Hot Stove Q&A with Manager Jamie Shevchik 2019
1) Jamie, we know you’re a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan, but you’ve got to be a little frustrated after the World Series. What’s your take on Dodgers manager Dave Roberts?
I get the concept of using analytics in baseball. It’s adapt or die in this sport. Any information that can help is always useful. The problem I see with Dave Roberts and some other MLB managers is when they become too reliant on analytical information. You can’t eliminate the human element in managing. Information should be used as a guide and it should be combined with what your eyes see, your ears hear, and what your gut tells you.
2) What are your takeaways from last year’s Whitecaps season?
It felt like we just couldn’t get things rolling last summer, we lost some tough early games but our guys never quit. They hung in there and battled right up to the last day. After being buried in the basement for pretty much the entire summer, it was awesome to see our guys battle their way into the playoffs and upset the Yarmouth-Dennis team. Y-D had the best record in the league over the regular season. We also knocked them out of the 2017 playoffs during our championship run. So, over the last two seasons, I think it’s safe to say that we haven’t made many friends in the Y-D organization or with their fan base. It’s developed into a nice rivalry.
3) Fill us in on the scouting process. How early does it start? How do you find out about players?
The process starts 12 months in advance - in June for the following year. Lists are compiled of the freshmen All-Americans from their first NCAA seasons and information provided from Major League scouts. Much of the recruiting is done through personal relationships each club builds with college programs throughout the country. I’ve been in the Cape League for only four years, so my relationships are not as established as some longer tenured Cape League managers. However, we have strong relationships with a number of great NCAA programs including Michigan, Kentucky, Alabama, Bryant, Maryland, Tennessee, Auburn, Louisville and Washington. You’ll see these schools reflected in our roster each year.
4) Seems like we might have some players returning from last year’s team. Have you come up with a new team building strategy?
I think it’s important to have guys come back for a second year because they are familiar with the league, the coaching staff and our expectations. They essentially become our team leaders and we rely on those players to help our team mesh in a short amount of time.
5) A lot of Whitecaps fans like to follow the collegiate season to see how 2019 Whitecaps roster players are faring. Who are some key players to watch this spring?
Two of our returning top position players are Jesse Franklin (Michigan) and Gage Workman (Arizona State). Two of our top returning pitchers are Reid Detmers (Louisville) and Jeff Criswell (Michigan). Some newcomers to keep an eye on are pitchers Cody Greenhill (Auburn), Garrett Wade (Auburn) and Ben Jordan (Kentucky). Top new position players include Dillon Dingler (Ohio State), Ryan Ward (Bryant) and Eric Foggo (Stetson).
6) What are you looking forward to the most when you come back to the Cape?
My wife really enjoys spending time on the Cape, so that makes me all the happier. We can’t wait to return. My family and I have made some great friends in Brewster and it’s something we really look forward to each summer.
1) Jamie, we know you’re a huge Los Angeles Dodgers fan, but you’ve got to be a little frustrated after the World Series. What’s your take on Dodgers manager Dave Roberts?
I get the concept of using analytics in baseball. It’s adapt or die in this sport. Any information that can help is always useful. The problem I see with Dave Roberts and some other MLB managers is when they become too reliant on analytical information. You can’t eliminate the human element in managing. Information should be used as a guide and it should be combined with what your eyes see, your ears hear, and what your gut tells you.
2) What are your takeaways from last year’s Whitecaps season?
It felt like we just couldn’t get things rolling last summer, we lost some tough early games but our guys never quit. They hung in there and battled right up to the last day. After being buried in the basement for pretty much the entire summer, it was awesome to see our guys battle their way into the playoffs and upset the Yarmouth-Dennis team. Y-D had the best record in the league over the regular season. We also knocked them out of the 2017 playoffs during our championship run. So, over the last two seasons, I think it’s safe to say that we haven’t made many friends in the Y-D organization or with their fan base. It’s developed into a nice rivalry.
3) Fill us in on the scouting process. How early does it start? How do you find out about players?
The process starts 12 months in advance - in June for the following year. Lists are compiled of the freshmen All-Americans from their first NCAA seasons and information provided from Major League scouts. Much of the recruiting is done through personal relationships each club builds with college programs throughout the country. I’ve been in the Cape League for only four years, so my relationships are not as established as some longer tenured Cape League managers. However, we have strong relationships with a number of great NCAA programs including Michigan, Kentucky, Alabama, Bryant, Maryland, Tennessee, Auburn, Louisville and Washington. You’ll see these schools reflected in our roster each year.
4) Seems like we might have some players returning from last year’s team. Have you come up with a new team building strategy?
I think it’s important to have guys come back for a second year because they are familiar with the league, the coaching staff and our expectations. They essentially become our team leaders and we rely on those players to help our team mesh in a short amount of time.
5) A lot of Whitecaps fans like to follow the collegiate season to see how 2019 Whitecaps roster players are faring. Who are some key players to watch this spring?
Two of our returning top position players are Jesse Franklin (Michigan) and Gage Workman (Arizona State). Two of our top returning pitchers are Reid Detmers (Louisville) and Jeff Criswell (Michigan). Some newcomers to keep an eye on are pitchers Cody Greenhill (Auburn), Garrett Wade (Auburn) and Ben Jordan (Kentucky). Top new position players include Dillon Dingler (Ohio State), Ryan Ward (Bryant) and Eric Foggo (Stetson).
6) What are you looking forward to the most when you come back to the Cape?
My wife really enjoys spending time on the Cape, so that makes me all the happier. We can’t wait to return. My family and I have made some great friends in Brewster and it’s something we really look forward to each summer.
