Clayton Blackburn Interview

[GiantsPackersChamps2011]

I will be interviewing San Jose Giants SP Clayton Blackburn this Saturday. Already have a few questions planned but as always would love to see if there is anything you guys would like to hear asked.


Appreciate the support. I'm also trying to reach out to Kyle Crick and Martin Agosta as well

 

[calsnowskier]

Ask about being part of group of highly touted arms. What is it like to be just one of an entire rotation of MLB projected starters at such a low level, and does that breed competition amongst themselves.

Badly worded, but I think you get the gist.

 

[calsnowskier]

Also, how hard/easy is to get along with guys like Mejia and Escobar when they have totally different backgrounds from him compared to guys like Crick who is more similar (Caribean players vs both drafted out of HS from the SW - Texas and Oklahoma). Do all the pitchers "hang out", or is it more clique-y?

 

[calsnowskier]

FYI, Escobar got the bump to AA, so if you use my question concerning him, word it with that knowledge.

 

[GiantsPackersChamps2011]

Thanks cal.

I saw in earlier interviews (during May) that he was working on a cutter so I plan to ask him how he feels that pitch is progressing.
To open the interview off I'm going to ask him about him being a big country music fan AND a Katy Perry fan
Will ask him about his start on Friday

 

[SFGRTB]

FYI, Escobar got the bump to AA, so if you use my question concerning him, word it with that knowledge.

Love that Escobar is in AA.

 

[calsnowskier]

Love that Escobar is in AA.

That Escobar trade is in th early stages of looking like one f the best trades in recent memory...

 

[MarcoPolo]

Also, how hard/easy is to get along with guys like Mejia and Escobar when they have totally different backgrounds from him compared to guys like Crick who is more similar (Caribean players vs both drafted out of HS from the SW - Texas and Oklahoma). Do all the pitchers "hang out", or is it more clique-y?

Living on what you get paid in the low minors is total suck. It's not uncommon for A-level players to be paid $12K-$15K for their season.

If you didn't get a large signing bonus you have to get some menial job in the off-season to make ends meet. Crick was drafted in the first round (sandwich pick) and got about $1M signing bonus. He's not hurting. Blackburn was signed in the 16th round, but the Giants gave (what seems to me to be) an over-slot bonus of $160K to convince him to sign out of HS instead of going to college. He may be using a little of it for expenses, but I bet he gets a job in the off-season too. Ty Blach was drafted in the 5th round last year and slot bonus was $224,500.

The guys who signed out of the Caribbean (or very late in the draft) with little to no bonus money can't really afford to do much. They often can't afford cars, or to go out for meals. (Heck, for some of them the "game buffet" is their main meal of the day.) The SJ Giants have a "host family" program, where local families let players live with them while they are in San Jose. I've spoken to a few of them (families) at games and it's appalling how little of the kids have to get by on. Some of the families drive the players to the stadium because otherwise they'd spend 90-120 minutes on buses to get there.

I brought all of this up because you might have to be a little careful about how you ask "how do you get along" and "who do you hang out with" question, as well as to help you understand some of the background issues. Most of the players can't afford to go out for dinner several times a week. The "friends" probably hang out in the locker room or dugout, and when on the road. But who they hang out with "at home" is probably more influenced by who lives closest, or on a direct bus route from where you live.

I'd be interested to hear answers to these questions (but he may not want to answer them - you might want to warn/ask him off-air to see if it's OK) :

- Is there much of a communication problem because for some players English wasn't their first language?

- Do the Giants provide tutors or classes or translators for their ESL (English as a Second Language) players?

- Do the Giants provide tutors or classes for Spanish, for the native-English speakers who wish to learn Spanish?

 

[SFGRTB]

Try to ask about his slump, without being too rude. Was he trying something new? A new pitch, new motion in the stretch? etc.

Maybe ask him how helpful the coaches have been, have they suggested any adjustments? If so, how have they progress you as a pitcher? Has Steve Kline, a major league pitcher not too long ago, been a valuable voice in giving guys a taste of ML life? (He's the pitching coach in Augusta, pretty sure when Blackburn was there last year, may have to fact check me there)

I'm terrible at forming questions, but hopefully you catch my drift?

 

[GiantsPackersChamps2011]

Try to ask about his slump, without being too rude. Was he trying something new? A new pitch, new motion in the stretch? etc.

Maybe ask him how helpful the coaches have been, have they suggested any adjustments? If so, how have they progress you as a pitcher? Has Steve Kline, a major league pitcher not too long ago, been a valuable voice in giving guys a taste of ML life? (He's the pitching coach in Augusta, pretty sure when Blackburn was there last year, may have to fact check me there)

I'm terrible at forming questions, but hopefully you catch my drift?

