Minor League Mini Camp/Pitchers & Catchers ST :
A light camp day - players who have been participating in mini camp had the day off. Pitchers and catchers who reported on Friday worked in the AM - catchers took BP and did throwing drills on Roberts Field, pitchers not throwing sides did PFP’s on Schmidt Field. After they concluded their weight room work the day concluded.
Side Bullpens :
Fourteen pitchers threw side bullpen sessions on the seven mounds in front of the David Montgomery Training Center - Zach Warren, Konnor Ash, Starlyn Castillo, Fernando Lozano, Matt Osterberg, Christopher Soriano, Ty Collins, Mason Ronan, Eric Garcia, Malik Binns, Johnathan Petit, Alex McKenney, Wilson Valdez & Jonh Henriquez
My Notes :
RHP Jonh Henriquez has a chance to climb the ladder relatively quickly - albeit this is his first stateside spring training camp the 23 year old has a big arm ( upper 90’s velo capabilities ) and a strong slider - as a reliever he’s a young man that might follow in the footsteps of former Phillie Edubray Ramos in his progression - the ball jumps out of his hand. RHP Starlyn Castillo & RHP Jonathan Petit are coming off of strong winter league seasons - Castillo in Australia and Petit in Venezuela. LHP Mason Ronan has big time spin on his deliveries - offsets those with a splitter that sinks.
Major League Camp :
Side Bullpens :
Ranger Suarez & Bailey Falter threw in the AM on the mounds alongside Bowa Field.
Grapefruit League Action :
Blue Jays 16 ( 6-3 ) Phillies 4 ( 5-4-1 ) @ Dunedin
Summary :
Kyle Schwarber hit a two run home run in the first inning scoring Trea Turner ( singled ) in front of him. The Blue Jays scored a run in the bottom of the first on a Daulton Varsho double scoring Bo Bichette ( singled ).
Toronto exploded for six runs in the second inning on a walk, four singles and two doubles - they sent eleven batters to the plate during the inning.
Kody Clemens delivered a two out bases loaded single in the 6th inning to score two runs. Kyle Schwarber led off the frame with a double, Nick Castellanos walked and with two outs Josh Harrison reached on a fielders choice on a grounder to third base where pinch runner Rafael Marchan beat the Blue Jays third baseman to the third base bag attempting to secure a force out.
The Blue Jays scored seven more runs in the seventh inning on a walk, two singles, two doubles and a three run home run by Orelvis Martinez. They scored twice more in the 8th inning.
Overshadowed in the mix of the lopsided loss was the fact that Jose Alvarado & Seranthony Dominguez each threw a perfect inning.
At the Plate : 9 H, 3 BB, 7 K’s
Kyle Schwarber doubled, homered and walked in three plate appearances, he scored a run and had two RBIs. John Hicks went 2 for 3 with two singles. Brandon Marsh doubled in three AB’s ( 1 for 3 ). Carlos De La Cruz doubled in his only AB in the 9th inning against big leaguer Erik Swanson.
Defense :
Catcher Max McDowell threw out a base runner attempting to steal second base in the 6th inning - great throw 💪. Johan Rojas threw out a runner at third base from center field to end the eighth inning.
Pitching lines & Statcast data :
RH Zack Wheeler - 1 1/3 IP, 7 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 45 pitches - 29 strikes - 16 FB ( 94-96 mph ), 12 sliders, 10 sinkers, 7 curves
LH Keylan Killgore - 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 21 pitches - 11 strikes - 1 inherited runner scored - 11 sinkers ( 91-93 mph ), 4 CH, 3 sliders, 4 FB ( 92 mph )
LH Jose Alvarado - 1 perfect IP, 1 K - 10 pitches - 6 strikes - 6 sinkers ( 98-99 mph ), 3 cutters ( 93-94 mph ), 1 curve
RH Craig Kimbrel - 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 29 pitches - 18 strikes - 17 FB ( 92-95 mph ), 12 sliders ( 83-85 mph )
RH Seranthony Dominguez - 1 perfect IP - 14 pitches - 10 strikes - 7 sinkers ( 95-97 mph ), 2 CH, 2 FB ( 95-96 mph ), 2 cutters, 1 slider
RH Andrew Bellatti - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 15 pitches - 9 strikes - 8 FB ( 92-95 mph ), 7 sliders ( 86-88 mph )
RH Jake Jewell - 2/3 IP, 6 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 0 K’s - 25 pitches - 11 strikes - 9 sinkers ( 91-93 mph ), 7 CH, 4 FB, 2 Curve, 2 Slider, 1 Cutter
RH Matt Seelinger - 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 2 inherited runners scored - 7 pitches - 4 strikes - 3 FB ( 92-93 mph ), 2 curves, 2 cutters
RH Francisco Morales - 1 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 21 pitches - 14 strikes - 10 cutters, 9 sinkers ( 95-97 mph ), 4 FB ( 93 - 94 mph )
Seating Advice :
If going to a ST game at the Jays stadium in Dunedin it’s advisable to get a seat in the higher level rows for shade coverage. The majority of the seats in the ballpark are in the sun and can get very hot and uncomfortable. We always buy seats in the highest row in section 212 by design however there’s an area where folks can stand behind the row and often times fans who bought lower level seats in the sun will migrate to that area - today that was the case early ( pre game ) - unfortunately if ya buy the row 16 seats like we did it becomes close quarters with folks hovering over you standing behind in the area not intended for that purpose- we left today after just one half inning - returned home to watch the game on the mlb tv app instead 🤦♂️. Guess a couple of those folks standing took our seats 🤓.
Trea Turner leading off the game
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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