High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Michael Lorenzen Throws A No-Hitter PLUS Special Guest Brian Barber!

Episode Date: August 10, 2023

Jack Fritz and James Seltzer react to Michael Lorenzen's no-hitter and talk to Brian Barber about the Phillies farm system and recent draft class. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes. It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP.

It is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. The first time in the history of this podcast, Jack Fritz, do we get to come on and talk about a freaking no-hitter. This pod was already going to be a banger pod, folks. Let me just tell you, because we have a very, very special guest, a high hopes, like all-time get for us on this pod today. And we're like, oh, we'll just come in tomorrow.

We'll record, you know. 15 minutes. Yeah, 15 minutes, because the big thing is the guest today. That's what matters. And then that happens. We were just talking before the pod. I legitimately think it is arguably, you know, outside of clinching a playoff, like in 2007 when they clinched, it was like, oh, my God, the weight. Like that was a magical thing.

Like 93. And chasing down the Mets. Chasing down the Mets, the whole thing. For me, 93, for the first time I get to see my team in the playoff, like that was meaningful. But, like, outside of a clinching game, like, Jack, arguably the greatest regular season Phillies game of our lifetime, certainly up there between – you know me, and shout out to the tweet, man.

Shout out to the tweet. I was welling up. Of course you were. I was with Wes Wilson. I even thought about it. He stepped to the plate. I'm like, what if this kid does this? What if this kid hits home run his first?

And then the family and the whole thing. I got two families last night, Jack. I know. It's a big sell-through. In all honesty, like, I didn't cry during the Wes Wilson thing, but we never lie to the High Hopes listeners ever, right? Yeah. Michael Lorenzen holding his daughter on the field.

So we used to have the exact same little, like, the way her hair, like, she had a strip on top of her head. So we did the little, like, ponytail where it shoots up in the air. I welled up last night. Tears were had. When I saw him on the field with his daughter after, it was a freaking magical night. It was. And, I mean, if you ever want to explain to people baseball and why people love baseball,

I think last night, the aliens come down, right? It's my favorite way to explain. I love that. And they're like... It's my favorite way to explain. I love that. And they're like, hey, why do... Because there's people who are casual sports fans. Like, yeah, baseball's boring, yada, yada, yada. Like, how do you like that? It's so boring.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I think that was the best impersonation I think I've ever heard. If you just showed them, all right, why do people love baseball? And you put on last night's game. And by the way, I'm calling him Weston Wilson. Because I think he sounds... Wes Helms, too Wes Helms-y. Exactly.

But also, it just sounds like a Duke. It's a much cooler name, Weston Wilson. There's a class to it. Yeah. I'm Weston Wilson. Weston Wilson. I think he does need to start talking in an accent like that. British.

I agree with you. I mean, Weston Wilson is a Brit. I mean, there's no other way to put it. Yes. And I hope UK Philly is like my British impersonation right there. Shout out to Dave Shaw. I'll tell you. You know who texted me at 4 o'clock in the morning when I'm prepping for my show,

can't wait for the pod? Our buddy Dave. Well, that's because it was like 9 a.m. out there. I know it was. I'm just saying. It was fun for me because everyone's asleep when I'm prepping, and then I got to talk to Dave this morning. It was nice.

So, yeah. So, Weston Wilson goes yard. Nick Cassiano went yard, and then he's number 200. Yeah. Like, it's not very often a guy hits his 200th home run and 200th home run in a game, and it's like an afterthought. It's the third biggest thing that happened. Like, we stopped the game.

And as ridiculous as it was, we stopped the game for Gene Zagora's 200th double. Yep. We gave him a freaking curtain call on the field. Well, not we. the game for jeans and girls 200 double yep we gave him a freaking curtain call on the field we yeah gene whatever started it but the point is like a 200 run is it like that's a big moment for nick you know frankly i'm surprised he just got a 200 i mean i know he played i thought he would have been there already i thought it was close i think closer to 300 than 200 yeah um and then it's just baseball more than any other sport. And I said this on the final night last night.

But it just leads to so much more. And it's so weird because I feel like I'm the crazy one. But I hear more and more stories about it, about like I welled up at this. I welled up at that. I feel like we're always crying about baseball. And I don't know what it is about baseball, but it has so much tear-inducing moments. I mean, you hear about Weston Wilson, 28 years old and 3,000.

Seven years or whatever in the minors, the whole thing. Right, and his whole family's there, and then he has that moment. And Liam Castellanos is running up. Dude, Liam Castellanos. He's threatening the fanatic to be who should be the mascot of this team right now. I love the kid. He's like right next to Lorenzen's parents. I know, I know.

I love that kid. He's the best, that kid, giving his dad the signs. Like, Liam, you are the best, buddy. We love you, man, seriously. He is the GOAT. But it's just like there's so much wealth. So, obviously, we don't even know Mike Lorenzen, right? Like, he just got here.

His second start as a Philly. It's the first time he pitched in that ballpark yeah yeah and and it's like he's going out there for the ninth and full disclosure like after the sixth i was like hold on he's not like no there's no way he's gonna get there i was like after the fifth i was like oh this is gonna be a combine oh dude i looked up in the moment i'm like what's the most i gotta know like what's the most it was 107 i was like there's no way he's getting to the end of this game. Like, no way. I'm already concocting in my head how to spin the whole, like, well, combine no-hitters.

I didn't really. Not all combine no-hitters are Mickey Mouse. You know, this one, because of this, Kimbrel was involved in these all-timers. Exactly. We'll remember where we were for the Phillies 2023. It is such a deal. I used to give you a little crap on that one.

It is like, without a doubt, like I actually have come around fully to the side where I don't think it should be called a no-hitter unless it's one dude. It's not interesting. It's not. It's a shutout. Yes, it's a no-hitter.

It's a no-hit shutout, but not a no-hitter. How about that? We'll call it a no-hit shutout. Yeah, right. And then he and then he starts doing it and i'm like i didn't i guess i didn't expect it to feel as cool as it did i totally agree with you and i totally agree and the eighth was done so fast and i was like dude he's freaking three hours away yeah like he's 100 going out and people were like

well at that point it was obvious i was going back. I had more of a question and I thought he would send him out there until he got a hit or whatever. But like, I was more unsure after the seventh if he would go out. But once he pitched the eighth,

I was like, Topper would like... Like, Topper knows he has to let this kid go out here. Although Topper postgame was hilarious. He's like,

I told him to pitch quick. Well, no. No, Yoss said... Oh, the bulletproof pass. He's like, yeah. He's like, did you think about... Well, because it was 100... He's got to give him 20 more pitches.

He ended up having 24 more at that point. But the great follow-up from the guy where he was like, oh, yeah, I would have gone and pulled him. And he's like, wait a minute, wait a minute. You're saying if he walks that batter, you're going to go pull him after that batter? And he's like, I might have to wear a bulletproof vest. Yeah, he's all-time, dude. He is.

I like Happy Topper. Me too, dude. I mean, the post-game speech where he's like welcome to philadelphia buddy you know i i think it was a small thing but it was almost like this is what we do here this is what this is what the fans totally man and and this is this is like welcome to winning is this like that's what i kind of took it as like you've been a part of detroit cincinnati uh the angels like welcome to real baseball. And I think that Thompson having that connection with the city, I think, is really special. Totally.

And I took it not just as, I totally agree with you, it's welcome to like a real run and a real contender, but I also took it as like welcome to this group. Yes. Because that was the thing, and we've talked about this so much since the run last year and how it's carried over and all that, but I feel like this week especially with the Trey thing, and we talked about it. You talk about a week of tears. Right? Dude, like the Cassie thing and the players talking about and how it's carried over and all that. But I feel like this week, especially with the Trey thing, and, you know, we talked about it.

I mean, he's talking about a week of tears. Right? Dude, like the Cassie thing and the players talking about how much men and Harper's comments and Stott's comments and all that stuff. And then last night, like, one of the things that stood out to me the most was when he's doing his interview on the field. Like, those guys are all gone. Like, people do the water, but everyone goes to the dugout.

