April 11, 2026 • 38 mins
A look back at the Guardians series win over Kansas City at Progressive Field that included another record setting day for Jose Ramirez. Plus, we'll chat with shortstop Brayan Rocchio who had a walk-off winner this week. Also, the weekly Farm Report with VP of Player Development Stephen Osterer talking about a loaded Akron Rubber Ducks team. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
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 (00:49):
Hi, everyone, Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Him rosen House along
with you from Atlanta, Georgia this weekend, where the Guardians
are taking on the Atlanta Braves in a three game series,
part of a two city road swing for the Guardians
as they will head to Saint Louis for a three
game set starting on Monday night. Good show lined up
for you today. As always, we'll have a great farm
(01:11):
report from Stephen Ostro, the vice president of player development
for the Guardians. He'll talk double a Akron, a team
that has just loaded with young prospects. We'll also hear
from Matt Quatrero, who's the manager for the Kansas City Royals,
but really got into his coaching career and laid that
foundation with Cleveland during those years when they went to
(01:33):
a World Series and had the twenty two game win streak.
He was a part of that and we have a
great conversation with him coming up. We'll hear from Brian
Rochios had a nice start to his season and had
a walk off hit earlier this week, but first our
week in review, and it started on Monday, a four
to two loss to Kansas City. But despite that loss,
(01:54):
it was a special day at Progressive Field as Jose
Ramirez became the all time Cleveland franchise leader in games played.
How about that one thousand, six hundred and twenty was
the game he played in for Cleveland on Monday night,
and he was honored during the game after five innings
when it became official. Brian Rochio at the plate with
(02:17):
two outs. Here's the pitch and it swung on line
to center right there as isbel to make the catch
and retire the side. It's a one to one game
as we head to the sixth, but again we're gonna
keep it right here as a special moment. It is
official now Jose Ramirez as the record.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
With today's start, Jose Ramirez has officially played one thousand,
six hundred and twenty games in a Cleveland uniform. That
is more than anyone in franchise history, passing Terry Turner,
taking over the number one spot on the Guardians all
time Later more Cleveland, please join us in congratulating the
(03:03):
new franchise leader in games play, the future Major League
Baseball Hall of Famer number eleven, Jose Ramirez. Awesome stuff
from Tom Appleton. Josey's out there by himself holding up
a big base presented to him by Sandy Alomar Junior.
(03:26):
And what a moment for Jose Ramirez. His teammates will
join him momentarily for the top half of the sixth
but what a remarkable achievement for Hose.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Pretty cool moment for Jose Ramirez. And you know there's
more coming in terms of top of the charts, in
terms of franchise leading in different categories offensively, and that
was a big one though. The durability and the willingness
to stay as long as he has as a member
of the Cleveland Baseball franchise, that's pretty special. And that
(03:58):
was a special night on Monday for sure. All right
on to Tuesday. The Guardians had fallen behind in the
series after that loss on Monday to the Royals. They
take on the Royals Tuesday night and we go from
Jose Ramirez setting a record for games played to a
youngster making his major league debut. That was Juan Brito.
(04:19):
Then he got off to a great start batting in
the second inning, the three to one.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
And he drills it to left base, it down the
line towards the corner. Collins cuts it off. Brito on
his wait a second in standing with a double. In
his first major league at bat one, Brito rips a
double down the left field line.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Can you imagine all the pain, anguish and some of
the mental issues he had to deal with last year,
thinking last year was.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Going to be a shot at the big leagues.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Surgery for the torn hamstring, surgery for the spring thumb.
It's all worth it with that one swing. The Royals
took a one nothing lead with a run in the
top half of the second, but the Guardians answered in
the fifth. Austin Hedges singled, moved up to second on
a groundout, and then Stephen Kuan came through in the
(05:16):
clutch with a two out hit left on left. Here
Cameron delivers swung online drive left center that'll get down
for a base hit, burrounding third and scoring his Hedges,
and Kwan comes through with a two out RBI single
that ties this game at one.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
And here's the Stephen one we've seen so often throughout
his major league career, staying up the middle and in
that case to the opposite field with a single that
brings in a run. Quan's been unbelievable by the way
in the early season, with men in scoring position hitting
close to five hundred most of the season in that spot.
(05:58):
Now on the mount. It was another wrong start for
Gavin Williams, who is still out there. In the sixth inning,
the pitch.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Swung on hammered the dead center Kwan though has it measured,
makes the catch. I mean dead center today at Progressive
Field might as well be the Grand Canyon. So that'll
be all for Gavin Williams. He did his job again.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Tim Herron came on to finish off the Royals in
the top half of the sixth, and then in the
bottom of the inning, Juan Brito's memorable debut continued. The
two to one pitch and he rips another base hit
in the left I'm about two for three in your
major league debut. That's how you make an impression on
the coaching staff, your manager in the front office, Eric Sabrowski,
(06:47):
worked a scoreless seventh and in the eighth that was
Sean Armstrong trying to keep the game deadlocked at one again.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
The two to two got a swing in a foul
tip hung on two by Hetches and a strength out
of Jensen ends it and the Royals have walked eight
times and still not able to make Cleveland pay.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Won one game in the middle of the eighth.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Then in the ninth Kate Smith came on to try
and keep the Royals off the scoreboard. Once again. He
delivers swinging and a miss wicket split finger. Best outing
in the young campaign for Kate Smith. So onto the
bottom of the night the game went cej Cafus got
it started with a one out base hit. Then Bo
Naylor pinch hitting, drew a walk and that's at the
(07:33):
stage for Brian Rochio.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Now the two to two swung on Rich to right.
There's a base hit. Cafas around third will try to
win it. Thomas's throw out of the plate, the slide
call game over safe for the plates. Capus and Brian
Rocchio with a walkoff, game winning single to right and
the Guardians get their first walk off win of the year.
(07:57):
They beat the Kansas City Rows in the nineteen two
to one.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Really nice win for the Guardians that square the series
at one win apiece heading into Wednesday, afternoon's rubber match.
Tough start for the Royals in the first inning as
Jose Ramirez hit a line drive up the middle that
struck Kansas City starter Cole Reagan's on the pitching hand.
He tried to shake it off and stay in and
(08:24):
he did. David Fry, though, drew a walk and then
Chase the Latter delivered with two outs. De latter leads
the club with five homers, that's tied for the American
League lead.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
He swings and.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Sends one high in the air deep left center towards
the bleachers off the top of the nineteen football.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Ramirez and Fry will score.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
D'latter and standing with a two out, two run double
high off the nineteen football and left center and a
water now with a team high eleven Arvy eyes. That's
his first regular season major league double.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
And that would be all. Reagan's tried to give it
a go, but just wasn't himself. He left the game
with a left thumb contusion and the Guardians took advantage
immediately with Rehys Hoskins standing in.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Here's the two to one pitch breaking all swung on
yank to left near the line. It'll get down base it,
it'll roll to the wall. That'll score the latter, and
Hoskins cruises into second with his third double and second
RBI in the year as he hooked one down that
left field line, and all of this coming after there
(09:37):
were two outs nobody on Cleveland now with a three
nothing lead. The Guardians were back at it in the
second inning with another two out hit, this time Jose
Ramirez Avi LA is ready. Here it comes, swung on
line drive, base it in the right center, that'll score
Kwan Martinez on his way to third.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Ramirez go going for two and with a head.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
First slide, uh hustle double the right center by who else?
Jose Ramirez on a little looping liner in the right
center and here comes pitching coach Brian Sweeney. So Jose
Ramirez two for two makes it four nothing Cleveland, his
(10:25):
third double, his sixth RBI.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Then the Royals got on the board in the fourth
with an RBI double from the dangerous Bobby wit Junior.
