EP 4 Luzardo Gets His Extension

Hey guys, welcome to Brawl Street to Britain, a UK Philly show with me

Dave's show and joined by my two carhose Richard Skinner and Morgan Bruce as well

We are just over two weeks away from opening day

String train, String training will finish in just under two weeks

Oh, and I'm starting to get excited really excited now world baseball classic is over for us for GB

However, my full attention is now well actually one on this incredible

USA Italy, Mexico scenario. What's going on there?

I know it's like a sea is hanging on this game. It is come on Aaron whatever whatever

It's it's crazy. Well, like I'm saying come on Nola because I want to see Nola pitch an absolute gem

Just for the hilarity of the US being knocked out and Italy going through which it by the way is a great story in itself

But I'm not sure how good it would be for the world baseball classic if the US got knocked out this early on

It's it's an interesting one and the rest of the US. I hope in it. I don't know it's gonna have an absolute stinker tonight

And I know you get through with Mexico, but or Italy. I don't know there's so many scenarios, but

Let's bring in Richard and Morgan Richard. How are you my friend? I'm good. I keep getting blended by my light on my screen going on and off

But yeah, not into bads

Yeah, I mean flyers are probably back down to earth

But you know, I was always gonna happen

The wheels are off day

No, I don't know I was ever realistic

There might be some firetucket chance tonight. So I'm gonna tune in to see if I can hear them because I'm fully on board

So over that

You recovered from the weekend. I know we both were had our eyes on the F1 at 4 a.m. This month

Well, I didn't I didn't get up to watch that

I'll be on this it's 7 a.m. This weekend up there. That's much more achievable

So yeah, yeah, I'll be up to spring the sprints at 3 to 3 to 3 to 4 a.m. Qualifies at 6

Yeah, race at 7 Sunday. I've just about recovered. I watched the first

5 innings of the

GB USA game that went to about 3 a.m. Kyle hit that home run

Yeah, TV went off just just you know, there's the shake of ahead of okay. We're done. Nice one Kyle

Nice one. We're out and then I woke about an hour later for the F1 didn't really taking what was going on because I was so tired

So I had a nap and every watch to rewind it was good. Good fun. It's good to have it back

But of course now GB are out and it's it's all all eyes all eyes on the

Opening day was over two weeks and first time we've talked since our

Huge fantasy fantasy baseball draft the UK Philly's fantasy baseball draft happy with your team Richard the top picks

Yeah, very very happy. I

When I think it's a little tragedy to Morgan. I kind of ignored pitches largely. I went Zach Wheeler

I think 7th or 8th round because I just saw in there and

The upside-back in coming back as an elite pitches to good but I've been that I kind of ignored pictures right to the end

Yeah, very happy with my team. Obviously I didn't have the topic. I think I picked the last year and got Bobby with

We're just talking before I don't think I would have gone Bobby with three again this year

Just because we've moved to categories, but

Yeah, I'm happy with my team. I think it looks strong. I know Morgan's Morgan's been hanging up about half my team

I've been getting notifications of my phone and start like everybody else

Morgan is interested this player Morgan is interested in this player actually. We've not even started yet, Morgan

Morgan the reigning champion by the way Morgan how are you mate? I'm very good

I mean be better if my camera decide to work, but instead you get a pretty photo of Alec bomb

Yeah, if you're watching if you're watching on YouTube

Morgan's camera's not working. However, there is a rather beautiful picture of Alec's bone Alec bone smiling and

glistening shining every time Morgan says anything so we're gonna have Morgan talking plenty in this show and

Just to show off that effect

But yeah, you are the reigning UK for these fancy baseball champion. I went I went different. I went I went I picked five

Out of a league of 12 so I went pictures. I went skiing's

Missed out and scuba and then I went Sanchez then I got myself

Duran some elite closes. I I stacked a bullpen and rotation with some good pitch in

The outfield is well the batter's a

Okay, they're okay. They're okay. Yeah, it's a ball strategy. Can't we'll see if it pays off

It's not go. I missed out the playoffs last year and it's yeah, I decided to do something different. Who knows? Oh knows

Morgan I was a look of end days met. Yeah, it's a lot of work. That's why Morgan will ask it

Yeah, basically, I was 11 11 11. I was out of 500 record and won the playoffs. So

Yeah, you've done a match you've gone it didn't work last year

I've missed the playoffs

Rewinding the regular season. Let's blow it up and get rid blow it all up and get rid of Diaz and Alonzo

