifth
(19:29):
inning and really helped out the bullpen by going seven strong,
and he talked about some of the keys to the
quality starts.
Speaker 11 (19:36):
Uh, yeah, definitely the sharpest start I've had in the
past month. Definitely going in a deep dive with the
mechanics stuff, pitch selection, just little things like that behind
the scenes that I've been trying to work on the
past month.
Speaker 6 (19:51):
They get back to where I need to be.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
You mentioned the mechanics stuff. How difficult is that during
this season to try and make some adjustments that might
not chill right away but help you in the long run.
Speaker 11 (20:03):
Yes, it's very different difficult because one one little thing
you're doing in your delivery you can mess up everything
from the way your pitches are moving to vila really,
so it can definitely be It can definitely be difficult
and it can be frustrating at the same time. Can
you share what it is that that maybe you adjusted
(20:24):
yesterday not maybe not from a pitch sequence, but just
from that delivery and mechanics.
Speaker 6 (20:29):
Uh yeah, just not being so rotational like you can say.
Speaker 11 (20:35):
It's an east west delivery, and I've been trying to
go back to north south, so it's a little bit
of tilting my shoulders, tilting my pelvis a little.
Speaker 6 (20:44):
Bit more, just getting back to my old ways.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
So when you go out there yesterday and it seemed
like you have the good stuff right away, how quickly
you do you notice some differences that have you feeling
extremely confident.
Speaker 11 (20:58):
Fairly quickly, especially with the the four seam fastballs, just
seeing the metrics on it and knowing where it's been
in the past and where I really want it to be.
It's it definitely shows up pretty quick.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
We're indoors in Miami tonight. I mean, this is hot,
human weather you're used to back home. Shouldn't the roof
be open?
Speaker 6 (21:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (21:17):
I wish the roof was open. I'm sure other people don't.
Don't wish it was open, but it doesn't bother me
one bit.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Gavin's a North Carolina guys, so that the weather not
that much different down here in Miami. Hey, getting back
to yesterday's game. Heading into the game, Uh, the bullpen
had been used quite a bit the first two games
of this series. How do you manage knowing that that
a lengthy start would be really helpful for the ball club,
but not trying to think about it too much?
Speaker 1 (21:45):
Uh?
Speaker 11 (21:45):
Yeah, the main thing is just trying to go as
deep as I possibly can. I know in the past
month they've they've come in fairly early for me, So
just trying to trying to get their back and goes
as deep as possible in the game is probably a
big help them.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
And you get through your your first half starts pre
all start break and you are right about the same
spot you were a year ago, at least from an
era standpoint. How have you felt about the first half
and how it is set up now for the second
half for you?
Speaker 11 (22:16):
Yeah, I wish it was a little bit better, just
in all aspects. I know I've had a few rough games,
and I wish those rough games didn't happen. But there's
a lot a lot more I can do in the
second half to be a lot better.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
And it's hard to say, but you have some experience now,
you're not that young kid anymore. Is that helpful knowing
that you can go through some of those ups and
downs and come out in a really good place eventually
because you've done it before.
Speaker 11 (22:44):
Absolutely, just knowing that it's a long season and I'm
gonna have thirty to thirty two starts, it definitely goes
a long ways just not thinking about a couple of
starts and just taking it day by day and working
on the little things, and I know I need to.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
So you make the start yesterday, You're done until after
the All Star break. What's coming up on the break
for you? If you if you head home in North Carolina.
Speaker 11 (23:06):
We'll see I haven't really decided what I really want
to do. Might relax a little bit, I play some golf,
might go to the Bowl.
Speaker 6 (23:14):
Never know.
Speaker 11 (23:15):
We'll see as much a mental break as anything else
in this game. Absolutely, I think there's always a need
for a mental break at any point in the season. Really, Gavin,
nice going yesterday. Thanks a lot for stopping. I appreciate ye,
appreciate you having me.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Yeah, if it's anything like a year ago, Gavin Williams
will be one of the dominant pitchers in the second
half of the season, and you feel like he is
getting closer and closer to that type of picture once
again here in twenty twenty six, we'll take a time out,
and then here from Stephen Ostro, the Guardian's vice president
of player Development, that comes your way. Next on the
Cleveland Clinic Radio.
