PhoulBallz Q&A With Josh Zeid

Josh Zeid is currently a pitcher for the Phillies single-A affiliate, the Lakewood BlueClaws. A 10th round draft selection in June 2009, Zeid was a starter for Williamsport of the NY-Pennn League and posted an 8-1 record with a 2.70 ERA there last season. Zeid transferred to Tulane University after his sophomore season at Vanderbilt. After a great start to his 2010 campaign and looking razor sharp in his role as the BlueClaws closer, Zeid has hit a rough patch, forcing manager Mark Parent to explore other options in the closer role.

Josh took some time to chat with PhoulBallz.com, and that interview lies ahead.

You were named the Phillies Minor League pitcher of the month for April when you had a 2-0 record with 2 saves and a 0.00 ERA in 9 appearances. How did that sort of recognition effect your outlook moving forward?

It's a great honor, but the second I got recognized, I didn't stop working out, I didn't skip any beats. I just jumped right into it once again and it went really well. Right now, I'm in a little rut, so I just need to keep working hard to bounce back out there.

What was your draft experience like last year?

It was an honor to get drafted and an honor to play professional baseball. After a couple years of college, I didn't know if professional baseball was the route that I was going to end up doing, but I had a good senior year and it all fell into place. During the draft...I watched it online and hung out with my friends.

What does your pitch repertoire consist of and what are you working on improving?

I throw a fastball, a slider and a split-change, it's called a fosh. With my recent struggles, my slider's not been so good, so that's something that I really have to focus on and improve.

How has the transition from starter to reliever gone? Do you have a preference for either one?

I really enjoy relieving, 'cause you get to come to the field everyday with the possibility of throwing (in a game). But, in those situations you can win or lose a game a lot quicker than if you're starting, so it's a lot to handle, but I really do enjoy it.

How big of a help has pitching coach Steve Schrenk been for you this season?

He's a wealth of knowledge. He's had a long, long career and having him gone (took time off with an illness) for about 8-10 days- that hurt us a little bit, but I'm glad he's back and I'm looking forward to working with him.

Who was your favorite player growing up?

My favorite player of all time was Frank Thomas and I've always been a fan of Sandy Koufax.

What advice would you give to teenage players hoping to play baseball beyond high school, whether it's college or pro?

You have to work hard. And you have success, and times without success, and you've got learn how to come back from not doing well and that is key...how you recover after you fail.

The BlueClaws hosted a celebrity waiter/bartender event to benefit ALS, where the team players and coaches served event goers. Can I get your thoughts on helping such a good cause that is close to the heart of the Phillies organization?

I hope we bring in more money than we ever did before. I think ALS is a great cause. I hope they get all the money they need to find a cure.

Which player in MLB today would you be most willing to pay money to watch?

I would pay to watch David Price any day. I went to Vanderbilt with him, so I'd pay to watch him play any day.

What is your favorite baseball movie?

Field of Dreams. It's a perfect baseball movie.

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

Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE.

Share on Facebook

2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #7 LHP JoJo Romero

JoJo Romero, image- Jay Floyd With a growing crop of very talented pitching prospects in the Phillies organization, left-hander JoJo Romero is certainly among the standouts. The five-foot-11 200-pounder was the Phils’ 4th round draft selection in 2016. That year he helped Yavapai College, the same school that the Phillies drafted Kenny Giles from in 2011, clinch the JuCo World Series, leading the way with an 11-5 record, a 3.64 ERA and a 10.2 K/9 mark. He also tossed a complete game gem to earn the win in their title game. After signing with the Phillies, Romero made his professional debut as a member of the short-season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters. There, he notched a 2-2 record with a 2.56 ERA while striking out 31 and walking 11 in 45 2/3 innings. In 2017, he got off to a terrific start with the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. In 13 starts, Romero tallied a 5-1 record with a 2.11 ERA and a 9.3 K/9 mark and was honored as a South Atlantic League mid-season All-Star. R

McGwire Stays Phony, Despite Admitting Drug Use

Mark McGwire made an effort to publicly come clean today, admitting to the world that he took performance enhancing drugs during his playing career. Steroids and human growth hormones were among the drugs that McGwire admitted to using. MLB Network featured a one on one interview with Bob Costas and McGwire on Monday evening. The broadcast was virtually garbage, thanks to McGwire. Ahead is a list of quotes from McGwire's interview. McGwire repeatedly stated his point of view that there were no dishonorable intentions involved when taking steroids, and that he was merely using them as a means to recover from varying ailments. When asked if he felt like he cheated... "As I look back now...I can see how people would say that. As far as the talent goes and the hand-eye coordination, the ability, the genetics I was given...I don't see it." "I did not take this for any strength purposes." Denial. Read on for similar B.S. He whined about the abuse he'

Diekman a Late Addition to Mesa AFL Roster

On Wednesday, Phillies lefty pitching prospect Jacob Diekman made his Arizona Fall League debut. Diekman, who was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 amateur draft, was assigned to Mesa late, in order to increase his 2010 innings total, according to Mesa hitting coach Mark Parent, who managed Diekman in Lakewood this past season. Diekman, 23, posted a 2-0 record with 1.90 ERA in 21 games with Class A Lakewood before being promoted to High-A Clearwater on June 24th. In 24 games with the Threshers, Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Combined, Diekman tossed 55 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .187 batting average against at two levels in 2010. However, after not pitching in an official game since he threw a shutout inning to wrap up the Clearwater season on September 5th, Diekman was unable to record an out as all seven batters he faced reached base, six with hits, one on an error. Diekman was charged with 5 earned runs in the outing. Diekman had spent time at instructional ball f

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog