Jonathan Aranda & Ty Johnson

0:00College football is back. So, Hilton called to me the superstition concierge to make your fan rituals a reality. Need a room to match your lucky number? We got you. Want to make sure our team doesn't wash your lucky jersey? Oho, that smells lucky. Hilton's unmatched hospitality can keep up with any superstition. Even a marching bandwink up call it 555 and 55 seconds. Hit it! When you need a team that will do whatever it takes on game day, it matters where you stay. Hilton, for this day. The race radio network proudly presents this week in race baseball. Oh, one. Swing in a grounder off the glove of Hill and over Jose Caballero in the center field. Here comes Junior, here comes Johnny and it's 3-1 Tampa Bay. Richie Palacios comes through in his home city of New York. Coming up, we'll recap the action from this week. Take a look around Major League Baseball and sit down for in-depth interviews with the biggest names in the game.

1:00And the first pitch to Fortesis Wack into the gap and right center field. This one will land and go all the way to the wall. To look at a third, Williams is waving him home. Here comes the relay throw by Terang, not in time. To look at scores and the race take a 3-2 lead. Here's your host, Chris Adams-Wall. And welcome into this week in race baseball. Everybody are penultimate episode of the year. My name is Chris Adams. Wall, Derek DeBose is back at our network studios and we are glad to have you with us. In this week's show, we'll get together with race first baseman Jonathan Aronda, who is having another terrific season for Tampa Bay. We'll talk to the slugger about his 2026 campaign, being a father and about his long, steady path to the major leagues, all culminating in his first full season with the race this year. Then we'll chat with Ray's right-handed tie Johnson, who in addition to making his big league debut in Texas was also just named Tampa Bay's minor league pitcher of the year,

2:06as well as AAA Durham's most valuable player. After that, we'll have a conversation with Adam Barry, the Rays Beat reporter for MLB.com. As we get you ready for the race return to the postseason, and finally we'll hear from Tampa Bay outfielders, Cedric Mullins, who earlier this week was named the race 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominee. But we begin today with race first baseman Jonathan Aronda and Ray's interpreter, Kevin Vera. I ask the former all-star to describe his 2026 season. I think it's been a bit satisfactory because obviously, this game has been more than a while ago. Obviously, this has improved a lot of the games, but I still feel that this is a bit better. I think overall, I think I'm satisfied with what you've had. Thinking back to last year with the injury that I had, this year I've had a lot more time on the field playing wise. I've had some good numbers, I've had some good results,

3:06but honestly, I feel like I could produce a little bit more for the team and overall just helping a few more ways, but overall a good year. I was going to ask about your health. Just how much of a blessing has that been to get through pretty much a whole season for your first time as a big lead? I think it was the only thing that I've been doing since the beginning of the season that was going to help me to finish the year. I'm also going to be able to do my best for the whole time, but I'm very happy to be able to keep up with the rest of the season. That was the main thing I asked God at the beginning of the year. I was just, hey, just giving me a full healthy season. And thank you to him for giving me that so far this year. And look, the other stuff is just discipline and hard work. And so those things will come along the way, but very happy that I've been able to find myself on the field for the majority of the 162. And how frustrating was it last year to go down with that injury? Which was, let's be honest, a freak injury, not your fault whatsoever. Just kind of a thing that happened because you were having a really good season. Yes, well, yes, obviously, this was a bit frustrating for a couple of weeks, but then this was a great day for the opportunity to play.

4:09This could be the case. Well, simply, well, something happened, it was part of the game and there was no more to say. Well, I was a 25 season, I made the All-Star team, I was with the All-Star group. So yeah, overall it was just unfortunate, like you mentioned, just kind of a freak injury, freak accident but just thankful for everything. And now you get to wear number eight for the first time as a big leader, right? What has that meant to you? I know that we talked last year, your number 62, 6 plus 2 equals eight. But now your number eight officially. Well, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. That I believe always uniform as a little child and because I long for something special for me. I think the number 8 comes because I used to play football. There are the friends in the house, but I think there comes. And it's always been my dream to use a big league. And when I open the opportunity, we ask for it and fortunately, we don't say it.

5:13Yeah, it's pretty cool to be able to wear this number 8. You know, it's a number that means a lot to me. It's the number that I've always had. And literally, the number I've always played with anything. It's the number that I've been connected with. And if I think back, I think it comes from my grandpa who played soccer just kind of on the weekends. And he was the one that wore the number 8. And so ever since then, I just kind of grabbed it. But yeah, it's been cool to wear. And you know, in the off season, when we were asking around for numbers. And we saw that there was a chance that I could have it. You know, I asked for it and I got it. And yeah, it feels great to wear the number 8. And Johnny, I know you broke in with the race in 2022. It's now been almost four years. I mean, when you think back to your major league debut to the kind of player you've become up here. Have you reflected on that? I mean, you've progressed quite a bit. And I think it's really only last year you got the opportunity to play a full season. You had the injury, of course, this season, though. I mean, I think the results speak for themselves. Your numbers are awesome.

6:20Yeah, I kind of just think back to the seasons that I had. And you know, gotten to give me the past to make me a starter, a full time starter in that 25 season. And so now coming into this, you know, just kind of having the full opportunities that I've had. And you know, I'm really thankful for it. You know, all the time in the minors, all the time that I had beforehand was just kind of the process that I've had to get to this point. But you know, we've embraced it. We've challenged it. We've been challenging with it and just kind of done our thing. But you know, now we feel really good and real happy where we're at. And again, just trying to help the team in whatever way we can. And it's been an overall positive feeling. How much fun has it been to be a part of this team? You guys have the most wins in the American league. You guys clinched a playoff spot. It's the first time that you've done it as a Tampa Bay Rage. How much fun are you having here this season?

