Pentland talks hitting with MLB.com

01/20/2006
MLB.com: How do you feel about this new team and this new challenge?
Pentland: I'm excited. I've been with a few teams, but for some reason, Seattle's always had a warm place in my heart. I've always felt good about the organization, and I feel very lucky to be part of the team.
MLB.com: Looking at the statistics from last year, where do you see the greatest need for team improvement?
Pentland: First of all, I don't dwell on what happened last year. It's a new year and a new plan. I'm not going to look at the negative side of it other than that as a collective group, we've got to do a much better job of team offense and doing better things as a team. It's not about hits or batting average. It's a matter of getting on base any way we can and doing the things that help create runs. The game tends to be thought of too much from an individual standpoint. We need to get the job done as a team, with 13 or 14 guys getting involved, and all playing a role in this.
MLB.com: Adrian Beltre had a monster year with the Dodgers in 2004, then didn't do nearly as well last year. Do you have any specific explanations that you've noticed from film, and what will you be working on with him specifically in Spring Training?
Pentland: It's mostly confidence. From a technical standpoint, you look at last year's tape and compare it to year he had with Dodgers, and there's not a lot of outstanding problems. He's close technically, with maybe a little tinkering or refining needed here and there. To me, it was impressive to watch him on tape, so obviously, he still has that ability. We have to make sure he feels like he's one of the best hitters in the game every day he comes to the park, because he is one of the best. I've coached a few big stars, and their standards are much higher than the average hitters in the game. We've got to do a better job of getting runners on base for him. He plays an important role, and he can't do it if he's getting up there with nobody on base. I know he can hit and that he's confident he can hit, because he's done it.
MLB.com: What about Jeremy Reed? What do you think he needs to do to realize the potential he has and to get back to the impressive stroke he showed in September 2004, when he first came up?
Pentland: I had Jeremy fly out to Arizona and we spent three days together, just to be alone without distractions and get to know each other. We spent a lot of time on communicating with one another, getting a feel for one another, and understanding that the best thing that happened for him in 2005 was that he got his first year in the big leagues under him. From a technical standpoint, there were a few things we had to iron out, and we did that.
For me, it takes a few years to become a good big-league hitter. You look at a lot of the best hitters in the game, and it took them a few years before they really "got it." I know a lot is expected of Jeremy, and I expect a lot of him. He just has to get comfortable at the big-league level. He's come in much stronger. He looks bigger and has a good feel for hitting. I think the main thing is to keep him healthy and make him understand the potential he has. It's a matter of getting into competition and allowing him to feel good about himself. There's definitely something in there.
MLB.com: Have you ever worked with a hitting talent as unique as Ichiro Suzuki?
Pentland: I've watched him from the other dugout, and he just amazes me with what he can do. One time in Kansas City, he hit a grand slam, and I just knew he was going to hit the ball out of the ballpark. He's another one, with Beltre, as far as what I call a "core player." It's very important for him to do well for us to be successful. Certainly, he's an outstanding talent. No question.
MLB.com: If Reed does well and looks like a candidate for the leadoff spot, would you be of a mind to suggest moving Ichiro to the No. 3 hole for more of a run-production role?
Pentland: That's a comfort feeling that Ichiro has to feel. When you talk about so-called "superstars," they feel more comfortable in certain parts of the batting order. Ichiro is certainly comfortable as a leadoff hitter. He doesn't walk as much as a normal leadoff hitter, but he gets a ton of hits. He can do a lot of things. He can steal a base, he can bunt, he can hit the ball out of the ballpark. As far as moving him, that's kind of conjecture at this point. We'll see what Jeremy does, and I don't know at this point of his career if that would be a good move for him. It would be very difficult for me to take Ichiro out of the leadoff spot. I have a lot of respect for Jeremy, but I don't know if he's quite ready to fill the shoes that Ichiro has established.
MLB.com: How important is it to the organization to have a couple of veteran bats, like Carl Everett and Matt Lawton, to add to the mix?
Pentland: It's a lot. They really help in the clubhouse and help nail home what you're trying to do with the younger players. Younger guys tend to be up and down emotionally. When you have veterans that can back you up, that's a positive. They have more effect than the coach in certain situations. When you get a man on third or in a run-producing situation and they fail, that can really affect them, but that's where Everett or Lawton can help you. They know how to win, and that rubs off on the young guys.
MLB.com: Overall, what kind of offense do you foresee for the Mariners in 2006? A situational one utilizing speed and baserunning? A power game? A combination of both?
Pentland: Hopefully, a combination. We've got power with Richie Sexson and Beltre, and certainly, Raul Ibanez helps in that scenario also. We've got to use both. It's important that we run the bases better. It's one thing to get on first base, but it makes a big difference if guys get on second base. The big thing is increasing run production. No one loves the three-run homer more than I do, but it's hard to do. We've got to learn how to score runs other than the homer. Hopefully, it works out. There's a lot of ability there. After last year, we've got our work cut out for us, but I think we can make some things happen.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/