2/11/26 : Today in Spring Training
- Steve Potter
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Major League Practice : Day One - Pitchers and Catchers :
The eight catchers in camp (Rafael Marchan, Paul McIntosh, JT Realmuto, Garrett Stubbs, Kehden Hettiger, Mark Kolozsvary, Rene Pinto, Caleb Ricketts) ran bases, did throwing and took batting practice on Roberts Field. Pitchers went thru fielding practice on Ashburn and Schmidt fields.
Pitchers Jose Alvarado, Jhoan Duran, Taijuan Walker, Tanner Banks, Seth Johnson, Zach McCambley, Lou Trivino, Genesis Cabrera, Yoniel Curet, Tucker Davidson and Bryse Wilson threw side bullpen sessions on the seven mounds.
High Performance Camp - Day Eighteen :
Position player fielding drills were conducted on Roberts Field. Pitchers fielding practices were held on Carlton Field. No bullpens or outdoor BP today.
Camp Spotlight : Paul McIntosh - 28 years old - acquired in trade with Marlins - 12/22/24
2025 Stats : RH hitter spent the majority of the season with Reading - was on the injured list in late April and played three games with Jersey Shore in a rehab assignment (5 for 11 with two doubles). At Reading he played in 58 games (232 PA’s) with 13 doubles, 8 home runs and 35 RBIs posting a .267/.345/.447 slash line and a .792 OPS. Promoted to Lehigh Valley on 8/27 - played in ten games there - 40 PA’s - 2 home runs and 6 RBIs. He had a very strong month of July posting a .388/.464/.571 slash line and an 1.276 OPS in 56 plate appearances with 6 doubles and a home run. Overall on the season had 283 PA’s, 15 doubles, 10 home runs, 44 RBIs with a .259/.343/.441 slash line and a .784 OPS. Defensively caught in 44 games with a .984 fielding percentage.
Notes : he’s from Miami Gardens, Florida and graduated from Dade Christian HS where he also played football. Attended Motlow State Community College before transferring to the University of West Virginia where he played three seasons and clubbed 21 home runs. Paul was drafted in 2018 after playing at Motlow by the Los Angeles Angels but chose to attend West Virginia instead. He signed as an un-drafted free agent with the Marlins on 7/24/21. Was traded to the Phillies as part of the Jesus Luzardo deal. Whenever I’ve seen Paul play he’s consistently hit the baseball hard, he’s a very strong young man who can drive the ball out of the yard. Defensively does a good job with arm strength and release the two main areas he needs to improve upon. A very nice young man who’s easy to root for. He is a non-roster invite to 2026 big league spring camp with an eye towards seeing regular playing time in Lehigh Valley this coming season.
Lost and Found :
I have a Jersey Shore BlueClaws hat that I wear - it’s an older one with the previous team logo. It’s been on the cooler side here in Clearwater so at least for the morning practice sessions I’ve been wearing a pullover top. Two days ago when we were leaving I took my hat off and placed it on our car hood to take off my pullover - I mistakenly forgot to retrieve the hat before getting in the car and exiting 🤦♂️ and didn’t discover it was missing till we got back to our rental residence.
Yesterday I mentioned to Jeff (one of the great security folks at the complex) that I thought I had left my hat on the car hood and drove off. He said that he saw a red hat alongside the road by the bridge on Old Coachman, we ventured out to the bridge and indeed it was my BlueClaws hat! It was a bit beat up and dirty but my wife Barb put it thru the dishwasher and now it’s almost new again!
Just a story of the lost and found - baseball style🥸.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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