One of my favorite things about my job is talking to the players themselves. The relationships I’ve built with them has helped me better understand subtle nuances of the game, learn new trends and theories about the game itself, and successfully report on the men who call the bizarre, unforgiving world of minor league baseball a career.
Below is a (very) small sampling of some of the interviews and features I’ve completed recently. Please email me for more information.
Mariners prospect Zack Littell content to let his arm do the talking — Today’s Knuckleball — September 28, 2016
Mariners right-handed pitching prospect Zack Littell put together a very strong wire-to-wire summer in 2016, even while playing half of it in the hitter-friendly California League. Nevertheless, he’s more content to let his arm continue to do the talking than take away any bigger lessons learned from the year that firmly put him on the map or top prospects.
Rockies RHP Parker French really doesn’t want to give away free passes — Purple Row — March 22, 2016
Colorado Rockies minor league pitcher Parker French walked two hitters in the first 48 innings of his professional career. That’s not a typo. Two. Hitters. Here, I spoke with him about what it means to attack hitters at such an aggressive rate and how that can play at higher levels in the Rockies’ system.
Watch out for underrated D-backs infield prospect Fernery Ozuna — Today’s Knuckleball — September 30, 2016
Despite being five-foot-nothin’, few guys stand out more on a baseball field than Arizona Diamondbacks infield prospect Fernery Ozuna. A bilingual, highly religious young native of the Dominican Republic, Ozuna knows exactly where he fits when it comes to his time in professional baseball, too.
Astros prospect Akeem Bostick grows in tough environment — Today’s Knuckleball — September 4, 2016
Astros pitching prospect Akeem Bostick grew up in a very tough pitching environment in 2016, spending the summer at the organization’s High-A hitter’s haven in Lancaster of the California League. And yet Bostick—one of the nicest, most polite men I met all summer—somehow found the silver lining through the challenging summer.
New Rockies 1B Mark Reynolds makes sense of his long career, place in Denver — Purple Row — March 9, 2016
Covering the Colorado Rockies for spring training, I did this story on their then-new veteran first baseman Mark Reynolds. Most interestingly in it, perhaps, is his discussion of social media nowadays and how he grew up in the game reading Baseball America in the clubhouse through it all.
Padres prospect AJ Kennedy knows defense, and people, come first — Today’s Knuckleball — August 18, 2016
San Diego Padres catching prospect A.J. Kennedy is one of the nicer, more happy-go-lucky guys in all of minor league baseball, and so it’s with that attitude that he takes on his offensive role in the organization. In this feature, he talks about hitting his first career home run in pro ball, and how he was drafted and found success even without hitting above .200 in college.
Mariners prospect Justin Seager embraces unique veteran role in High-A — Today’s Knuckleball — July 26, 2016
The middle brother of Corey and Kyle, I found Justin Seager to be one of the nicest, most well-adjusted professional athletes I’ve ever had the pleasure of interviewing. Here, he discusses at length his role in the High-A Bakersfield Blaze clubhouse, as well as how he sees the game as a part of his life and what he hopes to do for younger, more buzzworthy players around him.
Rockies RHP prospect Ryan Castellani uses movement, deception to stay on track — Purple Row — March 31, 2016
Rockies prospect Ryan Castellani was one of the very top prospects in the California League in 2016, and it all came about because of a hard fastball and a hard slider, both of which get exceptional movement thanks to his arm angle and action. Here, Castellani discusses his approach on the mound considering how lively his stuff can be.
Rangers prospect Jose Trevino wants to earn his way forward — Today’s Knuckleball — August 3, 2016
One of the hardest working guys I covered in the California League in 2016, Jose Trevino earned awards both personal and team this summer and never once wanted to look further forward than the next day’s game. That attitude, and his leadership skills, will serve him very, very well in this game—which he might be playing for quite some time yet. Here, he discusses “earning” a promotion to Double-A.
Mariners prospect Joe DeCarlo finds redemption in simplification — Today’s Knuckleball — August 16, 2016
Completely lost at the plate early on this summer, Mariners prospect Joe DeCarlo finally figured things out after a few weeks sent back down to extended spring training, much to the benefit of his career, and his mental outlook. Here, the soft-spoken third baseman discusses how far he’s come in a challenging summer in Bakersfield.