PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Kevin Gowdy talks baseball hiatus

Kevin Gowdy, image- Jay Floyd

Please consider supporting my work and subscribe to my Patreon page.  Your patronage will get you exclusive interviews and early access to all of my other content.  Thank you.

While baseball is on hiatus, I've been chatting with some pro baseball personnel to catch up and see how guys are using their time away from the diamond.  Most recently, Phillies pitching prospect Kevin Gowdy offered some time to let me know how he's staying fit, how he's killing time during quarantine and plenty more.

Last year, after missing two seasons following UCL reconstruction in his pitching arm, the righty posted a 0-7 record with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP in 28 appearance for Class A Lakewood.

Gowdy, a six-foot-four 170-pounder was the Phils' 2nd round draft selection in 2016.

Read ahead for that complete interview with Kevin.


-What was it like getting the news that the baseball season was being put on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic?

It was pretty weird getting the news that our season had been postponed, and it still is very weird to think about now. Just looking down at my phone and seeing a March or April date while I’m at home is a pretty strange feeling.

-How are you continuing to train or keep the rust off while socially distanced and away from the training complex?

I’m managing to stay in shape just by continuing to throw and work out at home. Obviously, we don’t have the same resources or equipment that we would at the complex, so really just trying to make the most out of we have at home (using) lighter dumbells, no barbells.

-Some guys like Albertus Barber are throwing at trees or a fence. Are you working out alone or do you have a throwing partner at all?

I’m lucky enough to have a buddy with the Pirates who I’ve been throwing with five to six days a week. It makes a huge difference having someone to throw to with and give you feedback, as opposed to throwing into a fence. And only Barber is crazy enough to throw into a tree (laughs).

-Are you in touch with a lot of your teammates and how much are you guys talking about baseball as opposed to other things?

I’ve been in touch with some of my buddies from the organization just checking in and seeing what they’re up to. Definitely a little bit of both baseball and also just asking how they’re doing and what they’ve been doing to pass time.

-How would you feel if baseball restarted and games were set to be played without fans in attendance?

At this point, I really wouldn’t care if there were no fans in the stadium as long as we got to play baseball. The fans are a huge part of minor league baseball and something that I’ve come to really enjoy interacting with, but I would do just about anything if it meant us playing again.

-Have you given any thought to this and are you a bit jealous of guys like Ben Brown and Trevor Bettencourt who are recovering from arm surgeries and technically missing less time due to the halted playing schedule?

Ben Brown and Trevor Bettencourt are two of my best friends in the organization, and it would be absolutely crazy for me to be jealous of them missing less time. Having been through rehab and them having my back throughout the entire process, those guys and others such as Kyle Young, Nick Fanti, Edgar Cabral to name a few, are who I pull for the most and want to see them succeed. I got to see Kyle Young’s first bullpen back from (Tommy John surgery) a week before spring training got cancelled, and it was honestly so much fun to watch. Just a huge milestone in the rehab process and I’m stoked to see what all those guys do when they come back!

-Have you had any luck finding all the key items during the pandemic like Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer and masks?

I haven’t had any success at all finding hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes or masks or anything like that. Even mid-March in Clearwater the local Target was completely wiped out. We made some masks and hand sanitizer at home so we’re okay for now.

-How have you been killing time during quarantine and do you have any recommendations for TV shows, books or video games for others?

For some reason the days have been flying by during this quarantine. I thought they would’ve been dragging and going by really slowly. I’ve just been playing a lot of guitar, playing card games, getting better at cooking and watching Netflix and TV shows. Highly recommend the Outsider which is on HBO!

-Outsider was pretty good. Gets my approval as well. I appreciate the time and stay safe.

Thanks.