LLWS, Rays Player Development + Winter League RaysUp

310 BaseballBiz

[00:00:00] Mark Corbett: Oh, welcome to the BaseballBiz on Deck. Mr. Mat Germain is here and I'm Mark Corbett, and we're having a rollicking good time here in Tampa. As I gotta say is, I'm glad the rays aren't playing here today. I, I looked out the window here a few moments ago, Matt, and it was a sheet of rain across the Lake.

[00:00:17] I could barely see 10 feet out, uh, beyond the screen and it. Is just a mess. Uh, lightning striking everywhere and all that. And I don't know, you guys could probably use a little bit of the rain, but nothing as extreme as some of this. 

[00:00:31] Mat Germain: Yeah, I mean, we're, we're about as dry as you can get, mark. I think we've had, uh.

[00:00:36] I think it's, it's under two millimeters of rain since the beginning of July. So, uh, yeah, we will take a bucket full for sure. 

[00:00:47] Mark Corbett: Oh, bucket full. That's a good old phrase. I tell you what, man, it, it has been interesting man. This, I'm looking at our poor Ray brother. It's, it's just been a tough time and you know, I keep thinking of that Old Western.

[00:00:58] He's like, [00:01:00] Shane, come back. Shane. Shane. You know, I was like, please, uh, we found out we're not gonna have him this year. I mean, it's, it's just not gonna happen. And I was sorry to hear that medical report, but, uh, I think we all kinda guessed it. It wasn't gonna get a whole lot better. 

[00:01:16] Mat Germain: Yeah. The, the questions that I always have with Shane, I think you know this, when they first brought him into the league, I didn't agree with how it happened.

[00:01:24] And if you're bringing somebody into the, in, at the playoffs, they're gonna. Overthrow, they're gonna, , give it their all to the point where the adrenaline is just so overwhelming that there's a lot of damage that can be done to your arm. I, nobody would ever be able to say that that is the specific thing that happened at that point in time.

[00:01:41] And it would be just,, ridiculous to say that that's a fact. But I have a hunch that, that, that had some play in, in some of the. Wear and tear that happened for Shane. And it's sad because both him and some others that have gone that way as well. I keep thinking back to Mark Pryor, [00:02:00] who, just showed a glimpse of his career potential and then was gone.

[00:02:04] I hope that Shane doesn't go that route and is able to come back from this, uh, surgery and whatever procedure it is they're doing. I don't think it's something that happens often. Like we don't have much data on this kind of right. Issues. So he's in the realm of his own, basically and, and will set the standard in some of the rehab that he does.

[00:02:26] So, , , they'll be patient with him. I will say that they have, , some arms in AAA that are giving us some hope 'cause Forrest Whitley and, , that Van Bell, Brian Van Bell are, are showing, , that there's other arms in the. And the repertoire to kind of lean on if Shane is out for even some parts of next year.

[00:02:45] , I wish him all the best and uh, I hope he comes back strong and healthy. 

[00:02:49] Mark Corbett: Oh, I hear that brother. Yeah, it's, and, and I, I do get concerned too, like you were saying, when you see a young player come up toward the postseason toward the end, and it's [00:03:00] like, guess what? Everything is weighed on you at this point.

[00:03:03] The expectation is so high, and we're either to get to the World Series or not all depending on what you do today on the mound, and that is just so much pressure. Uh. I gotta tell you, man, I, I've watched a little bit of the Little League World Series coming up to it right now, and I see that on those young players out there, Lake Mary, here in Florida, who won the World Series last year, they came up just short of winning their division this year and, and heading up to Williamsport.

[00:03:34] I watched the last inning of that game and that young pitcher, he was, you know, he was committed. You can see it. Of all those players, I, I hope they enjoy the game as much as they're committed to. It is, is the one part I hope for youth. But you see that intensity and I'm thinking, well, how has this pushed this, uh, team all the way along?

[00:03:57] And as youngsters, . How are they able to [00:04:00] adapt Last year if you won the World Series of Little League and then this year, you know, you're, you've gotta get back up to the top. There's, there's gotta be a pressure to, you know, the defending champion and it is tough, but it's going to be a very, very interesting World series of, um, of little league.

[00:04:17] So I'm, I'm gonna go up and see some of it next week with my brother, so it should be a lot of fun. 

[00:04:22] Mat Germain: That sounds like a hoot, mark. I wish I could go with you. It's, , the, the energy you just wanna bottle up at those tournaments and, and even the parents, the crowds, everybody's cheering, everybody on there doesn't seem to be, you know, the, the rivalry animosity.

[00:04:37] When the other team does well, it's more or less like, oh, well look what they were able to accomplish, sort of thing. Like, it's great. Like I love the mojo there is. Infectious, and I wish that the miners were like that all the time as well. But, uh, the tournament's great, you know, uh, hopefully continues to grow and, and the kids have a lot of fun.

[00:04:58] Mark Corbett: Yeah, I, I, I'm [00:05:00] looking back to the history of the game and was it Marie Pepe? She was the first woman at Little Leaguer to come into it. They, they had to actually file a case because the opposing team said, no, you can't have her in there. That's so, uh, she was a leader for that. Monet Davis, you know, an an amazing young woman in.

[00:05:19] Baseball. I think she's going to be probably part of that Women's Professional Baseball league. Let's see what I got here on Monet. I mean, it, it was amazing to see what she achieved too, um, as a, as a young player. And it was doing more now as well, but it is, and then we got Kevin Cash. Okay. Completely to twist somewhere else.

[00:05:39] You look at Major League baseball players from Tampa who've been through the Little League World Series. Gary Sheffield with Belmont Heights when he was there and. It's, it's amazing when you see players that have come up through the system and that sometimes the little league is part of that, uh, growth, if you will, as a player.