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Speaker 2 (24:49):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
in Miami. Meanwhile, back in Cleveland, barber director Stephen Osterer
has been keeping tabs on all the different teams in
the system, including Columbus, and we'll start on the mound
with the Clippers, the Triple A ball club with Austin Peterson,
who has been really making good progress this season, and
(25:12):
Austin explains what he's been doing to get on the
radar if needed at the big league level.
Speaker 13 (25:18):
Yeah, he had a good, good offseason as well, and
we were excited in the spring training and unfortunately missed
some time with a triceteps train. But he's come back
online and issuing a lot of the positive things I
think that we were really excited about leading up to
this year.
Speaker 14 (25:35):
Through his first ten.
Speaker 13 (25:36):
Starts, he's big, righty, He's way more strikes in execution
than he is power and stuff necessarily, and just adding
to that arsenal quality has been a focus for him
since he was drafted quite a few years ago, and
you know, we've seen the continued, the velocity continue to
climb upwards. I think he's right around ninety three and
(25:56):
a half miles an hour in the fastball at this point,
so that helped elevate the rest of his pitches, and
you change up has come a long way, I think
in the.
Speaker 14 (26:05):
Last year and a bit too. It's got a little
bit more fade to it.
Speaker 13 (26:08):
He can use it against both sided hitters, and I
think he's just still trying to put everything all together.
Speaker 14 (26:14):
But when on Austin is on.
Speaker 13 (26:16):
He is really dominant and just pounds his own works
really fast and you can get through a ton of innings.
So we were really excited about Austin generally, and I
think he's making some strides towards being a major league
option for us sooner than later.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
And another name that I know is intriguing, and we
haven't really seen him that much in major league camp
for a variety of reasons. But Jrman Gomez, what are
you seeing from him as the season moves along.
Speaker 13 (26:44):
Yeah, he had a bit of a shoulder strain as well,
just missed a bunch of time and finally made his
triple A debut just a few weeks ago. And he
was an awesome story from last year, just a guy
with a lot of talent who started to break through
performance wise.
Speaker 14 (26:59):
And got to the forty man roster.
Speaker 13 (27:01):
Like you said, there hasn't just been a ton of
sample size so far this season, but he's just really
trying to dial in some consistency as he makes more
sites starts and piles them on and Yorman's got really
good stuff in velocity and it's kind of expected, or
it's where we.
Speaker 14 (27:16):
Would expect it right now.
Speaker 13 (27:17):
It's just the execution that likely needs to be smoothed
for him to really put it together. But when he does,
he's a powerful arm. He can run it up in
the upper nineties and sit ninety five ninety six. He'll
collect a lot of strikeouts. And Orman's still twenty three
years old and trying to figure some things out, so
there's lots of time left for his development and getting
(27:38):
him to consistently take the mound moving forward is going
to be a huge part to him learning a little
bit more about himself the level how to prepare and
be prepared to be a major league pitcher.
Speaker 2 (27:49):
One other name on the mound that we wanted to touch on.
We visited with Trenton Denholm last fall when he was
in the Arizona Fall League and talked about trying to
develop the knuckleball and have that be part of his arsenal,
and it seems like he's made some big steps forward
this season without the knuckle. Paul what's going on there
with with Trenton Denholm.
Speaker 13 (28:09):
Yeah, the knuckle ball has been retired for the most party.
He threw it a little bit in the Arizona Fall League,
but that has since gone away.
Speaker 14 (28:19):
Just probably didn't make the progress that he wanted.
Speaker 13 (28:21):
But this is this is a guy, another pitcher from
that twenty one draft class with Biby and Gavin and
Will Dionne and Frank Alaman and you know, he's been
with us for a while and has been a starter
for his entire career. He's always just been this guy
with really good command. He doesn't walk anyone, but he's
he struggled in the past just putting guys away and
(28:42):
enough of a clip to you know, dominate. We would
say probably he had. He had a nice season last year.
He came back without the knuckleball, with maybe a more
complete arsenal. He picked up a sinker towards the end
of last year, really worked on it this offseason, picked
up a bigger slider. So now he's playing six pitches
and he can throw them all for strikes and when
he wants to, and has a really good change up.
