Just in time for Ricky Romero's debut, Batter's Box presents its exclusive interviews with the Auburn Doubledays!
Last Saturday was a lovely afternoon in New York, and I went with friend/Jays fan/Bauxite Kevin Janus to KeySpan park on Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY, to meet the D-Days prior to their game with the Brooklyn Cyclones. And not even the subsequent pea-soup fog and Auburn defeat could dampen our enthusiasm for some of the choice quotes we were able to obtain.
We enjoyed meeting the D-Days. We think you will, too.
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Tom Signore, Pitching Coach
BB: So we hear Romero's going to get a start soon. What are you working on before he gets the start?
Tom Signore: Actually, we're just letting him lay low. He'll have today and tomorrow off, and he'll throw another 10 on Monday.
BB: What have you seen in him so far?
TS: Well, he's a first-rounder. Obviously, you like what you see. Haven't seen him in game competition, and I just hope people are patient with him. Obviously, he does a lot of things right now that you don't want to play with. He can spin the ball real well, and the ball moves on both sides of the plate. I think he'll fit in rather nicely here. I don't know how long he's gonna be with us...He'll only pitch two innings at a time.
BB: Really?
TS: That's it. Until I'm told differently...I think we're on the road on the 22nd. It's a shame -- it would've been nice if he could have opened at home.
BB: Who's starting tonight?
TS: Tonight, it's Rob -- er, Bobby Ray. Righthander out of Texas A&M.
BB: Tell us a bit about him.
TS: Very good fastball. Works down around the knees. Good breaking ball. Good changeup...He's going to be all right.
BB: You think?
TS (giggling): Yeah. He's a good one.
BB: Who else is throwing well?
TS: You know what, they've all had times when they've thrown well, and they've all had times when they've struggled a bit. After 23 games, overall I'm very happy with the way they're throwing the ball.
BB: I saw that Paul Phillips got the save last night.
TS: Yeah, he just came right in there. He really was an unknown, because I'm not sure he'd ever been in that situation before. We turned him into a closer because our closer went to Lansing. We didn't know how he was gonna react to the situation here. I mean, the arm is fine. He's got a good arm, talent-wise, there's no question, but you never know how a man's gonna react in a 3-2 game. We wanted to find out if he was the same guy in a 3-2 game, bottom of the ninth, as he was in a 5-2 game behind. So that was encouraging.
[At this point, Ricky Romero asks Signore if he can throw. Signore replies emphatically, "Can't do it!", and suggests that Romero try dry mechanics instead. Meanwhile, Bobby Ray would pitch six outstanding innings of shutout ball.]
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Adrian Martin, RP
BB: What kind of role do they have you pitching in?
Adrian Martin: I don't even know! It changes every day...I've been in long relief, I've been a spot starter. Last year, I had seven starts in Pulaski, where I pitched 63 innings and did a bit of everything. I've been in Lansing and Dunedin for a little while this year. In Lansing, I was used in long relief and short relief. Pretty much every role, I'm ready for.
BB: What do you want to do?
AM: I really don't have a preference. I'm out there in every way to help the team and get my innings in. I can learn every time out. If they want to promote me to a starter, I'd love to do that, but you know, there are ups and downs to both roles. A starter pitches every five days, and there are four days in between when you do nothing. As a reliever, you can get in there 2-3 times a week.
BB: Plus, you get to hang out in the bullpen!
AM: (laughing) Yeah. You get to see what's going on in the crowd...that's pretty good, too.
BB: What's the difference in play between the Appalachian League and this league?
AM: The only difference that I've seen...is that you've got guys that played at higher colleges. Your higher picks are more likely to play here. The Appalachian League teams lose a lot of draft picks to the Gulf Coast League.
[At this point, manager Dennis Holmberg asks Adrian Martin to play catch with a kid that looks about 11 years old. Happily, though, Martin would nail down a save on Monday afternoon.]
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Manny Sena, SS
BB: We were just talking to Ryan Patterson, and he told us to "watch for Manny Sena. He's gonna be good."
Manny Sena: I hope so!
BB: Are you playing short now?
MS: In the beginning, I played second, but they moved me over to shortstop. I've been playing shortstop every day.
BB: How has the adjustment been?
MS: Pretty good. I'm working hard every day, day-in and day-out. I'll get good results.
BB: Who's a player you model yourself after as a shortstop?
MS: In the big leagues? I always watched Derek Jeter. He stands up well at short.
BB: Who do you model your hitting after?
MS: I've always tried to be like Luis Castillo. I like how he goes the other way all the time.
BB: He's also very patient. He really waits for his pitch.
MS: Yeah. But the coaches tell me, "you're going to have some power later," so they don't want me to try to play the game he plays. [Sena has a build similar to Alfonso Soriano.] Bunting, stuff like that, they don't want me to do that.
BB: Do you have speed? Can you steal a base?
MS: Yeah, I have speed.
BB: Do they let you steal?
MS: Sometimes, in some situations. Not every time.
BB: Not as often as you'd like, I'm sensing.
MS: No. As soon as I get on, I want to steal second and steal third. But they won't let me do that. (laughs)
BB: Do you practice bunting?
MS: Yeah, sure. When there's a slow guy on third and you need to get it down...they just don't want me to do it every time.
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Kyle Bohm, C
BB: We spoke to one of your colleagues at catcher, Josh Bell. How do you guys get along?
KB: We're actually roommates...I knew Josh previously when he went to Auburn. I was at Auburn for two years. In my sophomore year, he was a freshman.
BB: Do you still pull rank on him?
KB: Hahaha. All the time.
BB: Is Phillips in that room, too?
KB: Yeah, at home he is. We all get along pretty well. I've got that connection with Paul from the Michigan area, him being from Oakland and me being from the University of Michigan.
BB: Do you bring more of an offensive or more of a defensive presence as a catcher?
KB: More offensive. I'm still learning the position. I was drafted as a catcher, but I played first base the last two years. I'm still learning to catch a little bit. I DH mostly here, and I'm trying to learn the craft a little bit.
