2006 Peoria Chiefs Q&A with Nathan Baliva

[Laura]

http://peoriachiefs.com.ismmedia.com/ISM2/StaffManager/240.jpeg.300.jpeg:

 

From PeoriaChiefs.com

 

Nathan Baliva joined the Chiefs fulltime staff in March 2003 as the Broadcasting and Media Manager. He is entering his third season as the Voice of the Chiefs on WOAM 1350. Nathan interned with the Chiefs during the 2002 Championship season. In addition to broadcasting and media duties, Nathan is in charge of producing game notes, writing press releases and game recaps, helping out with promotion and developing all Website content.

 

Nathan graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Broadcast and Electronic Communication in 2000 and then received a Masters degree in Sports Communication from the University of Florida in 2003. A native of Springfield, IL, Baliva graduated from Chatham Glenwood High School and currently resides in Peoria. In his spare time he enjoys reading, watching sports and rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and Marquette.

 

Nathan Baliva, Broadcast & Media Manager for the Cubs Class-A Affiliated Peoria Chiefs, has graciously agreed to take questions during the 2006 season from posters on NSBB! If you would like to ask Nathan a question, please feel free to post it here.

 

This session will be coordinated as in accordance with The NSBB Q & A Guidelines as well as the NSBB Member Guidelines.

 

Many thanks to Nathan for again taking the time to share his knowledge and insight on the Peoria Chiefs with us. Thanks also to the management and players of the Peoria Chiefs for their willingess to interact with fans here at NSBB. Be sure to tune in to Chiefs games at the Peoria Chiefs web site (select "Listen Live") or Live365 during the 2006 season!

 

As always, thank you to all of you for making NSBB such a wonderful community!

 

GO CHIEFS!

Edited October 10, 2006 by Laura

[cuubs4life]

hey nathan thanks for your time.

 

my question is, of the players you have seen so far this spring that will likely start the year with Peoria, which do you see as potential Major Leaguers down the road.

 

thanks!

[UK1679666180]

Who would you say were the clubhouse leaders among the '05 Chiefs? I've heard that Fuld was one of them, I'm just curious who else would've filled that role?

 

Speaking of Fuld, I was surprised he did not make Baseball America's top 30. There were Harvey, Gallagher, Johnson, Patterson, Layden, and Montanez all in the top 30 as well as several others who only seen limited action at Peoria (Guzman, Berg, & Billek). My question is how Fuld compares to them in overall ability and do you find it a surprise that Fuld did not make the top 30?

[Outshined_One]

Howdy Nate!

 

Now that Sean Gallagher has had a full season as a pitcher, will he be on the fast track to Chicago? Or does he still need more time down in the majors before Cubs fans can start talking about him as a potential callup?

[ChiefsVoice]

hey nathan thanks for your time.

 

my question is, of the players you have seen so far this spring that will likely start the year with Peoria, which do you see as potential Major Leaguers down the road.

 

thanks!

 

Thanks for the question C4L. Since the players stay in Mesa until April 2nd I haven't seen any of them as of yet. However I will let NSBB in on a little secret that I will be headed down to Mesa for a week starting Thursday. So if I don't replay to anything from the 9th to 15th its not personal, I'm just not here. Having said that, I am very excited to see the pitchers that are rumored to be coming to either Peoria or Daytona: pawelek, holliman, veal, taylor, etc. And Yusuf Carter and Defendis and Gregg. Those are the guys I don't know that I want to check out while in Mesa and then of course to see the ones I do know like Mark Reed who was here just a month in 2005. I will definitely re-answer this question on the 16th when I return to Peoria. Anyone who has someone they want me to check out while I'm down there let me know and I'll do my best!

[ChiefsVoice]

Who would you say were the clubhouse leaders among the '05 Chiefs? I've heard that Fuld was one of them, I'm just curious who else would've filled that role?

 

Speaking of Fuld, I was surprised he did not make Baseball America's top 30. There were Harvey, Gallagher, Johnson, Patterson, Layden, and Montanez all in the top 30 as well as several others who only seen limited action at Peoria (Guzman, Berg, & Billek). My question is how Fuld compares to them in overall ability and do you find it a surprise that Fuld did not make the top 30?

 

Good to hear form you again UK. as for 2005 clubhouse leaders, we had so many who did things in different ways. Fuld was a silent leader as was Montanez. Patterson was a leader. Harvey led by example. Larsen, Weber and Gallagher were more vocal.

 

Fuld should have been in the top 30. I think he was robbed. My guess is his age had something to do with it. Had he not started the year off slowly (with a bum shoulder I might add), he would have hit probably about 10-15 points higher than 300 and added 10-15 more runs and a few more SB. then he would have been on that list. I think he has more upside than a few of those guys on the list and I look for big things out of Sam in 2006. On a side note he is also one of the nicest and most intelligent players I have been around.

[ChiefsVoice]

Howdy Nate!

 

Now that Sean Gallagher has had a full season as a pitcher, will he be on the fast track to Chicago? Or does he still need more time down in the majors before Cubs fans can start talking about him as a potential callup?