Then an under and run in the fifth made it
four to two Cleveland. But overall it was a strong
start for the left eat Joey Cantillo two quick strikes
on Garcia and Cantillo has done great work to get
ahead of hitters. Here's his pitch swag and I miss
(10:50):
strike three. Nasty breaking stuff from Cantillo. Strikes out me,
mikel Garcia. Number nine for Joe Cantillo. The sign is retired.
We head to the bottom of the fifth Guardians four.
The Royals too. In the bottom of the fifth, another
double put rees Hoskins in scoring position for Juan Brido,
(11:13):
set by Lang. Here's his pitch swung on, yanked down
the right field line, fair ball into the corner. It
goes Head'll score Hoskins easily. Brido's on his way.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
To second and I'll hang on right there where an
RBYI double and Jan Brito continues to impress in his
first two days in the Major leagues.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Boy quick bat from that left side. Want to start
for Brito. He singled again in the eighth inningen giving
him two hits in each of his first two games,
and then later in the eighth Brian Rochio drove home
Brito to extend the lead.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Here's the payoff pitch swung in granded pick at the
middle in the right center of Bashi. Brito will score Hens.
Just stop, said second and Rochio with another clutch late
ending RBI hit and Cleveland's got itself a six to
two lead and men still in first and second and
(12:11):
still nobody out.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Stephen Quan followed with a walk that loaded the bases
for on Hell Martinez.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Here's the O two pinch, swung out and ripped deep
bright field. This ball is gone, a grand.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Slam for on Hell Martinez, and this ball game is over.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
Ten to two Cleveland.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
A four hit game for Unhill Martinez, a line drive
grand slammed er right. Believe it or not, it's the
second grand slam for Unhill Martinez.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
It's his first four hit game.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Boy, how about that? All of a sudden, a blowout game,
and Matt Festa came on to finish things up in
the ninth.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Festa doesn't waste any time here. It comes swung and
drill to center field, charging the liners. Kwan makes the
running hip pie catch ball game. Guardians keep it going.
Thirteen years now they have played Kansas City and have
(13:28):
won ten straight rubber match games in a series that
went to the rubber match here in Cleveland. That's astounding.
Ten to two Guardians for a win today Off Day
Thursday for the Guardians. Their road trips began on Friday
night in Atlanta. Tough one though for the Guardians as
(13:49):
they lose to the Braves eleven to five. That's your
weekend review. Stay with us when we come back. We'll
hear from now shortstop Brian Rochio. That's next time at
Cleveland Clinic Radio Net.
Speaker 5 (14:04):
Switching to Progressive is a game winning call, and that
reminds us of other game winning calls in the history
of sports. So it was the fourth quarter and went
down by five, sweat pouring down my face.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Suddenly it hit me, if only I could rep part
of the towel around my forehead, and.
Speaker 6 (14:20):
That's how I became the first basketball player. It's a
war ahead band.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
Okay, not really a game winning call, but it was
a good call. You can make one to switch to
Progressive and you could save hundreds. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company
and affiliates not available in all states.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhaus back with you
from Atlanta, where the Guardians are taking on the Braves
this weekend. We're joined now by Brian Rochio, who delivered
a big walk off winner on Tuesday to give the
Guardians a win over Kansas City. It hit his first
home run of the season in Monday night's game against
(15:08):
Kansas City, and he caught up with him after that
and he talked about some of the keys to a
strong start at the plate early in the young season.
Speaker 7 (15:17):
So happy to feel comfortable. I don't trying to be
the better hitter. I'm just trying to get a good ebats,
get them bays and help the team, you know, like
that's my special thing.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
The last home run you hit here in the regular
season was kind of a big one on the last
day of the regular season, to walk off happy memories
about that. How how much did you think about that
in the winter time, and how enjoyable a moment was
that for you.
Speaker 7 (15:44):
I think that's one of my favorite, my favorite moments
on my career. I never hit a walk off hearing
in Minor Lease. That's my first walk off home in
my life. So it's gonna be cool. It's something that
I want to remember for my life.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
And you come back here last night, it didn't seem
like anybody would be able to hit a home run
as cold as it was. The wind was blowing when
you hit yours. Did you think it was going on?
Speaker 7 (16:05):
I was fifty fifty because it was cold. Uh, they win,
they win, come come hard to in the stadium. So
I don't know for sure if I was a homer
or no. So thank guy was was a homer in
that homent.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Brian Rochio joining US Guardian shortstop today, and we mentioned
that this game can change quickly, and with the injury
to Gabrielle Arius, you slide over the short today with
a new double play partner in Juan Brito. Uh, moving
back and forth short and second How challenging is that
for you? And how different are those spots for you?
Speaker 7 (16:40):
I mean, like I say, for me, it's more I'm
learning to play second base, so I feel comfortable play
short stop. But that's part of the job, you know,
like come to the field and prepare for any any
situation and I'm gonna do whatever the team need to
to help the team win. And I'm gonna do be
(17:03):
to feel more comfortable play second bays too.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
And how can you do that with it's a short
turnaround day today, He's probably gonna be challenged to do
too much pregame, but how can you help him feel
most comfortable when he gets in there at SECK.
Speaker 7 (17:17):
I think talking with him, know what's going on. I
feel like he's at home, like trying to feel him
comfortable to to go out and enjoy the game. That's
more important thing.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
And you're not that far removed from your major league debut.
What do you think he's feeling today, Is he makes
his major league debut.
Speaker 7 (17:38):
You're gonna be nervous because that's normal. But he's gonna
be doing He's gonna do it great because he's a
good key, he's a good player, he's a complete player.
So he's gonna be impacted team and he's gonna help
us to win the games.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Great stuff, Brian, thank you, Thank you. A's Guardians shortstop now,
Brian Rokio. With the injury to the Abriel Arius, it'll
be rochioid short most of the time. Stay with us
when we come back. We'll visit with Royals manager and
former Cleveland coach Matt Potrero. That's coming up next to
the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
The pinch swung a hit sharply in the ground of third,
Ramirez to second one and.
Speaker 4 (18:44):
Turn by steaming.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
How's it tough to double onp Bobby Win, but he
hit it up duck on hard rate at Jose Ramirez
and Ramrez never flinches and it's an inning ending double play.
Bobby Wit doesn't hit in many double plays in the
course of a year.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Welcome back, Guardians Weekly, continuing from Atlanta. Great to have
you with us on this Saturday. If you're listening on
the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network, you can hear our
show Saturday mornings at seven am on the flagship WTAM
in Cleveland, also on WKBN in Youngstown, down in Mansfield
on WMAN and WMRN in Marion, among other stations on
(19:30):
our network carrying in the show. And you can also
hear it in podcast form wherever you download your favorite podcasts.
Our next guest is Royals manager Matt Potrero. We had
a chance to visit with him earlier this week when
the Royals were in town. Back in Cleveland, he was
a coach as part of Terry Francona's staff from twenty
fourteen to twenty seventeen. A lot of great memories there
(19:53):
and we've talked with him about those days in Cleveland
coming up. But first, the division rival Royals. They have
high expectation since this season, and he talked about what
makes his club a dangerous team for anyone to face
this year.
Speaker 8 (20:06):
I mean, I think, you know, we we obviously had
to address our offense, especially in the outfield. Our infield,
you know, was an exceptional offense last year. But you know,
we traded a good reliever in on hell Serpa to
the Brewers and got Isaac Collins back as well as
a good reliever, Nick Mears. But we expect Collins to
be a big part of our offense. Kyle Isbell has
(20:30):
much improved so far on the offensive side, and then
we're very hopeful of what a young Jack Caglione can do.
You know, we have Leane Thomas, who the fans here
are familiar with that we believe he's going to play
a big role for us as well, playing all three
outfield spots. So we we did some things there. You know,
we were very happy with the depth of our starting pitching,
(20:50):
which is a huge thing. As again, fans here are
very familiar with good starting pitching, so you know, we're
happy with that, and we think we have a really
athletic team.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
And sometimes the psychology at baseball you make the postseason
two years ago, a lot of expectations. Last year a
little step back. I know, some injury issues, but you
battle to at least finish close to five hundred. And
is there something to be said for a bounce back
year this year after a little step back a year ago?