BB: What are you working on the most as a catcher?
KB: Just trying to be comfortable back there. The receiving aspect isn't too bad right now, but it's the throwing, the blocking, calling a good game, and stuff like that.
BB: It's a lot of things to worry about.
KB: Yeah, definitely.
BB: You guys going to get a chance to go into Manhattan?
KB: You know, I really would like to...but I think we're on a short leash here. It's always fun going on the road and seeing these new places. We were out in Lowell, Massachusetts the other day. Great little park. It's really classy.
BB: How's the wooden bat treating you?
KB: Pretty good. It took me about two weeks to adjust, but now I'm getting my swing back a little bit with the wood. It's definitely a different swing with the wood compared to the aluminum.
BB: How so?
KB: You've really got to stay behind the ball, and you've really got to hit it on the barrel or else it doesn't go anywhere. With aluminum, you can get away with a lot of things. You hit it on the hands, or hit it off the end, and still get a hit.
BB: A lot of your teammates are saying the same thing.
KB: Yeah, you've really got to centre it up. You might even hit one good, and it might just not go for you. Yesterday, I thought I hit one out, and it didn't go anywhere. I'm trying to hit the ball hard. If I do at least three out of every four times, then I think I'll be all right.
BB: When you were a kid, who was your favourite player?
KB: You know, I grew up in Wisconsin, so I'd have to say Paul Molitor or Robin Yount.
BB: Oh, we know Paul Molitor.
KB: Those Brewers when I was growing up were big heroes of mine.
BB: They gave the Blue Jays a lot of trouble in the AL East.
KB: Actually, my roommate in Michigan...his dad was Dr. Ron Taylor, a big Blue Jays fan. He was always telling me about Blue Jays history.
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Josh Bell, C
BB: So you went from one Auburn to another.
Josh Bell: That's right.
BB: You're running out of Auburns to play for.
JB: Yeah, I know. It's a nice place to play, though.
BB: So how are you adjusting so far to the wooden bats?
JB: I'm adjusting pretty good. At first, you know, I used an aluminum bat swing, and I was trying too hard. I'm just trying to think about trying to centre it up and everything. But I feel like I'm making progress.
BB: Mechanically, what do you do to "centre it up"? How do you get more of the barrel on the bat?
JB: I just can't try as hard. 'Cause when you try hard, you --
BB: You need loose hands, right?
JB: Yeah, exactly. Loose hands, and then you just work on seeing the ball, really. You just try to meet it, instead of trying to muscle it out as you would with an aluminum bat.
BB: What about the defensive side of the game? Is it any different from college ball?
JB: Not really. It's only different because it's different pitchers. You have to learn how their balls sink or cut. I feel like I'm starting to get to know these guys.
BB: I know you've got to speak up for all your teammates, but give me one pitcher who's really impressed you so far.
JB: They're all really good...it's hard to single one out. I can't really do that.
BB: Phillips had a nice save yesterday.
JB: Oh yeah, definitely. First time in a closer role...he's our roommate, too! It felt good to help him get his first pro save. He came in and did the job.
BB: Weren't you a pitcher at one point?
JB: Yeah, I pitched mainly in high school. You know, I started my sophomore year [at Auburn University] pitching. I pitched a little bit in my freshman year, but mainly I caught; then I didn't catch much at all my sophomore year; then I caught pretty much all of this year, my entire junior year...I'm still trying to get -- um...acclimated to catching every day -- I figured I'd use a nice big word for y'all.
BB: Hahaha. We'll make sure we print that one.
JB: Yep, that's the word of the day for me.
BB: Do you bring more offence or defence to the field?
JB: I'd like for it to be even. But you know, offence is great...but if you call a good game for your pitcher and help him throw a great game, then defence is probably more important to me than offence.
BB: Who's a catcher you look up to?
JB: I really like Pudge Rodriguez. He can do it all, definitely.
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Brian Pettway, LF
BB: What kind of a player are you trying to be?
Brian Pettway: I want to be an offensive player, no doubt. I've been struggling since I've been here. Just trying to learn how to hit with a wood bat -- it's been tough for me so far.
BB: What's the biggest difference?
BP: I'm used to being able to hit balls off the end of the bat when they're moving on me, and it still goes a long way. Now, when you hit off the end, the bat breaks or the ball barely gets to the infielder. So I'm just trying to hit the ball on the barrel more. I've hit a couple balls hard; I have one home run and I hit a triple last night off the wall.
BB: That was a big triple.
BP: [shyly] Yeah, I'm just trying to be positive. I'm working with the hitting coach, Justin, right now and every day. We're trying to fix it, work on it, and hopefully it will get better.
BB: Mechanically, what are you trying to work on?
BP: Just trying to use my lower half more, instead of just my upper body. I'm trying to drive the ball instead of trying to get the bat on the ball and hoping it'll carry.
BB: Which major league player did you look up to, growing up?
BP: Honestly, I'd have to say John Smoltz.
BB: Hopefully you can hit better than he can!
BP: (laughing) Yeah. I've never really modeled myself after anybody hitting-wise. I like the way Pujols hits...right now I've got to figure out what's best for me. Being productive is what I'm trying to do.
BB: Give me one pitcher that you'd like to face one day.
BP: Gotta be Smoltz. I followed the Braves growing up; they played six hours from my house [in Vicksburg, Mississippi]. Growing up, I was a Braves fan all my life.
BB: You know, I remember them facing the Blue Jays in the World Series.
BP: Yeah, I know.
BB: I [Kevin] made the mistake of joking about that series once in Atlanta. It didn't go over so well.
BP: I don't doubt it!
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Ryan Patterson, CF
BB: Welcome to the organization!
Ryan Patterson: I appreciate that.
BB: I hear you're doing pretty good.
RP: Hanging in there. Enjoying myself. Just trying to get used to it.
BB: There's enjoying yourself, and then there's hitting-.380-enjoying-yourself.
