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PhoulBallz Interview: Matt Hockenberry talks 2019 BlueClaws

Matt Hockenberry, image- Jay Floyd
Over on my Patreon page, I am serving up a multi-part interview with 2019 Class A Lakewood pitching coach Matt Hockenberry.

Part one features Big Hock talking about 22-year-old Dominican righty Rafi Gonell and his progress.  Part two includes quotes from Hockenberry discussing righty reliever Albertus Barber's story of reaching the pro ranks and excelling as an undrafted free agent and his progress.  Also in part two, the subject of pitches thrown in two-strike counts by the BlueClaws and improving their walk rate throughout the season is addressed.

Part three will land later this week and will include insight on promising hurler Francisco Morales.

To access exclusive content such as these quotes from Hockenberry, please visit Patreon.com/PhoulBallz and support my work.


Sample of the material included in the Hockenberry interview excerpts...

I think it’s a great story.  The fact  that (Barber) played some junior college baseball and I think he went a couple  other places throughout his collegiate career, but being able to go to  Driveline—and from what I heard he sacrificed a lot to  be able to go to Driveline.  I think he said he was sleeping on  somebody’s couch.  And being able to go build what he calls his arsenal  of pitches and being able to understand the analytical side of the game,  such as the movement profiles, whether his ball’s  got ride, sink, run, spin efficiencies on his curve ball, his slider.   Being able to take his pitches into the game and dominate.  Since he’s  been here, he’s dominated. 

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