So yeah, you are the met of the UK Phillies fancy baseball league

Wow

Wow, what if what if I took I took cases Lado in the fifth round and he's then just signed this massive deal that I think we have to talk about

We will talk we we have plenty of the Zardo talk. We've got plenty plenty coming up

I would have started to show by saying first of all to everyone who's been listening and downloading subscribe and thank you very much because

We are at the moment the top British baseball podcast. Yes

Sound effects keep for that day

Where's the horns going off there was it was me going woo

It's spring training. It's it's preseason

If we're still top midseason now we're gonna start ramping it up

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They're forgetting the fillies. I don't want to talk about where well baseball classic team GB

Beat Brazil eight warm

One of three record. We've all too much equal to five for the 2029 while baseball classic

We pushed Mexico through eight innings. We had them close

That was the best game for me like starting its Mexico. I was gripped

I was all in in that game until we fell apart in the eighth book down. We nearly pulled off a shot

We led you a say through five

What so we nearly we didn't really have them but it was it was fun

We we did we'd the first picture the game as well

It's like screw like screwing a go in the first 10 seconds and then just defending for the until about half time

Then it went wrong and it was a disaster, but you're a good side as we now can see I

Enjoyed it overall. I did enjoy the British guy the USA. I turned off Italy. I watched two innings and I could see where this was going

Well, I know it's it's a lot of debate on on social media about this this British side

There's there's no actual British players in there

You know that they've had to real dig deep and scrape the barrel with players with some sort of

Colony heritage

What you know might might take on it is to build debate the sport in the baseball the sport in this country

You've you've got to start somewhere. We are starting from scratch

You've you've got to have players like just Chism Harry Ford

Being sort of idols for for players who want to come through and and play the game and

Yes granted there was it was some British born players

I think the the Bex were Welsh. Did I did I see or what took a couple of players are Welsh born in Wales?

Welsh

Sister was where was born in Wales

Well, that goes that

Yeah, we'll claim it. That's it. He's ours

But you know it was good fun. I'd like to see his guys as trailblazers and paving the way for the the future of

Deplayers in this country and the the UK is set up especially at the younger level as come on leaps and bounds

You know the new facilities in London

You've got little batting cages popping up left right and centre

The the youth team are very very good, you know

We've actually built youth teams and sent them up to European championships where they are getting into the final stages and knockout stages of that

The other 23s had a fantastic campaign. They got to the semi-finals

So there is there is it's getting there and the hope is you know, obviously we want ring cones in there

He has got strong British connection and background. He was indigent, fortunately like the last one

But we're getting there and I think in a matter of time we we will the dream is is

To have a British born player coming from the British League the checks have done it the Italians have done it the Australians have done it

There's no reason why we can't the fact that we've already got this far without any British players is a great sign

It's a great start did I would love to see a British born player in there. Hopefully it will happen soon

But what were your guys Richard? What was your what was your feelings on it?

I'll be honest. I've watched any of it open the highlights

I'm just not I'm not in baseball mode. Yeah, it's hard. I know it's I know this is

Relatively competitive baseball. I mean like certainly when we're getting now into like the knockout phase when you know

It's the sort of good teams left. I'm kind of more invested like you know in the in the group stage

You're just never going to see like maybe like you know in Italy being a USA. Oh

Oh

That was a mate that was something that that whole thing was just like the Rosso

What are you doing? He thought they're already qualified the players are out on the piss celebrate in

The Italy game. They were most of them are hung over. He dropped most of the stars. He didn't take it seriously and Italy

Well beaten Italy beaten you know that Italy are going to go for when they beat Mexico tonight. They're going to go through

You know for and it for zero for nothing

100% and Aaron

No, there goes to close tonight with a chance to knock out the USA like

What what it's incredible if he pitches a gem if he can go seven and allowing zero runs it USA are in big trouble

I think Mexico have to score more than four runs and

And the US and the USA is safe Mexico score less than four runs. The USA are out

I can't believe wearing this situation the USA they were built with with a bit of two weeks ago this USA team is stacked

They were meant to be taking it serious and now Aaron Nolla has the chance

To knock him out

Morgan what would have you been making of the well-based will classic so far?

