(50 quotes found)
“We're really pleased. He's been very vocal to our staff, that he's here to serve them. He puts the lion's share of his focus on defensive play. He's a real pro. Pitchers sometimes shake to the wrong pitch. The sign of a real good catcher is that he runs out there and doesn't let the pitcher make that mistake. He's shown a propensity to do that. I'm really impressed.”
Bryan Price
“He hasn't done anything that suggests that he isn't ready to be here from a physical or emotional standpoint. He has the persona. He has a complete understanding that he has a lot of talent and that he's utilizing his talent. He has a delivery and an aura that represent a confident force.”
“The contrast in their pitches is significant. Yet both of them are positioning themselves to help us in their own way. If you looked at them side-by-side, you may not notice Jeff. Felix does it in an awe-inspiring way, Jeff just does it.”
“It's hard not to get overly excited about him.”
“Everyone was pretty confident he was going to pitch better than the league, which he did, and he was going to force our hand, which he did.”
“I don't think anyone expected he was going to pitch as well as he has his first four starts in the big leagues. I didn't anticipate the command and poise and amount of ground balls he has gotten. He has been a strikeout/ground-ball machine. Not a lot of guys get the ball in the air against him.”
“Thornton is progressing, has progressed this year. Matt has not only had limited big-league experience, but limited experience, period.”
“It's a matter of familiarity. Working together, catchers get to know what pitchers like to throw in situations, like with two strikes. They know what a pitcher can do, and can't.”
“We throw him a lot of hard stuff inside. A lot of teams do that. But he doesn't miss against us. He's got our number.”
“There's been nothing to suggest he'll crack when he is challenged more. I see consistency in his work ethic, routine and demeanor.”
