Minor League Mini Camp :
Pitchers and catchers report day for upcoming minor league spring training camp. I stopped down at the Complex before the Grapefruit League game to greet some of the new camp arrivals. In addition there was a flurry of mini camp activity.
Side Bullpens :
Two pitchers threw side bullpen sessions on the seven mounds in front of the David Montgomery Training Center - Hans Crouse & Matt Russell.
Live Bullpens :
Eight pitchers threw afternoon live bullpen sessions on Roberts and Ashburn fields - Alex McFarlane, Gunner Mayer, Jordi Martinez, Sam Aldegheri, Cam Wynne, Andrew Walling, Wesley Moore & Eiberson Castellano.
Simulated Game :
Tyler Phillips & Eduar Segovia pitched in a two inning simulated game on Roberts Field.
High Winds :
The winds were so strong today that the parking lots were turning into dust bowls - when I got to the Complex the portable batting cage was sitting in left field on Ashburn Field - found out that it had blown there via the wind from it’s customary location at home plate 😳 - That’s impressive 💨
Major League Camp :
Side Bullpens :
Three pitchers threw morning side bullpen sessions - Zack Wheeler, Michael Plassmeyer & Nick Nelson.
Zack Wheeler today
Live Bullpen :
Christopher Sanchez threw a morning live bullpen on Roberts Field.
Grapefruit League Action :
Tigers 6 ( 4-3 ) Phillies 3 ( 4-3-1 )@ Clearwater
Summary :
The Tigers scored the game’s first run in the third inning on an RBI single by Matt Vierling. Riley Greene hit a two run home run scoring Vierling in front of him. Jake Rogers homered for the Tigers in the fourth inning to make it 4-0, Vierling homered in the 5th inning to plate another Detroit run ( he went 3 for 3 in the game with two RBIs and two runs scored against his old mates ).
Edmundo Sosa homered in the bottom of the fifth for the Phillies first run. JT Realmuto hit a two run home run in the sixth inning.
Colt Keith closed out the scoring in the 8th inning with a solo homer for Detroit. Six bombs with the wind blowing out at 25 mph - sometimes that’s what happens in spring training 🤷♂️.
On the pitching side I thought that Mick Abel threw the ball well in his spring debut while Yunior Marte continues to impress - he posted a perfect inning today as did Luis Ortiz.
Camp Sleeper to watch :
Scotty Kingery played center field in today’s contest - he continues to swing the bat well - went 1 for 2 with a single to right field today - as stated before he finished the 2022 season strong with 7 hits in his last 22 AB’s ( .318 ) and ending the year on a 13 for 43 ( .302 ) streak - we like the young man - one to keep an eye on as camp progresses - he might just earn a reserve roster spot. 👀
At the Plate : 8 H, 1 BB, 12 K’s
Rhys Hoskins went 2 for 2 in his 2023 game debut while Edmundo Sosa stayed hot going 2 for 3 with a home run - he’s hitting .500 thus far in 10 AB’s with a double and two home runs.
Pitching lines : Statcast Data
RH Taijuan Walker - 2 1/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 34 pitches - 24 strikes - 14 Splitters, 5 Sinkers, 5 FB ( 92-94 mph ), 4 Sliders, 4 Curves, 2 Cutters
RH Mike Adams - 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 17 pitches - 10 strikes - 8 FB ( 94-96 mph ), 4 Sliders, 4 CH, 1 Cutter
LH Ben Bowden - 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 26 pitches - 16 strikes - 11 Sliders, 9 Sinkers ( 90-92 mph ), 5 CH, 1 FB ( 92 mph )
RH Louis Head - 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 14 pitches - 11 strikes - 5 Curves, 4 CH, 4 FB ( 92 mph ), 1 Sinker ( 92 mph )
RH Mick Abel - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 11 pitches - 6 strikes - 8 FB ( 96-99 mph ), 2 Cutters, 1 Slider
RH Yunior Marte - 1 perfect IP - 1 K - 10 pitches - 8 strikes - 5 Sinkers ( 96-97 mph ), 3 Sliders, 2 FB ( 98-99 mph )
RH Erich Uelman - 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 16 pitches - 10 strikes - 5 Sliders, 5 FB ( 93-95 mph ), 3 CH, 3 Sinkers ( 93-94 mph )
RH Luis Ortiz - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 11 pitches - 9 strikes - 5 Sliders, 3 Sinkers ( 95-97 mph ), 3 FB ( 94-98 mph )
Highest Spin Rate of the day : Yunior Marte slider ( 2681 )
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Mick Abel today
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