They were all in the top step with their arms around each other waiting for him to finish his freaking interview. I'd never seen that. I hadn't seen them do that at any point, man. It's just, I think there was something about not just welcome to Philly, but welcome to this family. They look at it as a family and they love each other, and I think it was like,

welcome to this, man. It was like Cassianos had his arm around Caleb Kaufman. And Jake Cave, I think it was. I think it was Caleb Kaufman once I Jake Cave on the other I'm like okay odd group there but yeah sure

they're our guys they're our guys and Lorenzen after the you know with his speech talking about like love you guys thank you for like

welcoming me in he said and also with the speech on the field talking about the fans he's like they gave me a boost like that crowd being behind me like that

like helped me get through it crazy concept what a thought it's been a it's been a week dude it's been it's been like an all-time phillies week and it's just it's so hard i mean so last year all the moments pretty much came in the postseason right but i think what what bonds a fan base to a team is a regular season like they're currently doing right now where it's like you have the ovation and like now a group of mercenaries they went on the run last year and became our became our guys now they're turning into like legends you know what i mean and that's that's a different like so like 07 to 11 like obviously oh it was magical, but we got to know those guys 09, 10, 11,

and obviously it crumbled after that, but we got to figure out who they were and what they were about. We're starting to figure that out about this team. Casting out in year two is unbelievable. Schwarber is Schwarber. Bryce is the best. The young kids, Bryce and Scott

were getting it. They are turning even. I feel like we just knowott. We're getting to know him. They are turning, like, even. Like, I feel like we just know them. Like, we just know these guys. And you can't convince me that the ovations over the weekend have not led to everyone on that team, like, feeling more relaxed. Look at how they're playing.

I know. Like, what are we talking about? Like, the way the stars have played. The way that it looks like they're having fun. I thought early in the season they didn't look like they were playing their best at home because I felt like they were tight. And I felt like there was 100% pressure. And I think the fans, anything that wasn't the magic of last year,

they were like, oh, come on, we've got to recreate that. And I thought the play on the field resembled that. And I think the players felt the fan energy and by having the ovations and having that last weekend I think it just lifted a huge weight off their shoulders I mean think about how great Schwarber has looked, Turner Harper, Castellanos

JT's the only one that hasn't had like a moment since. Ah JT calling the game getting all the credit for Lorenzen he called a no hitter the Stars and I think that's why it feels different now, is because I think the Stars look like the Stars again. Dude, I'm right there with you, and I think there's a few things. The connection to this team is honestly growing to the point where I do think,

and obviously you have to win a title for it to be this way, but I think this team has a chance to be our favorite team of all time. Like, I really do. I'm not kidding when I say that. Because of this connection, like, I don't ever, and they have to, again, they have to win it all. Like, I get that. But, like, the way that the connection right now,

and not just the connection that we have with them and how much we love them, but, like, have you ever heard a team talk about fans like this? Like, in my life, watching sports, I've never seen, like, and life watching sports i've never seen like and it's because of the turner ovations and it's because of the playoffs last year but the accumulation of those things the playoffs last year and their experience that and then this stuff now like like i've never heard like such consistency of like these are the best fans we've ever seen we've never seen anything like this this is helping us. This matters.

This is a part of what we do. We have all this stuff. In my lifetime watching sports, I know that we've like, oh, we matter, and oh, we travel. I don't ever remember a specific team calling out its fans in this way in my life watching sports. Well, I think the Eagles do when they go on the road. Sure.

More. Sure, and they'll say, oh, if they're great. I'm taught, but I mean, like, man, like. Yeah. These quotes this week, like, I don't remember it. Like, this level of it. Yeah, and it just, and it's smart because it makes the fans feel even more important. Oh, it only intensifies it.

Which is a problem for the rest of baseball, by the way. Dude. I mean, the fact that. You don't want to come in here, buddy, in the playoffs. I'm just telling you. The fact that Trey Turner has turned, like, it's worked. You know, and he looks pretty good even though, whatever, he's getting

basics, we take it. Stealing some bags. The fact that we get to, like, kind of say, yeah, we did. It's going to be a problem for the rest of baseball. It's going to be 100% a problem for the rest of baseball. If we win the be 100% a problem for the rest of baseball. Like, if we win the World Series, we're taking credit.

The fans are taking credit. What is so funny is that, like, last night was actually one of the weaker crowds of the year. Yeah, it was only like 30,000. Yeah. And I agree with Rube. I listened to him driving. It sounded a lot louder. It sounded way louder. A lot louder.

But, like, I don't know why. Like, why last night was the night where it's, like, only 30,000 show up? It's so weird. I mean, it's probably because, if I had to guess, it's a middle-of-the-week game against a bad team. Yeah, but they've been fine with that all year. But a team that's never here. I mean, is always here. Excuse me.

Like, the Royals, like, the Royals don't. I mean, I'm just serious. Let's go see Kyle Isbell. No, but the point is, like, the Royals are never here. Like, ever. Like, you know, They never play here. These other teams so rarely play here. We see the Nats every single year.

I think there's a fatigue with that, especially when they're bad. So it's the best I got, honestly. And coming off a doubleheader, maybe it was like, I don't know. You're right. It's really weird. All I got is middle of the week in the Nats. That's the best I can do.

But, yeah, even the 30,000 felt really, really loud for 30,000. Now, obviously, most people had gotten down into the bowl to see the to see the final couple outs. But it's just August 9th, 2023 is going to be one of those like you look back and be like, what a freaking like nutso game. Well, and I know I've said this before on the pod, but it's true. It's like, you know, we spend so much time with this team, committing to being a baseball fan. The sicko, like us, the High Hopes community, you commit so much of your time to the Phillies.

Like, obviously, it's every night, three hours a night, two and a half, three and a half, whatever it is, every single day and night of a six-month stretch. It's all your time, not to mention all the time we think about them, all the time we talk about them, all that stuff. Like, the regular season is a grind, and it's fun when you're winning and all that, but, like, you watch every night for that. You know, you watch every night for the hope that, wow,

something magical can happen because it's baseball, and that's the beauty of baseball is that you can have a night, and it can be something less magical, I'll say it, but a Luke Williams-type moment that is a magical night and a beautiful thing as a sports fan. Or it can be something like last night where it's, like, about as magical as it can get on August evening. Like, that's about as magical an August evening as you can have watching a baseball game.

And what I love about this team and what I love about this season right now is that we're starting to stack memorable moments. Yeah, buddy. And the video yearbook is going to be out of control. Like, honestly, like real chances to be a truly special video yearbook this year. I think like the 2023 Phillies, the thing you're going to be remembered as, like, again, one of our teams. And the nice part about this is that it seems like it's trending that way. It's not like last year's a one-year fluke.

Dude, thank God. It was trending in that way early. Thank God. Because there would have been nothing more Phillies, nothing more our pod than to get that run and then just go back to being the same thing we were for the decade before. It would just be like, oh, yeah, of course. But no, you're right.

And they've been the second best team in baseball since june 1st like this is not like oh they're playing better like they've been really good for a while now ever since they got out of their system early in the season and cassie house talked about how he thought they kind of you know thought uh it was you know kind of expected to win and all that like there are so many things you can explain away earlier the point you made earlier like they figured it out and they're a really freaking good baseball team, you know? And they're a really good baseball team that loves each other and cares about each other and has this unbelievable chemistry going.

It's like they could freaking win the World Series, man. Like, I've known it logically all year. I predicted before the season, by the way, if you remember. Well, you predict everything. And then they started 1-5, and that sucked. Yeah, well, only if they've gone the year before. I'm big on... You've predicted the Eagles winning the Super Bowl

like six years in a row. No, I haven't. I predicted it. I didn't predict it last year. I'm predicting it this year. And I predicted it in 2018 after they... I predicted it twice in the last five years. So that is a lot. Or twice in the last six years. But guess what? I have never predicted the Phillies going to win the World Series.

All right? Literally, in the history of this podcast, I've never once said, I think other than last year when we all thought in the moment. Felt like it. But like before the season, I never have. I was expecting this type of team this year. And thank God. Like, this is what we expected.

The last week has been like, this was what last October was. And it's here. It's freaking thrilling, man. It is. It's thrilling. Last week has been like this was what last October was. And it's here. It's freaking thrilling, man. It is. It's thrilling. Thank God. Well, and it's making baseball fun again, like in the city.

And it's making – and it's so funny. People will be like, oh, baseball is dead in the city. No one cares about it. It's like you guys were at Eagles training camp today, and I didn't hear an ounce of Eagles talk. No. Dude, I turned people away. People called in and was like, I want to talk Eagles. I'm like, not today, pal.

Sorry. It was like, you want to talk Phillies? You can get off. You want to talk Eagles? Call back tomorrow. Boom. And the Eagles matter 100% here. They're the biggest team in the city.

But there is something different when a city falls for a baseball team because it's every night they feel like something can happen. This is what it was like 2009, 2010. Totally was. That's why they set the sellout streak right. 100%. And when this city falls, they fall hard. We saw in October.

I mean, again, to your point about the Eagles, in my career, my entire— and granted, you know, this is because I started right after the Phillies were good. I've not had a good Phillies team until now. But in my career, like those three weeks, a month, whatever it was, from the end of the season until the end of the playoffs, like a month plus, like we didn't talk Eagles on WIP in Eagles season. And they were undefeated. They were like 6-0, 5-0, 6-0, 7-0.

