Major League Camp Activities :
Opening day for the Grapefruit League - Phillies split into two squads - one traveled to Lakeland to play the Tigers while the home squad played the Yankees in Clearwater.
Before the game two pitchers threw a 10 AM live bullpen sessions on Roberts Field - Andrew Painter tossed two innings in an up/down session and Mark Appel threw an inning.
Game Recaps :
Phillies 7 Yankees 4
At the Plate :
Brandon Marsh went 2 for 2 with a walk out of the lead off spot and Josh Harrison stroked a double in three AB’s.
The highlight of the game for me as a minor league advocate was when Carlos De La Cruz crushed a home run to center field in the 8th inning. He’s been swinging a hot bat all throughout minor league mini camp and even before in High Performance Camp. Good stuff 💪👏👀
Defensive Gems :
Besides the plays mentioned above two plays at first base stood out - first baseman Darick Hall made a nice backhand stop on a sharp grounder in the second inning and his replacement Carlos De La Cruz caught a pop up in foul territory while falling into the protection screen by the right field stands in one of the later innings of contest. Erick Brito was smooth at shortstop as well when he came in - second baseman Hao Yu Lee made a diving stop on a grounder in the first base hole to record an out after he subbed in for Harrison.
Pitching Notes :
Perfect innings were worked by James McArthur ( 9 pitches ), Francisco Morales ( was popping 97 mph sinker - that’s exciting stuff to couple with his outstanding slider - 7 pitches ), Andrew Baker ( flat out dominated - 97-98 mph fastball and outstanding slider - has the goods to pitch in the show - 2 K’s, 1 pop out - 16 pitches - 10 strikes 👀), Trey Cobb ( sidewinder - 13 pitches - 9 strikes ) and Jesus Cruz ( 9 pitches - 6 strikes ). RH Yunior Marte impressed as well - although he gave up a dinger to Gleybar Torres he was consistently popping the mitt at 97-98 mph and showed a put away slider - good stuff.
Things you will only see in spring training - Yankees pitcher Alex Mauricio struck out all three batters he faced - he K’d two with the bases loaded in the second inning and re-entered the game in the third inning with two outs and struck out another 😳.
Attendance was 9,534
Tigers 4 Phillies 2
At the Plate :
Nick Podkul ( signed as a minor league free agent from Blue Jays system ) knocked in both Phillies runs with a double in the seventh inning scoring Pedro Martinez ( singled ) and Nick Ward ( HBP ). The Phillies had six hits in the contest including a double by Will Toffey. Cade Fergus, Kody Clemens & Jim Hicks each singled for the other hits.
Pitching Notes :
Starter Michael Plassmeyer pitched two scoreless innings ( 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 29 pitches - 19 strikes ). Jeremy Walker ( 10 pitches - 7 strikes - 1 K ) threw a perfect frame in the fifth inning, Luis Ortiz ( 12 pitches - 9 strikes ) faced the minimum in the 4th inning - getting a double play grounder after a batter had reached on an error. Noah Skirrow allowed just a walk in his inning - the 8th ( 18 pitches - 9 strikes - 1 K ).
Time of games today: pitch clock works
NYY-PHI 2h34m
PHI-DET 2h15m
BOS-ATL 2h39m
TB-MIN 2h31m
BAL-MIN 2h54m
TOP-PIT 2h47m
WSH-STL 2h26m
NYM-HOU 2h33m
Minor League Mini-Camp Activities :
A light day of activities at the complex as multiple players were called up for the day to backup in the two Grapefruit League games. There were 32 players called up as reserves for the two games today. Minor leaguers mini campers are off tomorrow with the exception of those called up as reserves for the Grapefruit League game.
View from by seat today at Bay Care Ballpark
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Grapefruit League record stands at 1-1 - back at em tomorrow - Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️