From a gb perspective slightly disappointed. I know obviously we push Mexico on the ball out of the game

Italy we didn't perform in America whatever we lost to them

But even when we beat Brazil it didn't feel like there was what it felt like they lost themselves rather than we beat them

It never felt like we turned up jazz

Said we're gonna shock the world and then jazz didn't really do it. Yeah, yeah

Rich looks a bit stupid and I just don't think the BBC or British media latched on to it properly

I know there's been a few articles about the Beck brothers and their Welsh connection

But if you go on BBC sport website on their baseball and softball page

They did one piece about

Why the WBC means so much to America and then the last article about baseball was in November of last year

They've not mentioned the UK at all like I want this sport to grow and obviously the youth teams doing well as you said in the European championship

But when the main British media don't mention the fact that we've qualified for a second year running

Which is a big thing. I just feel like there seems to be a bit of this weird legacy of

We've got one British player in Mac perniac saying sent loose cardinals. Yeah

You've got a few players with some colonial links like jazz and in Louis, Jr

Who hit the tying her mind against Brazil and then you've got players like Beck whose mother is Welsh but when

There's just doesn't seem to be this much of a link. You've got players who youth players might not be able to think they can get in there when they're

competing against players that play for the New York Yankees

It feels like there's a bit of a disconnect between what's actually happening in this country and what we're trying to achieve and then where

Great Britain team is on the big stage. So slightly disappointed overall

I'm happy that we've qualified for the next one and I'm hoping in the next three years

We can make some proper steps into improving the sport in this country great point great point

Did the meat that you're right about the media as well?

There has been less coverage

Even though it was on TNT sports, but there has overall been less coverage than that the first time round

It I suppose last time we were the complete on dogs first time there again. We push Mexico

We push the USA, but we were making headlines for the wrong reasons like our uniforms are falling apart the letters are falling off

We'll be coming up in a laughing joke, but however it got its media publicity

Whereas this has been it's been really quiet. You're right and it has been a shame the BBC again

Only seem to to paint an interest when it gets to postseason or the London series rolls around

It's a shame because they seem to cover every obscure sport

Except baseball, you know you read BBC website, you know it did it sports have never heard of but yet when it comes to baseball

There's there there's there's nothing which is a real shame and this is a real opportunity to it's a shame

We didn't play Brazil first and win that and then maybe it would have gained a little bit of momentum that we would have had something to play for for the final few game final free games

But yeah, no I get it

One of the things that has been fun as being obviously team Italy

But our very own Dante Norie who is himself has really really sort of shone in his tournament and started to get a bit of spotlight on him

Dante Norie who's a first draft round picked the fills in 2014 outfielder

Which is hello

He'll like you start in double-a this year. He's had four RBI's two home runs

He's got an OPS of 1.7 free eight an average of 500

He's having an absolutely brilliant one of the players of the tournament

Do dare I say

Morgan, I think we've got to make Dante Norie one of the fittest players to watch this year

Yeah, we do I know

Jack Fritz

Spoken quite a lot about him said his swing looks like Cody Belinger and if we get something close to Cody Belinger from Dante Norie

I'd be very excited

He's a weird one to me because last year he was in a single A and had an OPS of 743 which is pretty good

Got promoted to high a OPS of 722 again, pretty good

He then got promoted to double a for five games and

His OPS was 513 which is a very small sample size

He had four hits in five games which isn't bad overall. He had a triple in there

So I don't really know what to expect is WBC's been excellent. I'm hoping he can build on it

He should start in double as he said. Yeah, it's spring training stats while he was in Philly's camp aren't great

He had a 455 OPS in seven games getting to save himself for really, you know

It's beloved. It's beloved Italy. So I'm very very curious to see how Norie does obviously

Yeah, first round pick in 2024

We've had first round picks of see paints was first round. I think Miller was first round

We've had some I think Crawford was first round as well

So if those three all graduate to the major league this year and then Norie's the 24 version who's in double a

We could have in 2027 four guys who've all been drafted in the first round developed in

Infield Elfier or in the minor league system with the

Like Jersey Shore blue claws and and everything like that

But then made it to the major leagues. I know people worried about oh, we're gonna be like the 2012 to

2022 drought when I'll see you became a Philly's fan in New source mr. playoffs for 10 years

But I think we're getting there with developing actually talented players that can graduate because we've seen

some other teams like last year in Milwaukee had

What three players just come up and make them the best team in Milwaukee were one of them

Yeah, a few teams have yeah, and like the Red Sox had Roman Anthony come up and be brilliant

And everyone's like oh the Philly son of do that. What if this is it?

