The Phillies squared off against the Blue Jays at BayCare Ballpark for a 1 PM contest. Camp and games remain closed to the public.
Notes :
Yhoswar Garcia ( 20 yrs old ) led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run into the seats in front of Frenchy’s in left field. It was the first time we’ve seen him in action since July with the Threshers when he suffered a leg injury. Yhoswar plays with great energy and animation, he has a very quick bat with bat speed that generates “thump”. He’s flat out fun to watch. In his second AB he drove another ball to the warning track in left field that was caught, off the bat it looked routine but it just kept carrying, he’s much stronger than his slim frame indicates. In the third inning he ran down a fly ball in center field effortlessly that many other outfielders wouldn’t have gotten to as easily in my opinion, he’s very smooth. I guess you can tell I like his game a lot 🤓.
Freylin Minyety ( 21 yrs old ) turned on a pitch in the second inning and drove it over the left field wall for a three run home run. He reminds me of Grenny Cumana in both build and bat to ball skills. Freylin had a rough day defensively at third base with a couple errors but hey it’s instructs so plenty of time to iron out bad days.
Hao Yu Lee ( 18 yrs old ) continues to impress, his swing is short and direct and he barrels balls up consistently. Today he had two hard hit singles and a walk in three plate appearances with two stolen bases, he was very aggressive on the base paths … got outstanding jumps stealing third base twice. The young man looks well schooled in how to play the game, not so fleet of foot but plays smart. There’s much to like in what we’ve seen to date.
Luis Garcia ( 20 yrs old ) made a couple stellar heads up defensive plays at shortstop, he turned throws in from the outfield into outs by throwing to bases behind over aggressive or inattentive runners … Luis is yet another young player who is well versed in baseball acumen.
Marcus Lee Sang ( 20 yrs old ) walked and singled in four plate appearances and was robbed of extra bases on a well struck ball in the 7th inning that the Blue Jays right fielder made a leaping catch against the fence on. He’s another young outfielder who generates upper level bat speed … Marcus is a left handed hitter.
Jordan Viars ( 18 yrs old ) looks very comfortable in the box, he hits the ball “loud” and has a direct to the ball swing with very little movement in his set up. Today he laced a line drive single up the middle and stole a base. At just 18 his hitting approach is beyond his youthful age.
Pitchers :
Carlos Betancourt ( 20 yrs old ) started and went two innings, he tossed a perfect first frame with two strikeouts featuring what appeared to be a big breaking curve as a punch out pitch. He labored in the second inning, seemed to tire giving up a run on a hit and walk … the sliders he threw seemed a bit flat but was able to reach back for a good heater when he needed it.
Seven other hurlers pitched an inning each … Carlo Reyes, Erubiel Armenta, Tommy McCollum, Alex McKenney, Maikel Garrido, Jason Ruffcorn & JP Woodward.
Armenta ( 21 yrs old ) appeared to be working on a change up in his three batter inning, from our view it was noticeable that his arm slowed down on those deliveries … I’m sure the coaches and video group will catch it and work on maintaining consistency. Good news is he has a plus plus heater that he can use at any time to throw by most hitters.
Jason Ruffcorn ( 23 yrs old ) looks like a candidate to move up quickly next season, he uses a Craig Kimbrel like arm waggle in his set up and stance to receive his signs … but comes more three quarter on his delivery. The 2021 8th round draft choice from Oklahoma struck out two and walked one in a scoreless 8th inning. He’s got plenty of pop on the four seamer and it moves … has a effortless delivery, ball out of the hand is free and easy and it jumps. Need to see more but the glimpse today made us wonder how quickly he might be in the upper levels next summer 🤔🤓.
The final score was Blue Jays 8 Phillies 4 but run counts don’t matter so much in Instructs … the Jays rolled two innings early on due to pitch count. The Phillies didn’t roll any defensive inning. Game took almost 4 hours to complete though … gotta love it 😎.
Other Notes :
Was great to see Charlie Manuel in the dugout talking hitting with some of the young players. The Phillies Dean of hitting instruction can teach these young men a lot and it’s cool to see them listening.
New PD Director Preston Mattingly was on hand along with AGM Jorge Velandia … we didn’t attempt to say hello as they were busy and there are protocols still in place for proper Covid concern distancing, we play by the rules 👍.
Word is JT Realmuto arrived this afternoon at the Complex to begin rehab work on his shoulder, with any luck maybe we will get a glimpse in the coming weeks of the big league receiver.
Another game tomorrow … same two teams, same venue and same time … we will be there to observe.
Till then Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️