Minor League Mini- Camp :
Practice Drills :
A bunch of drills to watch this morning - one involved the outfielders - coach Mike Jones would initially chase a back tracking fielder who would catch an over the shoulder toss from the coach, then cross over to continue running and catch another over the shoulder toss in the other direction - final part of the drill was the fielder continued to run outwards and then chase down a long toss from the coach and catch it in their hat - a successful drill completion was the fielder having two baseballs in their glove and one in their hat - difficult to do but a loud cheer was heard from the players when the fleet footed Yhoswar Garcia was able to complete it catching all three baseballs 🤓
Yhoswar Garcia completing the three catch drill
Howie Kendrick was on the field today working with middle infielders Hao Yu Lee & Casey Martin on fielding grounders and making flips to second base - he participates in the drill while instructing showing “how to” - looks like he could still play the game himself - terrific physical shape.
Hitting coach Sarah Edwards is now in camp, she’s a history maker as the first female coach ( at least that I’m aware of ) in the Phillies organization - she was intently observing hitters actions in the cages on Roberts Field. Bunting practice off the machine was also being conducted on Roberts Field behind the hitting cage led by Coach Gary Cathcart. On Ashburn Field Coach Matt Hockenberry was shooting pop ups from a machine to pitchers - they would start initially on the rubber with their back turned, pick up the ball in the air and make the catch - some very athletic efforts made by a few while I was watching - notably Jean Cabrera, Alex McFarlane, Jose Peña & Enrique Segura. On the side mounds between Ashburn & Schmidt Fields coaches Marty Malloy & Shawn Williams hit come-backers to pitchers - was a fun drill done in rapid fire mode in close quarters. On Schmidt field coach Keith Werman went thru more traditional PFP’s with pitchers and infielders. A lot of concurrent action - good stuff.
Side Bullpens :
Three pitchers threw side bullpen sessions on the seven mounds in front of the David Montgomery Training Center - Zach Warren, Konnor Ash & Alex McKenney
Live Bullpens :
Five pitchers threw afternoon live bullpen sessions on Roberts and Ashburn fields - Matt Seelinger, Cristian Hernandez, Rodolfo Sanchez, Tristan Garnett & Brian Marconi
Honorable Camp Visitor :
Don Strohler - who was a longtime security employee ( retired just a few years ago ) at the Complex manning the front door was on hand today as a visitor - a great man - told me he’s scaled back and now only goes bowling twice a week at the youthful age of 94 - he used to play softball a couple times a week as well just a little bit ago - great inspiration 💪.
Major League Camp :
Major league report time for players at the Complex today was 8:30 AM - first on field activities began at 10 - on field work finished at noon - there was a simulated game in the stadium - Ranger Suarez ( 2 IP ) & Craig Kimbrel ( 1 IP ) - Nick Castellanos, Rhys Hoskins, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto & John Hicks were the hitters.
Grapefruit League Action :
Red Sox 15 ( 4-0 ) Phillies 3 ( 4-2-1 )
Summary :
Christian Arroyo homered to right field for Boston in the second inning. The Red Sox scored seven runs in the third inning - Arroyo hit his second home run of the game - this one a grand slam.
Kody Clemens homered for the Phillies in the 4th inning. Darick Hall doubled down the left field line to score pinch runner Jhailyn Ortiz ( ran for Kyle Schwarber who walked ) in the 5th inning - Hall scored on a single by Jake Cave.
Boston scored four runs in the 6th inning on three walks, a double by Rafael Devers and a couple ground outs. Wilyer Abreu hit a grand slam for the Red Sox in the 7th frame.
At the Plate : 5 H, 6 BB, 10 K’s
Kody Clemens homered - Darick Hall doubled. Hall smoked the ball in each of his three AB’s - two were caught. Johan Rojas walked in the same inning and easily stole second and third base 💨.
Pitching lines : no stat cast data available
LH Bailey Falter - 1 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s
LH Erubiel Armenta - 2/3 IP - faced one batter - got a double play
RH Griff McGarry - 1/3 IP, 5 R, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 K
LH Taylor Lehman - 2/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 K
LH Jose Alvarado - 1 perfect IP - 1 K
RH Seranthony Dominguez - 1 perfect IP
RH Andrew Baker - 1 IP, 4 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 0 K’s
RH Billy Sullivan - 1/3 IP, 4 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K
RH Adam Leverett - 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s
RH McKinley Moore - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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