Pitching Coach Nate Yeskie
- Thinks his guys are hungry to play somebody other than their teammates. They've seen the same guys for a long time so they want a new challenge.
- Says Gage Jump has "stuff." It's just different when you can do what he does from the left hand side. Says there aren't guys like him, he's so unique as a pitcher.
- Thinks he needs to be a mix of new school and old school. He wants to use all the new metrics and stats, but sometimes pitching just comes down to knowing what you're guy likes and have him execute that pitch.
- Thinks the competition between the pitchers for the Friday starter has created a nice competitive balance, but talks about how important all the starting jobs are. Says the weekday starter is just as important, because once the weekend's over, Tuesday is most important game.
- Wants to keep their injured pitchers included so they still stay engaged. Says he's been an injured pitcher and he felt like he was forgotten. Wants to keep them engaged, so if the comeback, they're ready to get back out there.
- Cam Johnson's physicality stands out to him. Says he has all the makings to be successful, but he's still a freshman, so they're going to have see him be consistent, even if he has a bad outing.
- Wants to see this staff be consistent during opening weekend. Says they will have setbacks, it's inevitable, so he wants to see them be consistent and work through the setbacks.
- Says Justin Loer throws a lot of strikes and is very competitive. Doesn't have a big ego like a lot of pitchers, so he knows what he can do and can be surgical with it.
- Thinks the postseason for Thatcher Hurd did a lot for his confidence.
- Loves having three catchers who can step in whenever and catch. Says it allows them to match them up with the pitchers and ride the hot hand.
- Says he's feeling good. Missed a lot of time with a back injury last season and had a setback in summer ball, but he's feeling better.
- Said he's doing a lot of core injuries to strengthen some of the muscles that may have caused his back injury.
- He came to the park everyday while he was injured and just tried to do whatever he could to help out.
- He watched Cade Beloso when he was injured. Wanted to see how he bounced back when he had bad days (didn't have many of those) and learn from the vets on this team.
- Said he's been toying with playing in the infield and outfield. Says he's practiced at second and third base as well as in the outfield. Said he's willing to play wherever the coaches ask him. Played the infield for most of his high school career.
- Thinks the entire pitching staff is so good. Says they have "dudes on dudes" in the pen.
- Has a unique release. Lefty with a 3/4 release that makes it seem like he's throwing from behind left handed batters. Likes to work down in the zone, won't see him throw many high fastballs.
- He hit the portal and Jay Johnson called him within 30 minutes. Said he was packing and saw a call from Baton Rouge and was shocked.
- Came for a visit during the Super Regional, saw the atmosphere and pretty much made his decision right then and there.
- He's a Vikings fan, being from Minnesota.....A lot of Saints fans won't like that he joked. But says he loves the weather here.
- Went hunting with Scott Woodward, Gavin Guidry, Jay Bramblett, Garrett Nussmeier and Nate Ackehausen for two days.
- He's excited to play against Xavier, his former team, in Alex Box this season.
- He understands he doesn't throw the hardest, but he knows his strengths and can play to them.
- Says he's trying to improve his changeup. He's throwing it as much as possible, even when he's just throwing balls into the bucket, he's using his changeup grip.
- Says he closed a lot at Xavier and loved that role.
