There was an Intra squad scrimmage this morning at 10 AM on Ashburn Field. Eleven pitchers threw in the contest with the two starters going two innings and the others one apiece.
The following pitchers threw :
RH Jack Perkins - 2 scoreless innings - 3 K’s - only one batter reached - that was on an error. The 24 year old pitched well, he’s coming off a strong 2021 season in which he threw over 100 innings in 23 games at three levels ( High A, AA, AAA ).
RH Noah Skirrow - 2 innings - 1 R, 1 H ( HR ) - got 3 ground ball outs and two fly outs. The 23 year old gave up a home run to a sizzling Madison Stokes who took him over the left field fence but generally did his thing besides that, pitch to contact with a three pitch mix.
LH Jeff Singer - scoreless inning - one single and one walk allowed - 1 K, line out to third and fly out to RF. The 28 year old reliever used his changeup and slider effectively and was generally around the plate with all his deliveries.
LH Erubiel Armenta - inning was rolled after two outs - rough day for the 22 year old - 3 H ( two doubles & single ), BB, HB. One of the outs he recorded was on a pickoff. We’ve seen him perform in spectacular form in 2021 at three levels, mechanics are a bit off - especially consistent release. It’s early - there’s time to get back to form.
LH Brian Marconi - 1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - the 24 year old was tagged for a two run tater by Jack Conley who was one of his battery mates at Reading last season. Had decent movement on his pitches, especially off speed that he used to post his two K’s - had an outstanding 2021 season at AA Reading earning a league All-Star award.
RH Jonathan Hughes - struck out the side in a perfect inning - used his curve as a put away pitch - big vertical break. When the 24 year old has command like he did today he excels as his pitches have high spin rates and movement. Appeared in 23 games in 2021 with Jersey Shore as part of the piggy back rotation.
RH Mike Adams - rough go today for Mike - inning was rolled with two outs - both on K’s - allowed 4 R, 4 H ( 2 HR, single and double ) - velo was there but pitches were up. He began 2021 camp with a similar outing and then went on to have a solid season pushing his way to AAA Lehigh Valley where he posted a 3.65 ERA in 30 games. Chalk this one up to first outing of the spring.
RH Carlos Francisco - impressed with a strong inning including a K, allowed one hit, a single. The 22 year old is coming off a solid winter league performance in Puerto Rico, he threw a splitter and slider today - both with excellent movement. Is also capable of popping the mitt mid 90’s with the fastball. Appeared in 26 games at the A & High A levels last season. Could be a breakout summer this year for the reliever.
LH Johnathan Hennigan - the 27 year old tossed a perfect inning using minimal pitches to get three fly outs - two to the shortstop. His key to success is having command like he did today, when he’s in the zone his repertoire plays. Pitched at AA Reading last summer making 32 appearances - today had both a good heater and secondary.
RH Victor Lopez - 1 IP, 2 R, 1 H ( double ), 1 BB, 1 K - in the two times I’ve seen him this spring seems a little behind on his deliveries - has a true five pitch mix that in 2021 allowed him to post a 2.60 ERA in 17 outings with 27 K’s in 27 2/3 IP. The 22 year old has decent stuff - again it’s early so no worries.
LH Jakob Hernandez - classic straight overhand delivery for the 25 year old - he threw a scoreless frame allowing a single and struck out two. He’s got a put away hook ( semi slider ) that drops from 12 to 6 at times with a great deal of rotation. Today he was on with it and had good life on his FB also. Spent 2021 primarily at AAA Lehigh Valley appearing in 42 games overall posting a 1.33 WHIP.
Scrimmage Hits :
IF Madison Stokes - HR on a curve ball - took it over LF wall, later had a sacrifice fly RBI
OF Ethan Wilson - hit a two run home run over the right center field pitch - got all of a FB and also singled and stole a base
1B Vito Friscia - smoked a no doubt about it home run that bounced onto the Bowa Half Field - 💪
C Jack Conley - two run HR - another one that was no doubt about it
Doubles : IF Ali Castillo, IF Wendell Rijo, IF DJ Stewart & C Colby Fitch
OF Hunter Markwardt - had a single,walk and stolen base
OF Josh Stephen was hit in the head by a pitch - our thoughts are with him that he’s ok.
Eleven pitchers threw live BP sessions after the scrimmage on three fields : RH Aaron Barrett, RH Braden Zarbnisky,
RH Carlo Reyes, RH Jason Ruffcorn, RH Bubby Rossman, LH JP Woodward, LH Gabriel Cotto , LH Christopher Soriano, RH Jose Pena, LH Jared Wetherbee and RH Jean Cabrera. The 18 year old Pena continues to impress, has great life on his pitches, strong run on the fastball with late life that jumps. He’s got great tools. We didn’t see Cabrera - missed him this time - am anxious to see his stuff as well.
OF Marcus Lee Sang homered against Rossman on Ashburn Field in his live BP session. Marcus can swing it - the 21 year old should get his first taste of extended action in full season baseball this summer.
The major leaguers followed onto the fields at around 1:30 or so - there’s plenty of reporter’s eyes on them so I bugged out and ventured home to write this article 🤓 - hope you all enjoy it.
Here’s a link to three videos from today’s scrimmage : https://www.philliesbaseballfan.com/post/3-15-22-videos-from-scrimmage
Note : we got to stand with multiple scouts today - it’s always fun for an old baseball fan like myself to be around such knowledgeable folks, it’s an education process - you’re never too old to learn new things - pretty cool.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️