Skip to main content

PhoulBallz Interview: OF Matt Vierling talks Instructs & more

Matt Vierling, image- Jay Floyd
I invite you to check out my Patreon page, where you can read exclusive interviews and get early access to other posts, news and information from the Phillies minor league levels.

Phillies prospect Matt Vierling was among the minor leaguers that participated in this year's Florida Instructional League, which an annual series of exhibitions and training with team coaches.

While there, Vierling, an outfielder, got a chance to add first base to his skill set.  

In two pro seasons in his career, the 5th round draft choice out of Notre Dame in 2018 sports a .263 average with 12 HR, 72 RBI and 29 stolen bases.  He spent the 2019 campaign with Class A Advanced Clearwater and likely would have opened this year with Double-A Reading if the season had taken place.

Recently, I talked with Matt about his time at Instructs, trying first base, how his family has done in the face of the pandemic and more.  Read ahead for that interview.  

-What was your experience like at Instructs this year?

My experience at Instructs was a good one. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there getting back on the field.  After being gone for about six months,  it was refreshing and satisfying to finally get playing again.

-I know you got some time playing first base.  Who got that in motion and who worked with you at adjusting to the new position?

That's true, I did work at first base. It was mostly my idea. I brought  the idea up to Marty Malloy, who coached me my previous two seasons. So we decided that I could get some work over at 1st base during extra work. Shawn Williams, Marty Malloy, Andy Abad and Chris Truby all helped  me learn the position, but Shawn Williams worked with me the most over  there. I am not sure if I will (play there again), but I would love to get more work over there, as I feel like the more positions I can play can only help me.

-What has been the most important thing you learned in 2020?

Biggest thing I learned in 2020 is to not take anything for granted. I specifically mean baseball and health here. Being gone from the game and  having it taken away from you sucks. But getting back out on the field  made me realize how much I missed the competition and the camaraderie.  And my family being healthy is a blessing and something I am especially grateful for as well.


To read the complete version of this interview, visit my Patreon page at Patreon.com/PhoulBallz and support my work. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This Guy Speaks For All of You

This individual, interviewed by FOX 29 on Friday as the Phillies arrived back at Citizens Bank Park, said it best. When asked how he felt regarding the Phillies, he told Steve Keeley that he was, "Stoked, baby!" The unidentified phanatic then proclaimed, "We are talking about the Fightins here, the Fightins! Said!" Check out the media player below, as the transcribed version certainly does not do this phireball of phandom justice. The Phillies forced game 6 of the National League Championship Series with a 4-2 victory over the Giants in San Francisco on Thursday night. Game 6 will feature Roy Oswalt vs. Jonathan Sanchez in a return pitching match up from game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 7:57 pm EST at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Be sure to tune in on 97.3 ESPN's Weekend Sports Guide with Tyrone Johnson this afternoon around 1:15pm to hear me chatting about the Phillies! 97.3 is based in Atlantic City. You can listen live online HERE . _________
Post a Comment
Read more

Who is Your Favorite Willie 'Mays' Hayes?

PhoulBallz.com is wondering which individual who has portrayed Willie "Mays" Hayes is the favorite of the public. Hayes, of course, is the character made famous in the Major League motion picture series. In Major League , Willie "Mays" Hayes was portrayed by budding Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who would go on to action movie superstardom. Snipes has starred in major motion pictures like the Blade trilogy, Passenger 57 , Undisputed and many more. Snipes remains an impact Hollywood actor, despite legal troubles related to income tax evasion. Snipes was replaced for the sequel, Major League II when his busy career, and possibly the film's budget, would not allow him to return, by Omar Epps. Another budding actor, Epps had previously worked with director David S. Ward, on the film The Program , and landed the role of Hayes, who had become a Hollywood action star over the off-season that occured between the two films. Epps' career portraying athletes rol
1 comment
Read more

Phillies minor leaguer Burch to use health scare as fuel

Tyler Burch, image- MiLB.com I invite you to visit Patreon.com/PhoulBallz in order to support my work and get access to exclusive interviews plus early access to features and news such as this. A missed baseball season wasn't the only challenge facing righty pitcher Tyler Burch this summer.   With persistent symptoms that began prior to spring training it was ultimately discovered, after the 2020 season was shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic, that the 22-year-old had developed an autoimmune disease.   As symptoms that included dry mouth and frequent trips to the bathroom worsened, Burch's situation left his doctor puzzled.  And even the physician that conducted his team physical examination at the outset of spring training jokingly referenced diabetes, but did not take the possibility seriously.    The physical impacts subsided somewhat during spring training, as being more active and adhering to the team diet helped alleviate what he was experiencing. Once the base
Post a Comment
Read more