Speaker 8 (21:17):
I hope, so, you know, I mean, this is a
hard game, right you try to predict things in March
and April about how the whole year is going to go.
That's really hard to do it. Now, I do think,
you know, looking at our division, we set our sites
to win the division every year and it's going to
be competitive, right, I mean, you guys are really good,
The Tigers are really good, the White Sox are improved,
the Twins are improved. So nothing's easy, and every night
(21:38):
and every day in the big leagues is a tough
task to win a game. But that's our goal. And
we think with our pitching, along with our athleticism, we'll
be able to be in a lot of games, and
a lot of those are swung. The balance is swung
late in games, and we feel pretty good about our
ability to beat people in different ways.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
And you have one of the great young players in
the game Bobby Witt Junior stands out to you that
maybe is not readily apparent to those watching.
Speaker 8 (22:04):
Well, I mean the physical stuff is apparent to everybody, right,
I mean the speed, the power of the arm, the defense.
But the humility, the ability to accept failure and move
on past it for a young player is something that's
very unique. There's a few guys I've been around that
are similar to him, but his ability to understand that
(22:26):
Tomorrow's a new day and you know, turn the page.
Kind of think the mentality is really impressive for a
young player. Royals manager Matt Wotaro joining us. Matt, you
have your coaching background here. How does that still come
into play for you as you've moved on in your
career and become a major league manager. Well, I mean
this was my first opportunity to coach in the big
(22:47):
leagues with Cleveland, and I feel like I really lucked
into a great staff. You know, obviously Tito was managing,
but mentored by Brad Mills and ty Van BERKELEYO and
Sarby and Sandy and those. I mean, I really couldn't
have been in a better spot. And we were growing
as a team that had made the playoffs in thirteen,
you know, fourteen fifteen we didn't make it, but then
(23:09):
the World Series run in sixteen, and just getting to
experience what winning baseball in the big leagues was like
and also learn a lot about that. It's not just
all like a steady climb, right. There are a lot
of ups and downs within seasons, even for the best teams.
And I think learning that and watching how you know,
Tito dealt with that and how the staff dealt with
(23:31):
that was eye opening for me. And I think that's
helped me a lot.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Patient seems to be a big key. And is that
where you learned that, because it seems like you have
a good patient hand as you lead this club.
Speaker 8 (23:42):
Well, I mean I think that my upbringing, my parents
were very level headed and patient, but you know, like
I didn't know anything about what the big leagues was
like prior to getting here, So I learned everything I
knew from how to you know, I had managed and
coached in the minor leagues, but it's a totally different animal,
a different different game. The way you approach the players
is different, everything's different. And I was eyes wide open
(24:05):
to that, and I was fortunate to be exposed you know,
Chris Antonetti exposed me to a lot here, you know,
and so I learned, and you know, I'm still learning. Obviously,
this is not a one size fits all kind of thing,
and you know, just have to adapt every day.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
While you were here, Jose Ramirez was starting to become
Jose Ramirez and obviously a big night for him last
night with the franchise record for games played. What do
you remember about him at that point in his career
when it was really starting to take hold.
Speaker 8 (24:35):
Yeah, I mean, I think the first thing I remember
is he's always been a very confident guy, you know,
especially on the hitting side, you know, I mean he
always thought he could hit anybody's fastball, you know, and
just the consistency of his work, the consistency of his
attitude when he'd come in the cage every day, and
it was just fun to work with, you know, he
was he was somebody that he and I would you know,
(24:57):
the English Spanish thing was always a little challenging for us.
My bad Spanish and at that time is not so
good English. But we worked through it and we had
a great relationship at that time, and just watching him grow,
you know, you know, early on he was playing short,
and then he was bouncing around second and third, and
then you know, eventually just took over at third and
(25:20):
the offense just exploded, which was was fun to watch.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
You know.
Speaker 8 (25:25):
I just remember him being a really conscientious guy that
cared about winning a lot, and I think that's really
shown up over the years.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
Oh, Matt, it's always great to see you. Good luck
the remainder of the season. We'll see a bunch over
the course of the summer, but appreciate you coming by it.
Thank you.
Speaker 8 (25:39):
Thanks.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Rosie that is Royals manager and former Cleveland coach. Met
with Trero, one of the really good guys in the
game and doing some nice work with Kansas City. He
could be a contender with the Guardians throughout the season
this year in the American League Central Division. Stay with
us when we come back. It's the weekly Farm Report.
We'll talk double a acron that's next. Cleveland Clinic Radio.
Speaker 9 (26:01):
Network, Progressive No Sports brings people together, right, You've gotta
feel bad for people who don't even get it. Some
people will never know what it's like to see their
favorite teams. Hopes decided by ping pong ball to draft
the next superstar or not I mean, sure, it's silly
(26:21):
for your happiness to hinge on the success of a
twenty year old entry level employee, but you just can't
help yourself. The stress is exhilarating. Progressive can't bring people
together like the draft, but we can bring your home
a auto insurance together with a bundle. So switch and
see if you could save hundreds. Progressive Casualty insurancempany affiliates
and other insurers not available in all states situations.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Jim Rosanow's back with you from Atlanta Truis Park. The
Guardians taking on the Braves. This weekend night baseball throughout
seven fifteen Saturday Night seven twenty Sunday Night is the
Guardians and Braves will be the national game of the
week on television, So a little bit later start on
Sunday as well, and we'll have them both for you
(27:05):
here on the Cleveland Clinic Radio Network. Good things happening
on the farm in the Cleveland Organization, including a double
a ACRON. The vice president of Player Development is Stephen Ostro,
and he brings us up to date what's going on
at ACRON, including the work early on this season and
what we saw in the spring from Ralphie Velasquez, the
(27:26):
hard hitting first baseman, and Osti explained what has everyone
so excited about the young man's future.
Speaker 10 (27:32):
I would say it started in the second half ish
of last year, but overall in the year, I think
he was our best minor league hitter and arguably one
of the best hitters in all minor league baseball last
year as one of the youngest as well in Double A.
He's just an incredibly well rounded hitter. He's gonna have
great at bats, he's a good approach, and then he'll
(27:55):
just on cork a baseball at one hundred and fifteen
miles an hour. I think we all also believes in
to be a solid major league first basement, if not
above average, in the future. And he just continues to
grow across the board, and he had an incredible camp.
Everyone's really excited about him. There's a lot of conversation
about and what's the appropriate level for him to start at,
(28:17):
just because of how advanced the bat is and how
much he's grown, honestly as a person and professionally, and
ultimately we lean towards Akron. I think we believe being
in the same spot in the lineup every single day,
knowing where you're playing, having a bit of consistency to
start the year is is going to allow him to
cement a lot of things and maybe give him the
(28:38):
best development velocity, I would say for the core for
the course of the entire year. So, I mean, he's
just a special player. He's a special young man. And
I'll say is where he starts is probably not where.
Speaker 6 (28:52):
He's going to end.
Speaker 10 (28:53):
So we're just yeah, I mean, there's there's so much
we could say about Ralphi and how excited we are about.
Speaker 6 (28:57):
Him, But it's going to be a really good year
for him.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Another really impressive young player. On hell Hanao. I know
I had some injury issues to overcome a year ago,
but well, it sure seems like he's fully healthy and
ready to put together a big season and continue progressing.
Speaker 10 (29:12):
Yeah, the forty man add this offseason, he was incredibly
excited about. He got just eighty five games last year
in Akron because of the injury, But yeah, I think
there's a lot of good in those eighty five games.