And we couldn't get an Eagles call in. Because all anyone cared about was the Phillies. It's such a great point. We saw it last year, and you see it now. This city really just fully dives in when they're good. They totally care. And you mentioned how well they're playing, and that's true. But it's just like they can also be so much better.

Dude, again, yes, they can be so much better. And it starts with who's in the mound tonight. I mean, if there's anything that could kind of take down the five of the city, it would be 27. People are going to love when he starts game two of the wild card series. I heard you guys talking about it today. It's just what it is. You have to give him the ball.

He's going to be in the playoff. Again, unless he's hurt, he'll be the two guy. Now, obviously, it's not the perfect comparison because they didn't win the World Series, but it's the exact same Cole. It's the exact same thing as Cole Hamlin. It's a carbon copy. I mean, like, now, Lorenzen. Except Cole showed that he could actually, you know, dominate.

Like, whereas Nola was good in the playoffs last year, he wasn't what Cole did in 08. Now, I think Lorenzen's better than 09 Pedro. Yes, I think so, too. Definitively. But it's like it's playing out the same exact way where like he's clearly not the same player, but you also have to give him the ball. Yeah.

I mean, if you take him out of the rotation and then you're not signing him. Oh, that's over. I mean, if you take him out of the rotation, it's completely done. Yeah. So it's just. They're just not going to do it. They're not going to do it. And also that you can't pitch out of the bullpen.

Like it's like, you know, again, whether lorenzen or ranger whatever like those guys have pitched out the pen it's just yeah it's what it is but like you see you think about the upside of this team and when they give nola the start like lorenzen's piggybacking ranger in a game or something people are not gonna be no they're not yeah and then noles goes shove city um that's what happened but uh yeah it's happen. But yeah, you start dreaming on the upside of him. And now that you have the Stars playing, now that you have Cassianos, the July thing was a fluke. Again, 11 for 94. You have...

Yeah, he had a deal, let's say, under 500 OPS in July. Yeah, I think it was in the threes. I think he got in the fours. I think he was in the fours somewhere for July. It was like 425. That's off the top of my head, but somewhere in that range was his OPS for July. Seems not great.

It's an even odd month. Have you noticed this? No. It's really weird. Check out his baseball reference page. Freaking like 860 OPS in April, five something or six something in May, like 9,000 or 9-something in June,

the horrible one in July, and now he's back up again. It's really weird. Yeah. And Turner looks like he's definitely back to being a close, not $300 million trade Turner. No, but not disaster that we need to give a standing ovation for because he's struggling so much trade Turner. Correct.

Now the biggest question for me is the bullpen. Yeah. Well, Nola. And then the bullpen. And Nola. But the bullpen, we can go a little bit. Yeah. No, we've talked about this.

And this is going to happen when you go six-man, that these guys are – it feels like I'm watching Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strom and watching these guys every single night. Every night. And especially, like, look, Laurentin twice has given this bullpen a rest when it really needed it i mean obviously there's eight innings in miami we talked about how important that was in the like sequencing of the team but again last night the dude goes nine

and like they need that more and taiwan's done a nice job struggling and then giving him innings and stuff like that oh the the taiwan bit is all time it's the best yeah three runs three runs in the first three especially just like i can't throw fast in the first thing and i'm good all right figure it out yeah and then wake up seventh inning he's gonna win 20 games giving up like a thousand runs in the first inning i don't know who's our last 20 game winner ah it's a great i mean holiday probably right i mean i don't think cole did it in that run and they're like right i'm trying to think of 18 nola i mean they were so bad in there that there's no way they could have. I don't think Nola got there. You're talking about when he was third in Cy Young.

I don't think he got there. I think he was like the high teens. So, yeah, I mean, since Halliday. Tyrone Walker. That's crazy. It's ridiculous. He leads the league. It's absurd.

So stupid. But to your point, it is really exciting thinking about where this could go. Well, now I wake up every day and it's like, I just want to watch it. Yeah, just get me the game. Yeah, I just want to watch the game. Yeah, 640 can't come soon enough tonight. Which has been an adjustment because I used to be a big, like, get me to 705. Oh, I know.

And now it's like. It's a real change for you. Let me tell you, I'm very happy about the 640 thing. It's great. Any extra time I can get, I will take. Yeah. Although I do need to know, I mean, what was, like, no tweets, no texts. Okay, so. So, like like what was going on at the end

of the game so i've i've not been tweeting during the games during the week as much it's just like so i it's a whole bed routine thing so like i i it's very funny this is very silly but i so i go to bed the second game it's like i'm literally waiting there to go to bed as soon as it's done i'm i'm ready i've brushed my teeth i brush my teeth during commercials i go to the bathroom whatever i need to do so i did all that i'm like right with the game down. I'm just like kind of laying there. And I forgot that I plug my phone in when I go to bed and I put it away from the bed. So I have to get up to turn the alarm off. It's a whole freaking thing. So it's plugged in. I'm watching with Emily and Zoe's in bed with us because it's like we brought her

in to watch it. And I'm just sitting there and I'm like, and then I was like, oh yeah, like I should probably go pick up my phone now and tweet about this and text and stuff so it was just like honestly in the moment and I kind of like I've gotten really used to not texting and tweeting at the end of games or other than like hey we won and then be done with it or whatever so okay yeah that's good I was there I mean I did respond to your text it wasn't like it was late I mean it was like 10 minutes it was like it was eight minutes after the game ended all right eight minutes there was accusations that you fell asleep. They were concerned.

Yes. But I did not. And I was there and we spoke and all that stuff. Yes. It was thrilling. But I was at an actual moment with my family. You know, it was beautiful. Now, Jatira.

I did. Well, again, I'm sitting with my daughter as he's got a girl who has the exact same hair that my freaking daughter had on the field. I'm just sitting there like holding my daughter like well enough. Yeah. I wasn't ready to talk to anybody but but my daughter that's nice it was it's a good moment yeah that's a good moment august 9th 2023 yeah it was beautiful seltzer cries about weston wilson and his daughter again balling up the whole game yeah it's a game of tears a game of tears um yeah i uh i've actually gotten i don't have tweet deck up during the game anymore yeah i just watch it's like you know me i don't have tweet deck up during the game anymore. Yeah. I just watch.

It's like, you know me, I don't tweet to begin with. Yeah. I find like when I. I find, yeah, Ugg, right? Everyone knows my tweets. Ugg, name of the last player, exclamation point. Like, whatever. I'm very, it's more just like I do it.

So when I do tweet during games, I don't, like, I don't, I do it in the sense where like, I don't care if anyone responds, if anyone whatever. I'm literally doing it just to be a part of it with everyone. I'm like, all right, I want to feel like I'm watching the game with everyone or whatever. But I hate it. If it were up to me, I would never tweet during game. I would just put my freaking phone down. I would just chill.

So during the week, I've been trying to do that more. I tweet a lot on the weekends during games. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. fantasy football owners the road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now i'm matt harman from reception perception join me and james co as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster wide receivers we analyze route running target share and all the metrics that matter giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers as you prep for your draft let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey

app or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm just giddy. I'm so giddy like what a night so should we play the interview yes and then we'll do take back and then we'll do take back so yeah um yeah the interview how about that i know again this might be an all-time high hopes podcast yeah it really is again because we were so freaking excited to get to get this guy on and as anyone who's listened to this pod knows, you know, we have talked a lot about Brian Barber. Bill Barber. Yes.

All right. So I was going to do it after. But so this is recorded at a time, if you can't tell by the way we've talked about. We talked to Barber a couple of days ago. Nothing's changed since then. But at the very end of the interview, I'm so embarrassed. I was like, I went beet red. And especially you'll hear. I don't want to spoil it, but you'll hear the irony of the way that I

say Bill Barber instead of Brian Barber. And of course, Bill Barber, an all-time flyer and all that, we say his name a lot. It was bad. I was incredibly embarrassed. So thank you for reminding me. I was going to do it after, but you know, anyway, other than my snafu at the very end of the interview, I thought a really awesome interview. And he was kind enough to give us 30 minutes, really had a lot to say. And the smile on Jack's face throughout, like, gave me life. It was a beautiful thing to see. So without further ado, all-time high hopes get Mr. Brian Barber.

It is our distinct pleasure and honor really uh to introduce our next guest this is a dream for high hopes you know most podcasts might be out there trying to get bryce harper on or trey turner on or whoever not this podcast we have been waiting forever to get this guy on the director of amateur scouting for the phillies a guy who we called for the phillies to sign on this podcast while he was still in new york the one the only mr brian barber brian thanks for joining us man oh it's my pleasure to be on the high hopes podcast yeah i would say of our most important campaigns like we've had a lot of important campaigns bryce harper you we've had a lot of important campaigns.