[00:05:58] Mat Germain: Do you think that there's a, uh, [00:06:00] international Little League World Series to be had at some point? Or is that reaching too far? 

[00:06:06] Mark Corbett: No, I don't think it's reaching too far. I mean, there, there's gonna be some international teams coming in on this, but so the, I am looking forward to seeing that. But you know what else?

[00:06:15] I mean, we've got the wb, uh, world Baseball Co. Uh. I never wanna get the C. Right. Con 

[00:06:22] Mat Germain: World Baseball Classic. Thank 

[00:06:24] Mark Corbett: you. I wanna call it a conference every time. I don't know why. World Baseball Classic. I mean, we got that. Just, just do the same model. Sure. We'll take that down to kids are in seventh and eighth grade.

[00:06:34] I don't know. Maybe not. 

[00:06:37] Mat Germain: Yeah. My, my thought is always the more you can get great players to rub shoulders, all the way through the process. Yeah. Then the better off they are for it. So, uh, there's a reason why there's so many major leagues, leaguers, sons in, uh, in the majors. Right. Because they, they do get to be around it all the time.

[00:06:54] And, and the more often you're able to grab that information, the better it is. But I'm thinking like. [00:07:00] I, I don't think you can make it part of the actual WBC, but it could be a precursor to it. Yeah. Like let's say that you have, uh, I don't know, like the month prior, which I don't know if it works even weather-wise to be honest in a lot of cases.

[00:07:17] But anyways, all that to say that. You know, assuming that you have something in the works after the Little League World Series happened, so it's happening, you know now. Then maybe just before September or in early September, you could have another tournament that is all the winners from all the different countries that you want to involve in this.

[00:07:37] And I, I think that to me is the big attraction is because every time you have a tournament where you're gonna draw a lot of eyes and you're gonna get people of a certain age to be excited about it and give 'em another stage to have a big moment on, then the better it is for the sport in general. I find it, it just brings more attention to it.

[00:07:53] Like for hockey, I think of the. The, the world juniors, right? So the world juniors, I [00:08:00] don't know about how huge it is in the States, but in Canada it's massive. Like the, the people watch it like crazy and, and they really gravitate to it. Not the same like age group as the Little League World Series, but you're getting closer to it.

[00:08:14] And, uh, and I think that the, the youth. Uh, excitement is just infectious. Like, you see these kids sometimes getting interviewed and, and they're like, you know, very short or a lot shorter than an NHL player and, and they just look skinny. They take their equipment on. You're like, whoa, what is this? Like, you're just a toothpick under there, and then he gets on the ice and you're like, whoa, the guy's playing, like he's seven feet tall and bulletproof.

[00:08:38] Like, how does that happen? So, uh, no, it's great to, to see that and, and hopefully. Like I said, the, the best team wins and, uh, there's always a, a few special moments in there that everybody gets to look back on and, and enjoy. 

[00:08:54] Mark Corbett: Well, I guess we should probably talk about, um, the elephant in the [00:09:00] room. Gosh. I mean, it is, it is just, nobody saw, I think this coming where we would be.

[00:09:09] This far beneath 500 and, eh, you know, I don't, I, what was it you posted today on Blue Sky and it was from Codify, I believe. And you're, they were showing the percentage, a level of certain teams that could win the World Series, and I kept going down line after line after line, kept looking for Tampa Bay line after line after line.

[00:09:31] Oh, a couple more lines. Oh, there we are. And it was under. 1% what, like 0.1% a chance of, of the Rays, making it to the World Series or winning the World Series this year. I thought, oh man, come on brother. 

[00:09:46] Mat Germain: Yeah. So it, it's getting pretty bad. It's getting to the point where the Rays are starting to look more at the draft position than a playoff position.

[00:09:56] Right. And that's the scary. Teeter-totter moment when [00:10:00] you're like, okay, this season is done. I'm not saying we're there officially, but we're extremely close to it. Uh, just to give you an example, with four more losses, they would be tied with the athletics, you know, who they're playing for, for the second best chance in the American League at a play, at the, the draft lottery.

[00:10:20] So that, that tells you just how bad things have gotten, you know, since July and. And when you're looking at the National League, there's only four teams that are worse off than the athletics as well. And and three of those are not far behind, like the Braves, the Pirates and the Nationals. So you're, you're getting into that territory of Yeah, and to be quite honest, mark, like I don't wanna.

[00:10:44] Point fingers or anything, but I look at the Rays roster and I look at, , the AAA team that they put up the other day and the the bench and bringing in Stewart Fairchild and a bunch of other mediocre pieces that kind of show that you're [00:11:00] more interested in keeping your best players in aa, getting the seasoning that you think they need than you are to compete this year.

[00:11:07] That's the feeling that I think they're giving me even though. Like the, the pieces that they treated for are attractive pieces. Like I said, at the time they got them. It's a three year plan with those acquisitions. It's not this year specifically, so 

[00:11:25] Mark Corbett: Yeah. Well, we, we talked about the gelling of, of the battery of the pitcher with the catcher, you know, and two new catchers coming in.

[00:11:34] I think Pepiot had a history with one of them. Was it Fortis? I can't remember which one it was, and I thought, well, that's helpful, but all in all, there, there's so many things there that. And we're not alone in that. There's several other teams who've, who've traded out catchers and pitchers, et cetera. And, that's part of the game you bring up the A's. And rightfully so. As far as where we are in comparison with them and playing with them, uh, all I can think of [00:12:00] as our boys took the, uh, the field the other day or rather when they came up to bat, was looking out at that ball field.

