Last night I posted an article looking at five big storylines to watch during minor league Spring Training this year. I didn’t expect that one of the questions would be answered so soon.
I was talking with Reese McGuire today, preparing for a video feature which will go up tomorrow. During the interview, he confirmed that he will be going to Bradenton at the start of the 2015 season.
“Coming from West Virginia, that was my goal, and hopefully I was going to start here,” McGuire said. “So now I’m just focused on helping the guys around me, and looking forward to a good team.”
McGuire will join a lot of his fellow teammates who will be making the jump from West Virginia to Bradenton, including most of his pitching staff. That will also include Luis Heredia, who I also talked with today, and who said the current plan is for him to start the year in Bradenton. Heredia also reiterated that his goal is to finish the 2015 season in Altoona.
“That’s a cool feeling, just moving up with the same guys that you played with last year, and just seeing them putting in the work in the off-season and having it show out here already in early Spring,” McGuire said about moving up with a lot of the same pitchers. “Everyone is excited, and we’re ready to go.”
Still no word on where Austin Meadows will begin the year. McGuire moving up clears up the lower level catching situation. Jin-De Jhang will also be returning to Bradenton. I haven’t confirmed where Taylor Gushue and Kevin Krause will be playing, but my best guess is that they will split the West Virginia catching duties, with Gushue getting most of the work, and Krause getting some time in the outfield. Considering that Connor Joe won’t be catching, and will be playing first and third base, that seems the most likely route for Krause.
