High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Opening Day is HERE- Phillies open the 2026 season tomorrow!

Episode Date: March 25, 2026

Jack Fritz and James Seltzer preview the Phillies' 2026 season as Phillies' Opening Day is tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park versus the Texas Rangers! Jack and James also speak with Phillies' General Manager Preston Mattingly ahead of the season! Presented by Miller Lite. To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com 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

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This is the High Hopes podcast. I hope. On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94 WIP. edition of the high-hobs podcast sponsored by Miller Light Official partner of the Philadelphia affiliates. Taste like Miller Time Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly. Fritzy, we freaking made it, buddy.

We made it. We are back. Baseball. There is a baseball game tonight as we record this on Wednesday. Tomorrow at 415. We got a beautiful day coming. We're going to be the ballpark seeing them play a age-old rival in the Texas Rangers. I can't wait.

Third time they've opened against the ranchers. since 2014. That's what they do. Who can forget the Aaron Nola game. We actually shout out to I hopes. That was like our one opening day high hopes event we've ever done, I feel like. I know. We all gathered together and fought with it was a 5-0 lead, I believe.

I know, I know. They looked like a wag in those first five innings, too. Give it to me. They're so good. You know, Trey tripled, a bone hit the home run. Oh, so much fun. Now tomorrow, it's going to be tough for me to root. I mean, I got nasty nativalty on the other.

It's going to be really going to have to really do. What do you want me to do? What do you want me to do? This is tough. I don't know. But yeah, it's crazy how it feels like it just ended. I know. We're right back.

We're right back like we never left. Like a Ryan Kirkering, it feels like it was throwing the ball away. A month ago. Right? It really does feel that way. I know. And we probably could go back to all our pods every year and we say this every year. But at least for me, and maybe it's because I'm getting older.

and as you get older time starts to hurdle along on. It feels quicker than ever. It feels like the quickest turn from the end of the season to the start of the season that I remember. Life right now has never felt so fast for me. And like you just thought like Walker is three to me. I know, buddy. Walker is three today.

Crazy. And I don't know, man. The biggest thing with parenting and the most true statement that I think ever been said. The years and days, nothing's even close. Days are long, years are short. It's the truest statement. the history of time.

And I just think that I think having kids has really sped up. Everything now, I'm caught off guard. It's like, I've had five fantasy drafts. Oh, yeah, like, I guess I have to do that tonight. And it's like opening days on Thursday. I guess I have to go. You know? And it used to be just like counting down the second.

Yes, it used to be like, I'm waiting for this. Let's go, okay? March Madden. How do we have 24 days left opening day? How are we going to make it? It's crazy. Not that I'm not, it's not consuming my life. Yeah.

But it's just, it's such a difference in the way that it works. It's like everything up here, everything in this whole noggin. Not that it was ever the, it's not that it was ever brilliant. It's even more scrambled. Yeah. It's like scrambled eggs up there. I feel so much dumber than I did a few years ago. Couldn't feel more dumb, frankly.

I mean, every day I get on the air and I sound like a moron. I'm sitting there like I'm speaking and thinking about what I'm going to say. And I'm like, oh, there's a word that I want to say. And I'll get to the point that I'm supposed to say the word. Pick another word. Yeah. Because I don't have it. I can't pull it out like I used to be able to.

Got that audio. Oh, hey. So. So, no, but I did have, I do have one message. Okay. That I do want to start the podcast. This is baseball. We're off the years or long, days are short.

Spitting off. And you're listening to stop this train by John May and you're like, you know what? He really has a good point. And he's grateful dad guitarist John Mayer. I know him. He put them on the map. I've heard of him. It's very good.

It's very good. I do appreciate that he's fine. and get appreciated, you know. He's an amazing guitarist. If he never record your body's Wonderland, he'd be in a different. I totally agree with you. It's like how everyone always says, like, Leo DiCaprio, wish he hadn't had done Titanic because, like, that, you know,

which I don't know that. I don't think that's true. But it's the same idea where it's just like, you know, people saw John Mayer's one thing when he was something completely different. Yeah. So, so the Phillies message and the general rallying cry. And again. Love a good rallying cry.

Again. social media team and Philly's yearbook, whatever. If you happen to be listening. Full permission, along with the Iron Pigs. If you want to take Pigs, Ben, Pigs, which you should.

They might have already, I have no idea. Well, they should. It is gold. By the way, Iron Pigs, Saturday, wheels. All body. It's going to be a packed house. It's so exciting.

Yeah, it's great. Great. 30 days. He's going to be back. It's unbelievable. I know. I know. So here is the message. And this is what I think should be going throughout the clubhouse heading into the season. Simply two words.

End it. End it. Like, I don't want to live in a world. I don't want to live in a world where Bryce Harper, Tray Turner, J.T. Rolumuto, Kyle Schwerber, Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Chris Sanchez, Jesus Lazzardo, Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford, who's going to get left out? My new goat Adolius Garcia, Joanne Dioran, Jose Alvarado. Bryson Stott.

Some new guys here. Alec Bo, I'm not going to get a ticket. I guess. I don't want to live in a world where they don't have a parade down Broad Street. I just, these guys deserve it. And I know they've come up short and I know that you can feel the fan base. I think there's most of the fan base over the offseason. I think we've turned it around.

I think we've come back around. We've gotten past the heartbreak, which was our break. I think most people are excited for the Phillies. People are excited about the Phillies, but every single person says the same team. Every single person says the same thing. We know how this ends in October. And I want the Phillies to feel that. No, I don't want them to use it too much because I think it could make them beyond tight.

But there's a shift happening where it's like these are our guys too, are they ever going to get it done? Yeah, of course. And I just do not want to live in a world where they don't get it done. And they just have to end it. They have to end it when these guys are still in the, you could argue prime, exiting prime. Of the post-prime, whatever you want to say. The post-prime part of their career where it's just going to continue to get tougher from here. Now they will have the pitching staff, which is great.

The pitching staff is locked down. Sanchez, Lazzardo, Painter, you know, Nola through 2030, whatever. He is at this point. Guys coming up. Yeah. You feel much better about the future of the staff than you do about that. You have a 28-year-old closer that you're probably going to extend. You're in a good spot from the top of your bullpen on down.

It's those guys. Those guys in the lineup. And I just, it would be such a travesty if they don't get remembered as heroes. If they don't get remembered as, because they are the third best team in franchise history. Oh, without a doubt. Who cares they've been around since 1883? I mean, they are. Factually, the third best run in the history of the 150-year, almost 143-year history of the Phillies.

And we, and listen, we look back on the 2000, 2004. Eagles and we're like love those guys our guys and and 100% but it's like they're just missing that one thing totally they're missing that one thing that puts them into the upper echelon where all of them just never have to buy a drink in the city again and like they're just that it's the only thing on their resume that they got check off and it freaking sucks that the dodgers exist it just like it just stinks and we could excuse it away 10 years from now being like hey dude they There was a generational team. There's a juggernaut that they were going against.

And we could cope, whatever. But I just, on the precipice of another season, 2026, the year out league goes into the Wall of Fame and possibly the Hall of Fame. It's a special year, special year. You got to end it. You got to end it. Because it's, it's, it's teetering right now. And you deserve, they deserve to be remembered as,

as legends in this town. Like, they deserve that. They deserve that. And they got to just do it. Yeah. It's a great message, obviously. And I agree. I think that, you know, especially the two names,

and I agree with the whole list. You know, it's the group together doing it. But when you have Harper and Wheeler just individually to where, you know, one guy, Harper, obviously, we don't need to go through the story. Like, that guy needs to have a championship on his resume. He just does. Like, it is his resume. is incomplete.

When you have a guy like Wheeler who's proven to be one of the great playoff pitchers in the history of the sport. Like these guys deserve to have that, that, you know, that exclamation point on the end of their resumes, their postseason resumes, their resumes when it matters the most. And also just from not just a legacy standpoint and what it means, I just, to your point, and I think it's really interesting because you're right, a decade from now we could look back and say, well, the Dodgers, like that sucked. but we could also look back and say,

remember the celebrations, man, and remember the way it all led up to them finally having that that full true celebration that we all waited for. Like the whole story, the whole up and down of it, it just changes everything. I know this is obvious. This is not, you know, some groundbreaking statement, but I'm with you in the sense that we are right in the crucible of this right now

where how this whole thing will be remembered rests on, and it's sad because it is really hard to win it all. I know. And to your point, like, these guys deserve to be remembered in a certain way, but they have to win the World Series to do that. Like, it's just, it's a truism. Like, we'll remember the individual moments. Like, we'll remember the former season.

