Skip to main content

Q&A with Tim Gradoville

Tim Gradoville is a career minor league catcher, who once, as a September call up, was up with the big club for the proverbial cup of coffee. Slated to be the Phillies bullpen catcher, at a later date, Gradoville is currently assigned as a special instructor with the Lakewood BlueClaws. I had the opportunity to speak with Tim and here's how that went down...


What's the atmosphere with the BlueClaws like so far this season?

Well, I think we have a good mix of players. We have some veteran guys, and some young guys too, so it makes for an interesting mix. I think the guys like to have a good time, and they're pretty loose and that translates into winning games. They have a good time. With a young team, you never know what you're gonna get, sometimes, but they seem to gel pretty well together, so that helps to build team unity, helps guys get along. They're having fun, they're enjoying baseball. This game can be a grind sometimes, if you're not having fun.


What's your situation as a coach with the team? How long will you be with Lakewood?

That's really up to the organization. I'm just trying to get myself basically better as far as batting practice goes, and working with the younger catching prospects too. So, hopefully once I get that batting practice figured out, hopefully I'll be back (with the big club).


What are the advantages for a guy like (prospect) Travis D'Arnaud having you and Dusty Wathan (two former catchers) as coaches?

He's a young guy, and a lot of times high school guys don't have a lot of catching help in high school. A lot of people don't know how to teach catching. Obviously, with Dusty as manager, and me being here, we can get a lot of work done with him, pass on some of the knowledge that we have. It's really up to him to get the work done and work hard on his own too.


Are there any players on the Lakewood team that you think might resemble a current Major League Phillie with aspects of his game?

Well, we've got a lot of speed on the team, which is a good asset to have. (18 yr old OF, Anthony) Gose runs the bases really well. Obviously, speed with Gose- maybe (he compares to) a guy like Victorino, ya know, something like that, as far as his base running ability. He's got a lot of things to learn as far as how to steal bases, but he goes on raw speed right now.


Do you have a most memorable moment from your time as a player in the Phillies system?

I'd have to say getting called up in '06 was the big moment for me....at the end of the year. It was pretty unexpected, but obviously a highlight of my life. Also, playing with a lot of good team mates, and learning a lot from guys who have been there before. I miss the comradery of being on that team. Just playing with those guys, and the atmosphere that I had to play with, was always the highlight of my career.


What is Dusty like to work with?

He's great. He kind of lets people do their thing, as far as lets Bob (Milacki) work with his pitchers, lets (Greg) Legg work with the hitters, lets me work with the catchers. I mean, he helps out, and does a lot of extra work with guys. But he's really relaxed, he's fair, and knows when to get on guys and when not to. I think all the players respect who he is, and what he stands for. He's a great manager for being in his second year. Obviously, he has a dad (John Wathan) who managed in the big leagues, which helps, but he's starting off his (managing) career pretty well. He seems like a players' manager....a guy who you want to play for, and play hard for. That's all he demands, ya know- hard work and repsect. That's all these guys need to do to make him happy is go out there and play hard every day.


What was your favorite team and who was your favorite player growing up?

St. Louis Cardinals and Ozzie Smith.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage.   Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August.  Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH.   Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve