September 18, 2024 • 42 mins
Kentucky Baseball Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Austin Cousino looks backs at CWS and previews additions to the team.
Hosted by Darren Headrick and Darren Williams.
Hosted by Darren Headrick and Darren Williams.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Here we are. It's another fall and the Wildcats baseball team,
coming off a historic run and incredible run to the
College World Series, have pressed the reset button. It's a
brand new year and we get to meet a lot
of new faces this year. I believe it's thirty new
faces total dub and we're going to start off our
behind Kentucky Baseball podcast as we come back. We're going
(00:21):
to have a special guest with us here in a moment.
But right now, just get your thoughts on the excitement
of another fall practice session that's underway.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Man, we've had two months off since you know, the
season kind of ended, and that's about all we need
off right It's time to get back into it, learn
the guys again and going another magical run. I remember
just being out there in Omaha, and you know, obviously
we met up and what a scene, what an experience.
So proud of everybody included in the program, from behind
(00:52):
the people, staff to the players, the coaches, administration, everything,
Just unbelievable time out there. I know we enjoy it
ourselves a lot, but we're I'm excited to get back
into it and started interviewing some guys getting to know
this team with twenty twenty five cats.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
You know what it hit me, dub on our way
in here. One of the first guys we talked to
when we launched this podcast last year was our guest
today and that's assistant co Austin Kuzano. So if the
formula works, why change it?
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Right there?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
We've gotten place. They just don't mess it up, right, That's.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Right, that's right. Hey. I know you guys were busy,
you were scouting and everything in Omaha last year. You
were all business in the College World Series. But were
you able in maybe five minutes here there to just
kind of soak it in and enjoy that whole experience
with the team last year?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, as best you can for me, uh calls zoom
calls face times because service doesn't work. Right next to
you know, the park right there, our hotels right past
right field with so many people you get the chance
to walk. And I had been there before in twenty
(02:03):
eighteen as a grad assistant. I had seen it when
I was playing summer ball at USA and twenty thirteen.
But to live it with the guys, it's like it's
the pinnacle right to see the joy and excitement and
just look in your player's eyes. Like I was fortunate
my son came out there and just to experience that
(02:25):
on Father's Day and watch a game right pine home.
You just said, you just like look around, get to like,
you know, just it really so you do get to
soak it in. It was fun though, but it really
does come down like just seeing the guys like it's
the best part, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
So yeah, that was one of my favorite things was
watching the guys celebrate and watch them taken in and
play so competitively out there. But also I had a
chance to have Keith Madison in the broadcast with me
and just to see his jubilation and know how much
he's poured into this program for so many years. That
was fun. And and Darren, I know it meant a
lot to you to see these guys I celebrate because
(03:01):
you played with many of them, and to see them
fulfill a goal that you and many others had set
out a couple of years ago. It was pretty special.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
I know. I was enjoying myself in the stands. I mean,
if any of our listeners that didn't get to go
out when we go back this year, absolute party for
two weeks. It is college Baseball Heaven. We talked about
it all the time, obviously people that have been there before.
You know, you hear stories about it, you see it
on TV over years, and then to go out there
(03:29):
and experience it for a week like we would go.
The group that we went with would go to games
that Kentucky wasn't going in. I mean, you're going to
ball games. It's cheap out there to go to these games.
The downtown area is just such a lively atmosphere. It
was one of the most fun weeks I've had, and
I couldn't be more proud of the guys that obviously
(03:49):
I played with a ton of them obviously covered last
year's team. So much fun out there. We need to
do it again. I'm so let's go ahead book those reservations.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
I wanted to talk about the journey of the team
and the program to get there last year, because I know, Austin,
you played here and you really tried to lift this
program up, and you did while you were here, and
then Darren where the program was a few years ago.
You guys set out a goal and you set a standard.
Just talk about the journey of watching what you built
(04:23):
and the foundation that was laid. That has been carried
over by the culture of this team and the guys
that are coming in and the guys that are going
to be here this year.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
I spoke about it a lot, you know, after the
super Regional win, to different people, but the stories of
those upperclassmen that really led the way for the team
to get there. You think about Ryan hagen All and
Devin Burke's, Evan Byers, Jackson Novy, those kind of guys
you know who hadn't been there. You know, through us,
(04:51):
they had seen what a twelfth place team in the
SEC looked like, and then they had seen what a
first place team looked like. And to just see their
journeys into the leaders and the young men that they
were was unbelievable. Because that team last year didn't have
just one or two leaders on it. And you could
speak to this more than any of us. They had
fifteen to twenty leaders on their team last year, and
(05:11):
that really carried them because they expected to go into
every single game to win. It wasn't oh man, we
got to play Vanderbilt. No, it doesn't matter who's we're
playing Vanderbilt. Let's go get us a win today. And
that mindset.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
You could see.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
It was a lot of fun to watch games last
year because they were so intense, they were so focused,
and it just brought out such a good brand of
baseball that I think this place has been you know,
wanting for years. That's why they built this ballpark, you know,
because they wanted that brand of baseball, and we got
it last year. And I think you could speak more
about that in that journey.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
I think, like you know, Darren said, just as an
alum sitting where we are, watching you guys dogpile in
the regional in twenty three as a scout, you know,
sitting here with Calvin and just reconnecting with Coachminge and
the staff, you know, being able to value valuate you
guys from a professional standpoint. Uh came and spoke to
the team in the preseason. It just like fired me up,
(06:04):
and I just remember, like I felt so connected again,
right Like I got to, you know, meet the guys
and I knew the names and I'm you know, doing
my job as a scout and doing that whole deal
of the evaluation process. But watching you guys that spring
and just seeing like felt myself like, man, I like
reconnected with them, you know, and like such a small
Sunday morning, you know, fifteen minute, twenty minute talk, but
(06:28):
then getting to know the guys and just that group
of guys who came from all over in different backgrounds
and injuries and just trials and tribulations of just you
know what kind of culminated into the personalities and kind
of the toughness and grit and those buzzwords everyone throws around.
But it truly is different, right, I think for me
that you know, when I commit here and chose this place,
(06:52):
you're talking one regional, no regional whinever playing against teams
who had been good for decades, right Like you look
at you know, Omaha this past year, like the other
seven teams, right like NC State, Florida State, u n C, UVA, Tennessee, Florida, Texas,
A and M. Right, you were talking like decades of
programs who have been like really good for a really
(07:15):
long time, and then you have like, oh, here come
the wild cats, like the misfits. Like that's what we
caught ourselves last year, Like truly, like we were misfits
in a group of programs that like quite honesty, like
they kind of get ticked off because like we played
the way we played and I'm sure they thought we
were arrogant, cocky at times, but we play our brand
and we were ourselves and no one likes like said,
(07:35):
like the you know, the new Ki in the neighborhood, right,
but like it was just so cool, and I know
Darren like said, like we talk and just to see
like the personalities and the toughness and all that stuff
come out over time, and just the resiliency was like awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Right that ninth inning against NC State, Nicholson hitting that
bomb was on insane, like one of the best moment
Mitch obviously right, great call down, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
And that's one of my favorite things about that game.
And I think part of the reason why I was
so excited on the call is people kind of forget
leading up to that home run. NC State had sort
of gained kind of control of the game. They had
it where they wanted it with their bullpens set up. Yeah,
and Nicholson had the home run to tie it, and
then people kind of forget that Devin was trying to
get into the scoring position got thrown out right before
(08:23):
the home run. So it's like all the momentum was
on the other bench and then Mitchell just got a
slider and destroyed it.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Yeah, it's crazy, I think. I you know, I talk
about this and we show this and you know, not
to get into like a recruiting spill, but yeah, you know,
the previous school Mitchell was at, the guy was five
for fifty off breaking balls the year before, with one
extra base, hit, four to twenty four, walk to strike
out two fifty oh ps forty three percent with rate
like the guy couldn't hit breaking balls. You know, he
(08:48):
made swinger just on his coach, Ammo. You know, his intent,
his heart and everything was right, and you look up
and the guy on the mound has an unbelievable breaking ball,
right And in that moment. I tell people this all
the time. It's like when you're watching and we're paying
attention during games, we were like sometimes you're like, man,
like this guy's gonna get him here, right. He found
like p D in that first set, first step back,
(09:09):
like he's gonna get him right. Like you're like, Pete,
he's gonna get him here, like everyone has that into him.
He might not, but with Mitch there and you look
back and Mitch hit three hundred on breaking balls, raised
his opiss by eight hundred, has nine extra base hits,
like almost one to two. Like he changed and he
got better and he bought into what we were teaching
and he became vulnerable, and it like comes out in
that moment to where you know, we talked like, hey man,
(09:32):
like this guy's got a good breaking ball. I'm not
gonna tell him he's giving up two hits all year
on it to Righty's in one extra base.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Here we know all the data and metrics, but like.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
To see and then the personal connection of daily story
and all of it and like the team, and you
see it come out in that moment, Like I just
remember thinking like before, I'm like I had no I
had no feeling he was gonna hit home.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
I don't know who you did.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Tell me if someone, if someone knew, like, come tell me,
like then you can help me find some more players
because you clearly have a crystal ball.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
That was such a such a great moment. And I
think it all goes back to one thing last year's team,
in addition to the talent, and my goodness was their
talent across the board on that team last year, they
had the desire to win and as the season went,
the belief that they were going to win. By the
time the end of the regular season came around, when
you guys were chasing an SEC title, you just kind
(10:21):
of walked into the ballpark assuming they were going to
get the job done because that there was that much
belief and it wasn't arrogance, it was a confidence.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Yeah, Grant Smith, you know, said it perfectly. I remember
one day preseason, we're joking around to my office and
someone did something or said something or maybe it was
complaining and Grant just like looks at me and it's like, bro,
like it takes what it takes. Man, Like I don't
know what else to tell you. And it's like, well,
you know, like it does, right, And I think that
you look at just how we play and all of it,
(10:48):
and you know, Coachman says this perfectly right, Like you
have to you know, teach your team like how to compete.
You know, they got to learn how to compete, and
then they have to learn how to win, and then
they have to learn how to deal with winning. And
that team I really, you know, it was amazing, just
really like said to sit back and watch and right
like you're pushing different buttons and they're beering off different ways.
