From the Corner of Edgar & Dave
Recently on The Corner of Edgar & Dave, we made a trip down to the Mariners clubhouse to ask the bullpen the №1 question on everyone’s mind:
With you on the mound, what would the defense behind you look like if you had to build it using fellow members of the bullpen?
“Can I just play catcher and have Muñoz pitch?” asked Matt Festa. “If nobody hits the ball, we don’t have to worry about who’s in the field.”
After asking all 9 members of “Los Bomberos”, we combined their responses into a “serviceable” starting nine that looks something like this:
According to his fellow bullpen arms, Diego Castillo’s optimal defensive position was largely split between catcher and center field.
“Oh man, I’ve never done it before, but yeah. If they’ve got me at catcher, I think I can do it.”
Murfee: That’s Hefe, that’s the general right there. He’s savvy and he’s going to be looking for ways to steal outs.
Sewald: “He catches Munny every day on flat ground with no gear, so I think he’s going to be just fine with the rest of us.”
Festa: “Diego has some good legs back there. I would have liked to see him in the outfield though.”
Muñoz: “The thing is, he knows how to catch, and the throws to second are going to be really good.”
Boyd: “He’s going to be great on the ball in the dirt, and nobody’s going to run on him.”
Brash: “I think Diego would be great back there. Big body, moves well, he would block everything.”
As the sole lefty in the Mariners ‘pen, Boyd was the obvious choice for first base.
Boyd on playing first base:
I’m the only lefty and I did it in college, so it’s a good fit.
Sewald: “We’re not in little league anymore, so there’s no left-handed shortstops. He’s got to go to first base or the outfield.”
Festa: “It’s just natural, he picks some balls, he’s got good reach. It’s just a position for lefties.”
Swanson: “Only lefty in the pen, that’s an easy, natural fit.”
Despite his original wishes to play catcher with Muñoz on the mound, Festa was voted to second base by his teammates.
Festa on playing second base:
“I’m very confident up the middle. If you see me play catch, me and Brash are basically doing Derek Jeter throws the entire time.”
Brash: “I think we’d be dynamic up the middle. The rest of the guys make fun of us for playing catch off balance and all that, but we’re ready. We’d be a lot of fun.
Murfee: “If you watch him and Brash play catch every day, they’re doing athletic throws. They’re going to be ice cold out there, soft hands.”
Muñoz: “For me, I’d feel good. With him and Brash, that’s a good infield.”
With no shortage of flashy plays on the mound this season, Matt was the obvious choice at shortstop for the rest of the bullpen.
“If the guys want me there, I’ll do my best. I can definitely make the off balance throws. I’ll make the hard plays, but miss the easy plays.”
Boyd: “Great chemistry between him and Festa up the middle. Great athletes. They’re perfect up there.”
Swanson: “If you’re making web gems out there on the mound, it’s going to translate directly to short.”
Castillo: “I don’t know if I’d be confident with him back there, but out of all the guys, I think he can help us most.”
“They’re going to put me at first base, aren’t they?” Swanson said prior to placing his votes.
Swanson on playing third base:
“I’m at third? Yes! I think it’s going to give me some extra time to react. That extra 30 feet will make the transition from the mound to the hot corner really smooth.”
Sewald: “Well, Swanny can’t move very well, so that’s why I put him at third base. He’s just gotta block it and throw it hard to first base.”
Festa: “Swanny is a good body out there. He could definitely just eat some balls — knock ’em down, pick ’em up and throw.”
Brash: “Swanny would be fine. Bunts, hard-hit ball, he’s fine. He would just sling it across.”
Murfee: “I had Swanny at second. He has quick hands. I kinda had him as a little bit thicker DJ LeMahieu type.”
Sewald in left field was the closest positional vote to unanimous among the group.
Sewald on playing left field:
“Not excited to have any balls hit towards me at all. Anyone who’s seen me field will tell you that.”
Festa: “Paul isn’t the best with the glove. That’s why he strikes everyone out.”
Brash: “We’ve seen him shagging balls in BP, it’s not great. If not left field, we’d probably have to put him on the bench. Do we have a DH?”
Flexen: “Left was the obvious place if we had to put him somewhere. Ideally he would be DH.”
Murfee: “He’s got an accurate arm, and he’s going to be able to handle himself in the corner. I’ve seen him catch a number of fly balls, but let’s keep him out of the infield.”
Chris barely edged out Diego for the starting center field job, securing 5 votes to Castillo’s 3.
Flexen on playing center field:
“I was voted as center fielder? I’m confident in my ability. I like to power-shag everyday just for fun, so I think I've done the work to be prepared.”
Festa: “He’s an absolute dawg out there. Tracking down flyballs during BP is his running program.”
Muñoz: “He’s really good at shagging and he has a great arm. Great fit for center.”
Boyd: “ He works on his craft every day during BP. Puts in the reps, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get better out there.”
Murfee: “He’s locked in. The sun doesn’t effect him. The guy just goes out there an makes plays. His record in BP speaks for itself. He just makes plays.”
Do 103 mph fastballs transfer to the outfield? With Muñoz in right field, baserunners will think twice before going first to third.
Muñoz on playing right field:
“I feel like it’s a good position because I have a good arm, and I can be pretty quick to the ball.”
Sewald: “I would try to allow base hits to right, just so he can throw them out at first with a 9–3 putout like we’re back in little league.”
Festa: “Nobody is going first to third, nobody is going second to home. That’s lights out.”
Castillo: “ Nobody is advancing because Muñoz throws cheese, right?”
Brash: “I would love to see Munny out there. I would love to see him throw a guy out with 110 from the outfield.”
Murfee: “Fire the laser beam. Release the kraken. You know it’s sitting out there. You can test it if you want it.”
Penn received votes for nearly every defensive position, earning him the super utility role.
Murfee on playing all over the field”
“I comfy with it. Wherever you need me, I’m there. That was kind of my career at Vandy. I would not put myself in the outfield though.”
Sewald: “It’s just a testament to his athletic ability. I think he could play any position and we’d be fine.”
Festa: “He’s an athlete. He looks athletic, he is athletic and he’s the only one who actually played a position in D1 college ball.”
Flexen: “He’s a great athlete. He’s going to get the job done no matter where you put him.”
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From the Corner of Edgar & Dave
The official account of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Information Department. Providing the media and fans with daily updates and statistical data.