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Writer's pictureSteve Potter

2/20/23 : Today at the Complex


Major League Camp Activity :


The major league team reported at 8:30, on field activities began at 10 and practice finished at around  12:30.  There were five  pitchers who threw live bullpen sessions ( two on Ashburn and three on Roberts ).  Bailey Falter, Matt Strahm, Ranger Suarez & Taijuan Walker each threw side bullpens ( on the seven mounds in front of the Montgomery Building ).


Major League Camp Pitchers who threw live bullpens :


Aaron Nola, Connor Brogdon, Andrew Bellatti, Andrew Vasquez & McKinley Moore.


My observations :


Darick Hall got two AB’s in the live bullpen sessions on Roberts Field and made them both count - he drove a Connor Brogdon delivery over the right field fence and later a Andrew Vasquez slider well over the right center field fence - one against a right-hander and one against a left-hander. 👏💪.


Bryson Stott homered against Aaron Nola on Ashburn Field.  Simon Muzziotti had two opposite field doubles, one to left center and the other down the left field line.


The pitchers got their work in which is most important at this juncture in camp - but it’s also fun to see some hitters thump the ball.  As Matt Gelb of the Athletic noted on twitter Vasquez makes a hissing sound every time he delivers a pitch - I kept looking around for an snake or something to jump out at me 🤦‍♂️ - he threw almost 100 % sliders in his session - a bit of a quirky delivery - comes from behind his back with his arm as a lefty from about a three quarter slot.


Johan Rojas was in camp today and participated in the live BP sessions. As far as I know all the position players invited to big league camp are now here.


Darick Hall facing Connor Brogdon - Aramis Garcia catching


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.


New Arrival :


Nick Ward has arrived - he’s playing for Team England in the WBC and has joined mini camp to get a jump on things - Nick is coming off a very strong Australian Baseball League season where he played for the league champion Adelaide Giants.


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


Alex McFarlane had coaches and Player Development folks and his catcher Anthony Quirion oohing and awing in his session - he was getting really good movement and location on what I believe is a relatively new offering for him - a two seam fastball that had both cut and sink to it.  In addition he threw a four seamer, slider and changeup - easy delivery and ball pops - impressive outing.


This is a pitching rich system - from my view Cristian Hernandez, Orion Kerkering, Tristan Garnett & Tommy McCollum once again today showed really good stuff and Rodolfo Sanchez, Matt Russell & Brett Schulze hit locations consistently, had good pop and command of their secondaries.  Protecting the Standard well on display in todays pen session.


Bullpen session - Brett Schulze delivers to Adony Mejia


Minor League Batting Practice :


Regular BP today ( coaches throwing ) - I focused on two players - 20 year old outfielder Gavin Tonkel ( 2021 9th round draft selection - Heritage HS - Brentwood, CA ) had a solid round of BP spraying line drives both on the pull side ( RH hitter ) and the opposite way. He appears to have added muscle to his frame - Gavin was on the IL most of last season after literally hitting a pole in an extended spring training game in Tampa against the Yankees - great to see him back on the field with no apparent issues.


Catcher Rickardo Perez ( 19 years old - signed 2/2/21 as an international free agent from Valencia, Venezuela ) has the old baseball description of “a pretty left handed swing” - he also had a good round of BP today showcasing power to the pull side - swing seems effortless and ball jumps off the bat - good stuff.



Gavin Tonkel BP



Just for Fun : Updated List - Former Phillies players and coaches now in American League organizations - will share National League later this week


American League :


Baltimore Orioles :

40 man roster - RHP Kyle Gibson, LHP Cole Irvin

Minor League Non Roster Invites - RHP Ofreidy Gomez

Minor Leagues : RHP Tyler Burch


New York Yankees :

40 man roster -  RHP Jimmy Cordero

Minor League Non Roster Invites - RHP James Norwood, C Rodolfo Duran

Minor Leagues : RHP Michael Gomez, 1B TJ Rumfield, LHP Joel Valdez


Toronto Blue Jays :

40 man roster - none

Minor League Non Roster Invites - RHP Drew Hutchinson, C Rob Brantley

Minor Leagues : none


Boston Red Sox :

40 man roster - LHP Joely Rodriquez, RHP Nick Pivetta

Minor League Non Roster Invites - RHP Victor Santos, C Jorge Alfaro, LHP Ryan Sherriff

Minor Leagues : Director of Hitting - Jason Ochart


Tampa Rays :

40 man roster -  LHP Garrett Cleavinger, RHP Zach Eflin, C Christian Bethancourt, INF Curtis Mead

Minor League Non Roster Invites - RHP Heath Hembree, RHP Trevor Kelley, INF Daniel Robertson

Minor Leagues : none


Cleveland Guardians :

40 man roster - RHP Enyel De Los Santos

Minor League Non Roster Invites - RHP Michael Kelly, OF Roman Quinn

Minor Leagues : LHP Anthony Gose, Mgr Andy Tracy ( AAA ), C Tyler Heineman


Minnesota Twins : 40 man roster - None

Minor League Non Roster Invites - None

Minor Leagues : OF Kyle Garlick, Rehab Pitching Coach Josh Tols


Detroit Tigers :

40 man roster - C Donny Sands, INF Nick Maton, OF Matt Vierling

Minor League Non Roster Invites - C Andrew Knapp, INF Cesar Hernandez

Minor Leagues : INF Luis Garcia, LHP Jace Fry, RHP Michael Mariot, RHP Aneurys Zabala, 1B Quincy Nieporte


Kansas City Royals :

40 man roster - LHP Josh Taylor

Minor League Non Roster Invites - None

Minor Leagues : INF Johan Camargo, INF Ryan Goins, INF Shervyen Newton, Hitting Coach Ari Adut


Chicago White Sox :

40 man roster -  LHP Jake Diekman

Minor League Non Roster Invites - OF Adam Haseley

Minor Leagues : none


Houston Astros :

40 man roster -  RHP Hector Neris

Minor League Non Roster Invites - LHP Austin Davis

Minor Leagues : RHP Manuel Urias, OF Logan Cerny


Oakland Athletics :

40 man roster -  RHP Trevor May

Minor League Non Roster Invites - None

Minor Leagues : RHP Delois Guerra


Seattle Mariners :

40 man roster -  SS JP Crawford

Minor League Non Roster Invites - INF Jake Scheiner

Minor Leagues : John Russell ( Mgr - AAA )


Los Angeles Angels :

40 man roster -  LHP Aaron Loup, C Logan O’Hoppe, OF Mickey Moniak, LHP Matt Moore

Minor League Non Roster Invites - RHP Chris Devenski

Minor Leagues : INF Jose Gomez


Texas Rangers :

40 man roster -  RHP Spencer Howard, OF Brad Miller

Minor League Non Roster Invites - RHP Ian Kennedy, OF Travis Jankowski

Minor Leagues : Pitching Coach Josh Zeid ( AA ), RHP Aidan Anderson, RHP Josh Gessner


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 - this one will take you to Phillies spring training stuff - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.





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