Interview with Doug Greenwald

Doug Greenwald is the play-by-play voice of the Fresno Grizzlies and I wanted to get his thoughts on the Grizzlies, and maybe a hometown question as well since that's where I'm originally from.


Baseball-Rumors: Let's start with Nate Schierholtz, in 109 games he put up great numbers with Fresno and really didn't slow down after being called up to San Francisco. Do you expect him to be a permanent fixture with the Giants from here on out?

Doug Greenwald: Tough to say with the Giants having a lot of outfield possibilities. Nate obviously put up good numbers in the big leagues but Randy Winn, Aaron Rowand, Fred Lewis, Raj Davis, and Dave Roberts along with Eugenio Velez, it'll be a good race to see where everyone will fit.


Baseball-Rumors: Daniel Giese had a good season last year, posting a 3-1 record, 2.82 ERA in 73.1 IP. What's your scouting report on him.

Doug Greenwald: Fastball about 90, good slider, outstanding control. The Yankees just signed him to a minor league contract. Dan spent about nine years in the minor leagues and earned his first call up to the big leagues last September with San Francisco.


Baseball-Rumors: Another prospect that had a great year with Fresno was Brian Horwitz. How good of a player is he and do you expect him to start the year with Fresno?

Doug Greenwald: Brian's an outstanding contact hitter, he's not a power guy as one would expect from a corner outfielder but has consistently been around .300 throughout his pro career. Being that he had a good showing in Fresno last year I'd have to think that he'd be back with the Grizzlies.


Baseball-Rumors: You watched great young pitchers like Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and Tim Linecum. Could they be the next "Big 3"?

Doug Greenwald: Well they are three great pitchers young pitchers. But everytime they took the mound in Fresno it seemed to be the story, and no question that Lincecum was in the light this past season everywhere the Grizzlies were and then the Giants. And while the Giants struggled last season, you saw how many low scoring games in which Cain was involved. I think when you mention those three names whether or not they'd be considered the "Big Three" that's possible you'd at least get a reaction of, "those guys are great young pitchers."


Baseball-Rumors: Another prospect you got to watch, and a player who I think is going to be a very good big leaguer is Fred Lewis. Tell me about what you saw in him coming up?

Doug Greenwald: His speed and his raw ability. Fred has matured from the athlete (he played football in college) to the baseball player. One of my favorite things is seeing Fred put a ball up the gap and watching him run, you had a pretty good feeling he'd be a third base if not an inside-the-park-home run. But I saw Fred and his desire to get better taking extra batting practice and his ability to develop power. The speed has always been there something which is very necessary playing a big outfield in San Francisco.


Baseball-Rumors: Last question for me, I've heard a lot of talk that this upcoming Fresno State football team could rival the 2001 team. How good do you think this team is going to be?

Doug Greenwald: That I have no idea. I don't really follow Fresno State football, I'm not from Fresno originally but Pat Hill (Fresno State head football coach) did ride back on an airplane with us (the Grizzlies) from Phoenix-Fresno and was chatting with a lot of our players.