Skip to main content

PhoulBallz Interview: Phillies OF prospect Mark Laird

laird
Mark Laird, image- Jay Floyd

On Wednesday, four Phillies minor league affiliates took part in postseason play with only Class A Lakewood coming out as winners. Prior to the contest that saw the BlueClaws take a 1-0 lead in the South Atlantic League division series, I chatted with Lakewood outfielder and lead-off man Mark Laird.

The 23-year-old 9th round draft selection from last year shared insight on his season, which didn't get rolling until July due to a back injury, the BlueClaws second-half title, the team's pitching staff and more. Read ahead for that full interview.

-What is your level of excitement, entering the postseason, the BlueClaws' first time in the playoffs in six years?

When I got here, it was kind of a long shot at making the playoffs and I think everyone did a good job staying positive and we really finished strong. I don't know how many games we won out of the last 30 games or so, but it seemed like we hardly ever lost. That has to do with our pitching. Our pitching has been lights out, out starters and our bullpen and then we've been getting hits when we needed them.  Even one-run games, we seemed to win and I think that made the difference.

-You've been batting lead-off for the club in recent weeks. What does it mean to you to have your manager's confidence to be at the top of the order?

It means a lot that he trusts me to get things going and be a table setter and that's kind of what I see myself as is someone that's going to battle in the count-- not afraid to get deep in the count and put balls in play and try to get on base for the heart of our order.

-What are your overall feelings on the type of season you've had?


It's really kind of a shock 'cause I didn't really expect it to go the way I wanted to after being out with an injury for half of the year, but I felt like I came back and did kind of what I wanted to. I felt like in Williamsport I did pretty well and here, I kind of transitioned that over. I had a lot of confidence and I've been keeping that confidence and staying positive, building off past performances and continuing to move forward.

-What details can you share on the injury?

I hurt my lower back in spring training. 

-Was there any procedure needed or was it all rest and rehab?

No procedures, just rehab and rest. I was getting ready to come back and had a set back, so it was a grinding process I had to be patient with, but the trainers did a good job of getting me back.

-You spoke of the pitching staff performing great and they've gotten a lot of credit. The team still can't win without scoring runs, so is there anyone in the lineup you'd say should be getting some recognition also?

I feel like it's not just one guy doing all the work. One through nine, everyone's been battling at the plate and having good plate appearances, not giving at bats away. It only takes a couple runs to get a W with the way (our pitchers) have been throwing.

This interview originally appeared on PhillyLongDrive.

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

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