FanHome - View Single Post - Chat Room Session with Kyle McClellan, 02-18-07

BleacherBum593 · February 20th, 2007, 07:26 AM

Start of Part 2.

BleacherBum593 Besides working out and building arm strength, what kind of job(s) have you had while rehabbing in the off-season?

Kyle McClellan My dad owns a batting cage facility, The Fieldhouse Training Center. I give pitching lessons there. I really enjoy giving lessons there. I have met a lot of people and I feel that I have helped a lot of kids improve their skills. Besides that you can find me in the nearest duck blind. I do quite a bit of hunting in the off season. I just wish I got paid to do that.

BleacherBum593 Josh Kinney would love that too. Last question that I have from our posters – a two part question for one of our posters (1) Of the pitchers you have teamed with, who do you feel could have a break out year in 07? (2) Same question except what position players do you feel could have a break out year in 07?

Kyle McClellan Well, I have played with a lot of players in the organization since I rehabbed and played two years in QC. I would say that Mike Sillman is one that has been under-rated in his three years with us. He is an outstanding pitcher with great stuff. At a younger level, Elvis Hernandez has some real raw talent. I hope he has a good year. He is one of the Latin guys that I really got along with in Johnson City and he has electric stuff. As far as a position player, I would say that Cody Haerther will have a big year. I think last year he had some stress with the whole 40 man thing hanging over him. I think he will relax this year and let his true talent show this year. At the younger level I would say Jonathan Edwards will have a good year. He is a potential 5 tool player with unbelievable strength.

BleacherBum593 Thanks Kyle. If anyone in the audience has a question, now's your time to ask it.

NianguaToad Is your changeup of the circle grip variety or more of a palmball?

Kyle McClellan I started out with almost a split finger grip, but with the surgery it was too hard on my elbow so I went to the circle change grip.

Coop Do you have any ideals why there are so many arm surgeries?

Kyle McClellan My only ideal would be that guys are weightlifting a lot more in the off-season and that stretches everything more. Also guys are throwing harder now than before, and that is dangerous when you throw breaking balls that hard.

Fredbird What role has your family played in your development as a player?

Kyle McClellan They have played a large role. They have supported me and kept me on the right track

Ewttexas Hi Kyle and welcome. Bleacher has talked about you so often that I feel like I know you without actually meeting. What can you tell us about Rasmus, Jay, Ottavino and McCormick?

Kyle McClellan Unfortunately I have not played with any of them. Sorry I'm not any help.

tjwd83 Do you have pre game superstitions?

Kyle McClellan O boy I have a large list. I just like to have a routine that starts when I get up. I eat the same thing, play a play station game and I play the Cardinals vs. the team we are playing that night. And then I prepare mentally.

NianguaToad You alluded to this earlier, but it is not unheard of during the second year after TJ surgery for pitchers seem to pick up velocity, even beyond what they had before troubles began. Have you been prompted for that possibility?

Kyle McClellan Yes, I am hoping that I do pick up speed. My rehab has been very intense and that is where the increase in velocity comes from.

Fredbird What is your favorite little league memory?

Kyle McClellan My favorite little league moment is hitting the cycle of homeruns in the Show Me Games.

NianguaToad Duck blind!!? Lab or Chessie?

Kyle McClellan Lab

NianguaToad Good man

Kyle McClellan Chocolate, and yellow preferably. I wish I had one.

NianguaToad Even a better man. My gal is Chocolate.

NianguaToad What about thumb position on your pitches: do you grip with the pad of the thumb or on the 1st knuckle on the thumb? Or does it vary, dependent upon the pitch?

Kyle McClellan I grip everything with the pad of the thumb. My change up and fastball I hold loose in my hand but I choke the curveball as hard as I can.

NianguaToad I recall from earlier in the chat you said in high school you were both a pitcher and a 1B. Given that big stick position, have we ignored giving attention to your offensive potential?

Kyle McClellan Yeah Right!!!! I was a good high school hitter and we will leave it at that. I could never hit guys that throw in the 90's with good off speed.

NianguaToad Welcome to my world.

Kyle McClellan I always like to tell the hitters that I can hit though.

