That's what this team does. This team is dangerous. They've got so much speed, they can do anything. |
That's what we're shooting for. He threw a side [session Sunday] and played some catch today. I think Wednesday, they want a simulated game. |
The best work you can get is taking balls off the bat, over and over and over again. |
The few days I've seen, I've got a pretty good idea of how he's going to be. I think he's going to be solid. I think he's going to improve throughout the year. As the season goes on, he's going to get better and more comfortable out there. |
The first day we got down here, I said, 'The numbers are against you, but you still need to approach it like you're going out there to try and make this team.' I just want him to have fun. I don't know what teams are looking (for a catcher). Certain teams, if we try to get him through (waivers), there's teams that may want to go with the young guys and might take a chance on him. It's unfortunate he had those couple years where he was injured. |
The first day we got down here, I said, 'The numbers are against you, but you still need to approach it like you're going out there to try and make this team.' I just want him to have fun. I don't know what teams are looking [for a catcher]. Certain teams, if we try to get him through [waivers], there's teams that may want to go with the young guys and might take a chance on him. It's unfortunate he had those couple years where he was injured. |
The first start of the year, there's a lot of focus on him. He wasn't hitting with his breaking ball. His command was off. That was all. He was in and out. He'd move the pitches and then he'd lose it. But he was OK. |
The focus is always on this division. We can disrupt some things. |
The game doesn't wait on you. |
The good pitchers were ahead of the hitters today. |
The home run he hit, when hits balls to the left side, he's usually out in front and hooking them into the stands, but he kept that one fair. I can't remember the last time I saw him hit a ball like that down the line. |
The key is we're really swinging the bats well. We have been since Day 1. |
The kid was dynamite. That's all you can say. Everything you heard about him he did tonight. |
The last couple of years, he actually pitched pretty good for no spring training, but it caught up with him after a few starts. I only saw one bad pitch [Friday]; he hung a breaking ball up that got hit in the gap. This gives him a chance to start the season off in shape. |
The last couple years, the injuries were costly for him, and they set him back and cost him valuable playing time at that stage of his development. It's a good opportunity. He needed a fresh start. |