The SIS Baseball Podcast

On this episode, Mark Simon (@markasimonsays) talks to ...

Dodgers broadcaster José Mota (@josemota05) about how the Dodgers have made the most out of players like Trayce Thompson, Tony Gonsolin and Evan Phillips, and how they've excelled on defense. He also shared stories of his father's relationship with Roberto Clemente and talked about the game's young Hispanic stars (1:12).

Washington Nationals infield prospect Jake Alu (@jakealu1 on Tiktok), who leads all minor league third basemen in Defensive Runs Saved, and who has made major strides in his offensive game. You might see him in MLB in 2023. (18:58)

And SIS VP of Baseball Bobby Scales (@bobby_scales) on the greatness of Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols (33:16).

Thanks as always for listening. Please follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball and read our work at SportsInfoSolutions.com. You can e-mail us at [email protected].

On this episode of the Sports Info Solutions Baseball Podcast, Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) is joined by Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker.

Christian talks about what’s gone into his dominant defensive season and an unusual offensive season in which he was repeatedly hitting the ball hard both into shifts and into great defensive plays. He’s back on track for good numbers now (1:07).

We’ll also hear from our Video Scout, Alex Eisert (@Mind_OverBatter), about 2 statistical studies he did with SIS data – one on checked swings and another on meatball pitches (16:38).

And then we’re joined by SIS VP of Baseball Bobby Scales and Operations Assistant Brandon Tew (@BrandonTeweets). The theme of their talk is “Grade 80 Watchability” as they did in-depth scouting on Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, along with Shohei Ohtani, Edwin Diaz, and Spencer Strider (22:54).

You can read Brandon’s article on Murakami here.

Thanks as always for listening. Please follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball and read our work at SportsInfoSolutions.com. You can e-mail us at [email protected]

On this episode, Mark Simon hosts a baseball baserunning forum with former major leaguers Doug Glanville and Bobby Scales. They talk about which players and teams are best at it (including some names you don’t expect), where the issues exist today, and what they would like to see in the coaching of baserunning.

You can watch a talk Bobby did for the ABCA Convention on basestealing here.

Thanks as always for listening. Please follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball and read our work at SportsInfoSolutions.com. You can e-mail us at [email protected]

On this episode, Mark Simon interviews Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan, women’s baseball pioneer Dr. Justine Siegal, and talks to SIS VP of Baseball Bobby Scales.

Steven (0:53) talked about some of the top plays he’s made in left field on his way to leading the Guardians in Defensive Runs Saved. And he explained the prep that goes into playing in the outfields in Colorado, Cleveland, Boston, and Baltimore.

Justine (12:20) is the founder of Baseball For All, a women’s baseball advocacy group, and was the consultant on Amazon Prime’s A League of Their Own show debuting on Friday. She talked about the work her organization is doing as well as everything that goes into teaching actresses to play baseball.

Bobby (22:10) reacted to both interviews, giving his perspective on Steven Kwan’s play so far. He also shared a story about an outfield adventure at Wrigley Field and gave us opinion on what happened at the end of A League Of Their Own, the movie.

Thanks as always for listening. Please follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball. You can e-mail us at [email protected]

On this episode, we're joined by Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who ranks among the MLB leaders in Defensive Runs Saved due to standout pitch framing.

Cal talks about the different elements that go into catching this Mariners staff and the different looks and challenges their pitchers present. He also explains why he might not do as well as Julio Rodríguez in a Home Run Derby (0:42).

Our VP of Baseball, Bobby Scales, follows that interview by chatting with us about some of the best defensive catchers he's played with and against. Bobby also addresses the Chicago White Sox and how aggressively they should go for the AL Central title (15:04).

Thanks as always for listening. Please follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball. You can e-mail us at [email protected]

On a special bonus episode, Mark Simon is joined by Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña to review his impressive first half of the season, particularly in the field.