(29:04):
So that's enabled him to strike up more guys. So
the k rates are way up from what we've seen
in the past and Triple A at this point for
the last two months. He didn't walk a batter in June.
The underlying stats are really good right now and he's
just a phenomenal human being. So this has been a
really bright development spot for Trenton this year and he's
(29:25):
made some really nice strides and yeah, it's really exciting
to think what progress he can continue to make your
moving forward.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
Steven Oster is joining us, the vice president of player
development for the Guardians, and we're talking about some of
the young prospects at Triple A Columbus and as we
head into the All Star break on hell now, it
just seems Nightly is doing something special, whether it's at
the plate or in the field. And what do you
seeing from him progress wise and also not only at
(29:54):
the plate, but defensively too.
Speaker 14 (29:55):
He came out of the gates really strong. I had
a bit of a dry patch off and then he's
just turned it on the last few weeks. I think
he's up to seven home runs now.
Speaker 13 (30:05):
He's driving the ball around from both sides of the play,
which is a really good sign. Just being confident left
and right, and yeah, he continues to showcase a lot
of the things that we've always been excited about and
not striking out a ton and just being a consistent
contact guy. So the group is really excited about where
he's going, the performance that he's putting out there right
(30:27):
now in Triple A. And there's also been a lot
of work by him.
Speaker 14 (30:31):
It's not just talent. He's helped quite a.
Speaker 13 (30:33):
Bit in terms of learning himself, just adjusting to a
more advanced game plan, trying to simplify things as well
as his approach, and just being more consistent. So you know,
he's he's done a really good job of developing himself
and learning at that level offensively, and then to your
point on the defensive side, he's he's really been pushed
(30:54):
and is pushing himself to make practice as hard as
possible just to feel like the speed of the game.
I mean, playing shortstop is really hard at the major
league level, and he's doing a lot of that at
the minor league level. And you know, it's all about
just getting game reps and trying to slow the game
down as much as possible. So practicing hard allows us
and him to do that, and he's been. He's been
(31:15):
really good defensively and continues to make strides at shortstop
and has been exposed to other.
Speaker 14 (31:21):
Positions too to add some versatilities.
Speaker 13 (31:22):
So and how and now has been really good to uh,
you know, to start the year in Columbus, and he's
showing a lot of really positive traits that lead us
to be very excited about his future in Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
We have talked about Ralphie Velaskaz a ton all the
way back to spring training, even last year too. Of course,
what's the latest with Ralphie? What's he working on and
how's he progressing?
Speaker 13 (31:44):
Yeah, still still settling in a little bit in triple A.
You know, he's one of the youngest players at the
whole level. He's been challenged by by better pictures, guys
who are maybe more prepared for him. You know, he's
hitting third or fourth every night in the lineups. The
guys are coming in with an actual game plan against
him and the ability to adjust within games.
Speaker 14 (32:03):
So he's learning to fight back a little bit.
Speaker 13 (32:05):
And the last month and probably the last two weeks specifically,
I think he's really started to break through quite a
bit and he's cutting down on the whiff he's making
way better swing decisions at the plate, and he's starting
to drive the ball more consistently. It's just a very
encouraging sign for Ralphie specifically for things that come. And
we've seen this sort of pattern in the past where
(32:25):
he's just about to break out and there's some things
under the hood that we think are going to contribute
to that moving forward. So it continues to get reps
in the outfield as well. Obviously, he's played a ton
of first base all the way up, and just adding
some versatility to him in the outfield has been another
focus for him. So there's just lots of learning going
on across both sides of the ball, and Ralphie is
(32:46):
really maturing as a professional as well.
Speaker 14 (32:49):
I mean, he's a phenomenal kid.
Speaker 13 (32:50):
And works really hard, but he's really starting to actually
understand what it means to take in all the information,
figure out what works for him and how to simplify
it all. Ralphie is starting to figure it out, and
you know, look out over the next few weeks, because
I think he's about to really take off.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
Yeah, we talked so much about the young players on
their way up. You also have unique cases at Triple
A and Bo Naylor certainly fits that mold as a
player who's had major league success but has struggled recently
and is now back at the minor league level. How's
he handling that and what are you seeing in terms
of improvements as he tries to get.