7:21No, this is a really special group. We're really connected. We're really tight-knit. And it really does feel like a family. And everyone's done their part. You know, when we look at the things on the field, you know, everyone's done their job. And overall, it's been such a good year to be a part of. And I've been on both sides of the baseball, right? I've been in last place in the division and now being in first place of the division. So I understand what it takes to kind of overcome those things. But at the end of the day, it's all about work. And it's all about what we feel in that clubhouse. And this year has been a really good example of things clicking our way. I know Kevin Cash likes to mix the lineups up every now and then. But for the most part, you hit behind Yaddi Diaz. And ahead of Junior Communist era, what is that like in between two guys that talented?

8:22You're obviously really talented too. I think one of the coolest things about the aircraft carriers is you guys are from three different countries too. Yaddi is from Cuba. You're from Mexico and juniors from the Dominican Republic. But what's it like to be referred to as the aircraft carriers? I think it's what makes us unique. Not every one. And it's good to be in the middle of it. It's a great responsibility. My mentality is going to be there to be in base for me and my truck. And obviously Yaddi would also like to be in base for me. I think it's just a team and we'll continue to be able to continue there for a few years. Yeah, it feels really cool to be a part of this group. You mentioned those two other guys. And we kind of look at us three and we're some of the best hitters in the league. So it feels really awesome to just kind of be able to be a part. And like you mentioned, just kind of the different countries and our different backgrounds. I think the cool thing about this is just the different styles that we have up at the

9:24play. We all have different approaches. So yeah, I mean, look, I'm trying to be on base for junior. Yaddi is trying to be on base for me. And that's just how it really works. And it's been really cool to click this year as a whole group as a trio. And hopefully we stay healthy and hopefully we're able to do this for a long time in the years to come. Another thing that our listeners might not know about you, Johnny, is you've played it every single affiliate in the race system even before things changed, right? So you were in Princeton and you were in the Dominican summer league for a little bit. What does it mean to you to have made every single one of those stops and to have become the player that you are now? Man, I think it was something that always helped me to take care of my step by step. It was a great process.

10:38Yeah, I just kind of think back into my process. And it's such a cool journey, right? To be able to make all those stops. And you know, the biggest thing that I think, take away from it is, you know, I'm going to be one of the last few players that is ever going to do this just with how the minor leaves got restructured and everything. So it is super cool to make those stops at every single place. And, you know, it's part of the journey. Every single stop had its own unique part of my life. And, you know, it was a long, slow process at times, but that's what baseball is. It's a grind and you're ready to embrace it. So, yeah, I just kind of think back and think of how cool it was to do all that. And again, it's just be a part of the Tampa Bay race as a whole. And overall, just embrace the experience because it's what got me here. Baseball has a ton of failure. Was there ever a time during your journey up through the minor leagues to the race that you thought you might not make it? Well, I always see a risk. Obviously, as I say, I always play more talent than I do. I don't think that all my years have been a good quality. I think one of the most difficult leagues I've ever been. I think it's Dominican. We're from a lot of players.

11:38And I think I don't know how many more days for me to be in the United States. And, well, I was a year in 2019, the season, in the middle class, in the bowling ring, that I wanted to make a circle. And, well, I thought I was a second lucky guy for me, but I didn't. So, I don't think I was going to be here to make it. Yeah, look, you kind of just think back. And you look at the journey. And there's a lot of moments. There's a lot of ups and downs. There's always some sort of risk. There can always be a baseball player that's quite a quote more talented than me. And not every year was to the expectation that I have for myself. Not every year we had the results that I wanted. But again, it's a whole process through and through. And I kind of think back on certain moments of certain seasons that I didn't have the success that I wanted, but I kept pushing. And I think back specifically to 2019, in kind of bowling green, where I wasn't playing

12:39us hot. And they brought up the opportunity to me about potentially moving to catcher. And it was kind of just a second opportunity. And ultimately, it didn't unfold. But those type of moments where you kind of think back and you're like, all right, well, how do I keep myself afloat here in the league and try to put myself in the good position. I also think back to the Dominican, my time in the Dominican league just because it's super competitive and the quantity of players that we have in that league. But I was able to stay afloat and do my part and again have a positive mindset throughout all of this and trusted my talents. And here we are. But yeah, I mean, like every ball player does, you have those certain moments. Just a couple more questions for you, Johnny. You're a dad now, obviously. What has that meant to you and your success for a family of three? Well, it's very curious to be a dad of my little Regina. I think being a dad changed my mentality a little bit. Well, many times I used to take the game home and do something I didn't like. And since I started doing it, I simply learned to leave everything to the table.

13:41And I just came home and I think that's something that helped me a lot in my career. And obviously, that's a big motivation for me to continue in this game. Yeah, I'm really proud to be a father. I'm really proud to be a husband to my wife. I'm really proud to be my father to Regina. And just kind of, you know, just thinking it's back on the few years that it's been, you know, it's really changed my mindset as a person, as an individual. And, you know, it kind of changed my whole outlook on life. And the biggest thing I think is I used to kind of take the worries of the game or kind of take the results of the game back home and kind of be frustrated with myself at times. But I've learned to leave that here at the ballpark, leave that in the clubhouse and just kind of go home and kind of get a brand new start, a new breath with my daughter and just kind of move forward with the day and the results that happen and just kind of flip the page. So that's been the biggest thing. But overall, just really happy and really proud with the family that I've created. And finally, Johnny, five years ago, you won the MVP of the AA South. Now the Southern League, they changed the name for that one year.