[00:12:08] Realizing that we are playing on aaa, uh, field away. We're playing a single a when we're at home. And I'm thinking, okay, both of these ball fields, neither one are actually made with Major League Baseball team in mind. And what it's interesting too, me kind of take a step back for a moment. If you look at where we're playing right now, George Stein Brenner Field used to be Legends Field.

[00:12:31] If in Tampa, if we weren't there. The Tampa Tarpons, a single a team would be playing in that stadium. And I've seen them play there. I've seen 'em watch, uh, the Tampa Tarpons play, the Threshers, the Phillies team here, and Big Fight broke up. Anyway, that's a whole other story. And the, the thing of it is suddenly there is.

[00:12:51] A small little diamond next to the big field there, and I watched the Hillsborough Community College team play there. And [00:13:00] it's like you've gone to the little local neighborhood to see the team play on the field, and that's where the Yankees, Tampa Tarpons, and single A team has to play. Now, the good news for if you're an A's fan is, or I should say maybe not an A's fan, uh, the Giants fan, the Giants.

[00:13:18] It's actually , the team that owns the field , where the A's are playing now, but it's set up. That's this Giants AAA team field and the Giants. Or I guess alternating days with the, A's playing at home. So they don't have, uh, like our good friends of the Rays, but over three, 3000 different pieces of, of branding that they put up inside the, the Yankees Legends Field or George Steinbrenner Field.

[00:13:46] And I can only think of what they would try to do as far as branding for the, A's in, you know, a Giants Triple A teams field. It's, it's gotta be insane. 

[00:13:57] Mat Germain: Yeah, the Giants are making out like bandits to be [00:14:00] quite honest, mark. 'cause now they own the Bay completely, right? Yep. They kind of, uh, adopted a hu a much larger territory than it would otherwise have, and they get the benefit of having the agent who knows how much they're charging them.

[00:14:14] So it's a double whammy in that, in that front, but that just shows you the, the power of Las Vegas and the pole that it had on the owner of the a. So, uh, he's not crying foul whatsoever. He's gonna get, you know. Uh, everything that he's wishing and hoping for in Vegas once it's all built and said and done.

[00:14:34] Um, that's a city that I think was underrated as a potential destination. And the NHL sort of opened everybody's eyes that it was doable and there was nothing to be scared of, basically, in terms of having the players there so far. , The baseball's always a, a little bit of a laggard when it comes to innovation and, and of certain types.

[00:14:58] Uh, but getting to Vegas [00:15:00] definitely was the right call. I think you had to get in there, especially right now with the way things are , and, , I think it's gonna open up, like I said, the territory for the, the Giants to really become a, a, a much bigger. Enterprise overall. Uh, and the same thing for the A's.

[00:15:18] They never could have grown to the level they would, you know, in San, uh, in Oakland. Um, so to see them in Vegas makes a lot of sense. That's also why I think Utah is an automatic shoe in when they look to expand. Mm-hmm. To me, uh, you know, there's no. It, it just makes so sense for travel wise to help out the Mariners, to help out the Rockies, to have more of a Central America presence.

[00:15:45] Uh, even the northern Canadian, uh, or sorry, the Northern Canadian, the Southern Canadians, provinces being able to go down there and watch some games in the middle of the country, , it'll be a big draw in, in all. Areas. So again, you had [00:16:00] hockey lead the way once again in Utah. So it, it seems to me like it's a tit for tat like the hockey goes in first, then baseball follows.

[00:16:10] So that in mind is Nashville going to be next after that when you have the Predators in mind. 

[00:16:17] Mark Corbett: , I've been wondering about the, you know, the expansion all along. I know Rob Manfred wants to make sure that's one piece of the puzzle he has done, you know, before he steps down, I think, from the mantle.

[00:16:28] So, uh, I, I don't know. I've, I've wondered about that. I've wondered about, uh, Vancouver, you know, all uh, uh. From the different possibilities there to Utah. You know, some were even talking about Nashville and it's like, eh, I don't know about Nashville. But right now, we'll, we'll, we'll work with a team we have at the moment, but we may have a new owner.

[00:16:49] Uh, I still don't think things, uh, set completely on that just yet. Uh, see what else is going on, my friend. 

[00:16:58] Mat Germain: Trying to 

[00:16:58] Mark Corbett: think. So go ahead. [00:17:00] 

[00:17:00] Mat Germain: The, um. The one thing that I wanted to mention as well is that, you know, the rays are, you're, you're talking about the standings, you're talking about the draft pick. And, and they had a pretty good, you know, everybody seemed to assess their, their draft as being really good.

[00:17:16] Uh, the, in June. Uh, in fact, I think most outlets had them, you know, in the top three, uh, coming out of the draft as to having done the most. Right. So it puzzles me a lot when I see. MLB pipeline rank them second when the season started, right? And then now they're 10th all of a sudden. But wait a minute. So you rank them second and then they had the top three draft, you know, after the fact and now you're telling me their 10th.

[00:17:46] Like, and this is where this whole prospect ranking thing starts to, you know, mean a lot less. Because there's a lot of guys that are being discredited, overlooked, uh, sort of, you know, if you're not a [00:18:00] name we followed before, we're not gonna follow you until you really, really, really, really, really, really, really prove it.

[00:18:05] Um, and, and so it's just, you know, it's one of those, it's the first time I think I've sat there and I haven't agreed with any of the rankings at Baseball America MLB Pipeline. I think that there's a lot of people that are gravitating, um. To the, the hottest players of the moment and, and dropping everybody way too fast that, that was a, a top end prospect before.

