photo: Jordan Walker (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The conclusion of the 2023 St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm-Up charity event at Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village arrived on Monday with the final group of presentations and autograph signings scheduled.
Among the popular presentations in the main tent included a double-header DeWitt session with Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr. and President Bill DeWitt III.
Autograph sessions with these current Cardinals were scheduled on Monday: Gordon Graceffo, Jack Flaherty, Jordan Walker, Miles Mikolas, Paul DeJong, Drew VerHagen and Willson Contreras.
Typically before or after they sign, the individuals meet with team physicians and are brought to the media area for a question and answer session.
Following are my notes from selected interviews held during the St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm-Up on Monday, January 16, 2023. Along with my summary is the audio for those who want to listen to the full content.
Check back as this article will be updated throughout the day as more sessions are held.
Gordon Graceffo (8:36)
The minor league Pitcher of the Year attributed some of his 2022 success on training the prior winter. He went from 210 to 230 and gained velocity. Lifting, eating right, running. This winter worked more on speed/movement. Hopes to add a few more ticks of velo in the process of getting stronger. Feels he has more ceiling to reach it.
Helps in a jam to be able to throw harder.
Has been through every step of the way with McGreevy. He pitched day before in Peoria so got feedback for his turn.
WBC creates “crazy opportunity” in the spring to pitch.
Helsley is a freak. Great role model. Use same agency for representation so has some interaction.
See himself as a starter long term but will do what Cardinals ask.
When had struggles for a period last summer, he learned that he had nothing to change. Problems were mental. Attacked hitters in September and finished strong.
After All-Star Break, Cardinals told him they were cutting back on his innings/pitches because it was his first full year.
Amazing that Jordan Walker could make 3B to OF move. Pitched his first day in the OF. Huge progress. Never forget his walkoff home run.
Threw bullpen with Trackman the day before he came to St. Louis. Everything is on track.
Drew VerHagen (8:24)
Ahead of schedule compared to prior years. Physical therapy in Dallas after hip surgery. Last year, got used to hip (soreness) and new normal was not healthy.
Told Mo before surgery that he knows there are a lot of starters but he wants to be in the starting mix. Loved starting his two years in Japan.
Is working on getting more of a four-seamer. Last year, two-seamer would not sink, flattened out and got hit. Wants to play four-season off his two good breaking balls, slider and curveball. Both sinker and changeup flattened out. Velos similar. Looking for best pitch of the two to use down against left-handed batters.
Four-seam has good numbers in his bullpens. Cards encouraged him to expand use. This was the plan just before surgery and he is continuing with it.
It was tough last year. Put more pressure on himself. They invested in him and he wanted to show them. Maybe pushed too hard.
Will hopefully get some innings due to WBC pitchers away. Ready to compete without half of mind thinking about injury.
2023 is huge for him. Will be free agent in fall and coming off hurt year, 2023 will determine where he goes from here.
Willson Contreras (19:43)
Has been to Jupiter already to meet players, coaches, trainers. Will be there every Monday and Thursday starting the 23rd until spring training.
WBC not playing was not easy decision but knows responsibility. Had ankle problem at end of last year so don’t want to risk injury.
Different facing pitchers vs. catching them. Each pitcher will have little details on where to set up, etc.
“I don’t play for you to like me.” Only had one chance coming out of Venezuela. Plays like every game is last. Like head on fire.
Flaherty was something special in 2019. Almost unhittable. If healthy, will get back to that.
Playing with Goldy and Arenado like dream come true. Two will guide the team. Arenado texted him that they want to win the World Series.
Heard from Molina after signing. Said he will love the city and organization.
He is 100% professional on and off the field. Wants players to look up to him. Will give advice. Creating relationships important.
Winning WS every year is impossible but once win, stay hungry to get there every year.
His brother (William) still swallowing trade from Atlanta to Milwaukee. Will have chance to be himself there. Will be fun to face him more often but want to beat him.
Had watched video before talking with Dusty Blake. He answered every question about the pitchers. Impressed.
Talked to Knizner a few times. Haven’t met him. Have heard about Herrera. Hopes to catch up with them this weekend.
Bill DeWitt Jr. and Bill DeWitt III (31:41)
Jr: Mo has done usual good job. Got main piece, catcher. Worked crowd to see what is available. Can’t replace Yadi but filled position with someone really good. Willson really wanted to play for us. Can change game with one swing of bat. Dynamic, enthusiastic.
Asked about one playoff series win in eight years. Key is to get into playoffs when anyone can win. Caught breaks in 04, 05 and 06. Had they won Game 1 in 2022 they could have gone on (Helsley injury, bleeders got through). Long series are different.
III: Hard to talk about a playoff team in January. More of a discussion at the deadline.
Jr: Is cost worth throwing all eggs in one basket? Contreras cost draft choice, but no players. Would rather spend money than young talent.
(Question if new playoff format puts premium on first and second seeds.)
Jr: Playoff caliber team every year. We are in great spot to win as many games as possible.
Yes there are big spenders in the NL. We will do our best to compete. Were 12th in revenue and 12th in payroll. Can spend money if opportunity to improve club presents itself.
Mo has done great job. Big fan of his abilities as PBO. Will sit down in Florida and see what he wants to do. He is in top echelon of baseball people.