We'll remember bedlam, you know. We'll remember the stair down. We'll remember, you know, all those things. That stuff will be there, you know? We'll remember the Wheeler big games. We'll remember the, but, but man, if it's just, if it's this, where they make the playoffs again and they peter out and it's like, you know, 22, 23, 24, 24, like five years of it, which is not even like that long in the grand scheme of things, but when you're talking about it. Yeah, like the Brewers have made the playoffs for like six of the last seven year or whatever the hell it is. You know, some general, like the point is like it's not that long or running.

I mean, obviously the Dodgers are going to have 15. 16 years in row, whatever it is, 14, whatever, you know. Might never miss the playoffs again. Yeah, they might. They might not. The way baseball is trending. They might never miss the last year. Do you think they're going to win every World Series forever now?

Is it just the list of the league? The Dodgers forever. It doesn't have. I'm joking. I know, I know. The Dodgers, I'm monitoring the Dodgers. I think they'll be really good. I think it's hard.

Look, it's hard to win three in a row. Like, it's hard. They almost lost last year. Let's start it going here. here, all right? They were that close to losing last year. The Phillies, you know, they outscored in that series. Everyone knows.

Don't do that. Everyone knows. Who knows the mookie is anymore? Who knows it Freddie Freeman is anymore? Kyle Tucker, small time player. Dude, Tucker does nothing for me. But I don't know. We'll see.

We'll see the old big bad Dodgers. Now, bullpens me way better. I'm not going to have Blake Trinen being trotted out there to try to close out games like last year. But, you know, hey, it's baseball. It's chaos in the playoffs. That's really what it's. comes down. They almost lost to the Blue Jays. I mean,

they have lost in the playoffs years before. I know they're a bigger juggernaut now, but I... Post-O-Tonni's a little, been a little different. A little different, little different with the post-O-Tani thing. But you know what? How could they possibly have the drive to keep going? Exactly. The Phillies want it more. Just give us one. Just one. Let us have.

Give us one. Yeah, just take a year off. Come on. Just chill. Chill. I will say, though. Yes. It's a really intriguing season. I mean, there's a lot. It's probably the most intrigue I have felt heading into a Philly season. Like, I feel a couple things

getting into it. Yeah, explain. So, expand. So one, there's two things I feel. I think this might be their best team. I know that, I know that we've done the whole day got worse as off season.

I don't know if they, dude, they lost Ranger, who I love Ranger. Where else did they get worse? I mean, losing Bader, like, we'll see if he does that again. Bader.

We'll see. But still, like Bader made them better last year, whether it not does it moving forward or not. He did. You guys got to get ready for this, a Dolly season. It's one of my name messages. Please, God.

Please, Adolian. Yeah, just one of these, one year, 10 million deals. I'm not even close to expecting 2023. Give me like two-thirds of what you did in 2020-3, and I'll be static. 66% of it. 240, 25. Yeah, that would be what that is. That would be the year.

We had 39-O-Mers that year or something? And an OBP in the threes. That's, because he's a two-90s. Oh, I know. Again, this is a guy who's been in the mid-sixes. OPS-wise the last couple of years. Not now. Not now.

He's fixed. So, so, but it's so intriguing from the stand. Like, there's so much intrigue out in the year. And they did get better defensively. Like, I, that is a fair, I mean, I think they did. It's a question of if Crawford can play center field or not. But you would think Adolus will make them better alone. Bullpen's better.

You think so? Yes. Keller alone makes them better. And like. Backus. So you think. I wouldn't be surprised back because it's better than Strom. Okay.

And they really only lost Strom. Yeah. So, okay. I think we started last year Jordan Romano and Carlos Hernandez. Started last year, but they did add as,

no, all right, look at this. You're making me feel better here. You're making me feel better here. Look at this. Now, the counter,

the other kind of that would be like a year older for guys. Sure. So, you know, career year, but a great year from, the point being like

what you got from JT last year, he's probably not going to be as good this year. You know, like in that Harper could get worse. Schwerber probably won't at 56 home runs again, probably.

You know, no one of putting any. I still think he's like 45 guys. I think he's going to be really good. I'm not, you know, I'm just saying. But what about what about him? There are counters to the just, you know, player for player part. But there's also the Stott season he's about to have.

Yeah, Nola should be better this year. I really expect Nola to be better. I really do. Like so, you know what? You got me. Stott. Yeah, look at this. Stott's going to have a great year.

Contract your bone. Contract your bum. That's going to be an issue as well. He'll lift the ball. Yeah. He told us. Him finally talking about, hey, maybe I need to pull the ball in the air more. It's infuriated.

I don't like it. I don't like it. Yeah. Good, do it, but like, comment. Yeah, well, yeah. But don't do it too well. Here's what pissed me off about, Bohn. If he does it and they'll let him walk, and this is just what he does now.

He's the 20-25 home run guy that's 2.80. It's like, you could have done this for a long time. Whatever. So, they're unequivocally better than last year. And the other, like, there's a lot of intrigue here. Like, there's the Harper Elite thing. is now going to be brought up after every game, it feels like. That's going to be a huge thing.

The Stott's second half is, is it real? And he hit 375 in the spring. Is that real? Will Bowman lift the ball? Can Trey do it again? I mean, Trey had a really bad spring. I mean, he averages in the hundreds.

So was last year like the last peak? Don't care about spring. Yeah. Again, good results in spring training means they're going to break out. Bad results don't matter. They're working on this. Yes. Sure.

Let's go. I would say both. But yes. Yes. So, Trey, I'm not like pressing the panic button monitoring the situation. The Crawford thing. I mean, can he do it? What's it going to be like?

How is he going to hit the bottom of the lineup? I can't. Dean Crawford every night? That's going to be exciting. It'll be a Jolese-Garcy on a one-year deal. Can he tap into any version of 2023 or is that going to be a pressure point that they're going to have to address at the trade deadline? That's intriguing to me.

And JT, is he going to fall off a cliff or is he just going to be, if he's a 700 OPS guy, whatever, with his defense batting a team. That's fine. Don't care. It's a totally fine. Lizardo, step forward or not. Chris Sanchez coming off a side young year. Like watching the starting pitching every fifth day.

Nola bounce back or not. Wheeler, when's he going to come in? What's he going to look like? Yeah, there's a lot of intriguing stuff. Dude, there's a ton. There's a ton. Does Don Mattingly has as he affect anything with the ball club? Is there any?

Is there a noticeable difference in the timeoutically in the clubhouse? Yeah. Looking at a team might be their best defense that they've had. You know, I mean, Crawford will see. but at least outfield-wise, you feel pretty good about where they're at, especially with what's happening in right field, you know, is there a resurgence in run prevention from the Phillies? Oh, is no one to be going to run on it?

How could it not be? It's beautiful. Harper thing's going to take a step forward defensively. And then you get, they have a real closer for the first time in the one of the opening day. This is great. Dude, there's so much interest. Like, Duran's going to set the saves record this year.

So you get 46, 47, 40, 4th? That's the number? It was Mesa, right? Yeah, 45 in 2000. So, Duran 50 Burger. So Mesa sites on Mesa first, then Paboban second. That's the plan. We're taking down everyone.

Because, like, the 46, 47, whatever, that'd be cool. Just obviously mean they're good and they win games stuff. But, like, I care way more about the Babel. Oh, way more. Like, Jose, I like Joe Table. Yeah. Yeah. But Mesa was fun.

Fine. Mesa, honestly, I have a lot of, Jose Mesa, I feel like got way more out of his career than he shirt. Like he was a fine pitcher. He was like again, 45s days. He was closing the Indians in World Series. Like, now they're Guardians, but time the Indians. I don't know. Like Jose Mason, I was never blown away by Jose Mason.

He had a damn good career. Shout to Jose Mason. So then he gets to the bullpen. Alvarado off the, off of last year, you know, you have a real closer in Duran. You have, you know. Bring Keller. Can Brad Keller do it again, you know? After they have a dominant now eighth inning guy for the first time since like Mad Dog.

You know? Got drafted pretty early in our holds league last night. Yeah, well, he's going to get a lot of holes. That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. You should get a lot of hope. That's what I'm saying. So there's just a lot of entry.

There's a lot of things that we've got to figure out about the ball club. How's Aden's back? Is he going to come up? Is he going to be a foyer? I am now more excited for the Philly season than minor league season. Finally, we finally got there. It's good. I'm really proud of you for that.

So I'll get, let's, and we, by the way, you can look at the podcast title. But we do at Preston Matting League. I know a few minutes. I was just thinking about that while I was talking about it. I was like, we probably should have mentioned a little earlier, but we're very excited. We talked to him already. That's why we've not, you know.

It's awesome. Honestly, I can't believe that he wants to come on with us so consistently and then wants to keep talking to us. It's really amazing. I know. It's pretty cool. So we had a great, great talk with press. A lot of really interesting stuff in there, so that's coming up.

He did not help us with our fantasy draft. No. So there is one point. When you hear one point where like, I go to a question, you can hear there's like a half second of science. I'm like, ha! That's because I was in the middle of making a pick. Jack text me.