RP: Ah, you find a few holes...That's how it happens. You go up there, keep swinging, and hope those holes are still wide open, you know?
BB: A lot of the guys have been saying that it's a really big adjustment switching to wooden bats, but it seems to be a little easier for you.
RP: Well, I think a lot of it's mental. Because when you go from aluminum to wood, a lot of guys are like, "Oh, gosh, it's going to be hard." I thought, "You know, I've swung a wooden bat before. I'm not worried about it." So I think it was more mental for me than it was anything physical. When I got here, they taught me an approach. I think I can hit with that approach with wood, aluminum, it don't matter.
BB: What's the approach?
RP: Well, when I first got here, I was a little too jumpy and I moved around a little too much. [Hitting coach Justin Mashore] told me it was more of a positive thing, saying "I want you to move this, but not that." He wanted me to move my hips slowly back, so I didn't go forward. Just get back and stop [goes through the motions of a fluid swing].
BB: Were you just opening up too quickly?
RP: I was just out on my front foot. And that's an aluminum bat swing. You can't hit with a wood bat that way.
BB: That's the problem Hinske's having.
RP: Actually, I met Hinske. He's a nice guy. I met all of [the Jays].
BB: Oh yeah?
RP: Yeah, I went to the Astros-Blue Jays series in Houston before I signed.
BB: Who else did you talk to?
RP: Well, I went to school with Aaron [Hill]. We're good buddies.
BB: Did he pull rank on you at LSU?
RP: He actually told me to follow him. He kinda taught me the ropes, and showed me what I needed to do to get to this level. He was good to me. He didn't pull anything too bad -- I was a sophomore, though. I came in after junior college. So it wasn't too bad.
BB: Hopefully he'll be gentle on you when you make the Blue Jays.
RP: I hope so.
BB: He got up pretty quick.
RP: He's doing real well. I'm not surprised, though. Not at all. He's going to succeed in anything he does. It don't matter -- baseball, whatever.
BB: Who did you look up to as a hitter when you were younger than that?
RP: My favourite hitter was definitely -- I was a Ranger fan, so Ruben Sierra. I used to love Ruben Sierra when I was younger, and I loved watching him hit.
BB: Did you ever try his leg kick at bat?
RP: Actually, I had that leg kick in high school! I realized it didn't work for me, so I got rid of that real quick.
BB: Did you switch-hit?
RP: I tried it when I was younger, and I did OK with it, but I figured it was hard enough hitting righthanded, so why even try learning a new side?
BB: How do you feel out in centre?
RP: I actually feel pretty good. I got some pretty good work out there this year -- I played there in 30-something games. You know, I just like to play every position. I want to be good in left, centre and right. So if they need me to play left, I can play left. If they need me to play right...that's how I like it. I like centre -- it gives me a chance to run the outfield a little bit, and I like that.
BB: Have you always been an outfielder?
RP: Yeah, for a long while, it's been since I was 13-14. There were talks before the draft of turning me into a second baseman.
BB: Really?
RP: Not from the Blue Jays, but from other teams. I was like, "Please leave me in the outfield."
BB: We did an interview with Jon Lalonde, and he was describing a huge debate in the draft room about whether to take Pettway or Patterson in the third round. Lalonde said they couldn't believe they got both of you.
RP: Yeah, that's why I didn't think the Blue Jays would pick me after they picked Pettway. We're kind of similar players in a way, and being from the same conference, being outfielders...I didn't expect them to take two outfielders in the first three picks. I got a call from another team, and after they took Pettway I was like, "OK, I guess the Blue Jays are out of the question." But then they picked me, and I was like, "What?!?" I'm glad it was the Blue Jays, though. Especially having a good friend in the organization, and in the big leagues.
BB: Sure. What else did you like about the Blue Jays choosing you as opposed to other clubs?
RP: Well, just knowing that a lot of the other teams out there are more about "projectability." The Blue Jays weren't going to drop my status just because I might not be 6'3 or 6'4. They recognized that I can play, even though I'm 5'11". You don't have to be 6'3 or 6'4 to play the outfield. I liked that, and I also liked the chance to move up quick since they build from within. And that's great for a guy coming into the minor leagues. You have as good a chance as anybody to get moved up and to get to play in the big leagues.
BB: One of the scouts said that you remind him a bit of Reed Johnson because you always play all-out.
RP: That's the best compliment anyone can give me -- that I play hard every day. That's what I like to do. That's how I was taught to play, and that's the way the game should be played.
BB: How does your offensive game look -- power or line drives?
RP: I think I'm more of a doubles hitter. I can steal bases and stuff, but I think that's not going to be my strong point. I think I'm going to be a pretty good average hitter, drive in runs, doubles...maybe I'm not going to be a 40 home run guy. Probably not. But you never know!
BB: We'll settle for 38.
RP: [laughing] I mean, I've always been a doubles guy. At college, I got a little bigger [points to his shoulders] and hit a few more out. But I don't get away from my doubles mentality.
BB: This place [Brooklyn] is like a three-ring circus.
RP: Yeah, it is. I'm interested to see when all the fans get here. Big crowd to see us.
BB: I heard it's a sellout. But it's Mookie Wilson Bobblehead Day. They're not here because it's Ryan Patterson Day.
RP: Well, I can turn it into that. [laughs]
BB: When you make it to Toronto, give me one pitcher you'd like to get a hit against.
RP: In all of baseball? I'd probably have to say...I don't think I'll get a chance to hit off him, but I'd love to get a hit off of Roger Clemens. With him going to the University of Texas, and I'm not a fan of the University of Texas...and with him playing for the Astros, and I've always been a Rangers fan...With all his credentials -- I think just watching him day in and day out do what he does, I think it'd be cool to get a hit off of him.
BB: One more question -- we all know about Ricky, Brian and the other high draft picks. Give me one guy who might sneak up on us as an organization.