12th in revenue even though second in attendance (3.3 MM). Top 6-7 teams produce more revenue. We can compete with them. They do what they do and we do what we do.
Starting pitcher market got really strong. Some had injury histories. Betting length of contract will work out. Mo checked in but risk-reward proposition.
III: Minor league union will lead to cost increases. 10% of team revenue goes to minor leagues.
MLB doing a lot of work to understand regional sports networks and contingency plans. RSN model in decline in all sports.
Jr: Concern and fluid situation. Something will happen sooner or later. Big part of our revenue stream. Operating like it is going to stay but delivery system will change. Lost subscribers because games not available. System coming that everyone can watch games.
III: MLB territorial model 100 years old. Clean it up. Blackout areas problematic.
(Asked about Trevor Bauer though name not mentioned.)
Jr: Won’t comment but their actions will indicate.
III: Bally takes lead in TV play by play hiring. They are sharing their lists of candidates. They are interviewing. Conclusion in next few weeks. Local culture positive aspect, but great outside candidates.
Jr: Big advocate of shift. Really tough on certain left-handed batters. Not fair. Pitch clock cuts dead time in game. Liked in minors. Step off, bigger bases lead to more steals.
Jack Flaherty (14:27)
Nice to finish year healthy. Pretty normal off season. Refining mechanics. Last year was rough. Always have confidence but 2021 came out well then oblique. Last year more frustrating. Watched last three playoff losses without playing last two years and it sucked.
A lot easier now. Last winter dealing with a lot with union and lockout. Had couple days feeling good, then setback. Frustrating. Now feel good coming off end of last season.
His expectations are higher than second half 2019. Feels like long time ago. Watched a lot and didn’t play a lot since.
Emotions in 2022 with Yadi leaving. Don’t know about future. Really have no idea. This is Waino’s last year. Unbelievable friend from day one. (showing emotion) Sat down with him for two hours after playoff loss. Stayed with him all night after Tyler Skaggs passed away.
Not going through this to win division. Want to go out and win with these guys.
Miles Mikolas (9:25)
Been getting exercise running and lifting and being Dad. A little earlier than usual due to WBC. Super proud to wear Red, White and Blue and represent USA. Even if doesn’t play, he made the team.
Likes experience in rotation. Know what to expect is big strength.
Open to contract extension. Talks don’t bother him at any time. St. Louis is great place to play.
Fun to compete with Flaherty and Wainwright. Make each other better.
Not into analytics because mine not good! Blake is good on sequences, tuning offerings. Cherry picks info for what he likes.
No concerns about past with Contreras. Shook hands in hotel lobby and that was it. Familiarity will happen quick once he gets behind plate and study sequencing. Everyone will do homework.
Jordan Walker (16:04)
Going down to spring training early with Mike Antico. Not focused on pressure. Early work planned with Cheo (Oquendo) to work on reads off bat.
Move to OF was always in back of head.
No worry about expectations. Whatever happens, happens. Dream to play in MLB. Keep pushing.
Always played 1-2 years up in school so being young for leagues was nothing new.
Still have more to learn in outfield. Has been really hard, but glad it appears easy.
Having Masyn Winn on journey has been great. Playing ball and video games together.
From Atlanta so Hank Aaron and Chipper Jones are favorite players. Grandfather took him to see Aaron when boy. Has photo. Power hitting 3B Jones was his role model. Across all sports, Michael Jordan is favorite. Not sure who he is named after. Middle name is from Alexander the Great.
Wants to be complete player. Put balls in play, get on base. Works a lot on making contact.
Learned a lot from Winn on baserunning. Tries to catch pitchers off guard. Faster than what he appears. Working to be faster, more explosive.
Looked at Busch field earlier today. Extra drive to make team.
On Winn at Futures Game, his direct quote was, “If I get a ball, I’m going to let it loose.” He can throw harder (than 100.5). Walker said if he got a ball, he would have tried to throw harder (but wouldn’t have been able to top Winn).
Length of minor league season long. Have to ride bus for 16 hours. Six games in row. Wear and tear. Not enough sleep at time. Good preparation.
Paul DeJong (15:54)
Been in Jupiter working with Turner Ward and Daniel Nicolaisen. Eliminating leg kick. Keep head as still as possible. Like Goldschmidt. Goal is consistent body position.
Last couple of years, body and mind not in sync. Weight and head were flying forward. Working on better bat to ball skills.
“I know what I can do and what I have done.” More now to prove to himself.
WBC timing is perfect. Want a lot of at-bats. Wants to play.
Any great SS can play any position. Haven’t heard about playing others. Wants to be shortstop.
Wants to do moves without thinking about it. Wants to be as natural as possible out there. This is a change. In past, body was not in sync with head. It is having courage to change. Not just talking about it. Doing it.
Great to have Turner Ward who has been here. Daniel Nicolaisen and Brandon Allen diving into numbers. Dan dove into weaknesses. Talked me down when wanted to rush results. Takes time. Trust.
Taking 100 swings for 60-90 minutes a day. Start working in cages tomorrow with pitch clock.
Earlier related articles
Cardinals Winter Warm-Up – In Their Words: Saturday, 1/14/23
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