Major League Camp Activities :
Major league camp start/end times today - 8am report - on field activities began at 9:30 (stretching, conditioning) - the main activities kicked off at 9:55 - on multiple fields in different groups - all groups were off the fields by 11:35. Strength and conditioning work thereafter. Nine pitchers threw live BP on three fields ( Ashburn, Roberts & the Stadium ). A scheduled golf outing this afternoon for the big league campers.
Major League Pitchers who threw live bullpens :
Aaron Nola ( up down simulated two innings ), Ranger Suarez, Bailey Falter, Connor Brogdon, Matt Strahm, Taijuan Walker, McKinley Moore, Andrew Vasquez & Andrew Bellatti - Nola, Walker & Bellatti threw their sessions in the stadium.
My Observations :
I watched Bailey Falter & Matt Strahm throw on Roberts Field - Bailey was vintage Falter - pinpoint command, sneaky fast, classic delivery - threw a couple by the hitters facing him ( Vito Friscia, Vilmael Machin, Rafael Marchan ) - good outing. Matt Strahm had similar results, kept the ball down in the zone and threw strikes, none of the four hitters ( Darick Hall, Garrett Stubbs, Jhailyn Ortiz & Johan Rojas ) facing him squared it up.
Scott Kingery homered against Aaron Nola in the stadium.
Similar hairdoos - Bailey Falter ( top photo ) & Matt Strahm ( bottom photo )
Minor League Mini-Camp Activities :
Three pitchers ( Cristian Hernandez, Rodolfo Sanchez & Brett Schulze ) threw side bullpens on the seven mounds area in front of the David Montgomery Training Center. Eight pitchers threw live bullpens on two fields ( Ashburn & Roberts ). Others did drills - all concluded the day with strength & conditioning work.
Position players went thru fielding drills, BP against pitching machines and live BP as well as strength and conditioning work.
Minor League Pitchers who threw bullpens :
Josh Bortka, Tristian Garnett, Orion Kerkering, Matt Russell, Tommy McCollum, Zach Linginfelter, Yoniel Ramirez & Alex Rao.
My Observations :
LHP Tristan Garnett has an outstanding change-up, in today’s outing he produced multiple swings and misses with it. RHP Orion Kerkering impressed once again - ball jumps in both movement and velocity, breaking pitches are sharp. RHP Yoniel Ramirez was sharp today also - threw a good slider and had a lot of pop on his fastball - comes from a three quarter arm slot, he’s just 21 years old ( was selected from the Giants in the minor league portion of the rule 5 draft ). RHP Tommy McCollum continues to shine, fastball, slider and splitter - can dominate hitters like he did in today’s outing.
The best battle of the day I saw was between hitter Casey Martin and RHP Zach Linginfelter - Casey fouled off multiple good pitches and worked the count full before earning a walk on a close 3-2 pitch. Linginfelter was taken in the minor league portion of the rule 5 draft from the Angels system - he’s a tall man at 6’5” and whips the ball from a 3/4 slot.
Ethan Wilson remains red hot - he clubbed another home run in live BP and every time I’ve seen him hit in regular or machine thrown BP he’s consistently squared it up. I’m a broken record but Hao Yu Lee is a freaking hitting machine - more hard liners today in live BP - can flat out rake.
Minor league live BP photos from today
Grapefruit League Openers :
The Phillies will play the Tigers at Lakeland and the Yankees in Clearwater on Saturday in split squad openers. Left hander Michael Plassmeyer will start on the hill in Lakeland and right hander Nick Nelson will take the ball in Clearwater. There will be plenty of minor league roster call ups for each game.
Back at ‘em tomorrow - Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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PHILLIES SPRING TRAINING BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Saturday, Feb. 25 vs. New York Yankees (NBCSP and 94 WIP) – 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 26 vs. Minnesota Twins (NBCSP and 94 WIP) – 1:05 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 27 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB.com) – 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 28 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (NBCSP+) – 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 1 vs. Minnesota Twins (MLB.com) – 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 2 vs. Boston Red Sox (ESPN) – 12:05 p.m.
Friday, March 3 vs. Detroit Tigers (NBCSP+) – 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 4 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (NBCSP and 94 WIP) – 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 5 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (94 WIP) – 1:07 p.m.
Monday, March 6 vs. Baltimore Orioles (MLB Network and MLB.com) – 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 7 vs. Tampa Bay Rays (phillies.com) – 1:07 p.m.
Thursday, March 9 vs. Baltimore Orioles (NBCSP+) – 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 10 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (NBCSP+) – 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 11 vs. New York Yankees (94 WIP) – 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 12 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (phillies.com and 94 WIP) – 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 14 vs. Atlanta Braves (NBCSP+) – 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 15 vs. New York Yankees (MLB Network and MLB.com) – 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 16 vs. Detroit Tigers (94 WIP) – 6:05 p.m.
Friday, March 17 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (NBCSP+) – 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 18 vs. Atlanta Braves (94 WIP) – 6:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 19 vs. Boston Red Sox (NBCSP and 94 WIP) – 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 20 vs. Baltimore Orioles (NBCSP+) – 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB.com) – 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 22 vs. Tampa Bay Rays (MLB.com) – 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 23 vs. Detroit Tigers (NBCSP+) – 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 24 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (94 WIP) – 6:07 p.m.
Saturday, March 25 vs. New York Yankees (NBCSP+ and 94 WIP) – 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 26 vs. Baltimore Orioles (94 WIP) – 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 27 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (MLB.com) – 1:07 p.m.
Tuesday, March 28 vs. Toronto Blue Jays (phillies.com) – 12:05 p.m.