14:43But you were with the Montgomery Biscuits. I was the Biscuits broadcaster. We were on the bus. And I think we're the only two on there. We're getting ready to go to the championship in Mississippi. And you asked me a question. You said, are you ready to go on a championship instead of course. So I'll ask you the same one now, five years after, are you ready to go with a championship? Yeah, of course, right? This is the dream I've had ever since I was little. Every major league baseball player has this dream to potentially one day host championship. And yeah, you know, we're totally ready for the postseason and really excited to see what's coming next. I can't wait to watch you play in a Jonathan. Congratulations to you and the season they've had. Go get them in the playoffs. Thanks to Kevin also. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thank you. And that was Race First Basement. Jonathan, Aranda and Raisin, Terpiter, Kevin Vera. Nice job by KV there. That was his first time translating for an interview during this week and Raises baseball. So nicely done there, Kevin.

15:44We will go to our first break though. And when we return, we'll meet up with Ray's reliever, Ty Johnson, plus we'll chat with Adam Barry, the Raises Beat reporter for MLB.com. Then we'll wrap it all up with Ray's outfielders, Cedric Mullens. That is all coming up right here on the Raises baseball network. College football is back. So Hilton called to me the superstition concierge to make your fan rituals a reality. Need a room to match your lucky number? We got you. Want to make sure our team doesn't wash your lucky Jersey? Oh, that smells lucky. Hilton's unmatched hospitality can keep up with any superstition. Even a marching band wake up call at 555 and 55 seconds. Hit it! When you need a team that will do whatever it takes on game day, it matters where you stay. Hilton, for this day. OK, we continue on. This week on Raises baseball, Chris Adams, well joined now by Ray's Rady, Ty Johnson. Ty, thanks so much for joining us and welcome to the Big League. Thank you for happening me.

16:44I'm excited. Of course. So describe your season for us if you can. I know it's been kind of a wild one. I don't know if you expected to be in the big leagues at the end of the season or at any point during this year, but what's it been like for you? It's been a dream. It's been a crazy year for sure. Just starting in AAA and you know, I've seen how well the Big League team is doing. So I knew it was going to happen. I'd have to really perform to be on a winning team like this. So it's a blessing for sure. You were a starting pitcher last year for the AA Montgomery Biscuits. And this year you have started some games for the Bulls, but mostly I think it's been out of the Bullpen. So what's that transition been like? I've had experience throughout college and a little bit earlier in my pro career relieving, but it was a little bit of a transition. But you know, it's kind of a nice role of just empty not the tank for one or two endings and leaning into my strength, my two pitches, basketball slider. So that's helped. Just a few days ago, the race announced that you are the minor league pitcher of the year.

17:47What does that mean to you? It means a lot. I mean, it was to give recognize for the year I had and for all the work I put in. Obviously, I take a lot of pride in what I do and going out there and competing each time. So it was nice to get some recognition for it. You're also the triple A Durham MVP. So does that carry any extra significance? Yeah. It is also another nice accomplishment. And I was with Durham the whole year. So to be with that group and all those teammates I had throughout the years and stuff, it was a nice recognition for sure. Almost the whole year because now you're with the Tampa Bay race, of course. What did you learn at triple A Durham, though? Just facing more higher quality bats, big leagueers. So it was a kind of confidence boost, obviously. And then ABS for the first time. And just a different level. So it was getting adjusted to that, which was the biggest thing. At what point this season did you feel comfortable at that level?

18:49I had confidence going into the year just from big league spring training. And then even from the last two years in Pro Bowl. So I had that and then obviously after a first couple of outings, I gained a lot of confidence and I knew that I belonged. And you got your major league debut at Texas on September the 6th. Just tell us about that day. You had a good outing too. You pitched an inning. You had a couple of strikeouts. What was that whole day like for you? It was wild. It was, I got there the day before and pitched that day. But you know, had a decent feeling that might be going in that day if the situation arrived. And again, it was just a dream. It was an exciting moment to have my dad there in the crowd watching me and my fiance and her parents. It was just a full circle moment for me to reflect on my whole journey to that point. Were you nervous at all or did you kind of try to put those emotions in your back pocket? I wouldn't say nervous. I had a lot of adrenaline for sure. I was very excited. But yeah, I was kind of just ready and trying to soak in the whole moment, ball so to

19:53stay in a competitive mindset and just compete. You've had a handful of appearances now at the big league level, including one very recently against the Houston Astros. You got to strike out Jose Alteuve. I mean, you face him, but then to get him swinging, I mean, that's 2,500 plus hits. And I know you mentioned post game that he's always been one of your favorite players. Was that moment pretty surreal for you? That was a cool moment for sure. Growing up watching him and then to be in a big moment like that in a high leverage situation to get a punch out there for the team was big for my own confidence also for the team. So it was a special moment. And what's your dad's name? What's your fiance's name and just how excited were they for you when you made your big league debut in Texas? My dad's name is Rick, mom's Lisa, and then my fiance's name is Claire. But yeah, they were all so excited. They've been with me through the whole journey throughout my fiance's day, me throughout college and summer ball and all those days that she's been there through the highs and lows just like my parents. So it was special to celebrate that moment just because it hasn't always been easy for

20:56me and it's been a grind to get to this point. Was it extra special though to make your debut in Arlington not far from where you were born? It was cool. I grew up watching some Ranger games, so that was special. And then I had a family friend come in to watch the game also. And yeah, it was cool to kind of be back where I was born and my parents lived there for five plus years. So it was cool. We know that Morgan Endsburg, the manager of the AAA Durant Bulls, can get creative with how he informs guys that they're going to the big leagues. How did you find out from him? It was right after the game in Memphis. We got back to the hotel and we were walking to lobby and he turns around and pulled me to the side and all my teammates kind of knew what was happening at that point so they all stopped and he told me the news and got to celebrate with all my teammates was special and to high five all of them and just give them some hugs. It was a special moment. Did you know that that was coming at all? Did you sense it? No, I really try not to worry about that stuff.

21:58Obviously I was hopeful, but I was just so worried about the next outing just staying in the moment. So it really wasn't on the forefront of my mind, but obviously I felt like I was ready and it was still special. And I know you haven't been here for that long, Ty, but you got a chance to celebrate the race punching their ticket to the postseason for the first time in three years. What was that like for you? It looks like you guys had a ton of fun that night. Yeah, that was crazy. That was my first day in the chop. We hit a walkoff on the run and we clinched a playoffs. That was probably the coolest moment right there was being there for all that and just to be a part of it and to be able to celebrate and have all the teammates here that have embraced me. It was a special day. It was a cool experience. Always remember. You've been tied to the Tampa Bay race now for a few years because you are related to Ryan Peppio at least, I guess his wife, right? So can you tell us how you guys are related? You've known Ryan for a long time. Yes. So his wife is my cousin, Lily and obviously I've known her my whole life.

23:02We've been very close. Their family grown up and we spend Thanksgiving together and then Lily and Ryan started dating in college at Butler, which is right in my hometown. So when they started dating they would come over to our house and so I knew Ryan was just a college kid and it was cool to kind of follow his baseball journey, plan, butler to get in draft with the Dodgers and then get in trade to the race. As soon as I got into Pro Bowl, he's always texted me around, kept tabs with me and been a good support system and then obviously when I got trade to the race, he was one of the first people to reach out and call me and he's been so helpful and just a great resource for me. Because they were in Texas, wasn't he? He was in the dugout. Yeah, him and Lily, they flew in that day and got to come see me pitch and stuff and it was cool to call them when I got the news that I was going to the big leagues and I woke them up at 1 a.m. and they were able to make it so it was very nice of them to be there. It's awesome and we mentioned that you were born in Rockwell, Texas, which is in the Dallas area but you grew up in Indianapolis.

24:04So how did you get into baseball? It's not exactly baseball country. My brother, my older brother was the reason I got into baseball. He started playing a little league baseball for some reason. My parents started it like that and I always wanted to do whatever my older brother did. So I just played baseball. I'd followed him around the field and my brother was kind of really my whole train partner and we did everything together. So I give him a lot of credit for me again to this point and for my whole career. So, yeah. Yeah, I mean Ryan Peppio went to Butler and you end up going to Ball State. So maybe it is more of a baseball hotbed than I'm giving it credit for you. Big Colts fan, Pacers, maybe even the Indianapolis Indians? I'll cheer them on. I went to a lot of Indian games growing up. My family's originally from Wisconsin so I grew up all Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquets. So I was those were my teams growing up but I'll still cheer on the Indiana schools and the Hoosiers, Boilermakers, all of them.

25:04So I'm still loyal to my state. Very nice. And how did you end up at Ball State? They were one of the only schools to offer me honestly. I had a little interest going into my junior year and Ball State was really the only school that showed a ton of interest and gave me a strong offer and had a good connection with the coaches and I wanted to go to a school that was called a school and I thought I could play all three years to get drafted and it just worked out and it was a good situation for me. I could say, and boom goes the dynamite, right? Because that is the school ball state. Did you always want to play baseball though Ty or did you want to play another sport or get involved in another profession? As far as I remember, I mean I started playing baseball as six years old. So I always wanted to play in the big leagues and that was my goal from early age. So I played basketball a little bit growing up and I had a lot of love for basketball. I didn't really grow into this height until late so that was kind of a more of a far-fetched dream at the time but baseball is always my first love and first sport so that's why

26:07it's so cool to kind of, you know, realize a childhood dream like that. Did you think you'd have a shot to go pro though as you were pitching at Ball State or you kind of like, let's see where this goes and if it works out great if not then I'll find something else. I think going into Ball State I had the naive thought that I could be, you know, a first round or it'd be a big league or obviously years. You get humbled early on in any sports. There was definitely times where I didn't know if baseball was for me if I should keep playing or not so I dealt with a lot of adversity throughout high school and college and highs and lows so once I was always incredibly confident but once I got drafted and gotten to pro-ball I'd started getting a lot of confidence and belief. Yeah, you were selected by the Cubs in the 15th round back in 2023 was that something that you were expecting that day or was it kind of, let's wait and see. My agents had told me that there was a good possibility that I'm definitely going to get drafted and they didn't know when but I was confident that at least probably get

27:08selected but I knew that I was going to be facing uphill battle as a 15th rounder and in a bigger organization like that so there's no relief. Again, drafted is more like, all right now the work really starts. I need to really prove myself so I'm so grateful for that opportunity. Let me get a chance to pitch for the South Bend Cubs, right? So in your home stage is how cool was that? Yeah, that first year in pro-ball was just a crazy year for me but I pitching in my home state got to have a lot of family at those games and my fiancee was able to come to a bunch of games my parents so that was special and then even getting traded that first pro year and being in bowling green that was only four hours away from my house too so to have a lot of family that first year was really special. But you weren't with the Cubs for that long, right? As you get traded to the race in 2024, it's the Esauk Parade Steel. He goes to the Cubs and you come over here with Christopher Morrell and Hunter Biggie. Those three guys aren't here anymore. Esauk plays for the Houston Astros, Christopher Morrell's with the meds, Hunter Biggie's now with the A's. So you're kind of like the last vestige of this trade but what was that whole day like

