2/26/26 : Today in Spring Training
- Steve Potter
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Grapefruit League Game Six @ Baycare Ballpark vs Nationals
Phillies 7 Nationals 3
Summary :
A double and single scored a run for Washington in the first inning.
Bryson Stott went yard to left field in the bottom of the first.
Dante Nori doubled to left center field in the third inning and scored on a home run over the right field fence by Kehden Hettiger. Bryson Stott walked and scored on a double by Bryce Harper. Garrett Stubbs singled to score Harper.
Andrés Chaparro hit a two run home run for Washington in the fourth inning.
After three walks loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth Bryce Harper hit a sacrifice fly to score a run.
Paul McIntosh walked in the sixth, Jose Rodriquez singled. Liover Peguero singled to score McIntosh.
At the Plate : 7 R, 7 H, 8 BB, 6 K’s
Dante Nori and Bryce Harper doubled. Bryson Stott and Kehden Hettiger each homered. Harper and Hettiger each had two RBIs - Stott also walked twice.
Notes :
Bryan De La Cruz smoked two hard grounders but the Nationals infielders made nice plays to rob him of hits. Dante Nori was also robbed of a second hit later in the game on a hard hit ball up the middle - he’s hit it well in game action thus far. Felix Reyes as per his usual scolded a liner but the first baseman caught it.
Aroon Escobar is fun to watch - between innings he was dancing to the stadium music awaiting his infield warmups at second base - it’s great to see players have fun with the happenings of the event.
Pitching Notes : 3 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 9 K’s
RH Taijuan Walker - 2 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 29 pitches - 18 strikes - 92 mph FB
LH Jose Alvarado - 1 perfect IP, 2 K’s - 17 pitches - 10 strikes - 98 mph FB, cutter
LH Tanner Banks - 1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 19 pitches - 12 strikes - 91 mph FB
RH Jonathan Bowlan - 1 perfect IP, 1 K - 7 pitches - 6 strikes - 96 mph FB, slider
RH Chase Shugart - 1 perfect IP - 11 pitches - 10 strikes - 94 mph FB, 45% sweepers
RH Jonathan Hernandez - 1 perfect IP - 7 pitches - 5 strikes - 95 mph FB, slider
RH Jack Dallas - 1 perfect IP, 1 K - 9 pitches - 8 strikes - 94 mph FB, 33 % sweeper
RH Chuck King - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 17 pitches - 11 strikes - 97 mph FB (sinker)
Minor League Call-Ups :
Pitchers : Aaron Combs, Jack Dallas, Chuck King, Tristan Garnett, Jose Peña Jr, Levi Stoudt
Outfielders : Austin Murr
Local Shout out :
We met the McCann family from Kennett Square at the ballgame today as they occupied the seats right in front of us. Nice young family down to enjoy a few spring games.
Grapefruit League record is now 2-3-1
Major League Practice @ Carpenter Complex/Stadium :
Pitchers :
Side Bullpens (Half Field) - Jesus Luzardo, Andrew Painter - catchers - Rafael Marchan, Mark Kolozsvary
All pitchers not in game or throwing side bullpens did their throwing program, PFP’s on the half field and Ashburn.
Position Players who weren’t assigned to the game - BP on Ashburn before the game
Minor League Mini Camp :
Pitchers :
Side bullpens (seven mounds) - Anderson Navas, Tanner Gresham, Jacob Pruitt
Live BP (Roberts & Ashburn) - Cole Gilley, James Tallon, Zuher Yousef, Brian Walters - hitters - Alirio Ferrebus, Kodey Shojinaga, Will Vierling, Griffin Burkholder
Pitchers not throwing BP’s - PFP’s on Schmidt Field
Position Players : Defensive practice on Roberts ,BP indoor cages
Spotlight - Kehden Hettiger :
Kehden Hettiger - 21 years old (22 on 5/25/26) - drafted 11th round -2023 draft from Sierra Canyon HS, Chatsworth, CA
2025 Stats : LH hitter - began the year with Clearwater - 8 games - 32 plate appearances - was transferred to Jersey Shore on 4/16 - played in 85 games - 355 plate appearances - .232/.330/.389 slash line with a .719 OPS - 20 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs and 50 RBIs - promoted to Reading 9/2 - played in 7 games - 26 plate appearances - for the season had a career high 413 plate appearances - 21 doubles, 9 home runs and 55 RBIs. He caught in 61 games and played first base in 30 - threw out 32 of 117 base stealers (27%).
Notes : in my opinion Kehden made great strides defensively this past season - he was relatively inexperienced as a catcher when he signed with the Phillies but he’s worked hard and has come a long way in throwing, set up, receiving and game calling. Offensively he scrapped being a switch hitter and instead focused on being a full time left handed hitter where he’s displayed pull side power. Advancing to Reading at year end was a big accomplishment- should compete to be the starter there in 2026 spring camp. Has already turned heads in big league spring camp with a double and home run along with a walk in just four plate appearances. 👀
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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