So Jack and I, like, a little inside baseball. Yeah, sure. Well, you know, we're not in the same room for it. So we're like texting, you know, should you want to go? I got a question. I'll follow up, whatever. You know, just trying to communicate. And at one point I look down, Jack's like, and I see you have 37th, 30 seconds left in your pick.

At the same time, I also see, you go. I'm like, ah. But President was awesome. He did not help us with my crap. No, no, no. He didn't. He didn't. I don't think he's allowed to.

No, I don't think. Yeah, yeah. He's got a real non-fantasy team to run. I know. You're a little more important. I know. All right. Let's, because we'll get to press in a couple,

but a little more season preview quickly with the division itself, because we haven't really talked much about the Mets and the Braves. How do you feel about the Fills, how they sit in the NLEs, the competition there, and how that's going to play out? Yeah, I mean, the Braves, man, I tell you what, I knew when they got rid of Freddie Freeman. I said the baseball gods are not going to look upon that kindly. You cannot treat a all-time brave who just won a World Series like that and get away with it.

Who is still good? Who is still good. Like, was he 30, 31 at that point? Like, he was still, like, legit. You cannot do that and get away with it. Yeah. And they haven't. They had a couple good years after him.

Oh, yeah. It's falling apart. But they had good years but lost in the playoffs to us. Thank you very much. Yes. Exactly right. I'm with you. I think that was bad karma.

100% bad karma. No, everyone's getting hurt. They're falling apart. You love to see it. Yeah. You just love to see it. And, like, they just can't stay healthy. If I was a Braves fan, I'd like, why?

You know? Now, the bullpen should be improved with big shot Bob Swarres, you know, so, like, he's, he's an issue. He's awesome. Unless he's facing Bryce Harbor in an important spot. But I don't have much Bravesphere, you know. I'm the same way. The Mets scare me a lot more. Way more.

It's not even close. Even their studs have just gone down and quality. Talk about the Braves again. Yeah, yeah, like Olson wasn't as good last year. Albies is like, I judge some things by what. where guys are drafted in fantasy. I mean, Albies is not, he used to be the number one.

I got Albies last light in the 13th or 14th round. I know. Which I really like that pick for what it's first. But I couldn't believe he was still there. He was even the, he was like the third rated second baseball on the board. Like they told me to take Semen and Edwards out of him. Well, again, if you play ESPN and fantasy baseball,

the ratings are crazy. Horrible. It's horrible. It's so easy to. Yeah. If people are following it, you can. 25th round. Shane Mclanahan.

Yeah. Crazy. Shane McLeanan on 25th round. He's like, went healthy, the top five, 10 started the AAL. He's so, so nasty. So I love doing ESPN drafts because it's. There's market inefficiencies to get in it. But, you know, even Albi's taking a step back.

Olson's step back. Yeah, Cooney is the only one who still. Yeah, but even he feels like it's taking a little bit of a dip. You know, he's still top ten player. He's still really good. Yeah, but you're right. He's not the best, but he's not the best, but he's not four. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

Man, crazy. Yeah, he did 4070. Nuts. And Riley, who I'm actually very bullish on. This is the best thing. Ripping everyone on the Braves and then being like Riley's the man, though. Well, I drafted him in too late. So if we have any new listeners,

Jack was the number one Austin Riley detractor alive, even when Austin Riley was clearly a great baseball player in the Major League's. Jack was like, no, that sucks, dude. He sucks. Trust me. Trust me. Can I talk about my favorite player in baseball? Please, please, please.

Dude, I think Jordan Westberg's my favorite player in baseball. So I had him on my team last year. He is so much fun. Just be healthy. Awesome. Yeah, you should say healthy. I think that's who Aiden could be. That'd be fine.

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you know, you want to be a little better. I like Jordan Westberg. He's not a star, but he's a really good player. If he's on the field, he could be a serious. He could be. No, he could be.

Jordan Westberg is a really good player. I'm not. Anyway. Nothing makes about Jordan West. I think a lot about Jordan West. You, the Orioles are like kind of... I know. Right?

You're always kind of like invested in your... I like the Orioles. I know. I know. Anyway. I got a lot of little teams. You do? Little patches on teams.

I know. The Red Sox are my AL team. Like, I love that. I feel like they've always been your AL team. Mine's always been Cleveland. I know. It's a very 90s thing it seems like. Well, it's because when I...

So mine is very specific. It's that in the 90s, other than 93, from 93 till, you know, whatever, early 2000 tommy game here we were the worst team and the Indians were out of and I love Major League and they were bad and I liked them because of Major League and then they got good and the Phillies were bad so natural. It was like all right

I'll move for the Indians now. But I feel like every kid like Jillio like talks about the Indian. They were such a fun team too. I mean those lions were insane I mean they had Mani and Tommy batting or 7 8 in those Lyme's time. It's unbelievable. You look at some of the old offensive stats like man.

Now you also look at the old picture. I saw one of it. I know. I saw one of it. one of those like, like it was like the, whatever, like 99 or 2000 All-Star game or whatever.

And they just show like the players that come out and it's like 3.30, 42. It's like, the All-Star break. It's like, 33, 28 home runs,

30-C? Like, it's like, what is going on right now? It's wild to watch. Yeah, it's changed. It's so funny getting older.

And this is the, but I think they have just such distinct memories of the early, like, early 2000s baseball that there's a whole generation There's no idea. Like, I was watching Chase DeLotter, right? Sure.

I don't know how we got on this. We should could do a fantasy baseball. It's so good. Chase the Lodder, I'm watching him. He just looks like Jeff Jenkins. Oh, buddy. But there's a whole people, the whole generation. Like, who the, I know.

Other than the Phillies, oh, yeah. But as Jeff Jenkins is a good baseball player, like, he was nothing here. Like, he was a good brewer. I know. Yeah. Because they just wouldn't get the job to work. Like Mike Sweeney, those type of guys who just disappeared. Yeah.

But, like, we're really good players who mattered in fantasy. He was a Philly. I know. You're right. Actually, I totally forgot. You're right. Back of the waiver draft or back in the waiver deadline. I forgot about Mike Sweeney. They needed him. Howard did. Yeah. So I don't know where we, how we were going to get this back on track at all.

Where were we talking about? The Mets. So we were saying that the Braves don't really scare us on the Mets. The Braves' bullpen. The Braves' bullpen is pretty good. I mean, Tyler Kinley, I will never quit. I love him very much. He's former Rocky. I would love to just pillage the Rockies Bullpen. I know you would.

Like, Seth Halverson. Here, Victor Vodnick. Come on, man. All those hat falls off every time. Anyway. It was like as high ounces it gets. The, um, great. The, uh, but the Mets, the Mets, like.

I really liked it. I started being like, what are you doing with your off season? And I ended it being very impressed with what they did. We said that in the moment. Like, don't, don't jump in the grave. Yeah, we said. People were, like, freaking out. I was like, give the, don't jump on David Stern.

This guy's really smart. Yeah. Give this guy a chance. So offensively good. I just think Louis Roberts going to figure it out. Like I think he's going to be the big swing factor for them. Of course he is going to figure as a mat.

All the Phillies fans didn't want him. All the talk, Jack, you idiot. Why could you want this guy? Of course he's going to be good for the Mets. The rotation, a smidge, smidge overrated, I think. I like Freddie Peralta. I don't think he's a, I don't think he's a, I don't think he's a, I don't personally think he's an ace. I don't either.

I think he's like a one and a half. Like, he's like between a one and a two. but he's closer to a two than a one. Yeah. And then bullpen-wise, so Devin Williams will be pretty good, I think. I think he's going to be closer to Broers, Devin Williams, and Yankees.

Than Yankees. But after that, I mean, Luke Weaver, I thought was, I used to love Luke Weber. I was just going to say, I thought you were like a Luke Weaver devotee devotee. He ended up being dreadful, dreadful last year towards the end.

That's because I own him in fantasy. But, like, I don't know. The bullpen, you know, Minter's coming back late. Rally's pretty good. Shum and I is a big swing. He was on 89 this spring. Sean Minna, let us not forget Sean Manaya in a playoff game against the Phillies. Like the most unhittable pitchers ever existed.

So what happened to the new? Like, he got hurt, right? He's got to be. I'm assuming I didn't follow it. But like that would look like the most pressure you can put on your arm. That new thing he was doing. He was trying to do the sale thing. Yeah.

And it's like only Chris Sale can do the sale. Yes. He's doing its entire light, you know? Like, that's why. But, you know, rotation. Hey, you got paid though, right? He did. Good for him.

Their rotation, like I, there's too many people, there's way too many people for me being like, I got to see Nolan McLean do it again. I don't. Oh, no. I watch it in the WBC again. Nope, that guy's got it. That guy's got it. Like Jonah Tong, sure, I don't know if that guy's got it or not.