NianguaToad This is a two part question, stemming from your earlier mention of a repertoire consisting of a 2 seamer, curve and change up. Part 1: Although I appreciate you comment about not wanting to try working on too many pitches at once, but wouldn’t a cutter be less strain on the elbow than a traditional breaking pitch?

Kyle McClellan The Cutter/slider is easier to throw and locate but actually more stress on the elbow.

NianguaToad and then....Part 2: In professional ball, is there less focus on development by coaches and more on production?

Kyle McClellan In my experience I would say there is more emphasis on development until AA or AAA.

NianguaToad The "cutter" I'm referring to is where you simply apply more pressure with one finger or the other to a standard fastball grip and delivery.

Kyle McClellan Yes

NianguaToad Interesting. I did not know that.

Kyle McClellan You also hold it a little off centered .

NianguaToad Thank you, sir. For that.bit of insight, and the evening's chat.

Kyle McClellan Any time

NianguaToad Good luck, and come back and join us again.

BleacherBum593 Any more questions? If not, then I would like to thank Kyle for stopping by and sharing his thoughts with us. Hopefully, he'll take his laptop to Florida next week and can give us some earlier reports from Jupiter. Thanks Kyle!!!

Kyle McClellan Anytime guys. I appreciate your guys support.

Coop Ground balls sure sound good to me. That is the Cardinals way. Also not rushing all those different pitches. Your answers have been great information. Thank you for being with us. Come on back, you hear!

Fredbird Thanks Kyle!

Ewttexas And the hits just keep on coming. Another great chat. Thanks Kyle

BleacherBum593 Kyle - have a safe trip driving down to Jupiter. And you don't have to call and tell us it's in the 80's at Roger Dean, while I'm out shoveling snow

Kyle McClellan Thanks I'll be thinking of you while I'm on the beach getting burnt.

Coop Good luck, man. We are all for your success.

Kyle McClellan Thank You

NianguaToad Several members of the Kyle McClellan fan club here tonight. Some new, some veterans.

BleacherBum593 That's a wrap for tonight. I'll have a special announcement early in the week of some breaking news for the board. I think you all will love it.

NianguaToad Thanks to all. It has been quite enjoyable. Adios for now.

Coop Thanks again, as usual, Bleacher. Great job.

Ewttexas Nite all and take care.

Copyright © 2007 FanHome.com LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. All rights reserved.

