Insight from Blue Rocks manager Brian Buchanan and Minor League Ops Director Ronnie Richardson

On Tuesday afternoon, the High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks held a press conference to introduce their 2015 manager Brian Buchanan, as well as new Director of Minor League Operations Ronnie Richardson.

I had the chance to to interview both. You can watch the entire press conference, but here I will focus more on my one-on-one interviews with both.

For those who do not know, Buchanan managed the Kansas City Royals’ Low-A affiliates the last three seasons (Kane County in 2012 and Lexington the last two years). Prior to that, he retired from baseball following two seasons with Triple-A Omaha (2008 and 2009) and became manager of Idaho Falls.

Buchanan was a first round pick of the NY Yankees and made his Major League debut in 2000 with Minnesota. He played parts of five seasons in the big leagues with the Twins, San Diego, and the NY Mets and was managed by greats like Tom Kelly and Bruce Bochy.

Everyone knows that Frawley Stadium in Wilmington is a pitchers paradise and a place where power hitters go to die. I asked Buchanan if he thought the ballpark would change his managerial style. “No. I’m going to teach whether we’re playing in a big yard or a small yard. At this level, it’s actually good for hitters, keep them from trying to hit home runs. Pitchers are going to enjoy it because mistakes will be caught.”

I was curious to see if Buchanan thought any of his former Legends players would be making the jump with him to the Blue Rocks in 2015. “I get that question a lot, who’s going to come, who are some players in Lexington that would come here, but that all depends on spring training and injuries. Who makes the big club: if there’s a surprise and it moves everyone up or someone doesn’t make the big club and it moves everyone down…But there were alot of good players in Lexington, that given the opportunity, could be here.”

So I asked Buchanan about two players in particular: outfielder Dominique Taylor and pitcher Alec Mills. “Dominique Taylor had a good year. A few pitchers like Jake Junis, Tim Hill, a lot of those guys probably deserve to be here. We just have to see how things play out…Mills pitched outstanding for us. He was coming off Tommy John and when he pitched for me, he was lights out. I think he deserves to be here and probably will.”

You look at the last out of the ALCS, you have four players who played here in Wilmington: Greg Holland threw the pitch, Salvador Perez called the pitch, [Mike] Moustakas fielded the ground ball, and threw over to [Eric] Hosmer. It’s a special time for the organization.

Richardson was named the Director of Minor League Operations on January 5th as part of a restructuring of the Royals front office. Tuesday was his first ever trip to Wilmington and he didn’t pick a great day to be in town (temperatures in the 20’s with the field not looking to be in the best of shape due to rain/snow).

Many of the 2014 Blue Rocks were invited to big league spring training as non-roster invitees. I asked Richardson what went into those players getting the invitation:

“Look at the number of players who took a step in their development: Hunter Dozier, Miguel Almonte, Sean Manaea, Raul Mondesi, Bubba Starling, Terrance Gore, though he’s on the 40-man. As we look at our players and see their development, we try to put them in situations that are only going to help them during the season. We think by them going to Major League camp, competing, and seeing what Major League players do day-to-day, will help develop their routines and is only going to help impact them. Obviously right now, they may or may not make the team, but they are going to be able to compete and be better players because of this experience. We try to put them in situations that will help them grow for the future.”

Is there anything the Royals are looking for them to show in camp?

“They’re young in their careers. They’re going to go there and experience things they’ve never experienced before. The way they carry themselves in camp and how they accept coaching from the Major League coaches. Get a chance to learn from veteran players, not only what it takes to get to the Major Leagues, but what it takes to stay there. I think it’s only going to impact them as they go back and get a taste of it and realize ‘this is what I’m playing for’. This is just one step closer. I think they’re going to have a great time. They’re going to learn a lot, grow a lot.”

Right-hander Miguel Almonte had an up-and-down 2014 season in Wilmington, but went to the Arizona Fall League and then home to the Dominican Winter League and dominated. Is winter ball something the Royals encourage for the younger players and what did they think of Almonte’s performance?

“I think whenever you can put them in an uncomfortable or unusual environment such as the Arizona Fall League, where they’re competing with their peers, some of the best in baseball, and then the Dominican…it’s pretty intense. That’s their Super Bowl. Every game, it’s a lot of energy and a lot of people there. For him to manage his emotions, compete at a high level against players that are much older than he is, it really shows the potential that he has long term. And that’s what’s going to happen when you get to the Major Leagues. Once they’re ready, both physically and you try to put them in situations that will help them develop mentally, I think he’ll come back and realize ‘Hey, I can do this. I can compete against players that may be a little older or a little bit more experienced. If I go and do what I need to do on my end, I can have good results.’ Miguel did that and we were excited that he was able to go and compete.”

Is Brandon Finnegan going to spring training as a starter or a reliever?

I just think as we go into spring training, we are going to keep an open mind. We are going to see what best fits the club and what’s best for his future as well. It’s a difficult decision to make because he’s shown that he can do both. Actually, whichever way you go is positive. If you put him in the rotation or put him in the bullpen, I still think he’s the same pitcher. Either way, we’re going to get some results for him and he’s going to go out and compete if he’s in the bullpen or if he’s a starter.

We finished the interview talking about the players that have come through Wilmington over the years.

“You look at the last out of the ALCS, you have four players who played here in Wilmington: Greg Holland threw the pitch, Salvador Perez called the pitch, [Mike] Moustakas fielded the ground ball, and threw over to [Eric] Hosmer. It’s a special time for the organization…being able to see a lot of young players continue to grow and make it to Kansas City and impact the organization there as well. It’s a lot of fun. I saw on the sign outside that there are 75 days until Opening Day.”

The weather may not feel like it, but Opening Day is just around the corner and it is an exciting time to be affiliated with the Royals.