RP: Right here in Auburn? I'd have to say...I think with a little direction, Manny [Sena] is really gonna be -- he's got the tools to be great. I'd say it's between he and Josh Bell. Bell is a sixth-round pick, obviously, and he's got so much power potential that once he gets it where he wants it, he's going to hit a bunch of home runs. Those two guys I'd say have the best shot, in my opinion.
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Ricky Romero, SP
Ricky Romero: Sorry, I'm a little sweaty.
BB: Saw you shagging flies out there.
RR: Yeah. (laughs) Trying to stay busy.
BB: Your pitching coach said you're dying to throw.
RR: Yeah. I've had a couple bullpen sessions...next one is on Tuesday.
BB: What were you doing with the rag out there? [Romero was "pitching" from a full windup earlier, but clutching an orange rag in his pitching hand rather than actually throwing pitches. He even pantomimed getting the return throw from the catcher before he threw his next "pitch."]
RR: It's just dry mechanics. It's a drill for mental imagery...I don't know if you saw, but I was imagining catching the [return throw] back from the catcher.
BB: Yeah, we were watching.
RR: It's going through the whole process of actually being in the game. It's getting into the right frame of mind.
BB: One question I've gotta ask is...have you seen the tape of your Dad on TV? ESPN interviewed your dad during the playoff game against Arizona State.
RR: [laughing] Yeah, I watched.
BB: How do you think he did?
RR: I always tell him he needs to improve. [laughs] It's all new to him, so I think he's a little nervous.
BB: One of the things I remember him saying was that he was an outfielder, not a pitcher.
RR: Yeah, he's an outfielder and always was one.
BB: What kind of a player was he? Who would you compare him to?
RR: I don't know who I'd compare him to, it's kind of hard...I do know that he had a good arm and he could run some balls down. He was a really good hitter, but obviously as time goes on, his stuff wears down. He was a good hitter and good player, just never a pitcher.
BB: Could he still hit your stuff?
RR: I don't know (laughs). Back in the day, he could probably take me deep.
BB: So we heard there's a date for your first game action.
RR: Yeah, next Friday in Tri-City. It's the Astros -- I'm really excited.
BB: I bet. They're going to give you a couple innings, right?
RR: Yeah. I think they said probably two innings. I've got to get back to work, get used to it. It'll be good just to throw a ball around. I haven't pitched to bats since the last game for Fullerton.
BB: Can you show us the grips of your various pitches?
RR: Four-seam fastball...two-seamer...changeup...
BB: You throw a circle change, like Glavine does.
RR: Yes, a circle change...curveball...and a cut fastball. I just try to stay on top of everything. That's the key for me. If I stay on top of everything, I've got the stuff to get things done.
BB: You seemed very confident when I saw you pitching for Fullerton.
RR: Yeah. I mean, I don't try to put too much pressure on myself, that's the thing. I just go out there and have fun. If I have a bad inning, so be it. Just get to the next pitch -- that's what we were taught at Fullerton. It's not feeling sorry for yourself, it's getting to the next pitch. I mean, if a guy hits a home run, so what? Pound a strike at the next hitter with the next pitch and just go. You have to have confidence in what you do each time you go out there. The team might score for you, and you can still win the game.
BB: Do you miss Fullerton?
RR: Yeah, obviously I miss it. Being there for three years, making friendships...you probably won't see those same types of friendships here. Some guys get called up...there are new faces every year. At Fullerton, we were a family. I loved every single coach there. It's something that I'm going to miss.
BB: Reed Johnson went to your school.
RR: Yes.
BB: Did he talk to you?
RR: Yeah. When I went up to Toronto [Romero pronounces it properly -- i.e., "Tronno"], I got a chance to talk to him. He took me out to dinner, actually.
BB: No kidding!
RR: Yeah, when I signed. I knew him before from when he was coming to the alumni game. I actually faced him before, four times in two years out there at the alumni game.
BB: Apparently he spoke very highly of you when the Jays were considering making you their draft pick.
RR: Yeah [laughing]. It was good of him to do that. He's a really good guy.
BB: Have you talked to Doc yet?
RR: Yeah, actually. The day I went up there, he came up to me while I was hanging out and just watching BP. He ran out to join me. When he looked at me, I was like "Whoa, that's Roy Halladay!" Pretty crazy. He came up to me and was like, "Congratulations. I'm hoping to see you here soon so you can come out and help." I said, "Yeah, that would be pretty sweet." I don't even know the guy, but he started when I was there on a Saturday...Just by looking at him, I already admire him. Just the way he goes about his business, and the way the guys on the team talk about him and how much respect they have for him. I was asking the players, "How is he in the clubhouse?," 'cause he's a really quiet guy.
I asked them, "Why does he have a notebook out?" They said he was going through every scouting report of every hitter. They said, "That's just what he does. That's a Cy Young winner." They were telling me about the work ethic he has, and I was like "Wow, I don't even know this guy and I admire him already."
BB: Now you're making us sad. We've got to get him back!
RR: Yeah, I saw that. Broken tibia.
BB: You mentioned admiring Roy Halladay. Growing up, or even now, what other pitchers do you look up to or model yourself after?
RR: Well, obviously now him! I had never seen the way a big league pitcher works, and the way the players talked about him and the way he was going about his business. It was something that I took into my head and said, "Wow, so it *is* possible to succeed."
BB: But when you were younger, in L.A. What about then?
RR: I always looked up to Randy Johnson, because of how you feel he just goes after every hitter. Obviously, now I like watching Johan Santana a lot. He's a really good pitcher and a really good lefthander, and I'm a southpaw too, so...
BB: OK. One more question. Imagine you're pitching at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. It's the ninth inning. Who's the one guy you want to face and strike out?
RR: It'd probably be Barry Bonds. Best hitter ever, or one of the best hitters ever. Obviously, striking him out in the ninth inning to win the game would be crazy.
BB: Hey, maybe in interleague play.
RR: Or in a World Series game. Facing him and striking him out would be awesome.
BB: Thanks so much for your time. Welcome aboard!
