3/28/22 : Spring Training Today
Sometimes careers need a little tweaking to create a spark that can ignite into something bigger. In baseball that might be a position change. This morning we watched RH Wilson Valdez Jr throw his first live BP as a pitcher after converting from being an infielder this spring. Wilson is the son of former Phillie Wilson Valdez Sr who is a fixture in Phillies baseball history for his impromptu pitching victory in a 19 Inning game in May of 2011.
Wilson Sr played for multiple teams as a reserve infielder during an eight year career in major league baseball including the one appearance as a pitcher. Now his twenty two year old son is attempting to switch to a full time hurler. Today went relatively well for Jr, low nineties heater and a couple of breaking pitches with some movement. Wishing the young man well in his pitching pursuit.
Today’s Grapefruit League Game :
Phillies 7 Orioles 1
Offense :
Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos hit their first jacks of the spring season and Matt Kroon and Garrett Stubbs each clubbed two homers later in the game. game. Bryson Stott continues to make his case for an opening day roster spot going 3 for 3 with a double and making some fine defensive plays at shortstop. Castelllanos also doubled as did JT Realmuto and Mickey Moniak.
Alec Bohm made a couple good defensive plays at third base but took the collar at the plate in three AB’s.
Pitching :
LH Christopher Sanchez - 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s - 44 pitches - 31 strikes - threw very well - command and control - sinker ( 92-95 mph ), changeup ( 84-87 ) and slider ( 83-85 ).
RH Corey Knebel - 1 perfect IP, 1 K - 11 pitches - 9 strikes - FB ( 95-97 mph ) and Knuckle Curve ( 76-78 )
LH Ryan Sherriff - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 13 pitches - 9 strikes - slider ( 80-84 mph ), sinker ( 90-93 ) and changeup ( 83 ).
LH Brad Hand - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 14 pitches - 10 strikes - slider ( 77-79 mph ) and FB ( 91-92 ).
RH Jeurys Familia - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 15 pitches - 8 strikes - sinker ( 94-95 mph ), FB ( 95-96 ), slider ( 87-88 ) and splitter ( 93 ).
RH Seranthony Dominguez - 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 13 pitches - 8 strikes - FB ( 95-96 mph ), sinker ( 95-97 ), slider ( 86-87 ) and changeup ( 90 ).
RH Dillon Maples - 1 perfect IP - struck out the side - 16 pitches - 10 strikes - slider ( 83-89 mph ), FB- sinker ( 90-94 ).
After the game the team reassigned C Edgar Cabral, RHP Joe Gatto, OF Justin Williams and C Austin Wynns to minor league camp.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Wilson Valdez Jr - photo by Cheryl Pursell