I know people complain about the front office from what they've done

But is this the turning point is Dave Donbrowski being able to put together a

Developmental system in the minor leagues that well, he's not bad

He's gambled on it because there's been opportunities where we could have even traded away Miller last last year

Was it quan that we we could have got for it in a trade with Adam Miller, you know

He is sticking to his guns. He really believes that Miller painter Crawford these and even Kemp

These boys are going to come through and are going and even Eskibar and Della

Some of the pictures as well

We could trade them away and and good ourselves some some big names, but

Donbrowski

Mattingly have a stuck firm and I've gone. No, we believe in these boys and

Potentially it could be it this comes through you're right. This this is a it is a very exciting window

We're now we're now facing ourselves into all along with

There's a no signing us new contract Sanchez signing this going to hopefully will be 2030 as well

Yeah, you know what I'm quite I am quite excited. I'm not sure what to expect this season now compared to the future of these boys

To next season get give these youngsters a full season

Let's see what Dante Norrie can do this year in the minus and then he could be an option next year in the outfield as well

It's quite I'm getting quite excited for the future of the Phil's team with these youngsters coming through and not only

Looking to break into the majors, but also being big impacts

You know Keaton Anthony. I know he's just been injured, but also his back if they can if he can carry that into the into the big leagues

That would be huge as well

The future the future is good, you know, I think the future looks really really bright

I think I think you're spot on mate and it's keeping out for Dante Norrie because he he's been exciting

It's 21. He's he's completely torn the tournament apart so far

It's just quickly on the World Baseball Classic. Where are we tonight with Italy Mexico?

Do we want a no la master class in the USA out? Would it be good for the World Baseball Classic?

I'm on the fence. I would love to see it for the story of Italy getting through

No, no, no of all players

Dante Norrie continuing with team Italy for him. It'd be great, but also USA going out would be

Not great for the tournament Richard. Where are you on it? I just agree. I think you're going out would be great for the tournament

I mean in terms of the US ban, but like the US would just turn off and then having the US turning off in that tournament

Wouldn't be good for the tournament overall do you think? Oh, I completely disagree

I think if you you know you get teams you know, I expect them to be there and try and grow it in those countries and and show teams that actually

If you take the seriously have a chance because you know, you have a small team you might go

We'll just play the USA in Japan on the leaves, you know, I think maybe not for this specific tournament

I think growing forward if you show look you can come and compete

I mean look at that check picture the other day who'd like full-time electrician

Yeah, love that. You know, it gets a standing evasion because he and he struck out it's only like show them that they can compete

I think yeah, it might the Americans might turn it off, but I think for the the longevity of the tournament

I think it's I think it'd be fantastic

Sorry, American's listing, but

And I go there and to audience

But no, I love that

Yeah, yeah, we were the top British baseball podcast

Um, I

I don't know. I'm split. I think there is a very good point of obviously we see what's happened in like Latin America and how the Dominican players have got so into it

You see the reaction when Tatis hit that grand slam against Israel and the junior Caminero home run Vlad

Vlad's home run you seeing how much energy

Other countries are bringing to this tournament. It might be quite good if America aren't in it

And the American players are taking it not as seriously. You can kind of tell with that demeanor. Well, you can yeah

If the roast is not taking it seriously, then yeah, okay, they thought they qualified to be fair to them

How is the team gone? Yo, why are we getting out here? You're getting drunk and

Did no reporter tell them they hadn't qualified like I find it but I just find it bizarre

I think if you're getting more energy from the other countries, then it might get other eyes on it and say actually

This is a load of fun. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if America are not we're gonna go

We're gonna compete and we can be the best team in baseball and I think Japan has a lot of credit on them now because

Yeah, it might come over this year. Okamoto's come over this year

Obviously show show to show to Rimanaga's another one

Shohei Otani says a zoo key mass attack you should like there's so many Japanese players in the US now

Which can beat Japan. That's almost as good as beating America. Sorry Americans that are listening

Yeah

I think even the British guys showed a lot of spirit as well. They were fun to watch

They seem to be really having a good time and like you said like vener's wailer Dominican Republic those those guys having a great time

Great and Japan, you know and even the Czechs the Italians with the old espresso

Expressway machine and in the dugout for the celebrations. I love it. I love it

I the game starts just over an hour actually in fact probably when you're all listening tomorrow will know the outcome of

Fact this conversation is a bit redundant by the time people got this is tomorrow

I'm very sick up for that for a while and watch that. I'm looking forward to it

But yeah world-based with classic

I think there's gonna be some interesting store lines to come but Dante Nori for me has been doing been fantastic

Um, right. Let's get on to their fillies

Lizzardo five-year contract brilliant. We were just saying a couple of weeks ago how we could do with really nailing down

Lizzardo as quick as possible with the bargaining agreement

Oh

We're

The bargaining with the bargaining agreement coming up with a possible salary cap and a and a floor coming in