Bryce Harper, we had a big thing going for him. Standing ovations for Trey Turner. I think the most important thing that we did was convince and force the Phillies to hire you a couple years ago. So it's been a long time coming. Well, I appreciate all that. It's coming up on almost four years now. And it's been really my professional honor to have this job that I have now and work for this organization. It's just, you know, I think we're doing a lot of things correct now and heading in the right direction the past few years.

And like I said, it's completely my honor. Well, Brian, it's definitely our honor. I mean, to the point where Jack texted me twice last night to tell me how excited he was to have you on today. So let's dive into it. A lot to get into. And eventually I'm just going to let Jack nerd out with you because, again, twice he texted me last night. So I was excited he was to have you on. But but for for those who don't know Brian Barber as well, like, you know, tell us a little bit about yourself, how you got into, you know, scouting and kind of your past a little bit. how you got into you know scouting and and kind of your your past a little bit yeah i mean obviously i i played professional baseball i started out of high school and played for about 10 years and as my career itself the playing career was winding down i knew i wanted to stay in the game of baseball it was just something i grew up i loved um i loved everything about it and knew i wanted

to do something in the game of baseball to continue doing that. As a pitcher, you know, going through the minor leagues, especially two or three days a week, you're up in the stands and you're doing, you're charting the game, you're doing radar gun readings, and you're sitting up amongst the scouts that are there watching those games. And you start talking to them, getting information. And it was like, that's kind of cool what they do. you start talking to them, getting information. And it was like, that's kind of cool what they do. And one thing led to another as my playing career ended and knew, you know, was lucky enough to know a few people in the game that helped me along the way of getting into scouting.

And that was, you know, 22, 23 years ago. And just, you know, have basically enjoyed every single day of what I do. You talk about Jack being a draft nerd. I am as well. I really love everything about it. I love finding out information about the players. I love traveling around the country trying to find the best players that we can bring into the organization.

There's not much I don't love about what I do. And you mentioned it a little at the beginning there, but this is your fourth draft, fourth draft in the books. What do you think has been kind of the biggest change since you got here? What, what do you guys think that, you know,

you've taken a step forward in and, and like the overall health of, of where you guys are at? Yeah. Well, I mean, one main thing would be, I guess who I report to and above me.

And the biggest change has been, you know, with Dave Dombrowski coming over and leading our baseball operations department here. It's just been tremendous. Not that I didn't have a whole long time with the regime before, but the past, starting with, I guess, with Andy's draft in 2021, Justin's last year in 2022, and now this year, it's really been great to work with Dave, Sam,

everybody that leads the department in Philadelphia. Us individually, there's always little things that you start to employ in your process of trying to figure out who the best players are around the country. There's things that we do on the scouting end, scouts, and there's things that you incorporate analytically, data-wise, and that's probably some of the new realm in that,

that there's always new information data-wise, tech-wise, analytically that are coming to the forefront and things that you integrate into your process as far as evaluating players. So I think that's probably, you know, you stay on top of that as much as possible and you're ready for the next thing that jumps forward to you there. Brian, I'm happy you mentioned Dave Dombrowski. And, you know, obviously you know the history of the Philadelphia Phillies. We haven't done a ton of winning in our time and certainly in my lifetime. But the thing that Jack and I have been so excited about with Dave coming here is it feels like for the first time really since, you know, 2008, 2009, that run, that it feels like there's a winning culture here now, that've created that it's been a focus of the organization i know that that's something you believe in

a lot as well and jack and i like we've been preaching for calling for and it's so exciting to see it how does that relate to scouting like how does that relate to to finding players like can you scout winning culture guys can you scout winning players like how do you how do you put that into what you do because i know that's a focus for you guys yeah i think first and foremost and obviously the whole organization has done a tremendous job and dave and the major league um major league part and preston mattingly in the minor league part um building the winning culture you don't necessarily find i guess guess, winning culture type players, but you're looking for the correct makeup to bring into your culture that you have

and then develop them that way. So, yes, there are winning players on the amateur side. There's no doubt about that. And how you quantify that is not easy and it is difficult. But there are winning players out there, both on the high school end and on the college end that you're just able to see time and time again. You spend the time and the effort of evaluating these players and you see they do winning things the right way on the field and it allows them to be better players. But first and foremost,

we're trying to identify the right type of makeup that we want to bring into the minor league system. And then Preston, it's his job on the minor league side, the player development side, to develop that winning culture with those kids. You just mentioned Preston hired last year. And it seems like I watched the video that the player development put out of him leading the meeting. He talked about winning culture. It almost started welling up a little bit it was like well we're finally here um what's what's it been like working with preston so far and and the early turns yeah it was amazing i was there for that for that speech that preston gave i made it a point to be there and and they call it protecting the standard and and it's it's really special what

is going on in the system and i think you can see it a lot he talks a lot about his first year guys and the guys that are basically on the clear water club or have been through there um and some of those guys that started there have gone on and been promoted to other teams, but mainly the core is still there from, from the 2022 draft. It's Preston is the right guy to lead our system. And I'm very thankful and grateful that he is there leading that system. So he's done, he's done a tremendous job. I got to be, I was lucky enough to be part of the process and the group that, that went around and interviewed the people that were that were trying to get that job and it was it was clear

and evident from day one that preston was the guy that that should be leading the charge so that's awesome that's very exciting that is very exciting um so this year's draft i mean i know the the threshers are now known as pressureville you know which know, which is a nice thing to have, and that's exciting. Maybe because you drafted, like, I don't know, the fastest players in the league last year, and Justin Crawford and a Marion Boyd. So, you know, it's been a really, really fun turnaround. And just, like, watching from afar of that team,

I mean, like, they have the best winning percentage in all of baseball right now, the Clearwater Threshers. So, early returns seem like it's going pretty well down in Clearwater. Yeah, I think they did, you know, an article, and I think I can't remember if it was Preston's quote or Marty Malloy's quote about they play fast and free down there. And, you know, they're doing it for the right type of players that are down there.

So I think it wasn't necessarily like our strategy last year to go and take the, you know, two or three of the faster players that are in our organization now. If you want to include Kate Fergus, that was there as well, along with Justin Crawford and Mari Boyd. But, you know, it is an exciting thing that you look up and you look at box scores after the games. And it's, you know, besides the defensive part and stolen bases,

and I tried to tell people from day one, I thought, you know, we thought these kids could hit as well. And they've gone in and done that from day one. And they're just going to continue to get better there. So, yeah, it's, you know, you take athletes with tools that have a good feel for playing the game, that have an ability to utilize their tools on the field. And I think those are a lot of things that you're looking for in players that

you bring in and acquire through the system. Now, one guy that I think is going to be in Clearwater soon, or maybe this time next year, we'll be talking about how he's going off and carrying them offensively is Aiden Miller. I just, I was like, I couldn't believe he was there. He's good. I couldn't believe he was there. I's giddy. He's giddy, right? I couldn't believe he was there. I honestly feel like I get three texts a day just watching more Aiden Miller films. He's like all – it's like his favorite person.

Well, full disclosure, I was off the week from work right after the draft, which is a problem because I just watched all the USA stuff. And I was like – I kept coming back to Brian. Like the kid just hits. Like I know they have the handmaid, and he barely played his senior year, but he's a pedigree kid that's played on Team USA since, what, he was like 10? 12. You know, 12.

And he's just, he's been in all that stuff. Aiden Miller, what can you tell us about him, and how excited were you to be able to get him at 27? I'm not sure you're too far off, Jack. I mean, that was part of the things that you start to identify. Nate Miller was a 12U, a 15U, an 18U Team USA player and has just always hit from day one. And there's a saying that we as scouts use that hitters hit,

and they always have. And you've tried to find ways now we're a little bit more advanced than that. Just being able to say hitters hit that you quantify how much they hit. And we do a good job of basically charting almost every single game they played. We're able to dive into, you know, not just team USA, but some of the tournaments that I'm actually out scouting right now, whether it's East coast pro showcase or area codes, all the different tournaments and travel team ball, travel ball teams that they play in over the summer. And we accumulated 150 at-bats

with Aiden Miller last summer. And it was just clear he was one of the top hitters in the country. It was just, I mean, it was clear to us. So, you know, those days of just identifying players the summer before are over and you're actually starting your scouting and evaluating process on those players. So when you get to a point that Aiden Miller only plays in two games because he broke his handmaid, it's like we've done the job. We're ready for him in the event that he falls to us. So I felt super comfortable there. And, yeah, you never know what happens in the draft

and why certain guys go where or how or why a certain player. I know there were scenarios that, you know, Aiden Miller doesn't come close to our pick. You know, I've talked to enough scouting directors. And, yeah, he was in our mix 15 picks before. You know, I'm just making up a number there, so I'm not calling out a team. Yeah. But, yeah, I mean, we were lucky enough that he fell to us. When he did, we were ready to bring him into the system.