28:12for you? I'm sure that was a little jarring maybe. Yeah, it was crazy. It was a crazy day for me and it was just a whirlwind of emotions of, you know, again dropped by the Cubs and built those relationships and then all the sun I had to pack my bags and drive down to bowling green and meet a whole new group but it was such a good thing for me in my career to get a new environment, challenge myself, be strung by, you know, a great group there in high A with the raise and it was for the best and it was honestly a cool experience looking back on it. Yeah, how much have you enjoyed pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays organization? It's been really good. It's been a great experience and just being around the guys that I've been with in the Myrel leagues and how talented a bunch of the farm system has always been. So it's really raised my level of play and I mean they always say Iron Shirtman's Iron so it's been nice to be with Brody throughout the whole journey and stuff and just, you know, we always were super competitive so we challenge each other and we're always, you know, bringing

29:15the best at each other is that's good. And how excited are you about the prospect of pitching in Major League Baseball's postseason where the raise will be this year? Yeah, it's just you dream of as a kid so it's to be a part of a winning team my first year and to be on a team that's going to be in the postseason. It's something you dream of and something that you live for so it's something I'm very excited for. It will be a cool experience. And finally Ty, what are you doing away from the diamond? I know you do a ton of pitching and the baseball season is long but when you're trying to get away, how are you keeping yourself busy? My fiancee comes and sees me at good amounts so we hang out, we'll go explore different restaurants and watch movies and shows and obviously I'll do golf and then I'll do fish a little bit, even video games. I'll do a little bit of anything hanging out of teammates but yeah, just really anything to keep me busy. Well, Ty Johnson, thanks so much for joining us on this weekend raise baseball. I think you're getting a call behind me.

30:15Best of luck the rest of the year, my friend, congrats on all your accolades and for making your big league debut. Best of luck in the playoffs. I appreciate it. Thank you for having me. Thanks again to Ty Johnson for joining us on today's program and congratulations to him once again on making his big league debut and for winning the raise minor league pitcher of the year award as well as triple A Durham's most valuable player. The raise also announced the other minor league award winners including minor league co-players of the year. That's Ketcher Kate and Bodine and Outfielder Theo Gillen, the relief pitcher of the year, right hander Alexander Alberto, the defensive player of the year, outfielder Mac Hervath, the bass runner of the year in Fielder Tony Santamaria, the Eric Walker community champion ended up being right handed pitcher Aiden Hauke. The double A Montgummery MVP was in Fielder Xavier Isaac. The high A bowling green most valuable player went to Ketcher Nathan Fluelling.

31:16The low A Charleston MVP went to Infielder Cooper Fleming. The rookie level for the complex league raise MVP was Infielder Adreemi Atunias and the rookie level Dominican Summer League raise MVP was Infielder Brian Rodriguez and the rookie level Dominican Summer League Tampa Bay MVP was Outfielder Michael Karet. Congratulations to all and another successful season in the raise minor league ranks. Coming up on this show will be our conversation with the raise beat reporter for MLB.com Adam Barry. That is coming up right after this on the raise baseball network. College football is back. So Hilton called on me the superstition concierge to make your fan rituals a reality. Need a room to match your lucky number? We got you. Want to make sure our team doesn't wash your lucky jersey? Oh, that smells lucky. Hilton's unmatched hospitality can keep up with any superstition.

32:16Even a marching bandwink up call it 555 and 55 seconds. Hit it! When you need a team that will do whatever it takes on game day, it matters where you stay. Hilton for this day. Okay, we continue on this week and raise baseball. Chris Adams Wall joined now by Adam Barry, the raise beat reporter for MLB.com. Adam, thanks for carving out some time for us. We appreciate it as always. Pleasure to be here in your office slash my vertical video studio, Chris. Yeah, that's right. I see you brought your fancy equipment with you. Your little tripod there. We'll let you get to that video here shortly. But first, let's talk about the game last night. That was tough. But like I talked about on the post game show, the raise had won six in a row. That was their first loss since Atlanta. The series finale was over a week ago. Yeah, 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position. But if you get one hit, it's probably a completely different game. I go back to the Jonathan Aronda double-leaving off the top of the wall in the right field and the first inning. If that gets into the chairs, it's two-one raise.

33:18That probably blows the roof off. Maybe it's a different contest. Four to two isn't a terrible loss to a team. That is also probably playoff bound. Right. I think you can kind of chalk up a lot of things from this one, which is one you're bound to lose at some point. The games happen. This was just an extremely rare display of not hitting with runners in scoring position for this team. I looked this up after the game last night. 0 for 15 with runners in scoring position was their worst game since. This just felt too fitting given the way that we'd been talking about the series before. They went over 13 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The last time these two teams played on July 19, which of course finished up before games sweep in Boston. These games don't happen. Those are the only two games this season where they've had at least ten at bats in those situations without a hit. It's extremely rare to raise. Lead the majors in average with runners in scoring position at 284. They lead in sync. By a pretty significant margin, too, by like ten points, I think, over the brewers. They also lead the majors in hitting with two outs by about ten points again.

