Skip to main content

PhoulBallz Interview: Reading RHP John Richy

John Richy, image- Jay Floyd
Acquired last August from the Dodgers along with Darnell Sweeney in the trade for Chase Utley, righty hurler John Richy has had some ups and downs since joining the Phillies.

The 23-year-old was a 3rd round draft selection out of UNLV in 2013.

At the time of the swap last summer, Richy sported a 10-5 record with a 4.20 ERA in 24 contests for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamunga.

After joining the Phils, the six-foot-four 215-pounder posted a 2.84 ERA with no decisions in two starts for Class A Advanced Clearwater. This year, Richy made a single start for Clearwater (one earned run allowed in five innings of work) before he was promoted to Double-A Reading. Thus far with Reading, Richy has a 1-1 record with a 5.84 ERA while striking out 19 and walking 12 in 24 2/3 innings.

Recently, I talked with Richy about how he's performed in the Eastern League thus far, his pitch repertoire, joining a new organization and plenty more. Read ahead for the full interview.

-You joined the Reading roster after opening the season with Clearwater. What was it like to get that promotion?

I mean, it's been a lot of fun getting the opportunity to come out and play with some of these guys. I'm really enjoying myself so far.

-What are your thoughts on the competition in the Eastern League thus far?

I struggled a little bit later in the game, but I've got some stuff that I'm working on and I have ideas on how to get myself in better positions to win the game, but I'm trying not to let it get in my head about better competition or anything. I'm just trying to stay within myself and let everything else take care of itself.

-What have you been working on? Something mechanical, a change or grip or something like that?

No, it's more just trying not to do to much. It's pretty easy to go out there and try to just let things get out of control at any level. But I think if you stay within yourself and do what got you here, you're going to be successful.

-You came over to the Phillies as part of the Utley trade last year. What was that whole deal like for you?

I mean, that was one of the more cooler experiences that I've ever had. Just seconds after I was told I was being traded, I looked at the TV in the locker room and my name was on TV on MLB Network and I'm like, "Wow! This is crazy!" And the next day, I went from LA to Florida and everything happened so fast and I'm really enjoying where I am now.

-Being attached to a trade with such a huge name, does that come with pressure to live up to some expectations or anything like that?

I think it's really cool that that is part of the path that I'm on, but I mean as far as letting it effect how I go about anything, I'm just going try to do that same no matter where I'm at or what the situation is.

-Do you notice a lot of differences between the Dodgers and the Phillies organizations?

No, not really. Before I would have said the food, but now they're really taking care of us, getting us some good food and it's-- to be honest with you I think it's pretty similar anywhere you go. You get to meet new people and making friends and being part of a team is just always a big thing no matter where you're at.

-You've had a chance to work with Jorge Alfaro and Logan Moore a lot with Reading. Do you have a good rapport with the catchers for the Fightins?

I really like those guys. It's nice being able to work with them and they've been helping me out a little bit, I don't know, kind of trusting them, having some more experienced guys is just helpful and it's cool, Logan is from Colorado, where I'm originally from and it's nice to see a fellow Colorado guy out there.

-What is your pitch repertoire and is there something you would consider your out pitch?

I generally try to throw everything for strikes in any count, but I've got a four-seam fastball, curve ball, cutter, change up and a two-seam fastball. But working on commanding everything is my biggest thing that I like to work on. I'm always looking for ways to get better.

-You mentioned being a Colorado guy. Was there a standout Rockies player from your youth that you watched and wanted to emulate?

Growing up, Jerry Dipoto was my hero and I grew up going to school with his daughters and he kind of mentored me, took me under his wing and he's definitely a cool guy to know at a young age.

-Is there any lesson from him that you recall that still has an impact on you now?

No, but one of the biggest things he ever taught me was just believing in yourself and if you believe enough in yourself and you set you mind to it, you can accomplish anything.

-Had you spent much time on the east coast prior to coming to the Phillies?

I have not spent much time on the east coast. It feels like a different world out here.

-What would you say are the biggest differences between home and out here?

I miss the mountains, to be honest with you. That's the biggest thing. There's not too much of that out here and it seem to rain all the time. Other than that, everybody's been nice and I'm always up for new adventures. It's always nice to explore new things.

-Do you have any game day superstitions or good luck charms?

No, not really. I try to stay relaxed and, especially when I'm in the dugout I try not to-- I'm not one of those guys who like sits in the corner and is like, "Don't talk to me." I try to stay relaxed and save all the focus for out there on the mound.

-Did you collect baseball cards as a kid?

I have a few cards but I was never a huge card collector. Just, I don't know, I was a fan of the game in general, but nobody in particular.

-Now that you're a pro and are on cards of your own, do you collect those?

I've been given a few. I have them. I have a mustache from my picture in college on one of them. I never thought that would be following me around everywhere I go (laughs).

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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 from

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's taken at

Bubby Rossman's long awaited MLB debut

Eight years after he initially signed a professional contract with the Dodgers and a five-year stretch playing away from affiliated ball, Bubby Rossman became a major leaguer on Wednesday. Added as a substitute for pitcher Kyle Gibson, who is restricted from travel to Canada for the Phillies' series in Toronto, due to his medical inability to be vaccinated from COVID-19, Rossman took the mound for the first time in the majors. Rossman, who was a 22nd round draft selection in 2014 had pitched in 200 professional games before his one-inning outing in the Phillies' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays. In 27 appearances with Double-A Reading this year, the 30-year-old right-hander has performed well, tallying a 2-2 record with a save, a 3.32 ERA and a .200 batting average against.   The embedded video below features a media session with Rossman from prior to opening day this year, in which the California native discusses his journey through independent baseball and back to affiliated ball wi