But you know, you went through a bit of an
up and down, and that can be challenging when you're
trying to get back and have a spring training basically
in the middle of the year, but there's so much
(29:32):
talent in there, and yeah, and now was really determined
heading into the offseason to make physical improvements, continue to
get bigger, stronger, faster, find consistency from both sides of
the plate. And yeah, he had a nice little stint
and winter ball that he came back and he was
raving about how much he learned from some major league
players there about the attention of detail, what he can
do day to day to just be more consistent out
(29:56):
on the field. And I think he carried that over
into big league camp and a lot of people all
that and he looked really smooth and more consistent in
his approach at shortstop. And we're hoping he can be
an everyday shortstop for us at the big league level,
and he's gonna do that in Akron to start, And
similar to Ralfie, it's a great place to lock in
know where you're playing and where you're gonna be batting
(30:16):
every single day. And yeah, I think, again, similar to
a number of these guys, we just are incredibly excited
about where they showed up the work they did this offseason.
And Hanaw is a really, really talented young player. And
it's similar to Ralfie, like we're just this guy's a woman,
go play. I'm excited to see him continue to get better.
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Let's move to the outfield and again more players that
we saw in major league camp, which has been awesome.
Alfon sin Rosario. I know when you acquired him, the
power was the big tool that stood out. And how
has that developed along with the rest of it to
make him a real good quality hitter.
Speaker 10 (30:57):
Yeah, he's a gifted physical athlete and you can see
that when he walks around. He's a big, strong guy,
and he had a really nice year for us last year.
So the raw tools are there in the outfield, at
the plate and he throws the ball really hard, got
great erm strength, he can run, he's fast, he hits
the ball for power, to your point, and similar, it's
(31:20):
just it's just trying to piece all those little things
together to have consistency.
Speaker 6 (31:24):
So he's still twenty two years old, he's really young.
Speaker 10 (31:27):
He was young last year in Akron and he got
a little bit of the exposure to to better pitching
and better secondaries, and you know, it's about trying to
make adjustments.
Speaker 6 (31:37):
To those things.
Speaker 10 (31:37):
And we saw some of the swing decisions get better
last year, saw you know, the whiff kind of go
up a little bit Akron, and you know, he just
continues to work on, you know, figuring out how to
how to pull that down. So, you know, similar to
these guys who got the experience in major league camp,
Rosie got some time and it was really cool hearing
(31:58):
him reflect on his experiences being around guys like Jose
and what they learned and know how to be a professional,
and I think similar again, it's just a broken record
at this point, but like seeing that and then trying
to put that in practice, I think allows all of
them to be more consistent long term. So Rosie is
(32:18):
one of those guys just know it's going to click
at some point.
Speaker 6 (32:22):
We don't know exactly when, but.
Speaker 10 (32:23):
His work is going to be really good to get
to that point.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
Some similarities with Wilfredo Antuniez or different player in a
lot of ways.
Speaker 10 (32:32):
I would say he's probably a little bit of a
different player and definitely a different trajectory I think for us.
So Antonia's is someone we re signed. He was a
minor league free agent. We really wanted him back in
our system. He came in in twenty nineteen, was not
like a heralded international prospect. He came out of Venezuela
(32:54):
and he's just been a really good hitter the entire time.
Speaker 6 (32:58):
He popped a little bit more aloud last year.
Speaker 10 (33:00):
With hitting a little bit more home runs, push his
way into Double A and you dominated Lake County and
Tunia's is maybe a little bit more well rounded. You know,
he's he has some pop, he can play the outfield.
He had a nice home run in the spring breakout
game that you know, it was pretty fun to watch.
But yeah, he's I mean, we have a lot of
(33:22):
left handed hitting outfielders in our system. I think we
resigned because we think Antonia's has a good chance of
hitting his way to the major leagues for us.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Let's go behind the plate. Jacob Kozart will be your
front line catcher with Akron, a coach's son. Do you
see that in his game as he's developing here?
Speaker 10 (33:39):
I think so he's he's a catcher in the best way.
So I know, we talked about it a lot last
year and how he's the guy that everyone wants to
throw to. And you ask him about his time in
big league camp, and he talks for fifteen minutes about
how everything he learned watching Bow and Hedgi and Fry
(34:00):
go about their days and you know how they set
the culture and you know how they interact in the clubhouse.
Speaker 6 (34:06):
The question is asked the staff. He was just like so.
Speaker 10 (34:08):
Intentful and dialed into those things that, Yeah, in a way,
you'd say he's he's gonna end up being your extra
pitching coach at that level like he has been the
last couple of years, and it's been really fun to
see that that mindset kind of just be more and
more dialed over time. Where I mean, he's really good defensively.
He had a really nice second half after some adjustments
(34:30):
with the swing and his setup, and yeah, Cozy is
he's a really good player.
Speaker 6 (34:35):
But I think to your point, what.
Speaker 10 (34:36):
Makes him exciting for us is just everything that comes
with like almost carrying the shield of being a catcher
for us.
Speaker 6 (34:44):
With the Cleveland Guardians.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
And a couple of the pitchers he'll catch boy. Cleveland's
had some good success with with trades, acquiring pitchers to
deep into minor leagues and then seeing what happens after that.
And let's start with cal Steven acquired Land summer from
the Blue Jays. Seems like he's made really good progress
and is making some headway.
Speaker 6 (35:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (35:06):
Yeah, it came over in that in that Beaver trade,
came in rehabbing a minor shoulder injury, and he ultimately
only made I think four starts with Akron last year,
so we didn't get we didn't get a ton of
time with him. Obviously, we were excited about what we got.
And he's just like this big athletic presence on the mound.
You know, his carrying trade is a really good fastball
(35:27):
and his ability to throw a ton of strikes. He's
super competitive, almost methodical out there. That just screams major
league starter when you watch him pitch. You know, he
came into professional baseball with a lot of meat left
on the bone in terms of future development, you know,
expanding his arsenal and tapping into some velocity through some
delivery changes. And he moved really quickly last year for
(35:48):
Toronto and maybe didn't get as much time to work
on those things. And we recognize that when we got him,
and we got a lot of time to slow things
down a little bit the offseason, dig into some of
those areas and we saw some nice improvements in all
those qualities. So it's gonna be great to see Cal
out there for a full year and work with him, because, yeah,
(36:08):
he has a real chance to be something really really
special for us.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
And Josh Hardle another player required via trade now in
his second full season in the organization, and what do
you seek from him as he makes his progress.
Speaker 10 (36:22):
Yeah, we don't have like a Pitcher of the Year
award in the minor leagues, but Josh was the Midwest
League Pitcher of the Year last year with Lake County
and probably would have gotten a ton of votes for
us if we did have that award. Internally, he got
that small taste of double A last year and made
some really good progress this offseason on like the long
term goals and where we think he can be in
(36:43):
the future. So a lot of it is revolving around
continuing to push the physical, build the engine so that
he can throw harder long term. He did some incredible
work on that. It was about creating a little bit
more movement separation in his pitches, and you know, he
came back, you know, getting better in both those areas.
He's throwing a sweeper now that's you know, clicking some
(37:03):
ridiculous movement at times with Velo, and you know he's
throwing a little bit harder and we think there's still
again so much room for.
Speaker 6 (37:10):
Growth with this guy.
