photo: Ben Johnson (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
On Thursday at AutoZone Park, Memphis Redbirds manager Ben Johnson and key players addressed the media, outlining their hopes for the 2024 season. The Cardinal Nation’s Curtis Chamblee shares his report.
It was a picturesque Thursday afternoon for the media to meet Memphis Redbirds manager Ben Johnson, along with a few of the key players for the upcoming 2024 baseball season. The sun bathed AutoZone Park in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the freshly manicured field as anticipation buzzed in the air for the upcoming season. Reporters gathered around, their notepads, cameras, and phones all poised, eagerly capture insights and soundbites from the team’s leadership and cornerstone players.
Redbirds President Craig Unger also addressed the media, expressing his excitement for the upcoming season and what baseball symbolizes. He described this time of year as special. Unger emphasized that baseball represents the end of winter and the beginning of summer, a time for relaxation, listening to games on the radio, and watching them on TV.
Furthermore, Unger highlighted the social aspect of baseball, noting that it remains a great opportunity for families and friends to come together. He emphasized the chance to discuss the history of the game while enjoying the experience of attending games with loved ones.
Reigning International League MVP Luken Baker spoke with the media while manager and Memphis local resident Johnson patiently waited on the infield grass, appearing relaxed and reflective before his own media session. When asked about his mindset during this time, Johnson replied, “I am taking in the weather and savoring this moment before Opening Day and the start of the season.” He mentioned that they had recently concluded their beginning-of-the-season meeting and that both he and the players were eager to get started, with Johnson stating they were “chomping at the bit” ready to go.
Johnson expressed mixed feelings about the sudden promotion of CF Victor Scott due to an injury to OF Dylan Carlson. While he was eager to unleash Scott’s elite speed against opposing pitchers, he also sympathized with Carlson’s injury and expressed confidence in his eventual return to contribute to the Major League club. Asked about Baker’s potential return to St. Louis, Johnson emphasized that the first baseman simply needs an opportunity and believes he would make a significant contribution to the Major League club.
On the subject of Opening Day starting pitcher Michael McGreevy’s potential, Johnson emphasized the importance of him maintaining consistency and effectively pitching against left-handed hitters. He also highlighted several other players for fans to watch, including Thomas Saggase, Cesar Prieto, Andre Granillo, Adam Kloffenstein, Mosies Gomez, and Alfonso Rivas, whom he believes will make a significant impact.
Reflecting on his hometown, Johnson expressed his love for Memphis and the opportunity to be around family, enjoy the barbecue, and be a positive presence in the community. While he selfishly hoped to have players stay in Memphis, he understood their aspirations to play in MLB and encouraged them to earn their place in St. Louis. Johnson’s goal for the 2024 Redbirds is to build a cohesive team that supports each other and wins games together. He emphasized the importance of being proactive and effective as a team rather than merely saying the right things.
Baker, also the 2023 International League home run leader, expressed his goals of helping the Redbirds win while also aspiring to return to St. Louis and become a contributor to the big-league club. When asked about the biggest difference between Triple-A and MLB, Baker emphasized that while the game remains the same, MLB pitchers are more consistent and precise in their pitching. Reflecting on his successful 2023, Baker attributed his performance to staying prepared to hit fastballs and capitalizing on hanging pitches. He emphasized the importance of maintaining readiness to hit fastballs, which contributed to his success against various pitching styles.
McGreevy, who is starting his third consecutive opening day, reflected on his time in spring training and expressed feeling more comfortable due to his previous experience in big-league camp. He emphasized the importance of slowing down in the spring to avoid giving up big innings, a lesson he learned from the previous year’s experiences. McGreevy discussed his offseason focus on refining his mechanics and the addition of a new pitch, a cutter, which he acquired during spring training. He hopes that this new offering will improve his performance against left-handed hitters, addressing a challenge from 2023.
Finally, infielder Thomas Saggese emphasized his intention to build upon what he considered to have been a successful 2023 season, which included the Texas League batting title. He expressed his focus on maintaining consistency in his performance without making major changes to his approach at the plate. Saggese mentioned his desire to gain more experience and repetitions while playing for Memphis. Reflecting on his time during spring training, he highlighted the valuable moments spent with players like Paul Goldschmidt, Brendan Donovan, and Nolan Arenado, expressing hope that these camp experiences will translate into a strong start and continued success in 2024.
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The #STLCards minor league season kicks off at 3:05 CT with the @memphisredbirds facing Charlotte (CWS) at home.
Weekend starters:
Fri: RH Michael McGreevy (p)
Sat: RH Adam Kloffenstein
Sun: RH Gordon GraceffoTCN's free daily notebooks recapping the action return tomorrow AM. pic.twitter.com/0iLPyen0sz
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) March 29, 2024
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