RR: Thank you.
BB: See you in Toronto real soon.
Last Saturday was a lovely afternoon in New York, and I went with friend/Jays fan/Bauxite Kevin Janus to KeySpan park on Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY, to meet the D-Days prior to their game with the Brooklyn Cyclones. And not even the subsequent pea-soup fog and Auburn defeat could dampen our enthusiasm for some of the choice quotes we were able to obtain.
We enjoyed meeting the D-Days. We think you will, too.
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Tom Signore, Pitching Coach
BB: So we hear Romero's going to get a start soon. What are you working on before he gets the start?
Tom Signore: Actually, we're just letting him lay low. He'll have today and tomorrow off, and he'll throw another 10 on Monday.
BB: What have you seen in him so far?
TS: Well, he's a first-rounder. Obviously, you like what you see. Haven't seen him in game competition, and I just hope people are patient with him. Obviously, he does a lot of things right now that you don't want to play with. He can spin the ball real well, and the ball moves on both sides of the plate. I think he'll fit in rather nicely here. I don't know how long he's gonna be with us...He'll only pitch two innings at a time.
BB: Really?
TS: That's it. Until I'm told differently...I think we're on the road on the 22nd. It's a shame -- it would've been nice if he could have opened at home.
BB: Who's starting tonight?
TS: Tonight, it's Rob -- er, Bobby Ray. Righthander out of Texas A&M.
BB: Tell us a bit about him.
TS: Very good fastball. Works down around the knees. Good breaking ball. Good changeup...He's going to be all right.
BB: You think?
TS (giggling): Yeah. He's a good one.
BB: Who else is throwing well?
TS: You know what, they've all had times when they've thrown well, and they've all had times when they've struggled a bit. After 23 games, overall I'm very happy with the way they're throwing the ball.
BB: I saw that Paul Phillips got the save last night.
TS: Yeah, he just came right in there. He really was an unknown, because I'm not sure he'd ever been in that situation before. We turned him into a closer because our closer went to Lansing. We didn't know how he was gonna react to the situation here. I mean, the arm is fine. He's got a good arm, talent-wise, there's no question, but you never know how a man's gonna react in a 3-2 game. We wanted to find out if he was the same guy in a 3-2 game, bottom of the ninth, as he was in a 5-2 game behind. So that was encouraging.
[At this point, Ricky Romero asks Signore if he can throw. Signore replies emphatically, "Can't do it!", and suggests that Romero try dry mechanics instead. Meanwhile, Bobby Ray would pitch six outstanding innings of shutout ball.]
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Adrian Martin, RP
BB: What kind of role do they have you pitching in?
Adrian Martin: I don't even know! It changes every day...I've been in long relief, I've been a spot starter. Last year, I had seven starts in Pulaski, where I pitched 63 innings and did a bit of everything. I've been in Lansing and Dunedin for a little while this year. In Lansing, I was used in long relief and short relief. Pretty much every role, I'm ready for.
BB: What do you want to do?
AM: I really don't have a preference. I'm out there in every way to help the team and get my innings in. I can learn every time out. If they want to promote me to a starter, I'd love to do that, but you know, there are ups and downs to both roles. A starter pitches every five days, and there are four days in between when you do nothing. As a reliever, you can get in there 2-3 times a week.
BB: Plus, you get to hang out in the bullpen!
AM: (laughing) Yeah. You get to see what's going on in the crowd...that's pretty good, too.
BB: What's the difference in play between the Appalachian League and this league?
AM: The only difference that I've seen...is that you've got guys that played at higher colleges. Your higher picks are more likely to play here. The Appalachian League teams lose a lot of draft picks to the Gulf Coast League.
[At this point, manager Dennis Holmberg asks Adrian Martin to play catch with a kid that looks about 11 years old. Happily, though, Martin would nail down a save on Monday afternoon.]
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Manny Sena, SS
BB: We were just talking to Ryan Patterson, and he told us to "watch for Manny Sena. He's gonna be good."
Manny Sena: I hope so!
BB: Are you playing short now?
MS: In the beginning, I played second, but they moved me over to shortstop. I've been playing shortstop every day.
BB: How has the adjustment been?
MS: Pretty good. I'm working hard every day, day-in and day-out. I'll get good results.
BB: Who's a player you model yourself after as a shortstop?
MS: In the big leagues? I always watched Derek Jeter. He stands up well at short.
BB: Who do you model your hitting after?
MS: I've always tried to be like Luis Castillo. I like how he goes the other way all the time.
BB: He's also very patient. He really waits for his pitch.
MS: Yeah. But the coaches tell me, "you're going to have some power later," so they don't want me to try to play the game he plays. [Sena has a build similar to Alfonso Soriano.] Bunting, stuff like that, they don't want me to do that.
BB: Do you have speed? Can you steal a base?
MS: Yeah, I have speed.
BB: Do they let you steal?
MS: Sometimes, in some situations. Not every time.
BB: Not as often as you'd like, I'm sensing.
MS: No. As soon as I get on, I want to steal second and steal third. But they won't let me do that. (laughs)
BB: Do you practice bunting?
MS: Yeah, sure. When there's a slow guy on third and you need to get it down...they just don't want me to do it every time.
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Kyle Bohm, C
BB: We spoke to one of your colleagues at catcher, Josh Bell. How do you guys get along?
KB: We're actually roommates...I knew Josh previously when he went to Auburn. I was at Auburn for two years. In my sophomore year, he was a freshman.
BB: Do you still pull rank on him?
KB: Hahaha. All the time.
BB: Is Phillips in that room, too?
KB: Yeah, at home he is. We all get along pretty well. I've got that connection with Paul from the Michigan area, him being from Oakland and me being from the University of Michigan.
BB: Do you bring more of an offensive or more of a defensive presence as a catcher?
KB: More offensive. I'm still learning the position. I was drafted as a catcher, but I played first base the last two years. I'm still learning to catch a little bit. I DH mostly here, and I'm trying to learn the craft a little bit.
