PhoulBallz Interview: Lakewood infielder Matt Kroon

Matt Kroon, image- Jay Floyd

Infielder Matt Kroon has been one of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws' most consistent hitters this season and he's been enjoying the success in his first full season as a pro player.

Through 26 games this season in the South Atlantic League, the Phillies' 18th round pick from 2018 sports a .289 average with five doubles, a triple and seven RBI.

Primarily a first baseman, Kroon, the son of former big league pitcher Marc Kroon, has also played second base and third base for the 'Claws.

Kroon was the Phillies' 18th round draft selection last year.

I spoke with Matt about his success at the plate, exposure to professional baseball as a child, his teammates including last year's top pick Alec Bohm and plenty more. Some excerpts from our talk are shared below, but you can check out the complete interview at Patreon.com/PhoulBallz.

-Were there any moments from childhood that stick in your memory that made you fall in love with baseball?

Growing up, I got to watch my dad play. I got to go around in Major League clubhouses. The one I remember the most was the Rockies back in '04. That's when Matt Holliday was a rookie. Todd Helton was there. And I was shy growing up, butt I eventually grew some courage and got to talking with some of the guys in there. Like, "What do you do? How did you get here?" You know, and they told me it's consistency. It's finding your routine, sticking to it. And I remember I took that and then I'd watch Todd Helton hit. Day after day after day, he'd do the same things. Prepare the same way. Same batting practice rounds. Everything like that. So, that's when it started to click to me that I needed to find my own routine and do stuff like that. That's one of the biggest things I've been trying to do in pro ball is get into a routine with what I've found success with and try to grow on that.

-You mention being consistent and you've enjoyed some solid results of late. How are you translating the results on the field?

I mean last year, going in straight from a college season to (the minor leagues), it was a lot on the body, it was a lot on the mind. So, this year I got to get that full off-season in and I came back with a more mentally strong mind. I came back with a prepared body that allowed me to get into certain routines, that allowed me to find that success and keep working on it and finding the little things with my swing and within the way I play defense that will help me bring my game to the next level.

And the coaches here are, day in and day out, are helping you with whatever you need. Whether it's video, tee work, flips. Whatever you need the coaches are there for you and it's just a big help.

-Who do you room with and who are you close with on the team?

My roommate moved up. I was rooming with Alec Bohm.

-What was Alec like? I feel like there were probably guys on the team that wanted that promotion to come for him, so he'd get the hell out of here and so they could get some more at bats.

He's a great guy. From day one when I met him, when we showed up after the draft, he was a really cool dude. Really open and into talking to everybody. Always asks, "Hey, what's going on outside the field? Do you guys want to hang out?" You know, just trying to make sure that he didn't put himself above anybody else. And he didn't. It was really cool getting to room with him, getting to know him. I wish him all the best up there (in Clearwater) and hopefully I get to see him soon. But like you said, somebody moves up, it opens up some opportunities for some other guys to shine.

To read the complete version of this interview, please subscribe and help support content like this at Patreon.com/PhoulBallz.

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 73

Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...

PhoulBallz Interview: First round pick Bryson Stott

Bryson Stott, image- Jay Floyd Shortstop Bryson Stott , the Phillies' first round draft selection this year, has enjoyed a successful initial pro campaign. En route to being recognized as an All-Star for the Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters the 21-year-old UNLV product has tallied a .295 average with six home runs and 25 RBI in 45 minor league contests. Last week I spoke with the lefty hitting Stott to discuss his transition to professional baseball, joining the Phillies organization and plenty more. Read ahead for that interview. -Obviously, your performance and the production on the field is going well, but how do you feel you have adapted to the pro life? It feels good. You hear about the everyday grind, but you don't really believe it till you feel it. I would say that's the difference between college and the pros, is you're not practicing, you're playing games every day. I would say that's the biggest difference. But I...

Velasquez shut down, Eflin on deck?

Eflin with Reading in 2015, image- Jay Floyd Following Vincent Velasquez leaving his start after just two pitches for the Phillies on Wednesday, righty prospect Zach Eflin was pulled from his start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Gwinnett. The 22-year-old sports a 5-1 record with a 3.14 ERA and a .210 batting average against in 10 starts for the IronPigs this season. He could take the place of Velasquez if he is required to miss any additional time. Initial word on Velasquez after he threw two fastballs that clocked in the 86-87 MPH range (considerably slower than the 94 MPH he averages) and was swiftly pulled from his outing, is that he has a biceps strain. He'll be further evaluated in the coming days. Prior to the regular season, Eflin got a taste of competing against big leaguers when he was charged with 12 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits while striking out two and walking one with a wild pitch in three innings of work in an intrasquad exhibition that pitted the Phils...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog