PN Interview: Reading RHP John Richy

Acquired last August from the Dodgers along with Darnell Sweeney in the trade for Chase Utley, righty hurler John Richy has had some ups and downs since joining the Phillies.

The 23-year-old was a 3rd round draft selection out of UNLV in 2013.

At the time of the swap last summer, Richy sported a 10-5 record with a 4.20 ERA in 24 contests for Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamunga.

After joining the Phils, the six-foot-four 215-pounder posted a 2.84 ERA with no decisions in two starts for Class A Advanced Clearwater.  This year, Richy made a single start for Clearwater (one earned run allowed in five innings of work) before he was promoted to Double-A Reading.  Thus far with Reading, Richy has a 1-1 record with a 5.84 ERA while striking out 19 and walking 12 in 24 2/3 innings.

Recently, I talked with Richy about how he’s performed in the Eastern League thus far, his pitch repertoire, joining a new organization and plenty more.  Read ahead for the full interview.

-You joined the Reading roster after opening the season with Clearwater.  What was it like to get that promotion?

I mean, it’s been a lot of fun getting the opportunity to come out and play with some of these guys.  I’m really enjoying myself so far.

-What are your thoughts on the competition in the Eastern League thus far?

I struggled a little bit later in the game, but I’ve got some stuff that I’m working on and I have ideas on how to get myself in better positions to win the game, but I’m trying not to let it get in my head about better competition or anything.  I’m just trying to stay within myself and let everything else take care of itself.

-What have you been working on?  Something mechanical, a change or grip or something like that?

No, it’s more just trying not to do to much.  It’s pretty easy to go out there and try to just let things get out of control at any level.  But I think if you stay within yourself and do what got you here, you’re going to be successful.

-You came over to the Phillies as part of the Utley trade last year.  What was that whole deal like for you?

I mean, that was one of the more cooler experiences that I’ve ever had.  Just seconds after I was told I was being traded, I looked at the TV in the locker room and my name was on TV on MLB Network and I’m like, “Wow!  This is crazy!”  And the next day, I went from LA to Florida and everything happened so fast and I’m really enjoying where I am now.

-Being attached to a trade with such a huge name, does that come with pressure to live up to some expectations or anything like that?

I think it’s really cool that that is part of the path that I’m on, but I mean as far as letting it effect how I go about anything, I’m just going try to do that same no matter where I’m at or what the situation is.

-Do you notice a lot of differences between the Dodgers and the Phillies organizations?

No, not really.  Before I would have said the food, but now they’re really taking care of us, getting us some good food and it’s– to be honest with you I think it’s pretty similar anywhere you go.  You get to meet new people and making friends and being part of a team is just always a big thing no matter where you’re at.

-You’ve had a chance to work with Jorge Alfaro and Logan Moore a lot with Reading.  Do you have a good rapport with the catchers for the Fightins?

I really like those guys.  It’s nice being able to work with them and they’ve been helping me out a little bit, I don’t know, kind of trusting them, having some more experienced guys is just helpful and it’s cool, Logan is from Colorado, where I’m originally from and it’s nice to see a fellow Colorado guy out there.

-What is your pitch repertoire and is there something you would consider your out pitch?

I generally try to throw everything for strikes in any count, but I’ve got a four-seam fastball, curve ball, cutter, change up and a two-seam fastball.  But working on commanding everything is my biggest thing that I like to work on.  I’m always looking for ways to get better.

-You mentioned being a Colorado guy.  Was there a standout Rockies player from your youth that you watched and wanted to emulate?

Growing up, Jerry Dipoto was my hero and I grew up going to school with his daughters and he kind of mentored me, took me under his wing and he’s definitely a cool guy to know at a young age.

-Is there any lesson from him that you recall that still has an impact on you now?

No, but one of the biggest things he ever taught me was just believing in yourself and if you believe enough in yourself and you set you mind to it, you can accomplish anything.

-Had you spent much time on the east coast prior to coming to the Phillies?

I have not spent much time on the east coast.  It feels like a different world out here.

-What would you say are the biggest differences between home and out here?

I miss the mountains, to be honest with you.  That’s the biggest thing.  There’s not too much of that out here and it seem to rain all the time.  Other than that, everybody’s been nice and I’m always up for new adventures.  It’s always nice to explore new things.

-Do you have any game day superstitions or good luck charms?

No, not really.  I try to stay relaxed and, especially when I’m in the dugout I try not to– I’m not one of those guys who like sits in the corner and is like, “Don’t talk to me.”  I try to stay relaxed and save all the focus for out there on the mound.

-Did you collect baseball cards as a kid? 

I have a few cards but I was never a huge card collector.  Just, I don’t know, I was a fan of the game in general, but nobody in particular.

-Now that you’re a pro and are on cards of your own, do you collect those?

I’ve been given a few.  I have them.  I have a mustache from my picture in college on one of them.  I never thought that would be following me around everywhere I go (laughs).