Bruce Manno Player Quotations

With athletes like this they always make things look easier than they really are. Then you watch him in the outfield. ... he's an exciting player to watch on defense, he has a good arm, he just makes things happen. Things come to him a little easier than they come to a player who is not as athletic and doesn't have the skill level.

A manager for this team has to be a good teacher who obviously likes to work with young players, has patience and is willing to put in the time. D.J. really does well with the young players. D.J.'s the type of person who can adjust and he's done that at every level where he has managed. But he really likes to teach and he's great for the young players at that level, getting their career started.

It's probably more difficult to push your way on a club like this. But we still want players to impress our staff, and if something happens, we have someone to fall back on.

Anytime you have multiple picks early in the draft you should be able to add depth to your system. When you have the opportunity to do that, you have to make the most of it and replenish your minor league system. ... Overall, if those players are who we think they're going to be and develop for us, it's an opportunity to upgrade the system from the top to bottom.

I really believe he is a better player than we saw last year in Springfield. I think his confidence is good right now, and he just needs an opportunity.