34:19This is what this team does. Everybody in the clubhouse afterward. I think probably every single person we talk to said some form of its baseball. It does happen. It does sting, obviously, given the timing of the loss and the fact that they had been on such a good run. They had a chance to keep their ground in the division race with the Yankees. You are facing a potential postseason team. A team that they could see again in a couple of weeks, whether that's in the Wildcard series or more likely the Yale division series. Again, it's a team that's had their number the last couple of times that they've faced them. Tough loss, frustrating loss, I think as much as anything. The way the season's gone, going back to that, it felt like when Freyly comes to the plate in the six with the basis loaded, he's barely played in the last four months, it felt like he was just bound to be yet another unlikely hero. When Ryan Velade strikes out for what should have been the final out, but then reaches on a wild pitch to bring up Chandler Simpson, who's singing Ofer from him is so rare, you think, all right, well, this is it. They're going to walk off and celebrate. It kind of says a lot about one. They're on this team is on, and two, just kind of how unlikely and unfortunate that

35:22loss was. What did you make of Freyly pinching for Taylor Walls in that spot, though? I think we heard Ray's manager Kevin Cash say I was looking for someone who could potentially hit the ball out of the ballpark, which is all well and good. To be fair to Jake Freyly, he did work a three in one count almost through the basis loaded walk. If he does home right there, what a moment that is. Just another bullet point on the resume for Kevin Cash who's probably going to win American league manager the year again, I would think he'll at least be in consideration for it. Ofer Walls though, pretty good with the basis loaded. He has been good with the basis loaded. Again, you kind of count on him to maybe put a ball in play or do some small ball in that situation. Cash made it pretty clear though. Like you said, he was looking for somebody who could maybe drive the ball out of the park to fully get back into the game and maybe break it open a little bit with some momentum for them. I understand it. Jake Freyly is in a tough spot. He comes back onto the team after missing so much time and really grinding through a tough recovery from that hernia to get back and get healthy. All of a sudden he comes back and his job's kind of been taken by Victor Mesa Jr. in

36:24the race. You know, one a reward of veteran who has a lot of skills. I got it. They were really high on heading into the season in Freyly. It's just kind of a tough role for him right now. So, you know, he has a rare at bat for him in the majors and just one of the most pressure pack situations you can imagine. Like you said, has a good at bat, you know, gets ahead in the count and just doesn't quite get to that high fastball that old through him there. So tough spot for him. But again, like this is a situation where if you're looking ahead to play off in October, like is this the role Jake Freyly is going to play as you go into play a role, either way you have to get him ready. You have to get him at bats and that definitely seemed like kind of the ideal spot for him to slide in there. Going a little off script here, but just sticking with last night's contest, Yandhi Diaz is in a little bit of a funk right now. You had a chance to catch up with him and raise interpreter Kevin Vera. And I think what Yandhi said right off the top was I feel like myself, but I don't feel like myself. Great. And there for sure, that's most days, I think, especially when we step into this office. Yeah, I mean, it is rare to see Yandhi have any sort of an extended slump.

37:27And I mean, he walked twice like he's still capable of getting on base, but it's just very unusual to see him go without a multi hit game or, you know, even just a big hit in a situation like he kind of has through this homestand and maybe even going back a little bit before then. But yeah, it cash said very confidently. It's just timing. It's not mechanics. It's just a situation where Yandhi said he's maybe not. Not seeing the ball like he normally does these things happen. You know, he thinks he can work his way through it. But again, kind of in the forward looking state that we're all in right now with the post season so close, like you really can't overstate how important it is to have him right for those games to have Jonathan or on to write. And we've seen signs of that lately from him for those games. And then probably the biggest one of all to have junior Camino right, Camino right when the stage is the biggest in the post season. Entering this series, we thought that there was a chance to raise. And clinch the top spot on Sunday. That's if everything broke their way. That would be a sweep over the red socks and a diamond back sweep of the Yankees. Well, looks like that's not going to happen.

38:30The raise loose to the red socks last night. And the diamond backs get beat up pretty good by the Yankees. So I guess the next place that it could happen is the Bronx. And that was already shaping up to be kind of a huge series. I think we all kind of knew that. And then when you see the two outcomes go against the raise last night, you start to think, all right, like that series, there's going to be some juice there. Maybe you'd kind of talk yourself out of that, you know, with the way that the raise and swept their last two series and the Yankees losing air and judge and struggling a little bit and, you know, losing a tough extra inning game the other day. But no, like it was always going to come down to that series. It's still going to come down to that series. The raise now can't clinch until they get to New York. Starts off with a double header. The Yankees are sending out their best pitchers. The raise are going to counter with their best pitchers. It feels fitting in a way that the division will come down to that. It's decided likely head to head, ideally for the raise. It's decided I should say there is a scenario where if this magic number falls even further and the raise edge in the division drops from four where it is right now, you know, that series is a chance for the Yankees to swing it in their favor. Obviously if they're the other raise, you'd like to go in with a chance to clinch there

39:32with as a chance to clinch as quick as possible there. And you know, again, with the way that the season series has gone, basically one win there reduces the raise magic number by three because it's a raise when a Yankees loss and the tiebreaker for the season series goes to the raise. So really can't overstate the importance of that and the way that it's all lined up, it would have been nice. I'm sure for the raise to head into the final week with nothing to worry about and just start setting yourself up for October. But I don't know, this felt kind of inevitable and it's inescapable that like this is what it's all going to come down to. And also had that happen had they swept the red socks and the time I swept the Yankees, you're looking at two weeks without playing a meaningful baseball game. So maybe it's a good thing. Maybe. I mean, that's an easy thing to say probably when it's going to happen like that regardless. I don't know, I'm sure they would love to kick their feet up for a week or so, not kick their feet up. But obviously kind of glide in with less pressure and the ability to focus on themselves more so than the outcomes of the game necessarily. But I don't know. I mean, you get into a lot of debates with teams that get the buy and the playoffs about

