Archives for September 2019

9.28.19

This winter, Rigo Beltran will be at the helm of the Algodoneros de Guasave, an expansion team for the Mexican Pacific League. Beltran has been the pitching coach for the Columbus Clippers, the AAA affiliate for the Cleveland Indians, for the past 6 years. In total he has coached for 13 years, after a 16 year playing career that spanned the globe. Beltran’s playing experience has allowed him to connect with his players on another level, helping them understand what it takes to make it through the long grind of a season. Beltran makes it an emphasis to treat each player on an individual basis, and help bring the best out of them. He hopes to continue that practice as the acting manager for the new expansion team this winter. 

1. Can you tell me a little bit about your baseball background? 

RB: I went to high school and junior college in San Diego, and transferred to the University of Wyoming after two years. After two years there, I was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. I had a 16 year career, 5 years in the big leagues, 12 years of winter ball, and a year with Japan. I coached in the Reds organization for 7 years, and the past 6 years with the Indians. 

AD: So you’ve pretty much played all over the globe then?

RB: Yeah, I’ve moved around a lot. A part of the 16 years, I had a few injuries that I overcame, so I can definitely relate to players in that regard. I can understand where people are coming from when they’ve been hurt, because I’ve been through it. Been there and done that. 

What was it like going from a player to a coach?

RB: You know, I didn’t think it would be as difficult as it was. I thought it would be an easy and seamless transition, but the biggest change was the mindset. As a player you’re only really responsible for yourself, preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally. As a coach, its more challenging because you are accountable for that for the whole team. You’re responsible for managing lots of different types of people. As a pitching coach, it was managing 13 different guys and two, three catchers with different levels of talent, drive and maturity. It was a big change to learn how to address different things with different people. 

AD: Did you notice any differences playing in the different countries you’ve been able to play or coach? 

RB: No, there are definitely differences wherever you go to play. Obviously in Japan, they are very technically sound. Maybe not as much power, home runs, or velocity, but they excel at being fundamentally sound. In the states, it’s very much power and velocity different. In Mexico, it’s a bit of a blend of both of those styles. 

AD: So what attracted you to manage a team in the Winter League?

RB: Thats a good question. Obviously I want to move up the chain in terms of coaching, and I felt like I got to the highest point in the minor leagues being a pitching coach at the AAA level. I’ve always wanted to manage, I feel like I have been managing for a few years because of my role as a pitching coach already. As a pitching coach you’re managing the game with the manager, looking ahead at matchups and who would excel in certain situations. I’m just glad I got the opportunity to get it done here. On the other end of it, my dad was my manager for my teams growing up. Unfortunately he passed away earlier this year, and I just think it would be a cool coincidence to do it now. 

AD: I’m sorry to hear that, but it does sound like a great way to honor him and follow in his footsteps. 

RB: Thank you.

AD: So earlier you talked a little bit about managing different types of people on a team and a pitching staff. How do you think you assist players in terms of their development? 

RB: I think it goes down to an individual basis, and understanding where each individual stands. I like to sit down with the player and have them drive the process. At the AAA level we have a wide mix of guys, 16-17 year olds along with veterans, and its important to help each of them understand their role. I want each player to tell me their goals, and what they want to do so we can come up with a plan. 

AD: I feel like that’s a good system to establish accountability. 

RB: Exactly, they’re the driving force, the race car driver on the course. I’m here to provide the resources to help them succeed. 

AD: So what are your expectations?

RB: I think the biggest expectation is to make sure we get the most out of the talent that we have. I think the way you do that is establishing standards, and finding a way to keep players motivated. I know a lot of these guys play year round, and its easy to go through the motions. I played year round so I definitely understand that. But I want to make sure these guys are ready to give 110% every time they go out there.

9.22.19

This weekend, the St. Louis Cardinals punched their ticket into the playoffs by sweeping a three game series in Chicago at Wrigley Field. In one of the most difficult environments to win an important series, let alone a sweep, the Cardinals overcame much adversity to secure their spot in the postseason.

The weekend provided many highlights and close games. On Thursday, Matt Carpenter came through with a clutch home run in the 10th inning to put the Cardinals ahead in a 5-4 game.

On Friday, veteran backstop Yadier Molina came up clutch with a 2 RBI single in the 6th inning to help the Cardinals scratch off a 2-1 victory.

On Saturday, Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel was brought in with a 8-7 lead in the 9th. However, Kimbrel gave up back to back home runs on two consecutive pitches to surrender the lead. It was Molina again, and Paul DeJong who helped lead the Cardinals past the Cubs in that game.