(11:11):
But man, like just just a blast to like watch
the belief, right and like the confidence and just the
resilien six said, like every day is you know, right,
Like you get done and uh, you know, Hagen Smith
gets you guys for fourteen punchies and you believe you're
the hardest two strike team to get out and you
start second guessing cause you're you know, you know too
for your last seven and you're like, man, is it
(11:31):
starting to go? And it's like no, right, Like Waldy
leads off the game with a lean young p D
goes bomb and you're like Saturday, You're like, yeah, all right,
like we.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Cover to the Sunday games. Yeah, and I mean what
a series. Yeah, come back from that. Yeah, that was
like when we solidified. Like, yeah, kentuckyans ranked in the
top five, but they're actually a top five team in
the country.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
No doubt you know this, man, Like this league is good,
Like you know, I think that's what. Yeah, there's no
off we can be like that's why you do it.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Yeah, just to underscore your point about how good the
SEC is, Kentucky did not lose to a team in
the postseason year that was outside of the SEC.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
I mean, that's just the way it is. I mean,
that's it's just a couple of points there. Number one,
the Mitch Daily the NC State Game, one of the
best sporting events in Kentucky history, doesn't matter what sport,
unbelievable sporting event. Number two, speaking on the confidence and
the belief and the focus of this team. The last
postseason run in the Regional and Super five and zero. Yeah,
just wipe clean like this team.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Is strong teams too strong teams.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
Very very good team mission programs like the y'all had
them boys ready to play in the Regional and Super
because they were focused, they were intense.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Obviously it raises the bar. But you just saw us dominate. Yeah,
five straight games in the crowds here were insane.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Or whatever it was.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Yeah, man to us get us a better West Coast time.
I don't care, you know what I mean, Like, you know,
our guys are sitting there like good play at midnight.
We don't care anytime. That's just the personality and as
coaches it's our job as we you know that we
talked about what coach Min just done with assembly, an
amazing staff all the way through the from the manager
to you know, I mean everyone, right, Like our job
(13:07):
is to let our players be the best version of themselves.
But you have to create that environment in the dugout,
in pregame and after every pitch. How are you going
to respond as a coach and like you know, giving
guys belief because like it's not gonna be just this
linear you know, like there's gonna be rocket but that region,
like you said, like to to play those teams who
throughout the year were very good Western Michigan, Illinois, Indiana State.
(13:30):
You're talking about teams who have been to regionals and supers,
and you know, to have a team like Oregon State
who arguably you could say it's been a top three
to follow the programs last.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Yeah, and you.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Know we talked about this when the regional sites came out.
You know, just like everything you know, people are house
to draw. It's like, you know, Oregon State, I'm like,
do there's sixteen teams? Uff, like who you want to play? Yeah?
Bring the program who has been one of the best
in the country and like put us like bring it
nine o'clock, Like let's go come on, Like and that's
how our team was, you know, like it doesn't matter, like,
(14:05):
let's roll it out there, let's.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Go those the best things you see in the fall
because obviously we practice in the mornings and it's like
first pitch ten thirty in the morning. It's like, all right, great,
let's go out there and I'm going to beat at
ten thirty in the morning. You know, I love that
attitude that you just cultivate throughout the fall. Speaking of
the Oregon State night, I know obviously your coach here,
you know you played here. How insane was your phone
(14:29):
the night that we went.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Yeah, I'm not going to remember this exactly. I believe
it was over three hundred and seventy texts.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So it's funny story real quick. We like I told
you guys, like the recruiting doesn't stop, right, so, like
you know, we're I mean I did zooms in Hoover
visits in regional zooms in between. I mean a lot
of the guys who are here now, right, Like that's time,
Like it's weird to like be for me, right, like
focusing a lot of my attention on recruiting while you're
in like this historic run crazy, right, Like we'll see
(15:00):
if we did a good job here a couple of months.
The first three week has been encouraging. But my phone
just like the eleven forty five Sunday just stops working. Wow,
and yeah, and coach Minjell appreciate this. Like the recruiting
coordinator's phone like just can't not work. Like I go
down to Apple They're like, I don't know that. We
gotta wait. They go through the little put an appointment.
(15:21):
I'm like, hey, I don't need to be that guy,
but like I need we have a visit because it's
like I'm like, my Apple Watch is working. So like
fortunately I get back to the field at like four
thirty in my phone where and I'm like going through
the visit and all of it, like it was crazy. Yeah,
like it was, but it's awesome. Like we'll take it.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Leave it to a recruiting coordinator to max out text
messages on the phone.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Yeah yeah, that dog Pall video was I promise you
Yeah Instagram, Twitter, Oh that was.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Such a special night.
Speaker 3 (15:52):
Yeah yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
I think I left the ballpark about two o'clock in
the morning or something like that. Maybe three.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Oh. Yeah, it was a bet you're sitting in it's
like three forty five in the morning, and I'm sitting
in the locker room with like twelve of our guys.
I'm more watching highlights of our win right on the
quad box. Yeah, in the locker room, yep, right, Like
you'll never for.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Me, I was up till three thirty in the morning
because I was like, oh, I got a plan vacation
real quick. But also just like from a former player
who knew all those guys covered team, like yeah, and
my heart just like yeah, dude, let's go. Yeah, Like
that was awesome just reliving the moments. Obviously it's really
but like that's you want to be a competitor. You
want to win the highest level games that you can
(16:34):
possibly play. And I think that kind of leads us
into this topic of Okay, you make the run and
now you make you know, the recruiting decisions that you
had to make last summer to make the twenty twenty
five team. What did that that postseason run teach you
as the recruiter about the kind of guys that you
need to win the postseason games here?
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Yeah, it really just reaffirms Coach Minga's philosophy for me
of just how important the person is in the process,
you know, student person player, right, Like, we got to
get the right talent. We talk about this all the time,
right like sometimes you got to coach a player. Sometimes
you gotta coach the person up right, Like shout out
to Seth Javez, like you need that guy in the program.
(17:18):
I would tell you as a lum watching Seth Javes
pitch like he brought and you know this, he brought
an element to the team that like you have, you
got to have someone like back end of the like
not afraid to like you know, look at the dugout
and maybe say something to not barkla. Yeah, in a
competitive fire that like kind of late encapsulates like the personality, right,
and so you know when when you go through that run,
(17:42):
the coolest thing that you like keep going back to
is just like the relationships in the the people in
the program and the exposure you get for your team
when you do that of just how many people see
the guys and you guys telling their stories and the
excitement of how many recruit roots and families just say, man, like, uh,
you know there's kids in our program who like they
(18:04):
followed if were at other schools in high school and
they just followed and they're like, Coach, I just loved
the pink hats, and I loved the energy and the
jerseys and the stacking and uh and all of it.
Right Like, man Like, what what better way can I say? Like,
man like, you're gonna come here, but you're like, we're
gonna let you have some fun. Like now, you're gonna compete,
you're gonna be you're gonna play hard, you're gonna be
a great teammate, and you're gonna do all the things
(18:25):
like within this realm. But like, I don't know, man
like dire mustache blue ware aviators were like, I don't care,
Like you wanna find the barrel like coach, because he's
gonna let you do whatever you want, man Like, pull
that jersey open, like now, but you're gonna respect the game.
You're gonna respect the opponent. But the coolest thing, and
what coach men will constantly say is like how many
people it like it impacted in the experiences, right Like, I.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
Think that's the biggest compliment I can give the staff
outside of helping these guys go grow as players. Is
I hear Hunter Gillham talk about how he could be himself.
I've heard you talk about it. Uh. Nick Lopez has
fallen in love with Lexington in this program and the
way you guys let him do what you know, he
could be himself. And Robert Hogan really blossomed last year
(19:08):
and I can't wait to see what he's gonna do
for this program this year. And you know, just the
way these guys have been allowed to be themselves within reason,
like you were talking about, I think is one of
the hugest compliments I can give you and the rest
of the staff.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Yeah, well it starts at the top, right, And why
would we recruit someone like what We're not trying to
box you into being someone or not right, Like you're
gonna have to push guys a little bit times, You're
gonna have to reel them back at times. But I
do think right, like that is coaching, right, Like ultimately,
like you don't you know, pick a place for the
stadium or the fans or the wins or the draft
(19:40):
picks or the p you know, or one coach or
one player like it's everything right, But I do truly
you know, believe at the core right like you talk
about like when you're developing guys in like when you're
eighteen to twenty three, twenty four, twenty five time, you know,
at some point like the brain stops developing. But no,
(20:01):
that's the coolest part, right. I like to see them
and be like, okay, like you get to make a
real impact.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Yeah right, And Darren you could speak to this having
pitched for him, But here guys like Robert Hogan talk
about Dan Roselle as a mentor and how he lets pitchers,
especially if it's just a bullpen session kind of experiment
or toy with grips or different pitches or whatever, and
then he's kind of the filter or maybe quality control.
He's like, Okay, I see what you're doing, but let's
(20:27):
try this. And then all of a sudden you get
a guy like Hogan's out there throwing two different sliders basically.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
And it paid off. That coaching style paid off because
Robert Hogan was such a big piece of the postseason
run last year, and that wasn't the Robert Hogan from
a year before. Like that that guy was built, you know,
with that kind of coaching style and ability to go
out and try new things and fail and try again
(20:54):
and succeed, try again and fail and try it like
and just keep building it like that. And it got
to a point where Robert Hogan's got the ball for
three innings in the Super Regional. There's just eight thousand
people here, and he's spending Slider to the number one
pick and striking him out just yea losing his mind
but being himself on the mound. Yeah, right, And that
doesn't happen from a coaching style of oh there's one
(21:17):
right way to right to do it. You're doing it
my way. You don't have an option to do it.
Like that coaching style that coach Rozelle brings really blossoms
out the best in a picture.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Yeah, and you know that best right, Like you know
when we go through this whole process and try to
find the right fit and the right guys, Like how
much comfort there is like like I know, like you're
gonna get coached here, Like you're gonna get coached like
all the way from the top with coach Mne and
Coach Roselle, right and Coach Sloan myself right, Like you
have to believe that we're going to turn over every
(21:47):
stone when it comes to like how are we going
to self evaluate and self scout ourselves better, like there
is the opponent, right, but like how important it is
to like focus on ourselves at times, but like how
much freedom you can be Like Okay, like we're gonna
have to get this guy back, right, Like there's a
reason he's here, right, we got to check make sure he,
like said, his heart's right in the makeup and everything.
