Orestes Destrade Talks Rays, Willson Contreras, Astros’ Pitching Injuries, World Baseball Classic

Jack welcomes back MLB analyst and former Major League first baseman Orestes Destrade and Survivor: South Pacific second runner-up and college baseball player Albert Destrade to the show, to discuss the week's baseball news.

 

It is Orestes' first appearance on the Jack Vita Show since October 2021. Orestes played four Major League seasons for the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Florida Marlins. As a member of the Marlins' inaugural team in 1993, Orestes led the Marlins in home runs (20) and RBI (87). He held the single-season franchise records for both categories, before Gary Sheffield broke his home run record in 1994 and Jeff Conine broke his RBI record in 1995. Orestes also played five seasons in Japan, where he led the Pacific League in home runs three times and RBI twice. In 1990, he was the MVP of the Japan Series.

 

Since retiring from playing, Orestes has established himself as one of baseball's top broadcasters and analysts. From 2006 through 2009, Orestes worked at ESPN, appearing on Baseball Tonight and providing color commentary for the Little League World Series and World Baseball Classic.

 

17 years after the first ever World Baseball Classic, the 2023 WBC was a smashing success. O weighs in on his thoughts after being on the field for the championship game in March. Is there a way that the WBC can be improved upon in the future? Jack has some suggestions (0:00 - 18:00).

 

O has a working theory as to why the Rays are off to their best start in franchise history. Is he on to (18:00 - 31:25). April 2023 saw an uptick in home runs over April of last year. Where are all these home runs coming from, and what are Albert, Orestes and Jack's thoughts on the sport's new rules thus far (31:25 - 42:05)?

 

The Houston Astros have a losing record on May 9 for the first time since 2016, the last year the club missed the postseason. Starting pitchers Jose Urquidy and Luis Garcia each sustained injuries on back-to-back days. Garcia will require Tommy John surgery and Urquidy could be out for a while too. In place of both pitchers, the Astros recalled Brandon Bielak and friend of the show, JP France! France made his Major League debut Saturday, throwing five scoreless innings in a loss to the Seattle Mariners. Given their slow start and injuries, should Astros fans be concerned about their club? Could the Chicago White Sox be major sellers at the trade deadline?

 

Months after signing him to a five-year contract, the St. Louis Cardinals will no longer be playing Willson Contreras at catcher for the time being. He will instead be DH-ing and playing the outfield. The Cardinals also enter Wednesday in last place in the National League Central. Orestes, Albert and Jack break it all down.

 

With the Astros off to a cold start, is the American League West up for grabs? O is a big time believer in the Texas Rangers. All this and much more, on the latest edition of the Jack Vita Show (42:05 - END)!

 

Follow Albert on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to his podcast, It's Not Polite to Ask with Albert Destrade. Tune in to hear Orestes' weekly radio program, the O Zone!