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02/09/2008 10:00 PM ET
Q&A with Trent Jewett
Indians manager reflects on '07 season, looks ahead to '08
By Matt Segal & Brian Bosma / Indianapolis Indians
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 Manager Trent Jewett has compiled a 224-205 record in three seasons with Indianapolis. (Bill Gentry)
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IndyIndians.com sat down with Trent Jewett for a preseason discussion on Friday, Feb. 8. The fourth-year Indianapolis Indians manager was in town for the club's annual Hot Stove Luncheon. Over 200 people attended the event at The Westin in downtown Indianapolis.
Q: When you look back at the 2007 season, what sticks out in your mind?
A: To me, it felt like separate seasons. We were very good in spots, and not-so-good in others. I thought we pitched, played defense and ran the bases well, but we were very sporadic from an offensive standpoint. We went through lengthy phases where runs were hard to come by.
Through it all, we had a great group of guys in the clubhouse. They showed tremendous effort and great unity from start to finish. We were pretty efficient towards the end of the season, and that's all you can ask for. At the Triple-A level, you don't have control over who's on your roster. All you can do is manage it, coach it, teach it and make it efficient.
Q: You've said a manager must adapt to his 24 players. What's that process like at this level?
A: I try to utilize all of my players. That's become one of my coaching traits. Some managers opt to use the same eight position players on a daily basis, but I try to do more mixing and matching. Unfortunately, players come and go at this level. I've found that my teams are better prepared for those changes if I'm using more players on a regular basis. I guess you could say the transition becomes easier.
I also think successful managers adapt to the type of team they have. We had pretty good team speed in 2007 but not too much power. We hit more home runs than I originally expected, but, still, that wasn't our calling.
We didn't have power guys like Brad Eldred or Steven Pearce on the roster in April. I don't think anyone would've expected Michael Ryan to be our home run leader for the year. We had some fast guys early on, so that became our focus. You can't have a 'Let's wait for the three-run homer' philosophy with a team like we had last year because you may be waiting for a while.
I think it's important to assess the skills and abilities of individual players. It's important to know what they're capable of and what gives them the best chance at success. The quicker you can do that, the better off you'll be.
It's really tough because sometimes you have to gather that information in Spring Training. I may see 40 at-bats or a guy catch six fly balls, but that doesn't mean I know him forwards and backwards. It may seem like that's all the information you need, but we're talking about a very high level of baseball here.
I have a much better feel for a guy like Brian Bixler, who played over 100 games for us in 2007. I know what those types of guys can do, what they can't do, what they're capable of and what it will take for them to be successful. I knew nothing about Bixler at this time last year, but I have a good feel for him now.
Q: Last year, it seemed like Michael Ryan went from a role player in April and May to an important piece of the puzzle in June, July and August. Is that how you saw it?
A: I have an active roster of 24 guys and only nine can be on the field at once. This concept applies to all team sports. There are a certain number of guys who can play and everyone else has to sit. If you're one of those guys who's sitting, you have to stay prepared, wait your turn and seize the opportunity when it comes. That's exactly what Michael Ryan did in 2007.
Q: For over 20 years, you've been going to Spring Training in Bradenton, Fla. Does that city have special meaning since you're a veteran in the Pirates organization?
A: I really enjoy spending time in Bradenton each year. My wife, Susan, and I have a lot of friends down there. Some are in the game [of baseball] and some are not. There are guys like Woody Huyke who I only get to see once each season, and it's during Spring Training. Woody has been in this organization for almost 40 years and he's seen it all. Woody is a terrific person and he's great for the sport. He's been a father, mentor, teacher, coach and friend to a lot of guys down there. I look forward to seeing him every February.
Yes, I've become very familiar with the Bradenton/Sarasota area over the past 20-plus years. My dog, Raleigh, loves it down there. She loves the beach and warm weather. She can go out anytime and doesn't have to wait on dad to put a coat on. This time of year is always a great feeling for me.
Q: President Frank Coonelly, general manager Neal Huntington, director of player development Kyle Stark and field manager John Russell are all new to the Pittsburgh Pirates. How do those changes at the Major League level impact the Triple-A manager?
A: It's very similar to feeling out the players. Frank, Neal, Kyle, John and the other decision-makers in Pittsburgh may want similar things to the previous regime and they may not. We will have several meetings during the first week of Spring Training and there will be a lot of topics discussed.
In this case, you have a new president, general manager, farm director and field manager. They spend the offseason preparing for Spring Training and the meetings will give me a good indication of their expectations and beliefs. Then you take that information and translate it to the on-field endeavors.
Q: There's a good chance you'll have some familiar faces on your 2008 pitching staff. That has to make you feel good.
A: You're absolutely right. It should be a good situation because a lot of these pitchers know my coaching staff, the city of Indianapolis, Victory Field and the International League. We should have some battle-tested pitchers who start the season in Indianapolis, and that makes me feel good.
It can be a tough month of April when all of your guys are getting their first taste of the league. In past years, we've had a lot of Double-A guys or Pacific Coast League guys, but I don't see that being the case in 2008. These guys know the IL cities, parks, managers and players. Those are all pluses.
Q: Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker and Steven Pearce are all talented position players who have a chance to be here. How do you feel about that group?
A: I feel real good about those guys, regardless of where they begin the season. I don't predict who will be on the roster in February because it's a waste. You don't know who will have a breakthrough Spring Training, who will make the Major League team, who will suffer an injury, who will be traded or released, etc.
There are so many variables and so many things that can happen. Last year was a good example. There couldn't have been too many people who thought Brad Eldred would start the year in Pittsburgh, but he did. All of the guys at this level go to Spring Training with one goal in mind -- to make the big-league club.
Q: Tell me about your field staff. You have three familiar faces and one new one.
A: (Hitting coach) Hensley Meulens, (trainer) Jose Ministral and (strength & conditioning coach) Mubarak Malik are all very good at what they do. They know how I like to operate, they are familiar with Indianapolis and they know all of the IL cities. I am comfortable with those guys and I trust them. (Pitching coach) Ray Searage will be a nice addition to the staff. Not only did he pitch in the big leagues, but he has experience as both a pitching coach and pitching coordinator. He's a really good guy and he's very knowledgeable.
Q: This will be your fourth season in Indianapolis. What originally attracted you to this situation and what has kept you here?
A: Indianapolis is a very nice city and Victory Field is a great place to work every day. My wife, Susan, and I have become familiar with Indianapolis and we like the proximity because she has family about six hours away in West Virginia.
The Indians staff has been very good to me over the past three years. I've met a lot of really good people here. We're talking about a front office with a lot of hard workers who are good at what they do. Matt Segal and Brian Bosma are contributors to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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