Questions for Inland Empire players

[Brent Maguire]

Hi all,

I'll be heading out for the home opener for the 66ers tomorrow night covering for Angels Win. I thought it would be appropriate to post a thread to see if anybody had questions they'd like to hear answered. If anybody has any questions for the players or coaches, leave them here and I'll try to use some of them for interviews tomorrow night. 

[Chuck]

Maybe a short "get to know you" interview with some of our top prospects there in Jaime Barria, Grayson Long, Connor Justus, Matt Thaiss, Jared Foster & Zach Gibbons more (Saltzer got Hermosillo's interview last season, but maybe ask how it was playing with the big league team this spring).  

Also, it's always cool to get to know the current manager of the team and hear his stories of his days in the big leagues. Chad Tracy came up with the Diamondbacks and had a nice, albeit short career with Arizona. In 2005-2006 he was a stud for them (especially in 2005, hit .308 with 27 HR and a .911 OPS as their 3B).

Maybe ask him who's someone flying under the radar to keep an eye on.

[Dave Saltzer]

Will you be doing video interviews, audio interviews, or just general interviews to write a piece? I am planning on heading out there sometime soon to get a video interview with Thaiss and some others. If you want, i can give you some standard questions based on what type of interview you will be doing.

 

 

[Chuck]

2 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Will you be doing video interviews, audio interviews, or just general interviews to write a piece? I am planning on heading out there sometime soon to get a video interview with Thaiss and some others. If you want, i can give you some standard questions based on what type of interview you will be doing.

 

 

I think just audio interviews @Dave Saltzer and to write a story. 

Later on when you can head out, you can get your customary high def video interviews with the top guys there. 

[Brent Maguire]

23 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Will you be doing video interviews, audio interviews, or just general interviews to write a piece? I am planning on heading out there sometime soon to get a video interview with Thaiss and some others. If you want, i can give you some standard questions based on what type of interview you will be doing.

 

 

Like Chuck said, I'll just be conducting interviews to use for a piece for AW. I might explore video interviews down the road at some point.

[Dave Saltzer]

Okay. Ask about what they worked on in Spring Training and what they hope to accomplish this season. Ask them how they would define success for the year. Try and develop a theme for the article like that and then ask questions along those lines. I would definitely talk to Hermosillo, Thaiss, Barash, Justus, Long, and Barria (I don't think he speaks English--if you speak Spanish or have an interpreter that would be great). 

[Chuck]

12 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Okay. Ask about what they worked on in Spring Training and what they hope to accomplish this season. Ask them how they would define success for the year. Try and develop a theme for the article like that and then ask questions along those lines. I would definitely talk to Hermosillo, Thaiss, Barash, Justus, Long, and Barria (I don't think he speaks English--if you speak Spanish or have an interpreter that would be great). 

You can always ask a player to interpret too. I know @Dave Saltzer did that a few times down there.

 

[Junkballer]

I'm curious as to how much of the Angels philosophies are implemented at that level, especially with pitching.  What practices and approaches are emphasized at that level that is particular to this organization?  Obviously this is putting it too bluntly but I'm sure you can phrase it with more finesse.  While I'll take any insight I can get, I'd be pleased to hear it from the coaches perspective.  And thanks in advance.  Looking forward to your piece.

[Dugout]

Ask the Coaches who are some hitters at the lower levels that they liked this spring.

[Tank]

ask the players what they're trying to do specifically so they can be promoted.

ask them how they prepare when it's game day, what routines they have.

how do they relax on off days?

 

[Dreams]

This might be a silly question, but one change Eppler has made throughout the system is providing better food and more dietary education to players throughout our farm system.  You could ask the players what the Angels organization has specifically provided in terms of food and nutrition advice.  Ask them if they've changed their diet over the past year and, if so, has it changed their game or at least made them feel better.  Is there a customized diet per player or is their a general Angels diet?

Another change was adding Trackman which provides some of the same data as StatCast in major league ballparks: spin rates, break and velocity for pitches, exit velocity for batted balls.

You could ask the coaches if there have been any additional recent changes to help the farm system pull out of the cellar.

 

[oater]

When did Connor Justus switch to the outfield?  Is this permanent?