Speaker 10 (37:11):
But I mean, he's a really strong strike thrower who
gets you know, one of the highest ground ball rates
in baseball. And yeah, he's he's again another one of
these guys that we're just so excited to see how
this year plays out and there's just still so much
room to grow.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
At Steven ostro Or, the vice president of player Development
for the Guardians, talking about the tons of talent at
the Double A level as the Guardian's farm system really
has it's hit a sweet spot. A lot of players
starting to get closer to the major leagues and it's exciting,
including what's happening at Double A. Acron that's going to
do it for our show this week. Thanks to Brian
(37:49):
Matse as always for helping to put it together each
and every week. We will join you next weekend from
back home in downtown Cleveland when the Guardians are taking
on the Baltimore or at Progressive Field. Till then, this
is Jim Rose at House reminding you that you been
listening to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:17):
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 (00:49):
Hi, everyone, Welcome to Guardians Weekly. Him rosen House along
with you from Atlanta, Georgia this weekend, where the Guardians
are taking on the Atlanta Braves in a three game series,
part of a two city road swing for the Guardians
as they will head to Saint Louis for a three
game set starting on Monday night. Good show lined up
for you today. As always, we'll have a great farm
(01:11):
report from Stephen Ostro, the vice president of player development
for the Guardians. He'll talk double a Akron, a team
that has just loaded with young prospects. We'll also hear
from Matt Quatrero, who's the manager for the Kansas City Royals,
but really got into his coaching career and laid that
foundation with Cleveland during those years when they went to
(01:33):
a World Series and had the twenty two game win streak.
He was a part of that and we have a
great conversation with him coming up. We'll hear from Brian
Rochios had a nice start to his season and had
a walk off hit earlier this week, but first our
week in review, and it started on Monday, a four
to two loss to Kansas City. But despite that loss,
(01:54):
it was a special day at Progressive Field as Jose
Ramirez became the all time Cleveland franchise leader in games played.
How about that one thousand, six hundred and twenty was
the game he played in for Cleveland on Monday night,
and he was honored during the game after five innings
when it became official. Brian Rochio at the plate with
(02:17):
two outs. Here's the pitch and it swung on line
to center right there as isbel to make the catch
and retire the side. It's a one to one game
as we head to the sixth, but again we're gonna
keep it right here as a special moment. It is
official now Jose Ramirez as the record.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
With today's start, Jose Ramirez has officially played one thousand,
six hundred and twenty games in a Cleveland uniform. That
is more than anyone in franchise history, passing Terry Turner,
taking over the number one spot on the Guardians all
time Later more Cleveland, please join us in congratulating the
(03:03):
new franchise leader in games play, the future Major League
Baseball Hall of Famer number eleven, Jose Ramirez. Awesome stuff
from Tom Appleton. Josey's out there by himself holding up
a big base presented to him by Sandy Alomar Junior.
(03:26):
And what a moment for Jose Ramirez. His teammates will
join him momentarily for the top half of the sixth
but what a remarkable achievement for Hose.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Pretty cool moment for Jose Ramirez. And you know there's
more coming in terms of top of the charts, in
terms of franchise leading in different categories offensively, and that
was a big one though. The durability and the willingness
to stay as long as he has as a member
of the Cleveland Baseball franchise, that's pretty special. And that
(03:58):
was a special night on Monday for sure. All right
on to Tuesday. The Guardians had fallen behind in the
series after that loss on Monday to the Royals. They
take on the Royals Tuesday night and we go from
Jose Ramirez setting a record for games played to a
youngster making his major league debut. That was Juan Brito.
(04:19):
Then he got off to a great start batting in
the second inning, the three to one.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
And he drills it to left base, it down the
line towards the corner. Collins cuts it off. Brito on
his wait a second in standing with a double. In
his first major league at bat one, Brito rips a
double down the left field line.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Can you imagine all the pain, anguish and some of
the mental issues he had to deal with last year,
thinking last year was.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Going to be a shot at the big leagues.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Surgery for the torn hamstring, surgery for the spring thumb.
It's all worth it with that one swing. The Royals
took a one nothing lead with a run in the
top half of the second, but the Guardians answered in
the fifth. Austin Hedges singled, moved up to second on
a groundout, and then Stephen Kuan came through in the
(05:16):
clutch with a two out hit left on left. Here
Cameron delivers swung online drive left center that'll get down
for a base hit, burrounding third and scoring his Hedges,
and Kwan comes through with a two out RBI single
that ties this game at one.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
And here's the Stephen one we've seen so often throughout
his major league career, staying up the middle and in
that case to the opposite field with a single that
brings in a run. Quan's been unbelievable by the way
in the early season, with men in scoring position hitting
close to five hundred most of the season in that spot.
(05:58):
Now on the mount. It was another wrong start for
Gavin Williams, who is still out there. In the sixth inning,
the pitch.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Swung on hammered the dead center Kwan though has it measured,
makes the catch. I mean dead center today at Progressive
Field might as well be the Grand Canyon. So that'll
be all for Gavin Williams. He did his job again.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Tim Herron came on to finish off the Royals in
the top half of the sixth, and then in the
bottom of the inning, Juan Brito's memorable debut continued. The
two to one pitch and he rips another base hit
in the left I'm about two for three in your
major league debut. That's how you make an impression on
the coaching staff, your manager in the front office, Eric Sabrowski,
(06:47):
worked a scoreless seventh and in the eighth that was
Sean Armstrong trying to keep the game deadlocked at one again.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
The two to two got a swing in a foul
tip hung on two by Hetches and a strength out
of Jensen ends it and the Royals have walked eight
times and still not able to make Cleveland pay.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Won one game in the middle of the eighth.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Then in the ninth Kate Smith came on to try
and keep the Royals off the scoreboard. Once again. He
delivers swinging and a miss wicket split finger. Best outing
in the young campaign for Kate Smith. So onto the
bottom of the night the game went cej Cafus got
it started with a one out base hit. Then Bo
Naylor pinch hitting, drew a walk and that's at the
(07:33):
stage for Brian Rochio.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Now the two to two swung on Rich to right.
There's a base hit. Cafas around third will try to
win it. Thomas's throw out of the plate, the slide
call game over safe for the plates. Capus and Brian
Rocchio with a walkoff, game winning single to right and
the Guardians get their first walk off win of the year.
(07:57):
They beat the Kansas City Rows in the nineteen two
to one.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Really nice win for the Guardians that square the series
at one win apiece heading into Wednesday, afternoon's rubber match.
Tough start for the Royals in the first inning as
Jose Ramirez hit a line drive up the middle that
struck Kansas City starter Cole Reagan's on the pitching hand.
He tried to shake it off and stay in and
(08:24):
he did. David Fry, though, drew a walk and then
Chase the Latter delivered with two outs. De latter leads
the club with five homers, that's tied for the American
League lead.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
He swings and.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Sends one high in the air deep left center towards
the bleachers off the top of the nineteen football.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
Ramirez and Fry will score.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
D'latter and standing with a two out, two run double
high off the nineteen football and left center and a
water now with a team high eleven Arvy eyes. That's
his first regular season major league double.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
And that would be all. Reagan's tried to give it
a go, but just wasn't himself. He left the game
with a left thumb contusion and the Guardians took advantage
immediately with Rehys Hoskins standing in.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
Here's the two to one pitch breaking all swung on
yank to left near the line. It'll get down base it,
it'll roll to the wall. That'll score the latter, and
Hoskins cruises into second with his third double and second
RBI in the year as he hooked one down that
left field line, and all of this coming after there
(09:37):
were two outs nobody on Cleveland now with a three
nothing lead. The Guardians were back at it in the
second inning with another two out hit, this time Jose
Ramirez Avi LA is ready. Here it comes, swung on
line drive, base it in the right center, that'll score
Kwan Martinez on his way to third.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Ramirez go going for two and with a head.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
First slide, uh hustle double the right center by who else?
Jose Ramirez on a little looping liner in the right
center and here comes pitching coach Brian Sweeney. So Jose
Ramirez two for two makes it four nothing Cleveland, his
(10:25):
third double, his sixth RBI.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Then the Royals got on the board in the fourth
with an RBI double from the dangerous Bobby wit Junior.
Then an under and run in the fifth made it
four to two Cleveland. But overall it was a strong
start for the left eat Joey Cantillo two quick strikes
on Garcia and Cantillo has done great work to get
ahead of hitters. Here's his pitch swag and I miss
(10:50):
strike three. Nasty breaking stuff from Cantillo. Strikes out me,
mikel Garcia. Number nine for Joe Cantillo. The sign is retired.
