Skip to main content

Another PhoulBallz Q&A With Dusty Wathan

The Lakewood BlueClaws manager is former Phillie catcher Dusty Wathan. This season he's been an all star and has been voted best managing prospect in the South Atlantic League by the league's own managers. Now, Wathan sits two wins away from managing the BlueClaws to their second ever championship in his first season at the class A level.

I spoke with Dusty after the BlueClaws' SAL Championship game 1 victory. Here is what he had to say.


Dusty, can I get some comments on the game 1 win, and how close you guys are to completing the season long goal?

One win closer. Still a long way to go, but solid game from the guys tonight. We've been swinging the bat well for the last week or so and they continued to do it tonight. Every run means something, especially adding those 2 in the eighth inning helped us out. Gave us a little breathing room.


Was there an issue with Matthew Way's control in the game, or was there a fatigue or stamina issue?

I don't think it was a fatigue issue or anything, it was just battling his control a little bit. I think his mechanics were just a hair off and he was burying his change up rather than throwing it down in the zone. He battled through it and gave us a chance to win the game. In a regular season game, we'd probably give him a chance to win the game (let him pitch a full 5 innings, instead of pulling him out earlier than that), but right now it doesn't matter who gets "the W". He did a great job battling through without his best stuff, keeping us in the game and giving us a chance to win.


How will Andrew Carpenter be used here with the BlueClaws this week?

We don't know yet. It's totally up to a day to day thing and...


Will that come from above though?

Yes, it will definitely come from above. It will be a day to day thing.


Were there any sort of lower expectations after clinching a post season berth in the first half, then losing some players and having a slower second half leading up to the playoffs, or was your confidence level with this roster always high?

I think you're always worried about a lull, after winning something so early, but you still have to go out. These guys are professionals and they realize it. We told them, "You're not done yet. Your season's not done yet. You're playing for jobs next year, you're playing for your career. So, there's no reason to back off." They did a great job. I commend the players for really pushing themselves. And I think it was neat to see the last 5 or 6 games of the regular season, they kind of kicked it in and said, "You know what? We've got to get ready for this thing. We can't just turn the switch on." And they really played well the last 5 or 6 games.


How impressed have you been with Travis D'Arnaud's rebound in the second half this season?

He's been outstanding for us. He's really pushed himself defensively. He's thrown a lot better the second half of the season. He was challenged by myself and some guys who have seen him throw better, and now he's starting to come around. Tonight, he blocked a ball and threw a guy out in a key situation at third, so defensively he really put his nose to the grind stone and said, "You know what? This is part of me and I've got to do it." And he did. And it's funny how when you're playing good defense, you start swinging the bat. And he got confidence with the bat and swung the bat like I saw him swing it last year.


Is there any chance you'll be asked to join the big club for the remainder of the season, once you guys lock things up here?

I have no idea. That's not up to me, that's up to the higher ups, so I have no idea. I haven't heard anything.

----------------------------

Greg Dobbs is scheduled to make a rehab appearance in game 2 of the SAL Championship Series for Lakewood tonight.

Hey, follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE!


BallHype: hype it up!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...