Minor League Camp :
On field BP and fielding and the following :
Side Bullpens : Noah Skirrow, Matt Osterberg, Zach Haake, Efrain Contreras, Estibenzon Jimenez, Cam Brown, Luke Russo
There were three minor league spring training games today scheduled for 11 AM, one in Dunedin (AAA/AA) and two at the complex in Clearwater. We had rain this morning so one of the games had to be moved to inside the stadium since Ashburn field was not playable. No spectators were permitted inside the stadium for the Low A classified game that was moved. I stayed a little bit for the High A classified game on Roberts however just for a few innings. Apologies but no report on the contests at this time.
Other Notes :
As reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times the Phillies have acquired RHP Zach Houston from the Tampa Rays for cash considerations. Houston is 29 years old and was the 29th round draft selection of the Detroit Tigers in the 2016 draft from Mississippi State. He’s pitched in the Tigers and Yankees organizations appearing in 230 games (225 in relief) posting a 3.18 ERA over 305 2/3 IP (all in the minors). He signed with Tampa in December of 2023 as a minor league free agent. He features a mid nineties fastball and curve. Houston will compete for a bullpen role at the AAA level.
Grapefruit League Game Twenty-Nine :
Phillies 6 Yankees 6
Tampa, Florida
Whit Merrifield doubled in the first inning and then stole third base. Bryce Harper hit a long sacrifice fly ball to center field to score Merrifield. In the second inning with one out Cristian Pache doubled, he moved to third on a single by Jake Cave. Johan Rojas beat the relay throw to first base on a would be 6-4-3 ground ball DP which allowed Pache to score. Garrett Stubbs walked and Bryson Stott singled to score Rojas.
In the fourth inning Cristian Pache reached on an infield single, he went to third on a Baltimore Chop infield single by Johan Rojas. Rojas stole second base and the catcher’s throw sailed into center field allowing Pache to score and Rojas to reach third base. Edmundo Sosa hit a sacrifice fly fly to right field to score Rojas.
Oswaldo Cabrera hit a two run home run for the Yankees in the fourth inning.
Whit Merrifield singled in the fifth inning and scored on a double by Edmundo Sosa.
A single and two walks loaded the bases for New York in the sixth inning - a line drive by Greg Allen was misplayed by right fielder Cristian Pache into a double which scored two runs. A sacrifice fly scored another run.
The Yankees scored a run in the bottom of the ninth on a hit batter, ground out and bad hop single.
At the Plate : 6 R, 10 H, 2 BB, 7 K’s
Cristian Pache was 3 for 4 (two singles & double) and scored twice. Whit Merrifield was 2 for 3 (single, double) with two runs scored and a stolen base. Edmundo Sosa doubled. Johan Rojas was 1 for 3 (single) with an RBI, scored twice and stole a base.
Pitching Notes : 6 R, 11 H, 7 BB, 8 K’s
RH Spencer Turnbull - 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K’s - 51 pitches - 34 strikes - four seamer & sinker (93-94 mph), sweeper, curve, change up
RH Connor Brogdon - 1 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 27 pitches - 18 strikes - four seamer (92-93 mph), cutter, change up
RH Jose Ruiz - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 28 pitches - 14 strikes - four seamer (95-99 mph), sinker, slider, cutter
RH Andrew Bellatti - 1/3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K - 28 pitches - 14 strikes - four seamer (93-95 mph), slider, change up
RH Konnor Ash - 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 1 inherited runner scored - 10 pitches - 3 strikes - four seamer (92-93 mph), cutter, curve, slider
RH Ricardo Pinto - 2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 37 pitches - 21 strikes - sinker (93-95 mph), four seamer (93 mph), slider, splitter, cutter, curve
RH Andrew Schultz - 1/3 IP - 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB - 10 pitches - 4 strikes - four seamer (96-97 mph), cutter, slider
Minor League Camp Call-Ups for the game :
Pitchers : Konnor Ash, Tristan Garnett, Ricardo Pinto, Alex Rao, Andrew Schultz
Catchers : Herbert Iser, Ryan Leitch, Jorge Mendez
Infielders : Jim Haley, Pedro Martinez, Esteban Quiroz, Trevor Schwecke, Carson Taylor
Outfielders : Pierce Bennett, Carlos De La Cruz, Simon Muzziotti, Baron Radcliff
Carson Taylor (1B), Esteban Quiroz (2B), Trevor Schwecke (SS), Jim Haley (3B) Simon Muzziotti (LF), Baron Radcliff (RF) Carlos De La Cruz (CF) Herbert Iser (C) and pitchers Konnor Ash, Andrew Schultz and Ricardo Pinto played in the game.
Grapefruit League record is now 8-14-7
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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