AL DIVISION SERIES: GUARDIANS VS YANKEES

October 12, 2022

Trevor Stephan

Yankee Stadium

Cleveland Guardians

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Imagine once upon a time, pitching in Yankee Stadium was a dream for you. What was it like being out there last night, despite the circumstances?

TREVOR STEPHAN: Yeah, it was a cool moment, I guess. Obviously warming up in that situation, I wish I came into the game with a closer game. But I thought Cal pitched his ass off and it was unfortunate the way it fell out. It was a cool moment for sure.

Q. You were part of that really good pitching staff at AA a few years ago in their system. With some of the names on that staff, what was it like being part of that group, and do you still keep in touch with any of those guys?

TREVOR STEPHAN: Yeah, I feel like any time you're grinding through the minor leagues -- you know, I was roommates with Michael King and we got close. And then Clark, same draft class. So we shared the journey together for the first few years.

It's awesome to see the success and just being in the League together at the same time. It's cool.

Q. What was the reaction when you got picked in the Rule 5? Some guys look at it as an opportunity and some guys look at it as, okay, the organization didn't really want me.

TREVOR STEPHAN: I was happy, honestly. 2020, I was at home. I didn't get invited to the alternate site. After that happened, I was hoping I got Rule 5'd, honestly. And to get this opportunity with Cleveland, it's a blessing, and I'm glad it happened.

Q. A lot of guys have talked about your splitter and how big of a pitch it is for you. Is it the same as last year or did you tweak it at all?

TREVOR STEPHAN: I had it -- it was the same pitch, but it definitely developed. I threw it more around the strike zone and it became a weapon to lefties and righties. I never had that in the minor or the first half of my rookie year. That's definitely a pitch that clicked later in my rookie season.

Q. Was it something that happened or was it working with coaches?

TREVOR STEPHAN: I would say it was working with players more. Blake Parker helped me a ton last year. And then Shaw taught me the grip, and then Blake and I just really talked. He threw a split finger, so he walked me through how to use it and what he felt throwing it, and trial and error.

Q. How important is a guy like Shaw in building your confidence and getting you to believe that you cannot only pitch here but pitch in some pretty big situations?

TREVOR STEPHAN: Yeah, I feel like we all kind of rely on him. He's the veteran. He's been here. He's done that. He's pitched in a World Series, and he's a good leader and just kind of keeps us all in the -- we look up to him and he just takes care of us.

Q. Along those same lines, what does it say about Shaw that after the roster decisions were made, he wanted to be on the team and stay in the bullpen with you guys and be here throughout this process?

TREVOR STEPHAN: It's crazy. I think it's a hard thing to go through. I really can't even put into words probably the emotions he felt when he was a part of this club for the whole season, and that's like a really tough decision. But I think that kind of just shows how tight this clubhouse is when he hung around for that, and he -- you know, he stayed together. We all wanted him here. Wish he was competing with us.

But it's just tough.