Multiple bullpen sessions this morning, all 40 man roster pitchers - LH Jose Alvarado, RH Nick Nelson, RH Connor Brogdon, LH Christopher Sanchez and RH Aaron Nola each threw on the side mounds between Ashburn and Schmidt Fields. RH James McArthur threw a live BP on Roberts Fields facing minor league hitters Cade Fergus, Simon Muzziotti & Gustavo Sosa.
Jose Alvarado has been working at the complex since before the new year and continues to look sharp, Nick Nelson had good movement ( especially on fastball ) on his pitches and Connor Brogdon showed us the full arsenal - changeup, slider, cutter and heater. Aaron Nola threw shortly after noon - he’s been here for a bit as well and has tossed multiple pens - snapped off some vintage Nola curve balls today.
James McArthur threw free and easy in his live BP - we saw his fastball, change up and slider - good to see the big fella back out there as he struggled last season with elbow woes. Looks healthy and ready to go this year - gives the organization another upper level starter who has big league skills.
Got our first glimpses of Catcher Leanardo Rondon both receiving and in BP - liked watching him play last season on video in the Dominican Summer League where he posted a .340 batting average and .430 OBP in 125 plate appearances with 7 doubles, 2 triples and a dinger. He’s an enthusiastic 18 year old that we like a lot - converting to catching from the infield.
Third baseman Alec Bohm took ground balls on Schmidt field - he’s got the curly locks look going at the moment and appears to have bulked up a bit in the weight room during the off-season. We saw Kyle Schwarber long tossing on Ashburn Field when we first arrived this morning.
Skipper Rob Thomson looked on today’s practice in person as did President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski.
Minor league mini camp will commence next week - sixty two players are on the roster scheduled to arrive for early training - some have made their way here already.
Till tomorrow - Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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L to R ( top to bottom ) James McArthur, Nick Nelson, Jose Alvarado, Connor Brogdon & Aaron Nola - Leanardo Rondon & Arturo DeFreitas catching