Mike Hazen, Red Sox Director of Player Development

The Boston Red Sox have an interesting program it's called via the rookie program. My partner Michael Holley participated as a as a as a speaker in the program a couple of years ago and and what it does is bring together some of the up and coming stars in the Red Sox organization that young players. And and try to give them an idea of what it means to be a major leaguer the expectations. Both the you know in the major leagues but specifically as a member of the Boston Red Sox it's a two week program it's taking place right now. Joining us on the line as the Red Sox director of player development Mike Hayes and talk a little bit about that and other things and Mike I don't. It they'll like it don't.

And Mike I did such good job last year that you guys had no way into the how -- I'm not bringing those guys back.

I had a feeling it's gonna come back out really Michael problem was scared of law we heard of you told open media you know. All the expectations what they were in -- and the players they just couldn't take it and take it but it scared off.

Which you know I was -- of last year I don't know if you remember. Mike you know who was sitting where I kind of remember this. One of the guys there if you got all of them were were great they actually listen to me ramble for a long time that probably longer than probably -- five for ten minutes on that don't want to. But I remember a few guys sitting in front and asking some questions -- one guy who was -- pretty good questions answered that guy. I think this guy's got -- I think it was Daniel -- you remember him he was he was the star of that session as far as our members.

Yeah and and you know -- on 2009 am very good these. You know we hope that. But he got engaged in this program it's a little bits and pieces -- all the speakers all the people that they -- In the hope that when they get up here for the first time or maybe some cases like Redick into power or -- second time. You know that they can put some of these things and in the back of their mind just focused on going I'll play in the -- the game on the field and not not really worried about sort of distraction that com. You are on the field in the clubhouse year.

Did you guys come up with the program because you felt like. Boston media is nasty and mean and in invasive. And that they needed to be prepared of what life is like as the Boston Red --

You know we sort of -- it -- a little optical. The Cleveland Indians a program that has been running for about ten years now and and and not really you know each each market obviously brings different set of challenges and off and no different. But it's more about being acclimated to the Major League level playing in the majors. Is on the field probably no different Cleveland and off -- well. We do feel like Austin offers few challenges whether -- just the size of the media other responsibilities. Their attention. And we wanna prepare them a little bit for that not that. We're gonna take away you know the first date jitters maybe when they can -- have to perform and win. But again maybe trying to focus their energy a little bit more on. Coming out doing their job as opposed to being worried about all -- the media right now what do what do people think about me. You know I get up here what are the expectations and BO.

A week or so ago we had the opportunity to speak with Casey Kelly and he joined us on the show and and both of us came away from our brief discussion within very impressed he seemed like a mature young man. Do you find as you deal with some of these kids may be at this program but certainly at other levels that some guys just jump out catching -- say you know what that kids got -- there. He's got a handle on what it takes to do this.

of course no Major League Baseball pretty unique in in that it probably a little bit maybe like hockey in some regards but that. You know we draft got in and and bring him -- being professional athlete it's such a young age -- know the NBA a little bit in the NFL not so much probably but. You know you -- got all walks of life all over the globe all with different sets background and -- that maturity levels. But but there are few guys complicate -- that do. Abbott and -- pretty quickly that the the maturity not wrapped the perspective and in a pretty registering kids in and you know eat all the things he dealt with this year bouncing me hitting and pitching handled so well. We think this guy has a pretty good chance to be pretty special future.

William you brought up an interesting point is I'm just looking at the list of the the participants who'll take place in an autograph session the gonna tell folks about here in just a moment. And I mean there's there's that Chinese kid you -- Japanese guy you got. Dominicans you got Americans. I mean it's almost like the United Nations just within the group of players who were in this group.

We have that we have three different languages being translated at a time because command. It is it that in and of itself presents unique challenge but the -- is evolving it's becoming such a global game. Our our system itself is. Is like United Nations we have so many different languages so many different countries represented a club houses it's a beautiful thing you know watch LB got come together. -- play together -- teammates. And edit gives unique experiences for those kids maybe the most high school kids and never went to college that. You know -- never seen diversity at all and and they're thrown into the club up right away at eighteen and nineteen years old. Sitting next to a kid that doesn't speak English and they don't speak Japanese and try to finally to communicate both on and off the field.

What kind of feedback have you gotten from the kids -- what do they say. They want you guys to work on or they want more of or less of.

You know they they got hearing Euro seem to really respond to that to to the future teammates. This year we have duke John -- David Ortiz spoke to yesterday they really bad that's sort of the exciting part of the program for the year you know what -- got expect from them. When I can popular for the first time -- you want to act opposite corner you want -- to not talk. You know they they get told hey you gonna get -- yet you know. A little bit in a fun way in the economy be made carried backpack and dressed up in an all sorts of things like that but. Those sort -- exciting part we also Billick is based part of the program whether it's from John Farrell they've Magid and Larry Lucchino BOT ago. In order to sort of in part on them -- the other side of the game and metal deals that are needed the fundamental skills that are needed. So don't those -- against Russia in the rubble that they really like talking to a which you can John Lackey really lucky that those guys you know give us some time do that.

As pretty interesting that you get to see him at that stage where whether it's Daniel Bard or Casey Kelly. Where there and saw. Of David Ortiz or Kevin Youkilis -- me you know two years from now three years from now to be and that's poppy that's you that's Pedroia but right now. It's almost like they're they're they're probably pretty similar to the fans and in terms of the way they look at these guys.

There's no doubt we have to sort of problem apt question we've got them on the beat. A BP was the only got a came into the program outlook and an audit.

What why are we surprised what is that I you know I thought it has Casey Kelly actually sent us he said. He said I hope I don't creep guys out it its spring training because I'm just gonna wanna watch them. In -- just watch how they prepare watch how they how they go about their job I mean it's a smart way to approach -- but he said he hopes that they don't get upset with him.

And end I think the players really respect when other young got command and and show them. That hate your experience matters to me back the you've been to two World Series Jon Lester you won a World Series clinching game I think when. Dies at the lower level young got a note would try to break down boundaries in and the games of all a little bit not regard but. When they committed show that respect to that two of the better players that means a lot and and I think it goes a long wait for them in the club of.

In general working -- the idea that I can't imagine them being very serious word for fifteen minutes straight.

I think what you don't want to do and it it's a challenge is that you got well well imagine coming up to be weeks the first time. That is pretty crazy dropped about five to talk about first are more. Alec -- from double play. It's pretty overwhelming from all the feedback that we get. And Tito I think in all other situations as well try to make you got the comparable come up here and be -- don't don't don't be complacent. You know be furious and do your job in your you don't win. But be comparable because if you law -- that's what's gonna allow you count on. China -- and that's when you're gonna contribute and and -- must win and so that's -- seem like the overarching message for you know. And edit while talking about -- here are some of my rules here's how I want to accurately I want to do when your field com. You know subtle little things like that an acute I think he -- one hour. Introduction to the players to Tito is personality so that when they walk in the spring training or they come up and abilities and you know maybe they do feel a little more culpable -- and and spend pocket that -- not to run and --

We talked to -- about Casey Kelly a week or so ago as I said because he's such an interesting story having to make a decision whether he was gonna pitcher. Or be a position player but if there's a guy who I think has captured that the fascination of Red Sox fans who they know birch -- nothing about. It's Jose Iglesias the shortstop who was signed back in August. Supposed to be a defensive wizard what are you -- from the sky.

Yeah I mean everything Craig Shipley unbelievable job signing those today and and bringing the kind of talent I think it does this. Very advance of the -- on the field the sensibly and you know as Rangers shortstop throwing arm. He can do at all I think you know ought to be just with the experience that you'll gain a professional baseball polishing up a little bit. -- we haven't seen him play it on in games. Other than when he was in in Cuba but he had a body you're off so well it continue to get to know we saw a little bit something that he can do -- fall league and a couple of bombs and seems seems that a pretty good short swing and an ability to make contact so we're pretty excited vote tightened.

We're just talking about this before you came on now Mike. We're looking at no baseball America and some of the other publications they were they ranked Casey Kelly as the number two prospect. -- number one prospect. In your organization and keep in mind the kids aren't listening so they won't feel like year picking one over the other but who is who was perceived to be the number one prospect --

Are you a packet to question a lot like I don't do it -- that boat going to be on fox prospect later though it's. You know that we have a number of gotten the upper levels and and even at the lower -- got like Westmoreland godlike rights you bush. You know guys like Michael -- that happen. Sort of broken through two dollar other guys like that the upper level that we feel -- going to be Lars Anderson that are going to be impact Major League players. Year in the in the next few years. And you know at at any one point time you you can't appointments say he's number 1802. Because. We don't look at players that way you know we look at all that it's having the ability to contribute someway. And and hopefully be impact everyday players the Red Sox and continue on our gold field a homegrown team.

