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Live Chat With MLB Pitcher Mickey Jannis
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Mickey Jannis
10:42
This is a great question because it comes up every time I am with a new team. The catcher just needs to be open minded about catching me and really want to learn to do it. There is an art to catching it but there isn't one way to do it. I've had some great catchers over the years and each one has had a different style. Tomas Nido was probably the best at it. Patrick Mazeika, Adley Rutchman. Jose Morales. Brett Cumberland really came up to me the first day with the Orioles and said I'll catch you everyday so that makes it easier. Catcher's just have to know that some days are going to be worse than others.
HHJJ
10:43
Love seeing a fellow Roadrunner make the Show.
Mickey Jannis
10:43
Thank you! There aren't too many of us from Cal State Bakersfield but hopefully more to come soon!
Nick
10:43
Do you think organizations should start teaching their young pitchers the knuckleball, make it available as an option in player development?
Mickey Jannis
10:44
I do, and that's one thing I would like to help with an organization. But again the organization has to be open minded for it because it is a long process, but can be very valuable.
Jake
10:45
Biggest takeaways from your recent experience in the Venezuelan Winter League?
Mickey Jannis
10:46
The baseball culture down there is completely different. Constant music and chanting it is an awesome experience! Would recommend for everyone who has a chance to go and experience it!
HHJJ
10:46
Love seeing a fellow Roadrunner make the Show. Was there a moment when you really thought about packing it in?
Mickey Jannis
10:47
Thanks! Really only one moment was the offseason after the 2014 season. I wasn't getting any looks and went into the 2015 saying it was probably going to be my last if no one signed me. Luckily I pitched well enough to get signed by the Mets!
Guest
10:48
How were you feeling when you got the news that you were called up?
Mickey Jannis
10:50
It was just an awesome moment. As soon as I got the call from my manager my heart started racing and I just started making phone calls to everyone. Also, tried to take it all in from the Uber right into Baltimore, playing catch, shagging BP in a big league ballpark, the moments during the game. Everything.
John
10:51
What is the most important element in a successful knuckleball: speed, movement, accuracy?
Mickey Jannis
10:51
The biggest element is taking spin off the ball because that is what causes the movement. Movement is next because if its not moving than anyone can hit it.
Hi Mickey
10:52
What is your entrance song of choice?
Mickey Jannis
10:52
Lose Yourself by Eminem
Johnny5
10:52
Most memorable mlb opponent you faced and why? How about any MiLB opponent who is now in the majors?
Mickey Jannis
10:54
I only pitched in the one games against the Astros so that entire lineup was obviously the toughest I ever faced. In the minor leagues the toughest hitters trying to get out were Vlad Jr, Rafael Devers, and Mylz Jones!
Tim Dierkes
10:56
Just poking my head in to say that Mickey has about ten more minutes to chat.
Alan Watts
10:56
Do you think your knuckleball plays better in front of or behind a pitcher who throws triple digits?
Mickey Jannis
10:57
I think it would play great on both ends of it. It's such a different pitch a great way to throw off a hitter's timing
Johnnyshoe
10:58
Have pitching coaches/managers along the way tell you point blank " Give up the knuckle ball " ?
Mickey Jannis
10:59
I still had some pretty decent pitches as a conventional pitcher and it was a struggle to get coaches to buy in on me developing a knuckleball. I did have one manger say "if you want to throw a knuckleball, you can go home and throw it". Like I said before its not for everyone so you gotta have an open mind for it!
John
11:00
How long had you been called up b4 you were first called in to pitch? Was any family there to see it?
Mickey Jannis
11:01
I was able to see the first game I was up for from the bullpen and the second game is when I was called in to pitch. I did have a lot of family and some friends there.
John
11:01
Having you ever been traded? What's that like?
Mickey Jannis
11:02
In indy ball I was once traded for myself...I was traded for a player to be named later and later I was traded back to the original team. But its definitely a weird feeling coming to a new team but usually works out for the better!
Ryan Maxwell
11:03
Are the differences of the quality of play, clubhouses and travel as drastic at the different levels as the public perception is?
Mickey Jannis
11:08
I think the difference between lower level minor leagues and the major leagues in terms of quality of play isn't as big as you'd think. The consistency is the biggest difference. The talent up and down a lineup and rotation is better in the major leagues but major leaguers have just had more time to develop so they are more consistent throughout the season. I'd say they do a lot more of the little things better to help them prepare. However, travel and facilities there is a huge difference the higher you go!
11:09
I have time for one last question. Thanks again everyone for taking the time to ask. I've really enjoyed responding to a lot of these questions.
Chase Levitt
11:10
What do you think is the biggest barrier today for professional/college-aspiring youth pitches from trying to learn to pitch with a knuckleball? Also in that regard, do you think that college recruiting (and the possibility of head coaches not wanting to take a limited scholarship/roster spot on a pitch they don't fully understand/know how to coach) creates greater propensity for youth to avoid learning the knuckleball altogether? Big questions I realize; please feel free to answer it however you see fit
Mickey Jannis
11:12
I think that is it. It's a pitch that is so hard to understand and its so hard to develop without having experience throwing it yourself that it makes it tough to believe in. Its more of something you kind of have to learn on your own and then it might turn out to be your number one pitch at some point in your career. Almost everyone who has thrown it turned to it as a last resort and it worked out for the ones who made it.
11:13
Thanks again for chatting with me! Look forward to doing it again sometime!
Tim Dierkes
11:15
Big thanks to Mickey for taking the time to answer questions!  We've got three former MLB players on tap for the rest of this week, all at 10am central time, for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
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