I'm just curious. The MLB draft, it's hard to explain to a lot of people. It's hard to explain. It's ridiculous. We'll be doing our draft preview and Jack will be going through about guys. be there he's like well this guy should go like second or third but he's probably gonna go 20th and i'm just like wait what is happening right now you know so i'm curious like because i was the casual sports fan like they watch the nfl draft nba draft and it's like oh the best guys go first that doesn't always happen in the lb draft like

what kind of is it for as much as you can say can say, you don't have to reveal all the secrets, but like in the early 20s when it seems like Aiden might be there, like what's that process like? Are you calling the agent? You know, we'll sign him for this money, you know, something like that. As much as you can say. But I'm curious, like, what goes into the last, like, 20 minutes before the pick?

I'll give you a little breakdown. It was as best as I can remember because you got the fog of war, I guess, at the time. little little breakdown was as best as i can remember because you got the the fog of war i guess at the time um it was it was about as seattle was selecting at 22 there that all of a sudden pieces started to fall into what was actually going to happen we found out you know we have enough friends in this in this industry that we found out exactly who cleveland atlanta san diego and then the yankees right before us, we knew who their selections were. So it was about, so you've got four teams,

three minutes in between each pick. Maybe that takes us a couple of minutes after Seattle selects. So we have about 10 minutes before it's our time to select that we know who is going to go in front of us. And it's just clear. You've done the work beforehand and you look up at the board and it's like, okay, Aiden Miller's our top guy. Let's get after it. And really one of our secret weapons during the draft is Ned Rice, who's one of our assistant GMs. And he does a lot of the calls with agents and advisors of these kids and makes a few phone calls and lets their representative

know that Aiden's going to be our guy. So, I mean, we sat there just, you know, all few phone calls and lets lets their representative know that that aiden's going to be our guy so i mean we sat there just you know all of a sudden you sit there and you wait that san diego san diego actually makes her selection new york's makes a selection that they they let us know that they were going to make and then it's just our time and philadelphia philly select aiden miller how do you ever like, when you pick a guy like Miller there or someone in that situation who could go to college, like, how sure are you you guys are going to be able to sign him when you make that type of pick? Is it always like it could go one way or the other?

Are you guys, like, very confident you're going to be able to sign that guy? Yeah, I mean, you go in with confidence, but not everybody. I mean, we've gone, obviously, every pick we've made in the first round since I've been here has been a high school player. And some of the times you had basically the deal wrapped up before you selected them and other times you hadn't. We hadn't had this one completely done when we selected Aiden Miller, but we just knew it was the right guy and the player we wanted. We knew Aiden wanted to be a professional baseball player. So I think that's part of the work that you do.

There are certain kids that are out there that they're just not 100% sure and it would have to be the right situation or the right money to make them not go to college. And Aiden was just one of those players that wanted to play. And we knew that beforehand. Yeah, all the stories you read about. It's fascinating, man stories that's fascinating man it's fascinating everything you read about you know like he has a his own personal workout facility that

yeah exactly like it's it's a perfect storm so beyond giddy that he's a philly um you also i mean i know you don't like being labeled you know as the high school guy but you did draft two more after that in devin saltaban and uh taishan walton who i was very very excited about very excited i mean listen when you see the next yandi diaz and all he's gonna do is just lift the ball i mean and he's he's ripped like he's ripped um what can you tell us about uh saltaban and taishanhaun Walton? Yeah, I mean, two exciting kids. And it starts with, you know, we talked about the makeup and winning culture. Both of those guys are just tremendous people to start with and want to be the best players that they can be.

And, you know, just talking about Devin, Devin especially, that was a different process because you don't scout kids from Hawaii a ton. There's one or two every year. But we did a good job. Demarius Pittman is our area scout. And Shane Bowers is our West Coast cross-checker. They went out early and identified them. We sent Darrell Connor, who's one of my national cross-checkers, went out to see him.

And then we were lucky enough that Devin played in the Major League Draft League this past summer. He was on the West Virginia team. And we sent myself for two games. David Krausen, who's one of our other national cross-checkers, for two games. And then Luke Merton, who's our director of hitting, went up there for a game and got to see him. seeing an 18 year old versus mainly 21, 22 year old competition from Hawaii that had never seen 90 miles an hour on the Island out there before and hit. And I can go back to what I just said before hitters hit and he didn't, he didn't miss a beat up there in the league. It's not like he went out and hit 400, but as an 18 year old from Hawaii facing 20, 21year-olds, really knew what he was doing at bat to at bat.

And he has tools and he's athletic. He can run. He can throw. He impacts the ball. We see power down the future. It was just one of those things that we thought if he was from the L.A. area or from Florida or from Georgia, it's like this guy's not making that of the top couple rounds.

And so when it was there at pick 98 for us, it was just a no brainer. Must be a nice call for those scouts to be like, oh, you're going to Hawaii. You got it, boss. Yes. Sounds great. It's really not as great. You're going out there. You're taking the five hour flight out there from California. Maybe you're out there a day or two, and you're seeing it. No, it's not the worst. But it's not exactly laying on the beach either for a week.

Right, right. Now, Tayshaun Walton goes from high school in Virginia, I believe, Maryland, to IMG, which you talk about Saltaban and Hawaii. It's a little different. Everyone knows about IMG. And everything I've read about him, like, hits the ball really hard, doesn't hit it for power yet. Fair to think hopefully that power comes and you might have gotten another,

you know, really solid player in the third round. Yeah, in the fourth round for Tayshaun. And you nailed it there. I mean, that's what – and you nailed it before. Tayshaun might come in day one as maybe the strongest player in our entire organization. And that, that might include big leagues. We do physical assessment. Wow. That is a, yeah.

That's a strong kid. No, I mean, he's, his, his peak power is, is just, it's up there with anybody that we have in our entire organization. That's from an 18 year old that still has room to grow. And, yes, you talked about impacting the ball and hitting it hard. And he's gone out to the combine. He's come to a workout for us in Clearwater. And it's, you know, exit velocity is at 18 of 100, 809 miles an hour.

And, yeah, he hits the ball more on the line right now. So you try to take that five ten percent launch angle and make it you know eventually that it's in the 15 20 25 percent range and now he's all of a sudden hitting a bunch of home runs yeah i i think that's what you're looking for on a type of player like that you're not you're not just talking a big slugger. He can run. He can throw. He can play defense. He's an athlete as well. So for us, it was an exciting pick there in the fourth round. Talking about these high school kids, Brian, just as a macro philosophical thing, like looking at them,

I've always wondered, and we saw it with Mickey Moniak. I know you weren't here for that, but when Moniak was drafted first, 17-year-old kid, slight, whatever. But how do you look at these kids at 17, 18, whatever, and project them as a 24, 25, 27-year-old big leader with their body? They're not fully grown. They're not fully developed, all that stuff. Like, how hard is that?

And how, like, are there tricks that you guys use to, like, was it frame? I'll look at the frame. I'll go into that. Like, how do you guys go about it? I've always wondered, because of all the drafts, it seems the hardest to do that. Yeah, it's not a science that's nailed yet. I can tell you that, James. There is some conjecture of what is going to end up happening to a player in five years.

And we did the opposite last year with Justin, where it was like we knew number one priority for him once he came in was trying to put on weight, trying to put on strength. You know, he comes in at one hundred and sixty five pounds at six three. And we knew that was the number one priority. But, yeah, you get up close to the player and you're able to do some type of physical testing on there. And it gives you an idea that this person has the ability to put on 20, 25 pounds. So I'm not sure that we're looking at like a Tayshaun to put on another 25. Might already be 230, but that he's trying to project in the correct way with that body as well, that he has ability to develop your man strength as well because no matter how strong you are at 18, you should be stronger at 22 to 25 as well.

So it's an inexact science still, but it's definitely a huge part of our process. Well, I just got back from my four-month-old check-in and he's 70% on height and 90% on weight. So if you need to start looking for a future here, Walker Fritz is ready to go in about 2040 something. Well, hopefully he's still around and doing work by now. Yeah.

Jack's got his training regimen all set. He's got like year by year. He's like year one to three is this. Year three to six. Yeah. No pressure, kid. I don't think we've gone that far out in the future with guys, but three to five-year ratings.