We head to the bottom of the fifth Guardians four.
The Royals too. In the bottom of the fifth, another
double put rees Hoskins in scoring position for Juan Brido,
(11:13):
set by Lang. Here's his pitch swung on, yanked down
the right field line, fair ball into the corner. It
goes Head'll score Hoskins easily. Brido's on his way.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
To second and I'll hang on right there where an
RBYI double and Jan Brito continues to impress in his
first two days in the Major leagues.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Boy quick bat from that left side. Want to start
for Brito. He singled again in the eighth inningen giving
him two hits in each of his first two games,
and then later in the eighth Brian Rochio drove home
Brito to extend the lead.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
Here's the payoff pitch swung in granded pick at the
middle in the right center of Bashi. Brito will score Hens.
Just stop, said second and Rochio with another clutch late
ending RBI hit and Cleveland's got itself a six to
two lead and men still in first and second and
(12:11):
still nobody out.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Stephen Quan followed with a walk that loaded the bases
for on Hell Martinez.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
Here's the O two pinch, swung out and ripped deep
bright field. This ball is gone, a grand.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Slam for on Hell Martinez, and this ball game is over.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
Ten to two Cleveland.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
A four hit game for Unhill Martinez, a line drive
grand slammed er right. Believe it or not, it's the
second grand slam for Unhill Martinez.
Speaker 4 (12:57):
It's his first four hit game.
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Boy, how about that? All of a sudden, a blowout game,
and Matt Festa came on to finish things up in
the ninth.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Festa doesn't waste any time here. It comes swung and
drill to center field, charging the liners. Kwan makes the
running hip pie catch ball game. Guardians keep it going.
Thirteen years now they have played Kansas City and have
(13:28):
won ten straight rubber match games in a series that
went to the rubber match here in Cleveland. That's astounding.
Ten to two Guardians for a win today Off Day
Thursday for the Guardians. Their road trips began on Friday
night in Atlanta. Tough one though for the Guardians as
(13:49):
they lose to the Braves eleven to five. That's your
weekend review. Stay with us when we come back. We'll
hear from now shortstop Brian Rochio. That's next time at
Cleveland Clinic Radio Net.
Speaker 5 (14:04):
Switching to Progressive is a game winning call, and that
reminds us of other game winning calls in the history
of sports. So it was the fourth quarter and went
down by five, sweat pouring down my face.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Suddenly it hit me, if only I could rep part
of the towel around my forehead, and.
Speaker 6 (14:20):
That's how I became the first basketball player. It's a
war ahead band.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
Okay, not really a game winning call, but it was
a good call. You can make one to switch to
Progressive and you could save hundreds. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company
and affiliates not available in all states.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhaus back with you
from Atlanta, where the Guardians are taking on the Braves
this weekend. We're joined now by Brian Rochio, who delivered
a big walk off winner on Tuesday to give the
Guardians a win over Kansas City. It hit his first
home run of the season in Monday night's game against
(15:08):
Kansas City, and he caught up with him after that
and he talked about some of the keys to a
strong start at the plate early in the young season.
Speaker 7 (15:17):
So happy to feel comfortable. I don't trying to be
the better hitter. I'm just trying to get a good ebats,
get them bays and help the team, you know, like
that's my special thing.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
The last home run you hit here in the regular
season was kind of a big one on the last
day of the regular season, to walk off happy memories
about that. How how much did you think about that
in the winter time, and how enjoyable a moment was
that for you.
Speaker 7 (15:44):
I think that's one of my favorite, my favorite moments
on my career. I never hit a walk off hearing
in Minor Lease. That's my first walk off home in
my life. So it's gonna be cool. It's something that
I want to remember for my life.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
And you come back here last night, it didn't seem
like anybody would be able to hit a home run
as cold as it was. The wind was blowing when
you hit yours. Did you think it was going on?
Speaker 7 (16:05):
I was fifty fifty because it was cold. Uh, they win,
they win, come come hard to in the stadium. So
I don't know for sure if I was a homer
or no. So thank guy was was a homer in
that homent.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Brian Rochio joining US Guardian shortstop today, and we mentioned
that this game can change quickly, and with the injury
to Gabrielle Arius, you slide over the short today with
a new double play partner in Juan Brito. Uh, moving
back and forth short and second How challenging is that
for you? And how different are those spots for you?
Speaker 7 (16:40):
I mean, like I say, for me, it's more I'm
learning to play second base, so I feel comfortable play
short stop. But that's part of the job, you know,
like come to the field and prepare for any any
situation and I'm gonna do whatever the team need to
to help the team win. And I'm gonna do be
(17:03):
to feel more comfortable play second bays too.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
And how can you do that with it's a short
turnaround day today, He's probably gonna be challenged to do
too much pregame, but how can you help him feel
most comfortable when he gets in there at SECK.
Speaker 7 (17:17):
I think talking with him, know what's going on. I
feel like he's at home, like trying to feel him
comfortable to to go out and enjoy the game. That's
more important thing.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
And you're not that far removed from your major league debut.
What do you think he's feeling today, Is he makes
his major league debut.
Speaker 7 (17:38):
You're gonna be nervous because that's normal. But he's gonna
be doing He's gonna do it great because he's a
good key, he's a good player, he's a complete player.
So he's gonna be impacted team and he's gonna help
us to win the games.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Great stuff, Brian, thank you, Thank you. A's Guardians shortstop now,
Brian Rokio. With the injury to the Abriel Arius, it'll
be rochioid short most of the time. Stay with us
when we come back. We'll visit with Royals manager and
former Cleveland coach Matt Potrero. That's coming up next to
the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
The pinch swung a hit sharply in the ground of third,
Ramirez to second one and.
Speaker 4 (18:44):
Turn by steaming.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
How's it tough to double onp Bobby Win, but he
hit it up duck on hard rate at Jose Ramirez
and Ramrez never flinches and it's an inning ending double play.
Bobby Wit doesn't hit in many double plays in the
course of a year.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
Welcome back, Guardians Weekly, continuing from Atlanta. Great to have
you with us on this Saturday. If you're listening on
the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network, you can hear our
show Saturday mornings at seven am on the flagship WTAM
in Cleveland, also on WKBN in Youngstown, down in Mansfield
on WMAN and WMRN in Marion, among other stations on
(19:30):
our network carrying in the show. And you can also
hear it in podcast form wherever you download your favorite podcasts.
Our next guest is Royals manager Matt Potrero. We had
a chance to visit with him earlier this week when
the Royals were in town. Back in Cleveland, he was
a coach as part of Terry Francona's staff from twenty
fourteen to twenty seventeen. A lot of great memories there
(19:53):
and we've talked with him about those days in Cleveland
coming up. But first, the division rival Royals. They have
high expectation since this season, and he talked about what
makes his club a dangerous team for anyone to face
this year.
Speaker 8 (20:06):
I mean, I think, you know, we we obviously had
to address our offense, especially in the outfield. Our infield,
you know, was an exceptional offense last year. But you know,
we traded a good reliever in on hell Serpa to
the Brewers and got Isaac Collins back as well as
a good reliever, Nick Mears. But we expect Collins to
be a big part of our offense. Kyle Isbell has
(20:30):
much improved so far on the offensive side, and then
we're very hopeful of what a young Jack Caglione can do.
You know, we have Leane Thomas, who the fans here
are familiar with that we believe he's going to play
a big role for us as well, playing all three
outfield spots. So we we did some things there. You know,
we were very happy with the depth of our starting pitching,
(20:50):
which is a huge thing. As again, fans here are
very familiar with good starting pitching, so you know, we're
happy with that, and we think we have a really
athletic team.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
And sometimes the psychology at baseball you make the postseason
two years ago, a lot of expectations. Last year a
little step back. I know, some injury issues, but you
battle to at least finish close to five hundred. And
is there something to be said for a bounce back
year this year after a little step back a year ago?