 

Great photo Outshined!

 

Yes I think that Sean will be on the fast track. But remember he is just 20 years old. I am higher on Sean than some others are (especially those "experts" at Baseball America). But then again they evaluate on one or two starts while I saw all of his 2005 pitches. Sharp curveball, good control and wasn't even allowed to throw his slider which coming out of high school was a big pitch for him. He learned a lot here in 2005 from Tom Pratt in terms of learning how to pitch and working the mental side. He will have a big 2006 somehwere (Daytona? West Tenn? Both?) and I think you'll see him in Wrigley soon and it will be well deserved and hard-earned.

[rawaction]

What are you thoughts on Matt Weber? Does he have the stuff to make it as a ML starter? Amazing control. Great poise, from what I've heard. But the stuff may be just a little underwhelming.

[Outshined_One]

Howdy Nate!

 

Now that Sean Gallagher has had a full season as a pitcher, will he be on the fast track to Chicago? Or does he still need more time down in the majors before Cubs fans can start talking about him as a potential callup?

 

Great photo Outshined!

 

Yes I think that Sean will be on the fast track. But remember he is just 20 years old. I am higher on Sean than some others are (especially those "experts" at Baseball America). But then again they evaluate on one or two starts while I saw all of his 2005 pitches. Sharp curveball, good control and wasn't even allowed to throw his slider which coming out of high school was a big pitch for him. He learned a lot here in 2005 from Tom Pratt in terms of learning how to pitch and working the mental side. He will have a big 2006 somehwere (Daytona? West Tenn? Both?) and I think you'll see him in Wrigley soon and it will be well deserved and hard-earned.

 

Why did the Cubs not let Gallagher throw his slider? Did they scrap it out of worries about his arm, or did they want him to develop his other pitches before he could bring the slider back?

[ChiefsVoice]

 

Why did the Cubs not let Gallagher throw his slider? Did they scrap it out of worries about his arm, or did they want him to develop his other pitches before he could bring the slider back?

 

I'm not 100 percent certain on this but I think it was so he could work on his other pitches.

[ChiefsVoice]

What are you thoughts on Matt Weber? Does he have the stuff to make it as a ML starter? Amazing control. Great poise, from what I've heard. But the stuff may be just a little underwhelming.

 

Thanks for the question Raw. Matt is a very interesting pitcher. He is not going to blow anyone away. He is more in the Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Jamie Moyer mold where he must locate and hit his spots. The control is there, the mental part is there and the poise and mound presence is there. This kid will just have to out work everyone else and compensate for not having 95-98 fastball. Good mix and he too like Sean is very young and will only get better. I see him a lot like Brad Thompson of the Cardinals (who was here in 2003) though Matt doesn't throw as hard as Brad but has the same control and confidence. I won't be surprised at all if Matt makes it to the MLB level.

[Outshined_One]

I'm thinking about attending some Chiefs games when they head out to Beloit and near Appleton (Timber Rattlers) in April. Where are the announcers booths at those parks so I can come up and meet you? :D

[UK1679666180]

If you head to Beloit, you really can't miss the various booths. If they keep the same set-up as last year, the Chiefs' booth was the furthest to the right (3B side) if you're looking up at it away from the field behind home plate.

[ChiefsVoice]

you cant miss the booths at either place. UK is right about Beloit from when he came up to say hello. the road radio is just inside the door of the box. in Wisconsin the booths are right behind home plate on the concourse and im the booth 2 windows down from the PA. just come up to the open window (well maybe not open on April 6th when it is 18 degrees!) All visitors are always welcome!

[Outshined_One]

Hey, it's in the 40s here today! This is summer for Wisconsin. :P

[CaliforniaRaisin]

hey nathan thanks for your time.

 

my question is, of the players you have seen so far this spring that will likely start the year with Peoria, which do you see as potential Major Leaguers down the road.

 

thanks!

 

Thanks for the question C4L. Since the players stay in Mesa until April 2nd I haven't seen any of them as of yet. However I will let NSBB in on a little secret that I will be headed down to Mesa for a week starting Thursday. So if I don't replay to anything from the 9th to 15th its not personal, I'm just not here. Having said that, I am very excited to see the pitchers that are rumored to be coming to either Peoria or Daytona: pawelek, holliman, veal, taylor, etc. And Yusuf Carter and Defendis and Gregg. Those are the guys I don't know that I want to check out while in Mesa and then of course to see the ones I do know like Mark Reed who was here just a month in 2005. I will definitely re-answer this question on the 16th when I return to Peoria. Anyone who has someone they want me to check out while I'm down there let me know and I'll do my best!

 

So does that mean you'll be gone before March 17? :(

[jaxxradio]

Nathan, it must be nice to be able to go to Mesa. I'm stuck in Jackson trying to sell, sell and (oh by the way) SELL!!!