Lizzardo would have been

Would have been we wanted you know free agency at under 30 who'd been a very very appealing

Player for a lot of teams. So we have secured a great deal great deal for us

155 million great deal for him great deal for both parties

I think we've paid five million more than what range of spurs would have been

But Lizzardo froze harder. I think he's got more potential

Uh, I I love this deal and now we're going from he doesn't have a dodgy back

He doesn't have a dodgy back, but he does have injury

Tommy John previous

Which pay which pitch it doesn't like it

You know exactly

And any long-term contract with with players comes of its risks obviously

Um, this this is exciting

We're going from a Wheeler no-loud punch out one two to now Suarez as a Sanchez

Suarez still man Sanchez

Lizzardo and even possibly possibly painter as well of one two three

With noona as well. We're all going into that with till 2030 and and Wheeler

That is more or more talk that he could he could stay on past

You know, yeah, I know he's meant to be retiring in the year, but yeah, I don't know people more and more people seems to be getting to him of

Hey, do you would you?

After 2027

Yeah, well, it depends up. It was a locker. I think he's always

To lock out and what happens with that, but

It's a really

You know with the youngsters coming through hitting wise with with Miller Crawford

Kim, you know Keenan who knows, you know Dante Norrie maybe maybe but we've got exciting youngsters coming through

We've now got a fantastic pitching core. We've got a good ball pen

This I again, I don't know how it's going to be this year, but going forward

I don't think like it's Morgan's already said. It's going to be the disastrous years

Of of the 10-year drought for sure. I think we are now in a much more stable position and looking to we've got a good core. We've got we've got a really good core

um

What was that? What was it?

Richard what your thoughts

Building it beautifully to a tweet and I can't find it

um

Here it is here it is

So Luzardo stats last year which John Foley tweeted out the other day

I guess from last week. Oh John

Taking away that disaster set a game he had against the brewers on May the 31st and then that back-to-back June the 5th to it last

Those two outings were disastrous for him. Take that away. He was 15 and 5

178 innings pitched

303 ERA

1.11 whip

52 walks 210 strikeouts and that is a player who's just come back off of Tommy John's surgery and playing his first full season since injury

If he if he continues to get better and improve on that there is no reason why we couldn't have two

sci-on

potential

nominating pictures

Sanchez and Luzardo there there's no reason why we can't have two absolute studs at the top of this rotation

Yeah, yeah

Yeah, very very very exciting. I don't think well don't think we could add to that we just knock it down from from that

I

Yeah, anything you could say could now. Yeah, really could only bring it down

There was also a great tweet about Caleb Coffin from Paul

Hembers Gidez. I keep always say that name wrong. The finish-hide Caleb Coffin as their Caleb Coffin as their pitching coach in November 2020

starting picture F-Wars since 2021

Pit Phillies in top

8189.1 miles ahead of anybody else second is a dodgers at 75.2

The gap between one and two is the same as two to 15

Caleb Coffin

What which pictures of the rank for the dodgers of the rank for the either five they've got now on the 20 that they're going to bet in three by the

Obviously

Good point. It's a good point

It highlights how in what a difference one Caleb Coffin has made and two

The pictures to come through. You know, we're gonna have painter, you know, if if he can stay

Healthy again, he's now going to into his first full season from Tommy John as his other was last year

There are concerns. I'm hearing I'm hearing that

The dynamics of his pictures. I don't know. It's very technical. Some people is I'm seeing ants

are saying painter isn't where he needs to be where we need him to be

I don't know. It's kind of ruining the vibe and the

The vibe I have for for painter. It's bringing me down. I don't want it to let it but more people are saying

I don't know painters not if lost he's not quite as fastballs not where it should be

It's spring training like oh

Why are we taking this so it's it's spring. It's why we think it's so seriously like when we're looking at the year

Oh

So because I drafted him

With which probably means he's going to be the next opposite

But uh and Andrew as it's like this Bryce Harper

You know people worried that he was dropped in the last US game. He's not having a great spring

But he looks slightly behind the fastball, but

Are we expecting Bryson and always players to be to be playing out the skin? He will he will ever has a good spring

That was the same for him. I'm like, yeah, the traits. Oh, he's not having a good spring. I have a good spring

I like I like bone is having a good spring

Bryson's not having a really good

Bryson's not having a good time. Okay, but you mean

When I ever try and say I've not gone back maybe we should go back and look at last year's spring training stats and see

You know who did what and then see actually how good they were

Exactly. I don't know why some of the media are really building us up more than it maybe maybe next week

