Today’s Minor League Camp activities :
Thirteen pitchers threw afternoon bullpen sessions on the seven mounds area in from of the David Montgomery Training Center while the other pitchers in camp went thru PFP’s ( Pitcher’s Fielding Practices ) on Schmidt Field including separate drills on holding runners and getting acclimated to the pitch clock.
Position players were divided into five groups and each group went thru run prevention defensive drills, base running practice and batting practice - BP included game simulated situational hitting.
Minor League Pitchers who threw bullpens :
Josh Bortka, Tristan Garnett, Cristian Hernandez, Orion Kerkering, Zach Lingenfelter, Gunner Mayer, Tommy McCollum, Alex McFarlane, Yoniel Ramirez, Alex Rao, Matt Russell, Rodolfo Sanchez & Brett Schulze
From my perspective RH Cristian Hernandez had a very sharp bullpen, was on his locations, velo was good and breaking pitches all moved well. RH Orion Kerkering also impressed, slider has big horizontal movement coming in to the dish and drops vertically as it approaches the plate - he’s got a very quick fastball as well.
Orion Kerkering pitching to Caleb Rickets
Minor League Batting Practice :
Ethan Wilson had a strong round - hit three off the scoreboard on Ashburn Field.
Major League Camp Activity :
Players reported at 8:30 AM - team stretch was at 10am, first activities started at 10:10am. Bullpens and PFP’s were between 10:40-noon
Major League Pitchers who threw bullpens ( that I saw ) :
Andrew Painter, Nick Nelson, Mick Abel, Griff McGarry, James McArthur, Mark Appel, Erich Uelmen, Louis Head, Ben Bowden, Luis Cruz, Yunior Marte, Christopher Sanchez, Francisco Morales, Jake Jewell & Jeremy Walker
Painter, Abel and McGarry threw together in the first group along with Nick Nelson - they did not disappoint. The three big arms headlining the current player development talent stockpile all showed their wares. I am sure others will write about them continuously during the camp and rightfully so. Today I focused in on two hurlers I hadn’t seen before - RH Luis Cruz’s ball has life and movement - it’s also quick however the side tailing action is what caught my eye. RH Louis Head’s slider has a hard break to it - very close to a curve but velo is higher which would seemingly make it a weapon pitch that’s hard to hit. His fastball hit the mitt with a thud reminiscent of a “heavy ball” - might be one of those under the radar pickups that helps the club.
Three catchers were added to the non-roster invitation list - Jack Conley, Cody Roberts & Aramis Garcia. Conley split time between Reading and LHV last season - he was drafted in the 27th round of the 2018 draft from North Carolina State University by the Phillies. Roberts was taken in the minor league portion of the 2022 rule five draft by the Phillies from the Orioles organization and Garcia was just recently signed to a minor league contract - the 30 year old was with the Reds organization last year and appeared in 41 major league games - he previously had major league service time with the Giants and Athletics after being drafted by the Giants in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft from Florida International University.
Mick Abel
Major League Batting Practice :
Trea Turner joined the hitting group for pre-camp BP for hitters ( position players aren’t required to report till the 21st ). Scott Kingery was also here today and took BP - Darick Hall arrived in the afternoon and will likely be in the hitting group tomorrow. Baseballs were flying over the right field fence again today on Ashburn Field - I’m sure some cars got dinged in the parking lot.
Scenes from today
Back at em tomorrow - Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Note : I've partnered with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.