March 13, 2003

Spring Training Q&A

Ryan Klesko

by Craig Elsten

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Baseball Prospectus: What's the feeling in the clubhouse after Nevin's injury?

Ryan Klesko: It's disbelief, but we've got to worry about keeping ourselves healthy and getting (Nevin and Hoffman) back. Obviously, we may not see either of them this year, but in the new stadium we're going to need them. We're going to have to bear down and concentrate on this season. We've got a lot of young talent pitching-wise, and we're going to have a lot of guys in the lineup who are going to have to pull their weight this year. We've got a lot of good young hitters who have the potential of hitting .300. We may not have the power that we'd like to have, but everyone in the lineup can hit for average, and then you've got (Brian Buchanan) and Xavier Nady splitting time in left field, and Bubba Trammell's been swinging the bat well, so everyone's going to have to pull through and stay healthy this year, that's the main thing. Some guys are going to get some chances and some looks to get at-bats, so we just need to play solid in every aspect, offense, defense, and pitching.

BP: You've been in the middle of a lot of good lineups during the course of your career. Many people have different ideas about the concept of "protection" in a lineup. What is your opinion on this subject?

RK: You've got to have someone hitting behind you that's a decent bat. When Phil went down last year (with a broken arm), it got to the point there for a few weeks where I wasn't being pitched to at all. I was drawing my walks, and I'm the type of guy who likes to get on base too--that's something I've worked really hard on for the last few years. In September of last season, when Phil had just come back and was still not healthy, I wasn't getting much to hit. We were playing the Giants and the Dodgers, teams that were still in the race, and two or three of the guys came up to me and said: "Hey, we're not going to let you beat us. We're going to pitch, but we're either going to hit the corners or walk you." I'm not greedy, I'm going up there to get on base, draw my walk and have someone hit a double behind me, but you've got to have someone doing well behind you.

BP: On a more positive note, this week the Padres signed Brian Lawrence to a multi-year deal, after giving extensions last year to yourself, Mark Kotsay, and Phil Nevin. Is it exciting for everyone in the clubhouse to see that ownership, through management, is demonstrating that when a player is identified as being a key to the next winning team in San Diego, they are rewarded with contract security?

RK: Yeah, KT does a good job with that. If you come out here and play well, and they like what they see, you're probably going to get locked up. The organization locked up Kevin Jarvis before he got hurt, and they are taking chances (with these deals) on injuries. If you're part of the winning atmosphere, you play hard, and Boch (Bruce Bochy) likes what he sees, a lot of times they will sign you for a couple of years. Some of these guys are young, and they're not making in the 8- and 10-million dollar range, so it's good to lock these kids up early and give them security. It helps them to relax, and that's a good deal. Hopefully, they'll go out and get somebody now, because with losing Phil and Hoffy, we're going to have to add some help in the bullpen and another right-handed power hitter.

BP: Let me take you back now to the start of your career with the Atlanta Braves. You watched a lot of good prospects come down the pipeline, along with yourself, on the way to Fulton County Stadium. What did that organization do to create and develop so many quality prospects?

RK: Well, their scouting directors did a great job, and the organization did a great job with the kids in the minor leagues. You had Willie Stargell and Hank Aaron walking around, and their presence alone was a big help. You had David Justice and Ron Gant come up through the system, Steve Avery--just tremendous talent. When Atlanta was doing poorly (in the '80s), they were getting a lot of high first-round draft picks, and they made really good decisions on drafting kids. We also had great coaches in the minor leagues.

BP: When you came up to Atlanta, Bobby Cox platooned you exclusively. How do you think that affected your development as a hitter?

RK: It was pretty tough there for a while. The one year I did get 500 at-bats, I led the team with 34 homeruns, so I don't know what they were thinking over there. I think, being that I was young and they had a lot of guys over there needing at-bats, I was kind of the scapegoat in order to get the fourth and fifth outfielders some ABs. Early on, I had never played outfield before, so I would play six or seven innings and then they would take me out for a defensive replacement. I'd get my 400 at-bats a year, but I wasn't getting 500 or 600 plate appearances like I would've liked. That was a difference of opinion and a conflict there. Obviously, I wanted to play every day, but I was going out and hitting .280, .300, hitting my 20 or 25 homeruns with a lesser role. What can you do? You can only complain so much, and it gets to the point where it gets old. I had a lot of teams come up to me and say, "Hey, we'd love to have you play every day", but I had to wait it out. Here it is, the last three years where I've played every day, and it's been great! I just try to work hard and work on hitting lefties and getting better every day.

BP: As you just mentioned, you split time in Atlanta between first base and the outfield, and there was a switch once again last year in San Diego. Do you feel switching positions affects you in any way at the plate?

RK: Not for me, mentally, because I'm used to it. You know, if something happens, there's a double switch and Boch has a first baseman he wants to get in the game, I'll grab my outfielder's glove. Mentally, this game's tough, but for a position change, if you're a guy that's used to it, I don't mind. If it takes me going out there and playing a couple of innings in the outfield in order to get one of these kids in there and get a bat in there or a pinch-hitter, that's fine with me because I'm all about winning. I'm not a selfish guy, I've learned that. I've tried to get better as I get older and I want to win. I'm not worried about my numbers, whether I'm hitting .300 or how many homeruns I hit, I just want to win. They can say that I've got great numbers or I was team MVP last year...who cares? We finished in last place last year. I want to win.

BP: In the course of the 1990s, the game has changed. There has been a great influx of power, conditioning and training methods have changed, and more attention is paid to nutrition as well. How have your training methods changed since you were younger?

RK: Oh, it's 10 times (better). Guys work out harder in the off-season, the supplements are out there, and people take care of their bodies more. They have a hard workout regimen. I've had a trainer in the off-season for the past four years, and I'm in better shape than ever. I'm quicker than I used to be. There's a lot more drills, devices, and weight equipment to help develop a baseball player. If you look at the average weights of ballplayers 10 years ago and today, they're bigger, stronger, and faster now, just like in the NFL. Injuries have risen a little bit, but that's what happens when you get bigger, stronger guys. That's why the power numbers have gone up. I don't care what they say about a juiced ball or whatever, when you look around, the average shortstop size is 20 or 30 pounds heavier than it used to be. Second baseman are now hitting for power. You've got guys who work out and put in the extra effort, and they go out and hit the ball a lot harder.

BP: You mentioned supplements, which has been a hot-button topic recently in baseball. Do you feel that overall, from the training staff on down, that you are well educated about the potential risks and rewards?

RK: Oh, there's thousands of supplements out there. So many different things you can take, and some of that stuff isn't tested as well as it should be. But hey, if you drink too much caffeine it can raise your heart rate. You can overdose on Advil. You'd like to see more testing of some of these supplements. A lot of these things are natural, and players are looking for stuff to give them that edge. It's one of those things where I'd like to see them do more testing for a lot of that stuff that's out on the market, particularly for some young kids.

BP: I know you like to surf a lot. Do you feel that's helped you in any way athletically or with your flexibility?

RK: Well, let's put it this way: I've been on the DL one time in 10 years. It's just like swimming. I haven't really had any shoulder injuries, or a whole lot of injuries at all. Surfing, like swimming, it's conditioning and is a big part of my training. It keeps my shoulders and my back strong, and helps my flexibility too. Getting in the water is good, and it's helped me out a lot, that's for sure.

Craig Elsten works for KOGO Radio in San Diego as the pregame/postgame co-host for the Padres. He has also served as the Cactus League play-by-play voice of MLB Radio, and regularly beats Joe Sheehan in Strat-O-Matic baseball. You can reach him at celsten@clearchannel.com.