Well, we can look at um, we can have a look at you know comparison spring training stats and see to directly

I don't believe it's got yet. I don't believe it

I like he didn't want you don't want these players going all out and spring and risking it like Bryson will be fine

Bryson will be fine. I think Peyton will be fine to be honest

Um, I don't like this note. Why are we trying to pick holes in this in spring training where it just means nothing to play it on

The players are playing with in themselves right now. They're just getting ramped up

Um, it means nothing gave if it means anything last spring max Kepler hit

375 with an OPS 1.175 max Kepler was then terrible when it actually mattered

So if you want to play narrative ball a good spring can mean very little

Okay, that's just ruined my whole next segment Alex Boen Bryson start not to chem but yeah

Yeah, yeah, Alex Boen also had a 370 average in spring so

Ah, well, I'm sorry about that

But if we don't want to get too worried about trade turn of Brys Harper and the lot

Yeah, max Kepler had a really good to bring them was terrible and uh

Yeah, this if this is correct tree turner betted one seven nine last spring and then he won the national league by

entail so I don't care about

Batting one seven nine this brings so far

A good omen very good omen um

The one encouraging thing for Bryson's start

Is

No, no

Bryson stop

No, no no no no no

If Tomson came out and said he had he had a number elbow injury for last two years now

um in both elbows

his batting stance a lot better, his swings a lot better, his hands are more steady on the bat, he is

hitting a cool in 15-up bats average of 5-3-3-2, home runs 4-RBI's a whopping big OPS.

As we know, this stats me nothing but from the I, Bryson's dot has made some adjustments,

it is promising he is looking better. Boom as well, I know, I know it's just spring and Morgan's

poo-poodle over it, but...

I know.

No, it's the B of your spring, if they do well, it means they're playing really well and if they do

badly, it's just spring, so you can...

I have to have Stott and Bone producing, especially Stott, it can really come out of his injuries

and now the hype, if we can get him back to averaging around 272-8, it'll be fantastic.

Coming in clutch, putting him back up the batting order with his golden glove defense,

that question. Yeah, question for you both. If he does, let's say he does back to A,

does he lead off against Ryze?

I don't think Topper changes that top three of Schwab.

Yeah, but let's say everything works out, like John said last week and start his that level.

Do you think happens?

You can't, it's not hot, you can't not, for me, you can't not.

Oh, well, right. I like the world.

Get that in a t-shirt.

It's so good, I've forgotten it.

It just came out in that period where he's playing one-off games, because it might be done,

because we saw Bryce Harp who lead off, we saw Harrison Bader lead off last year in one-off

games, saying on period or he's saying, as a general rule against Ryze?

Possibly, because I know Topper said he wants top three, all in first inning, but imagine how

long you could stretch an order if you could have Justin Crawford or Bryce and start, or possibly

both, like going 8-9-1-2-3 with the speed in the contact.

I think I'm just saying that, because I know the stats say otherwise, and like everything's

moved away from it, but I still like speedy guys, leading off.

Yeah, what I agree, but two, you'd be flip-flopping them all the time, and players like stability

and know where they are on the line-up day in, day out.

I don't get where I look, I look straight to, and I'm leaving off, everyone knows.

I'm picking with straight to, and if I am, I'm not asking for it to happen, I was just more

opposing. It is, and let his splits improve against lefty's and righty's, and he's consistent

against both. I think he's got absolute, every short, leading off again, but I think with his splits

too sporadic, and players not liking changing the line-ups all the time, they like to know where

they are, where they're back, and they like the consistency. I don't see Topper making the move,

but- Yeah, and you sacrifice at Bats for Braves ball cars when you were building it?

He's one of the best players, having as many at Bats. However, it would be great if Stock could

force the question, because it means he's having a great season. It was great to see Jay-Z

home last night. His first one was spring. The last bench spot is getting really interesting.

Keaton-Anne is completely out of that now with a broken toe, but it seems to be between Dylan

Moore and Della Cruz. Della Cruz is having a great spring. Again, the stats mean

not, but 23 at Bats, averaging 304, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and 863 OPS. However, for what I'm hearing,

it's likely to go Dylan Moore. He's not having as good spring, but he does give you much better

versatility and better defense as well. However, Della Cruz would be a good story, a really good

story from where he's come from, but if he keeps raking in Triple A and do well in Triple A,

I'm pretty sure Della Cruz could be knocking on the door for a bench spot.

Keaton-Anne, well done Morgan, great jinks, playing a watch, hasn't got a hit in spring,

but we know what he's capable of, and they were trying to make it work in left field.