I like the numbers and all that. But like, like Nolan McLean, I'm sold. Yeah. Sanga. Stay healthy, he's good. It's just flat out if the guy stays healthy. He's awesome. I think people are a little too quick to jump off of the Sanga.

I think he's awesome. Yeah. And he's look good in spring too. He's been hitting, like, velocity's been up for him. Holmes looked good in the WBC. So I think rotation-wise, I think a little... I can't believe Clayhomes is a starter now and he's like, I've made it. It's annoying.

I know. I really didn't expect that to work, and it's working. Like, lineup-wise, the biggest swing for them, like, if Louise Roberts' awesome, it'll be fine, sure. If Simeon, who I don't believe in anymore... Yeah, I think he's past... I mean, he's definitely past prime. I think he might be past... I think he might be done, then.

Yeah, that's what I mean. So that's the big one. That's why I took Oz. Albi's over him in the draft last night. Marcus Simeon should not be over Ozzy Albies. I agree. And he was clearly ahead of him. It was wild. Yeah. So I think the Mets are

formidable. I think they might win the analysts. Oria Polanco I like as a player. Yeah. I think they gave him too much money, but I think he makes it better. And they overpaid do not have to do the longer term deal with them. Yeah, the Bichette thing, all that. They ever pay, but they're better. So I think

I think it's a Phil's Mets rights. I totally agree with you. Like, I think it's like a game or two. Like, I think, you know, I, I'm probably going to be like Phillies at 93, Mets at 92. Something like that. Like, that's going to be, I'm going to be somewhere in that range. I think the Phillies win the division, but I think it's like, I could, I wouldn't be surprised if either team won it. I was going to say first and 95. Sure, it could be 95.

I think it'll be, they'll beat each other up a little more. Yeah. And I also think, like, I just, I think it's hard to win 96 games again, you know, 95, 96 every year. Like, I think 93's enough to get the division done, but it could be fascinating. It's wild, I think, a couple years ago we had like 200 win teams in this division. I know. I know. So, but I actually, you know, I like it. I'm looking forward to Bichette's first game here.

I'm really excited. I think the Phillies-Mets thing could be a lot of fun. Yeah, yeah. Well, the Bichette thing adds more interesting. Totally does. You kidding me? We've got a villain. Yeah, yeah. First season without Nimmo, Alonzo and McNeil since, like, what, 26? Which is, like, the three we dislike the most. The Woats. I know. I know. I like Nolan McLean too much. I, dude, I know. I know. I like a lot of these guys, you know, like.

Damn it. Yeah. Like, Freddy Proletta. Like, I love that dude. I love that guy. He helped me win a couple of fans.

Me too. He's one of the, like, so you know you always remember the guys who you draft in like the 20th round one year, the year they break out. Oh, yeah.

And then you've got him as a 20th round year. Oh, nothing better. Freddie Brilto is that guy for me. Like, he was one of those guys. I love that guy. I have, I owe him championship winnings.

Like, you know, like, thank you. But if you want to find the next one, it's Brandon Sprope. Oh, Brandon Sprope. that's the next one. Should I tell.

People's still drafting. Should I give people the fritz list after we talk to Preston? Yeah. Let's do it on the backside because we should probably get depressing considering, you know. He gave us a lot of time. All right. We'll be back with some take bag and wrap up. And by the way, if you, we'll put it in the feed too, but I guess it's insane because

we're about to do it. Check the feed. We're going to be on the midday show. That'll be in there too. I was like, listen to it on the radio. If you are listening to this immediately, like this comes up, flip over the radio, but, you know, it'll be in the feed anyway. All right.

Our discussion with Philly's general manager, press magnet. Hey, this is Richard Deich, the host of the sports media podcast. If you're interested in what's happening with all the places where you consume sports, the sports media podcast has you covered. I've been turning down interviews all week. Hoda Copy, reached out, Oprah, George Stephanopoulos. So I said, no, I was booked on the Deich podcast before the Taylor Swift phenomenon. I must live up.

to my responsibility. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And it is our pleasure to welcome back to the pod. Our guy, friend of the pod, our number one guest, and the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, Mr. Preston, Manley. Preston, what up, pal? What's going on, guys? Yeah, good to be back in beautiful Philadelphia

and excited for the pod. Listen, buddy. Listen, buddy. it's it's got to be the year i mean it's been building to this and i know the off season you know there's been the whole run it back thing and a lot of these same guys are back i mean i mean how are you feeling two days out i mean by the time this airs one day out you feel on the on the precipice of another you know long journey into what it's hopefully a a world series title yeah i mean um those along offseason. Obviously, we like our team. And, you know, I think guys have played well in spring.

And, you know, we did a lot this offseason and trying to try and address different areas of need. Probably bullpen was number one. Obviously, introducing some young players to our roster and fusing some youth. But yeah, feel good about the team and where we're at. I think it's going to look a little bit different maybe than years past, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. Yeah, before we dive into like some of the news and all that, is there anything like every year with opening day? Do you have any traditions or any kind of little stuff you do before the season just to make sure you're ready?

I'm not a big tradition guy. Playoffs gets a little bit different. I start to, you know, I'm usually a Chipotle every day guy, but that's probably everybody. But regular season, not really. Honestly. I think a lot of people dress up. They wear their suits and for opening day. I kind of go the other way. I kind of treat opening day like just another game. And it's a long year. And hopefully our guys get off to a good start, but no traditions for me.

Well, it's so funny. Like that I, you know, we all gear up for opening day. And you look back and you're like, it doesn't, I mean, it's just one game. Oh my God. And the reactions are always super strong because everyone's, you know, watched it and locking in. And it's been waiting all off season to react. to a game. Yeah. I'll tell you what, 70 and sunny. 70 and sunny.

Oh, thank God. I feel like it's always freezing on opening day. I'm thrilled and we'll be down there. All right, let's dive into some of the news because you guys did have a big off season, especially from assigning your own guys' perspective.

Obviously, you know, the JT and Torburn and all that stuff, but, you know, this camp, you guys who just been locking people up. Let's start with Sanchez. I think that was the more surprising of the deals.

We'll get to Lazzardo and obviously that was a big deal, but I think a lot of, lot of people could have assumed you guys wanted to get that done and only a year left. But Sanchez, kind of like an unprecedented deal, you don't really see teams with a guy locked in for whatever was, three more years, four more years, add to a deal like that. What was the thinking by that? How excited were you guys to lock Sanchez up? Take us inside the Sanchez extension.

Yeah, it's something that's been kind of brewing probably since November, the GM meetings. obviously Sanchez is a special person, special talent. I think, you know, as we've gotten him with our big league club, just seeing how he worked with Caleb Cotham and our pitching group, seeing the work ethic, seeing how much he's improved even year over year. We just felt like he's a guy that we would bet on long term, and we felt like he was a cornerstone for this organization. And Lazzardo, I mean, another one that kind of came out of nowhere.

By the way, I don't know why you guys only announce big signings when I'm on the road, You know, so a lot of them come out about 11 o'clock when I'm on drive. And then that one's at 606. So I got to pull to the side and have to, you know, get a tweet out and react immediately because that's what the brand is. But I don't know what it is with having to do it on my drive times. But Lazardo, out of nowhere, it really seems like a win-win for both sides. Why did you feel like, why did you feel comfortable getting that contract extension now

rather than having him play out of the season? Yeah, I think similar to Sanchi, we got around. the person. Got to know Zeus, the work ethic, what he's about. So once we kind of saw that, and then it becomes a little bit of recruiting, too. You know, you get a guy that came from a couple different organizations and, you know, he sees how we treat players and, you know, he sees our pitching group and a lot of the information we have to improve guys.

Obviously, he's made some adjustments and gotten better. But we kind of bet on the person, betting on the talent, and then just put that aside. he's one of the best lamppana pitchers in baseball um obviously still really young so we felt like um we looked at the free agent market and and we had our own guy that we knew very well we felt very comfortable with them long term um so yeah excited about not only the the person the work ethic but also the talents just you know off the charts yeah and and you brought up kaleb a little bit i mean how much is this his influence in him being here like how much does that help and his rep with having these guys just want to stay and be a part of this thing.

Well, I think, look, I think players want to get better and they want to get paid too, right? So they see guys that we've had, whether it's Jeff Hoffman, whether it's Christopher Sanchez, whether it's Jesus Lazzardo, whether it's even back really, Rangers Torres, Aaron Nolan, like, guys that are established big leaguers just making adjustments, continue to get better. players noticed that and yeah Caleb's a big part of that right part of me doesn't want to like talk about all of our pitching people because I'm afraid we'll lose them but um you know Caleb Cotham Mark Lowy our assistant pitching coach Cesar Ramos our bullpen coach and a lot of the people

behind the scenes they do such a good job of getting to know these players you know explaining of what we're trying to do and helping them improve right so I Not just Caleb, it's the entire group, but obviously our pitching, our pitching as on a whole has continued to get better and better. And Caleb's a big part of that. Well, we, at Preston, you know, I think he has the way around all this. We have long advocated for a lifetime contract for Caleb and his group. So, you know, just locking in, you know, we're set.