He has that desire to win, and he wants to
(22:07):
be a great teammate and he wants to, you know,
sacrifice things that maybe he hasn't and challenge him in
ways that they they've never been challenged. But like the
comfort of knowing like no, like Coach Roseelle's gonna demand
the absolute best out of you, like more than you're
gonna have of like your own expectation of just knowing,
Like but if I do it, like it's gonna be
rewarding in the end.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
I think my favorite thing in about him too, and
I've known Dan for a long time is he can
be really honest with you and straightforward and then in
the very next moment have you on the ground laughing
so hard at something. He says. That's my favorite thing
about his personality. He'll go from being on the mound
pitching with you competitively to crack it up, and that's
one of my favorite things.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Yeah, the Indiana game twenty three, Game seven of the regional,
Like the first inning, I gave up a run whatever,
and we got out to the mountain. It is me,
coach Roseelle and Death and we're weird jaw and like
we was a intense moment. There's seven thousand people later,
it's game seven, win home, and it got really intense.
Got out of the situation, it's one to nothing whatever,
(23:07):
and you know, we just get back to the dugout
like it was a one two three inning, Like life's
good man, Relax, cut up, talk about the next inning,
who's coming up next, make this adjustment, and go really
good coaching style. I responded really well from it. I
know our pictures did last year very well.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
From it.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
You spoke about another coach, the new guy, coach Sloan
from Wright State. Speak a little bit about that relationship,
what you've seen out of him. Obviously, well we'll get
him on at some point as he gets acclimated to Lexington.
But talk about a little bit about our new hitting coach.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Yeah, so coach Loan and I go back he from
my day scouting he was I watched him actually I
was coaching a xavier when he was playing still oh wow.
And then from my time scouting with Detroit and Tampa
and watching those guys at right stay and he's been awesome,
like loves it, loves the guys. The guys love him.
They want to work. They're constantly, as you know, like
they're coming to you know, our offices. It's every hour
(24:00):
of day, man, Like, somebody's in there like breaking down
the swing. And he's constantly, Like he'll wake up in
the morning and he'll come right to my office and
be like how I was looking at him swing? He's
like this, what do you think? And like he just
loves it right like, as you know, like that's all
you can Like if you just have a guy that's
like wanting to clock out at five thirty, he's like,
man like, it's probably the same for you. Right Like
me and Coach Loan are in there like breaking down
(24:21):
like the you know, the load and their back knee
and what are they thinking and feeling and their grip strength.
It's like, man like, this guy knows the swing. Like
he's had some of the best offenses We've talked about
it right state right the last yeah, and we're starting
to see it out here, Like I'm seeing like these
guys are like leveraging balls and there's not one way
right like And the cool thing is like this coach
(24:43):
Sloan has just been so open, like Okay, I know
what coach mine it has done here and what's important
and what we're gonna do and how it's gonna look
while saying okay, like this is what I've done, Like
we're gonna blend. We're gonna meet in the middle. We're
gonna blend it and like having like the communication know
like okay, these are they not like we're gonna take
like hbps and like we're gonna come you know obviously
(25:04):
like control, control of the strike zone and all these different things.
But it's been cool to see like the training obviously
like is different. But you're not gonna have one coach
when you get the pro ball. You're not ever gonna
just have one teacher or one boss and work like
things change. But he's been awesome, Like our guys are
they they love him and the swings are they're good.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
They're like, okay, speak to us about a handful of
these players. Obviously we have thirty new guys, yeah, right,
but we have a lot of guys that are coming
back as sophomores, juniors who have been in the program
for a year or two now. So who's uh caught
your eye, I would say, in the first couple of
weeks of practice, and who has taken a little step
from where they were last season?
Speaker 3 (25:44):
For sure? Obviously I said, like I'll tell those freshmen
played right when you think of Kayas Gargett and Cameron
Eli Small and Ethan h Talent, Yeah, just when the
rosters expand to forty, right, like those guys like they
came in and they got a taste of it and
you know ultimate right like we had an older team
and those guys kept working right like when they got
(26:05):
their their name called, they were ready. But to see
just even just like said from the numbers of you know,
Ethan Hindle and Small, like they're hitting the ball one ten,
one eleven now right, Like that was those one o
four's and one fives last three four months ago. So
even just those four guys right, like the change in
their body and the change and their demeanor and like
their their you know self talk just day to day
(26:27):
and the way they walk and carry like it's just
been cool right because that they've all come in, They're like, man,
like this is my time now, right, Like, you know,
I see what it looks like. I know what a
winner and competitive toughness looks like. And they got to
like be right in with the fight with like pretty
dang good team right, like sorry, like the pro ball,
pro ball, pro ball, pro Ball, Like I just took
over there for a couple of weeks for a grant.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Well he was, yeah, and played pretty pretty good short
stop as a freshman.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
Yeah, he held it down, had.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Good moments last year. I remember that hit he had
in Florida.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Yeah, eighth and ninth huge, Yeah, huge, huge.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
So like they have some confidence there. It's just growing
up obviously freshman freshman year, it's tough in college base Yeah,
growing into that sophomore junior year.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
And then obviously some cool moments of getting some at
bats in the College World Series there at the end.
I mean, I know that game didn't want to go
the way you wanted, but still that was really cool moments,
especially for Eli to get in there and get in
a bat.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
No, I'm all those all four of those guys and
just from a position simpler. We're just getting into team
practice a couple of days ago, and we'll see just
you know, Tommy Scouting and Ben Cleaver and some of
those you know, second year pitchers, and we didn't have
a ton of third year you know, just for the
way the class just kind of shaked out. But those guys, man,
just I would say this man that those four guys
(27:41):
just it's cool to see, right, like go off they go,
and you know, just the importance of summer baseball so
so and they took it serious. And some guys it's
like like, eh, summer ball. Right then you got those
four guys that were like no, they all balled out
and they're like no, like I'm coming back to like
keep this thing going, and I want I'm gonna win
a job. And it's like all right, let's go. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
Like as the president of the Being Cleaver Fang club
over here.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
I called it since I Florida. I called it since
I saw him pitch against the Morehead State last fall.
That Florida game was nuts. But what have you seen
so far in Ben? Obviously he didn't go play summer ball.
We ended late June essentially, so he developed a little
more in the weight room and gaining a little weight.
What have you seen on him so far?
Speaker 3 (28:25):
Yeah? I think we all know Ben is the competitor, right.
I saw right like the guy had two appearances in
his college career and it's okay, let's throw Ben. Yeah,
let's just go throw Ben out there to close out
this game and win a series against Florida. And uh,
you know at that point, right, like we knew Florida
was really good and they're talented and they were obviously
fixing some things, which they they did clearly, but that
(28:49):
huge man like you can't, you can't teaching, and still
like that desire to want, I guess, to just want
the ball, right Like for I remember sitting in that
moment and looking at Ammo and we're like, should probably
get cleaver here, Yeah, you know, like and I can
just like see him and like you can just tell
(29:09):
like the way he walked out there. You just I
saw that as a scout when he was the junior
at East Coast Pro and I'm like watching him pitch
and obviously as an alum, like this guy's going to
can tell you this is cool, Like and then you
get to like, you know, scout him and then he
shows up and coach him and you know, like you
talked about with his body and you know, just being
available and just I'm just looking forward to him just
(29:29):
like now being in a spot physically like okay, it's
gonna come out right, and just when he gets like
fully ramped up ready to go, like the stuff is real.
The compete is real, right, like you're talking like Frontline
Weekend starting stuff. But the intangibles that he has are incredible, right,
like love that like just love that fire in them
like aus you know, like pictures can be quirky, like
(29:50):
he got a little position player that.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Yeah, Darren can confirm this. When he ran out to
the mound that Florida out text him, I was far.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
My phone started blowing up to him. He's like, this
game's over.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
I knew what was coming. Trust him with the Yeah,
because he's a competitor, Like you said, who were we
Obviously we have a seventh year senior this year?
Speaker 1 (30:14):
Yeah, how about that?
Speaker 2 (30:15):
How about it? Yeah, last time we had a seventh
year senior, it went pretty well.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
It was okay, it was pretty good.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Speak about by Nick just a little bit about the
old head in the locker room.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
Yeah, he's a stud man, He's a stud. You knew
it from the moment you got on the call. He
was one of the guys I zoomed with when we're
in Hoover, and right, like this process is so like
we talked about like the development and injuries and hell
and COVID and like, man, that guy's like pink through
the ringer. Right, you want to talk about a guy
who you know when you go through this, you're talking
(30:47):
to scouts and advisors and former coaches and buddies you
played with and against in high school, coached him and
at you know, his previous school and summer ball. Like
you're just trying to like figure out like who is
this person? Right? What are they gonna be? Like what
are you gonna get when they get here?
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Right?
Speaker 3 (31:03):
And it was just so evident that first call, Like
a man, this guy's thorough, he's diligent, he knows what
it's what he wants. Like and I sat in as
you know, he was gonna meet with coach Rozelle yesterday
and he came to my office like hey, can I
come kicking. We're talking and we're talking about his recruiting
process and it's just so cool, Like you look back
and I just remember him texting me and being like
(31:23):
a coach like that zoom was unbelievable. He goes, I've
I've talked to everyone on your staff. I haven't even
talked to you know, some of the coach like I
have ops guys at other schools, like, you know, everyone
our league's reaching out to him. And he was just
so like diligent with and he knew what was important
and it's showing up like in every area. It was
like that guy's a professional. You know, he's overcome injuries
(31:43):
to get where he is now. But it goes back
to just you know, at a scout tell me it's like, hey,
I saw that kid pitch as a junior in high
school and fearless competitor, like struck out Jared Kellennick right like,
and it's just like success leaves clues and it's like, man,
I want that part of this, you know. And and
he's like said the guys just like they love him.
They called him out in the dugout today talking they
(32:05):
you know, coach Bing's like, hey, who's got the bust
body language? And pitch a sass so far, it's like
Nick McKay right, like we love that, right, Like you
know when it's every area now you have freshmen, Like,
all right, I want to play couch with that guy.
I want to be around. I'm gonna lift next to him, right,
I'm gonna go eat with him. I'm gonna hang out
with him in the locker room. Like that's how you
keep this thing rolling, you know. So I love Nick.
