NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS PHILLIES

October 16, 2023

Rob Thomson

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia Phillies

Pregame 1 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Rob Thomson.

Q. What were the key considerations that you had in putting the roster together, obviously looking at Rhys as well?

ROB THOMSON: Rhys just isn't quite ready yet, so we decided to go the same roster as the last roster, so it's 13 and 13, and we'll go from there.

It seemed to work out pretty good. They got a lot of right-handed hitting in their lineup, so Lorenzen is on, Tai is on. We'll go.

Q. The running game has been a big part of what you have done so far. Moreno has really slowed it down for the D-backs. How much does that change your game plan? Are you still going to look for your spot when you're taking out the pitchers more?

ROB THOMSON: It's more off of pitchers, and Moreno can really throw. He can really defend. We have to take that into consideration obviously, but if we see the right matchup, we'll turn it loose.

Q. The follow-up on Rhys. What boxes does he still need to check?

ROB THOMSON: Just some timing. Turns on the bases look just a little bit tentative for me. In talking to him and talking through it, we just felt it was just safer just to hold off for a minute and see if we can get him if we move on. Hopefully we move on to the next series and have him available then.

Q. In the lineup Bohm has been scuffling a little bit, and Castellanos is as hot as he can be. Any thought of flip-flopping them back in the order?

ROB THOMSON: We talked about it, but at the end of the day you have to trust that Bohm is going to get it going, and I really like the way our lineup -- the length of our lineup with Castellanos -- J.T. and Castellanos at six and seven. I think it produces some problems for the other team.

Q. If I may follow up one more on Rhys, overall how do you think he is doing?

ROB THOMSON: Remarkable. Really remarkable. We thought there might be an outside chance for this series, but the work that he's done to get where he's at right now because he's really close -- the work that he's done and our training staff have done, it's really remarkable where he's at.

Q. I knew you were a coach here when the Phillies got Wheeler, but what was the sense among the organization or you personally that made you guys think that Wheeler was ready to take that next step to that ace level that he's reached here?

ROB THOMSON: Well, I wasn't really part of the roster construction, so I was happy to get him because I knew the talent, but I didn't really understand how good he was until I saw him on a daily basis.

The power that he's goat. The command that he's got. The stuff that he's got. The competitor that he is. You don't see that when you are a visiting team, or an opposing team. When you see him on a daily basis and you really see all these intangibles that he's got, it's really -- he's really something. It's a great sign.

Q. The players will often talk about trying to keep things as normal as possible, like the regular season. How about for you? Do you have that mindset, or do you have to actually change things up somewhat?

ROB THOMSON: I'm the most routine-oriented guy you'll see in your life, so nothing changes for me.

Q. We know how much Bryce cares about the game and how intense he is, but how have you also seen as time has gone on him be able to have that calm in the big moments as well and execute in October?

ROB THOMSON: Yeah, it's really remarkable. The numbers that he has put up.

I think in the playoffs games that he's had here .350 in 22 games. He is hitting .350 with eight or nine home runs and 18 or 19 RBIs. Those are Hall of Fame numbers.

To be able to do that -- so you get into the playoffs and you're facing the best -- usually the best pitching in the game, to be able to put those numbers up against that is just unbelievable.

Q. What is the biggest difference between Bryson Stott entering the NLCS last year and Bryson Stott entering the NLCS this year?

ROB THOMSON: I think he is a little fresher this year. The year before he went through a long year. He went to the Arizona fall league. It was almost like a full year straight of baseball.

So I think he was a little fatigued at the end last year. I don't think he is fatigued now. I think he's a little more comfortable now because he's been through it before. So I think those are really the biggest differences.

Q. With some of your Game 4 pitching options, especially Sanchez having never pitched on this stage before, in a perfect world, would you want to get someone like that exposure to this environment first, and are either of those guys --

ROB THOMSON: No, I want to win, so exposure isn't really --

Q. But a chance to kind of be in that environment or pitch before that moment or are you comfortable with them not having that opportunity?

ROB THOMSON: Yeah, I'm pretty comfortable with him. He's grown so much over the last couple of years. His poise level, just the way he just calms everything down, even when the heat is on. So I don't have any concerns about that with him. I really don't.

But getting exposure just to get exposure isn't kind of part of the game plan.

Q. When you were mapping out how this season might go, when did you realistically think you could get Bryce back? I doubt it was at the 30-game mark, but when did you think you'd have him?

ROB THOMSON: We thought after the All-Star break.

So, again, this guy has made an unbelievable recovery. His body healed very quickly, and, of course, the work that he puts in and the work that the trainers put in to get him back as quick as we did really helped the ball club, but it was a record-setting pace that he got back.

Q. They announced that the Olympics are going to come back -- baseball will be back at the Olympics in 2028 in L.A. What was your experience from that in '84, and does that make you feel good that they're doing that, that they're bringing baseball back to the Olympics?

ROB THOMSON: I love it. I think it should be in the Olympics. My experience was I come from a town of 2,000 people, and I had never played in front of more than 500 people in my life. Our first game was against Venezuela in Dodgers Stadium, and there was 45,000 people in the stadium, and I don't even remember the first inning, to tell you the truth. I was just as nervous as you could get.

But it was a great experience. Something I'll never forget.

Q. I don't know whether it's the first time, but Bryce tonight mentioned outfield possibly in this postseason for himself. Has he been cleared for that? Is his arm ready for that? Is it an option that you would like to have, and especially given that you saw him get kicked in the arm the other night at first base? Maybe it gives him less danger or less risk out there. What's your thinking on possibly Bryce as an outfielder before the end of the --

ROB THOMSON: That's the first I've heard of that, so I have to think about that one.