Kevin Parada
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00:00Kevin Parada has been on base in 25 of his last 26 games, had a 20 game on base streak that was tied for the longest in the Eastern League this year and hit 300 for the month of July. So without further ado, we'll open it up to questions. Yes. So, you know, since July you've had an OBP nearing 400. You know, how important do you think it is to, you know, not just find pitches to hit, but also, you know, just work counts and work at bats. That's part of the game. You're just going to win. And sometimes
00:29you're not going to get a pitch to hit. So you got to take your pitches and take your walks when you get your chances and allow the rest of the team to do what they do. And that's, that's what we've done really well in the last couple of months, in my opinion. And it's what's helped us win a lot of ballgames. Yeah. And, you know, offense is obviously the most visually enticing part of the game, but as a catcher, defense is arguably just as important. What is it like working with so many talented pitchers that have come to the next organization? That's guys like Christian Scott, who just made the majors, guys like Brandon Spurt, who just got triple A. How does that help sharpen your defense and educate you?
00:59I mean, I mean, I mean, it's fun because, you know, they have big league stuff. Obviously they got picked for a reason and you get to work with them on a daily basis, even get some big league rehabbers. So you're always just working with guys at the highest level or going to be at the highest level. So it just lets you measure out yourself as a catcher. And what am I doing right? Whether it's game planning, throwing, catching any, any part of the game, it's nice to work with guys that, you know, are
01:29in the big leagues in the big leagues. It's cool opportunity. Yeah. And if there's one skill, you know, obviously power on base, you know, as a catcher, there's always defensive tools as well. What is the one skill that you feel like people don't talk about enough when it comes to you that you want them to know more? I think it's, it's about on base when it comes to hitting. Um, you know, it's not just about slugging the ball when it's like, you got to find other ways to get on when maybe you're not necessarily hitting as well as you would like. Um, so it's like, you got to swing a good pitches, use your eye, like I said, um, walk because it's like, you're not
01:59always going to slug the ball, you're not always going to be the best version of yourself as a hitter. So you just got to compete out there and, and let those opportunities come.
02:09What adjustments have you made at the start of the season? Seemed like you were struggling a bit at the plate. And for the month of July, you were 300. Are there any adjustments you had to make to get to that point?
02:19I mean, I feel like there's adjustments throughout the season you have to always make. And some of them, it's like you go away from who you are as a player at times and you just got to find ways to come back.
02:29Like that's, that's what the best do at the highest level is they just get back to themselves faster than anybody. Um, and that's part of the learning curve that I've, I've found out through this season is like, I'm going to have times where I'm going to struggle and I just need to find who I am as a player. And I feel like the last month of July, I've just really stuck to who I am. And, and obviously when you do that, usually good things tend to happen.
02:53Um, I was talking to the answers, Mark answers recently, he had a similar answer to a question I asked and he identified himself as a, uh, right center, Apple, what do you identify yourself as it's actually really funny because I'm very much the same way.
03:11It's like, it's like, I know I can pull the ball, but it's like, if I'm hitting the ball hard to right center field, Apple, like that's my bread and butter. And I know that the power and different things will come with doing that. But that, but it's like when I'm at my best, I'm hitting, I'm hitting balls hard to right center.
03:27And then, uh, you mentioned Brandon spoke before. What can you tell us about him from your perspective behind the plate?
03:32I mean, he's an impressive arm. He's got all this stuff, in my opinion, to be a big leaguer. Um, and it's just, it's part of the game. Just got to keep playing the game. I know he's going to get his opportunity. I don't know when, um, but I'm excited for him because he's, he's really impressive and enjoyable to catch.
03:50What was your first encounter like with Spencer Jones after the draft of 2022?
03:54Oh, yeah. I'll say we, we partied a little bit. Like it was, I'll just say, we got, we got to spend some good time together. And because obviously we both, um, got, had gone drafted in the same year and we're both from California. So he just happened to be up in LA, um, at the time of the draft. So we just got to celebrate a little bit together. Um, but Spencer and I, we, we played each other basically every level all the way up. So it's, it's been enjoyable.
04:22Cause it's like, we see each other multiple times a year. We, we text every once in a while. So you just get to keep interacting. And it's, that's the camaraderie of baseball.
04:31It's like, it doesn't matter who or what organization you play for. You just get to meet all different guys and all different personalities. And he's one of them.
04:39I just enjoy spending time with her talking to and catching up whenever I get a chance.
04:43Why'd you stop wearing the breakfast?
04:45Uh, literally probably last week.
04:47Why?
04:48Um, so I just wanted to try contacts out and like, I was told some things by eye doctors where your glasses might be like the sharpest vision, but if they move at all, they can alter your vision.
05:02So, um, they recommended that maybe contacts would be the way to go.
05:08And so I just started trying them out and thought that they, um, I've felt like felt really good using them.
05:14So I've just continued to, to use them, you know, it's, it's a look, but yeah, it's, it's a look, but you know, it's, it is part of the game.
05:25You know, I got to make the adjustments to help myself in the longterm.
