Morning Major League Camp :
Quite a few live BP’s today as practice ramps up towards Grapefruit League games. I watched Jose Ruiz, Tyler McKay, Ryan Burr, Andrew Bellatti and Max Castillo on Ashburn and Roberts fields. Was informed that Aaron Nolan, David Buchanan and Michael Mercado threw live BP sessions in the stadium. Heard that Mercado impressed , threw strikes and in fact punched out four consecutive hitters.
On Ashburn Field Jake Cave went yard against Andrew Bellatti. Max Castillo impressed me with his pitch-ability, changed speeds and threw strikes - ball had nice movement - no one squared him up.
The big league camp ended a bit early today as a scheduled golf outing occupied the afternoon hours.
Afternoon Minor League Mini Camp :
Fielding practice was crisp on Carlton Field to start the session - was impressed by second baseman Robert Moore’s all out hustle and quickness. On one play down the right field line he and right fielder TJayy Walton almost collided on a pop up as both men were in full speed pursuit, luckily no collision and Moore caught the ball on a slide!
Justin Crawford and Avery Owusu-Asiedu manned center field during drills, both young outfielders can go get the baseball - a lot of speed there.
Batting practice was held in concurrent sessions on Ashburn and Roberts fields - it’s impossible to be able to see everyone when this happens but of the sessions I saw Aidan Miller had a really good round on Ashburn, drove the baseball with authority. I was told by other observers that Eduaro Tait impressed once again in his session. May be just me but Casey Martin looks to have closed his stance up - seems to help him stay on the ball a bit longer - perhaps my eyes deceive me but that’s what I saw at least 🤓.
Bullpens :
David Parkinson, Zach Haake, Matt Osterberg, Jean Cabrera, Christian McGowan, Gunner Mayer, Jake Eddington, George Klassen, Robinson Pina, Chuck King and Alex Rao threw bullpens on the seven mounds. Many of them threw simulated up-down two innings sessions.
My focus was on LHP Matt Osterberg (24 years old - 2021 15th round draft selection - St Cloud State, MN) - he’s got a clean delivery - had a very strong season last summer - Matt’s a throwback type pitcher, throws strikes, mixes both location and speed, reads the hitter and uses his pitch ability to record outs. He led the entire minor league organization in ERA and WHIP for starting pitchers. Features a fastball (91-92 mph), cutter, slider and change up. I believe he can continue to be as effective as he was last season at Reading this coming year, has moxy and poise - just knows how to pitch. He made 24 starts between Jersey Shore and Reading in 2023, went 9-6 and had a 3.52 ERA in 122.2 IP.
Live BP
LH Sam Aldegheri threw an up-down simulated two innings, he continues to pitch really well, quality strikes, pitched ahead, used his mix and when contact was made it was for outs. It’s the second consecutive live BP where he’s impressed. RH Cam Wynne
threw an inning - power arm who pitched in Australia this winter for the ABL champion Adelaide Giants. Ethan Wilson put a nice swing on one of the deliveries and drove the ball to right field for a hit.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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