The apprised Mr. Goold of the Post Dispatch has agreed to answer 10-15 questions from the stupendous readers of FR. Goold knows the Cardinal farm system as he also writes about the Cardinal Prospects monthly at Baseball America, as well as he comes up with the annual top thirty in their annual publication. AZ and I call dibs on the first five or so.
In the comments, let me know what you’d like to know and I’ll forward your requests on to Derrick.
Speaking of Goold, he recently interviewed Jason Motte, who talks about thinking like a catcher on the mound, amongst other things
DG: Have you started thinking like a pitcher?
JM: Catching in pro ball and working with the coaches and some of the managers has really mentally prepared me for the games and taught me how to go after hitters, how to pitch to hitters. That has helped me, I think. But I think I still think like a catcher. I watch for how the hitter reacts, I read guys’ swings. I think like, If I was catching, what sign would I put down here. I still like to think as if I back there catching.
Pretty interesting perspective.
Filed under: Interviews, Jason Motte
erik
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fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
Derrick,
The Cards seemed to break with recent tradition when they reached for a HS RHP at pick #46 in the draft (Tyler Herron). Now, 2 yrs later, he’s put up darn fine numbers - solid K/IP ratios, great control, and an excellent WHIP. And yet, he’s not garnering much attention. What are the things that caused the Cards to break tradition for him in the first place - did he appear to have a golden arm, or was it as much about signability as anything? If it was mainly for the upside of his arm, was that what we were seeing this year?
I’d like to see him pan out, if only so that the Cards might have a little more confidence going after HS pitchers early. I’m curious to hear what you know about his reputation and and impressions from within the organization.
Loved the Motte interview, BTW. He’s sure still got a love for catching, doesn’t he? I can respect that…nice to see him humming those 95 mph fastballs, though.
Derrick,
Your finger is more on the pulse of the Cards’ front office…situation. Given that the teams finds a GM and manager in the next 2-3 weeks, who do you think becomes the main target in free agency and/or trade this winter?
I have a reporter related question.
How many articles are they researching and preparing for the announcement of the new GM? The potential announcement of the new manager? I am just kinda curious what the process is.
It seems wise to prep an article for each of the real GM canidates. We know that they have prep’d one for Larussa leaving and probably one for him staying. Probably have started a few for the new manager canidates. Maybe one on the potential FO structure and the on-field coaching staff.
Jason Motte = underrated reliever
Chris Perez gets a lot of press, but Motte should be right there in the conversation as well.
Does Mr. Gould know more about prospects than the people here? Since I´m not sure about that, I´ll ask a more administrative question sinnce he brought up the thing about the player´s rent.
How much do players get paid (including perdiem/meal money) for participating in the AFL? How about the instructional league?
Carioca-Goold covers the farm at the PD, and contributes for Baseball America’s annual publishing (the top 30) and talks to people in the org, higher ups and scouts. he knows what he’s talking about when it pertains to the Cardinal system.
I don’t have time to draft a question since i’m on vacation for the weekend, but any questions about the more prominent prospects that will be receiving promotions this year would be greatly appreciated.
I would like to know a little more about D’Marcus Ingram. He hit for a good average, drew walks, and seems to have speed. Is he a legit prospect? When was he drafted?
Thanks.
Can Goold give us the real scoop on the prospects for Maiques and McClellen being converted to starters? Any other positions changes in the wind - Harberer to try to become a LOOGY? Are Reyes or Hill legitimate catching prospects or are they looking for other positions? Can Craig play 3B? Can Craig play 3B? Where does Reid Gorecki stand in the organization at this point - he has talent, do the Cards still think they can harness that talent?
How optimistic are the Cards on full recovery (velocity, mechanics) for McCormack and Pomeranz? What is the status on Wilson’s injury? Is the organization losing patience with Jones not showing results from his tools? Are there any guys drafted this year besides Reifer and Zawacki who didn’t get to show there real stuff because of injury or warn out from extended college season and might be next years Walters or Craig (out of nowhere to the top of the prospects list? I believe in the past, Goold has been a big Webber fan, how does he feel about him now after his off year? Does the organization view Donnie Smith as a legitimate prospect? Any word on who “wowed them” in the winter instructional league?
That’s all (for now), I might have a few more later
Feel free to choose the ones you think are appropriate or combine as necessary.
I was also wondering what the talent level at the Latin American camps is looking like? How long do they think it will take to develop those camps until they are consistently developing players for the higher levels of the system? Is there any percieved shift away from the draft to focusing more resources toward purchasing latin players?
out of the top group of SP prospects in the system — hawksworth, parisi, garcia, boggs, walters, ottavino, herron, and mortensen — how many do you think will have a big-league career lasting at least 100 starts (irrespective of which team the starts are made for, or the quality of the starts)?