Absolutely. I think I could ask him about his struggles in May and June and what he has done differently in these past 3 starts to help him turn it around or what difference he saw when watching himself pitch on video that helped him make adjustments

 

[GiantsPackersChamps2011]

Hey Guys just wanted to post the questions I have for him. First one is to kinda lighten the interview with a funny one and find out about him.

1.) Now I have to ask. I know you are a big country music fan, so how did you become a Katy Perry fan?

2.) Now I see you on Twitter alot before and after games and have noticed your mention of the Dog Pound. What is the Dog Pound and who came up with the name?

3.) Your from Oklahoma and were born in Texas. How nice is it to have teammates like Kyle Crick, Chris Marlowe and Austin Fleet who come from the same area?

4.) You are one of many highly touted prospects in the Giants system along with Kyle Crick, Martin Agosta among others. What is it like for all of you guys to all be pitching for San Jose and does that breed a friendly competition amongst the guys?

6.) Now I want to talk about some of the pitches you throw. What type of pitches do you use when you are on the mound and what do you think is your best pitch?

7.) I saw in an interview earlier this year you mentioned you were working on your cutter. How is that going and are you starting to gain more confidence and command in it?

8.) You started last night at home against Modesto and pitched really well. Threw 6 innings only allowing 5 H's with no walks and 8 K's. How did you feel going into the game and at what point did you realize you really were on top of it with your command and mix of pitches?

9.) You struggled a bit in the month of May and June, but really have turned it around in July. What did you notice when looking back over your starts that you were able to adjust to and get back into a groove?

10.) Looking back on this season so far, what would you say is your greatest memory from this season so far?

 

[calsnowskier]

Hey Guys just wanted to post the questions I have for him. First one is to kinda lighten the interview with a funny one and find out about him.

1.) Now I have to ask. I know you are a big country music fan, so how did you become a Katy Perry fan?

2.) Now I see you on Twitter alot before and after games and have noticed your mention of the Dog Pound. What is the Dog Pound and who came up with the name?

3.) Your from Oklahoma and were born in Texas. How nice is it to have teammates like Kyle Crick, Chris Marlowe and Austin Fleet who come from the same area?

4.) You are one of many highly touted prospects in the Giants system along with Kyle Crick, Martin Agosta among others. What is it like for all of you guys to all be pitching for San Jose and does that breed a friendly competition amongst the guys?

6.) Now I want to talk about some of the pitches you throw. What type of pitches do you use when you are on the mound and what do you think is your best pitch?

7.) I saw in an interview earlier this year you mentioned you were working on your cutter. How is that going and are you starting to gain more confidence and command in it?

8.) You started last night at home against Modesto and pitched really well. Threw 6 innings only allowing 5 H's with no walks and 8 K's. How did you feel going into the game and at what point did you realize you really were on top of it with your command and mix of pitches?

9.) You struggled a bit in the month of May and June, but really have turned it around in July. What did you notice when looking back over your starts that you were able to adjust to and get back into a groove?

10.) Looking back on this season so far, what would you say is your greatest memory from this season so far?

Agosta is not in SJ...

 

[GiantsPackersChamps2011]

Agosta is not in SJ...

Thanks. I just thought of the top names, and even after looking at the SJ Giants roster and not seeing his name just slipped my mind.

Replaced Agosta with Blach

 

[calsnowskier]

Thanks. I just thought of the top names, and even after looking at the SJ Giants roster and not seeing his name just slipped my mind.

Replaced Agosta with Blach

Blach was not a top prospect entering the year. IMHO, Mejia or Escobar would be better choices, but Blach has entered the "Uber-Arms" group after this season...

 

[SFGRTB]

Blach was not a top prospect entering the year. IMHO, Mejia or Escobar would be better choices, but Blach has entered the "Uber-Arms" group after this season...

I'd include Blach, for what he's done to this point, you wouldn't want to insult the guy.

Maybe ask how he felt last year when he was promoted to SJ for the first time to start their playoff opener? Must have been a huge honor and confidence boost. How did it prepare him for this season?

 

[MarcoPolo]

I'd include Blach, for what he's done to this point, you wouldn't want to insult the guy.

Maybe ask how he felt last year when he was promoted to SJ for the first time to start their playoff opener? Must have been a huge honor and confidence boost. How did it prepare him for this season?

Great question.

 

[GiantsPackersChamps2011]

Have not heard from him since Thursday. Interview may be pushed to next week