Gwynn & Chris On Demand
Alek Jacob talks about his path to the big leagues and his throwing style
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Go to linkedin.com/results to claim your credit. That's linkedin.com/results. Terms and conditions apply. Linkedin, the place to be to be. We got our Friday Friday guest here with us now. Alec Jacob joins us. Alec, how are you my friend? I'm doing great. How are you guys? We are well. Thank you for coming on. Tough loss last night for the ball club. I mean, for a guy like you, you've come in and been able to kind of help when you've been asked to come in and get some outs. I mean, what has this experience been like for you this year compared to the past years where you've got an opportunity? It's been great, you know. Like you said, coming in, throwing whenever they need me. And I think this year, I know a little bit more of what they want from me and what to expect up here. And so it's helped me prepare throughout the season and the off season for what's to come. And I'm just really taking it all in, honestly, enjoying every day. Obviously, it's incredible atmosphere here at that go. And I'm just enjoying every minute and, you know, just taking it all in. Yeah, doing a hell of a job. Alec Jacob with the Padres, 10 innings of work, 14 strikeouts, one walk. That's a ratio that'll get it done for sure. I'm just curious, because let's put last night behind us now. But after that game's over, the bullpen's such a tight fraternity. Do you guys all go at least give a little tap to Robert Swarman? I mean, this guy's done it all for you guys all year. Does everybody need to go over and just say, hey, head up and we'll see you tomorrow? Yeah, for sure, a little bit. But I mean, at the same time, you know, he's the guy we're going to rely on in those situations, no matter what. And, you know, I like to lose any faith in that guy, you know, he's doing now. Next time he's out there, he's going to shut it down, you know, nothing changes at all. But yeah, for sure, we're going to pick him up and hopefully we can pick him up today. And he'll get back on the horse as soon as possible. Alex Jacob joins us here on Friar Friday, Gwen and Chris. And Alec, you have a unique throwing style. I mean, you kind of, I would say side arm. Has this always been how you've thrown the base bar? Is this something you developed in your pro career? Yeah, it's kind of been something I've always done a little bit. Younger when I was a young kid, I kind of swung the ball from the side a little bit, being kind of a little weaker. And it helped me get the ball across the infield a little bit better when I was playing infield. And so it kind of stuck with me. And then I got into high school and I was, you know, pitching over the top and pitching from the side. You know, below is pretty similar both ways. So it was pretty easy to see the future there from the side. And I got some looks as a side armor from a couple of schools. And so from there, it was pretty easy for me to make that decision. And just go full side arm. I was fully side arm by the time I was junior in high school. So. Oh, wow. In a while. Yeah. God, I can imagine as a, as a sophomore in high school coming up as a right handed hitter against you, I'd be like bailing out like big time. Alec Jacob is our guest. Is there anything that side armors can do differently with the ball? You know, then a, then a, then a regular, you know, over the top thurs or things that maybe guys look at you and go, man, I wish I could do that. I'm sure. I mean, I think obviously it's probably more easy to get like a horizontal movement, go east to west and west to east. So I think that's definitely helpful for me. I don't know. I think it's kind of hard to say. I think it depends on the guy a little bit, but I think, you know, throwing a sweeper, you know, a big horizontal sliders, those are easier for me. Where's like, you know, trying to throw for me like a curve ball or a split or anything like that. This seems like, you know, it's impossible. So, um, uh, I feel like those are the main ones. Alec, you know, you mentioned something about velocity. You said it was the velocity's bit was about the same, no matter whether you're over the top of where you are right now. And I only bring that up because, you know, we're in a league now that really only sees, you know, high velocity. You're unique in that way. What would you tell a young athlete at this point that doesn't have that kind of velocity? I mean, what is it that they should be focused on if they have dreams of, of being a big leader? You figured it out a way to get here despite not having the high velocity that a lot of guys have. What kind of advice would you give to a young athlete right now? Yeah, that's a great question. I would say just, you know, find other ways to, you know, make it work. And, you know, there's plenty of ways to do that. Obviously, for me, I throw a sidearm and that makes it a little bit more deceptive. But I think there's a lot of things, you know, you like, you can have incredible command and get guys out that way. And, you know, that, that kind of picture may seem a little bit lost nowadays. But yeah, I definitely think that it's still, you know, a possibility. And I've done plenty of different things around my career to try and find a way to get a hitter off balance, you know, like messing with timing on the mound and changing different arms slots. Like, I've really just tried to get creative. And I think that's helped me a lot. Just understanding partially like my ability and who I am as a pitcher and like what I do well. And then also just trying to be uncomfortable to the hitter. Like, how can I do something that hitter is not going to, like, how can I keep him off balance? Those have all been things that I've thought about throughout my career. And like talk to hitters about just like, you know, what do you guys hate that I do? And kind of gone from there. That smart, smart Alec Jacob is with us. Alec, appreciate the time. Last thing for me, you went to Gonzaga and Spokane, Washington. So you played in San Diego. I'm sure against USD. How much does it like drive you crazy when somebody says, hey, how was life at Gonzaga? Well, they totally boxed the name of the school. Yeah, I mean, after a while now, I've kind of gotten used to it. But, you know, you think with a basketball team success, it's like, I know, you'd really think that everyone would have it down by now. But yeah, I'm really hopeful for them this year, too. They really got a good team. It looks like they can finally, you know, get that ring that they've been chasing. Well, hopefully you guys can get the same thing with the Padres. Alec, thanks so much for your time. Enjoyed catching up with you and look forward to seeing you out at the ballpark. Thank you, Alec. Yeah, thanks for having me. I appreciate you guys. Awesome job, Alec Jacob there. 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