40:32rest first, rust. I think, you know, it's easy to say, oh, you get rust, you're whatever. Like talk to any of the teams still going and looking at the potential of having to play a game two days after the regular season ends and they're going to say they would love to get the buy, they would love to get that time to prepare, to rest, to get healthy, which is obviously an issue for the race right now as well. Heading into that situation with also just as importantly, home field advantage in the ALDS. You invoked his name a few minutes ago, but Victor Mesa, Jr. is having a surprisingly terrific rookie season and he is the reigning American league player of the week. He is one of, I don't know, 10, 11 guys who are having just seasons that maybe we didn't expect to the beginning of the year. Yeah, you can go through most of the roster almost and say like, well, I didn't expect that or well. What a pleasant surprise that's been. Mesa is definitely up there. Nick Martinez, I think, is probably chief among them. The all around impact he's had is immeasurable, really.

41:33I mean, I think when they signed him, we were in Port Charlotte talking about him as maybe a guy who could be a swing man who could start off in the rotation and maybe if something happens, he could move to the bullpen because he's done that before. He's pitched in a variety of roles. He was coming off not a great season with the reds. And you know, he signed basically right as spring training was starting and then he comes in and he's been without question the rock of their rotation, you know, the absolute presence they needed in the clubhouse. Like a true game changer for me, you and I were talking yesterday about how rare those are in baseball true, you know, game changing presences in the clubhouse. Nick Martinez is absolutely one of them. There's a reason all of his teammates talk about him the way that they do. And I think he's just set the tone for so much of what they've done this season in that regard, which I could not have told you was going to happen on February 14th or whatever day it was that he signed. And then he just go on down the list, Victor Mesa, Brian Baker turning into maybe the best closer in the American league. Nobody saw that. I didn't know if Chandler Simpson was going to be able to do what he's done this season, not just offensively maintaining it, but defensively as well.

42:34You know, the health of Johnny DeLuca and Richie Palacios, Cam Booser was anybody talking about him in spring training. And he's now emerged as their top lefty setup man. I mean, on and on and on, you know, in the rotation, he and see more turning out to this. Obviously he gave up some runs last night and he's had issues with homers, but just the helpful presence he's been in the rotation, Griffin Jacks, as a reliable potential postseason rotation starter. That was definitely not on the board in Port Charlotte. So it really, and then Jurassic and staying healthy and putting up the results you expect, but just the consistency with which he does it is another thing that I don't think should be taken for granted as far as the things that this team has done this season. It's, you know, there's a reason they have the record. They do a lot of things have to go right. And I think that's been the case for them this year. I'll give you a couple more Kevin Kelly having the season that he has had and Ryan Velade who was traded to the race on November 3rd for cash considerations. That's money, not Kevin cash. Right. And then going back to him and Mesa too, Mesa was de Fade by the Marlins in February.

43:34They traded for a guy who's in rookie ball, basically, and they got this guy who's put up nearly three wins above replacement on the top, you know, five or six on the team as far as what he's been able to do just the all around impact. And, you know, you look at Velade who's not just been helpful this year. Like he's a guy who could help him for years down the road. That especially stands out to me with Mesa who it's not hard to imagine him as the starting right field their next season and maybe years to come beyond that. So I mean, really just a season where so many things have gone right, but it's not like I, we get frustrated by this sometimes when people say, oh, it's a secret sauce or just the race way like there's a lot of evaluation that goes into this. There's a lot of coaching that goes into this. And there's a lot of hard work by the players involved that has kind of brought this all together for the individual seasons they've had to form the collective year that they've been able to put together. It's not like you and I in an NFL survivor pool just throwing stuff against the wall. And who'd you take the chargers in week one? Yeah. Finally, let's talk very quickly about another, maybe not surprising turnaround, but a pretty incredible one, I would say with how it started at the beginning, Freddie Peralta who's

44:37going to start today for the Red Sox. He wrote about him in a recent newsletter. I mean, he's been lights out for the last four or five starts. He's been so good and the way I framed it in that newsletter is not necessarily that the race fixed Freddie Peralta. That would imply that he was broken, which he very strongly pushed back against the idea of. It's more that they helped Peralta find himself again. So not fixed Freddie, but found Freddie essentially. And I mean, it is. It looks a lot like the guy who he was with the Brewers where he was one of the best starters in the National League for a number of years. It's the elite extension is back. He had lost that with the meds. It's the fastball you study was able to have. It's of course, because it's the race in 2026 throwing a strange up more often, including the right-handed hitters. You know, he ditched the wind up. He's out of the stretch. He simplified his mechanics. And then it all kind of funnels into what you've seen and really heard from him lately, which is just confidence. He feels like himself again. And like you can't quantify that, but you can definitely see it, I think, especially with Peralta who's able to kind of lean back on all the success that he's had.