Jeremy tells us about his favorite defensive plays, why he's so good at fielding on the backhand, the value of being bilingual in a locker room, and much more (0:31)

We then run through the Defensive Runs Saved leaders by position for the first half of the season (11:33).

We also talk with SIS VP of Baseball Bobby Scales about the significance of the first 5 picks in the MLB Draft, the decline in high school players selected in the late rounds, and the fun in Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game. (14:09)

Thanks as always for listening. Looking forward to the rest of the 2022 season. You can e-mail us at [email protected]

On this episode, Mark Simon is joined by top minor league prospect Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles, as well as SIS VP of Baseball, Bobby Scales (a former MLB player and executive).

Gunnar, recently rated the No. 5 prospect in Minor League Baseball by MLB Pipeline, talked about playing both shortstop and third base and what’s gone into his success at each position (0:34).

Bobby talked a bout another standout rookie, Michael Harris II and his teammate, Matt Olson, and what’s impressed him with the recent strong play of the Orioles (13:13).

Please rate and review the show if you can. You can follow us on Twitter at SIS_Baseball

Links

Michael Harris’ impressive catch vs Josh Bell

SIS Baseball Podcast interview with Michael Harris

SIS Baseball Podcast interview with Matt Olson

Mark’s article on the Orioles’ defense

MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects

On this episode, Mark Simon is joined by two of the premier defensive players in the upcoming MLB Draft: Coastal Carolina shortstop Eric Brown and Adonys Guzman. Both have been projected among the Top 100 draft prospects at different times this season.

Eric talks about the work that has gone into having what some say is the best range among college infielders and his unusual batting stance (0:23). Adonys, who plays high school baseball in Connecticut, talks about how he frames, blocks, and guides a pitching staff and discusses his throwing arm, which some scouts have given a 70 grade on the 20-80 scale (8:55).

Mark is then joined by SIS VP of Baseball Bobby Scales, who provides further explanation on Eric’s unusual stance and gives perspective on the challenges a high school catcher faces in hoping to go pro (16:35).

Thanks as always for listening. Please rate and review us if you can. You can follow us on Twitter at @SIS_Baseball. And send any feedback on the podcast to [email protected]

LINKS

Scouting report on Eric Brown - LINK

Eric's barehand play - LINK

Eric's stance - LINK

Adonys Guzman highlights - LINK

Adonys Guzman scouting report - LINK

On this episode, Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) is joined by a trio of guests.

Yankees SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa joins us to talk about all things related to defensive excellence, from favorite plays he’s made to drills he’s done, to lesson’s he’s learned. We were psyched to hear that Isiah follows his Defensive Runs Saved total closely (0:56).

SIS VP of Baseball Bobby Scales (@Bobby_Scales), a former executive in player development with the Pirates and Angels comes on for his regular spot to talk about Alex Cora and the work the Red Sox have done in improving defensively. He also shares thoughts on Hunter Greene, and the best baseball lesson he ever learned (20:34).

And writer Howard Bryant (@hbryant42) – author of a new book about Rickey Henderson, talks about Rickey’s legendary baseball playing career (33:26).

Thank you for listening. Feel free to tweet us at @SIS_Baseball or e-mail [email protected].

On this episode, Mark Simon was joined by Diamondbacks catcher-centerfielder Daulton Varsho, ESPN’s Paul “Hembo” Hembekides, and Sports Info Solutions VP of Baseball Bobby Scales.

Daulton Varsho talked about the origin of his unusual position combination, what a day in the life is like for a catcher, and what his experience has been like with the new Pitchcom communication system.

Bobby Scales shared his relationship with Daulton’s father, Gary, explained what impressed him most about how Varsho plays the outfield, and provided a Hawaiian baseball history lesson on former player/coach Mike Lum.

Mark and Paul Hembekides then ran through the most interesting hitter, pitcher, fielder, and team through the first two months of the season, and discussed the Mets’ new approach to scoring runs.

Thank you for listening as always. Please follow us on Twitter at @SIS_Baseball. If you have any feedback on the show or suggestions for guests, e-mail [email protected].