He's been awesome.
Speaker 2 (32:24):
Like, I'm excited to speak with Nick at some point because, yeah,
we can't wait to start bringing the new guys in
here and giving them.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
A platform to tell their stories and get to know them.
Thirty new guys, so we're gonna have to have a
lot of podcasts to get these guys on here, potentially
replacing well seven of nine starters. It's hard to imagine.
But I was standing here going around the horn on
the field. I'm like, the new spot, new spot, right,
how is that gone? I know you guys are early
in fall practice, but how has that gone? Seeing guys
(32:52):
compete for opportunities now?
Speaker 3 (32:54):
Yeah, No, it's exciting, Like it's awesome to see as
a coach to go through the process and see these
high school guys that you saw and you know, you
liked and you got to know, and now they're here
and you're getting a different version of them. You're like,
all right, like you know the you know, they're changing
their bodies from summer ball and they're healthy, and then
you know, you know, we go through this process. You
kind of have an idea of who they are and
(33:15):
what they'll be and they get here and you want
it to be the same, but usually they come out
of their shell more so, it's just been awesome to
see the like, you know, the light in their eyes
of the compete and they're going through all their training
and practice and the BP rounds and they're learning like okay,
like man, like this is pretty cool, but I don't know,
and they're kind of feeling it out. But just to
have you know, said, a really good team that we
(33:37):
had and send i don't know, what was it, the
seventh most draft picks in the country, right, that's part
of it, you know, like when you're really good, like
typically you're gonna have really old players, you know, and
still part of like last year was the last COVID
fifth year, so you know, now we've got a you know,
we're gonna have a lot of new faces. And we
returned to Dev and James and Buyers and Hogi and
(33:59):
Patty Herrer and guys that have been a part of
winning culture and teams. And now you're seeing new guys
like y'all come in and they're just like, all right,
this is the expectation. But like the compete piece, like
not against each other, like together is awesome to see,
right because they all like okay, like I have like
complete control. Like it wasn't a you know, p D
(34:22):
last year played second right every day. It was like,
you know, it was coming right, Like he's playing shortstop
for ninety nine percent of every other team in the country. Problem,
you know, But it's been awesome to see those guys
do it.
Speaker 1 (34:33):
We could probably sit here for another couple of hours
and go through all the new faces and get your
thoughts on them. But there is one particular freshman I
wanted to ask you about while we had you on here.
Uh he was drafted but decided to come to college.
You got into campus here in Lexington, and that's Tyler Bell.
What have you seen out of how first of all
was exciting was it to get him to campus. But
then second of all, how have you seen him come
(34:54):
in here and adapt to the college game.
Speaker 3 (34:56):
Yeah, no, it's been awesome. And to your point, right,
like to get that guy to campus, right, like, it's
it's tough. Uh. You know, I think the biggest, one
of the biggest strengths that that TJ. I call m
t J. And I'm obviously you know, recruited, and that's
kind of what I call him and with TJ. Wright
is is that inner belief and for him to be like, no, like,
(35:18):
this is my worth and this is what I want.
And you know, to as a you know, coach, you're
always like, Okay, how's the draft gonna shake out? Shake out?
And you know, ultimately, right like, it comes down to like, Okay,
I believe I'm worth this, and I believe I'm gonna
go to a place and trust them with my career
and my development, uh and all of it, which is
awesome to see. Like coach and I talked about that
(35:38):
for someone to want to be like no, like I
want to play there. I want to play for those
coaches and believe in the players that are coming in
and you know, like form lifelong relationships and have teammates
that I have like minded goals, like, you know, credit
to him for for believing in that. Right, He's been awesome,
right Like you know, anytimes the players drafted, there's talent
and skill and there's a prerequisite to have that to
(36:01):
come here of anyone. But he loves it. Man, just
the way he takes care of his body and goes
about his business and the focus and intent and the
you know, just he has a burning desire to want
to win and compete. Like I've seen that, which is
we knew that in the recruiting process, right, like straight
shooter and straightforward. And I remember he came here and
(36:22):
he visited and he's like, no, this is home, like
he knew in his mind, like this is where he
wanted to be, right, Like, you love that and it's
so easy we talked about like for me, like that's
how I was, like, that's why I chose this place.
So when I find that and the talent's there and
the makeups there and I see that. Right, We've got
guys and other recruiting classes like they're gonna be really
similar to him, right, Like no, like I want to
go there, right, Like that is awesome for me and
(36:43):
then to see him show up and be like, no,
like this guy works, like he wants to win, and
like he's gonna be able to have the ability to
like bring guys with him. But he's been awesome just
from a makeup talent skill point, Like the guy loves
to work, and we're happy he's here.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
I don't want to put the cart before the horse,
because you know, things will shake out how they do.
But I was just thinking about the plethora of star
shortstops this program has enjoyed since I've been here. This
will be my eighth year. Trey Dawson. In year one,
you had Ryan Ritter, You've had Grant Smith, you know
Tyler with that opportunity, Kyus obviously has got talent. This
team or this program has enjoyed some outstanding shortstop play.
Speaker 3 (37:21):
Yeah, without a doubt. I mean, you gotta have a
stud there it, Yeah, I think. I mean I remember
that when Grant was hurt and we went to like
said Florida and early like I think you know you
w would know this man, like just his personality and
how much that influenced it. And everyone's right, like everyone
(37:41):
is a leader. But when you have a guy like
Grant Smith get you know, it's hurt and is out
like he there's just like that missing piece right, Like
you gotta have a stud there.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
You got a dude.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
You gotta have a guy that wants the ball.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
With their pitchers. Man, it's confidence. Like you get catch
the ball from dev, you turn around, you walk back
them on the mountain. You see Grant talking to you
in your ear like, hey, give me the rock. Yeah,
it don't matter, just get it on, get it to me,
And that just makes you. It fills you with confidence
and you want to throw the strikes down zone. Hey
punch this ball unto the ground if it's three steps
(38:13):
to his right or left, like he's got it. Oh
it's out, and you know he wants the ball.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
I think that's it's such an an infectious feeling of
the whole team's confidence and it's helped so far so
have another one develop one, so.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
We gotta keep going.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
I mean we had that.
Speaker 3 (38:29):
I mean there, I think you know this right in
twenty three, like when the ball's hit like it could
go anywhere. You're like, you know, like we're gonna talk
about short stops like, don't get me wrong, We're gonna
we got We got a couple of short stops here right,
Like last year we had three short stops playing on
the infield.
Speaker 1 (38:44):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
Yeah, confidence of like I say the all the time,
Like when that ball was hit last year, like, man,
it was getting caught no matter where it was.
Speaker 1 (38:51):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (38:51):
Right, so amazing, no doubt about it.
Speaker 1 (38:54):
You know, you talked about Grant Smith that Oregon State
game to catch up the middle of the line, drive
off the batom, Like man, there's the art be single
that ties it, and then all of a sudden there's
Grant and it's like, all right, they're winning this.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Game one o'clock in the morning. Thousand fans are losing
their mind. How to play? Yeah, last question I got
for you is about her Man. Devin Burke's obviously face
of the program at this point. Guy's been here for forever.
It seems like, you know, what have you seen from
him coming back? His leadership and obviously you know there's
adjustments you're gonna make every single year to stay and
(39:27):
to become a better player, like all these guys want
to do. What have you seen out of dev so far?
Speaker 1 (39:31):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (39:31):
I think just with devs, you know, man, like guy's
a stud. Right, guy came in, didn't play right shirted,
played a little bit right, got his chance, And I
mean this guy just works, man Like, he's got such
an infectious personality, and he's got the perfect blend of
(39:52):
you know, confident arrogance and personality and uh laughter and
jokes and seriousness and like it's just a perfect like.
I mean, that guy's been the catcher on two of
the best Kentucky baseball team, well, you know, the best
Kentucky baseball team ever. And there's a reason, right like
to have a talk about shortstop like you need a
you need a dude back there, right like in what
(40:13):
coach Rozel demands with the pitching staff and the communication,
the verbal the nonverbals, there's like re energized with him,
right Like, did not have the offensive year he wanted.
And I can remember right like draft didn't go the
way he wanted. And you know when that doesn't happen,
you know, I think it's easy for us when we've
been through it as a player, it's like, oh, draft,
like keep going to realize, like, man, like, that's you
(40:35):
go through this as a player, like that's what you want,
that's your dream your goal like tye to achieve and
chance and but like it was quick for him. He's like, no,
I'm coming back now, like I'm coming back, like we're
running back. Let's go like call him like no, let's
do this right. It's like okay, I don't know. He's here. Yeah, yeah,
like there's not a doubt in mind, like this is
where he wants to be. He's like no, like we're
going back right, like all right, like let's go, you know,
And he's here and he's working, he's making the necessary adjustments.
(40:57):
He's getting pushed and he's like he's not waving the
white he's not like no, man, like we went to
the hall like I'm chilling, bro, I'm good, you know,
Like no, he's ready to go right like love it,
Like what else do you like? Like I told you,
like that guy is here and he's like no, like
we're gonna keep going. And now he's getting you know,
Schwartz and Belcher and Peltier and like he's like keep
going right, like now there's a bigger because there's not
(41:17):
as many returns to he say no, like come on,
I'll show you all the way, Like let's go. You
just can't teach that like that guy like he's gonna like,
can't be more excited to just see like the swing
and the progressions and the changes he's made.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
So if there's one guy you want leading, they might
just be Devin. Yeah. I mean that guy being on
the team last year. The catch, Oh my god, that
picture will be up forever. But yeah, man, that guy
is such a leader and he's gonna bring the guys along.
I'm excited to hear from him. We'll hear from him soon.
I'm sure we'll get to know a lot of.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
Yeah, it's gonna be fun because he thanks so much
for being with us.
Speaker 3 (41:59):
I enjoyed it, just done.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
Yeah, he's assistant coach Austin Kuzeno For Darren Williams. I'm
Darren Hendrick. Thanks for joining us for Behind Kentucky Baseball.
Stay tuned. We'll have some players coming through here in
the coming weeks. We'll meet some of the new guys.