And until he's done, keep here. I know we love more with you. But before we move on to like spring training and some performances and looking ahead to the season and the young guys and all that, just wrapping up the off season. You know, we've talked about these two kind of extensions at the end of the off season, but your thoughts on the whole on what you guys did this off season and why, you know, Philly's fans should not be as concerned about the running it back thing

as they've been and believe that this group can kind of take the step forward. Yeah, and I think we did a lot, like I mentioned earlier, I thought, you know, the first thing we kind of tried to do was address the pin. you know, and add to the depth there. I think we did that. Obviously, it's got to go play out, you know, in the season. So that was one area we really tried to focus on. Obviously, excuse me, we had some of our own internal free agents,

like, you know, Kyle and JT. We thought they were a big part of what we're trying to do. So obviously bringing them back was key for us. And in terms of like, you know, kind of the running it back, like I do think players have room for improvement. And I think there's a lot of different ways to win. I think, you know, we look. look around our team the way it's, you know, kind of built right now is we should be a very good

defensive club. Like we should be a run prevention club, whether it's our starting pitching who we feel like, you know, has a chance to be at the top of the league if they go out and perform the way they can. Our bullpen, as I just mentioned, feels like it can be a group and a unit that dominates. And then you add in our position players into that mix when you go, you go around the diamond and you go, Marge, Crawford, Adolice, and the outfield, the infield with bone, train, Stott, Bryce, JT. We feel like we can be a team that can not only pitch, but also prevent runs from a defensive standpoint.

So our team will look a little bit different that way. And then honestly, like, I think there's more in Bryce and Stott, right? I think there's more in Brandon Marsh. Like, I think Adoli has a chance to be a guy that contributes and fans really get behind. And so I think, like, you know, I get the running it back. And I think we do like some of the players, obviously. And there's not to say we didn't have conversations trying to improve, but we feel good about our team and we're excited for the fans to see him.

One of the guys you mentioned there was Adelis. I mean, how much, you know, he had to swing change in the offseason. It seems like going back to more of the 23 swing that he had. What did you kind of see from? That was a good swing in 23. Yeah. You kidding me? You kidding me.

If you get 39 home runs, I think we'll take it. and a run to the world series. But what have you guys seen from Adolese and can we buy what we saw in spring training? Yeah, I mean, you never know, you never know, obviously no until you get to the season. But, I mean, it's very positive from what we saw in spring. You know, guy that's controlling the zone at a pretty high clip, not swinging and missing, a guy that's hitting the ball hard. So, I mean, if he does those things, like, I think you can bet on a big year.

I mean, obviously it's a big ass to carry that over to the regular season. but a lot of the underlying stuff we saw in spring that I just mentioned, usually are indicators for a guy that's going to have a big year. Speaking of guys that were going to have a big year, and you've mentioned him previously talking about Bryson Stott, and the change he made in, you know, halfway through last season, and the second I'm average and all that and lowering the hands, it all makes sense to me.

I want to pair him with Bome, too, because I think they've kind of, you know, they come up together and through the organization and both guys who've had really, good springs. You know, Bum's got the three homers. He's got over 900 OPS. Stott, obviously, is at a really good swing. Bome with the lifting the ball, I know every year we've talked about it, but he said he wants to try and prioritize it. We've seen him lift it in spring. Stott, with the change in the stance, the ability to lefties, all that stuff. Like, can we expect these guys this year to kind of take a step forward from where they've been? You know, and again, you know,

Alex Bowman's a good hitter. You know, Bryson Stott has hit right. He's well and has struggled at times. But these guys have shown that they can do it. They're just these like, you know, little step forwards they need to make to put it all together. Tell us about those guys, the springs they've had and what you think you can be moving forward. Yeah, I'll start with Bryson.

I feel like he's obviously been a very nice piece for us, like a guy that's a high floor, quality base runner, quality defender. So you knew it was always in there. And he showed us stretches of like a first half. He was very good. And then a second half last year, he made some adjustments. It was very good. So I feel like, you know, seeing the way he came into spring,

carrying that over from the second half last year, I think he's primed for a big year offensively. And I think, obviously, the defense and base running, we expect to stay the same as well. So I think there's another level to Bryson. And then obviously at a big spring. So I think I'm excited for him. And then Alec, to me, a guy that's produced, had solid major league seasons and a guy that, my guess, he has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder too, coming in with something to prove.

Always been a very good hitter going back to, I mean, I didn't see him in high school, but college, always been a guy that could really hit. And I think, you know, power and comes at different times for everybody, right? sometimes it's later in their career. I know he's, like you said, he's made that a point of emphasis, and we know we can do it. And to me, it's just him doing it consistently. All right. We need to talk.

I'm serious. This has got to be a prospect question. No, no, no. Well, sort of. Sort of. So we got to talk about Andrew Painter. And like, I'm not saying everyone's turning into fastball-shaped experts overnight, but there has been a lot of talk about,

the Andrew Painter, four-scene fastball, whether it's down a few notches, things like that. You know, what have you seen from them? And for fans and maybe a certain podcast host who was worried about the foreseen fastball, what would you kind of have to say about that? Well, first of, I think he looked great in spring. Yes.

Like the body's in a really good spot. He's leaned up a little bit. Yeah, I think it was a little bit up and down, spring, I would say. And I think like referring to the fastball shape, we've seen this work. It kind of fluctuates throughout the game. So he'd come out hot and start, you know, the shape look good. And then as the game kind of went on,

maybe like maybe some of the metrics would go the other way. But I think a lot of that has to do with fatigue and him just knowing kind of, you know, his body. But if there's one person I would bet on, it would be Andrew Painter. And then if there's a coaching staff and a pitching group, that can help somebody, fix some small tweaks along the way,

let him make some adjustments. It's our pitching group and our coach, major league coaching staff, as I mentioned earlier. So believe in the kid. Is he perfect? No. Is there going to be some bumps along the way? Probably.

But I know the kid's built for it. He wants to be great. And then I know our major league coaching staff and our pitching group can help him. Let's sit with the pitching staff. And what, at least speaking for myself, has been the most pleasant surprise of the spring because I just, every time we hear something with Zach Wheeler,

it's better than expected. You know, it's like every update has been better than I could have possibly imagined. And, you know, now he's throwing to, and am I really game on Saturday. Like, I didn't think that was going to be possible this quickly, the steps that he has. How excited are you with Wheeler's development? And, you know, what have you seen? What do you think of where he's at and, you know, when he can be back? Obviously, you know, not going to put a date on it, but just generally speaking,

what you've seen from Wheeler's seemingly quick recovery. Yeah, very encouraged. Obviously, he saw some live VPs, bullpins, and then obviously it's progressed now to, you know, two innings on the backfield there. It looks like Zach. Ball's coming out, free and easy. It felt like, you know, watching him.

It felt like he was early spring training mode. So I think there's still time he's got to build back up. And obviously, that's a major surgery he had, and we're going to continue to monitor him. But I feel like he's in a good spot right now, but still a lot of boxes to check, still a lot of hurdles. But it looked like Zach Wheeler. He was free and easy and it looked healthy.

All right. Speaking of a long time, Philly's great starting pitchers, Aaron O'n, you know, a tough year for him. The injury, first time he's missed any extended time in his career. And obviously when he pitched, you know, other than a gutty, you know, two in games he gave us in the playoffs, which he was great in, you know, really struggled last year when he came back. Are encouraging signs so far this spring,

obviously in Italy, you know, pitch great for, not Italy, but for team Italy. Can we expect a bounce back season from Nolan and why? I think, well, I think just a lot of stuff with Knowles, it's just the fastball velocity. It's become the fastball velocity. We've seen that up a couple of ticks here in spring and in with team Italy and the WBC.

Aaron can obviously pitch. He's a command the ball. He has multiple weapons. Obviously, didn't have the year he wanted last year. And, you know, I think this offseason, he made a few adjustments to his throwing. program throwing a little bit earlier and making a few tweaks there. But I think the fastball velocity has been higher than it's ever been in spring

train, least since I've been with the Phillies. The shape on the fastball looks good. The knuckle curve ball looks good. Still the same Aaron Nola with the fastball command. So, yeah, I think like a lot of those, to me, are indicators that he's going to have a bounce back year. But I think it's just like Aaron Nola's track record of track record of success is very high. And, you know, I think people forget that, like, he had a pretty severe ankle sprain last year.

