On this episode of the SIS Baseball Podcast, Mark Simon is joined by Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien and Astros center fielder Jake Meyers for a pair of conversations about defensive excellence.

 Marcus talks about a couple of memorable plays from the season, the hardest things about playing second base, the level of peak focus a hitter and fielder can have, and how eliminating the shift helped the Rangers right-side defense (0:32).

 Jake Meyers walks us through 3 great catches he’s made this season, explaining what went into making each play. He explains the practical value of his pre-game prep and why batting practice is such an important time for him to work on his defense. And he talks about the defensive lessons he learned from his father and from Nebraska baseball coach Darin Erstad (11:13).

SIS VP of Baseball Bobby Scales also joins us for his usual segment, where he reacts to some of the things Jake said in his interview and gives his thoughts on some of the early Defensive Runs Saved leaders (21:35).

 Thanks as always for listening. Please follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball and read our work at SportsInfoSolutions.com. You can e-mail us at Mark@sportsinfosolutions.com.

 Links

- Marcus Semien throw-out at home

- Marcus Semien jump throw

- Marcus Semien DP turn

- Jake Meyers catch vs Owen Miller

- Jake Meyers catch vs Brandon Drury

- Jake Meyers catch vs Shohei Ohtani

Mat Germain joins BaseballBiz On Deck and takes a look at the Tampa Bay Rays stadium plans

• Tampa Bay Rays new stadium plan
• Downtown development plan omits a Rays Stadium in Ybor City
• St. Pete Mayor, Ken Welch, announces acceptance of Hines & Tampa Bay Rays proposal
• Benefits for St. Pete, Rays, and fans
• Brian Auld's excitement about the new stadium plan but uncertainty about who will pay for what
• Decisions to be made before the first shovel of dirt is tossed
• MLB catching up with Mat Germain's proposal for a balanced schedule
• World Baseball Classic and the possibility of it becoming like the Soccer World Cup
• Possibility of Mike Trout facing Ohtani in the WBC
• Impact of star players participating in the WBC on young players making it to spring training
• Jason Adam's current status
• Extensions signed for Yandy Diaz, Pete Fairbanks, and Jeffrey Springs
• Yandy Diaz delivering nightmares to opposing pitchers with his strike zone awareness
• Potential starting lineup for the Rays (Yandy Diaz, Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, Isaac Paredes, Josh Lowe)
• Mat's breakdown of starting pitchers and their expected playing time
• Who will be the Rays' "clubhouse guy" bringing positivity to the team
• Rays Fan Fest on Saturday, February 18
• Spring Training games in air conditioning at the Tropicana
• New faces that may be seen at Fan Fest (Kevin Kelly, Coby White, Zach Eflin, Curtis Mead, Kyle Manzardo). 
  (show notes by ChatGPT)

Mat Germain can be found on Twitter @Mat_Germain_

 BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify & Google podcasts & @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter 
 
Please like, follow and remark. Let us know your thoughts about the show. DM Mark on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz
 
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward" 

Sources & Links:

• Rays Fan Fest - https://www.mlb.com/rays/fans/fan-fest 
• St Pete Mayor announces moving forward with Hines & Tampa Bay Rays proposal, Channel 10 Tampa Bay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG8VDa2Dmm8 
• Brian Auld - Tampa Bay Rays what needs to go right and who will pay for what, Channel 10 Tampa Bay:   https://www.youtube.com/live/VFjOWs7cxxM?feature=share 

Already, the 2023 Blue Jays are taking shape. With Chris Bassitt and Kevin Kiermaier now Blue Jays, Arden and Ben discuss the off-season so far (01:00), what Bassitt brings to the Jays (32:27) and the possibility of trading a catcher (43:49).

This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling.

Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. 

What would a New York Yankees receptionist would say if Erik Neander called Cashman

Rays Shortstop big change Willy Adames is traded to Rays

From Dominican Republic to Detroit Tigers to Tampa Bay Rays minors

Impact of Willy's departure - positive energy

Brett Phillips  as a stand-in?

Toronto Blue Jays series

Tech Data Park in Dunedin is Home Run friendly in

Kazmir returns to the game

Special Thanks to Scott Holmes for the music "Stomps and Claps"
 You can reach Mark @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter & Brandon @SportsBlitzPod
 No MLBPA Player images were used during the recording of this audio podcast.
 BaseballBiz is also on iheartradio, Stitcher, Spotify, Apple & Google podcasts

Phillies & Mets we’ll meet you in May
 Mets & Phillies summary - Hoskins fielding and HR debacle
 Alvarado 3 week suspension, 

Astros series Ugliness  Yarbrough uncomfortable? Timely hits needed- RISP –LOB
 Look back at 2019 ALCS series with Houston McCullers and Charlie Morton
 Josh Fleming struggles 6 innings and 5 walks

Rays – Missed Opportunities week & May Calendar

Rays face Top Money Teams in May - including Cohen's Mets

Mets & Phillies summary - Hoskins fielding and HR debacle - plus 

Rays Astros series what happened?

Bullpen Challenges – Diego Castillo  - Nick Anderson – injuries

Catchers
 We Reminisce about Mikey Perez, d’Arnaud, Ramos and Jesus Sucre
 Francisco Mejia behind the plate on the track for success

One place we don't have a challenge - behind the plate with Zunino, UF & SEC award. Mike was leading Rays in Home Runs. “Won’t Back Down” walk-up music. Zunino “Stands My Ground”

A look at Joe Maddon his history as bench coach and manager

1,000 victories!  USF Softball Coach, Ken Eriksen achieves 1,000 career wins. Pitcher, Georgina Corrick delivers back to back no-hitters

Angels & Rays game 1 – What happened to Ohtani? Quintana & Glasnow face off and the Rays offense takes off.
Update on Angels and Rays game  Glasnow pitches – Ohtani injured & ditches  & Jose Quintana enters and pitches with strong strikeout count.

MLB Juniors Go Wild at BaseballBiz

• Braves stand up helping a local school
• Bo Bichette hits homer to spot of where his parents first met.
• Vlad Jr Hits 3 HRs and 7 RBIs against Max Scherzer
• Blue Jays - Toronto, Buffalo or Dunedin as home for the season
• Zack Hample, ball hawk visits Dunedin to catch foul balls in parking lot
• Acuna Jr hits a homer one 481 ft
• Kevin Kiermaier & Arozarena (not Acuna Jr.)  
  TBRays ball fight  Convo or Controversy  - tread lightly?
• Jacob deGrom 
• Boston Red Sox & Kansas City Royal advancing beyond projections
• Ohtani, modern day Babe Ruth, continues to Wow Angels fans and all baseball lovers
• A's 13 game win streak falls to the Giant-Killers Orioles
• Rockies "mutually agree" for GM Bradich to go after 17 years - ask Arenado
• Bumgarner and Gallen 1st teammates to throw shutouts on same day since 1977 
• Tatis Jr sneaks a peek at the catcher or itching his chin - Trevor Bauer speaks out. Junior replies with tweet "Tranquilo hijo"  Is it okay or is it cheating?
• There comes a MadBum Horseman - Madison Bumgarner - 7-inning no "No-Hitter"
• Diamondbacks - Don't sit on the D-backs as they move up NL West ladder
• Lastly, Mark & Brandon's Kentucky Derby picks (totally random)  
  I can't remember is Hide Your Stash 50 to 1 not the best choice.   :-(
  Maybe, Like the King, Midnight Bourbon, Bourbonic, Hot Rod Charlie, Highly Motivated, Essential Quality
  I'll have the "Soup and Sandwich"
  Special thanks to XTakeRuX for the music - Rocking Forward