Reynolds Players to Watch: Joe Runzer

Reynolds player to watch: Joe Runzer

Joe Runzer is from a small town in Pennsylvania where he grew up a huge Phillies fan, he always wanted to play baseball for a living, but he was only 5' until he was 14, so he was repeatedly cut from teams because "he wasn't strong enough." When he hit high school, he grew a foot in two years, and gained 30 pounds, and suddenly, he was hitting dingers left and right. He was a highly touted prospect, but all he ever wanted was to play for his Phillies. when he entered the MLR, he planned on ignoring everyone but them, but alas, they never contacted him. He was forced to sign with the Indians, but now that he's there, he couldn't be happier in Cleveland, as he was immediately made a starter, with the goal of showing the Phillies what they missed out on. He's now settled with the Indians and has long forgotten about his dreams of playing in Philly.

I sat down with him after his practice, I personally never thought I could have a nice time in Cleveland, but color me surprised I did.

-what do you feel is this cleveland team biggest strength?

I think we've really grown together as a team, when I joined, the team discord was almost never used, but we now strategize together a lot and we've started to play better as a result

-what are your teams expectations for the upcoming session?

We expect to be able to compete with every team in every game and the Twins are no different, we've shown that we can play with the Blue Jays in this session, and they're probably the best team in the league, so at this point, we feel like nothing can slow us down

- What session are you most looking forward in the season?

Session 17 when we face the Blue Jays, I think it could have a significant impact on the division race, and since I don't hate any teams yet, I have to go with the most important one competitively

He debuted in session 8 against the Orioles, where he hit his first home run and drove in 2.  I gotta say that’s quite an impressive debut (hell, even better than mine) and I have a strong gut feeling that we have not seen anything yet about him, so next time you need a reason to watch the Indians (like, seriously why would you) keep in mind that Runzer is now, a player to watch 

Reynolds Players to watch: Wade Wilson

Reynolds Players to watch: Wade Wilson

This Venezuelan pitcher will give all of you something to talk about this upcoming sessions, the stopper for the astros had a great outing last time on the mound, and he’s just getting started

“I feel confident in my stuff” he says
“My time in Tampa teached me that I had to develop a system to deliver pitches, and my time in Boston helped me develop it, even though I was in Boston during all the drama, I kept myself together, now I’m in a healthier Astros bullpen and ready to show the MLR why I’m here”

I’ve personally known Wilson my whole life, we played each other in Venezuela since we got out of school until midnight
We have never really topped each other, and we’re waiting to face each other in MLR, the biggest stage of them all for fake baseball

As he was doing a bullpen session, we shared some early childhood fake baseball memories and stated “it was always fun facing you, even thought I hated it half of the time”

Wilson has always been my friend, on and off the diamond, and I have nothing but respect for him

In his last two outing he put on quite a show after all the struggle he had in his previous teams

With a total of 1.2 IP and just one hit, no walks and no ER

“It’s my system coming together, just watch”

In session 9, the Astros are currently taking on the twins, while Wilson patiently waiting in the bullpen for his call, and in session 10 they take on the Baltimore Orioles where Wilson hopes to get a start

“Even thought I’m a closer (or reliever if you will) I need a bigger sample for my system, so a start would help me to improve, I’ll soon talk with my skipper about it”

All in all, Wilson is not a prime time reliever , but he’s getting there, and will get there and take the league by storm, so, are you gonna follow him when he makes it? Or you gonna follow him now that I told you he’s a player to watch?