You never like to, you know, make excuses for guys and, you know, probably even, you know, pitch through some stuff. Maybe he shouldn't have, right? I mean, we shouldn't have let him pitch through. But he's tough, and that's who he is. So I think dealing with that and then the rib injury, just never felt like he could get off the ground last year. So I'm excited for him to have a healthy year. and I think he's a guy that, you know, has definitely a bounce back in him.

Listen, what's old is new again, long tossing's back. It's got Noel's velocity up. It's just, it's good to see everyone coming around to the good old long tossing still being good. Yeah, you appreciate things like that. Justin Crawford, you know, a lot of questions about the defense heading into it. I mean, he looks perfectly fine out there. He looked like perfectly fine in center field where he's, Were you surprised by that?

The Eric Davis two-week boot camp, maybe it paid huge dividends. And at the plate, you know, what kind of stuck out to you? Yeah, I think Justin, to me, is a guy that's continued to get better. Ever since we got him, he's gotten better every single year. A lot was made of the defense last year. And, you know, we were challenged him.

We were playing him shallow, you know, having him work on these things in AAA last year. Obviously, we did this offseason. and worked really hard. I thought spring training he showed out very well. And I know I feel like I said this about a lot of our guys. Justin's the guy I would bet on. I'd bet on the person, right?

The kid's prepared. He's a worker. He wants to get better. He's hungry. He's always wanting to learn. So it didn't surprise me that he's going and working with Eric Davis, you know, working with Paco, you know, constantly asking the right questions.

So I have no doubt that he's going to continue to get better, even in the major leagues. And we know that's where you with his, you know, with where he's at, he's got to develop in the major leagues. And then offensively, to me, Justin's one that's going to be, it's going to look a lot different, I think, than what you look at is like a normal major league player. He's going to do it different. He's going to make a ton of contact. There's going to be a lot of balls in play. He's an elite athlete, he's elite runner. And I think he brings a dynamic to our team that we haven't had in years past. I was just surprised

like he just looks the part. I mean, it didn't look overwhelmed at all. Even though like two weeks stretched there in the middle, he kind of cooled off offensively,

but just ended the end of the spring training. Great. So yeah, very, very excited for him. All right. The Aiden back. Where are we at with the back?

What's the, what's the overall concern? Or is this just, you're trying to nip it in the bud, get it over, width and and let's go have a good minor league season who cares about spring yeah i mean aiden's obviously progressing very well um do it starting to do ramp up some baseball activities now um so i mean obviously he's got to build up and have like kind of a normal kind of spring build

up now it was unfortunate of the timing of the of kind of the flare up but because he looked he looked great he was in a tremendous spot but you know things happen with young players and he's he's still young and And so level of concern, I think, like, obviously, we'd like him just back on the field. But he's starting to progress now, and hopefully he'll be out there in short order. All right. Better bullpen. You know, like relative.

The Phillies bullpen or the pig's bullpen this year? Because the pig pen's going to be an issue. And you can take pig. Relatively speaking, is a fair way to put it. You can take pig pen if you want to start using it. it's okay. But I mean, yeah, by the way, that might be the best thing to ask them up, but pig pen is strong.

The piggy's are going to be. Really good work. The piggies are going to be an issue this year, Preston. Yeah, no, like I mentioned before, like the bullpen was an area like that we really tried to shore up from a depth perspective. Just like a lot of the acquisitions, you know, we obviously signed Brad Keller to be a big peace force in the bullpen. And then to me, like the Strom trade, Jonathan Boland,

We feel like it's a guy that we feel like there's big upside there, a guy that could pitch in the middle for us. And then adding back us from the left-handed side, right after we kind of made the Strom Tram trade, just wanted to kind of backfill a little bit of like a guy that's really chewed up lefty pockets, really tough matchup, different look, different angle. And then we added Chase Sugar.

We've really tried to get a lot of depth there from an optionability standpoint to get us, through that long haul of 162. Obviously, it felt like early last year. Bullpen didn't throw the ball quite like we felt like they were capable of. And it was something we wanted to go into the year, something we felt comfortable with obviously on paper, but they got to go out

and perform now. So we feel like it's going to be a good unit for us. And how do you sleep at night with sending... Can't wait to see where this is going, by the way. I mean, sending Alex McFarland to Redding. I mean, come on. He's right

there. Do you see the spring breakout game. It's met amongst boys with Alex McFarre. Yeah, Mac, like obviously credit to our rehab group, Aaron Barrett, Brittany Gooch, did a tremendous job with him, kind of building him back from the T.J. Alex is probably the best athlete we have in the organization, just from my PD days having him there. He's one of the best athletes we have, if not the best. He's always had the, like the fastball velocity and the sinker. Obviously, he had to harness some of the command. We've had him in the starting role.

I think one thing that's really unlocked, Alex, is the sweeper. Obviously, something Caleb and the group gave to him. And I think early on when we saw kind of the shape of the slider and fastball, we had a pretty good indication, or we were going to have a pretty good indication that this guy, if he commands the ball, he's got a chance to be a real weapon. And excited he's continued to progress. Still, you know, obviously he's a young kid. and he's still got to learn some of the finer points of pitching out of the bullpen,

been a starter mostly, you know, most of his life. But excited for him and in that Redding group, you know, he's in a pitch of the back end of the bullpen there. All right. Press one question, speaking of the guys in the minors as well as a major league player. How happy were you watching the WBC and getting to see what Dante Nore did for team Italy? I know, you know, Jack and was losing it, but also, you know, seeing what all the fills did.

Obviously, you know, seeing Bryce have that moment in the championship game. Just obviously, I'm sure there's a part of you that's just watching saying stay healthy, obviously. But, you know, what was it like to see your guys kind of on this national stage? And obviously, as, you know, a baseballer, you know, baseballman like yourself, you know, to see the game just, you know, being portrayed and in such a cool way in light across the world where so many fans were into it. and the players were into it.

What do you think of seeing your guys there? And number one, I think that the World Baseball Classic's a great tournament. You know, I think it was so much fun to watch. See guys can, you know, play for their country, see the energy they put into it. So I think on that regard, I don't think it could have gone much better. Just from a viewership standpoint, like, it was very fun to watch. And see those, you know, all the great players on the field at the same time. It was amazing.

And then our guys, I thought they showed well. I mean, I'll start with Bryce and kind of end with Dodd. I think, you know, seeing Bryce did what he did, it doesn't surprise you, honestly. It's kind of what Bryce has done his whole career. Bryce has been the spotlight since he was, yeah, I could get 12 years old. You know, he's been a guy that people have known about. And obviously what he did, you know, graduating high school early and what he did in college and what he did in the minor leagues and then what he's done early in his career, he's kind of

always been that guy. So when you see Bryce do something like that, it doesn't surprise you. And then, you know, Dante, honestly, it may surprise some people, you know, the outside, but I think, you know, not on this podcast, right? I think internally we were very high on Dante. He's always been a guy that has, you know, chance to have elite skills, whether that's a speed,

a defense, a contact ability, ability to control the zones. We felt like his skills were in a spot where there made him a very high floor player. I think credit to Brian Barber, credit to Luke Martin for, I think identifying Dante and his, ability to have power. And I think some of it started to come out a little bit. And we think there's still, you know, more in there. But yeah, I think, you know, the general public's starting to know Dante. But I think, you know, this podcast plus, you know, our organization obviously knew he was

capable of this all along and excited for him this year. Yeah. Yeah. A good fight out there, pressing every day, you know, we're letting speak in the gospel, as they say. Listen, he's just a ball player. man does a lot of good winning things i i spent i spent 10 minutes talking about i'm on the night lasardo sign his contract yeah you totally did it's what we do it's what we do in this podcast all right uh some players i need to ask you about i i could do another 10 minutes on ryan cusick and not to turn us into a whole ryan like we don't need to do all that but like starting to get a little excited i thought he's good in the orio start i mean he faced a real lineup i mean that was done honor. It was Alonzo. I mean, real, real big leaguers. And I think he mostly looked apart,

not to get people too geeked up about Ryan Cusick, but like, it is a little bit of the intrigue there with that. Yeah. This is credit to a lot of people, but credit to Ryan himself. He's been down-trained at our complex, I think, since early January. Love the game. Loves getting better. loves working, so got a lot of respect for him there. And then a lot of our pitching people, Caleb Cotham again, Casey Weathers, Travis Hurgert, David Howell in the lab.

I think some things we identified with him and credit to Cuse that he came out and executed it. I think, you know, the multi-in, obviously he's been a reliever here recently. I think, you know, getting him extended out to some more length. The stuff has continued to trend up and we feel like it's in a good spot. So, yeah, excited for him in AAA.

I thought he competed very well in that game. You're making sure talking about in Sarasota. And, you know, hopefully it was a learning curve. Some of the pitches he made, I feel like he was right in the cusp of getting out of a few innings too. But I think the stuff's there. Hopefully you can carry it over to AAA and be somebody that could help us throughout the season.

