PEORIA, Ariz. -- When Jerry Dipoto traded for J.P. Crawford, he was buying low. The former top prospect in all of baseball (according to MLB.com) was dropping like a hot stone in the rankings, he couldn't have weighed more than 170 pounds and self-doubt had crept in. Three years, 35 pounds and one Gold Glove award later, Crawford has regained the trajectory toward stardom. In my conversation with Crawford, he told us who he credits for his turnaround and why there's no way he should hit anywhere in the Mariner lineup other than leadoff...
Normally, I wouldn't suggest that KJR feature an interview with an infield coach on our website, but then Perry Hill isn't just any infield coach, and this isn't just any interview. One of my favorite discussions of the week occurred Friday with Hill, the 68-year-old Gold Glove maker, who was crushed to have missed last season over Covid precautions. But his physical absence didn't stop him from guiding young infielders J.P. Crawford and Evan White to Gold Glove glory. Listen here, as Perry Hill discusses with Chuck & Buck his proven methods for instruction, his belief that we shouldn't give up on Shed Long and find out why he calls one of his favorite players, Kyle Seager, a "pain in his ass."
I recall the first time I watched Taylor Trammell play a baseball game. He dominated during the Futures Game at All-Star Weekend, and I walked away from that MVP performance believing I was about to watch the young man embark upon a 20-year Cincinnati Reds career. But Trammell has since been traded... twice! The second deal brought him from San Diego to Seattle. And although Trammell doesn't understand why he's gotten bounced around before he could make him Major League debut, he has a good feeling about being in a Seattle Mariner uniform for years to come. On Chuck & Buck, Trammell speaks with us about his winding road, his ability to do everything as an outfielder, and why he might someday come after our jobs...
Photo Credit: PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28: Trent Grisham #2 of the San Diego Padres slides safely into second base as J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners catches the ball in the first inning during the MLB spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex on February 28, 2021 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)