That's probably good. Yeah, we try to be experts in that. Hopefully you're as lucky as me with my daughter being a lefty. Now, if Walker can be a lefty, he's just going to leg up right there and boom. Yeah, listen, we'll figure it all out. But if he's hitting BP off me, he's probably going to be a pretty good hitter because that's all I specialized in in college um i want to ask you about some of the pictures he took um you know a lot of kind of group them all together because it seems like

you're taking shots on guys that throw really hard have pro stuff like maybe one pro pitch pitch right now um like i i heard the george glass and slider was described as one of the best in the midwest or whatever so um like what what's your kind of philosophy on going for these these guys that are definitely stuck over command and what gives you the confidence of those guys you know eventually finding command yeah i mean you're putting a lot of faith in the player development there because it's not an easy thing uh you know we talk about hitters hit a lot of the pitchers that have that have ended up being, you know, the best pitchers in the big leagues came up and threw strikes the whole way.

But you get to a point in the draft, especially there this year, whether it's George or whether it's Jake Eddington or Cam Brown, Marty Gare, as you go down. And you're trying to find things that allow these other players that you bring in to separate themselves from the rest of the players that are on the board. And when you're talking to George Clawson, he might have had some of the best stuff in the entire draft.

The breaking ball, he's been up to 102 and averaging 97, 98. You know, you get to a point in the draft where that sixth or tenth round range, you're really looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 to 30 percent of the guys ever play a day in the big leagues at that point in the draft. So what allows these players to separate themselves gives them a chance to get in the big leagues. Not only that, but once they get to the big leagues, do they have something that allows them to have some impact in the big leagues? allows them to have some impact in the big leagues. You're not just trying to look for a guy that comes up and, you know, for a week or, or, or even,

even if it's a couple of months and create zero war, you're trying to get somebody that, that actually impacts the major league team and helps them win games. And that, you know, stuff is one of the things where you guys watch big league games all the time, big leagues, pro hellacious stuff nowadays and trying to even the playing field that was one of the things when i first came over here that was one of my first priorities is to bring in and trying to bring the stuff throughout the minor league system that it was that it fit in with with the rest of the where baseball was going and i think we're continuing to do that

obviously we're in a draft now and it's's only 20 rounds, not 40 or 50, so you have a limited amount of time to do that. But, yeah, George, Jake, Cam Brown, Marty Garrett, going down the list, it's like they have things that allow them to separate themselves from the other players that you might see on a minor league team. Yeah, and I lied. It was Jake Eddington. He was the best slider in the Midwest.

And I've already comped Marty Gare to Lucas Giolito. So, we might be all right with that. I can confirm that, yes. I can confirm that, yes. Last super nerdy draft one for you, and I'm super intrigued by the kid, is the Avery Owusu Asaido. Asaido? I guess the model.

He's like a model darling, hits the ball hard. He's really young. I mean, what do you think? I mean, a possible chance at another kind of steal late in the draft? Yeah, I mean, you hope so. That's what we were looking at. And we had the opportunity to get to know Avery really well. And we got to bring him into Philadelphia and not just do some of the on-the-field stuff,

but some of the off-the assessment as well with them and that, whether that's makeup or whether that's physical assessment testing. And yeah, you take a 20 year old who would basically didn't start playing baseball full-time until he was in the ninth grade high school. So development wise, he's way beyond or way behind where everybody else is on a baseball field, but you take a 20 year old college guy who more than held his own

in the college game, and the physical tools are out of this world, the physical assessment. One of the things I don't think we even knew when we brought him into Philadelphia is how good a runner he was. He's going to go head-to-head with Tayshaun as far as strength, athleticism, and some of the physical assessment testing that we did. So you take those combination of things of age, of performance at the college game,

knowing that he's behind the eight ball in his development process, and then the physical assessment testing and makeup testing that we did with him. It was just a no-brainer at that point to sort of roll the dice, but roll it for the right reasons. Last one for me, and again, brian can't tell you how much like how appreciative we are for you taking this time with us again like you can see jack's face like he's been smiling here the entire time and i know for our audience like we have mentioned the name bill barber on our podcast a thousand times

brian bar excuse me i was thinking we're not 70s flyers over here yes i got yeah yes brian barber excuse me on the podcast as i made honestly it's very high hopes fashion there um but um this is something i think you're the perfect person to ask because it's something i've been wondering about a lot lately with the influx it feels like an influx we've always had them but an influx of and justin crawford you know based on him talking about him an influx of former players kids it feels like there's a real like boon of it you know boba shett black guerrero matt holiday has got the the top prospect in baseball's kid and the top pick in the next draft all that stuff is there something to that like obviously genetics is part of it but do you think there's something

to these kids growing up around the sport or being more comfortable around the sport or whatever like is it is there something more i've always been i've long been wondering is there something more to this than just the genetics of it yeah i think with with a lot of the players like that that you're talking about is is obviously you've taken the higher um higher talented players and then you add in the background that they have being around the game, knowing how the game is played, and then watching the game from an early age. And you're taking the players that are highly talented and then adding in the baseball skill. And those are just the best players that are out there.

And those kids that have had – not every major league player's kid is as talented as those players that you mentioned. But when you take the talent added in with the baseball skill and the knowledge of the game, it gives them a leg up on everybody else. In the world that we're in, the different showcases that we go to on the amateur side, you're looking at a lot of talented kids, whether that's position players, pitchers that throw hard, arm talent.

And that's basically where their game ends is the talent that they have. They don't know how to play the game. They don't know how to utilize their talent. And these kids that you're talking about and mentioned, they can combine all of it. So when you get that, that was sort of the thing with Justin.

We didn't like Justin just because he was Carl's son. We liked him because of the talent that he brought on the field, who he was as a person. And then he had been around the game his entire life watching major league games and studied it. And that's what a lot of those kids that you just mentioned, they're students of the game as well as being uber talented. Last one for me. It's already been a great four years. I guess I was just curious where you see the department in five years from now,

like goals you have or just kind of the future of you and Preston and how this whole thing is kind of trending. I mean, the thing with our world is it just never stops. The minute you think you hit on a player, it's basically start for next year and find the next one and continue to add that. I think we've done some good things here. We're not nearly where we want to be as an organization on the minor league side. We need to keep working.

I told you we're basically a little bit behind. I'd be putting addition on the fly right here, but we brought in somewhere in the neighborhood of 65 players draft wise over four years. So 20, 20, 20 and then 20, 20, it was only five rounds. So, you know, you're not turning around an entire organization overnight. It takes time. It takes multiple years to do that. And I think we're heading in the right direction, trying to bring in guys that are not just have the talent on the field, but have the baseball skill to utilize those talents, put it into performance, bring in the right type of kids with the makeup

that develop a winning culture, that are athletes. You know, you have your group of things that you as a scout want to try to find. You need player development to help mold those players into becoming the best players that they can be and hopefully getting the right situation for those players to get up to the big leagues and impact the game there and create wins in a World Series. I mean, it doesn't happen overnight. You know, Dave is able to do some of the things that change the major league system overnight by making a trade or a free

agent. But on the minor league side, it just takes time. And I think we're heading in the right direction with some of the players that we brought in and Preston and his group developing. Well, we do too, Brian. I mean, honestly, you know, again, the history of the Philadelphia Phillies drafting and developing, I mean, even John Middleton said it, like it's been, it's been tough, man. And to see, to see this, this, you know, organization where they're at right now with the winning culture and you and Preston and Dave and the whole thing, like, at like, at least for us, it's all we've wanted, you know, this type of setup. So we're thrilled. We're thrilled you took the time for us. And just keep doing what you're doing, man. You're making a lot of people really happy right now. Well, I appreciate it.

Like I said, our job never stops here. You know, as soon as the draft was over, as you guys know, I'm out in San Diego at a tournament right now trying to find kids for next year. So all we can do is keep working and trying to bring in the best players that we can bring in. Just taking more high school kids. Yep, there he is, Brian Farber. What a pleasure.

Thanks again, Brian. Appreciate the time, guys. Really do. Yep. All right. So, you know, we all make mistakes, all right? At least it wasn't as bad as on the morning show that day. The camera said to Sean Desai, what's it like to have your first job as a defensive coordinator?

And Sean Desai's like, you're forgetting about my year in Chicago, huh? It was like, oh, no. Wow. That was a bad look. That was worse than mine. Way worse. Way less. Mine less.

Less people will hear mine than Joe's. Also, you know, but the main point that I'm trying to make here is I am so incredibly embarrassed about that. I texted Jack after. Jack was like, oh, that was great. And I was like, yeah, it was great. Other than me saying Bill Barber, I'm embarrassed and I hate myself for it. Well, you rebounded.

I tried. It was fine. It was a great. It was awesome. He was super honest, super forthcoming. The answer about the process of drafting Aiden Miller I thought was really fascinating. Yeah, me too. Like, you know, 22 happens and he's – because we don't know that stuff.

