Minor League Camp :
On field BP and fielding and the following :
Side Bullpens : Ryan Burr, David Parkinson, Cristian Hernandez, Matt Russell, Starlyn Castillo, Braeden Fausnaught, Micah Ottenbreit
Intra-Squad Scrimmage :
The scheduled minor league games versus the Tigers were cancelled, instead the Phillies played a twelve inning intra-squad scrimmage with players rotating into the contest. A special guest appeared in the scrimmage - none other than Bryce Harper. Bryce made seven plate appearances alternating sides thru the first four frames - he went 2 for 6 with a home run ( first AB against Michael Mercado - a long fly over the left field fence) and a single, walked once and struck out twice - ran the bases and appeared to have no lingering effects from his recent back issues. It’s always telling when a major leaguer comes to the back fields as the real Phillies writers show up along with multiple coaches and front office folks - good stuff 🤓.
A total of 37 position players and 10 pitchers appeared in the marathon scrimmage which took just a little over three hours to complete. Those in the starting batting lineup played the first six innings, wholesale changes occurred in the seventh for the final six frames. I’m not just an ordinary idiot as I sat thru the entire event but a special idiot as I also scored the contest 🤪. Won’t get the details anywhere but here folks 😂.
The home team won 4-2 by the way.
At the Plate :
There were 17 hits in total by my count - Bryce Harper had two as did Ezra Farmer (2 singles in 2 AB’s with a walk and run scored). Bryson Ware tripled and scored (1 for 3) - he’s had a really good camp. Leandro Pineda (1 for 2 with a walk), Rodolfo Castro (1 for 3 - also looked smooth at SS), Marco Soto (1 for 3) and Pierce Bennett (1 for 3 with 2 RBIs) each doubled. Singles were hit by Yhoswar Garcia, Gavin Tonkel, Dakota Kotowski, Aroon Escobar, Chad Castillo, Arturo DeFreitas, Herbert Iser and Pedro Martinez. Troy Schreffler walked twice in three plate appearances and stole a base.
Defensive Gems :
Catcher Arturo DeFreitas threw out speedy Yhoswar Garcia twice attempting to steal second base, Arturo has always been a very strong defender. Third baseman Diego Gonzalez made a spectacular diving stop of a hard grounder in the hole off the bat of Aroon Escobar to rob him of a second hit. Diego is a very solid player wherever he plays. Center fielders Yhoswar Garcia and Troy Schreffler ran down multiple long flys and made them look easy.
Pitching Notes :
RH Mick Abel - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K’s - was very sharp - one of his K’s was Bryce Harper
RH Christian McGowan - 1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - faced an extra batter to get work in - also was sharp
RH Griff McGarry - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - strong outing - very composed
RH Trey Dillard - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 1 K - power arm
LH Sam Aldegheri - 3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - solid - continues to impress
RH Jake Eddington - 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K’s - power arm
RH Michael Mercado - 3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - power stuff - also K’d Mr Harper once
LH Kolby Allard - 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K’s - sneaky quick
RH Jean Cabrera - 3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 HB, 1 K - battled command a bit
LH Mavis Graves - 3 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - faced an extra batter to get work in - was in command, best I’ve seen him
Grapefruit League Game Twenty-Eight :
Tigers 4 Phillies 3
Clearwater, Florida
Whit Merrifield doubled in the second inning and scored on a single by Jake Cave. Alec Bohm singled in the sixth inning and scored on a double by Brandon Marsh. Edmundo Sosa homered in the seventh inning.
Detroit scored four runs in the top of the ninth on home runs - a solo shot by Jake Rogers and a three run tater by Ryan Vilade.
At the Plate : 3 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 14 K’s
Whit Merrifield and Brandon Marsh doubled, Edmundo Sosa homered.
Pitching Notes : 4 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 9 K’s
RH Zack Wheeler - 5 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K’s
LH Jose Alvarado - 2/3 IP - retired both batters he faced
RH Jeff Hoffman - 1 perfect IP - 3 K’s
RH Seranthony Dominguez - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K
LH Gregory Soto - 1 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s
Minor League Camp Call-Ups for the game :
Pitchers : Jack Dallas, Mitch Neunborn, Andrew Schultz, Cam Wynne
Catchers : Lou Albrecht, Andrick Nava
Infielders : Bryce Ball, Nolan Beltran, Erick Brito, Jim Haley
Outfielders : Matt Kroon, Junior Marin, Simon Muzziotti
Bryce Ball (1B), Erick Brito (SS) and Jim Haley (3B) subbed into the game.
Grapefruit League record is now 8-14-6
Other Notes :
LHP Tristan Garnett was named this year’s Bill Giles award recipient and infielder Felix Reyes was named this year’s Larry Rojas award winner. The two awards are given each season in spring training to the players who share the same attributes as the award namesakes - a love and respect for the game of baseball, an outstanding work ethic and pride in being a member of the Phillies organization. Congrats fellas!
Transactions :
UTL Weston Wilson was optioned to Triple A. RHP David Buchanan, C Cam Gallagher, C Aramis Garcia, UTL Scott Kingery, OF David Dahl, OF Cal Stevenson and UTL Jordan Luplow were reassigned to minor league camp.
RHP Dominic Pipkin, RHP Andrew Painter, RHP Nick Snyder, RHP Alex Garbrick, RHP Wen Hui Pan, LHP Erubiel Armenta, LHP Jordan Fowler, RHP Giuseppe Velasquez, RHP Alex McFarlane, RHP Marty Gair all placed on the 60 day IL
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Scenes from today’s intra-squad scrimmage
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