Prospect Interview Series: Spring Training Edition
Jason Parks
Is Justin Smoak ready for the majors?I recently returned from a week out in Surprise and was fortunate enough to speak with several of the prospects participating in major league camp. All of the interviews are brief and most of them consist of similar questions. The interviews were all timed to follow an individual performance (game/bullpen/side) and I didn't give the players much opportunity to properly compose their answers. They are snapshots of the moment. In all four cases, the glow of the field is still clearly visible on their faces and in their words. Baseball at its purest.
Thomas Diamond
Q: How is camp treating you so far?
TD: It's good. It's a little bit different from previous years. It's better. Everybody is working a little bit harder this year. We all see where this is going. We all feel like something special is happening.
Q: How does the slider feel? Why did you make the switch from the curveball?
TD: It feels good and I've had more success with it so far. The curveball was good at times, but when it was off, it was really, really off.
Q: Were you having trouble commanding it?
TD: A little bit more than the average breaking pitch. Most people can still locate their breaking ball if it's not on that day, but I couldn't do that.
Q: Was the switch your decision?
TD: I decided after talking with other guys in the clubhouse and some of the pitching coaches and coordinators. It was a group decision.
Q: Are you finally 100 percent healthy?
TD: I feel great. 100 percent.
Q: Tell me about your first professional camp?
Smoak: It's so awesome, man. My first camp has been great. All of the guys are making me feel comfortable. I'm learning a lot and having a good time.
Q: Have you given much thought to your starting assignment?
Smoak: Of course, but you never know where they are going to put you. Right now, I'm just out here playing baseball and wherever they put me I'll be. I'm excited to be playing.
Q: Do you have the talent to start at the major league level right out of camp?
Smoak: I think so, but I still have a lot to learn. I just need to keep playing.
Q: What has the biggest challenge so far in camp?
Smoak: Seeing [major league] pitching for the first time and trying to get my timing back. Just adjusting to life in spring training. Some of the big leaguers have been helping with that.
Q: What's it like to face major league pitching? Big difference between the minors and the majors?
Smoak: It's alright. I played in the Arizona Fall League and there is definitely a difference. Guys locate much better. Adjusting to quality pitching is just another thing you have to work hard at. I'm prepared to do that.
Greg Golson
Q: What is it like being in camp with a new team?
Golson: It's definitely different, but it's just a transition. I'm just trying to get familiar with my new teammates.
Q: What is it going to take to make you a major leaguer? What needs to improve?
Golson: Basically, I have to cut down on my strikeouts and get better on defense. I haven't been playing much center field in camp and I need more work on the corners.
Q: Is the move to a corner a permanent one, or just something to add to your defensive versatility?
Golson: I don't know. They've been working me in right field most of the time. It's a transition, but I'm open to all changes.
Q: Are you going to be starting in Double-A Frisco or Triple-A Oklahoma City?
Golson: I think Oklahoma City, but it doesn't really matter to me. I just want to play baseball.
Q: I guess that means that you and [Julio] Borbon will be patrolling the same outfield in Oklahoma City. Will it be possible to get a ball by you guys? Is this even fair?
Golson: [Laughing] Nope. No chance.
Q: What is the difference between facing minor league pitching and major league pitching?
Golson: I think a lot of that is a little over-hyped. Quality guys in the minor leagues make it to major leagues, so it's the same stuff. Their ability to locate is better, and they have a better idea of what they are doing, but good stuff is good stuff.
Q: Here is a tough question: Philly or Texas?
Golson: I'm going to have to say Texas, man. No contest. I love it here. Texas is my home. There are a lot of great people in the Philadelphia organization. They just saw another opportunity in [Junior] Mayberry, so I'm going to make the best out of it. Honestly, as much as I love Texas, anywhere is fine with me. I'm just happy to be playing baseball.
Guillermo Moscoso
Q: What are your thoughts about being in camp with the Texas Rangers?
Moscoso: Awesome. You know, I'm a rookie and I need to learn, and guys like [Vicente] Padilla and [Eddie] Guardado have been there for me and have already taught me a lot. For me, this is a good opportunity to show what I can do, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job so far.
Q: What do you need to work on to reach the major leagues?
Moscoso: I'm working on changing speeds right now. That needs work. My change-up is not very good right now.
Q: Some people have suggested that you would be a better option out of the bullpen. Do you want to be in the Double-A Frisco rotation or the bullpen?
Moscoso: I don't know. The Rangers asked me what I wanted to do. I said I don't care. I just want to help win games. I just want to do my job.
Q: What is your best pitch?
Moscoso: My fastball. My two-seamer. I'm good at working the corners with it. It's my best pitch.
Q: What about your breaking ball? How is it developing?