And I kind of said it on a pod. It's like everyone knows how the NBA draft works. Totally. How the NFL draft works. I thought that was fascinating stuff. Yeah. He's like, I don't even know how the NBA draft works. Yeah, well, and then talking about like the signability stuff and how they go about like, you know,

like, you sure this guy's going to come gonna come here like is that something you factor into what you're doing like oh it was it was all really fat and again to your point because we don't like the to your overall point with that like the nfl draft the nba draft are massive things that everyone watches and they're on tv and we know the college players and all that stuff with baseball it's like a bunch of guys we've never heard of who most of them are like, you know, five to eight years away from playing in a major league TV. You know, it's such a different thing and we know so little about it. I thought it was really informative.

For sure. It's our guy. Our guy. Yeah, yeah. Hopefully a new tradition. Friend of the High Hopes podcast. Brian Barber. Brian Barber.

So I'm sure we'll have Brian on again. Hopefully. Because he was awesome. And again, for us, all-time get. I really did enjoy when Jack tweeted out the very special guest on the pod tomorrow. And just the responses. It was like, I appreciate everyone thinking we were getting Trey Turner on the podcast. But if you know the High Hopes podcast, you should know that Brian Barber was always the goal for us.

Well, and also, WIP would get Trey Turner. Trey Turner would be on Marks and Reese in the morning show, not on High Hopes. Yes, exactly. Let's be honest. A little different in circumstances. All right, take back. All right.

A very special take. You've got to nail the take. You don't want to ruin an all-time High Hopes with a bad take back. Not putting any pressure on you. So Lorenzen mentioned after the game with Caleb Cotham about the changeup. The grip. That's just difference-making coaching. It was a really interesting guy.

Yeah. Well, he said he hasn't thrown his changeup in two years. Yeah. He said he showed me a different grip, and I was like, oh, wow. And I'd actually forgotten about the connection. Like, I knew he was in Cincinnati, but in that cut, I was like, oh, yeah, duh. Like, he was his pitching coach, and I'd forgotten that he had that. I knew he was in Cincinnati, but in that cut I was like, oh yeah, duh. He was his pitching coach. I'd forgotten that he had that history with him, which is neat.

Dude, he had 44% whiffs on his changeup last night. Unbelievable. Yeah. And it just looks like a weapon. He started throwing it, and I was like, why would he? His mechanics are just so set up perfectly for a good changeup off that. I don't know. So I'm proud of Caleb for doing that.

Me too. And it's just another, the guy is a difference-making pitching coach. I mean, the results are inarguable. I mean, funny enough, you know, we've talked about it a lot, but, like, the team is in a wild-card spot right now way more because of their pitching than their hitting. Like, their starting pitching and their bullpen have been the two best things on the team this season

and not the hitting. And a lot of credit goes to Caleb Cotham. Yep. He's just, I mean, look at all the seasons outside of NOLA. And some of this, it's just, these guys, a lot of these guys have taken steps forward. And that's a lot to do with what Caleb Cotham has done. So, I don't know if he's

gonna throw a no hitter or go to eight innings every time out but you know they have a uh just imagine if he has his what he thinks is good stuff yeah i always i always thought lorenzen threw way harder yeah he's not yeah he's like 93 94 last night he touched 95 in the eighth yeah good movement though and the control was was on point i didn't realize he's like four guys yeah i know but it was the same two guys like just you know don't face was it uh smith and and ruiz or yeah yeah i think it was um the other thing too um with lorenzen there as i totally lost my train of thought oh i didn't realize he's like top five in whip in baseball this year well the michael l Michael Lorenzen breakout. Michael Lorenzen? Finally happened. I know.

For the Phils. Yeah, and now it's going to come into, like, what do they do with him after this season? Well, yeah. So the funny thing is we've got multiple of those. It's what do you do with him for the playoffs, and then what do you do with him? So let's tackle the playoff thing real quick.

So we had Rob Thompson on yesterday, and this is another thing we probably would have talked a ton more about if it weren't for the no the no hitter and all that that he drives in and listens to wip every day no big deal super cool probably around two o'clock one of his favorite one of his favorite i think he goes in early i think he's more of a morning show guy no shot yeah he's never heard he doesn't know who judah can he likes to drive in early no shot you know no he's just listening and saying oh i hope my guy sells or talks is he talking yeah is he talking yeah oh seltzer that's what he does is that charlie i mean i talk to him once a week no big deal or

once every other week right he is super nice by the way popper like just the night i was like oh so i've never gone he's always like so like gracious and like you can tell that he after all these years wherever like i think he really appreciates that like someone is excited to have him on the radio and stuff like that also a great talk on all that but the reason i was bringing it up was not the wip thing even though that was the coolest part of the interview um that joe asked him about you know is it an open competition essentially after wheeler like is it just best pitcher gets in and he kind of was like yeah now i don't you know he added on saying you know obviously it also has to do with who we think can pitch out the bullpen the best he's like and

we got to figure out nola like he had all that in there and i don't think nola's coming out of the rotation but if we assume wheeler nolan walker because they can't pitch in the bullpen are going to be in the the playoff rotation like i thought it would be ranger and lorenzo would go to the pen i mean right now i mean i think if the season ended today they they probably put lorenzen in the rotation. How do you think this plays out? Do you think it's more likely as of right now that Lorenzen is in the playoff rotation or Ranger? Or I'm wrong and Walker's not in it or something,

which I don't see it because of that no bullpen thing. Because of his wins? Yeah, the guy wins, too. He's a winner. And they paid him $72 million to come here. You want that not to matter but it does i think it'll be ranger just because really just because obviously did it last year they felt comfortable with him in the in the nlcs i mean he did close out the nlcs and he

pitched really well um and he's just not doing it right now like he's just he's been okay you know well that's why i asked if it could change i mean i know it could change but like if you think there's a real chance like how about this? How about this? Hey, Aaron. Yeah, don't stop, dude. Can you just, give me a month and a half, Aaron. Like, just start tonight.

It's the freaking Nationals. Go give me seven. Like, and just turn this, like, turn the bull crap around. I am so sick of it. We all are, pal. I'm so sick of it. We all are. I'm so sick of it. We all are. Like, it's time, man.

We can't do the pitch clock. You're still throwing 95. Like, this is on you. Please. Like, if you just give us two months, I'll give you 150 million. I don't care. I don't care. Please.

Yeah, we're already going to be in trouble in like eight years, seven years anyway. Like, let's live in the moment. Just figure it out, man. Like, I'm pleading at this point. So, I mean, I think it'll be Ranger to the bullpen. Oh, so you're thinking, okay, so that's why I was confused. You think Ranger to the bullpen. I thought you were saying Ranger in the rotation.

No, I'm with you. I agree. And I wouldn't have said that, obviously, like, even after the eight inning start, I still think I would the bullpen. I thought you were saying Ranger in the rotation. No, I'm with you. I agree. And I wouldn't have said that, obviously, like, even after the eight-inning start. I still think I would have said Ranger, but after last night, I just... And look, it reminds me of good to have, you know, eight bad starts before the playoffs. You are talking to people after a no-hitter in the eight-inning. Yeah, exactly.

Yeah, it's a good point. It's a little hard to say. It's a little hard to say, hey, get in the bullpen. Good point. But again, if he's like, I think he's like 12th in ERA. He's like fourth in WIP or something. He's got a 3-5-8 ERA. Yeah, if we get to the end of in ERA. He's like 4th in WIP or something. He's got a 3.58 ERA. Yeah, if we get to the end of this. No, it's down from that.

Is it down? Yeah, but either way, he's not quite that high in ERA. But either way, the point is if the numbers are there, it's going to be hard to push him away. But the innings matter too and all that. All right, what else? 3.23, by the way. 3.23.

That's pretty good, dude. Oh, yeah. I know. Yeah, that's pretty good. That'll do it. I mean, listen. I'm not. Listen.

Lorenzen's walk-up song is a Childers song. So, of course. Oh, wow. What are the odds of that? Of course. For those who don't know. Yeah, well, it's supposed to be Childers night, but it got canceled. Oh, it got canceled.

I didn't know that. And it got canceled to September 10th. Would you know what September 10th is? Eagles opening day. Oh, is it actually? I thought it was the 11th. It's the 10th? Well, that's not going to work for you.

No, it's not. Yeah, thank you. That sucks. Why did it get canceled? I guess members of the band were sick or something. Oh, it's weak. Oh, it's just. I'm sorry.

You were excited for Childers Day. Oh, I was very excited for Childers Day. That is wild, though. Ironic. Yeah, well, so it comes out with Ways of the Triune God, and everyone was crapping all over it. I was like, nah. And then he went in and threw a no-hitter, and I was like, that's what we do.

That's why. Yeah. Yes. That's 100% why. I probably would have been one of the people grabbing on you if I'd heard the song, but yes. Yes, yes, yes. So good to see we have a Childers fan.

