The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Astros Outfielder Zach Dezenzo Joins The Show

Episode Date: May 20, 2025

Astros Outfielder Zach Dezenzo Joins The Show

Astro Outfielder, Zach Descenzzo is a guest here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Zach, it's Matt and Ross. How are you doing? And how's the weather in Florida today? Hey, guys, I'm doing good, man. Thanks for having me on. I'm down here in Tampa right now. It's hot.

It's at least, man. It's hot. So we're enjoying it, though. Hey, you know what you can do? Tell Skip, look, I want to play as much as I can, but don't put me out there tomorrow. It's so damn hot at 1 o'clock in Tampa, Florida. That's ridiculous. Yeah, it's going to be a hot.

I won tomorrow for sure, boys. But I'm happy to be in the lineup either way. All right. Before we get to some baseball, let's get to some football conversation. First of all, you were at the national championship game. Is that correct? Yes, sir. Yeah, me and a couple of my buddies from Ohio State, we made the trip down to Atlanta,

and we were able to get to that game. It was awesome. And you were at the 50-yard line because you're a major league professional athlete. You live your high life. You spend no amount of money. Exactly. How far were you from the field itself? Unfortunately not, man

We ended up getting some nosebleeds But just the fact that we were able to get some tickets Was awesome My buddy's dad had some season tickets Got him for a little bit of discount So we couldn't pass up on the opportunity You know what I mean So you got none of the

The beach The beard die of Ryan Day on your body At this point is you're trying to tell us That's right That's right yeah All right All right well Now how hard did you party after the championship

We didn't party too hard, man. You know, I'm in the off-season. I'm focused on baseball. Still trying to enjoy, enjoy life, and go do some things that I want to do, you know. But we definitely went and had a celebratory beverage afterwards and back to the hotel. So that was about it.

All right. Well, congratulations on your success so far as Young Major Leagueer and your championship Ohio State Buckeyes. It has been interesting the amount of, games moving around, getting days off, playing a little bit here and there. I mean, you're not out of the ordinary doing that. So any advice, and who's giving you the best advice that you kind of work your way through your first full season as a major league?

Yeah, man, I've been blessed to have some great teammates on this team, guys that have been in my shoes coming up as a rookie and, you know, not necessarily being everyday guys, you know, right away and having to earn their stripes and pay their dues, so to speak. So for me, you know, Jake Myers has been a huge, huge guy to lean on. You know, he's an outfielder, one of the best in the game. And his first two years in the big league, you know, he was kind of in and out as well. So he's been awesome. So to talk to Victor Carrotini, he's another guy, you know, he's getting a lot more playing time recently.

But, you know, he's prized himself on his preparation and coming in pitch-hit situations. And he produces. He does it with the best of them. And the third guy that comes to mind is Christian Walker, man. he look back at his career and what he's gone through and you know where he's at now and how long it kind of took him to establish himself he's been another guy to lean on for me I'm glad you mentioned Jake Myers is somebody you've been getting along with he's because he tries to call you off everything when he's out there in the outfield doesn't he?

He does he takes charge he's a leader uh he uh and he can cover some ground man he can cover some ground so I kind of let him do his thing but we're we're both warming up to each other you know we're getting more familiar with each other you know what he's Zach he's being cocky he's like I cover more center field anybody else get out of my way I'm already covering the old man valtuve's back him out carry your side if I need to I don't don't buy his crap I'm serious he's a fraud hey man that's fine with me as long as the ball gets coffering out you know that's all that matters yeah hey you got 12 in left field 11 and right tell but tell the different nuances for yourself playing each one of those corner positions?

Yeah, everybody asks me, you know, do you feel a difference? And I'm like, you know what? Like, I feel like you stick me out there at either spot. I feel like, you know, pretty comfortable. So that's the most important thing is just comfortability. And just going to make plays, catch the ball, get the out, and, you know, keep it simple. So I think each park that I've played at so far, you know, presents some different things, different nuances, like you said, like playing in left and Minutemade.

for example, or sorry, Dakin Park is a lot different than playing left field and in Kansas City or, you know, Texas. So you've got to kind of learn the parks and learn different intricacies of each position. And do you have to just react differently depending on lefties and righties out there and spin off the bat and all that type of stuff out there in the outfield as well? Yeah, the spins are, you know, I'm still kind of, you know, experiments in learning, you know, some of the spins coming off the bat with different players. but for the most part I understand, you know, if I'm playing the opposite field, lefty hitter, I'm playing left field, right? You're going to get that lefty spin.

Same thing for right field with a ready spend. So I kind of treat them both the same wherever I'm at. Zach DeZenzo with us here on Sports Talk 790. What has it been like for you as far as mentally and going to the ballpark in conversations either with Joe Spotter or others? when you're going to play, what time they look for pockets are you getting the lineup a couple of days in a row. What is that like for you kind of mentally to go through?

Yeah, well, it was definitely different, you know, to start the year, not being in the lineup, getting, you know, start every, you know, once a week or so. Definitely different. You know, I'm used to coming up and do the Meyer League, league, being that every day, middle of the order guy, you know? So it was different. But Joe, like I've said before, Joe is a great communicator. He's a great leader.

And he's made it very well known to me up front early on this season. What's the expectation was for me? You know, for me, that is he's going to try to get me in a lineup as much as he can. And if I'm producing it, I'm playing well, then we're going to keep rolling. And he's going to keep sticking me out there. Last question for you, Zach. Look, the offense has had its ups and downs, clearly. and you're still winning baseball games,

but the defense has been absolutely fantastic. And look, you've certainly shown yourself with your versatility. That's kind of good pressure it feels like because when the bats aren't doing their best, to be able to have the outfield and the guys in the infield, two plays last night at the end of the game

were really special, the way the plays were made by Paredes and by Altova. It kind of puts a little bit of, you know what, I can handle whatever response was given to me. And if I needed to make a play like that, to just have a ball game. I can do that as well.

Yeah, man, it's great. Our defense, like you said, it's been awesome. We have a lot of versatility on our roster, and I think that helps us in a lot of different ways. I pride myself on that, just being versatile playing multiple positions, and having Joe be able to stick me in a lineup, you know, wherever need be is super important. I think the addition of Coach Tony Perez Chica this year has been awesome. He's great working with our infielers. He does a really good job. And as well as Jason Bellamy, I've got to get credit to him.

He's been working with our outfielder, working with me a lot, and putting us in great spots and positions to make plays and do a good job defensively. All right, so Texas plays Ohio State and football this year, right? Is it open up the year? Is that correct? That's correct. Who do you got in that game? Yeah, who do you have in that game, Zach?

I'm just curious. I think I got the Buckeyes in that game, man. I think I got the buck guys. Do you know C.J. Straub much at all? None? Zero. I don't know him on a personal level. We were both there on campus at the same time. Cross past maybe once or twice, but I love the chance to maybe, you know, get to know him a little bit better and sit down and meet him sometimes. Why don't you do like a ticket trade? Because I'm sure his seats for Texans are pretty good. And yours are the Astros. It can't be that half bad, right?

That's right. Yeah, maybe we can set that up sometime. All right. Hey, Zach, thank you. you so much for coming on the show. Try to stay cool. It's impossible where you are right now, but... Hydrated. Say hydrated. That's for sure. Thanks for the visit. We really appreciate it. All right, guys. Thank you for all you.

You got a Zach Descenzel with us here on the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Nice to have Zach with us.