Brian Graham
Brian Graham
bad couple good hitting solid spots starting team
We've had a couple bad spots on defense, but it's been pretty solid overall. We had good starting pitching, hitting and solid defense. It was a very good team effort.
catching felt hitting pay player price situation small
We felt that because of our own catching situation and this was a left-hand hitting catcher, that if he was healthy, it's a very small price to pay to get a player who could potentially be a big leaguer some day.
batting best decide fits gotten guy hits matter slot
This guy does a lot of things well. We have to decide where he fits best and where his best development slot is. It's not a matter of where he plays. It's gotten down to a matter of where he hits in the batting order.
attacks batter double experience fastball guy higher hits inside level pitchers realizing start tendencies tries
The experience at the higher level for pitchers is invaluable. For example, the idea that when he attacks a batter inside with a fastball and then tries to double up with a fastball and the guy hits it. You need to start recognizing and realizing hitters' tendencies as a pitcher, and you need to pitch off your experience.
baseman chance class earned everyday exactly hit last level needs shown third
Jose Bautista needs at-bats. He's shown he has that power, that he can hit at Class AA, which was exactly the right level for him last year. If he does the same thing in Indianapolis this year, then he's earned the chance to be the everyday third baseman in Pittsburgh.
game great guy kids learning lessons played
What a great thing to have your first-year kids learning lessons from a guy who played the game like that.
falling high pressure putting stepped
I think they stepped it up, and we didn't. They were putting high pressure on us, and we were just falling back.
guy lit wonderful
Patrick was just a wonderful person. He was the guy who lit up the room.
ahead behind coming count counting early lately michael plays struggling wilson worked
Michael worked ahead in the count most of the game, and we made some plays behind him. Wilson has been coming on lately after struggling early in the season. We are counting on him to be a big stick.
adjust good purpose teachings
You just have to know something like that to have a good at-bat in that situation. Our purpose in doing this is to see where they are and adjust our teachings accordingly.
arms bit great scary stop
We've got some great arms in this organization. It's a little bit scary if you stop and think about it.
dribble good letting
We were just letting (Montoya) dribble through the middle, which was bad. He was a good player.
based certain extremely honest players promoted staying straight terms
We've been extremely honest and straight with players in terms of development and why they're staying at certain levels. Players need to perform. They just don't get promoted based on potential. It's performance-based, same as in the big leagues.
bring early fill guys leagues people pirates
There was a need early on with the Pirates that you had to bring guys to the big leagues because you had to have people to fill positions.