More base running instruction this morning - this time focused on leads off the first base bag and push towards the next bag. The good old secondary leads seemed to be part of the teaching today as well by Coach Cathcart.
Pitchers went thru fielding practice on Carlton Field.
Infield drills today were back on Ashburn Field. It included side drills where the fielders got on their knees and practiced both backhands and glove side grounders. The infield throwing drill ( up on the grass, field a grounder and then try to hit a double bag placed on home plate ) was won by first baseman Darick Hall as he and third baseman Nicolas Torres were the last two standing. Second baseman Wilfredo Flores finished third in the competition. Darick has a strong arm, he was also a starting pitcher in his college days at Dallas Baptist University.
We watched BP today on Roberts Field, it was also held on Ashburn Field. Logan O’Hoppe had a very strong session - at least five long ones over the left field fence. He utilizes his top hand really well in his swing, it’s compact but powerful without any wasted motion. Ethan Wilson also had another good session - squared the ball up regularly and ended with a three dinger round.
Multiple pitchers threw bullpens in the afternoon but didn’t stay as our view is obstructed, my bad 🥸.
Remembering the 2018 Lakewood Blue Claws : The team went 87-51 under the helm of Marty Malloy and finished first in the South Atlantic League Northern Division. They defeated Kannapolis in the semi final playoff round before losing to Lexington in the League Championship Series three games to one. Spencer Howard threw a nine inning no hitter on September 18th in the first playoff game against Kannapolis. Pitching was the team strength as they led the loop in team ERA ( 2.74 ), WHIP ( 1.159 ), strikeouts and nine other categories. They tossed an incredible 23 shutouts during the year - ten more than any other team in the league.
Catcher Rodolfo Duran ( now in Yankees system ) led the team with 18 home runs and Infielder Jake Scheiner ( now in Mariners system ) drove in 67 runs and topped batters with a .296 batting average. LHP Damon Jones paced the squad with 10 wins and LHP Will Stewart ( traded to Marlins in 2019 as part of JT Realmuto acquisition package ) recorded a 2.07 ERA, tops among the starters on the mound.
To date seven players on that years Blue Claw roster have played in the major leagues ( Connor Brogdon, Spencer Howard, Ramon Rosso, Damon Jones, Kyle Dohy, Nick Maton and Matt Vierling ).
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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