Yeah. Well, also, and I didn't realize this in the off-stream of this, but Lorenzo, I didn't know his whole story, too. Well, today would have been his dad's birthday, which is insane. Yeah, like about the drug addiction and when they were growing up with the parents and like he, you know, real struggles for them and all that and powered through it all and is, you know, sober and has not touched anything for all those reasons. Like, it's really, it's cool to see people battle through adversity

and come out the other side and wind up where they are. For sure. So the Philly schedule obviously is lightening up here. Yeah, buddy. But have you seen the Giants schedule? No, I haven't. Three versus Texas. Ooh.

Three versus Tampa Bay. Ooh. Six-game road trip versus Atlanta and then Philly. Yo. Three versus Atlanta again. Yo. Three versus Cincinnati. What? Four versus Atlanta again. Yo. Three versus Cincinnati. What?

Four versus San Diego. Are you serious? Really? But we get the Twins and the Nats. We've got a couple against the Blue Jays. Big deal. And then it's just like rolling through. Tough little stretch.

Well, so today, actually, I believe the first day the Phillies have passed the Giants in the standings. They've been tied with them. The Phillies win. Giants lose. Phillies are actually alone. They're four games up. Alone.

Four games up on the Reds and Cubs, I believe, are a half game back. Three and a half up on the Marlins who are in that third spot. But, like, you know? But last year was not like this, man. Last year was down to the final weekend, even though it shouldn't have been. Let's hope September is better this year.

But, like, wouldn't it be nice to be able to set up your playoff rotation? Wouldn't it be nice to have everything kind of taken care of and whatnot? Yeah, let's not sweat this out. I know, I know. Well, and also, as far as it goes, if you're going to have to play a wildcard season, we had talked before about wanting the central winner. I don't think it really matters.

Like the Giants, I'm not scared of the Giants. But I would much rather play that series at Citizens Bank Park than go out to San Francisco. That first wild card spot is pretty important. Yeah. A hundred percent. Yeah. I need that.

Yeah. A hundred percent. We all need it. Yes. I drove in today and put on Dancing on My Own. I had to. I had to. It was such a good vibe.

I was so happy. I was like, let me feel it again. Let me feel it again. So yeah, I did that. Dancing on My Own. I know. It's back. It's good. Well, me feel it again. Let me feel it again. So, yeah, I did that. Dancing on my own. Look at you. It's back. It's good.

Well, they brought it back, so it's okay. We're allowed to bring it back. It's okay. Let me just say this. Let me just say this. You talk about standing ovations and chill-inducing moments. I'm just saying that when Reese Hoskins takes the field or hasn't

a bat in a playoff series, that place is going to melt to the ground. So, I agree. Reese looks ripped, by the way. I agree that it would. There is no chance Reese is coming back. Yes, he is. All this talk. Yes, he is. Oh, where's he playing? I don't care. Okay. He's my

pinch hitter late in the gameter You're going to keep him On the bench To be a DH only Pinch hitter Who can't play the field Sounds like a great Use of a roster I will say though

From a motive You know Shortboarded in 16 Do you really think It's going to happen? Honestly Yes I don't

I really don't I think he's going to play I hope he does I do think that'd be Really really cool Be magic He bat spikes again. Be magic.

Yeah he strikes out on three pitches. Yeah no spring training is coming back from an ACL tear. He's playing left field. He's playing left field. Nailed it.

Yeah that's where he's going hey maybe Bryce can throw better by then and play the off field. That's true. But Reese at first. Yeah. Reese at first coming

off an ACL tear without a spring training play in big defensive moments. Everyone loves it. It's going to happen. I can't wait. And my final thing is, dude, like, I don't know how good he's going to be,

but I just really enjoy watching Johan Rojas. Me too, man. It seems like he makes winning plays every time he's out there. The defense is just like, he basically just shouts off everyone around him Oh, it's great. He's like the only guy who does that. It's like last night with Weston Wilson, he's like, get out of here! He's like,

stiff-armed. Also, his reaction to the Lorenzo no-hitter was all time. I thought it was. That's what I was gonna say when you were done talking to us. I was gonna be like, just seeing him, the thrill, the joy of catching the out, throwing the glove, the whole thing, it was like, I just think his personality, period. Like, his, like, you know, like, the infectious personality and the infectious positivity and stuff.

Like, that is something that, you know, you can kind of see, but it really comes through with him. And I think it's something where, like, I think he's probably an awesome guy to have on your team. Like, he seems happy. He seems super super into it he seems happy to be there like i just think it comes through the tv how kind of the the joy that this kid has well it's just so funny like he makes the final catch and has that reaction and like go doable the last time they threw it i don't think he knew like i'm not sure he was aware yeah he's like oh he knows a no-hitter yeah you're not wrong he was just like okay yeah i got it that's nice um that part is my we so it's funny because we talked on the pod recently about – Jack was like – we talked in the cycle pod when we were like, oh, happy to be rid of that, obviously, of David Bell.

And we were talking about the no-hitter. He was like, I don't even know if I want someone to throw a no-hitter. We had such a perfect last no-hitter with Cole, and we can keep that for us. Last star is a Philly. Yeah. I will say the final out catch, and we can keep that for us. Last star is a Philly. Yeah. I will say the final out catch, much happier with Johan Rosland. For sure. But, yeah, he's just a fun player to watch.

He's infectious. And the defense is just out of control. Again, we said it last time, but it was such a thrill last year to have Brandon Marsh come over and just like, oh, every ball is hitting. He's just there. It's a real last year to have Brandon Marsh come over and just like, oh, every ball I guess hitting, he's just there. Like the fact that Rojas is like clearly better is like really something. It might even better than Pache.

I think it might be. It's close. Which is insane because Pache I think was. I honestly truly believe you could play a two outfielder defense with Rojas and Pache and still get every ball. Imagine that. Like I mean. They go five minutes.

Prove me I'm wrong. Prove me wrong. There's how you get Reese on the field. There we go. Five-man infield. Can you do that anymore with the shift rules? Can you do that anymore? You can't do a five-man infield anymore. Well, you could if

an outfielder can come up, for sure. Because you're allowed to risk that. Shift rules are all the infielders yeah um and i guess my final thing is i just i wish the video yearbook could come out today oh dude i so this is i last year obviously you know pop my video yearbook cherry watch it it was thrilling we talked about the pod i can't wait like i'm like you now you and neighbor dan and include me in the group yeah all in on the video yearbook.

I can't wait. It's going to be it. It's going to be amazing. This one's going to be really good. Yeah. Because last year we had the, and granted we need a playoff run to make it really great with that too,

but like last year it was just like, all right, let's get some, like it was an enjoyable video yearbook. It was like kind of like, all right, give me a run here. Like, you know, this is nice. Oh, San Diego goes down. You know, they win.

This is good, whatever. Oh yeah. Like it was like, get me to the playoffs. This one, it's like, give me all of it. Like I want every little beat of the season here. Not April and May. No yeah like it was like get me to the playoffs this one it's like give me all of it like I want every little beat of the season here

not April and May no but it was like April and May were tough and then June happened and then boom we're good ride the wave ride the wave buddy

totally what a day such a good mood this is really fun man keep giving us this boys like more of this this was great alright last question for you before we get out of here But keep giving us this, boys. Like, more of this. This was great. All right.

Last question for you before we get out of here. I know you said what you want to happen, but official prediction. Aaron Nola tonight against the Washington Nationals. Big spotlight on the game. Everyone's excited about Philly baseball again. No hitters in back-to-back games, I think. I'm sure. Official prediction. Five innings, four runs? I think. I'm sure. Yeah. Official prediction, Brian.

Five innings, four runs. I know. That's exactly. I was going to go six innings, four runs. Yeah, five innings, four runs. But they win it late. They win it late. I like that.

They battle because that's what they do. That's what they do. They're grinders. It's a beautiful thing. All right. Again, shout out to Brian Barber. Really, really. Bill Barber, Brian Barber.

Whatever you want to call him. Yeah, Bill Barber. He's cool either way, apparently. And I'll be embarrassed forever. Seriously, thank you, Brian. That was so awesome want to call him. Yeah, Bill Barber. He's cool either way, apparently. And I'll be embarrassed forever. Seriously, thank you, Brian. That was so awesome having him on. Thank you, Michael Lorenzen. And again, how about Wes Wilson?

Weston Wilson, all right? A beautiful moment for that guy, too. Normally, I'd be in tears just because of that. And then Lorenzen upended him. And I texted Jack last night. I was like, way to go, Lorenzen, upstaging Brian Barber. I know. But it was worth it.

I'll take it. It's all worth it. Alright, we'll be back after the weekend series against the Twins. Until then, and all time high hopes, he's for it himself. We'll see you next time.