Off-day audio: Pitch calling, Jackson on Cruz the OF and more

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon explains what we might not see from catcher Mike Zunino and Austin Jackson talks about early influences and gives a vote of confidence to Nelson Cruz in the outfield.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Apr 1, 2015, 10:10 PM Updated: Apr 2, 2015, 9:32 am

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As well as he handled the pitching staff in his first full season, Mike Zunino has room to grow as a catcher. (AP)

(AP)

PEORIA, Ariz. – The off-day forecast is mostly sunny and 88 degrees with a bit of wind. In other words, it shouldn’t be a bad third-to-last day in Peoria. For your listening enjoyment I leave you with a few audio selections I have made, starting with an interesting conservation we had with manager Lloyd McClendon earlier this week.

As I am sure you know, Mike Zunino has had a terrific spring. While we won’t know for sure until he gets some regular-season at-bats under his belt, it appears he has taken a step forward with his offense. He also has taken some steps forward behind the plate. As good as he was handling a pitching staff and calling games at just 23 years old last season, McClendon said there are steps to be taken in that department as well. In this talk, which was part of one of our daily 8 a.m. meetings, the skipper gave an interesting and somewhat in-depth look at what is expected from the catcher in his game-calling and what specifically he needs to work on. It is a good behind-the-scenes look at some of the teaching that has been going on.

The next two pieces of audio come from a conversation I had with Austin Jackson Wednesday morning. The first cut starts out with Jackson talking about the work he has done with his hitting this spring. I then asked how comfortable he is hitting second, something we have seen quite a bit lately when Rickie Weeks has been in the lineup with him. McClendon has said that he likes that combination because Jackson has the ability to go the other way. I asked Jackson how he learned to go the other way and the answer he gave me really illustrated the value of exposing younger players to big-league camp. It’s a neat story.

In the second clip, Jackson may ease your fears about Nelson Cruz seeing time in the outfield.

The final audio is the final edition of “The Cactus League Report”. General manager Jack Zduriencik stopped by the broadcast and gave a little news. While the Rays were in the process of converting Mike Montgomery to a reliever, the Mariners plan to keep him as a starter. Zduriencik also revealed that he was close to making another addition to the organization and that there should be an announcement on a minor-league signing soon. While he didn’t say who, I would be very surprised if he wasn’t talking about reliever Joe Beimel.

If you missed the broadcast, never fear, we have a podcast.