I'm pretty sure. I think he's out for spring now, but when he goes to

into the minors, I'm pretty sure. I don't see why not. Let's keep putting him in left field,

because first place is blocked. Les Harper has an absolute horror season, and they move from

the D8 just like that, but Anthony, let's try him. Let's try him at left field. Let's keep playing

him there. Aidan Miller, there's a worry. Again, people seem to be pretty worried. He's gone

back to Philly. He's gone to see the doctor. Another back injury, I don't know, I just hope this is,

I hope this is just early, early concerns, and nothing more than that, and he sorts it out.

They've got to be careful with him. I think that we just appointed, as we all are, that we haven't

seen Aidan Miller swing a bat in spring, but I just hope this is just taking it very easy with him.

Rincones has also been optioned. He's gone to AAA. No games for him in spring. Les R is injured,

injured is oblique. He's due back in training. I think at the end of the week, so he may get some

games, but Morgan, that last bench spot, who do you give us to? Dillon Moore or Dillon Cruz?

I think I'm leaning towards Dillon Moore, because he did win a gold glove in 2024 for his,

I think he was the utility gold glove. He was. He was.

I think that's where I'm leaning, when you've got Marshan, who's probably going to take that bench

spot as backup catcher, who's offense first. You've got Kemp, who, yes, can play multiple positions,

but he's not known for his defense. He's known for his back. He's going to be him or Brandon

Marsh on the bench, depending on the platoon split. At Mendo Sosa's known for his defense,

I think you want another defense first guy in Dillon Moore. I think that's who's going to get it.

Especially when you've got team that's kind of leaning towards speed with start and

Crawford and Turner and contact and not chasing. I know, with rates and stuff, I've been down

in previous years. So I think casting on this should, yeah, exactly a lot. And

Adolis Garcia has not struck out in spring training this year. He's not hitting power, but

Adolis Garcia has not struck out. Oh, yeah, so it's just a spring now, leaning towards.

Hey, David Miller hasn't struck out in spring. Exactly. Those were kind of, I haven't struck out

in spring. You know, I mean, you know, you might see me out there. I think it's a club that

lean towards defense and the fundamentals against, I think, Moore gets it. I, either or, you know,

I didn't think it would be a great story. And if he keeps hitting, I'd like to see his back

given a go. But then if he's not playing every day, there's no harm in setting him down,

getting him getting him every day reps in AAA and getting him ready for a call up if it

happens. But yeah, I agree. Dylan Moore is, again, he's just, he can play anywhere. He's,

he's a versatile and he's, he's got great defense, as we know, gold gloves. So, yeah, Dylan Moore

looks like, unless Dylan crew, let's, Dylan Cruz can really, really force the issue in these

next few games. There's one picture that really caught the iron and I saw Jack Fritz sort of

tweet about him saying, I don't think I'm copying Jack Fritz. But Alex McFarlane, 24 years old, he,

he, he pitched in free, freeing speech, free strikeouts. 99 up to 99 miles per hour sinker.

Very nasty slider. It looks really good. Like, he was one of the innings I did catch in spring

training live. And I was like, wow, he's got something. He's been options AAA now. So, his

spring's done with the Phillies camp. But really could encouraging. Watch out for Alex McFarlane.

Like, he, I think Morgan, you're saying he'd like to be there closer, right in the minus?

I heard someone, I think this might be staying from Matt Gelb or someone else, but I did hear a

comment about Alex McFarlane. He's in AA and obviously the Phillies do quite like him. I did hear

a, a mention that he might be the closer in AA because the triple A bullpen should be quite

well stacked. I know there's some, there's like camp battles of does Kyle backers getting,

for example, does Zack pop get into the Major League team? So, I think that triple A bullpen,

like Max Lazar, I think might start triple A this year. There's quite a few names going between

the majors and triple A this year. So, I think best thing to do for Alex McFarlane is just letting

be the closer in AA and just getting as many games as possible doing that. Yeah, I heard that

of mentioned. That's not my idea. And now we are just under two weeks from spring finishing.

The pitching is starting and even some of the bats know, I'm going to start really ramping up

and paying to go his Friday. So, let's see, I'm going to, if it's on TV, I'm going to watch that one.

I want to see for myself try and see what people are talking about, but I hope paint that goes out

there and just free innings of just nowhere, no earn runs, no earn runs, minimal hits. I don't

care if he strikes out, I don't worry, I just want to, he needs to build confidence. I feel he's

a confidence pitcher right now and if he can have a nice spring, he can have, he's probably got

this out and possibly one more before springs out. I just, it's got to be a confidence. Can we

just get off him? The media just lay off him and just let him do his thing. The last thing we want

to do is be knocking a young pitcher down. And there's our no goes tomorrow or if you're listening

tomorrow today against the blue jays after his new contracts, I'll be watching that one as well.