[00:18:29] So anyways, it's interesting that to look at that because today, uh, or yesterday the Rays, , promoted, , a couple of their draft prospects. So Brendan Summerhill and uh, also Quinn Irons is, uh, is in. Charleston right now they're both manning the corners in outfield. And Brendan Summerhill hit his, uh, first double, uh, as a pro.

[00:18:50] So that's great to see. And then Quinn Irons also has a hit, but they ended up taking the spots of a couple of Latin American players that, that were released [00:19:00] and one that was promoted. So, en Angel, Mateo was promoted to, , a plus level. So he's gonna be playing now, uh, in the playoffs for that are coming up later on.

[00:19:09] Next month. So all that to say that , the Rays youth is being. Activated and mobilized down in the lower, lower levels of the miners. Uh, you're gonna see promotions, you know, all the way through from here to the end of the season. And to be quite honest, mark, with the way the season's going now, that's kind of becoming much, much bigger focus for me.

[00:19:31] Um, and other interesting news that I've been watching tonight, uh, before we talked was Forrest Whitley kicking some butt tonight. Uh, he, he had, um, at the time that we started talking, he had six innings pitched only through 70 pitches, uh, allowed only two or three hits, uh, dominating the other team. Like, like, there's no tomorrow.

[00:19:55] And I was curious, I watched the start 'cause I wanted to know how they were gonna change his [00:20:00] arsenal. What was it about it that was being so effective? And the only thing I can figure out, mark, is that they're. They're throwing the bag of tricks trick in there, uh, where, you know, he's throwing cutters, he's throwing curves, he's throwing, but a lot less fastballs, like very few, but they're very selective in where they use them and how they use them.

[00:20:21] And it's working, it's doing a really good job of keeping him or hitters off balance. And um, so I think they have to be ecstatic with what they see from him today. And, uh, I hope it continues because. It would be a great find for the Rays to have at a time when you're losing, you know, and, and about to lose, uh, a few more, um, high caliber prospects off your list.

[00:20:46] And you're like, okay, well, you know, how can we fill those holes and, uh, and who's gonna take the reins? And, and going into 2026. 

[00:20:55] Mark Corbett: Well, I'm glad you're looking at that as well as far as the people coming up and like with [00:21:00] Forest, et cetera, because the thing of it is, yes, we gotta find some sunshine somewhere, and it's good to be able to, to look at, hey, how are we doing across our minor league teams, or are they all above 500?

[00:21:13] How they, how are they ferrying? 

[00:21:15] Mat Germain: They are all above 500. But to be honest, there's only one that's likely to be in the playoffs. Uh, I think Montgomery still has a chance, uh, but they have to get, you know, get things going and really go on a, on a winning streak here to kind of make up the ground. I think there are about four to five games back of the, the people that are in front of them and they need to win basically the division in order to get to make it into the playoffs.

[00:21:41] 'cause it's the lead the. First place person from the first half playing the first place from second half. So, uh, you don't really have any. Any other way of making it into the playoffs. So, uh, it's really short, especially, , it used to be, I think one game now it's [00:22:00] three, , that they play. So it's the best outta three against the other team.

[00:22:03] Uh, and then I think that there's another playoff between the double A level, like, so you would actually play the other double A. Uh, team and then the same thing in Triple A, but it, I might be wrong there in terms of the AA also applying, I know it does for a fact in, in Triple A. So if the Bulls were to make it, through the International League, they would actually go and play against the other league.

[00:22:26] Yeah. So the Pacific Coast, , league. And so they kind of had the champions of each level meet up. And I think that's another three game series. . Yeah, Tre Morgan's been, , leading off for, , Durham tonight. He's got two hits and, uh, Bob Seymour has his 30th home run of the season. And, uh, that's one guy like you.

[00:22:47] We talk about, you know, the rays playing the AAA team. You wanna see more guys get opportunities and get looks and to see what they're able to do. And I would love to see what Bob Seymour can do at, you know, in the majors. [00:23:00] And if he can apply some of that power he is showing in aa. 'cause obviously the power's there and if you've ever seen, uh, him hit a ball out, you know, it almost looks too easy.

[00:23:12] A little bit like the Babe Ruth side of things where he just kind of, you know, got, has a, uh, an easy looking swing. It's short and to the point, basically.

[00:23:25] Mark Corbett: Oh my goodness, brother. Um. Talking about minor league teams. I had the good opportunity to go out and see one of the Florida Complex League. Well, I'd hope to see the team again. It is hurricane season here in Florida, boys and girls, and you never know what's going to happen. I got out there and it was a downpour.

[00:23:46] It was the Lakeland Flying Tigers, and they were going to be there. Who was that? I think they were playing the parts. They were playing the marauders. So that's the Braydenton team , for the Pirates. [00:24:00] Anyway, it, I just walked out there to the field and I looked at it coming down and it's just like, no, there's no way.

[00:24:06] And the funny thing was in there, in part for promotion for their mascot, uh, a Tiger by the name of South Paw. Ah,

[00:24:18] south Paul gave me this Detroit tiger hat. It's got, uh, Jim Leland on the side there as well, but it was South Paul. It was, we celebrated his birthday while we were there. There, I think about 20 or 30 people came in in hopes that there was going to be a game. Plus, I knew Southpaw had a birthday and it was, it was a good time.

[00:24:39] But, uh, uh. Man, I tell you what Matt, it's, it's interesting to be able to go, I, I enjoy the minor league games and I'm sad that I haven't gotten out there to actually see one. And partake, uh, even if I'm going over to see the tarpons on that collegiate high school baseball field, [00:25:00] to me that's, that's huge.

[00:25:01] So we'll see about getting out with more of those. But, but to be able to talk about like some of the players that you mentioned, whether it be do single a double a triple a watch, the evolution of these guys, and I know I'm going on about this in the past, but it really is a, a great opportunity for us to, to see the future of the game right out there in the matter leagues.