Moscoso: I'm working with a splitter right now. I used to throw it before my surgery and now it's starting to come back.
Q: Who decided to bring the splitter back?
Moscoso: I used to throw it and I had some success with it, so I told the pitching coach that I wanted to work on bringing it back. We've been working on it so far in camp and it feels good.
Quick Notes
● Marlon Byrd and Brandon Boggs were usually the first to the batting cages (7:30 a.m.), and on several occasions were the last to leave. Both players were all over Rudy Jaramillo for additional instruction. Sponges.
● Byrd was quick to take Golson under his wing. He gives detailed instruction like a coach. He's very patient and very knowledgeable. Impressive.
● Golson is in serious shape. Finest athlete in the entire system.
● David Murphy looks much stronger this season. A physically imposing player.
● Willy Moscoso has a very good fastball. The slight right-hander has his low-90s fastball on a string. It's an aggressive pitch without aggressive velocity. You have to see this pitch in person. The ball just explodes as it approaches the plate. His build reminds me of Wilfredo Boscan. Smart pitcher.
● Michael Main arrived in camp three weeks early. If you didn't already know, I'm kind of a Main fan.
● Engel Beltre is such a special player to watch in person. I'd pay to watch him take batting practice.
● Elvis Andrus is going to struggle at the plate and make a lot of errors in '09. That said, Elvis can get to balls on defense that most major league shortstops wouldn't even attempt. His range is just ridiculous. Over the winter, Andrus played shortstop for Magallanes in his native Venezuela, so he is more than ready to handle the pressures associated with playing at the major league level. If you want to know more about the intense pressures of playing shortstop in Venezuela, I encourage you to read the excellent book Venezuelan Bust, Baseball Boom: Andres Reiner and Scouting on the New Frontier by Milton Jamail. It will give you a new perspective on what Andrus has already accomplished.
● Vicente Padilla is a very affable guy and it's unfortunate that people don't get to see the personality he displays on the backfields. He is really funny.
● Jarrod Saltalamacchia finally looks like a major leaguer this year. His work ethic was impressive.
● Manny Pina: Good.
● John Whittleman: Don't forget about him.
● Tommy Hunter was not very impressive. His fastball was in the high-80s to low-90s and straight. His curveball was nice, but he didn't show good command of it. His change-ups are batting practice pitches at this point. Snapshot analysis of course, but if his stuff doesn't improve he is not going to be a major league starter.
● Andruw Jones is a very engaging guy, but unless his first step improves in center field, his enthusiasm for the game will not be enough to make the 25-man roster. He still has a long way to go and the clock is ticking.
● Kris Benson was solid but not spectacular. I'd love to see him end up in Frisco or Oklahoma City as a back-up option.
● Coach Wayne Kirby should have his own reality show.
● Emerson Frostad: Professional.
● Omar Poveda's mechanics are a concern. His change-up is a beautiful, beautiful pitch. His fastball is hittable.
● Neftali Feliz is very hard on himself. I like that. He needs to get beat up a little. Same with Derek Holland. Feliz struggled with his fastball location for the first five batters he faced. His sequencing was off and his change-up was non-existent. He was noticeably upset. He calmed his nerves and devoured the last hitter he faced with two 99 mph heaters on the black and a brilliant 12-to-6 that made the batter look quite foolish. Lesson learned.
● Josh Lewin puts in the work. He was at the backfields early and often was asking the right people the right questions. I was impressed.
● Mike Maddux is one of the most likable guys in the organization. It helps that he is also one of the sharpest.
● Blake Beavan: Baseball fan. After a full workout he would make his way to the main fields to watch the game. Every day.
● Josh Hamilton doesn't act like he is Josh Hamilton. He acts like a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy named Josh Hamilton.
● I could go on all day.
Reader Comments (54)
thanks for the insights Jason. I love it.
go on all day, love reading the insight...
Good stuff, thanks. Couple of questions and some comment,
1. Anything Whittleman is doing specifically that gives you encouragement?
2. Andrus is "going to make a lot of errors in 09". Why?
Nice touch on the Padilla and Lewin insights.
Thanks again.
I love reading all these insights. Wished I had the opportunity to make my own observations. Maybe one day...
Please do go on all day
That's good stuff right there... please keep it up... BBTIA is becoming my home for Rangers news/insight... thanks guys!
Love the post and thank you for your musings. BBTIA is now very much a part of my morning routine.
1. Whittleman was more aggressive at the plate. He was finding a pitch to hit and was driving the ball. He was getting good extension and his lower half wasn't too busy. Encouraging.
2. 20 year olds are going to make mistakes. The routine errors will decrease with experience/repetition.
Thanks for the kind words, guys/gals. I know we just did an open thread Q&A, but if you have more questions I would be happy to attempt to answer them.