Speaker 8 (21:17):
I hope, so, you know, I mean, this is a
hard game, right you try to predict things in March
and April about how the whole year is going to go.
That's really hard to do it. Now, I do think,
you know, looking at our division, we set our sites
to win the division every year and it's going to
be competitive, right, I mean, you guys are really good,
The Tigers are really good, the White Sox are improved,
the Twins are improved. So nothing's easy, and every night
(21:38):
and every day in the big leagues is a tough
task to win a game. But that's our goal. And
we think with our pitching, along with our athleticism, we'll
be able to be in a lot of games, and
a lot of those are swung. The balance is swung
late in games, and we feel pretty good about our
ability to beat people in different ways.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
And you have one of the great young players in
the game Bobby Witt Junior stands out to you that
maybe is not readily apparent to those watching.
Speaker 8 (22:04):
Well, I mean the physical stuff is apparent to everybody, right,
I mean the speed, the power of the arm, the defense.
But the humility, the ability to accept failure and move
on past it for a young player is something that's
very unique. There's a few guys I've been around that
are similar to him, but his ability to understand that
(22:26):
Tomorrow's a new day and you know, turn the page.
Kind of think the mentality is really impressive for a
young player. Royals manager Matt Wotaro joining us. Matt, you
have your coaching background here. How does that still come
into play for you as you've moved on in your
career and become a major league manager. Well, I mean
this was my first opportunity to coach in the big
(22:47):
leagues with Cleveland, and I feel like I really lucked
into a great staff. You know, obviously Tito was managing,
but mentored by Brad Mills and ty Van BERKELEYO and
Sarby and Sandy and those. I mean, I really couldn't
have been in a better spot. And we were growing
as a team that had made the playoffs in thirteen,
you know, fourteen fifteen we didn't make it, but then
(23:09):
the World Series run in sixteen, and just getting to
experience what winning baseball in the big leagues was like
and also learn a lot about that. It's not just
all like a steady climb, right. There are a lot
of ups and downs within seasons, even for the best teams.
And I think learning that and watching how you know,
Tito dealt with that and how the staff dealt with
(23:31):
that was eye opening for me. And I think that's
helped me a lot.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Patient seems to be a big key. And is that
where you learned that, because it seems like you have
a good patient hand as you lead this club.
Speaker 8 (23:42):
Well, I mean I think that my upbringing, my parents
were very level headed and patient, but you know, like
I didn't know anything about what the big leagues was
like prior to getting here, So I learned everything I
knew from how to you know, I had managed and
coached in the minor leagues, but it's a totally different animal,
a different different game. The way you approach the players
is different, everything's different. And I was eyes wide open
(24:05):
to that, and I was fortunate to be exposed you know,
Chris Antonetti exposed me to a lot here, you know,
and so I learned, and you know, I'm still learning. Obviously,
this is not a one size fits all kind of thing,
and you know, just have to adapt every day.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
While you were here, Jose Ramirez was starting to become
Jose Ramirez and obviously a big night for him last
night with the franchise record for games played. What do
you remember about him at that point in his career
when it was really starting to take hold.
Speaker 8 (24:35):
Yeah, I mean, I think the first thing I remember
is he's always been a very confident guy, you know,
especially on the hitting side, you know, I mean he
always thought he could hit anybody's fastball, you know, and
just the consistency of his work, the consistency of his
attitude when he'd come in the cage every day, and
it was just fun to work with, you know, he
was he was somebody that he and I would you know,
(24:57):
the English Spanish thing was always a little challenging for us.
My bad Spanish and at that time is not so
good English. But we worked through it and we had
a great relationship at that time, and just watching him grow,
you know, you know, early on he was playing short,
and then he was bouncing around second and third, and
then you know, eventually just took over at third and
(25:20):
the offense just exploded, which was was fun to watch.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
You know.
Speaker 8 (25:25):
I just remember him being a really conscientious guy that
cared about winning a lot, and I think that's really
shown up over the years.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
Oh, Matt, it's always great to see you. Good luck
the remainder of the season. We'll see a bunch over
the course of the summer, but appreciate you coming by it.
Thank you.
Speaker 8 (25:39):
Thanks.
Speaker 2 (25:40):
Rosie that is Royals manager and former Cleveland coach. Met
with Trero, one of the really good guys in the
game and doing some nice work with Kansas City. He
could be a contender with the Guardians throughout the season
this year in the American League Central Division. Stay with
us when we come back. It's the weekly Farm Report.
We'll talk double a acron that's next. Cleveland Clinic Radio.
Speaker 9 (26:01):
Network, Progressive No Sports brings people together, right, You've gotta
feel bad for people who don't even get it. Some
people will never know what it's like to see their
favorite teams. Hopes decided by ping pong ball to draft
the next superstar or not I mean, sure, it's silly
(26:21):
for your happiness to hinge on the success of a
twenty year old entry level employee, but you just can't
help yourself. The stress is exhilarating. Progressive can't bring people
together like the draft, but we can bring your home
a auto insurance together with a bundle. So switch and
see if you could save hundreds. Progressive Casualty insurancempany affiliates
and other insurers not available in all states situations.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Jim Rosanow's back with you from Atlanta Truis Park. The
Guardians taking on the Braves. This weekend night baseball throughout
seven fifteen Saturday Night seven twenty Sunday Night is the
Guardians and Braves will be the national game of the
week on television, So a little bit later start on
Sunday as well, and we'll have them both for you
(27:05):
here on the Cleveland Clinic Radio Network. Good things happening
on the farm in the Cleveland Organization, including a double
a ACRON. The vice president of Player Development is Stephen Ostro,
and he brings us up to date what's going on
at ACRON, including the work early on this season and
what we saw in the spring from Ralphie Velasquez, the
(27:26):
hard hitting first baseman, and Osti explained what has everyone
so excited about the young man's future.
Speaker 10 (27:32):
I would say it started in the second half ish
of last year, but overall in the year, I think
he was our best minor league hitter and arguably one
of the best hitters in all minor league baseball last
year as one of the youngest as well in Double A.
He's just an incredibly well rounded hitter. He's gonna have
great at bats, he's a good approach, and then he'll
(27:55):
just on cork a baseball at one hundred and fifteen
miles an hour. I think we all also believes in
to be a solid major league first basement, if not
above average, in the future. And he just continues to
grow across the board, and he had an incredible camp.
Everyone's really excited about him. There's a lot of conversation
about and what's the appropriate level for him to start at,
(28:17):
just because of how advanced the bat is and how
much he's grown, honestly as a person and professionally, and
ultimately we lean towards Akron. I think we believe being
in the same spot in the lineup every single day,
knowing where you're playing, having a bit of consistency to
start the year is is going to allow him to
cement a lot of things and maybe give him the
(28:38):
best development velocity, I would say for the core for
the course of the entire year. So, I mean, he's
just a special player. He's a special young man. And
I'll say is where he starts is probably not where.
Speaker 6 (28:52):
He's going to end.
Speaker 10 (28:53):
So we're just yeah, I mean, there's there's so much
we could say about Ralphi and how excited we are about.
Speaker 6 (28:57):
Him, But it's going to be a really good year
for him.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
Another really impressive young player. On hell Hanao. I know
I had some injury issues to overcome a year ago,
but well, it sure seems like he's fully healthy and
ready to put together a big season and continue progressing.
Speaker 10 (29:12):
Yeah, the forty man add this offseason, he was incredibly
excited about. He got just eighty five games last year
in Akron because of the injury, But yeah, I think
there's a lot of good in those eighty five games.