[00:25:20] Mat Germain: Yeah, I, I appreciate it because I see the struggles and the, the steps forward that they take, like a good one that I'm watching tonight. Like, I'm, like I said, I'm watching the bulls and the, the river dogs. And, uh, the river dogs have Nathan Flewelling, who's a, a Canadian catcher and, and the leaps and bounds that he's made this year, like having started really rough.

[00:25:40] Hardly gets a hit right to moving through the season and finally putting up good at bats. Then it starts clicking over time and then you see some walks mixed into it. And so you, you get to see that slow progression to where the at bats are starting to get sharper, the hits are starting to get stronger, and you starting to do [00:26:00] damage, and then all of a sudden you're getting excited with him.

[00:26:02] Right? And, and so that to me is the draw with the, with the minor leaguers. . I do think that the Rays system is a lot stronger than most people think, and I think a lot of that is is because they, you know, when you have some like a, a team or somebody that's strong all the time, you sort of hold them to a higher standard maybe, and I feel like that's what's happening with the Rays where, yes, okay.

[00:26:28] You can say Xavier Isaac isn't having a career year. Uh, Brayden Taylor isn't having a career year. We talked about it with Kevin. Uh, there, you know, there's a lot of guys that you can look at and say, okay, those guys aren't, but who is And why aren't you believing in them the same way you would have if the other guys are, are having career years?

[00:26:47] That's, to me, is the, the big thing that I find is missing. And you don't see that unless you're watching the games constantly and you're seeing just how, uh, how effective and, and. How many steps forward these guys actually [00:27:00] took. It's hard. I, I imagine, I honestly like the people who actually do the scouting and put their names on the sheet of paper and say, this player is this, this, this, this, this, this, this.

[00:27:10] Like that has to be very tedious and, and hard to kind of, you know, cross your heart. You know, uh, put the thing on and say, okay, this is what I believe, and then you're held up to it. Like the organization will. I'm not saying that they're gonna tear you apart if you, if you're wrong, but the, you know, if you keep being wrong too often, then yeah, they don't have a choice.

[00:27:35] So, so in a way you're always working to get your reputation up as at the same time as you're trying to recognize talent. So it's not an easy process. I think that the, um. The curious thing that I don't know if it's gonna work for other people or not, but I would say that the White Sox and angels have surprised a lot of people this year and maybe even the Marlins right?

[00:27:56] And the thing that those three teams have in common is [00:28:00] that they promoted guys very quickly. So from the draft to the majors, a lot of their top end guys. Kind of get moved along very quickly. Okay. You're doing well. Yeah. You're going to the next level. Okay. You're doing well here. Okay? Yep. You're going up to the next level.

[00:28:13] And they do that, right? I think Major League Baseball wants that process to be sped up and they want it to succeed that way. I don't know how fast you can make it without jeopardizing a lot of players. But to be honest, mark, like some of the most exciting and best players we've seen have been to the majors at 19, you know, 20 years old.

[00:28:33] Yeah. So there's a lot of credence to that, right? Like there's a lot of good, um. Theory behind it. So shouldn't a four year college player start in aa? Like why is Brendan Summerhill starting with the RiverDogs right now? He's got two hits tonight. Looks like he's tearing the cover off the ball. And what is he learning Really just to dominate a ball pitching [00:29:00] like, 

[00:29:00] Mark Corbett: yeah, he's 

[00:29:01] Mat Germain: being better.

[00:29:01] Like I don't understand that. Like to me he was an a plus at least player and, and maybe even double A, but. I'm not the one that's, that's giving him the signing bonus. 

[00:29:13] Mark Corbett: No, but as a general rule, I, I would think if you're looking at somebody with four years of collegiate baseball, if they're ain't damn good at all, why wouldn't you put 'em a double A to start off with?

[00:29:24] I think, I think you're on the money there. It's, it's, I You're talking about bringing 'em up young. The other thing too is that gives, if they're. Their strength, their youth, their energy is going to be stronger. And if I can get that as an owner earlier on before arbitration, before, uh, free agency, why wouldn't I?

[00:29:46] Uh, you know, the thing of it is that what does that do to longevity to baseball players, uh, careers overall. You know, those who are spectacular will maintain, but many others may not. And, uh, maybe we'll [00:30:00] investigate that as we look at the CBA in the future. But, uh, no, no, I, I,

[00:30:04] i'm with you a hundred percent. Regarding, you know, bringing up a player from who's already played four years of college ball. Come on. E. Either, either he's worth double A or he is not worth looking at. 

[00:30:16] Mat Germain: Well, I understand it For a high school player. High school player, sure. Starting in the FCLA ball, whatever you want to do, that makes perfect sense.

[00:30:24] And then you can slow walk 'em, right? That's a high school player that makes, you know, that's pretty much the model. But to hold. A college player to that same kind of timeline and, and step-by-step process just seems unnecessary to me. Yeah, unless you really don't trust that person's talent, you wanna rebuild them from scratch.

[00:30:45] Well then why did you draft them? Honestly? Like, it doesn't make any sense. Like, to me, take the player for what he is and, and tweak the tools in, in a higher level. And then you're getting that, you know, con, like you said, the [00:31:00] control. You can keep him at AAA for a couple of years. That's, that's fine. But at least then he's matched to his skill level and he's pushing further ahead.

[00:31:09] Right. I'll give you another example. So if your, if your son or daughter is at a certain level, right, and they're dominating. Wouldn't you want them to move up to the next level and be challenged? Right. Like I remember Sidney Crosby great , hockey player. He was playing against people two or three years older than him his entire time.