45:37And you know, the picture that he's been before and just the good vibes with being on this team and pitching well in the, you know, the important games that he has. It's massive for the race. And we knew it was going to be important for them to add Peralta for the stretch run, the innings, the starts, not knowing how they were going to have to manage the rest of the rotation. Now you look at him and you say pretty confidently like I can see that guy starting a postseason game and I can see that guy starting an important postseason game along with Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez. So a huge find. It was a big risk, frankly, for the race to go get him at the deadline, just given what, you know, the results were with the meds. They gave up three good prospects to get him. And I mean, that that belief in him has been just totally validated, I think. Well, speaking of finding yourself, you've found yourself here on this weekend, raise baseball, Adam, the penultimate episode of the season. I think I'll even have you on the pregame show tomorrow. We can go a little bit more in depth with all of this. But guess what? It's vertical video time. Go check it out. Go check him out on MLB.com. It's the raised beat reporter, Adam Berry. Thanks again for joining us, my friend. No place I'd rather find myself than right here, Chris.

46:38Thank you. We thank Adam Berry, the raised beat reporter for MLB.com once again for being with us on today's show. Coming up the race, 2026 Roberto Clemente Award nominee, Outfielder Sedric Mullins. Don't go anywhere. We're coming right back on the raised baseball network. College football is back. So Hilton caught on me, the superstition concierge, to make your fan rituals a reality. Need a room to match your lucky number? We got you. Make sure our team doesn't wash your lucky jersey. Oh, that smells lucky. Hilton's unmatched hospitality can keep up with any superstition. Even a marching bandwick up call at 555 and 55 seconds. Hit it! When you need a team that will do whatever it takes on game day, it matters where you stay. Hilton, for this day. And welcome back to this weekend raised baseball. Everybody, our final segment here on Saturday, September 19, 2026. This is our penultimate episode of this week and raised baseball.

47:41Our final one will be exactly one week from today on the penultimate day of the regular season. That's when the race will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to take on the Phillies and what will be again, game number 161 of the season. And hopefully the race will have locked up a division title in the top seed in the American league by then. If they haven't then maybe they'll do it that day or maybe the final day of the regular season. We do know this though. The race will be playing in the post season for the first time since 2023 and they will also be hosting at least a couple of playoff games. So we'll look forward to that. I'm Chris Adams. And those still coming to you live from tropical field here in downtown St. Petersburg, Derek DeBose back at our network studios. And earlier this week, raised outfielders, Cedric Mullins was named the race nominee for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award presented by capital one.

48:43Now for those of you who don't know the Roberto Clemente Award recognizes the major league player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions both on and off the field. Each year all 30 major league baseball clubs nominated one player to be considered for the league wide award in a tribute to Roberto Clemente's legacy. And this year Cedric Mullins has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving others and making a lasting impact in his community. And the raised outfielders spoke to the media earlier this week about what it means to be nominated. Yeah, super cool. You know, to see guys over the years, you know, the honor with this award. And I was having a strived for for a few years. So it's awesome. You know, they're obtaining my just represent what he'd been to the game until the community. You think about the work that you've done in the community obviously through some of the work that you've done, but also some of your own struggles across the world. Why do you want to get back? Why is it important to you to always be active in the community?

49:44Yeah, just feel like, you know, personally, whatever journey you're on, there's always going to be a sceptice long away whether it's known for unknown. And to just be a part of someone else's journey, whether they know it's just a little asset to them or not, you know, it's always really good. Yes, the other day helped me. Personal assist for you and your wife as well. I think everything they listed that you're doing, she's right there with you basically. Home Port is it for the both of you to get back to what you do? Yeah, it's definitely a team effort. She handles everything back at the house and honestly helps me, you know, keep in mind with no stuff that I got going on off the field as well. So she's done an amazing job and we're super proud of each other. Can you talk about your personal journey with Crohn's to be able to reach back out to that community and be kind of a face to represent the battles that you've got through and others are going through? How much does that mean to you as well? Yeah, I've actually come across a lot of people that are dealing with Crohn's and I honestly have no idea how fast Crohn's was in terms of people having issues with it. So kind of once I came out and everyone's reaching out, I just kind of wanted to be

50:45that beacon of hope that you haven't done dealing with it. It doesn't really stop me from going about what I want to do and chasing my dreams. Is that right you had that one too? No, no, no, first time with it. And to give God's credit in the past and they've done some amazing things also as well. So it's honestly just awesome to be proud of. And that was Raise Outfield. There's Cedric Mullins. Congratulations once again to him on being named the Raise nominee for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Capital One. But that is going to do it for all of us here on this week and raise baseball. Again, our penultimate episode. Special thanks to all of our guests today, including Cedric Mullins, Jonathan Aranda, Ty Johnson, and Adam Berry. If you ever have something you want to hear on the show, all you have to do is tweet me and you can do so fairly easily at Chris Adams' wall and at Raise Radio. Thanks to Derek DeBose back at our network studios and to Becca Carney and Austin Platt

51:45for all of their assistance per usual plus additional help from Andy Fried, Neil Solon's Chris Miller and Sam Wells. That'll do it for us. I'm Chris Adams' wall. Thank you so much for listening. We will talk to you next time. Have a great week, everybody. Thank you for listening to this week and Raise Baseball. And she was hit high in the air indeed to right field. May saw all the way back, Leibz, and did he catch it? Yeah, he did. If you missed any of the show, catch it on archive at www.layspaceball.com slash radio. Fall has never looked or tasted this good. Sweet Greens Fall Harvest Menu is back with seasonal favorites dressed to impress and made to be devoured. Some roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, maple glazed Brussels and crave worthy flavors in the autumn harvest bowl, maple glazed salmon plate, and roasted bacon Brussels side. The season's most desirable menu has returned to sweet green. Featuring falls best dressed.

52:47Make your move. Order on the sweet green app.