[Hoosiercubbie]

Hey Nathan, Thanks for taking the time to give us some information on the Chiefs. I'd like to know your impressions of Eric Patterson and Ryan Harvey. What specific areas do they need to improve on to minimize the time they will need to spend in the minors?

[Outshined_One]

Okay, here's a good one.

 

Aside from Mark Pawelek (and Donald Veal if he starts there), who are you the most excited about seeing next season in Peoria?

[ChiefsVoice]

Hey Nathan, Thanks for taking the time to give us some information on the Chiefs. I'd like to know your impressions of Eric Patterson and Ryan Harvey. What specific areas do they need to improve on to minimize the time they will need to spend in the minors?

 

I was very impressed by both players. Eric is closer, more mature as a player and more polished. Plays very good defense (despite what Baseball America continues to claim), and has a good eye at the plate. Eric showed more power than I expected and the speed I expected.

 

Ryan oviously has great power and just kills the ball. His arm and defense are very good. He takes good routes to the ball and is accurate throwing. He does have a tendency to K a lot and not walk much. I saw him this week in Mesa and they were working on him going the other way with the ball and he was doing it with power.

 

Both need to cut down the K's and other than that just polish their games.

[ChiefsVoice]

Okay, here's a good one.

 

Aside from Mark Pawelek (and Donald Veal if he starts there), who are you the most excited about seeing next season in Peoria?

 

Well those two are at the top and Holliman if we get him. And of course Jody Davis!

 

From what I saw this week down in Mesa I look forward to hopefully watching Mark Reed and Yusuf Carter behind the plate, Gregg, Defendis and Taylor as well.

 

Also Jon Hunton looked like he was in great shape and had lost a lot of weight and it would be good to watch him come back up here and succeed like he did the first month of 2005 before he had trouble locating his pitches.

[UBlink]

Nathan -

 

So what are your impressions from visiting Mesa? Who impressed, who didn't?

 

Inquiring minds are dying to know.

[ChiefsVoice]

Nathan -

 

So what are your impressions from visiting Mesa? Who impressed, who didn't?

 

Inquiring minds are dying to know.

 

Well I saw the potential Peoria/Daytona players taking infield, BP and situational defense. I didn't see anyone pitch at all. Harvey was hitting the ton out of the ball and working on going the other way. Reed and Carter hitting the ball good as well. Norwood looked good, so did Fuld. I didn't really see anyone looking bad during BP. Games don't start until next week so it's kind of hard to get a gauge on where players are. From what I heard talking to players and coaches, Grant Johnson, Jon Hunton, Mark Pawelek, Donald Veal, Sean Gallagher, Ryan Harvey, Ryan Norwood and Yusuf Carter, Mike Phelps, and Eric Patterson are the ones who were talked about the most on looking good so far.

 

On the injury side, Lee Gwaltney, Aaron Krawiec, Phil Norton and Alberto Garcia were among the ones rehabbing when I was visiting our 2005 trainer Matt Johnson.

 

On a side note, it appears that our 2005 catcher Oscar Bernard is now a pitcher. He was throwing 97-98 on the gun with his fastball and will likely either start in Mesa or Boise.

[rawaction]

Nathan -

 

So what are your impressions from visiting Mesa? Who impressed, who didn't?

 

Inquiring minds are dying to know.

 

Well I saw the potential Peoria/Daytona players taking infield, BP and situational defense. I didn't see anyone pitch at all. Harvey was hitting the ton out of the ball and working on going the other way. Reed and Carter hitting the ball good as well. Norwood looked good, so did Fuld. I didn't really see anyone looking bad during BP. Games don't start until next week so it's kind of hard to get a gauge on where players are. From what I heard talking to players and coaches, Grant Johnson, Jon Hunton, Mark Pawelek, Donald Veal, Sean Gallagher, Ryan Harvey, Ryan Norwood and Yusuf Carter, Mike Phelps, and Eric Patterson are the ones who were talked about the most on looking good so far.

 

On the injury side, Lee Gwaltney, Aaron Krawiec, Phil Norton and Alberto Garcia were among the ones rehabbing when I was visiting our 2005 trainer Matt Johnson.

 

On a side note, it appears that our 2005 catcher Oscar Bernard is now a pitcher. He was throwing 97-98 on the gun with his fastball and will likely either start in Mesa or Boise.

 

HA! I figured that would happen with Bernard. He has a cannon. I've heard things about his arm that I heard about Marmol a few years ago. Like Marmol, I don't think he was gonna hit enough anyway. Good move.

 

Any idea if Reed is gonna start in Peoria? What about Carter?

[ChiefsVoice]

Any idea if Reed is gonna start in Peoria? What about Carter?

 

I think theres a good chance we will get them both. If you look at the Catchers depth chart there are a lot of them. I wouldn't be surprised if we have 3 as we did for a while last year (Rick, Bernard, Douillard). Alan Rick and Olin Wick, were working out with Dayton. Reed, Carter, Justin Morgan and Peter Farina were working out with Peoria. Tony Richie was up with AA while Jake Fox, Geovanny Soto and Jose Reyes were up with the big league club.