We'll also catch up with some old friends from last
year as well, and we appreciate you joining us here
on Behind Kentucky Baseball. This is the UK Sports Network
Here we are. It's another fall and the Wildcats baseball team,
coming off a historic run and incredible run to the
College World Series, have pressed the reset button. It's a
brand new year and we get to meet a lot
of new faces this year. I believe it's thirty new
faces total dub and we're going to start off our
behind Kentucky Baseball podcast as we come back. We're going
(00:21):
to have a special guest with us here in a moment.
But right now, just get your thoughts on the excitement
of another fall practice session that's underway.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Man, we've had two months off since you know, the
season kind of ended, and that's about all we need
off right It's time to get back into it, learn
the guys again and going another magical run. I remember
just being out there in Omaha, and you know, obviously
we met up and what a scene, what an experience.
So proud of everybody included in the program, from behind
(00:52):
the people, staff to the players, the coaches, administration, everything,
Just unbelievable time out there. I know we enjoy it
ourselves a lot, but we're I'm excited to get back
into it and started interviewing some guys getting to know
this team with twenty twenty five cats.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
You know what it hit me, dub on our way
in here. One of the first guys we talked to
when we launched this podcast last year was our guest
today and that's assistant co Austin Kuzano. So if the
formula works, why change it?
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Right there?
Speaker 3 (01:22):
We've gotten place. They just don't mess it up, right, That's.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
Right, that's right. Hey. I know you guys were busy,
you were scouting and everything in Omaha last year. You
were all business in the College World Series. But were
you able in maybe five minutes here there to just
kind of soak it in and enjoy that whole experience
with the team last year?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, as best you can for me, uh calls zoom
calls face times because service doesn't work. Right next to
you know, the park right there, our hotels right past
right field with so many people you get the chance
to walk. And I had been there before in twenty
(02:03):
eighteen as a grad assistant. I had seen it when
I was playing summer ball at USA and twenty thirteen.
But to live it with the guys, it's like it's
the pinnacle right to see the joy and excitement and
just look in your player's eyes. Like I was fortunate
my son came out there and just to experience that
(02:25):
on Father's Day and watch a game right pine home.
You just said, you just like look around, get to like,
you know, just it really so you do get to
soak it in. It was fun though, but it really
does come down like just seeing the guys like it's
the best part, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
So yeah, that was one of my favorite things was
watching the guys celebrate and watch them taken in and
play so competitively out there. But also I had a
chance to have Keith Madison in the broadcast with me
and just to see his jubilation and know how much
he's poured into this program for so many years. That
was fun. And and Darren, I know it meant a
lot to you to see these guys I celebrate because
(03:01):
you played with many of them, and to see them
fulfill a goal that you and many others had set
out a couple of years ago. It was pretty special.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
I know. I was enjoying myself in the stands. I mean,
if any of our listeners that didn't get to go
out when we go back this year, absolute party for
two weeks. It is college Baseball Heaven. We talked about
it all the time, obviously people that have been there before.
You know, you hear stories about it, you see it
on TV over years, and then to go out there
(03:29):
and experience it for a week like we would go.
The group that we went with would go to games
that Kentucky wasn't going in. I mean, you're going to
ball games. It's cheap out there to go to these games.
The downtown area is just such a lively atmosphere. It
was one of the most fun weeks I've had, and
I couldn't be more proud of the guys that obviously
(03:49):
I played with a ton of them obviously covered last
year's team. So much fun out there. We need to
do it again. I'm so let's go ahead book those reservations.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
I wanted to talk about the journey of the team
and the program to get there last year, because I know, Austin,
you played here and you really tried to lift this
program up, and you did while you were here, and
then Darren where the program was a few years ago.
You guys set out a goal and you set a standard.
Just talk about the journey of watching what you built
(04:23):
and the foundation that was laid. That has been carried
over by the culture of this team and the guys
that are coming in and the guys that are going
to be here this year.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
I spoke about it a lot, you know, after the
super Regional win, to different people, but the stories of
those upperclassmen that really led the way for the team
to get there. You think about Ryan hagen All and
Devin Burke's, Evan Byers, Jackson Novy, those kind of guys
you know who hadn't been there. You know, through us,
(04:51):
they had seen what a twelfth place team in the
SEC looked like, and then they had seen what a
first place team looked like. And to just see their
journeys into the leaders and the young men that they
were was unbelievable. Because that team last year didn't have
just one or two leaders on it. And you could
speak to this more than any of us. They had
fifteen to twenty leaders on their team last year, and
(05:11):
that really carried them because they expected to go into
every single game to win. It wasn't oh man, we
got to play Vanderbilt. No, it doesn't matter who's we're
playing Vanderbilt. Let's go get us a win today. And
that mindset.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
You could see.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
It was a lot of fun to watch games last
year because they were so intense, they were so focused,
and it just brought out such a good brand of
baseball that I think this place has been you know,
wanting for years. That's why they built this ballpark, you know,
because they wanted that brand of baseball, and we got
it last year. And I think you could speak more
about that in that journey.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
I think, like you know, Darren said, just as an
alum sitting where we are, watching you guys dogpile in
the regional in twenty three as a scout, you know,
sitting here with Calvin and just reconnecting with Coachminge and
the staff, you know, being able to value valuate you
guys from a professional standpoint. Uh came and spoke to
the team in the preseason. It just like fired me up,
(06:04):
and I just remember, like I felt so connected again,
right Like I got to, you know, meet the guys
and I knew the names and I'm you know, doing
my job as a scout and doing that whole deal
of the evaluation process. But watching you guys that spring
and just seeing like felt myself like, man, I like
reconnected with them, you know, and like such a small
Sunday morning, you know, fifteen minute, twenty minute talk, but
(06:28):
then getting to know the guys and just that group
of guys who came from all over in different backgrounds
and injuries and just trials and tribulations of just you
know what kind of culminated into the personalities and kind
of the toughness and grit and those buzzwords everyone throws around.
But it truly is different, right, I think for me
that you know, when I commit here and chose this place,
(06:52):
you're talking one regional, no regional whinever playing against teams
who had been good for decades, right Like you look
at you know, Omaha this past year, like the other
seven teams, right like NC State, Florida State, u n C, UVA, Tennessee, Florida, Texas,
A and M. Right, you were talking like decades of
programs who have been like really good for a really
(07:15):
long time, and then you have like, oh, here come
the wild cats, like the misfits. Like that's what we
caught ourselves last year, Like truly, like we were misfits
in a group of programs that like quite honesty, like
they kind of get ticked off because like we played
the way we played and I'm sure they thought we
were arrogant, cocky at times, but we play our brand
and we were ourselves and no one likes like said,
(07:35):
like the you know, the new Ki in the neighborhood, right,
but like it was just so cool, and I know
Darren like said, like we talk and just to see
like the personalities and the toughness and all that stuff
come out over time, and just the resiliency was like awesome.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Right that ninth inning against NC State, Nicholson hitting that
bomb was on insane, like one of the best moment
Mitch obviously right, great call down, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
And that's one of my favorite things about that game.
And I think part of the reason why I was
so excited on the call is people kind of forget
leading up to that home run. NC State had sort
of gained kind of control of the game. They had
it where they wanted it with their bullpens set up. Yeah,
and Nicholson had the home run to tie it, and
then people kind of forget that Devin was trying to
get into the scoring position got thrown out right before
(08:23):
the home run. So it's like all the momentum was
on the other bench and then Mitchell just got a
slider and destroyed it.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Yeah, it's crazy, I think. I you know, I talk
about this and we show this and you know, not
to get into like a recruiting spill, but yeah, you know,
the previous school Mitchell was at, the guy was five
for fifty off breaking balls the year before, with one
extra base, hit, four to twenty four, walk to strike
out two fifty oh ps forty three percent with rate
like the guy couldn't hit breaking balls. You know, he
(08:48):
made swinger just on his coach, Ammo. You know, his intent,
his heart and everything was right, and you look up
and the guy on the mound has an unbelievable breaking ball,
right And in that moment. I tell people this all
the time. It's like when you're watching and we're paying
attention during games, we were like sometimes you're like, man,
like this guy's gonna get him here, right. He found
like p D in that first set, first step back,
(09:09):
like he's gonna get him right. Like you're like, Pete,
he's gonna get him here, like everyone has that into him.
He might not, but with Mitch there and you look
back and Mitch hit three hundred on breaking balls, raised
his opiss by eight hundred, has nine extra base hits,
like almost one to two. Like he changed and he
got better and he bought into what we were teaching
and he became vulnerable, and it like comes out in
that moment to where you know, we talked like, hey man,
(09:32):
like this guy's got a good breaking ball. I'm not
gonna tell him he's giving up two hits all year
on it to Righty's in one extra base.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Here we know all the data and metrics, but like.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
To see and then the personal connection of daily story
and all of it and like the team, and you
see it come out in that moment, Like I just
remember thinking like before, I'm like I had no I
had no feeling he was gonna hit home.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
I don't know who you did.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Tell me if someone, if someone knew, like, come tell me,
like then you can help me find some more players
because you clearly have a crystal ball.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
That was such a such a great moment. And I
think it all goes back to one thing last year's team,
in addition to the talent, and my goodness was their
talent across the board on that team last year, they
had the desire to win and as the season went,
the belief that they were going to win. By the
time the end of the regular season came around, when
you guys were chasing an SEC title, you just kind
(10:21):
of walked into the ballpark assuming they were going to
get the job done because that there was that much
belief and it wasn't arrogance, it was a confidence.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Yeah, Grant Smith, you know, said it perfectly. I remember
one day preseason, we're joking around to my office and
someone did something or said something or maybe it was
complaining and Grant just like looks at me and it's like, bro,
like it takes what it takes. Man, Like I don't
know what else to tell you. And it's like, well,
you know, like it does, right, And I think that
you look at just how we play and all of it,
(10:48):
and you know, Coachman says this perfectly right, Like you
have to you know, teach your team like how to compete.
You know, they got to learn how to compete, and
then they have to learn how to win, and then
they have to learn how to deal with winning. And
that team I really, you know, it was amazing, just
really like said to sit back and watch and right
like you're pushing different buttons and they're beering off different ways.
