2/28/26 : Today in Spring Training
- Steve Potter
- 3 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Grapefruit League Game Nine @ Dunedin vs Blue Jays
Blue Jays 7 Phillies 5
Summary :
Bryan De La Cruz homered in the second inning. Justin Crawford doubled to left field in the third inning and scored on a single by Kyle Schwarber.
A double and two singles scored two runs for Toronto in the bottom of the third.
Bryce Harper homered in the fifth inning. Edmundo Sosa was hit by a pitch and scored on a triple by Garrett Stubbs. Otto Kemp singled to score Stubbs.
Toronto scored four runs in the sixth inning on four hits, an error and walk including a home run by Josh Rivera. They added a run in the seventh on a single, walk, ground out and double steal.
At the Plate : 5 R, 9 H, 2 BB, 12 K’s
Justin Crawford was 2 for 3 (single & double) with a walk. Bryan De La Cruz was 2 for 2 (single, home run). Garrett Stubbs tripled. Bryce Harper homered and walked in three plate appearances.
Pitching Notes : 7 R, 12 H, 9 BB, 8 K’s
LH Christopher Sanchez - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - 32 pitches- 22 strikes - 🔥
RH Brad Keller - 1 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 22 pitches - 14 strikes
RH Zach McAmbley - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 0 K’s - 23 pitches - 8 strikes
LH Genesis Cabrera - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 15 pitches - 9 strikes
LH Tim Mayza - 1/3 IP, 4 R - 2 earned, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 27 pitches - 17 strikes
RH Jose Pena Jr - 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 16 pitches - 10 strikes - big break curve
RH Trevor Richards - 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 0 K’s - 27 pitches - 9 strikes
RH Alex McFarlane - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 17 pitches - 9 strikes
Minor League Call-Ups :
Pitchers : Ryan Dromboski, Jose Peña Jr, Adam Seminaris, Saul Teran, Guissepe Velasquez
Outfielders : Raylin Heredia
Infielders : Brady Day
Grapefruit League record is now 3-5-1
Major League Practice @ Carpenter Complex/Stadium :
Pitchers :
Side Bullpen (Half Field) - Orion Kerkering, Taijuan Walker - catchers - Mark Kolozsvary, Rafael Marchan
Simulated Game (Stadium) - Jesus Luzardo, Ryan Cusick - catchers - Rene Pinto, Kodey Shojinaga - hitters - Johan Rojas minor leaguers : Johan Rojas, Rafael Marchan, Nate Humphreys, Austin Murr, John Spikerman, Bryson Ware - fielders : minor leaguers (infield only) : Jose Colmenares, Tyler Pettorini, Robert Phelps, Brock Vradenburg
Observations :
Jesus Luzardo went three innings, he was much sharper in the final two frames and very good over all continuing a strong camp thus far. Ryan Cusick battled command in his two inning stint. Rafael Marchan hit a hard double against Cusick.
All pitchers not in game or throwing bullpens did their throwing program, PFP’s on the half field and Ashburn.
Position Players - BP on Roberts and Ashburn before the game in Dunedin and simulated game in stadium
Minor League Mini Camp :
Pitchers :
Side bullpens (seven mounds) - Braydon Tucker, Cody Bowker, Peyton Havard, Gabriel Barbosa, Kyler Carmack, Naoel Mejia, Gage Wood, Marcus Morgan, Micah Ottenbreit, Daniel Harper
Observations :
Gage Wood was working a good amount on off-speed deliveries in his session - multiple pitches with low spin - a splitter. Catcher Will Vierling would tell him about the movement - some really good - work in progress to offset the heat - knuckle ball like action to it - could be a really effective pitch. Fastball pops when he lets it fly. Good to see Marcus Morgan in a BP session again, big arm capabilities - good velo today with solid command.
Live BP (Ashburn) - Cade Obermueller, Alexander De Los Santos, MT Morrissey, Eli Trop - hitters - Griffin Burkholder, Joel Dragoo, Devin Saltiban, TJayy Walton
Observations :
Cade Obermueller continues to impress, consistent delivery, ball gets to the plate quickly - I did notice his arm slowed down on what appeared to be a change up - was primarily fastball/slider - both of those same slot and arm speed - changeup could be a work in progress. TJayy Walton smoked a ball against Alexander De Los Santos, Griffin Burkholder also hit it hard today.
Simulated Game (Roberts) - Jaydenn Estanista, Titan Kennedy-Hayes, Evan Gates, Richie Cortese - fielders(infielders only)/hitters : Alex Binelas, Erick Brito, Trent Farquhar, Robert Moore, Jaeden Calderon, Logan Dawson, Romeli Espinosa, Matt Ferrara
Observations :
Jaydenn Estanista looked good - strong velo albeit I only saw the tail end of his session. Richie Cortese impresses me with the way he gets after it, the big fella (6’6”) wastes no effort, I’ve seen him twice now - like the arm slot and seemingly downward plane release.
Pitchers not throwing BP’s - PFP’s on Schmidt Field
Position Players : Defensive practice on Roberts ,BP in cages
Notes :
One of the things I enjoy a great deal is saying hello or chatting a little with the ball players, coaches and front office folks - today I got to interact with Camron Hill, Mavis Graves, Nate Karrafa, Kevin Warunek, Jake Primack, Tegan Cain, Jake Eddington, Camron Hill, Christian McGowan, Wesley Moore, Luke Russo, Casey Steward, Zack Tukis, Nikau Pouaka-Grego, Trent Farquhar, Robert Moore and Bryson Ware.
Told Wesley Moore that I watched a recent video of him this off-season - velo on FB was up to 94 mph, if he can sit there with the big league changeup he already has then it’s a combo that is one pegged for success. Wes struggled numbers wise last season but with tightened mechanics which he worked on a lot both during the year and off-season along with more pop he could return to the form we saw early in his career - just sayin - don’t give up on this young lefty reliever.
When I roam the complex I tend to include more notes and observations 🤓.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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