Texas 13 - Minnesota 2 - Post-game from Game 1

[Matt Cotcher]

Augie Garrido: "Why change? They've put in a lot of work on their hitting game and I want them to get as much confidence out of it as they possibly can - that's why I stayed away from bunting with the leadoff hitter on. If we can play that way, we'll play that way. We're going to have to go back to the bunting game against great pitching....you can't just get one dimensional.  If you do, and you face great pitching. it's gonna hurt you. But hey, when they're swinging the bats like that, let's go for it."

Garrido on Parker French: "You get the same thing out of him and that's they beauty of it. He has a settling effect on the roster. When they see him attacking the zone, relentlessly, but doesn't strike everybody out.....Parker trusts the team behind him."

Garrido said French will continue to start and they're still anticipating Kyle Johnston will close.

Garrido was extremely complimentary of Jon Malmin and talked about what an advantage it is to have him, Ty Culbreth, and Kirby Bellow as lefties being able to rotate in with the RHP on staff. "When you can do that, you start to establish a really effective bullpen."

Garrido on Michael Cantu: "He's one of those players that's much better in a game than in practice. Really, really good players are like that because they've been good for a long time, and have a lot of confidence in themselves. In high school especially, they haven't had to practice hard because they're so good. It isn't a problem because he does what he's asked to do. He is definitely a gamer."

Garrido says Tres Barrera is going to play catcher too, but said, "It just depends on what happens at first base. I still like Travis Jones a lot - he's a very dynamic force. The other guy that's coming on really strong that needs to play is Patrick Mathis. He's got some lightning in his bat. He can hit it just as far as anybody out here."

Garrido said their first option at starter if something goes wrong with one of the weekend guys is Connor Mayes.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Parker French: "We've got some power this year. It's kinda different than the last few years. It's a lotta fun - I mean our lineup putting up two runs in the first and second innings. That really helps you settle into a game."

Parker French on Michael Cantu: "He's been really impressive with a really mature approach at the plate. He doesn't swing at balls outside the zone and he attacks balls inside the zone. Behind the plate tonight, he did a great job. He's a great defensive catcher."

Parker French: "The change-up has been good. It felt good again tonight. The slider was really sharp again. When you're able to mix like that, but still attack with the fastball, you have the upper hand."

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Collin Shaw on whether he anticipated the offense being so productive: "Definitely. I've never gone into a season where I didn't think we were gonna be a good hitting team. You always gotta have confidence. That's the biggest thing with hitting, so it starts with confidence."

Shaw on Michael Cantu: "He's built like a horse. He's a really hard worker - a really confident kid. That's all you can can ask. He's really fun to watch."

Shaw said although Cantu is big, that Ben Johnson and Tres Barrera are the two strongest guys in the weight room.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Michael Cantu: "Hitting is contagious, you know? Ben [Johnson] has been swinging the bat well. So has Collin and Tres. We just feed off that. I think we're swinging at better pitches. We're swinging at our pitches, and we're not missing."

Cantu on playing small ball: "He's [Augie Garrido] just letting us find ourselves - you know, get into a groove. There's no doubt in my mind that we're going to play Texas baseball - you know small ball. Right now he [Augie Garrido] just wants us to get into a groove, and see good pitches."

Cantu on if he's a good bunter: "I was 2/2 my sophomore year in high school. Not singles...sacrifices. That's it."

Cantu on his plate approach: "It was drilled into me at a young age - my Dad played professional baseball, so I've always had a good theory on hitting that comes from him. With the coaches here it 'Stay patient - stay within yourself - you'll get a pitch to hit'. The big thing is: when you get your pitch, you can't miss it. It's just me staying patient - I was always patient in high school. Now it's just transferring it over to here."

Cantu: "It's fun to catch these guys. They're around the plate, and they throw the ball where ever they want to. Parker did such a good job tonight. He had good command of his fast ball, then threw the curve when he needed to. It's a good adjustment. It's fun."

 

[joeywa]

Some really good quotes and info Matt. Nicely done.

 

[utisdabomb12]

I really like Cantu's quote on patience. That's what makes him a very good hitter. He swings at strikes, but doesn't swing at balls. Seems simple enough, but it isn't. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

To give y'all some perspective, Collin Shaw talks so fast, my recorder can barely keep up.  :lol:

 

[Bear19]

Very good piece Matt.