XX Sports Radio: Jed Hoyer Interview with Darren Smith (MP3)
- "It was nice to score some runs." Miller Park is pretty hitter friendly. The ground is hard and balls rocket through the infield and balls carry to right center field. A big offensive day was "bound to happen".
- Hoyer thinks that Colorado, Cincinnati and Arizona are the 3 best places to hit and Philly and Milwaukee aren't far behind. He's really surprised by how balls rocketed through the infield in Miller Park.
- It's hard to build a team in a place like Milwaukee because pitchers would be demoralized. Hoyer thinks it's easier to build a team in Petco Park. "In a non-large market, it's better to have a pitcher's park." It's really challenging to develop and draft pitching when they get worn down mentally.
- Ballpark Factor is discussed a lot behind the scenes. "This game is about confidence." Players gain confidence when they play in certain parks. Hoyer thinks Ryan Ludwick might have 9 home runs instead of 5 if he played in Miller Park and he'd be a "borderline All-Star".
- Chase Headley is a .300 hitter on the road and a .220 hitter at home in Petco Park. His numbers are dramatically affected. The balls that really get knocked down in Petco are "wall scrapers".
- "It really comes down to fans and the media to understand..." that Petco Park really affects the Padres players.
- Hoyer says Mat Latos' struggles are "being looked into and talked about a lot" but "'concern' is too strong of a word". He's had trouble in the first inning in just about every game going back to Spring Training. "He's been an acceptable starting pitcher that has worked hard and done well from the 2nd inning to the 6th inning." They still want Latos to work out his issues at the Major League level. On sending Latos to the Minors:
"There's a point when a player struggles that you consider all the alternatives. I think right now we do see some good signs once you get past the first inning. He's not that far away. Obviously it has to happen here fairly soon, we don't have an unlimited leash, but it would be also nice to see him start stringing some good starts together."
- Hoyer is happiest about Mike Adams' consistent performance. On Adams being a closer: "I don't think there's any question he has the make up for it."
- The Padres are 5.5 games out of the lead. No one is running away with the division. "I think we're going to get hot." The Padres haven't played up to expectations but they're starting to get better. Once you get several months in the season and a feel for the team, then you can make a decision whether you decide to make trades because it's not the Padres year.
- On the Padres going after Milton Bradley: "I don't think it's likely". Hoyer says that Bradley has a lot of supporters in the Padres clubhouse. "Adrian [Gonzalez] was always a big supporter" and the coaching staff as well. He hasn't talked to Bud Black about Bradley, but he was always supportive in the past.
- Hoyer thinks Colorado is really talented. A few of their players are playing under expectations right now. He likes the way the team was built. They're going to be in the NL hunt every year for the foreseeable future.
- Brad Hawpe has hit really well over the last 10 or 12 games. Fans would think of him differently if he started the season in the same way.
- Anthony Rizzo has a bruised thumb so he won't play for the next couple nights.
- Hoyer loves the way Chris Denorfia plays. "I love having him on the club." He's very good against left handed pitching. It's up to Buddy Black if he will become a starter.
- Padres are leading the league in strikeouts but second in walks. "It is an unusual combination."
- Orlando Hudson and Nick Hundley are both progressing nicely on the Disabled List. The Hudson move was so they weren't short handed and the Hundley move was to make sure it wasn't something more serious.