While the Cardinals have clinched, the Cubs still remain on the outside looking in. They sit 4 games behind Milwaukee for the second wild card spot, and barring any drastic changes, may be sitting out this year’s postseason.

9.22.19

The New York Yankees just clinched the American League East Division for the first time since 2012 this past week, and are one of the favorites to play into early November. Amidst a team that powered through various injuries, the Yankees depth has proved to be their strong suit as various rookies and veterans alike have stepped up to maintain their place atop the standings. Veteran left-hander C.C Sabathia stepped up big to fill various gaps in the Yankees rotation this year. With ace Luis Severino just returning to the rotation, and James Paxton missing time earlier in the year, the Yankees had to turn to the 19 year veteran to eat innings and remain competitive.

Sabathia has posted a 4.99 ERA in 2019, going 5-8 over 22 games. The Yankees envision him as a crucial bullpen piece come the ALDS and the rest of the playoff picture. However, on Sunday, Sabathia’s career was celebrated prior to the Yankees game against the Blue Jays. He spent the past 10 years in the Yankee pinstripes, along with time spent with the Indians and Brewers.

C.C has a career 3.74 ERA and has racked up 251 Wins and 161 losses with over 3000 strikeouts. He was a crucial part of the Yankees most recent World Series run, and hopes to be a contributor to their 2019 campaign.

 

9.16.19

Amidst this year’s power showcase across the entire league, the top of the home run leader boards has been a fairly consistent battle between the likes of Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich, Pete Alonso and Mike Trout. Also among that group is Cincinnati Reds slugger, Eugenio Suarez. The Reds 28 year old third baseman has been on a hot stretch recently that has put him in the race for the home run lead. This past weekend in Arizona, he hit his 46th and 47th home runs, tying him for the lead with Mets rookie Pete Alonso.

Suarez is coming off a 2018 campaign where he hit 28 homers and 104 RBIs over 606 plate appearances. With still 2 weeks left in the 2019 season, he has hit his 47 home runs, with 100 RBIs over 611 plate appearances. These numbers are proving the Reds front office made a great decision signing him to a seven year, $66 million contract this past off season.

With that contract extension, the Reds are betting on their third baseman of the future, in hopes that he will continue to be one of the leading power hitters in the game for years to come.

9.11.19

For the past few years, it has seemed that the number of home runs players are hitting have been increasing fairly rapidly. That statement has been proven true yet again, as MLB collectively has surpassed the previous record for the number of home runs hit in a season. Jonathan Villar of the Baltimore Orioles hit a 3 run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers this past Tuesday, bringing the 2019 total of home runs hit to 6,806, with a few more weeks to spare in the regular season.

To put the number of 6,806 into perspective, 6,105 home runs were hit in 2017, just two years ago. In 2014, just over 4,000 home runs were hit.

There are many hypothesis to the surge in home run numbers. While some have discussed the reasoning behind it to be attributed to hitters having a fly-ball/launch angle approach, other factors such as the actual physical properties of the baseball are also valid. There have been studies conducted that have investigated the height of the seams of the baseball, which have seemed to be lowered. The lowering of the seams reduces the drag (physical resistance) the baseball experiences while traveling through the air.

While some say that the spike in home runs is bad for the game, it is a reasonable answer to draw more attention to the sport that is constantly trying to find ways to keep viewership up. It will be interesting to see how the home run totals continue to rise, or if the pendulum will swing back the other way.

9.12.19

It was expected before the season that the back to back World Series runner ups would once again be in contention to play in and perhaps win the Fall Classic. Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to punch their ticket into the playoffs after a 7-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

The Dodgers held the division lead for the majority of the season, and have not looked back. Their roster boasts tremendous depth in all phases of the game. Their pitching staff anchored by veterans Clayton Kershaw, Hyun Jin Ryu, and Rich Hill, and young phenoms in Walker Buehler and Dustin May. Their every day lineup also features depth that sets them up for success against right and left handed pitching. Power bats of Justin Turner, Joc Pederson, Max Muncy, along with young stars such as Alex Verdugo and Will Smith put up tremendous offensive numbers.

The Dodgers hope that once the playoffs come around, closer Kenley Jansen will square away his struggles and return to elite shut down form. Jansen’s ERA of 3.79 is the highest its ever been in his MLB career. Additionally, he has blown an alarming 7 saves this season.

The Dodgers are still playing meaningful games into September. Home field advantage is still at stake, and it will be interesting to see how the playoff brackets shake out.