June 15, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Ryan Dent Q&A
Ryan Dent: Pretty much that it takes time to develop out of high school. Comparatively, minor league baseball is a lot different; it's a lot faster and the pitching is definitely a little tougher. So I'd say it's just the adjustment of the game-speed and learning to develop at your own pace. And I'm realizing that I'm not going to be in the big leagues tomorrow; it's going to take time. I just have to work hard, and hopefully good things come from it.
DL: Developmentally, what are the biggest strides you've made since signing?
RD: I'd probably say it's the mental side of the game, just being prepared to play every day and keeping my head in the game at all times. The game is a lot faster, so mentally you really have to stay in the game or else you'll get left behind; you're going to make mental mistakes. So I think the most important thing is just staying in the game mentally.
DL: Has Bob Tewksbury played a role in that mental development?
RD: Yeah, he helps a lot with your struggles and how to deal with failure. You're going to go through slumps, so how do you get out of them in a long season? I'm here in Lowell, so the season isn't as long as it would be, but the preparing is still a lot different from a high school year. Tewksbury really helps you with that.
DL: What were your expectations for the season coming into spring training?
RD: I was just hoping to have a good spring, and I wasn't sure where I was going to end up. Unfortunately, I struggled a little bit in spring training, but I picked it up in extended and ended up here in Lowell. I just hope that I can contribute, have a good season, and we make the playoffs this year.
DL: Is there a specific reason you can point to for your struggles in spring training?
DL: Developmentally, what are the biggest strides you've made since signing?
RD: I'd probably say it's the mental side of the game, just being prepared to play every day and keeping my head in the game at all times. The game is a lot faster, so mentally you really have to stay in the game or else you'll get left behind; you're going to make mental mistakes. So I think the most important thing is just staying in the game mentally.
DL: Has Bob Tewksbury played a role in that mental development?
RD: Yeah, he helps a lot with your struggles and how to deal with failure. You're going to go through slumps, so how do you get out of them in a long season? I'm here in Lowell, so the season isn't as long as it would be, but the preparing is still a lot different from a high school year. Tewksbury really helps you with that.
DL: What were your expectations for the season coming into spring training?
RD: I was just hoping to have a good spring, and I wasn't sure where I was going to end up. Unfortunately, I struggled a little bit in spring training, but I picked it up in extended and ended up here in Lowell. I just hope that I can contribute, have a good season, and we make the playoffs this year.
DL: Is there a specific reason you can point to for your struggles in spring training?
RD: It was a little mechanical; I struggled at the plate a little bit. And I wasn't where I needed to be mentally, so I didn't deal with those struggles like I should have. But extended spring training really helped; you have the privilege of repetition and taking batting practice every day, along with working with the roving instructors. I think extended helped me a lot and it prepared me for Lowell.
DL: What was the mechanical issue that led to your struggles at the plate?
RD: I think just being on time with my stride and being prepared to hit. It was mechanical and mental. Mentally it was having a plan when you come up to the plate and sticking with that plan. That was the main thing I needed to work on, and I think I did that well in extended. Mechanically, it was just being on time with my foot and my stride, and being able to see the ball better.
DL: Most of the people reading this have seen your scouting reports, but how would you describe your game?
RD: I'd say that I try to use all of the field; I'm not a big power guy. I like to use my speed and put the ball in play as much as possible. I'd say that's pretty much the strength of my game, making sure I put the ball in play and use my speed to force the defense to make plays. I try to hit the gaps and make singles into doubles and doubles into triples. That's pretty much how I'd describe myself.
DL: How about defensively?
RD: Defensively, I've worked a lot at second base. I don't have one of the strongest arms, therefore I need to be a lot quicker, both getting the ball to first base and being quicker with my hands. I'm sure I'll play second and short this year, so I need to be prepared to make the long throws from short and the throws from second.
DL: When you're working with Bruce Crabbe, is there one thing he's been stressing more than anything else?
RD: Being fluid and less is more. Less movement is a key in the infield; you don't need all this glove-flipping and such forth. Be simple with your hands and stay low through the ball. At times I might have a tendency to come up when I throw, which may cause throwing errors. So he really stresses being fluid and staying down, and therefore your throws will be crisper.
DL: What kind of guy is Ryan Dent off the field?
RD: I'm the kind of guy who pretty much likes to lay low. I'll go out occasionally, but I really enjoy a good movie at night or hanging with the guys to play cards or games, or listening to music. I think of myself as a mellow guy who just hangs loose and chills with the fellows, having a good time.
DL: How about your demeanor on the field; are you quieter or more rah-rah?
RD: I'd say that I try to be rah-rah to get the team going. But the main thing is having the privilege to play baseball as your job, every day. I think you really have to stress having fun, because if you think of it as a job you're not going to have fun. This is one of the greatest jobs in the world - getting to play a sport like baseball - so I try to have fun and get the team going; I try to be a team player and a leader.
DL: What was the mechanical issue that led to your struggles at the plate?
RD: I think just being on time with my stride and being prepared to hit. It was mechanical and mental. Mentally it was having a plan when you come up to the plate and sticking with that plan. That was the main thing I needed to work on, and I think I did that well in extended. Mechanically, it was just being on time with my foot and my stride, and being able to see the ball better.
DL: Most of the people reading this have seen your scouting reports, but how would you describe your game?
RD: I'd say that I try to use all of the field; I'm not a big power guy. I like to use my speed and put the ball in play as much as possible. I'd say that's pretty much the strength of my game, making sure I put the ball in play and use my speed to force the defense to make plays. I try to hit the gaps and make singles into doubles and doubles into triples. That's pretty much how I'd describe myself.
DL: How about defensively?
RD: Defensively, I've worked a lot at second base. I don't have one of the strongest arms, therefore I need to be a lot quicker, both getting the ball to first base and being quicker with my hands. I'm sure I'll play second and short this year, so I need to be prepared to make the long throws from short and the throws from second.
DL: When you're working with Bruce Crabbe, is there one thing he's been stressing more than anything else?
RD: Being fluid and less is more. Less movement is a key in the infield; you don't need all this glove-flipping and such forth. Be simple with your hands and stay low through the ball. At times I might have a tendency to come up when I throw, which may cause throwing errors. So he really stresses being fluid and staying down, and therefore your throws will be crisper.
DL: What kind of guy is Ryan Dent off the field?
RD: I'm the kind of guy who pretty much likes to lay low. I'll go out occasionally, but I really enjoy a good movie at night or hanging with the guys to play cards or games, or listening to music. I think of myself as a mellow guy who just hangs loose and chills with the fellows, having a good time.
DL: How about your demeanor on the field; are you quieter or more rah-rah?
RD: I'd say that I try to be rah-rah to get the team going. But the main thing is having the privilege to play baseball as your job, every day. I think you really have to stress having fun, because if you think of it as a job you're not going to have fun. This is one of the greatest jobs in the world - getting to play a sport like baseball - so I try to have fun and get the team going; I try to be a team player and a leader.