Outside this might Scott Brown and mark the cochlear running for senate -- what you know what you should throw your name into the -- it. That is though they do that's a very diplomatic response.

you know it as hard as it is and as much as we talk about developing young pitching. And you've got some guys performing at the Major League level right now that the Red Sox have -- drafted and developed. Is it safe to say -- seems to be the hardest position. To develop at the minor league level and and lower I mean young catching prospects are our gold in the game now.

Absolutely you know in in in the challenge is the with the amount that's expected. Catchers as opposed any other position it's the only position in the game that. There are expected to all their defense of stuff there are expected to they're expected to work with the pitching staff and run the -- and gloat one with a back. Not a Major League level you might you catch it and it's 220 in really good defensive catcher while back and look at packages mightily numbers -- that you -- pretty good hitter in the mightily. Those young guys you handle that end hit. It's a challenge I think that's -- the track rules lower east he got get the big -- a little bit of older each you know guys like -- our and and we leaders -- that account for. You know so there all that often. But for the most part it's dated the most challenging position to drop in the.

What's the most uncomfortable. Excuse me uncomfortable question a -- disaster.

It is that -- they probably relates more to see where my starter where -- ago. You know there's so much that goes into those decisions and you and you never wanna limit you know what they want or expect local standpoint but the -- the only give them false hope. You know you're competing to be busy competing to do that. Even if in the backed -- mine. We have a pretty good handle that they're probably gonna be there if everything goes well you know immediately answer that question honestly don't limiting. You know what they're shooting for hey I wanna make them. Major -- club okay it will go to a lot of other guys you know and we have a lot of guts and that department processes that don't want to make that team right now they wanna keep their jobs so that probably the most challenging one. Day in -- that we yet.

I wondered if you -- that knows that the rookie program but it was that after this season I'm wondering wondering if you wish there were you just heard about it when Dustin Pedroia. Had his one on one meeting. I think it was with the bench Harrington and oh what does this what's his class he he's no longer with the organization with the Harvard work with you guys for awhile. What tortilla it was is what fork and sharing and and -- Pedroia is being told that -- we know we're thinking about that you've backed a ball. And he just cop an attitude and would you don't know what you. Do you even think about that to me about it already battered.

unfortunately I missed that I've seen many more of those conversations over the last few years and it does not surprise me one bit.

But that doesn't necessarily with a guy like Pedroia that's within his personality of the guy responds like that that's not necessarily turn off there.

If not definitely not know yet and we want got that goal and we often don't yet take got jobs the Major League level up and be impact players in that's what I meant by. In no way we wanna limit you know what they are old are. But the same time we do want to be more realistic not everybody is counted is docked to the drawing can back that up. Though we do -- somewhat realistic because on the downside you don't do it and you're dealing with the disappointment of somebody that may -- fail and and that's the wrong with while.

Monday is Martin Luther King Day so the kids have the day off from school. On many of the prospects were taking part in the rookie program will be at the best buy Fenway which is. In the landmark center just up the street from Fenway Park they'll be there Monday from 330 until five. And for a ten dollar donation to the Red Sox foundation. Fans would get the opportunity to receive autographs from the -- top level prospects Casey Kelly is a scheduled to be their -- sex -- was a Iglesias. Brian K lynch Junichi does -- many many more. It's if it's probably unique opportunity for these kids to because my guess is it's their first one on one confrontation with Red Sox Nation.

Yet no it is an and one of the parts of the program that we try to stresses when you get off and there's there's a there's a bigger cities of the community that supported by tremendous and and and very great you know great charities in an organization that you can support in which your. You know name power star power when you get here and your good player. Part of it's about giving back and because I do you think overall these -- in the do you feel like they're pretty privileged in the white that they get the lead. And we electric boat and and maybe there's some social responsibility in this is one of those things for the donation rate caught our our -- Red Sox foundation. They do it on a great work so. The players like really -- been open and get get a chance to meet. -- the future of.

Just to be clear you said Ryan Westmoreland is number one prospect right. As written would drop their organization bike -- You're gonna hear about a from this is later today there are -- your hard time for not even mentioning one -- yard pass anything.

That that's okay it's okay.

Mike we appreciate taken a few minutes my case and director of player development for the Boston Red Sox. I guess it's not too long for your headed south then and back to work for a new year we appreciate -- in a few minutes. Take care mark thanks for. At a Mike -- and the Boston Red Sox talking about the rookie program -- it's a great idea. And any freely admitted they kind of modeled it after something with Cleveland Indians had done before.