BB: What are you working on the most as a catcher?
KB: Just trying to be comfortable back there. The receiving aspect isn't too bad right now, but it's the throwing, the blocking, calling a good game, and stuff like that.
BB: It's a lot of things to worry about.
KB: Yeah, definitely.
BB: You guys going to get a chance to go into Manhattan?
KB: You know, I really would like to...but I think we're on a short leash here. It's always fun going on the road and seeing these new places. We were out in Lowell, Massachusetts the other day. Great little park. It's really classy.
BB: How's the wooden bat treating you?
KB: Pretty good. It took me about two weeks to adjust, but now I'm getting my swing back a little bit with the wood. It's definitely a different swing with the wood compared to the aluminum.
BB: How so?
KB: You've really got to stay behind the ball, and you've really got to hit it on the barrel or else it doesn't go anywhere. With aluminum, you can get away with a lot of things. You hit it on the hands, or hit it off the end, and still get a hit.
BB: A lot of your teammates are saying the same thing.
KB: Yeah, you've really got to centre it up. You might even hit one good, and it might just not go for you. Yesterday, I thought I hit one out, and it didn't go anywhere. I'm trying to hit the ball hard. If I do at least three out of every four times, then I think I'll be all right.
BB: When you were a kid, who was your favourite player?
KB: You know, I grew up in Wisconsin, so I'd have to say Paul Molitor or Robin Yount.
BB: Oh, we know Paul Molitor.
KB: Those Brewers when I was growing up were big heroes of mine.
BB: They gave the Blue Jays a lot of trouble in the AL East.
KB: Actually, my roommate in Michigan...his dad was Dr. Ron Taylor, a big Blue Jays fan. He was always telling me about Blue Jays history.
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Josh Bell, C
BB: So you went from one Auburn to another.
Josh Bell: That's right.
BB: You're running out of Auburns to play for.
JB: Yeah, I know. It's a nice place to play, though.
BB: So how are you adjusting so far to the wooden bats?
JB: I'm adjusting pretty good. At first, you know, I used an aluminum bat swing, and I was trying too hard. I'm just trying to think about trying to centre it up and everything. But I feel like I'm making progress.
BB: Mechanically, what do you do to "centre it up"? How do you get more of the barrel on the bat?
JB: I just can't try as hard. 'Cause when you try hard, you --
BB: You need loose hands, right?
JB: Yeah, exactly. Loose hands, and then you just work on seeing the ball, really. You just try to meet it, instead of trying to muscle it out as you would with an aluminum bat.
BB: What about the defensive side of the game? Is it any different from college ball?
JB: Not really. It's only different because it's different pitchers. You have to learn how their balls sink or cut. I feel like I'm starting to get to know these guys.
BB: I know you've got to speak up for all your teammates, but give me one pitcher who's really impressed you so far.
JB: They're all really good...it's hard to single one out. I can't really do that.
BB: Phillips had a nice save yesterday.
JB: Oh yeah, definitely. First time in a closer role...he's our roommate, too! It felt good to help him get his first pro save. He came in and did the job.
BB: Weren't you a pitcher at one point?
JB: Yeah, I pitched mainly in high school. You know, I started my sophomore year [at Auburn University] pitching. I pitched a little bit in my freshman year, but mainly I caught; then I didn't catch much at all my sophomore year; then I caught pretty much all of this year, my entire junior year...I'm still trying to get -- um...acclimated to catching every day -- I figured I'd use a nice big word for y'all.
BB: Hahaha. We'll make sure we print that one.
JB: Yep, that's the word of the day for me.
BB: Do you bring more offence or defence to the field?
JB: I'd like for it to be even. But you know, offence is great...but if you call a good game for your pitcher and help him throw a great game, then defence is probably more important to me than offence.
BB: Who's a catcher you look up to?
JB: I really like Pudge Rodriguez. He can do it all, definitely.
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Brian Pettway, LF
BB: What kind of a player are you trying to be?
Brian Pettway: I want to be an offensive player, no doubt. I've been struggling since I've been here. Just trying to learn how to hit with a wood bat -- it's been tough for me so far.
BB: What's the biggest difference?
BP: I'm used to being able to hit balls off the end of the bat when they're moving on me, and it still goes a long way. Now, when you hit off the end, the bat breaks or the ball barely gets to the infielder. So I'm just trying to hit the ball on the barrel more. I've hit a couple balls hard; I have one home run and I hit a triple last night off the wall.
BB: That was a big triple.
BP: [shyly] Yeah, I'm just trying to be positive. I'm working with the hitting coach, Justin, right now and every day. We're trying to fix it, work on it, and hopefully it will get better.
BB: Mechanically, what are you trying to work on?
BP: Just trying to use my lower half more, instead of just my upper body. I'm trying to drive the ball instead of trying to get the bat on the ball and hoping it'll carry.
BB: Which major league player did you look up to, growing up?
BP: Honestly, I'd have to say John Smoltz.
BB: Hopefully you can hit better than he can!
BP: (laughing) Yeah. I've never really modeled myself after anybody hitting-wise. I like the way Pujols hits...right now I've got to figure out what's best for me. Being productive is what I'm trying to do.
BB: Give me one pitcher that you'd like to face one day.
BP: Gotta be Smoltz. I followed the Braves growing up; they played six hours from my house [in Vicksburg, Mississippi]. Growing up, I was a Braves fan all my life.
BB: You know, I remember them facing the Blue Jays in the World Series.
BP: Yeah, I know.
BB: I [Kevin] made the mistake of joking about that series once in Atlanta. It didn't go over so well.
BP: I don't doubt it!
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Ryan Patterson, CF
BB: Welcome to the organization!
Ryan Patterson: I appreciate that.
BB: I hear you're doing pretty good.
RP: Hanging in there. Enjoying myself. Just trying to get used to it.
BB: There's enjoying yourself, and then there's hitting-.380-enjoying-yourself.
