NL DIVISION SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS DODGERS

October 9, 2023

Gabriel Moreno

Dodger Stadium

Arizona Diamondbacks

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. Gabby, much was made of the trade. You were a big prospect in Toronto. You got your chance to play every day. How does it feel to have done the things that you've done and shine on this big stage?

GABRIEL MORENO: First off, thankful to God and happy to be here, being able to show my abilities.

When I was in Toronto, they gave me an opportunity to develop myself in the minor leagues, but I understand the business aspect of it. Now I'm here and happy to contribute at the Major League level.

Q. Once you came off the injured list from the shoulder injury, your offense really jumped to another level, even better than what it had been in the first half before you hurt your shoulder. Was there anything specific that you worked on while you were rehabbing that helped you make that improvement, or what was the main cause of your offense increasing so much?

GABRIEL MORENO: When I was on the injured list, it kind of gave me a mental break. It kind of let me realize the player I am. I'm thankful for all the coaches that put in all that work with me in the cages, the drills. And I understood the type of player that I would be.

Q. First of all, congratulations for the home run. And is there a player or catcher you looked up to that may have given you some advice?

GABRIEL MORENO: The transition -- I was an infielder at first and I made the transition to catcher kind of quickly. So it was kind of later on in my minor league career or amateur career. And as I became a catcher I kind of looked up to players like Salvador Pérez and Willson Contreras for the style behind the plate, their aggressiveness. That's something that I really admire.

Q. The home run at-bat the other night, I think you laid off two or three breaking balls before you got that slider that you hit. Could you kind of just take us through what was going through your mind before that pitch? And I don't know, maybe having seen so many pitches, did that play into it or just kind of what was behind that swing?

GABRIEL MORENO: So I knew it was a very important at-bat. I was looking for something in the zone. Thankfully I was able to work the count, get a full count. The pitcher was throwing strikes. I knew he had to come into the zone. And thankfully I was able to connect with something in the zone.

Q. What's the general mood of the team? And has it changed from Game 1 now that you're ahead by one?

GABRIEL MORENO: It's the same. This is baseball, anything can happen. The mentality is the same. Anything can happen. We're just going to try to come out and play our game, pitch by pitch.

Q. From your perspective, what's it like in the playoffs? Does it feel different? Is your level of focus different? What's this experience been like?

GABRIEL MORENO: Definitely, definitely more important games. Just focused on playing my game, continue to do the things that I've been doing up to this point. So it's definitely a different feeling.

Q. It's a very young team. Talk about the influence that certain veterans, like Ketel Marte and some of the other veterans have towards you guys?

GABRIEL MORENO: It's tremendous. Someone like Ketel Marte has basically had his whole career here with the Diamondbacks. Having someone like Longoria, a lot of experience. I don't think there's a better example of someone to observe than Longoria who has been here in the playoffs a lot. It's just tremendous.

Q. Can you just talk about Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and your relationship with him, and how that's developed over the years?

GABRIEL MORENO: The relationship we have, it's been from another world. Everyone from him to his family, his brother, his father, giving plenty of advice.

It kind of also goes back to when we both got traded, we exchanged text messages and he joked with me and said, pack your bags, we're going together. We've had a great relationship for a while now.

Q. What's the biggest game you've played in before this postseason, do you think?

GABRIEL MORENO: I would say aside from the postseason the 13-inning extra game where I had the walk-off hit.

Q. Do you think having Gurriel come over with you in the trade made it less pressure-filled for you? Do you think it was easier to adjust that way?

GABRIEL MORENO: No doubt. Coming here with him I knew the team was young, so I knew I would be comfortable in my element, but having him I think more so.