Skip to main content

BlueClaws Quotables: Walding and Cozens talk about second half success

This week I spoke with a pair of solid Class A hitters that have increased their offensive numbers considerably in the second half of the season.

Lakewood third baseman Mitch Walding and outfielder Dylan Cozens have improved quite a bit since the South Atlantic League All-Star break with Walding sporting an OPS that's 255 points higher in his last 49 games than it was in his first 46 games this year, while Cozens has posted an OPS mark 85 points higher than he did before the break.

I asked both players about the uptick in production and more.  Read ahead for those exclusive quotes.


-Walding, the Phillies' 5th round pick in 2011, spoke about what he attributes to his recent success...

You know, at first I was doing some things and I was exactly feeling too comfortable at the plate.  I was kind of struggling really hard with getting pitches and doing some things and I talked with our hitting coordinator (Andy) Tracy and my hitting coach Lino Connell.  We changed some things with my hands, um, changed my approach at the plate and going to get pitches that I wanted to get instead of, kind of- what I was doing was I was being indecisive, waiting to see the pitch and making my decision when the ball was half way and by the time I was making my decision, I was too late, so I was striking out a lot and wasn't hitting the ball the way I should be.  And now I'm attacking pitches and doing things that I want to do at the plate.  Things have turned around a lot. 

-Walding, who has tallied a .239 average with six home runs and 51 RBI through 95 games with Lakewood this year, specified what mechanical changes he made in the batters box...

Moving (my hands) down a little bit.  Kind of getting them in a good slot, right above my shoulder.  Just having loose hands, kind of being able to feel my hands work a lot more, 'cause I might drop them if they're too high.  Just kind of moved them down a little bit and staying relaxed with my hands. 
-I asked Walding if there's any concern about congestion at his position with Cody Asche and Maikel Franco manning the hot corner at the top levels while Harold Martinez, Zach Green, Jan Hernandez and himself all hold down the same position at the trio of Class A levels...

Obviously, I know there's guys around.  I know that they're there, but I'm not necessarily worried about it.  I think about what I have to do everyday.  You know, I have to go do my best every day and worry about myself.  Obviously, people talk about all the other guys at the same position, but at the end of the day I have to worry about myself and kind of just do what I came here to do and put up good numbers and help my team win.

-The six-foot-three 190-pound Walding offered thoughts on feedback he's received from his coaches in the second half...

They're all pretty happy with the way I've turned things around.  They're starting to see the way I can hit and they way I've changed things.  I know I've been able to hit the ball and stuff.  In the first half I didn't do it so well.  I know what my potential is and I know that I can continue to grow from here even.  And, so I think they're happy with the strides that I've made so far.

-Walding spoke on if there's any additional pressure for an early round draft pick while he's struggling to produce...

I think there's a little bit.  There's definitely a little pressure, you know, if you are a high draft pick.  But, I think at the end of the day, when you put pressure on yourself, it's not because of where you were drafted at, it's more just you know how good you are and...where you want to be.  I think every guy knows that they have the ability to be in the big leagues and that's what I believe in myself.  I know I can be a big league player.  And I think when you go through struggles, it's hard because you know how good you can be and where you should be and when you don't live up to your own expectations, let alone everyone else's, it's definitely tough.  I think my expectations of myself are higher than everyone else's.


-The soft-spoken Cozens, who was the Phillies' 2nd round draft selection in 2012, shared some insight on what's been the difference for him offensively...

Just staying focused on getting my pitch and not chasing after the stuff that they want me to chase after and just seeing the ball up and taking good swings on it.  Just mental focus.

-Cozens also talked about his level of satisfaction with his season in which he's posted a .251 average with 14 homers, 53 RBI and 19 steals through 118 games for the BlueClaws...

I would say that I'm probably going to never be satisfied, even if I hit .300.  That's just who I am and there's always room for improvement.

-The six-foor-six 235-pound Cozens shared insight on the feedback he has received from coaches as well...

One of their biggest points is finish your work and finish strong.  And they liked how I've progressed through the year and just keep getting better and better. That's the main goal.

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