[00:31:29] And he ended up being the youngest player ever in the junior hockey tournament. Like that's. Playing to your skill level, right? You don't hold back and say, well, you know, this is the process that we're gonna hold him in the a HL. No, you're gonna start him in the NHL. He is ready. Like, come on. Like it. So I don't wanna say I'm frustrated, like the rays don't have that many college drafted players anyhow.

[00:31:53] Right. And they do have other prospects in the system to consider 'cause they have to move them along as well. [00:32:00] But like we're talking Brendan Summerhill, he is a CBA. Draft player, right? So he, he's in the top 40 overall. He's not, you know, a nobody. He's, he's, he's right. He's somebody that you've invested heavily in giving him a huge bonus.

[00:32:17] Um, you may as well challenge him, like, don't let him sit down and dominate a ball. Pitchers, like put 'em in a plus or double a. That's just my thoughts on it anyway. But the, like, that falls back to the rays having a really hard time. Still, still Mark. And a lot of the guys that I mentioned before that are struggling, they, they still can't get their heads around developing high-end hitters.

[00:32:43] It's very hard. Chandler Simpson's, just a born contact player, knows who he is. He's gonna channel that forever. Right. Um, then you're looking at Brandon Lowe. But the rest of the Rayss, hitters that have ever been developed, Josh Lowe's a disappointment. , All the high-end draft picks other than Theo Gillen [00:33:00] who's making headway now, and, and he, they kind of invested heavily in him, but the Rays altogether, I started looking at this the other day.

[00:33:07] I was like, because of the AAA bench thing, developing hitters is really hard for them to get, you know, their heads around and to do consistently well. So I hope that they figure it out. Essentially. And, and I hope that at some point maybe Longo or others get involved in, you know, other hitting coaches and, and different approaches.

[00:33:29] 'cause you can draft the talents and they're doing, they're doing a good job of bringing in top end bat talents, but you have to give them the development roots and tools and whatever it is that they're missing. I don't know what that is, mark. Something is missing. There's something not right with the way that Rays hitters are essentially being brought up, and I don't know what it is.

[00:33:53] Mark Corbett: Well, I, I don't either my friend, but you would hope that the organization would figure that out. It's, uh. [00:34:00] We will, we'll see how this develops. I'm really still curious to see what, if any, changes a new ownership may make. Mm-hmm. To who the management is and maybe in the front office and I, I, I still don't think they'll come in and completely just.

[00:34:13] shellack everything. Attorney there, just knock it all out and start over. Uh, there's, there's some really good components that are there, but I know also that since this new owner has had some experience with owning a. Team, if you will, baseball team, you know, minor league team, that he's bound to have his own ideas about how things, how to run this.

[00:34:33] So I, I'll be curious to see how that may impact it. I, I'm hoping we have this actually solidified by the end of the season so everybody can look fresh next year. What, what's may be with the Rays I'm not giving up on this year. I'm just not looking for much possibility on postseason for that 0.1%. Yeah.

[00:34:54] Mat Germain: That, that's kind of a slap in the face, isn't it? Yeah. 

[00:34:57] Mark Corbett: Yeah. Come on. Codeify. 

[00:34:59] Mat Germain: [00:35:00] No, no, it's not him who made it. He just kinda, he took it from Fangraphs, I think. 

[00:35:04] Mark Corbett: Oh, is that what it came from? Okay. No. Wow. 

[00:35:06] Mat Germain: But, but there's six and a half games out and it make up six and a half games in one month and a bit. That is, that is a lot of, uh, of room to make up.

[00:35:15] Now, having said that, , the Yankees aren't essentially, , tearing the place apart either. No, but I think we're at the point now where I'm, I'm okay to let go. I want them to give the, right, so that's the other thing I was gonna mention, mark, around this time of the year or a little bit later, is when they brought up Junior Caminero the first time, right.

[00:35:34] In 2023, I believe. Mm-hmm. Um, so to me that's what I was kind of going on about. Like yesterday or the day before, uh, in terms of not having to watch certain players and bringing up Carson Williams, bringing up Trey Morgan and just seeing what they have to offer, giving them a taste, letting them have an idea of what they need to work on in the off season and why like that [00:36:00] development road is nowhere near finished.

[00:36:02] Right? Yeah. It kind of opens up your eyes to that front. Um, it's too bad that the, that's the other thing I was gonna mention, that the Rays. Don't send more, um, of their drafted players to, uh, the A BL or to winter leagues. And I think that when we look at the, the hitters, the rays have developed best. They are Latin American players and they are ones who played winter ball.

[00:36:26] Even Mike Brosseau, Mike Brosseau went down and, , played winter ball. Uh, the, those guys tend to have, uh, you know, it's like anything else. If you keep doing it with live hit pitching more consistently through the winter, then you're better off spring training. Your confidence is higher.

[00:36:43] It feeds off from spring training into the season. So I think something the rays may want to consider, and I don't know how they push this. I know they have to ask the players. The players have to, okay. It. Send some of your guys to the Winter leagues, you know, send Brayden, Taylor, Taylor to [00:37:00] the Australian Baseball League.

[00:37:02] Like do it. Sure. He is in double A. Sure it's more work. But what does he have to lose? Like honestly, uh, do do it with some more of your drafted players just so that they get that extra. To, to develop and to get their footing right. You know, on the hitting side. Um, even in the, uh, Caribbean League that I know, there's lots of openings that for people to go and, and they love to have their little drafts or, or signings right through the season, which are hilarious to watch.

[00:37:31] I think Jonathan Aranda is another good example. He plays every winter in the Mexican league and look at how he's hitting. So you've got, you know, there three best developed players right there, Caminero, Franco, and Aranda all played in the Winter League consistently, every single winter.

[00:37:47] Well, that's a sign, you know, guess what did Bill Engval? Is that his name? You know, there's your sign here. 

[00:37:55] Mark Corbett: You, there you go. No. And, and that's the truth, man. But you [00:38:00] think about it, man, as far as uh, just developing any muscle, you know, if you let it, uh, atrophy because you're not using it, and whether that be.

[00:38:09] Your mental acuity in the game or the physical nature of what you have to do on the field. If those things lapse, uh, over a few months, 'cause you haven't been participating with, and I'm not saying that the players have stayed staying off it completely, but to be in a competitive league like that they're doing there in the Mexican league with Aranda and the others, it does make a difference.

[00:38:30] And she pointed out the math, proven on the paper, says, 

[00:38:34] Mat Germain: why aren't we doing it with all of them? 

[00:38:36] Mark Corbett: I don't know. 

[00:38:37] Mat Germain: Yeah, at least more of them. And you can even organize it with a couple of other teams. If you want to like organize something else, send them to Europe. I don't know. There, there has to be other things that are going on that you can actually, , get them involved in.

[00:38:50] Now you're hoping that they don't get injured. That's always a fear of a lot of teams. But I mean, if they're having such horrific seasons that, that you're thinking of pulling the [00:39:00] plug or trading them or you're not sure if they're gonna have a spot next year. Give them the chance to actually prove themselves, like put them in in an empowered position.

[00:39:09] Anyways, that's just my soapbox thing for this week. I think the frustrations, you know, are feeding from the major league level to the minor's level, where you're just like, all right, like, I need sunshine somewhere. Where is it? Where is the sunshine? 

[00:39:22] Mark Corbett: Uh. It's gonna be cracking out on the West Coast at 10 o'clock at night or nine 30, or maybe it's nine 30 tonight, I don't know.

[00:39:29] Uh, nine 30 eastern, 10 o'clock eastern, you know, past my bedtime, boys and girls. I gotta, I either get up and watch the whole thing early in the morning again, or just what the, the condensed game, if you will, but, uh, it's never the same. I know. So tonight's a rubber game, isn't it, with the A's? So they've, we've lost one, won one and we'll see what we can do tonight.

[00:39:51] Who's on the mo, do you know? 

[00:39:53] Mat Germain: Um, I think the, uh, the Rays met an old friend there recently in terms of, uh, Jeffrey Springs. 

[00:39:59] Mark Corbett: Yep. 

[00:39:59] Mat Germain: [00:40:00] And, and I think they're doing it again tonight with Jacob Lopez, I believe. Ooh, no, no. Actually, they changed it to TJ Gin, uh, I or JT again. I said, tj, my dyslexia is getting the best of me now.

[00:40:16] Um, who's, he's having a solid season. He's a guy that they got, uh, I think he used to be in the Met system before he went to them. Um, and he's, you know, he's a good pitcher. He's a little bit like, I always think of him in terms of like Taj Bradley in terms of what kind of pitcher he is. , So he's got a little bit of that kind of of stuff and size.

[00:40:39] I think it'll be a tough matchup for the Rays, just because if they're not familiar with pitchers, generally they tend to struggle. But, but you know, they, they also could blow the doors open and have a good game. It could go either way. Um, I think that Drew Rasmussen's going up against them, uh, they had a graphic up the other day that said that the [00:41:00] pitchers that have gone with a clean sheet through five innings.

[00:41:04] The most this year is, uh, drew Rasmussen, and there was one other guy. So Drew's really strong through the first five innings, and, uh, you know, if the pen can hold it together after he's done, then there's a good chance the ray pull off the, uh, series win. 

[00:41:20] Mark Corbett: I love watching that gap pitch every time. Man, I tell you what, there's, it's amazing what he does on the mound.

[00:41:26] And you know, we talked time and again too about injuries and pitchers and who came back, my gosh, have run what he's been through. So always look forward to seeing him play. 

[00:41:36] Mat Germain: Yeah. He's got the best tunneling of all the Raysd pitchers. Yeah. That's what gets guys like, it's all very centered. Right. And it's, the tunneling just works perfectly and by the time they swing, they're done.

[00:41:49] So it's great to watch. 

[00:41:52] Mark Corbett: Well. The, uh, women's professional jumping to a totally different topic. Women's Professional Baseball league, they got the tryouts. All that's gonna be coming [00:42:00] up. And I'm seeing players like even Monet Davis, who was, when I was talking about little leagues earlier, um, she was an amazing pitcher and she had like a no-hitter going for several innings.

[00:42:10] I can't remember if she played like, how many innings she played, but she was, she was a fantastic, uh. Player. And so it's, it's neat when you look back at some of this, what's going on there? Uh, with also Women in Baseball, big thing came about this past week and you probably heard about it, Jen Pawol, who was a female umpire, the first woman umpire in Major League baseball this past week, and it was great to watch her.

[00:42:34] I watched the, the, those games and see the, the third game she played in that series, or she, uh. In that series, she was behind the plate and it's always neat, you know, watching the ump behind the plate, making the calls for the first time. I was curious. I thought, you know, one of the reasons. You don't see much turnover with umpires either, Matt.

[00:42:54] I mean, there's only 76 full-time umpires if they've got, uh, what is it, [00:43:00] 19 teams of four, uh, umpires in each group. So that's what they have. Those, they'll rotate around and there are some triple A. Umpires who are like on call, and that's what Jen Pawol is. She's not a, unfortunately, she's not a permanent umpire at this point.