RP: Ah, you find a few holes...That's how it happens. You go up there, keep swinging, and hope those holes are still wide open, you know?
BB: A lot of the guys have been saying that it's a really big adjustment switching to wooden bats, but it seems to be a little easier for you.
RP: Well, I think a lot of it's mental. Because when you go from aluminum to wood, a lot of guys are like, "Oh, gosh, it's going to be hard." I thought, "You know, I've swung a wooden bat before. I'm not worried about it." So I think it was more mental for me than it was anything physical. When I got here, they taught me an approach. I think I can hit with that approach with wood, aluminum, it don't matter.
BB: What's the approach?
RP: Well, when I first got here, I was a little too jumpy and I moved around a little too much. [Hitting coach Justin Mashore] told me it was more of a positive thing, saying "I want you to move this, but not that." He wanted me to move my hips slowly back, so I didn't go forward. Just get back and stop [goes through the motions of a fluid swing].
BB: Were you just opening up too quickly?
RP: I was just out on my front foot. And that's an aluminum bat swing. You can't hit with a wood bat that way.
BB: That's the problem Hinske's having.
RP: Actually, I met Hinske. He's a nice guy. I met all of [the Jays].
BB: Oh yeah?
RP: Yeah, I went to the Astros-Blue Jays series in Houston before I signed.
BB: Who else did you talk to?
RP: Well, I went to school with Aaron [Hill]. We're good buddies.
BB: Did he pull rank on you at LSU?
RP: He actually told me to follow him. He kinda taught me the ropes, and showed me what I needed to do to get to this level. He was good to me. He didn't pull anything too bad -- I was a sophomore, though. I came in after junior college. So it wasn't too bad.
BB: Hopefully he'll be gentle on you when you make the Blue Jays.
RP: I hope so.
BB: He got up pretty quick.
RP: He's doing real well. I'm not surprised, though. Not at all. He's going to succeed in anything he does. It don't matter -- baseball, whatever.
BB: Who did you look up to as a hitter when you were younger than that?
RP: My favourite hitter was definitely -- I was a Ranger fan, so Ruben Sierra. I used to love Ruben Sierra when I was younger, and I loved watching him hit.
BB: Did you ever try his leg kick at bat?
RP: Actually, I had that leg kick in high school! I realized it didn't work for me, so I got rid of that real quick.
BB: Did you switch-hit?
RP: I tried it when I was younger, and I did OK with it, but I figured it was hard enough hitting righthanded, so why even try learning a new side?
BB: How do you feel out in centre?
RP: I actually feel pretty good. I got some pretty good work out there this year -- I played there in 30-something games. You know, I just like to play every position. I want to be good in left, centre and right. So if they need me to play left, I can play left. If they need me to play right...that's how I like it. I like centre -- it gives me a chance to run the outfield a little bit, and I like that.
BB: Have you always been an outfielder?
RP: Yeah, for a long while, it's been since I was 13-14. There were talks before the draft of turning me into a second baseman.
BB: Really?
RP: Not from the Blue Jays, but from other teams. I was like, "Please leave me in the outfield."
BB: We did an interview with Jon Lalonde, and he was describing a huge debate in the draft room about whether to take Pettway or Patterson in the third round. Lalonde said they couldn't believe they got both of you.
RP: Yeah, that's why I didn't think the Blue Jays would pick me after they picked Pettway. We're kind of similar players in a way, and being from the same conference, being outfielders...I didn't expect them to take two outfielders in the first three picks. I got a call from another team, and after they took Pettway I was like, "OK, I guess the Blue Jays are out of the question." But then they picked me, and I was like, "What?!?" I'm glad it was the Blue Jays, though. Especially having a good friend in the organization, and in the big leagues.
BB: Sure. What else did you like about the Blue Jays choosing you as opposed to other clubs?
RP: Well, just knowing that a lot of the other teams out there are more about "projectability." The Blue Jays weren't going to drop my status just because I might not be 6'3 or 6'4. They recognized that I can play, even though I'm 5'11". You don't have to be 6'3 or 6'4 to play the outfield. I liked that, and I also liked the chance to move up quick since they build from within. And that's great for a guy coming into the minor leagues. You have as good a chance as anybody to get moved up and to get to play in the big leagues.
BB: One of the scouts said that you remind him a bit of Reed Johnson because you always play all-out.
RP: That's the best compliment anyone can give me -- that I play hard every day. That's what I like to do. That's how I was taught to play, and that's the way the game should be played.
BB: How does your offensive game look -- power or line drives?
RP: I think I'm more of a doubles hitter. I can steal bases and stuff, but I think that's not going to be my strong point. I think I'm going to be a pretty good average hitter, drive in runs, doubles...maybe I'm not going to be a 40 home run guy. Probably not. But you never know!
BB: We'll settle for 38.
RP: [laughing] I mean, I've always been a doubles guy. At college, I got a little bigger [points to his shoulders] and hit a few more out. But I don't get away from my doubles mentality.
BB: This place [Brooklyn] is like a three-ring circus.
RP: Yeah, it is. I'm interested to see when all the fans get here. Big crowd to see us.
BB: I heard it's a sellout. But it's Mookie Wilson Bobblehead Day. They're not here because it's Ryan Patterson Day.
RP: Well, I can turn it into that. [laughs]
BB: When you make it to Toronto, give me one pitcher you'd like to get a hit against.
RP: In all of baseball? I'd probably have to say...I don't think I'll get a chance to hit off him, but I'd love to get a hit off of Roger Clemens. With him going to the University of Texas, and I'm not a fan of the University of Texas...and with him playing for the Astros, and I've always been a Rangers fan...With all his credentials -- I think just watching him day in and day out do what he does, I think it'd be cool to get a hit off of him.
BB: One more question -- we all know about Ricky, Brian and the other high draft picks. Give me one guy who might sneak up on us as an organization.