(11:11):
But man, like just just a blast to like watch
the belief, right and like the confidence and just the
resilien six said, like every day is you know, right,
Like you get done and uh, you know, Hagen Smith
gets you guys for fourteen punchies and you believe you're
the hardest two strike team to get out and you
start second guessing cause you're you know, you know too
for your last seven and you're like, man, is it
(11:31):
starting to go? And it's like no, right, Like Waldy
leads off the game with a lean young p D
goes bomb and you're like Saturday, You're like, yeah, all right,
like we.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Cover to the Sunday games. Yeah, and I mean what
a series. Yeah, come back from that. Yeah, that was
like when we solidified. Like, yeah, kentuckyans ranked in the
top five, but they're actually a top five team in
the country.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
No doubt you know this, man, Like this league is good,
Like you know, I think that's what. Yeah, there's no
off we can be like that's why you do it.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Yeah, just to underscore your point about how good the
SEC is, Kentucky did not lose to a team in
the postseason year that was outside of the SEC.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
I mean, that's just the way it is. I mean,
that's it's just a couple of points there. Number one,
the Mitch Daily the NC State Game, one of the
best sporting events in Kentucky history, doesn't matter what sport,
unbelievable sporting event. Number two, speaking on the confidence and
the belief and the focus of this team. The last
postseason run in the Regional and Super five and zero. Yeah,
just wipe clean like this team.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Is strong teams too strong teams.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
Very very good team mission programs like the y'all had
them boys ready to play in the Regional and Super
because they were focused, they were intense.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Obviously it raises the bar. But you just saw us dominate. Yeah,
five straight games in the crowds here were insane.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Or whatever it was.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Yeah, man to us get us a better West Coast time.
I don't care, you know what I mean, Like, you know,
our guys are sitting there like good play at midnight.
We don't care anytime. That's just the personality and as
coaches it's our job as we you know that we
talked about what coach Min just done with assembly, an
amazing staff all the way through the from the manager
to you know, I mean everyone, right, Like our job
(13:07):
is to let our players be the best version of themselves.
But you have to create that environment in the dugout,
in pregame and after every pitch. How are you going
to respond as a coach and like you know, giving
guys belief because like it's not gonna be just this
linear you know, like there's gonna be rocket but that region,
like you said, like to to play those teams who
throughout the year were very good Western Michigan, Illinois, Indiana State.
(13:30):
You're talking about teams who have been to regionals and supers,
and you know, to have a team like Oregon State
who arguably you could say it's been a top three
to follow the programs last.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Yeah, and you.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Know we talked about this when the regional sites came out.
You know, just like everything you know, people are house
to draw. It's like, you know, Oregon State, I'm like,
do there's sixteen teams? Uff, like who you want to play? Yeah?
Bring the program who has been one of the best
in the country and like put us like bring it
nine o'clock, Like let's go come on, Like and that's
how our team was, you know, like it doesn't matter, like,
(14:05):
let's roll it out there, let's.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
Go those the best things you see in the fall
because obviously we practice in the mornings and it's like
first pitch ten thirty in the morning. It's like, all right, great,
let's go out there and I'm going to beat at
ten thirty in the morning. You know, I love that
attitude that you just cultivate throughout the fall. Speaking of
the Oregon State night, I know obviously your coach here,
you know you played here. How insane was your phone
(14:29):
the night that we went.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Yeah, I'm not going to remember this exactly. I believe
it was over three hundred and seventy texts.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
So it's funny story real quick. We like I told
you guys, like the recruiting doesn't stop, right, so, like
you know, we're I mean I did zooms in Hoover
visits in regional zooms in between. I mean a lot
of the guys who are here now, right, Like that's time,
Like it's weird to like be for me, right, like
focusing a lot of my attention on recruiting while you're
in like this historic run crazy, right, Like we'll see
(15:00):
if we did a good job here a couple of months.
The first three week has been encouraging. But my phone
just like the eleven forty five Sunday just stops working. Wow,
and yeah, and coach Minjell appreciate this. Like the recruiting
coordinator's phone like just can't not work. Like I go
down to Apple They're like, I don't know that. We
gotta wait. They go through the little put an appointment.
(15:21):
I'm like, hey, I don't need to be that guy,
but like I need we have a visit because it's
like I'm like, my Apple Watch is working. So like
fortunately I get back to the field at like four
thirty in my phone where and I'm like going through
the visit and all of it, like it was crazy. Yeah,
like it was, but it's awesome. Like we'll take it.
Speaker 1 (15:41):
Leave it to a recruiting coordinator to max out text
messages on the phone.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Yeah yeah, that dog Pall video was I promise you
Yeah Instagram, Twitter, Oh that was.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Such a special night.
Speaker 3 (15:52):
Yeah yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
I think I left the ballpark about two o'clock in
the morning or something like that. Maybe three.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
Oh. Yeah, it was a bet you're sitting in it's
like three forty five in the morning, and I'm sitting
in the locker room with like twelve of our guys.
I'm more watching highlights of our win right on the
quad box. Yeah, in the locker room, yep, right, Like
you'll never for.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Me, I was up till three thirty in the morning
because I was like, oh, I got a plan vacation
real quick. But also just like from a former player
who knew all those guys covered team, like yeah, and
my heart just like yeah, dude, let's go. Yeah, Like
that was awesome just reliving the moments. Obviously it's really
but like that's you want to be a competitor. You
want to win the highest level games that you can
(16:34):
possibly play. And I think that kind of leads us
into this topic of Okay, you make the run and
now you make you know, the recruiting decisions that you
had to make last summer to make the twenty twenty
five team. What did that that postseason run teach you
as the recruiter about the kind of guys that you
need to win the postseason games here?
Speaker 3 (16:56):
Yeah, it really just reaffirms Coach Minga's philosophy for me
of just how important the person is in the process,
you know, student person player, right, Like, we got to
get the right talent. We talk about this all the time,
right like sometimes you got to coach a player. Sometimes
you gotta coach the person up right, Like shout out
to Seth Javez, like you need that guy in the program.
(17:18):
I would tell you as a lum watching Seth Javes
pitch like he brought and you know this, he brought
an element to the team that like you have, you
got to have someone like back end of the like
not afraid to like you know, look at the dugout
and maybe say something to not barkla. Yeah, in a
competitive fire that like kind of late encapsulates like the personality, right,
and so you know when when you go through that run,
(17:42):
the coolest thing that you like keep going back to
is just like the relationships in the the people in
the program and the exposure you get for your team
when you do that of just how many people see
the guys and you guys telling their stories and the
excitement of how many recruit roots and families just say, man, like, uh,
you know there's kids in our program who like they
(18:04):
followed if were at other schools in high school and
they just followed and they're like, Coach, I just loved
the pink hats, and I loved the energy and the
jerseys and the stacking and uh and all of it.
Right Like, man Like, what what better way can I say? Like,
man like, you're gonna come here, but you're like, we're
gonna let you have some fun. Like now, you're gonna compete,
you're gonna be you're gonna play hard, you're gonna be
a great teammate, and you're gonna do all the things
(18:25):
like within this realm. But like, I don't know, man
like dire mustache blue ware aviators were like, I don't care,
Like you wanna find the barrel like coach, because he's
gonna let you do whatever you want, man Like, pull
that jersey open, like now, but you're gonna respect the game.
You're gonna respect the opponent. But the coolest thing, and
what coach men will constantly say is like how many
people it like it impacted in the experiences, right Like, I.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
Think that's the biggest compliment I can give the staff
outside of helping these guys go grow as players. Is
I hear Hunter Gillham talk about how he could be himself.
I've heard you talk about it. Uh. Nick Lopez has
fallen in love with Lexington in this program and the
way you guys let him do what you know, he
could be himself. And Robert Hogan really blossomed last year
(19:08):
and I can't wait to see what he's gonna do
for this program this year. And you know, just the
way these guys have been allowed to be themselves within reason,
like you were talking about, I think is one of
the hugest compliments I can give you and the rest
of the staff.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Yeah, well it starts at the top, right, And why
would we recruit someone like what We're not trying to
box you into being someone or not right, Like you're
gonna have to push guys a little bit times, You're
gonna have to reel them back at times. But I
do think right, like that is coaching, right, Like ultimately,
like you don't you know, pick a place for the
stadium or the fans or the wins or the draft
(19:40):
picks or the p you know, or one coach or
one player like it's everything right, But I do truly
you know, believe at the core right like you talk
about like when you're developing guys in like when you're
eighteen to twenty three, twenty four, twenty five time, you know,
at some point like the brain stops developing. But no,
(20:01):
that's the coolest part, right. I like to see them
and be like, okay, like you get to make a
real impact.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Yeah right, And Darren you could speak to this having
pitched for him, But here guys like Robert Hogan talk
about Dan Roselle as a mentor and how he lets pitchers,
especially if it's just a bullpen session kind of experiment
or toy with grips or different pitches or whatever, and
then he's kind of the filter or maybe quality control.
He's like, Okay, I see what you're doing, but let's
(20:27):
try this. And then all of a sudden you get
a guy like Hogan's out there throwing two different sliders basically.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
And it paid off. That coaching style paid off because
Robert Hogan was such a big piece of the postseason
run last year, and that wasn't the Robert Hogan from
a year before. Like that that guy was built, you know,
with that kind of coaching style and ability to go
out and try new things and fail and try again
(20:54):
and succeed, try again and fail and try it like
and just keep building it like that. And it got
to a point where Robert Hogan's got the ball for
three innings in the Super Regional. There's just eight thousand
people here, and he's spending Slider to the number one
pick and striking him out just yea losing his mind
but being himself on the mound. Yeah, right, And that
doesn't happen from a coaching style of oh there's one
(21:17):
right way to right to do it. You're doing it
my way. You don't have an option to do it.
Like that coaching style that coach Rozelle brings really blossoms
out the best in a picture.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Yeah, and you know that best right, Like you know
when we go through this whole process and try to
find the right fit and the right guys, Like how
much comfort there is like like I know, like you're
gonna get coached here, Like you're gonna get coached like
all the way from the top with coach Mne and
Coach Roselle, right and Coach Sloan myself right, Like you
have to believe that we're going to turn over every
(21:47):
stone when it comes to like how are we going
to self evaluate and self scout ourselves better, like there
is the opponent, right, but like how important it is
to like focus on ourselves at times, but like how
much freedom you can be Like Okay, like we're gonna
have to get this guy back, right, Like there's a
reason he's here, right, we got to check make sure he,
like said, his heart's right in the makeup and everything.
