April 25 — Jordan Groshans

Columbus Clingstones broadcaster Jack Johnson visited with infielder Jordan Groshans at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Groshans discussed his approach on a game-saving home run in the ninth inning the previous night, his experience joining the Braves organization and the culture in place, the Clingstones’ remarkable power surge during April, and working with hitting coach Grant Kay.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Back on the Columbus Klingstones pregame show, happy to be joined by Klingstones infielder Jordan Groshans, who was one of the heroes last night for the Stones with a game time, game saving ninth inning home run against Hyro Ariarte that sent the game into extra innings. So I want to start there. Not every situation calls for a home run when you're at the plate. That situation did. So what is the mindset and the approach when you walk up to the plate in the ninth inning, back against the wall, two outs, knowing you gotta hit a home run to extend the game?

SPEAKER_00 0:30

Yeah. I think just finding a pitch that you can drive, you know, not trying to, you know, in this situation, yeah, like hitting a home would be great, but trying to think to yourself, like, try not to do too much, you know, just find a pitch you can drive, put a good swing on it, and whatever happens, happens.

SPEAKER_01 0:45

Before your professional career, what is the most clutch or the most memorable home run you hit in your youth baseball days?

SPEAKER_00 0:53

Probably when I was in Cooperstown with the boys, uh was a group of guys that I went to to middle school, like junior high, whatever with. We put together a team, um, and I had hit like a there's like a go-ahead homer to clinch us to be able to qualify to go to Cooperstown. So um that was pretty fun just because it was you know going to school the next day, you know, felt like the school hero. So um doing all that was fun and with the with the people I care about.

SPEAKER_01 1:18

So joining the Braves organization this season, you've played at a couple different spots in double A. What have the last few years been like for you in different spots, different cities, different organizations? Now here in Atlanta with the Braves organization, the Columbus Klingstones, just what has the experience been like meeting a lot of new teammates, seeing a lot of new faces, and a lot of different input on your own game? What has that been like?

SPEAKER_00 1:41

You know, it's a grind, you know, going year in, year out, you know, going to different teams, meeting new people, um, trying to, you know, build those relationships every year. And so far it's been amazing. You know, this is one of the best spots I've been at, and the best people I've been around, best coaches, best group of guys. Um, so it makes it a lot easier to, you know, go into work every day and get going.

SPEAKER_01 2:03

What are the touchstone points about the Braves organization? Because you're not the only person that has said that to me. For me, this is year four in the Braves organization. I've heard that consistently, especially when I was in Gwinned at the triple-A level, guys that signed as minor league free agents, that there's a different atmosphere, maybe a different culture here that stands out about people first, good people in the organization. It certainly seems like it permeates. What has it been like from your own eyes?

SPEAKER_00 2:27

It's it's awesome, you know, like a like you pointed on right there, like great people, great coaches, um, people that truly they care about your development, not only as a player, but as a person. You know, they want you know good people on the field, good people in the dugout, because at the end of the day, that's what that's what builds wins, you know, good people, good chemistry, and there's just a team gel, team. You can see it here on the field with us, you know. We have a good team chemistry, you know, guys have each other's backs, so um it's not like that everywhere. You know, a lot of times just you know about development, you know, getting guys to the big leagues, trading guys, and and here it's about you know building that team chemistry, building that those relationships, and it just helps and goes a long way.

SPEAKER_01 3:07

Playing in Columbus, it's a older ballpark, it's celebrating its hundredth anniversary this year, but it's got a newer feel to it, new facilities in Columbus, and it always seems to bring out a good crowd, especially on the weekends. How does it kind of compare it to the other minor league spots you played in?

SPEAKER_00 3:22

It's by far the best. Um, and that's that's at every level. Um So the the field, I'll go to the field first, and I've I was fortunate enough to you know have some time in the big league level. One of the nicest surfaces I've ever played on. Like beautiful field, the grounds crew, they're good people, do an amazing job. You know, you guys, the staff, everybody's great. Um, and you know, the fans are the best, you know, because when you have when you have fans that come out, you know, they just talk trash, whatever, it's it's fun, but it's not the same. Like we have baseball people there, so it makes you know playing the game, trying to win, um, a lot more fun and enjoyable to do.

SPEAKER_01 4:00

This team, it's not just isolated to you, are destroying the baseball in the month of April. Already 27 homers. The most the Klingstones had in one month last year was 20. They've far surpassed what they had in April last year, which was just 10. Grant Kay is the Klingstones hitting coach. I know there's a lot of returning faces here, but you've certainly added to it with your fourth last night. Can you attribute that to anything in particular? Is it just guys swinging the bat really well to start?

SPEAKER_00 4:26

Obviously, Grant, you know, Grant's doing an amazing job. You know, me personally, he's the best hitting guy I've ever had. Um, and I just think, you know, with how he goes about the reports, you know, day-to-day work, allowing guys to have freedom with their routines and consistency, he's just he does an amazing job, you know, and he's a great person too. Doesn't have an ego, he truly cares about you know making every guy feel comfortable with himself and being the best player he can be. So he's he's a huge factor, and and like I said, you know, the great people it makes, you know, from Nestor, Frankie, Cedar, you know, everybody on the staff, it just makes everything work, you know. Um and Jay Wash too, our coordinator, he does an amazing job. You know, he he stepped into this role and and took off with it. And I know everybody at every level loves him and loves what he's about and what he preaches. So it just makes, I think, in general, the hitting department is doing well, and we're we're killing it at every level, you know. So a lot of that's you know contributed to him and the people that he put in place to help us work every day and be the best hitters we can be.

SPEAKER_01 5:29

Not just with the bats, but last night was a huge highlight defensively. You made some terrific plays at third base. You've been making really good plays at third all year long for the Klingstones so far, but there's a great pick by Cal at second earlier in the ballgame, and then the phenomenal double play to end it. I mean, what are the emotions, not just when you're making the plays, when you're seeing the middle infield step up, back up their pitchers like that, especially in critical moments.

SPEAKER_00 5:53

It's awesome to see, you know, because I know from the fans' point of view, they come to the game, they just see the plays, but they don't see the grind, the work behind it. Um, you know, we work hard every day, we have a great manager. Nestor, you know, has us out here taking ground balls every day. Um, our routines, our early work, just getting us in that in that position to make those plays. So just seeing everybody do their job and back those guys up is is an awesome feeling and it's it's really fun.

SPEAKER_01 6:18

Well, game tying Homer last night, the Klingstones off to a great start this season. Eleven, and you've been a big part of it, Jordan. Keep it up, man.

SPEAKER_00 6:25

Appreciate it. Thank you.