Do you share Jamey Newberg's enthusiasm for Joaquin Arias? What did you see from him?
Is Beavan making progress on his slider? How would you describe that pitch?
I loves me some lefties. Any notes on Beau Jones, Tim Murphy, or Corey Young?
Keith Law had a glowing review of Kiker's inning of work in the intrasquad. How is his repertoire coming along?
Speaking of Keith Law, if you met him in a dark alley, could you whip his ass?
Sorry I don't compile all these questions in a single post. Just seems that immediately after I post one question, an even better one comes to mind.
Todd: I didn't see Arias in camp. He was still on bereavement leave. However, I have seen him play several times and I've never really been impressed. It's funny because I'm usually the first guy to fall for a toolsy player. Arias was a very promising defensive SS, but without the same arm strength he isn't that promising. His bat has been hot since his return to ST, but I'm not sold. He doesn't look like a baseball player to me. He's awkward.
I got same questions as tricer... To follow up:
Can Arias beat Vizquel for the utility job, or is it more important for him to stay full time (ie, in OKC)?
What is Kiker's true velo? Is he building up? It was hard to see optimism in Law's post considering the fastball velo he reported.
Fantastic to read Whittleman's still worth watching, and here's hoping O-Po improves mechanically. Thanks for this post...keep it going.
Todd: Beavan is working hard on his sider. He said that last year was an adjustment because of his altered mechanics. He needs to stay consistent with his arm slot, but I think the slider will develop into a good pitch. If it develops into a great pitch Beavan will be a monster. He wants it, so that always helps.
I'm a tad worried about Chris Davis... is he going to flop or flourish? I realize it's only spring training but we don't have a long track record to go on with him and I'm worried last year may have been a flash in the pan...
Seeing him in Surprise, how does his demeanor look? Does he look like a guy that's pressing... or one that realizes it's still early and is confident he'll produce?
Todd: I'm hot and cold on Kiker. He's my friend so my opinion is often clouded. He has guts and that could help him maximize his skill set. His fastball is solid, but not great. He can push it to the mid 90s, but it is going to sit in the 89-92 range for the most part. His change is a really good pitch. His curve is erratic. Like Beavan, Kiker seems to really want it this year. He was embarrassed last season and in the FIL and it woke him up.
I wouldn't have a problem coming out ahead in a physical confrontation with Keith Law. A mental confrontation would be another story. Keith Law is one of the smartest people I know.
Everyone who was interviewed seemed to have all the confidence in the world. I love it.
Pabloesque: Chris Davis is very confident. He might have been pressing a bit, but that happens. He is going to be fine. Expect monster power numbers, but a lower average than some of the projections suggest. I'm not sure he is going to make enough contact to hit over .275/.280 in a full season. Love to be wrong, though. Davis is the type of player that keeps improving. Scary.
Hightower: I don't think Arias could beat out Vizquel for the utility role. I will not believe Arias is a realistic option until I hear positive reports about his arm strength from SS. His range is still impressive, but all reports seem to indicate that his arm strength isn't what it once was. That is a shame. He had a laser arm.
In my view as well, Davis will be fine. He has a textbook swing, very quiet hands for a hitter with all that mash. I'm a big fan. Thus I'm conflicted vis-a-vis he and Smoak.
I hate the thought of Davis DH'ing. I honestly believe there's more athleticism there than people realize. So you're the GM JP, what do you do with them when that time comes?
A Stephens: I would start Smoak at 1B and Davis at DH. I don't have a problem putting Davis at DH. He has some athleticism, but where do you want to play him? The only defensive position he has a chance to excel at is 1B and he isn't going to be a better option than Smoak.
Going to relative non-prospects, do the Rangers see Brian Gordon and Lizard Ramirez as strictly long man, mop-up bullpen options, emergency starter candidates, or organizational soldiers with no chance?
I wish you would go on all day. I am an addict. An absolute addict. Just great stuff. The high will last half the day
Bioaggie: I can't speak for the Rangers, but I see them as potential mop-up bullpen options at best.
BEW: Gracias. I'll keep answering if people keep asking. Hopefully the answers are substantial enough.
I am beginning to wonder if the Smoak 1b and CD at DH combo might even happen this year. Thoughts? Who will be most worth the trip to Frisco this year?
BEW: As I've said before, Smoak could hold his own at the major league level right now. There is no reason to start him on the 25, though. If Hank gets traded, injured, or is ineffective, I'd rather Ramirez get the DH at-bats before Smoak. Smoak could use the majority of the '09 season to work at 1B and to crush minor league pitching. Even though he could handle the assignment to the majors, there are still things he could work on in the minors.
