“What separates John is that his feedback is subtle, timely and valid,” Mark Kertenian, the coach of the Dodgers’ team in the Arizona Summer League, told the Orange County Register.
“He’s a very observant person. He’s in no hurry to give feedback. He does so when he believes it’s important to that player. That puts him beyond his years.”
While wintering at his parents’ home, the Dodgers made moves. More dominoes.
Dodgers catching coordinator Travis Barbary became manager of the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers, and, “Probably in December, I got a text from our farm director who is now our assistant GM, and he asked if I was interested. I was like, ‘Heck yeah, who wouldn’t be interested.’ “
“He said Dave Roberts was going to call me, and about two weeks after Christmas, I flew out to LA and we met. The guy that they had, Fumi Ishibashi, was moving to a managerial role with Dominican Summer League Dodgers.”
And by mid-January, Langley was a big leaguer of a sort. In February, he went to spring training with the MLB team, and soon thereafter began renting a guest house in metro L.A.
“It’s definitely better. I’m on a salary with benefits. It’s just kind of like your regular job in that way,” he said. “It’s a lot easier because you’re not making $1,000 a month like in the minors. It’s so expensive in L.A.”
The workload is heavy. Most days, Langley arrives at the ball park at 11 a.m. or so, works side sessions with the team’s 13 pitchers on a rotating basis, and does more than that. He usually leaves the park around midnight after evening games. Somehow, he works out, too.
Since spring training, he’s found time for one round of golf on an off day and managed to go fishing while the team had time in Tampa.
His goal is to one day be a manager. That could take a while. Barbary was a Dodgers’ bullpen catcher in 1998-2001 before moving up and recently into the AAA manager’s job. Cilladi is in his fourth season as a bullpen catcher after playing six years in the minor leagues for the Dodgers.
Langley appears on a fast track, and he loves what he’s doing even as it differs daily.
“I catch bullpens, help video guys, film-watching other teams’ pitchers and do some video helping out the coaches,” he said. “There’s a bullpen every day, and playing catch with starters.”
Starters Kershaw, Hyun-Jim Ryu and Walker Buehler made the All-Star team just from the Dodgers’ staff, which leads the Majors in ERA. Kenley Jansen is one of the game’s best closers
“Kershaw is just going to compete his tail off. The one thing that’s pretty similar is that their ability to repeat is insane . . . “ Johnathan explained. “Ryu doesn’t overpower you. He’s got a great changeup . . . Kenley’s got the cutter.
“Ryu doesn’t throw bullpens during the week. Kershaw will throw full. Kenta is on the lighter side. He keeps the intensity down, doesn’t throw too many pitches . . .” Langley said of the team. “I help out with our pitching coach, Rick Honeycutt, and bullpen coach Mark Prior. I’ll let them lead the conversations. If they ask, I’ll answer the best I can.”
It’s tough to keep tabs on all of his Tech teammates, although he saw several last winter. Soon after Tristin English was drafted in the third round by the Diamondbacks in June, they met as the rookie first baseman visited his new employer while the Dodgers were in Arizona to play.
Chiefly, Langley keeps grinding, working pitch counts. He sees himself in a service industry with a special style.
“I just tried to do the best I could every day. I’ve really tried to listen to what coaches say, be a good teammate around the organization, be a pleasant person to work with, be a light,” he said in summary “That’s still the same; just keep going and when opportunities present themselves don’t be afraid to take risks and know that God is leading me to the right place.”