RP: Right here in Auburn? I'd have to say...I think with a little direction, Manny [Sena] is really gonna be -- he's got the tools to be great. I'd say it's between he and Josh Bell. Bell is a sixth-round pick, obviously, and he's got so much power potential that once he gets it where he wants it, he's going to hit a bunch of home runs. Those two guys I'd say have the best shot, in my opinion.
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Ricky Romero, SP
Ricky Romero: Sorry, I'm a little sweaty.
BB: Saw you shagging flies out there.
RR: Yeah. (laughs) Trying to stay busy.
BB: Your pitching coach said you're dying to throw.
RR: Yeah. I've had a couple bullpen sessions...next one is on Tuesday.
BB: What were you doing with the rag out there? [Romero was "pitching" from a full windup earlier, but clutching an orange rag in his pitching hand rather than actually throwing pitches. He even pantomimed getting the return throw from the catcher before he threw his next "pitch."]
RR: It's just dry mechanics. It's a drill for mental imagery...I don't know if you saw, but I was imagining catching the [return throw] back from the catcher.
BB: Yeah, we were watching.
RR: It's going through the whole process of actually being in the game. It's getting into the right frame of mind.
BB: One question I've gotta ask is...have you seen the tape of your Dad on TV? ESPN interviewed your dad during the playoff game against Arizona State.
RR: [laughing] Yeah, I watched.
BB: How do you think he did?
RR: I always tell him he needs to improve. [laughs] It's all new to him, so I think he's a little nervous.
BB: One of the things I remember him saying was that he was an outfielder, not a pitcher.
RR: Yeah, he's an outfielder and always was one.
BB: What kind of a player was he? Who would you compare him to?
RR: I don't know who I'd compare him to, it's kind of hard...I do know that he had a good arm and he could run some balls down. He was a really good hitter, but obviously as time goes on, his stuff wears down. He was a good hitter and good player, just never a pitcher.
BB: Could he still hit your stuff?
RR: I don't know (laughs). Back in the day, he could probably take me deep.
BB: So we heard there's a date for your first game action.
RR: Yeah, next Friday in Tri-City. It's the Astros -- I'm really excited.
BB: I bet. They're going to give you a couple innings, right?
RR: Yeah. I think they said probably two innings. I've got to get back to work, get used to it. It'll be good just to throw a ball around. I haven't pitched to bats since the last game for Fullerton.
BB: Can you show us the grips of your various pitches?
RR: Four-seam fastball...two-seamer...changeup...
BB: You throw a circle change, like Glavine does.
RR: Yes, a circle change...curveball...and a cut fastball. I just try to stay on top of everything. That's the key for me. If I stay on top of everything, I've got the stuff to get things done.
BB: You seemed very confident when I saw you pitching for Fullerton.
RR: Yeah. I mean, I don't try to put too much pressure on myself, that's the thing. I just go out there and have fun. If I have a bad inning, so be it. Just get to the next pitch -- that's what we were taught at Fullerton. It's not feeling sorry for yourself, it's getting to the next pitch. I mean, if a guy hits a home run, so what? Pound a strike at the next hitter with the next pitch and just go. You have to have confidence in what you do each time you go out there. The team might score for you, and you can still win the game.
BB: Do you miss Fullerton?
RR: Yeah, obviously I miss it. Being there for three years, making friendships...you probably won't see those same types of friendships here. Some guys get called up...there are new faces every year. At Fullerton, we were a family. I loved every single coach there. It's something that I'm going to miss.
BB: Reed Johnson went to your school.
RR: Yes.
BB: Did he talk to you?
RR: Yeah. When I went up to Toronto [Romero pronounces it properly -- i.e., "Tronno"], I got a chance to talk to him. He took me out to dinner, actually.
BB: No kidding!
RR: Yeah, when I signed. I knew him before from when he was coming to the alumni game. I actually faced him before, four times in two years out there at the alumni game.
BB: Apparently he spoke very highly of you when the Jays were considering making you their draft pick.
RR: Yeah [laughing]. It was good of him to do that. He's a really good guy.
BB: Have you talked to Doc yet?
RR: Yeah, actually. The day I went up there, he came up to me while I was hanging out and just watching BP. He ran out to join me. When he looked at me, I was like "Whoa, that's Roy Halladay!" Pretty crazy. He came up to me and was like, "Congratulations. I'm hoping to see you here soon so you can come out and help." I said, "Yeah, that would be pretty sweet." I don't even know the guy, but he started when I was there on a Saturday...Just by looking at him, I already admire him. Just the way he goes about his business, and the way the guys on the team talk about him and how much respect they have for him. I was asking the players, "How is he in the clubhouse?," 'cause he's a really quiet guy.
I asked them, "Why does he have a notebook out?" They said he was going through every scouting report of every hitter. They said, "That's just what he does. That's a Cy Young winner." They were telling me about the work ethic he has, and I was like "Wow, I don't even know this guy and I admire him already."
BB: Now you're making us sad. We've got to get him back!
RR: Yeah, I saw that. Broken tibia.
BB: You mentioned admiring Roy Halladay. Growing up, or even now, what other pitchers do you look up to or model yourself after?
RR: Well, obviously now him! I had never seen the way a big league pitcher works, and the way the players talked about him and the way he was going about his business. It was something that I took into my head and said, "Wow, so it *is* possible to succeed."
BB: But when you were younger, in L.A. What about then?
RR: I always looked up to Randy Johnson, because of how you feel he just goes after every hitter. Obviously, now I like watching Johan Santana a lot. He's a really good pitcher and a really good lefthander, and I'm a southpaw too, so...
BB: OK. One more question. Imagine you're pitching at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. It's the ninth inning. Who's the one guy you want to face and strike out?
RR: It'd probably be Barry Bonds. Best hitter ever, or one of the best hitters ever. Obviously, striking him out in the ninth inning to win the game would be crazy.
BB: Hey, maybe in interleague play.
RR: Or in a World Series game. Facing him and striking him out would be awesome.
BB: Thanks so much for your time. Welcome aboard!
RR: Thank you.
BB: See you in Toronto real soon.