Kiker, Moscoso, Strop, Feliz, Poveda, Lemon, and Pina are just a few of the reasons to watch Frisco this season. The team is stacked and that isn't going to change for a long time. Every night is a showcase.
Jason, after Kyle Boddy's write-up on Strop's mechanics, I was wandering if Strop has changed his arm angle any?
Outstanding stuff! I love these type of post! I hope that once the season starts we can do discussions during the game here as well a couple times per week.
What's going to happen to Andruw Jones in 3 days? Do you think he will get extended? If he does make the team do you see this hurting or helping, in the long run? I know we have talked about this in the last Q&A, but he was hot, and now seems to have regressed, and if his defense is off, I don't see the sense in it. I want the Rangers to stick to the plan.
Kinslerhomer: Strop's mechanics are an issue. He has one of the fastest arms in the system (If not THE fastest), but his arm angle is wildly inconsistent and he likes to bring his elbow up too high (hyperabduction). I'm sure the Rangers are working with Strop's mechanics to ensure he remains healthy. He could be a monster if he can stay on the field.
C'mon: My guess is that the Ranges will continue to evaluate Jones after his initial opt out date. He shows flashes of the old Jones but then he follows that up with flashes of an old Jones. I assume it's quite maddening for the decision makers in the organization.
Thanks for all the notes at the end of the interviews, I could read those all day.
Did you see C.J. Wilson at all? How did he look? He seemed real bitter on his Myspace page, concerned? I like the guy, so it's hard to say he's bitter, but I got that sense.
Who would have thought that the Rangers would be the most promising team in DFW to win in the playoffs for the foreseeable future? Though I can't stand that Daniels traded away four great young starting pitchers, I have to admit my admiration for what he is doing with our minor leagues. Hopefully he has learned his lesson.
What do you think Ryan's presence and workout regimen has meant to our pitching staff? Very few injuries so far.
C'mon: I saw CJ. He looked fine. CJ is a talented pitcher that often takes himself too seriously. He can be anything he wants off-of-the field as long as he performs on it.
Ya I like C.J., thanks!
Wolf Daddy: Injuries are a big part of baseball (especially pitchers) and Nolan's presence isn't going to influence that to the degree most people think. It shouldn't take Nolan Ryan to tell the athletes to show up in shape. That said, he is very respected by the players and if it takes Nolan to motivate them, so be it.
Could you rank the pitching prospects by mechanincs? A breakdown of guys who have the best and maybe a few guys you're worried about.
Which of the Rangers position prospects have the best make-up and work ethic?
thanks again
Mario: Most young arms struggle with their mechanics at some point, so its hard to accurately rank them based on that. Guys like Strop and Poveda don't have the prettiest mechanics while guys like Main and Holland are usually quite clean.
I love to tout the make-up of guys like Main, Feliz, Perez, Boscan, and T. Murphy. A newcomer to this list is Blake Beavan. He has really worked hard to become a confident professional instead of a cocky amateur.
By all accounts, Feliz and Holland have been impressive in ML camp and both appear to be near ready with ceilings that might place them in the front of a contending rotation. Do you still feel that Michael Main ranks ahead of those guys on your personal Ranger prospect list?
Did you get a chance to watch him pitch while in Surprise? If so, did you see anything noteworthy?
I found it interesting that Padilla's name has come up in mentoring young pitchers, and I was wondering if anyone ever sees Millwood doing any mentoring? Do you think the organization would take that into account when determining which one of the guys gets traded later in the season?
Todd: Yes. I think Main is the better overall package. He doesn't have Feliz's fastball and he doesn't have Holland's fastball command, but he has the potential for three above-average pitches and the make-up to maximize his potential.
Mike: I do not. Mentoring in ST is one thing, but I seriously doubt the Rangers would decide to keep Padilla over Millwood because he was helpful to Moscoso. Most of the older guys are helpful to the younger guys.
I was in the car running errands and when I got back in the car there was interview with Goldstein ( I think ) in process on the Ticket. He said something I had not thought about. According to him the Rangers had the best low A pitching in all of baseball. This year they will probably also have the best pitching in all of baseball at the Low A level again with a completely different group. Do you agree with that statement
BEW: Yes. I've made that statement before. I think the Hickory rotation is the best in the minors and that might be the case for several years.
Sweet
great interviews and notes!
i like hearing smoak say 'yeah, i'm ready for the majors!' and the note about feliz's resiliency is muy muy muy encouraging. i've been very worried he's a stuff guy -- a thrower not a pitcher. but that anecdote speaks volumes about the kind of perseverance you need to be a pitcher, the kind which feliz seems to possess. muy encouraging.
Did you see Beau Vaughan? If you did, does he have anything or is he just filler?
Kinslerhomer: I did not see Vaughan. Supposedly he has a nice arm. His picture is quite intense.