Now, one guy I know that you love is out of camp. And, you know, he kind of has been labeled as someone who just matches lefties, which, sure, I think he does that. But what about it? about him against righties? Like, is he just a, do you believe he's just a straight platoon guy? Or do you think there's more, there's more in that bat than just being a lefty masher? Yeah, I think there's more in there.

I think, like you said, I think he can hit lefties and that's, it's kind of what he always done in his career. But I think there's more in there. I think, I don't think people realize the power that Otto has. And, you know, some of the other skills, too. I think this guy's borderline plus runner. Obviously, he's played some different positions in his career, third base, left field, can play some second base, can play some first base, so he's versatile.

And, yeah, there's real power upside there, too. It's not just a guy that we think can play just first lefties. There's more in the tank. Yeah. Gagewood, three innings at the spring breakout game. What is kind of, what's kind of next, I guess, for him? I mean, the power fastball is real. I mean, that was evident.

It seemed like that slider, they're tweaking a little bit, getting to throw a little bit harder. And is there, I mean, I guess, So what's next for Gage Boyd this year? Yeah, excited with where Gage is at. Like you mentioned the fastball. It's kind of been special, you know, his whole career. I think the slider is something we're really trying to work on,

give him a little bit of a bridge pitch. Obviously, he has the big curveball too. Extremely competitive kid. And I think next to me is just some of the finer points, is the command. I think if Gage ever gets to where he can command at a ball at a above average clip, I think he's got a chance to be special.

So, yeah, excited with his development. And I think, you know, just getting him out there on the mound. You know, he threw 40 innings, I think last year in college. So just getting him out there more, work on his craft. He's a worker. He's competitive. And, yeah, excited to see him too. Did anyone else kind of catch your eye in the spring breakout games?

I mean, unfortunately, nlb.tv, you know, they didn't respect the wanting to watch the full game against. They just showed me the condensed game. I didn't get the fully. See the Matthew Fisher in it. which is kept me up at night for five days. And like, I mean, dude, Cody Balker's funky. But like who else kind of stuck out to you? Yeah, I'll talk about a couple guys.

Yeah, Fisher, I know that we banned the video from you. But yeah, it was up to 95. I think, you know, Matthew can really spin the ball. Got a chance to have a really good sweeper. So, yeah, excited with where he's at and his development. Obviously a young kid, high school kid, got to keep growing and learning. but really happy with where he's at. Brad Pacheco, I thought, you know, showed very well.

He's a young guy that not many people know about. He's up to 99 in that game. And then I think another guy that has gotten a little bit of notoriety, but looks like a really tough at bat versus left-in of pitcher is Overmuller, Kate Obermuller. Yeah, the guy that's going to be really funky, tough a bat for lefties, chance to have an elite slider. And then Cody Bauer.

unique look with the fastball. We got a bunch of guys, honestly, with unique looks in the way they kind of operate. So another credit to Brian Barber and the scouting staff. But really happy with the draft last year and how those guys came out early on. And we can finally talk about Francisco Renteria. I mean, some are labeling of the Six-Tool prospect,

you know, the Sixth Tool being how smarty is. What can we say about Francisco Renteria? and the people seem excited about him for sure. Yeah, I know, look, I think we're extremely excited about him. Since, you know, he's as good at prospects as we've brought in since I've been here. Yeah, got a chance to be a five-tool type guy, extremely intelligent, able to take in information, able to make adjustments very quickly. Yeah, excited would be probably an understatement of where we're at with him.

looking forward to his season, looking forward to him to continue to grow in pro ball, and honestly looking forward to hopefully getting him over to the states here pretty quickly. And I just have to, my last prospect question, and I'm going to keep asking you about him until he stays on the field. How's Griffin Burkholder looking? I know there's three people that care about this, but how is Griffin Burkholder looking?

Is he healthy? And, and, yeah, how's he doing? Yeah, he looks really good. Obviously, spent a lot of time all off season, kind of making sure his body was in a good spot. He's playing in games now in spring training. Looks good. I'm excited for him. And I think, you know, he's a guy that, you know, when he's been on the field,

he's showed he has the tools and ability to be a really good player. So it's just keeping him out there. And I think, you know, hopefully this is the year we can do that. And he'll take a big step forward and jump onto the scene. I thought you were going to ask me about Juan Parra, you know, over there with Rinterea, too. I guess we'll just skip him, you know. Yeah, I guess one of us is not locked in enough, not locked in enough is the key take away from that.

Yeah, as if we haven't gone deep enough one more for you before we let you go. And it won't be a minor league question. But you've been working, you know, closely, you know, directly under Dumbrowski for a little while now. You know, you've gotten to, you know, really see what he does and learn from him. Are there any? And I know you're not going to give us any inside secrets or anything. But are there any, like, lessons that you've learned from just about running a baseball, you know, forgetting the, you know, nitty gritty of this player or that player,

just about running a baseball organization. Because obviously, I'm sure you would love to be in that role someday, you know. So have you, what have you learned from someone who's obviously, you know, Hall of Famer had the job? Yeah, you probably learn every day. You're always picking up different things. But I think some of the bigger things that, you know, getting to watch day, it was just how he handles different situations and different people, whether that's ownership, you know, conversations he has with John Middleton and the group, how he handles Rob Thompson and the staff, conversations he's having on a daily basis there, what he's looking for in games, what he's looking for in spring trainings.

You know, I think just getting to pick his brain and see what he's looking for and evaluating in spring training because it may be different than what I look for. And then also how he talks to players and how he handles players, right? You're always learning and how different people do things. Obviously, I have my way and how I do it. But just getting to see somebody who's done it for such a long time has been very helpful. And Dave's just so organized and so in tune with everything that's going on the organization. So it's always fun to watch him and get to view him from behind him. That's awesome.

Yeah. And Preston, obviously it's a real thrill to have you on. And, you know, we only got to about a third of the, like, hundred questions that Jack had in our document to ask you. So we really appreciate it. It's awesome. And, like, you know, this is definitely our thing now. We are definitely going to have you on pretty consistently. The tri-annual.

The tri-annual check-air. As long as you're still willing to do it, we will do it at any time anywhere. So thanks again, man. We really love having you on. And you were really excited for this season. Yeah. So go ahead. Thanks for having me on.

It's a blast. I'm just astounded. he's willing to talk to us that long, Jack. Yeah. Yeah. Listen, he's our guy. I mean, you, so we did, you know, prep for whatever. You had a Google spreadsheet that we shared or whatever with questions.

And I opened it, looked, and I'm like, well, there's no way we're getting to all these questions. I know. Even before I added him. And we almost did. I think we got through like 98% of the questions. I know. He is amazing. It's so lucky.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So a nice 30-plus minute combo with him. And, yeah, I tell you what, he had a good, Florida glow to him, you know? Oh, yeah. He looked good. And he did, you know, chat with us a little bit after. I was talking to

Emily after, and I think the fact that his wife and Kib were out of town probably led to him giving us a little more time than otherwise. But it's pretty cool. It was really neat. It was really neat. Good to finally meet the dog. Yeah, we could see his bulldog. It was awesome. Super cool. We might be able to hear it wandering around in the interview. I heard it every time.

Yeah, it was pretty cool. What's the dog doing? Get him out of there. All right. Let's take back, and you can include kind of everything we were going to get to and take back. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So for those of you that did not DM me and still might have a fancy draft. And maybe like you can pick some of these guys up off waivers, whatever. But the official Fritz list, and I don't need to break down all these guys.

We do have to go on the radio in 10 minutes. Yeah, I know. Is Yuri Perez, who I think is going to be amazing this year. Hazer Salardo, the 10th year on the Fritz list. Dylan Cease with the Blue Jays. You know, he's been an adorable guy the last couple years. I think he kind of put it all together this year. Trevor Rogers is the baby boy.

If you picked him up last year with the Orioles, he pitched like a 1-8 or something like that. So Trevor Rogers always. Trey Yosevic, always. Now, a little worried about some of the injuries. So I think Trey Yosevic is super talented. And what I saw him doing the playoffs at, you know, coming up from high A or whatever that was,

like he is in. Like, fully in on that guy. I think doing what he did last year, like, I think it'd be really hard to turn it around and pitch well. Like, I think he's been hurt. Like I just, I can't imagine he's going to pitch a ton of innings this year. Reminds me to Tommy Green a little. Yeah, I really like him.

But from a fantasy perspective, especially if it's a redraft league, like I might avoid you savage for this year. Yeah. Bryce Miller's only going to miss like two weeks, okay? Like Bryce Miller are going. So is he really that it? Because he's falling way far in drafts. Yeah? He's fine.

Okay. Okay. All right, good. Emmett she and I loved only because he made shoved against the Phillies. He sure did, buddy. Oh, hit us for like five. and whatever in relief. Ryan Wethers every year.