He has that desire to win, and he wants to
(22:07):
be a great teammate and he wants to, you know,
sacrifice things that maybe he hasn't and challenge him in
ways that they they've never been challenged. But like the
comfort of knowing like no, like Coach Roseelle's gonna demand
the absolute best out of you, like more than you're
gonna have of like your own expectation of just knowing,
Like but if I do it, like it's gonna be
rewarding in the end.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
I think my favorite thing in about him too, and
I've known Dan for a long time is he can
be really honest with you and straightforward and then in
the very next moment have you on the ground laughing
so hard at something. He says. That's my favorite thing
about his personality. He'll go from being on the mound
pitching with you competitively to crack it up, and that's
one of my favorite things.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Yeah, the Indiana game twenty three, Game seven of the regional,
Like the first inning, I gave up a run whatever,
and we got out to the mountain. It is me,
coach Roseelle and Death and we're weird jaw and like
we was a intense moment. There's seven thousand people later,
it's game seven, win home, and it got really intense.
Got out of the situation, it's one to nothing whatever,
(23:07):
and you know, we just get back to the dugout
like it was a one two three inning, Like life's
good man, Relax, cut up, talk about the next inning,
who's coming up next, make this adjustment, and go really
good coaching style. I responded really well from it. I
know our pictures did last year very well.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
From it.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
You spoke about another coach, the new guy, coach Sloan
from Wright State. Speak a little bit about that relationship,
what you've seen out of him. Obviously, well we'll get
him on at some point as he gets acclimated to Lexington.
But talk about a little bit about our new hitting coach.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
Yeah, so coach Loan and I go back he from
my day scouting he was I watched him actually I
was coaching a xavier when he was playing still oh wow.
And then from my time scouting with Detroit and Tampa
and watching those guys at right stay and he's been awesome,
like loves it, loves the guys. The guys love him.
They want to work. They're constantly, as you know, like
they're coming to you know, our offices. It's every hour
(24:00):
of day, man, Like, somebody's in there like breaking down
the swing. And he's constantly, Like he'll wake up in
the morning and he'll come right to my office and
be like how I was looking at him swing? He's
like this, what do you think? And like he just
loves it right like, as you know, like that's all
you can Like if you just have a guy that's
like wanting to clock out at five thirty, he's like,
man like, it's probably the same for you. Right Like
me and Coach Loan are in there like breaking down
(24:21):
like the you know, the load and their back knee
and what are they thinking and feeling and their grip strength.
It's like, man like, this guy knows the swing. Like
he's had some of the best offenses We've talked about
it right state right the last yeah, and we're starting
to see it out here, Like I'm seeing like these
guys are like leveraging balls and there's not one way
right like And the cool thing is like this coach
(24:43):
Sloan has just been so open, like Okay, I know
what coach mine it has done here and what's important
and what we're gonna do and how it's gonna look
while saying okay, like this is what I've done, Like
we're gonna blend. We're gonna meet in the middle. We're
gonna blend it and like having like the communication know
like okay, these are they not like we're gonna take
like hbps and like we're gonna come you know obviously
(25:04):
like control, control of the strike zone and all these different things.
But it's been cool to see like the training obviously
like is different. But you're not gonna have one coach
when you get the pro ball. You're not ever gonna
just have one teacher or one boss and work like
things change. But he's been awesome, Like our guys are
they they love him and the swings are they're good.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
They're like, okay, speak to us about a handful of
these players. Obviously we have thirty new guys, yeah, right,
but we have a lot of guys that are coming
back as sophomores, juniors who have been in the program
for a year or two now. So who's uh caught
your eye, I would say, in the first couple of
weeks of practice, and who has taken a little step
from where they were last season?
Speaker 3 (25:44):
For sure? Obviously I said, like I'll tell those freshmen
played right when you think of Kayas Gargett and Cameron
Eli Small and Ethan h Talent, Yeah, just when the
rosters expand to forty, right, like those guys like they
came in and they got a taste of it and
you know ultimate right like we had an older team
and those guys kept working right like when they got
(26:05):
their their name called, they were ready. But to see
just even just like said from the numbers of you know,
Ethan Hindle and Small, like they're hitting the ball one ten,
one eleven now right, Like that was those one o
four's and one fives last three four months ago. So
even just those four guys right, like the change in
their body and the change and their demeanor and like
their their you know self talk just day to day
(26:27):
and the way they walk and carry like it's just
been cool right because that they've all come in, They're like, man,
like this is my time now, right, Like, you know,
I see what it looks like. I know what a
winner and competitive toughness looks like. And they got to
like be right in with the fight with like pretty
dang good team right, like sorry, like the pro ball,
pro ball, pro ball, pro Ball, Like I just took
over there for a couple of weeks for a grant.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Well he was, yeah, and played pretty pretty good short
stop as a freshman.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
Yeah, he held it down, had.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Good moments last year. I remember that hit he had
in Florida.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Yeah, eighth and ninth huge, Yeah, huge, huge.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
So like they have some confidence there. It's just growing
up obviously freshman freshman year, it's tough in college base Yeah,
growing into that sophomore junior year.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
And then obviously some cool moments of getting some at
bats in the College World Series there at the end.
I mean, I know that game didn't want to go
the way you wanted, but still that was really cool moments,
especially for Eli to get in there and get in
a bat.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
No, I'm all those all four of those guys and
just from a position simpler. We're just getting into team
practice a couple of days ago, and we'll see just
you know, Tommy Scouting and Ben Cleaver and some of
those you know, second year pitchers, and we didn't have
a ton of third year you know, just for the
way the class just kind of shaked out. But those guys, man,
just I would say this man that those four guys
(27:41):
just it's cool to see, right, like go off they go,
and you know, just the importance of summer baseball so
so and they took it serious. And some guys it's
like like, eh, summer ball. Right then you got those
four guys that were like no, they all balled out
and they're like no, like I'm coming back to like
keep this thing going, and I want I'm gonna win
a job. And it's like all right, let's go. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:59):
Like as the president of the Being Cleaver Fang club
over here.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
I called it since I Florida. I called it since
I saw him pitch against the Morehead State last fall.
That Florida game was nuts. But what have you seen
so far in Ben? Obviously he didn't go play summer ball.
We ended late June essentially, so he developed a little
more in the weight room and gaining a little weight.
What have you seen on him so far?
Speaker 3 (28:25):
Yeah? I think we all know Ben is the competitor, right.
I saw right like the guy had two appearances in
his college career and it's okay, let's throw Ben. Yeah,
let's just go throw Ben out there to close out
this game and win a series against Florida. And uh,
you know at that point, right, like we knew Florida
was really good and they're talented and they were obviously
fixing some things, which they they did clearly, but that
(28:49):
huge man like you can't, you can't teaching, and still
like that desire to want, I guess, to just want
the ball, right Like for I remember sitting in that
moment and looking at Ammo and we're like, should probably
get cleaver here, Yeah, you know, like and I can
just like see him and like you can just tell
(29:09):
like the way he walked out there. You just I
saw that as a scout when he was the junior
at East Coast Pro and I'm like watching him pitch
and obviously as an alum, like this guy's going to
can tell you this is cool, Like and then you
get to like, you know, scout him and then he
shows up and coach him and you know, like you
talked about with his body and you know, just being
available and just I'm just looking forward to him just
(29:29):
like now being in a spot physically like okay, it's
gonna come out right, and just when he gets like
fully ramped up ready to go, like the stuff is real.
The compete is real, right, like you're talking like Frontline
Weekend starting stuff. But the intangibles that he has are incredible, right,
like love that like just love that fire in them
like aus you know, like pictures can be quirky, like
(29:50):
he got a little position player that.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Yeah, Darren can confirm this. When he ran out to
the mound that Florida out text him, I was far.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
My phone started blowing up to him. He's like, this
game's over.
Speaker 2 (30:05):
I knew what was coming. Trust him with the Yeah,
because he's a competitor, Like you said, who were we
Obviously we have a seventh year senior this year?
Speaker 1 (30:14):
Yeah, how about that?
Speaker 2 (30:15):
How about it? Yeah, last time we had a seventh
year senior, it went pretty well.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
It was okay, it was pretty good.
Speaker 2 (30:22):
Speak about by Nick just a little bit about the
old head in the locker room.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
Yeah, he's a stud man, He's a stud. You knew
it from the moment you got on the call. He
was one of the guys I zoomed with when we're
in Hoover, and right, like this process is so like
we talked about like the development and injuries and hell
and COVID and like, man, that guy's like pink through
the ringer. Right, you want to talk about a guy
who you know when you go through this, you're talking
(30:47):
to scouts and advisors and former coaches and buddies you
played with and against in high school, coached him and
at you know, his previous school and summer ball. Like
you're just trying to like figure out like who is
this person? Right? What are they gonna be? Like what
are you gonna get when they get here?
Speaker 1 (31:03):
Right?
Speaker 3 (31:03):
And it was just so evident that first call, Like
a man, this guy's thorough, he's diligent, he knows what
it's what he wants. Like and I sat in as
you know, he was gonna meet with coach Rozelle yesterday
and he came to my office like hey, can I
come kicking. We're talking and we're talking about his recruiting
process and it's just so cool, Like you look back
and I just remember him texting me and being like
(31:23):
a coach like that zoom was unbelievable. He goes, I've
I've talked to everyone on your staff. I haven't even
talked to you know, some of the coach like I
have ops guys at other schools, like, you know, everyone
our league's reaching out to him. And he was just
so like diligent with and he knew what was important
and it's showing up like in every area. It was
like that guy's a professional. You know, he's overcome injuries
(31:43):
to get where he is now. But it goes back
to just you know, at a scout tell me it's like, hey,
I saw that kid pitch as a junior in high
school and fearless competitor, like struck out Jared Kellennick right like,
and it's just like success leaves clues and it's like, man,
I want that part of this, you know. And and
he's like said the guys just like they love him.
They called him out in the dugout today talking they
(32:05):
you know, coach Bing's like, hey, who's got the bust
body language? And pitch a sass so far, it's like
Nick McKay right, like we love that, right, Like you
know when it's every area now you have freshmen, Like,
all right, I want to play couch with that guy.
I want to be around. I'm gonna lift next to him, right,
I'm gonna go eat with him. I'm gonna hang out
with him in the locker room. Like that's how you
keep this thing rolling, you know. So I love Nick.
He's been awesome.