Speaker 14 (33:28):
Back He's handling it well.
Speaker 13 (33:30):
I think after his option, he's spent some time in
Arizona work on the swing, and just got back out
there right around the end of May, so.
Speaker 14 (33:38):
He's had around thirty games.
Speaker 13 (33:40):
I think at this point in Columbus there's some positive
trends right now in his patient's approach, you know, doing
a little bit more damage.
Speaker 14 (33:47):
He's probably still kind of working through the swing.
Speaker 13 (33:50):
Originally it was simplifying it, maybe getting a little bit
more closed off, limiting some of the bigger kick into
his load, and he's kind of worked towards against that
more recently. But you know, those starting to perform, and
you know, getting options when he've been such a big
piece of the success we've had at the major league
level last few years is never easy. But a lot
(34:13):
of credit to Bo, as you know the person that
he is and who he is as a teammate. He's
just been really good down there. You know, he puts
his head down, he works, he helps his teammates, he
elevates the guys around him. So he's just working and
we've seen the results come a little bit more recently,
and obviously there's still things he's trying to work on,
but Bo's a great human and will continue to get better.
Speaker 14 (34:34):
I think we're.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
Joined by Steven Oster, vice President of Player Development OUSTI.
The draft is this weekend, and player development obviously will
be a huge part of that. After the draft, and
you know who is working our way into the system.
What's your role in your staff's role during the draft
on Saturday and Sunday.
Speaker 13 (34:56):
Yeah, so there's probably a lot more work heading into
Saturday and day than there is on the actual day.
For player development, we spend a ton of time helping
in with assessments and getting to know the players, making
phone calls and just helping our it scouting department to
get to know the player as much as we possibly can.
Speaker 14 (35:14):
So, you know, when we.
Speaker 13 (35:15):
Head into these days, it's obviously as kind of excited
about bringing more players on board, and I think his
player development is involved in that process, it's even more
exciting because you kind of know the player before you
actually select them, so you know, that part is always
exciting for us. And at the same time, you know,
it also means, just with our roster size, that eventually
we're gonna have to say goodbye to some players, So
(35:37):
there is some bittersweetness to it. But you know, for
the two days of the draft, it's really exciting to
bring in new new names, new faces, and you know,
start to get to know a little bit more of
the players that we are going to have in our
system for a while.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
And after the draft there is an all star break
in terms of games on the field. But uh, you
draft players, and I know it's a key in this organization,
their first look at being in the organization. How busy
do you get quickly after the draft and trying to
make sure these guys are ready to go?
Speaker 13 (36:11):
Yeah, I mean we've been preparing for the last few weeks,
if not a month plus for getting these guys into
the system and getting them out to Arizona. So you know,
after after they get drafted, we get them out to
Arizona and get them signed and then you know, effectively
within two weeks after that they are officially added to
our minor league rosters.
Speaker 14 (36:32):
So we do everything we can to onboard them to who.
Speaker 13 (36:36):
We are as an organization and who we are a
player development get to know them as people and try
to build them up to get out there and play games.
You know, in the past, we've we've historically tried to
send out a bunch of the players to Hill City
to go and compete and you know, be a part
of the team. And it becomes really busy both draft
(36:56):
and after the All Star break to do all of
those things. There's a lot of prepery s work that
goes into that. But you know, again it's really exciting
to take it out there at Arizona and meet twenty
plus new guys and you get to spend some time
with them and understand who they are and what they're
trying to work on, and you know, get them rolling.
Speaker 2 (37:14):
A lot of moving parts coming up for sure on
the part of your staff, Austin. Always great to have
you on. Thanks for the time today, of course, Thanks
Rody and as Vice president of player Development Stephen Osterer
talking Triple A Columbus and some of the prospects there
as well as the upcoming draft that's going to do
it for this week's edition of Guardians Weekly. As always,
(37:36):
thanks to Brian Motzi for all of his help on
our show each and every week. Botts and myself will
be back at it next Saturday, back home when the
Guardians open post All Star Break play against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Until then, this is Jim Rosenhause reminding you that you've
been listening to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:19):
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