Bob Apodaca

He's going to be a Major League pitcher -- we caught lightning in a bottle when we acquired this guy.

He's going to be a Major League pitcher -- we caught lightning in a bottle when we acquired this guy.

Aaron isn't afraid of confrontations. He has come so far in the last couple years. Before, he seemed to be read more

Aaron isn't afraid of confrontations. He has come so far in the last couple years. Before, he seemed to be pitching away from contact, trying to miss bats. That guy has vanished. Now, he pitches with the confidence that the batter can't get to it.

He throws 10 pitches (during the game), and then he's in the conditioning room for an hour and he's just read more

He throws 10 pitches (during the game), and then he's in the conditioning room for an hour and he's just rolling in to the clubhouse when the game is over. He's put in that much work to maintain his body. He doesn't take his body for granted. That's why he's so good. That's why he's had longevity.

Throwing on the side doesn't equate to spring training. There's just not the same intensity. There's nobody with a bat read more

Throwing on the side doesn't equate to spring training. There's just not the same intensity. There's nobody with a bat in his hands telling you that you just made a mistake.

He showed me his slider was his command pitch. I told him, 'You get behind in the count, throw it read more

He showed me his slider was his command pitch. I told him, 'You get behind in the count, throw it anyway.' He started throwing the breaking ball with the fastball.