“I hadn’t caught since eighth or ninth grade,” Dailey said with a laugh before Thursday’s game with South Bend at Fifth Third Field. “Nothing even close to catching professionally.”
The transformation, which included extended spring training in Arizona before joining the Dragons, was not easy for the native of Brantford, Ontario.
“The toughest part was getting the legs ready for the workload,” Dailey said. “It was a whole new position for me and I had to learn everything from the beginning. Setting up, handling pitches and learning the correct footwork, But, the biggest thing was just getting use to the toll it takes on the body.”
Dailey admits he is still learning how to catch certain pitches.
“I think that just comes with seeing pitches and catching them,” Dailey said. “The first time I did it, I was a little over matched. I am getting better at it. Hopefully this works out for the best.”
Dailey got off to a good start in his first start with the Dragons at his new position Tuesday night, lining a double into left center that scored a run in a 9-8 loss to South Bend.
Aggressive Arias: Junior Arias has become a terror for opposing catchers on the bases in May.
Arias has swiped 18 bases in the month after stealing 10 in April.
“I and trying to do more and be more aggressive,” Arias said. “I feel more comfortable there now.”
Dragons manager Jose Nieves said unleashing Arias was always part of the plan, but requires continuing education.
“It is something we planned for him to do,” Nieves said. “He could have had 40 stolen bases by now if he ran from the beginning, but we are working on things for him to be a complete player and show all the tools he has.”
Mugarian returns: Relief pitcher Wes Mugarian was re-assigned to Dayton after seeing action in six games at High-A Bakersfield.
Joey Housey was sent to extended spring training to make room for Mugarian’s return.
“He gives us a lot of depth in the bullpen,” Nieves said. “He is very reliable, he can go more than one inning and he can throw on back-to-back days. He gives us another really good option.”
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