Every year. Yankees. He's given, every year. Was he Marlins last year? He was Marlins last year. Yeah, I remember because I had him on my team because he was on the first of those last year. Yeah, yeah.

Didn't work out. So he had a couple nasty starts. He got hurt. He was one of those guys where when you watched him, I saw it. I'm like, oh, I totally get it. This is a big one. This is like, you got to pick them up and like off your waivers. It's him and it's two of these guys.

I mean, Kyle Harrison, who, you know, Giants top. I was going to say Giants. Yeah, yeah. Trade of the Red So. Red Sox, Red Sox traded him to the Brewers. He's added a change up. Oh. Disgusting.

He was part of the Devers trade, right? He was part of Devers. Yeah. Yeah, they traded James Tibbs and Devers. You know, or the Red Sox got James Tibbs back in that deal. And then traded him to the Dodgers for Dustin May, who they let go. And James Tibbs is raking for the Dodgers. One of the dumbest trades of all time.

And then Brandon Sprode, like I just mentioned, is going to be, he's going to be awesome for the Brewers. If there's a team that can figure out a guy. Oh, it's the Brewers. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. If they can figure him out, they will. And then Parker Mazek of the Guardians who are also unbelievable pitching development.

Parker Mazek is a little lestery. And then some guys you can probably pick up off waivers. Zevi Matthews, always. Grant Holmes had a really good spring. Will Warren, I think, is going completely underrated for some reason, even though all this stuff took a massive jump in spring. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm just making sure some of these guys moved teams quickly and I'm trying to keep up.

And then Mick Abel, of course. He's had a great spring. He's at a great spring. I know. Peyton Toll is going to. To your point real quick, just to the people out there who maybe aren't as, you know, high hopes, old school, whatever. Like, if McABLE starts hot and Painter doesn't, don't freak out, please, please. They will.

Yeah. And it probably will happen. I mean, Able does look great. It looks great. Payne totally is going to start in AAA, but he's up to 100 from the left side with the Red Sox. He is when they finally put him in the rotation, he's going to be a problem. Connolly Early is in the Rad Sox. and he's still going pretty late in drafts.

You can probably still get him off waivers. Maybe not. But Connolly Early is awesome. So that is the official. Love it. All up side. All right. What else we got?

We got to get off here because we got to go do the radio in a second or two. Yeah, I know. Yeah, you got a little time. We got a couple minutes. You can take back it for a couple minutes. For a couple minutes. A couple minutes. There's a lot of pitches that I'm excited about this season.

I cannot wait to see the Orion Kirkring Splitter. I want to see. I just want to see what it does. It has good action. to it if it's a real pitch or if it's a show me pitch. Because some guys have show me pitches. That they don't, it doesn't really work, but they get, you know, just to put the thought

in the mind of the header that. I could throw the sick, yes, I got it. Very intrigued by that. The Duran Splitter, we've broken down. The Duran Splitter. We've spent a lot of time on the Dronzlitter. Could be the biggest reason for his breakout. But tell you what, the pitch that is really caught my eye

is the Lazzardo change up. And he's changed it. So how it used to be And it's crazy Is that through the spring It's first like three starts It was the exact same change up from last year 88 miles an hour

A little bit of tumble But wasn't didn't have much action to it They've taken like three miles an hour off of it So they've added depth to it as well So you take three miles an hour off of it You add depth to it So it actually has sink to it And

The 10 miles an hour between a fastball and changeup is fine. But if you can do more with the same arm action, it's disgusting. And I see you're yawning. But... Actually, it had nothing to do with this as anything. This had to do with the 3 a.m. and the draft last night and they're not getting the sleep.

But the... I was hoping no one could hear it, but you know you called me out for it. That's great. Thank you. It was good. But the plan of attack, if you had this gear up for 98, and then you've got to try to hit an

85. 88, you can just make a mistake and still, like, you know, hit it into right field. Like, whatever. 85 is so much different from the standpoint of it's either going to be a ball, a swing and a miss, or you're just so out in front of you're making weak contact. I don't know. Or it freezes you. I don't know how you hit it unless you're sitting on it.

Like, that's, it's such a game changer for him. It's such a game changer for him. So that pitch is. I love you geeking out about pitches. It's just, it matters. It does matter. No, it definitely matters. There's no question.

So like I mentioned with Preston, MLB.com. Oh, you can say that next to they listen. Guys. Guy, good. Good job. They are hiding the full game of the Matthew Fisher tape. Of the spring breakout game. Everyone's saying it.

After we did the interview, I went on like a deep dive and it's a thing. People are talking about as a conspiracy. It is a conspiracy. I didn't do that. They didn't want to let people see the Matthew Fisher inning unless you watch it live, which was disgusting. thing. So what do you, why do you think they're hiding it? Because they don't, they don't, they don't, they don't, they don't, they don't, they don't, they don't, it's too, it's too, it's too, it's too, it's

lining up. Yeah, and people will just be like, up baseball's over. We got Maddie's picture in the we've seen this. There's no point to doing this anymore. He has won it. I just don't get why they can't put the full freaking game out. It makes me so mad. It's so weird. It makes it so mad. It's so weird. Now that, now they did scrub the Mark DeRosa thing. That was hilarious. But that's all the whole time. They put it back up. Because they were so cold out for it. It was embarrassing. Yeah.

Durosus is going to be back on the LV Network in a week. Oh, of course. Yeah. It's all going to be in the past. But so I didn't get to see. I naively thought that the full game was me up. So I thought like I can sneak a day, watch it when the boys are sleeping. So unfortunately, I didn't get to fully break that game down.

They hid the Matthew Fisher inning from me. They hid the Mavis Grays inning from me. but whatever. I did say to myself, hey, the real minor league season starts in a week, it'll be okay. That was a real internal conversation. That wasn't fake.

It was a real internal conversation. Yeah, he will pitch again. He will pitch again. This is not the world series. But we did watch, we did watch the start against the Blue Jays in the spring breakout game. And we thought about-

We being you in Walker or? No, just me. Okay. Just a royal wig. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The gauge boy had three innings was very, very good. do you think he needs a splitter or something? If I could just have all these guys throw splitters,

I mean, I think Zach Poppe needs a splitter. I think he needs a split change. They'd have it go away and have the sinker and then that off of it. I don't know how people hit it. So the gauge was very exciting. The fastball special. If I could give that fastball back to Andrew Painter,

he'd probably be the best pitcher in baseball, but regardless. So did you like the question to Preston, by the way? No, I did. That's great. It's like, all right. Yeah. Dude, lock it would be right now.

What do we think about the, the Andrew Banderbath? Time to lock in. So, but no, he threw the slider more and more. I think he needs to throw it harder, because that's going to add extra spin to it and stuff. But he looked good. The guy that caught my eye was Cody Bacher. Cody Bacher was their fourth round, third or fourth round,

third round pick, I believe, because I think Youngerman was the fourth. He's a Vandy kid. He is, like, he's someone that would put in the Dodgers bullpen and be like, how does anyone hit that guy? He's really funky, like really funky. I can't wait for everyone to see him. Cool.

He's really, really funky. I'm excited about Cody Balker. Me too. I can't wait. And then, I don't know, man. Like, Painter's last star against the Braves was very encouraging. Good. I do think that if things don't go well early with the fastball,

which very well could. If things don't go well early at the fastball, there is a blueprint for him to follow what Lazardo did last year. Or Lazardo ditched the four-seamer, more to the sinker, and then use everything in his arsenal to turn into the version of Hazis Lazzardo that got that contract in the last season.

That could be the pivot point if Painter's Fastball does not come back to pre-TJ levels. So there is a plan. There's no reason to freak out. He could do what Lazzardo did, and everything would be fine. Good.

Love it. That's it. That's it. We did it. I got to go get my headphones. Yeah. Go get your headphones. We got to do a thing.

Sunday when the game ends, we're there, right? We didn't check about this, but I'm assuming. I just assume we'd be recording on Sunday? Yeah, yeah. Okay. So after the first series, we're recording on Sunday, we'll be there.

And, hey, if you're coming to the ballpark tomorrow, we'll both be there. It's going to be awesome. It's opening day. Come say hi. Can't wait. You got anything else? I think I'm going to go to, uh, now I can only stay for a couple of innings because I do post game.

Yeah, yeah. I'm going to be in the building for Painters first game. Oh, buddy. We have to. Okay, I'll go with you. We'll do it together. Well, hi hopes. That'd be fun.

A couple innings then we bill. Yeah, yeah. Go see Painter. Yeah. Got to be in the building for Painters first. I'm in. Let's do it. All right.

And hopefully it goes well. It better go well. Yeah. We're going to be out of the building quick if not. All right. We'll be back on Sunday. After the Phillies, finally freaking play a series. Let's go.

Until then, he's fruit some salsa.