Speaker 2 (32:24):
Like, I'm excited to speak with Nick at some point because, yeah,
we can't wait to start bringing the new guys in
here and giving them.
Speaker 1 (32:30):
A platform to tell their stories and get to know them.
Thirty new guys, so we're gonna have to have a
lot of podcasts to get these guys on here, potentially
replacing well seven of nine starters. It's hard to imagine.
But I was standing here going around the horn on
the field. I'm like, the new spot, new spot, right,
how is that gone? I know you guys are early
in fall practice, but how has that gone? Seeing guys
(32:52):
compete for opportunities now?
Speaker 3 (32:54):
Yeah, No, it's exciting, Like it's awesome to see as
a coach to go through the process and see these
high school guys that you saw and you know, you
liked and you got to know, and now they're here
and you're getting a different version of them. You're like,
all right, like you know the you know, they're changing
their bodies from summer ball and they're healthy, and then
you know, you know, we go through this process. You
kind of have an idea of who they are and
(33:15):
what they'll be and they get here and you want
it to be the same, but usually they come out
of their shell more so, it's just been awesome to
see the like, you know, the light in their eyes
of the compete and they're going through all their training
and practice and the BP rounds and they're learning like okay,
like man, like this is pretty cool, but I don't know,
and they're kind of feeling it out. But just to
have you know, said, a really good team that we
(33:37):
had and send i don't know, what was it, the
seventh most draft picks in the country, right, that's part
of it, you know, like when you're really good, like
typically you're gonna have really old players, you know, and
still part of like last year was the last COVID
fifth year, so you know, now we've got a you know,
we're gonna have a lot of new faces. And we
returned to Dev and James and Buyers and Hogi and
(33:59):
Patty Herrer and guys that have been a part of
winning culture and teams. And now you're seeing new guys
like y'all come in and they're just like, all right,
this is the expectation. But like the compete piece, like
not against each other, like together is awesome to see,
right because they all like okay, like I have like
complete control. Like it wasn't a you know, p D
(34:22):
last year played second right every day. It was like,
you know, it was coming right, Like he's playing shortstop
for ninety nine percent of every other team in the country. Problem,
you know, But it's been awesome to see those guys
do it.
Speaker 1 (34:33):
We could probably sit here for another couple of hours
and go through all the new faces and get your
thoughts on them. But there is one particular freshman I
wanted to ask you about while we had you on here.
Uh he was drafted but decided to come to college.
You got into campus here in Lexington, and that's Tyler Bell.
What have you seen out of how first of all
was exciting was it to get him to campus. But
then second of all, how have you seen him come
(34:54):
in here and adapt to the college game.
Speaker 3 (34:56):
Yeah, no, it's been awesome. And to your point, right,
like to get that guy to campus, right, like, it's
it's tough. Uh. You know, I think the biggest, one
of the biggest strengths that that TJ. I call m
t J. And I'm obviously you know, recruited, and that's
kind of what I call him and with TJ. Wright
is is that inner belief and for him to be like, no, like,
(35:18):
this is my worth and this is what I want.
And you know, to as a you know, coach, you're
always like, Okay, how's the draft gonna shake out? Shake out?
And you know, ultimately, right like, it comes down to like, Okay,
I believe I'm worth this, and I believe I'm gonna
go to a place and trust them with my career
and my development, uh and all of it, which is
awesome to see. Like coach and I talked about that
(35:38):
for someone to want to be like no, like I
want to play there. I want to play for those
coaches and believe in the players that are coming in
and you know, like form lifelong relationships and have teammates
that I have like minded goals, like, you know, credit
to him for for believing in that. Right, He's been awesome,
right Like you know, anytimes the players drafted, there's talent
and skill and there's a prerequisite to have that to
(36:01):
come here of anyone. But he loves it. Man, just
the way he takes care of his body and goes
about his business and the focus and intent and the
you know, just he has a burning desire to want
to win and compete. Like I've seen that, which is
we knew that in the recruiting process, right, like straight
shooter and straightforward. And I remember he came here and
(36:22):
he visited and he's like, no, this is home, like
he knew in his mind, like this is where he
wanted to be, right, Like, you love that and it's
so easy we talked about like for me, like that's
how I was, like, that's why I chose this place.
So when I find that and the talent's there and
the makeups there and I see that. Right, We've got
guys and other recruiting classes like they're gonna be really
similar to him, right, Like no, like I want to
go there, right, Like that is awesome for me and
(36:43):
then to see him show up and be like, no,
like this guy works, like he wants to win, and
like he's gonna be able to have the ability to
like bring guys with him. But he's been awesome just
from a makeup talent skill point, Like the guy loves
to work, and we're happy he's here.
Speaker 1 (36:57):
I don't want to put the cart before the horse,
because you know, things will shake out how they do.
But I was just thinking about the plethora of star
shortstops this program has enjoyed since I've been here. This
will be my eighth year. Trey Dawson. In year one,
you had Ryan Ritter, You've had Grant Smith, you know
Tyler with that opportunity, Kyus obviously has got talent. This
team or this program has enjoyed some outstanding shortstop play.
Speaker 3 (37:21):
Yeah, without a doubt. I mean, you gotta have a
stud there it, Yeah, I think. I mean I remember
that when Grant was hurt and we went to like
said Florida and early like I think you know you
w would know this man, like just his personality and
how much that influenced it. And everyone's right, like everyone
(37:41):
is a leader. But when you have a guy like
Grant Smith get you know, it's hurt and is out
like he there's just like that missing piece right, Like
you gotta have a stud there.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
You got a dude.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
You gotta have a guy that wants the ball.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
With their pitchers. Man, it's confidence. Like you get catch
the ball from dev, you turn around, you walk back
them on the mountain. You see Grant talking to you
in your ear like, hey, give me the rock. Yeah,
it don't matter, just get it on, get it to me,
And that just makes you. It fills you with confidence
and you want to throw the strikes down zone. Hey
punch this ball unto the ground if it's three steps
(38:13):
to his right or left, like he's got it. Oh
it's out, and you know he wants the ball.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
I think that's it's such an an infectious feeling of
the whole team's confidence and it's helped so far so
have another one develop one, so.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
We gotta keep going.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
I mean we had that.
Speaker 3 (38:29):
I mean there, I think you know this right in
twenty three, like when the ball's hit like it could
go anywhere. You're like, you know, like we're gonna talk
about short stops like, don't get me wrong, We're gonna
we got We got a couple of short stops here right,
Like last year we had three short stops playing on
the infield.
Speaker 1 (38:44):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
Yeah, confidence of like I say the all the time,
Like when that ball was hit last year, like, man,
it was getting caught no matter where it was.
Speaker 1 (38:51):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (38:51):
Right, so amazing, no doubt about it.
Speaker 1 (38:54):
You know, you talked about Grant Smith that Oregon State
game to catch up the middle of the line, drive
off the batom, Like man, there's the art be single
that ties it, and then all of a sudden there's
Grant and it's like, all right, they're winning this.
Speaker 2 (39:05):
Game one o'clock in the morning. Thousand fans are losing
their mind. How to play? Yeah, last question I got
for you is about her Man. Devin Burke's obviously face
of the program at this point. Guy's been here for forever.
It seems like, you know, what have you seen from
him coming back? His leadership and obviously you know there's
adjustments you're gonna make every single year to stay and
(39:27):
to become a better player, like all these guys want
to do. What have you seen out of dev so far?
Speaker 1 (39:31):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (39:31):
I think just with devs, you know, man, like guy's
a stud. Right, guy came in, didn't play right shirted,
played a little bit right, got his chance, And I
mean this guy just works, man Like, he's got such
an infectious personality, and he's got the perfect blend of
(39:52):
you know, confident arrogance and personality and uh laughter and
jokes and seriousness and like it's just a perfect like.
I mean, that guy's been the catcher on two of
the best Kentucky baseball team, well, you know, the best
Kentucky baseball team ever. And there's a reason, right like
to have a talk about shortstop like you need a
you need a dude back there, right like in what
(40:13):
coach Rozel demands with the pitching staff and the communication,
the verbal the nonverbals, there's like re energized with him,
right Like, did not have the offensive year he wanted.
And I can remember right like draft didn't go the
way he wanted. And you know when that doesn't happen,
you know, I think it's easy for us when we've
been through it as a player, it's like, oh, draft,
like keep going to realize, like, man, like, that's you
(40:35):
go through this as a player, like that's what you want,
that's your dream your goal like tye to achieve and
chance and but like it was quick for him. He's like, no,
I'm coming back now, like I'm coming back, like we're
running back. Let's go like call him like no, let's
do this right. It's like okay, I don't know. He's here. Yeah, yeah,
like there's not a doubt in mind, like this is
where he wants to be. He's like no, like we're
going back right, like all right, like let's go, you know,
And he's here and he's working, he's making the necessary adjustments.
(40:57):
He's getting pushed and he's like he's not waving the
white he's not like no, man, like we went to
the hall like I'm chilling, bro, I'm good, you know,
Like no, he's ready to go right like love it,
Like what else do you like? Like I told you,
like that guy is here and he's like no, like
we're gonna keep going. And now he's getting you know,
Schwartz and Belcher and Peltier and like he's like keep
going right, like now there's a bigger because there's not
(41:17):
as many returns to he say no, like come on,
I'll show you all the way, Like let's go. You
just can't teach that like that guy like he's gonna like,
can't be more excited to just see like the swing
and the progressions and the changes he's made.
Speaker 2 (41:30):
So if there's one guy you want leading, they might
just be Devin. Yeah. I mean that guy being on
the team last year. The catch, Oh my god, that
picture will be up forever. But yeah, man, that guy
is such a leader and he's gonna bring the guys along.
I'm excited to hear from him. We'll hear from him soon.
I'm sure we'll get to know a lot of.
Speaker 1 (41:55):
Yeah, it's gonna be fun because he thanks so much
for being with us.
Speaker 3 (41:59):
I enjoyed it, just done.
Speaker 1 (42:00):
Yeah, he's assistant coach Austin Kuzeno For Darren Williams. I'm
Darren Hendrick. Thanks for joining us for Behind Kentucky Baseball.
Stay tuned. We'll have some players coming through here in
the coming weeks. We'll meet some of the new guys.
We'll also catch up with some old friends from last
year as well, and we appreciate you joining us here
on Behind Kentucky Baseball. This is the UK Sports Network
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.