I don't know what the weekend line up is, but I'm going to start now tuning in to

Feespring training games because the pitches ramping up, the boys, the hit batters will stop

you ramping up as well. And we'll have players returning from World Baseball Classic as well.

As I said, just over two weeks to opening day or if you are listening tomorrow, two weeks to

opening day, passion avenue, if you are in UK, get that a passion avenue, water,

lieu on the first day from, I'd say seven o'clock. I'm hoping to be there a bit earlier,

but we've got the batting cages. I've been given a nice little care package from the Phillies with

some lovely giveaways for you guys as well. That will be given away at the venue, at the event,

including a fantastic, limited, fanatic, forfeiture life celebration tell. I was only given four,

so they'll be given away wisely in some competitions, but was that really a bubble heads,

some cool Philly caps, Brandon Marsh Vess and Nolan jerseys from last years are well

away to give away, some cool, fanatic medallions as well, and other bits and bulbs at the

Phillies of Frodener, which will be used as giveaways and prizes for competitions this year.

So again, big shout to Phillies. Thank you very much.

John Crook, okay, we're getting some clips. We're getting some clips. I'm not going to use it yet.

I'm going to build them up and compile them for the best of spring training, John Crook,

and then we'll go weekly into what the Crook feature. So we're getting a nice little compilation

spring now. That's it from me. I think until next week, we'll all start ramping up next week,

just don't wait to go. We'll have another guest on. I don't know which one. I've now got

three potentials, but they're great guests. They're great guests. We might get all

friends at the same time. We'll try and do a prediction pod. That would be that would be

chaotic at all. No, not not. Yeah, actually really would think about it. I'll have a

think about it. Morgan, Richard, anything you guys want to say before we wrap this up for this week?

Richard, you don't look like you've got anything. One rich one. It's tough. It's tough.

There's nothing going on with it. We're two weeks before the new season. There's not a lot of

things. The fire's playing an hour. I'm dreading it. Yeah, and the USA Italy, the Mexico,

Italy game starts shortly as well. Is that on TV over here? No, I know. I believe not.

No, TNT sports had the Blue Bee games, then the knockouts. We might have to sail the scenes.

A very, very legal form. Yes, we always consume our sports maybe illegally.

Yes, absolutely. There'll be no dodgy fire sticks involved. Of course not, but we do.

Right, so yeah, it's hard. We're two weeks before. I don't want to go into spring.

I'm just ready for it to be back, but I don't have anything to expect right now.

I'm the same. Why don't you watch too much spring training? I'm just like, I need,

I'm ready for the real thing. However, I'm going to start tuning in because I do want to see

how paint is going. I want to see how the pictures are going. This last bench boy is quite

interesting and just wrap myself up myself now, ready for opening day, two weeks away.

That's the wrap. Like I said, it's start, guys. Thank you so much for listening, downloading.

It's been remarkable. Watch looking at the stats. Can I say some big shout? Big shout for people

who are tuning in in Norway, Nigeria. That's got to be a, if that's legit, make yourself known.

I'll send you a hat because I, that's, that's awesome. Few in Australia, France, Mexico,

obviously USA, Canada, UK, islands. There was a Turkey, Greece. I'd want to in Asia. Yeah,

two in Japan. So, well, wide, baby. Awesome. Thank you for listening. Thank you for downloading.

Leave us a nice little video online, a little fire star review and subscribe. Spread the word.

It's been awesome. We've four shows in. It's spring training is tough. Like I said, I don't

want to do much in spring training because it doesn't mean anything. But well, basically,

classic keeps going. We will have a guest next week. That is a wrap from me. Dave Shaw, it is ring

the bell from Morgan. Ring the bell. But before I go, quick bonfire. Oh, oh, oh,

we love it coming back. We learned no, never finished top 10 Saiyong voting together. Last year,

Sanchez and Luzardo did it. Zado 7th, Sanchez 2nd. We learned no, never finished top 10 Saiyong voting

together. Bonfire. Oh, of course, we want that one. We didn't win it today. Just save

ring the bell and we can only. We can only get that one. Ring the bell, Dave. But if they both

know what was finished a show, Richard Ring the bell. Perfect chaos. Cheers guys. Don't forget to

subscribe, guys. Cheers. Good night.