February 20th, 2007, 07:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,883	Start of Part 2. BleacherBum593 Besides working out and building arm strength, what kind of job(s) have you had while rehabbing in the off-season? Kyle McClellan My dad owns a batting cage facility, The Fieldhouse Training Center. I give pitching lessons there. I really enjoy giving lessons there. I have met a lot of people and I feel that I have helped a lot of kids improve their skills. Besides that you can find me in the nearest duck blind. I do quite a bit of hunting in the off season. I just wish I got paid to do that. BleacherBum593 Josh Kinney would love that too. Last question that I have from our posters – a two part question for one of our posters (1) Of the pitchers you have teamed with, who do you feel could have a break out year in 07? (2) Same question except what position players do you feel could have a break out year in 07? Kyle McClellan Well, I have played with a lot of players in the organization since I rehabbed and played two years in QC. I would say that Mike Sillman is one that has been under-rated in his three years with us. He is an outstanding pitcher with great stuff. At a younger level, Elvis Hernandez has some real raw talent. I hope he has a good year. He is one of the Latin guys that I really got along with in Johnson City and he has electric stuff. As far as a position player, I would say that Cody Haerther will have a big year. I think last year he had some stress with the whole 40 man thing hanging over him. I think he will relax this year and let his true talent show this year. At the younger level I would say Jonathan Edwards will have a good year. He is a potential 5 tool player with unbelievable strength. BleacherBum593 Thanks Kyle. If anyone in the audience has a question, now's your time to ask it. NianguaToad Is your changeup of the circle grip variety or more of a palmball? Kyle McClellan I started out with almost a split finger grip, but with the surgery it was too hard on my elbow so I went to the circle change grip. Coop Do you have any ideals why there are so many arm surgeries? Kyle McClellan My only ideal would be that guys are weightlifting a lot more in the off-season and that stretches everything more. Also guys are throwing harder now than before, and that is dangerous when you throw breaking balls that hard. Fredbird What role has your family played in your development as a player? Kyle McClellan They have played a large role. They have supported me and kept me on the right track Ewttexas Hi Kyle and welcome. Bleacher has talked about you so often that I feel like I know you without actually meeting. What can you tell us about Rasmus, Jay, Ottavino and McCormick? Kyle McClellan Unfortunately I have not played with any of them. Sorry I'm not any help. tjwd83 Do you have pre game superstitions? Kyle McClellan O boy I have a large list. I just like to have a routine that starts when I get up. I eat the same thing, play a play station game and I play the Cardinals vs. the team we are playing that night. And then I prepare mentally. NianguaToad You alluded to this earlier, but it is not unheard of during the second year after TJ surgery for pitchers seem to pick up velocity, even beyond what they had before troubles began. Have you been prompted for that possibility? Kyle McClellan Yes, I am hoping that I do pick up speed. My rehab has been very intense and that is where the increase in velocity comes from. Fredbird What is your favorite little league memory? Kyle McClellan My favorite little league moment is hitting the cycle of homeruns in the Show Me Games. NianguaToad Duck blind!!? Lab or Chessie? Kyle McClellan Lab NianguaToad Good man Kyle McClellan Chocolate, and yellow preferably. I wish I had one. NianguaToad Even a better man. My gal is Chocolate. NianguaToad What about thumb position on your pitches: do you grip with the pad of the thumb or on the 1st knuckle on the thumb? Or does it vary, dependent upon the pitch? Kyle McClellan I grip everything with the pad of the thumb. My change up and fastball I hold loose in my hand but I choke the curveball as hard as I can. NianguaToad I recall from earlier in the chat you said in high school you were both a pitcher and a 1B. Given that big stick position, have we ignored giving attention to your offensive potential? Kyle McClellan Yeah Right!!!! I was a good high school hitter and we will leave it at that. I could never hit guys that throw in the 90's with good off speed. NianguaToad Welcome to my world. Kyle McClellan I always like to tell the hitters that I can hit though. NianguaToad This is a two part question, stemming from your earlier mention of a repertoire consisting of a 2 seamer, curve and change up. Part 1: Although I appreciate you comment about not wanting to try working on too many pitches at once, but wouldn’t a cutter be less strain on the elbow than a traditional breaking pitch? Kyle McClellan The Cutter/slider is easier to throw and locate but actually more stress on the elbow. NianguaToad and then....Part 2: In professional ball, is there less focus on development by coaches and more on production? Kyle McClellan In my experience I would say there is more emphasis on development until AA or AAA. NianguaToad The "cutter" I'm referring to is where you simply apply more pressure with one finger or the other to a standard fastball grip and delivery. Kyle McClellan Yes NianguaToad Interesting. I did not know that. Kyle McClellan You also hold it a little off centered . NianguaToad Thank you, sir. For that.bit of insight, and the evening's chat. Kyle McClellan Any time NianguaToad Good luck, and come back and join us again. BleacherBum593 Any more questions? If not, then I would like to thank Kyle for stopping by and sharing his thoughts with us. Hopefully, he'll take his laptop to Florida next week and can give us some earlier reports from Jupiter. Thanks Kyle!!! Kyle McClellan Anytime guys. I appreciate your guys support. Coop Ground balls sure sound good to me. That is the Cardinals way. Also not rushing all those different pitches. Your answers have been great information. Thank you for being with us. Come on back, you hear! Fredbird Thanks Kyle! Ewttexas And the hits just keep on coming. Another great chat. Thanks Kyle BleacherBum593 Kyle - have a safe trip driving down to Jupiter. And you don't have to call and tell us it's in the 80's at Roger Dean, while I'm out shoveling snow Kyle McClellan Thanks I'll be thinking of you while I'm on the beach getting burnt. Coop Good luck, man. We are all for your success. Kyle McClellan Thank You NianguaToad Several members of the Kyle McClellan fan club here tonight. Some new, some veterans. BleacherBum593 That's a wrap for tonight. I'll have a special announcement early in the week of some breaking news for the board. I think you all will love it. NianguaToad Thanks to all. It has been quite enjoyable. Adios for now. Coop Thanks again, as usual, Bleacher. Great job. Ewttexas Nite all and take care. Copyright © 2007 FanHome.com LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. All rights reserved. Last edited by BleacherBum593; February 20th, 2007 at 07:29 AM.