SAN DIEGO– While Luis Campusano continues to rewrite the home run record for the Padres triple A affiliate in El Paso, and Ethan Salas works his way back from a stress fracture in his back for the San Antonio Missions, Freddy Fermin has solidified himself as the catcher of the present and future. 

The 30-year-old Fermin was acquired from the Kansas City Royals at the trade deadline in exchange for pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek, and he’s acclimated himself nicely to his new pitching staff and in the lineup.   Fermin has caught 14 of the 19 Padres games since the trade, hit safely in 11 of 15 games and is slashing .313/.340/.417. It’s not a stretch to say he has drastically improved the bleakest spot in the order once occupied by Martín Maldonado and Elías Díaz. 

Fermin spoke to The Sporting Tribune about adjusting to his new city and team, with the excellent help of Padres translator and broadcaster Pedro Gutiérrez. 

How have the last few weeks been for you since you got to San Diego? 

A. Mostly I’m just thankful to the city, thankful to the team and being part of this organization. The opportunity that I’m getting right now is incredible, it’s a process. It’s getting myself to adapt to this new team, to these new ballplayers, new pitchers. It’s not easy but I like the challenge and I’m just happy to be a part of it.

I know you were emotional the day we first talked to you when you got here. Has adjusting been easier than you thought or kind of what you expected? 

A. I think we just take it day by day, little by little.  And with that I gain a little bit more confidence in working with these players and teammates. Again, it’s a process and I go back to that and I’m just happy to be a part of this and I’m enjoying my time here in San Diego and learning. That’s the most important thing, learning the strengths of everybody. 

How much does it help to have a couple of your fellow countrymen, guys in this locker room, whether it’s Robert Suarez or Elías Díaz that you can converse with in your native tongue?

A. I think it’s very important and it makes me feel a whole lot more at home. It’s an honor for me to play with them, they’re fellow countrymen from Venezuela. We talk a lot, I get a lot from them, we learn from them so it just makes me feel a little more comfortable to be here with them.

I didn’t get a chance to talk to you after you ran into the railing at Dodgers stadium. How are you feeling right now? Were you just running full speed and not aware of what was ahead of you? 

A. First and foremost it was a great opportunity because you really got to see how I play, I play hard every single day. No restrictions, I just go hard at it. Also keep in the factor the adrenaline that we had for that series, for that intensity for those three games against the Dodgers. I was glad to be part of that experience for the first time and now I get to showcase my talents and play hard every single day.

 

You just answered my next question. What do you want Padres fans, your new Padres fans, to most to know about you, the person and player that you are?

A. At the end of the day they have their own opinion on what I do on the field and what their perspective is but I’m just trying to show them that I work hard, I play hard, I give them a lot of emotions from what I do on the field, hopefully that translates to them too, and I try to give them another good player for the San Diego Padres.  

What is it like to catch Mason Miller for the first time when he’s hitting 100 every pitch?

A. He’s a great pitcher but I think I circle back to the first thing we talked about. It’s part of adapting myself, working to the strengths of every single pitcher. He’s a great pitcher, he’s a great player so it’s me trying to adapt to the his style of pitching and do the best I can behind the plate.

He’s been great, calls a good game, catches a good game, high energy. We’re definitely doing well together.” 

Not A Coincidence

Dylan Cease’s last three wins have come with Fermin behind the plate. Cease discussed the Padres 8-4 win over the San Francisco Giants and what adjustments he made following a disastrous outing versus the  Dodgers. 

 

Related

Padres manager Mike Shildt on the series win versus the Giants and huge upcoming series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

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