But you know, you went through a bit of an
up and down, and that can be challenging when you're
trying to get back and have a spring training basically
in the middle of the year, but there's so much
(29:32):
talent in there, and yeah, and now was really determined
heading into the offseason to make physical improvements, continue to
get bigger, stronger, faster, find consistency from both sides of
the plate. And yeah, he had a nice little stint
and winter ball that he came back and he was
raving about how much he learned from some major league
players there about the attention of detail, what he can
do day to day to just be more consistent out
(29:56):
on the field. And I think he carried that over
into big league camp and a lot of people all
that and he looked really smooth and more consistent in
his approach at shortstop. And we're hoping he can be
an everyday shortstop for us at the big league level,
and he's gonna do that in Akron to start, And
similar to Ralfie, it's a great place to lock in
know where you're playing and where you're gonna be batting
(30:16):
every single day. And yeah, I think, again, similar to
a number of these guys, we just are incredibly excited
about where they showed up the work they did this offseason.
And Hanaw is a really, really talented young player. And
it's similar to Ralfie, like we're just this guy's a woman,
go play. I'm excited to see him continue to get better.
Speaker 2 (30:39):
Let's move to the outfield and again more players that
we saw in major league camp, which has been awesome.
Alfon sin Rosario. I know when you acquired him, the
power was the big tool that stood out. And how
has that developed along with the rest of it to
make him a real good quality hitter.
Speaker 10 (30:57):
Yeah, he's a gifted physical athlete and you can see
that when he walks around. He's a big, strong guy,
and he had a really nice year for us last year.
So the raw tools are there in the outfield, at
the plate and he throws the ball really hard, got
great erm strength, he can run, he's fast, he hits
the ball for power, to your point, and similar, it's
(31:20):
just it's just trying to piece all those little things
together to have consistency.
Speaker 6 (31:24):
So he's still twenty two years old, he's really young.
Speaker 10 (31:27):
He was young last year in Akron and he got
a little bit of the exposure to to better pitching
and better secondaries, and you know, it's about trying to
make adjustments.
Speaker 6 (31:37):
To those things.
Speaker 10 (31:37):
And we saw some of the swing decisions get better
last year, saw you know, the whiff kind of go
up a little bit Akron, and you know, he just
continues to work on, you know, figuring out how to
how to pull that down. So, you know, similar to
these guys who got the experience in major league camp,
Rosie got some time and it was really cool hearing
(31:58):
him reflect on his experiences being around guys like Jose
and what they learned and know how to be a professional,
and I think similar again, it's just a broken record
at this point, but like seeing that and then trying
to put that in practice, I think allows all of
them to be more consistent long term. So Rosie is
(32:18):
one of those guys just know it's going to click
at some point.
Speaker 6 (32:22):
We don't know exactly when, but.
Speaker 10 (32:23):
His work is going to be really good to get
to that point.
Speaker 2 (32:26):
Some similarities with Wilfredo Antuniez or different player in a
lot of ways.
Speaker 10 (32:32):
I would say he's probably a little bit of a
different player and definitely a different trajectory I think for us.
So Antonia's is someone we re signed. He was a
minor league free agent. We really wanted him back in
our system. He came in in twenty nineteen, was not
like a heralded international prospect. He came out of Venezuela
(32:54):
and he's just been a really good hitter the entire time.
Speaker 6 (32:58):
He popped a little bit more aloud last year.
Speaker 10 (33:00):
With hitting a little bit more home runs, push his
way into Double A and you dominated Lake County and
Tunia's is maybe a little bit more well rounded. You know,
he's he has some pop, he can play the outfield.
He had a nice home run in the spring breakout
game that you know, it was pretty fun to watch.
But yeah, he's I mean, we have a lot of
(33:22):
left handed hitting outfielders in our system. I think we
resigned because we think Antonia's has a good chance of
hitting his way to the major leagues for us.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Let's go behind the plate. Jacob Kozart will be your
front line catcher with Akron, a coach's son. Do you
see that in his game as he's developing here?
Speaker 10 (33:39):
I think so he's he's a catcher in the best way.
So I know, we talked about it a lot last
year and how he's the guy that everyone wants to
throw to. And you ask him about his time in
big league camp, and he talks for fifteen minutes about
how everything he learned watching Bow and Hedgi and Fry
(34:00):
go about their days and you know how they set
the culture and you know how they interact in the clubhouse.
Speaker 6 (34:06):
The question is asked the staff. He was just like so.
Speaker 10 (34:08):
Intentful and dialed into those things that, Yeah, in a way,
you'd say he's he's gonna end up being your extra
pitching coach at that level like he has been the
last couple of years, and it's been really fun to
see that that mindset kind of just be more and
more dialed over time. Where I mean, he's really good defensively.
He had a really nice second half after some adjustments
(34:30):
with the swing and his setup, and yeah, Cozy is
he's a really good player.
Speaker 6 (34:35):
But I think to your point, what.
Speaker 10 (34:36):
Makes him exciting for us is just everything that comes
with like almost carrying the shield of being a catcher
for us.
Speaker 6 (34:44):
With the Cleveland Guardians.
Speaker 2 (34:46):
And a couple of the pitchers he'll catch boy. Cleveland's
had some good success with with trades, acquiring pitchers to
deep into minor leagues and then seeing what happens after that.
And let's start with cal Steven acquired Land summer from
the Blue Jays. Seems like he's made really good progress
and is making some headway.
Speaker 6 (35:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 10 (35:06):
Yeah, it came over in that in that Beaver trade,
came in rehabbing a minor shoulder injury, and he ultimately
only made I think four starts with Akron last year,
so we didn't get we didn't get a ton of
time with him. Obviously, we were excited about what we got.
And he's just like this big athletic presence on the mound.
You know, his carrying trade is a really good fastball
(35:27):
and his ability to throw a ton of strikes. He's
super competitive, almost methodical out there. That just screams major
league starter when you watch him pitch. You know, he
came into professional baseball with a lot of meat left
on the bone in terms of future development, you know,
expanding his arsenal and tapping into some velocity through some
delivery changes. And he moved really quickly last year for
(35:48):
Toronto and maybe didn't get as much time to work
on those things. And we recognize that when we got him,
and we got a lot of time to slow things
down a little bit the offseason, dig into some of
those areas and we saw some nice improvements in all
those qualities. So it's gonna be great to see Cal
out there for a full year and work with him, because, yeah,
(36:08):
he has a real chance to be something really really
special for us.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
And Josh Hardle another player required via trade now in
his second full season in the organization, and what do
you seek from him as he makes his progress.
Speaker 10 (36:22):
Yeah, we don't have like a Pitcher of the Year
award in the minor leagues, but Josh was the Midwest
League Pitcher of the Year last year with Lake County
and probably would have gotten a ton of votes for
us if we did have that award. Internally, he got
that small taste of double A last year and made
some really good progress this offseason on like the long
term goals and where we think he can be in
(36:43):
the future. So a lot of it is revolving around
continuing to push the physical, build the engine so that
he can throw harder long term. He did some incredible
work on that. It was about creating a little bit
more movement separation in his pitches, and you know, he
came back, you know, getting better in both those areas.
He's throwing a sweeper now that's you know, clicking some
(37:03):
ridiculous movement at times with Velo, and you know he's
throwing a little bit harder and we think there's still
again so much room for.
Speaker 6 (37:10):
Growth with this guy.
Speaker 10 (37:11):
But I mean, he's a really strong strike thrower who
gets you know, one of the highest ground ball rates
in baseball. And yeah, he's he's again another one of
these guys that we're just so excited to see how
this year plays out and there's just still so much
room to grow.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
At Steven ostro Or, the vice president of player Development
for the Guardians, talking about the tons of talent at
the Double A level as the Guardian's farm system really
has it's hit a sweet spot. A lot of players
starting to get closer to the major leagues and it's exciting,
including what's happening at Double A. Acron that's going to
do it for our show this week. Thanks to Brian
(37:49):
Matse as always for helping to put it together each
and every week. We will join you next weekend from
back home in downtown Cleveland when the Guardians are taking
on the Baltimore or at Progressive Field. Till then, this
is Jim Rose at House reminding you that you been
listening to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:17):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive Helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.