[00:43:18] Uh, of the 76 umpires that are the permanent MLB umpires this year, there are five new ones, so I guess five retired or whatever. It's, it's a slow rotation. There's been some years where there's only been two or three who have left in the, the field of those spots. So that's really interesting. You know, and the people who do this, I mean, they, yes.

[00:43:38] There's no doubt. You, you want to elevate your game as an umpire and move up and, and some say, well, they're doing it for the money. I can't imagine anybody who would want umpire baseball, if case you, you have to love that. We had, uh, Greta Langhenry on here recently, and we, we've also had, uh. It was a pa, Perry Barber on here talking about, you know, [00:44:00] umping and you, you get the sense that it's the passion of the game.

[00:44:03] So even Jen Pawol, who's been coming up through the system for some time as an umpire, you know, she's been in the spring training last year and the year before. I thought last year she would make it up. So, but I'm so glad that she's, see she's there now. And I wanted to mention from the BaseballBiz perspective that a full-time umpire.

[00:44:24] in MLB beginner makes around 150 a year, $150,000 if you are a veteran and you can make up to 300,000 now. That's nice. That's a nice pretty piece of coin and all that, don't get me wrong, but I'm still feel like the majority of those people are in there 'cause they love it. 

[00:44:44] Mat Germain: Right. Well, you gotta remember that the government makes half right,

[00:44:51] so I won't, not money in their pocket unless they turn a business, you know, and have the income tax deductions and everything else. [00:45:00] So that would be my first recommendation to any umpires to start a business. Slide so you can, you can, uh, knock off all your tax income, but I'm gonna get off my accountant box.

[00:45:10] And, uh, it is striking basically how, uh, and I, I use the pun, you know, intentionally, uh, how much, the salaries go up, , just in terms of the, the. Experience that they have and how much, credence that they give to it. , And you think about all the umpires over the years that have driven us nuts and how much money they were drawing in.

[00:45:35] Right? And that's the first place my mind goes to is we're playing these guys what? I get it. It is a very tough job. I am extremely happy that women are getting in there and, and having a say. I think it'll only do good things and, and, and, you know, help to balance things out a little bit more than probably there have been historically, uh, in terms of tempers or attitudes or whatever you want to call it.[00:46:00] 

[00:46:00] Uh, you know, it's, um. It's not an easy job. It'll never be an easy job, even with the balls and strikes being, you know, somewhat autonomous eventually down the road. Uh, there's always plays that are being made, which will be contentious. There's always things that are going to be the call of the umpires, uh, that they have to make on the whim, like very quick.

[00:46:22] And you have to have a lot of wit to be able to do that. So, oh, oh, kudos to her and I hope that she has a great time and that we never hear her name. That's, that's 

[00:46:34] Mark Corbett: the of good umpire right. Country, Joe West. Yeah. No, I, I hear that. I always talk about the invisible team, you know, on the, on the field, and that's what they're supposed to be, so Yeah, I'm, I'm sure she'll continue to do well, and like you said.

[00:46:50] Hopefully we won't hear, hear any more about it than that. Oh my gosh, brother. It's been an entertaining week. Let's see. Oh, you know, I was looking into the world of [00:47:00] football for a second here. There was a big announcement that came out yesterday and I wouldn't have guessed it, but thank goodness that Travis Kelce has a podcast.

[00:47:09] 'cause now I see that, you know, that uh, Taylor Swift's coming out with a new album. So football fans be be ready. 

[00:47:19] Mat Germain: I love that you call that football news. That is awesome, mark. Good on you. 

[00:47:26] Mark Corbett: Oh, brother. No, you gotta have some fun. You gotta have some fun. Make it. 

[00:47:29] Mat Germain: I couldn't afford to send my daughter to her.

[00:47:32] One of her concerts. Yeah. So for her birthday, I bought her every single Taylor Swift record. So I went old school, but it was new school at the same time and, and she appreciated it and it was hilarious 'cause she just got like a bunch of, you know, obviously record gifts on her lap and she's opening 'em one at a time and all her friends are in a circle and they're all screaming the album's name every time she opens up a new, 

[00:47:59] Mark Corbett: I [00:48:00] love it.

[00:48:01] Oh, all right, Swifties, we hope you're enjoying this show. Any other nuggets we need to make sure we share today, Matt? 

[00:48:08] Mat Germain: Uh, no, I, I just, like you said before, I think you mentioned quickly, like, I want some resolution in terms of the ownership and the stadium. Yeah. Parts of the Rays. Uh, I don't know what the hurricane season's gonna bring to the quote unquote renovated, uh, Trop.

[00:48:22] Um, hopefully it survives. Um, but you know, I want the fans to be able to cheer for something, and to me that would be something to cheer for if, if they're able to get the ownership issue resolved, the stadium issue resolved, that would be, you know, a great, you know, 20, 25 present for what's been a really long struggle.

[00:48:44] Uh, yeah, so far this year. 

[00:48:47] Mark Corbett: Wow. Well, that's Mr. Mat Germain. I'm Mark Corbett, and, uh, you've enjoyed yet another episode of BaseballBiz On Deck. 

You can find Mat at @matgermain.bsky.social or reach Mark at  baseballbizondeck@gmail.com BaseballBiz on Deck, at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at www.baseballbizOnDeck.com 
 Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music Stomps & Claps

Tags:
 RaysUp,World Series,Winter Ball, Bob Seymour, Forrest Whitley, Brendan Summerville,Quinn-Irons, Mo’ne Davis, Junior Caminero, Jen Pawol, Lake Mary, LLWS, WPBL, Shane McClanahan,Mark Pryor,MLB,Nathan Flewelleyn,Umpires,Lakeland,Flying Tigers,River Dogs,Angels,Taylor Swift,NFL,WhiteSox,Marlins