05:28So if I had to switch out of contacts or from the Rex specs to the contacts and that's, that's part of it, you know,
05:33Did you ever go Rex specs just without the lens?
05:37Yeah, actually.
05:38Yes.
05:38I do laugh yesterday.
05:39I didn't wear, I wore sunglasses every single, um, at bat, but it was just different because the first couple of times I was like touching my face and I'm like, wait, there's no sunglasses.
05:48There are no glasses.
05:49Um, but I think the biggest, um, difference was like learning the, like with my glasses, I'd get a little bit of glare cut already.
05:57And so it's like wearing contacts now.
05:59It's like, Oh, now I understand why guys wear sunglasses during day games.
06:02Cause I never had to before.
06:06Go ahead.
06:07Kevin, how much do you value this current series?
06:09I know you guys are about one and a half games behind Somerset, only three and a half out of first place in the division.
06:14And then you have a subway series rivalry at the double A level.
06:17Do you really value the rivalry or are you just focused on the team wins and trying to get to the top of the division?
06:21I mean, right now it's just about winning.
06:23Uh, it doesn't matter who you're playing.
06:25Obviously we're playing Somerset right now and it's important.
06:28And I mean, even if you talk at the big league level, it doesn't matter who you're playing.
06:31Every game counts the same.
06:33It's just obvious.
06:34Some of the division games mean more.
06:36Um, so that's how I feel about this.
06:38It's like whether you're in double A or in triple A or the big leagues, when you're playing the Yankees, like it means something to the city of New York.
06:45So it should mean something to you as a player.
06:48Um, but in the end, every game matters.
06:50So it doesn't matter if you're playing the Yankees, the Red Sox, or even the Dodgers, any other team.
06:56It's like you got to go out there and compete and win.
06:59I'd rather find what it would be to get to the big leagues with the Mets, playing the Yankees, playing a market like New York.
07:03I mean, you can't, just playing in New York alone is an awesome, it would be an awesome opportunity.
07:10And it's like, yeah, you're playing against the Yankees.
07:13It's, um, people talk about their 27 championships and it's like, they're the history of baseball as a lot of people know it.
07:20So it's like, you gotta, it's like, you want to be that, you want to compete against the best.
07:23And that's, that's part of the opportunity of getting to that level.
07:27Who was your team and who did you grow up watching and like, what did you model your game after?
07:32So I grew up watching the Angels, um, from Southern California.
07:37Um, and honestly, I've, I've loved to watch Buster Posey when I was younger.
07:43Um, he's obviously not playing anymore.
07:45Um, but now it's like, I like watching JT Real Muto.
07:49I like watching those types of catchers.
07:51It's like, they didn't just catch.
07:52It's like, they, they can hit too.
07:54You got to do both to play at a really high level and compete.
07:58But in the end, like they're, they're there on championship winning teams on teams that
08:03are competing in the world series every year.
08:05And it's like, that's the goal of any baseball players to be at the big league level and win
08:11championships.
08:11And so it's like, you want to model your game after guys that are, have or are doing that.
08:17How about, how about Suarez yesterday?
08:20And end of late.
08:22I mean, he pitched amazing.
08:24You know, that's, he went after the hitters.
08:27And I mean, that's what we talk about no matter who's in the box.
08:30It's like, when pitchers go after them, it's like, they have the advantage.
08:35And Suarez pitched great yesterday.
08:38And it's, it's really fun to catch when you get guys like that.
08:41Yeah.
08:42When Francisco Alvarez came down to make his rehab appearance,
08:45it looked like he was talking to you guys a lot.
08:47What was the biggest takeaway for you from that, that appearance?
08:50I've got to talk to Alvi a lot, whether it's spring training or even when he's rehab assignment.
08:58And it's just, part of it is just, again, like I was saying earlier, you got to play your game.
09:02Like, we're always working on something to get better at, whether you're throwing, receiving, game planning, hitting.
09:09But it's like, in the end, you still have to be yourself and trust who you are because that's the talent that's gotten you to this point.
09:15And it's like, and it'll continue to grow as you develop other traits to become a better baseball player and more complete baseball player.
09:23If there was one pitcher that you could face that you want to face your Dynapacel, who would it be?
09:27Oh.
09:30I don't know.
09:31I mean, I feel like everyone talks about Otani.
09:34Like, and from being from L.A., growing up, watching Otani, and now he's with the Dodgers, so he's still in L.A., I think when he's back pitching, like, that would just be cool at-bats.
09:48And then just think, like, that guy just threw six innings last night, and now he's in the box the next night.
09:55And it's like, you think about doing that, it's just, that's a different level.
10:00Like, I know how hard it is to just catch and hit, and I know some guys know how hard it is to just pitch, so I can't imagine doing both.
10:08What do you think you'd top out right now if you were to throw off of a mountain, like today?
10:11I have no clue.
10:14I think if I threw my absolute best bolt, I might touch 90.
10:20Maybe.
10:20But I really don't know.
10:23I might throw my arm out, honestly, before I even get there.
10:27What a fun group of questions you've got today.