Skip to main content

Moose Tracks: Inside Camp

Phillies minor league third baseman Moose Mattair spoke with PhoulBallz.com's & PhilliesNation's Jay Floyd once again, to provide an inside glance at spring training in Clearwater.

Mattair was the Phillies' second round draft pick in 2007 out of Southridge High School in Washington state. He later helped the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws win the South Atlantic League championship in 2009. After a rough spring training in 2010, Mattair, who was an all-state basketball player during his high school days, retired from baseball to chase his dream of playing Division I college hoops.

After trying his hand with Boise State University, Mattair has returned to Clearwater to continue his baseball journey.

Read ahead to check out what Moose had to say on various subjects, live and direct from
Clearwater.


On his first official day of minor league camp since he left the Phillies organization last year to dabble in college basketball.

The first full official day was full of meetings. Base running, infield, hydration, we had a bunch of meetings. We didn't go on the field. We have our physicals on Saturday, and then we'll get out on the field and get after it.

It was great to see all the guys. It's something that I really missed. I'm really enjoying it.


On the percentage of minor leaguers who arrived early, compared to the player who arrived just this week, when prospects were required to report...

More of the Latin guys...they just showed up (this week). It's more of the foreign guys that couldn't get into the states till now. And everyone else showed up at least 3 to 4 days early.

But, now that we can get into the complex earlier than spring training, it's becoming more common for fellows to come down early and at least get climatized before we start getting into these first ten days, which is our conditioning phase. That can really take a lot out of you, so getting here early and getting climatized and getting used to any time change, more and more guys are taking advantage of that.

I'm very grateful that this is allowed now and we can get in here and do all that stuff.


On getting to Cleawater early and if he thinks the head start is an advantage...

I think it's a definite advantage. Especially, for a guy like me...I'm from a climate in Washington, where it's still freezing there and I couldn't even get out on the field. And so, there's definitely that rusty period, where you're just getting into the flow of things and getting your swing right and you're getting your legs, as an infielder, taking ground balls every day in the warmth. I think it's definitely an advantage to come down early and I thinks it's something that I will continue to do every year. An everyday grind is something you have to prepare your body for.

I feel like I am ready today, versus being really ready in a week, like some of the other guys will have to deal with.


On spring workouts and his own physical condition, having added a good amount of muscle...

I came down here to Florida in pretty good shape. I was really happy with where my body was at. I'm just trying to maintain, right now. I've kind of calmed down on workouts, although, I was doing different stuff.

The Japanese workout that (trainer) Shawn Fcasni and staff put together was great and I enjoyed it. But I feel like we're going to do more of that in spring training, as a group. It's something different and I'm always for trying something different. It's really tough, but it's really good.

I'm weighing in at 238-239 right now. When I last played in Lakewood I weighed around 220. Last spring training, I weighed in about 235, then I went to Boise and with all the running and hoops training, I got down to about 210. I lost 20 pounds really quickly, when I went out to Boise. Then I started lifting again and put on better weight. So that's where my body is. I'm really happy and I'm feeling really good.


On weekly poker tournaments with old Lakewood teammates Travis d'Arnaud and Anthony Gose, both now in the Toronto system, that are frequently won by Phillies prospect Jiwan James.

I wish I couldn't give (Jiwan) credit, but I have to. Yeah...he's been winning! Him and (Anthony) Gose. They've been the champs so far. Jiwan's the ultimate winner right now- gosh dang it! We play again this weekend and I'm gonna get the best of him on Sunday.

__________________________________________________________

For previous Moose Tracks entries click HERE, HERE and HERE.

You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Connect with PhoulBallz.com on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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

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'

This Guy Speaks For All of You

This individual, interviewed by FOX 29 on Friday as the Phillies arrived back at Citizens Bank Park, said it best. When asked how he felt regarding the Phillies, he told Steve Keeley that he was, "Stoked, baby!" The unidentified phanatic then proclaimed, "We are talking about the Fightins here, the Fightins! Said!" Check out the media player below, as the transcribed version certainly does not do this phireball of phandom justice. The Phillies forced game 6 of the National League Championship Series with a 4-2 victory over the Giants in San Francisco on Thursday night. Game 6 will feature Roy Oswalt vs. Jonathan Sanchez in a return pitching match up from game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 7:57 pm EST at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Be sure to tune in on 97.3 ESPN's Weekend Sports Guide with Tyrone Johnson this afternoon around 1:15pm to hear me chatting about the Phillies! 97.3 is based in Atlantic City. You can listen live online HERE . ______________