Major League Camp :
Live Bullpens :
Matt Strahm, Connor Brogdon & Ben Bowden threw live bullpen sessions on Roberts Field before the Grapefruit League game.
Darick Hall went yard over the right field fence in one of his AB’s during the session.
Connor Brogdon delivering to Max McDowell - Aramis Garcia is the hitter
Grapefruit League Action :
Rays 7 ( 5-5 ) Phillies 3 ( 5-6-1 ) @ Clearwater
Summary :
Tampa scored a run in the first inning on a couple singles and an error. They added one in the third on an infield pop up that was scored as a hit ( should have been caught - was lost in the glaring sun ) and a subsequent balk, ground out and wild pitch.
Ruben Cardenas hit a three run home run in the sixth for the Rays. The Phillies scored their first run in the seventh - Weston Wilson doubled, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on an error.
Tampa scored twice in the 8th inning - one on a home run by Ronny Simon - the other on a wild pitch.
Jhailyn Ortiz reached on an error in the 8th inning, advanced to third base on a single by Scott Kingery and scored on a single by Weston Wilson. Jim Haley doubled to score Kingery.
At the Plate : 6 H, 4 BB, 13 K’s
Weston Wilson had two hits in two AB’s ( single & double ). Jim Haley doubled.
Pitching lines :
LH Bailey Falter - 2 1/3 IP, 2 R - 1 earned, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s - 40 pitches - 29 strikes
LH Andrew Vasquez - 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K - 1 inherited runner scored on a Wild Pitch - 15 pitches - 10 strikes
LH Christopher Sanchez - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 16 pitches - 11 strikes
RH Griff McGarry - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 23 pitches - 15 strikes
RH James McArthur - 1 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s - 27 pitches - 14 strikes
RH Jeremy Walker - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K - 17 pitches - 9 strikes
RH Mark Appel - 2/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K - 25 pitches - 11 strikes
RH Trey Cobb - 1/3 IP - retired only batter faced - K - 4 pitches - 3 strikes
RH Andrew Schultz - 1 perfect IP - 9 pitches - 6 strikes
Minor League Spring Training : first day of full squad workouts
Pitchers practiced fielding on Schmidt & Carlton fields. Position players took batting practice on Roberts, Ashburn & Schmidt fields from in staggered times and in four separate groups. Some pitchers threw side bullpens on the seven mounds in front of the David Montgomery Training Center while others threw live bullpen sessions on Carlton & Roberts Fields.
Side Bullpens :
Sixteen pitchers threw side bullpen sessions on the seven mounds in front of the David Montgomery Training Center, some threw their sessions on the new state of the art pitching lab mound inside the training center - Josh Hendrickson, Tyler Phillips, David Parkinson, Kyle Hart, Alex McFarlane, Gunner Mayer, Spencer Van Scoyoc, Jack Perkins, Victor Lopez, Josh Bortka, Rafael Marcano, Jordan Fowler, Jean Cabrera, Victor Vargas, Jason Ruffcorn & JP Woodward.
My observations :
RH Alex McFarlane continues to shine - with a two seamer now in the mix he’s got a four pitch arsenal which bodes well for him as a starting pitcher. One thing I’ve also noticed about Alex is how he works to refine and learn with Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergertand other coaches - often during his side sessions they confer - great to see the mechanics of development at work - his pitches have purpose and targeted location - with the way McFarlane’s ball moves it’s exciting to see how the work will translate into game action - he’s got the goods.
RH Tyler Phillips keeps the ball low in the zone and works side to side on the plate with his full arsenal, ball seems heavy with sink to the plate - each time I see him I think of Zach Eflin as a comparable in regards to command, composure and mix. From my perspective Phillips has a really strong chance of becoming a key contributor - another fella I’m eager to see in game action.
RH Jack Perkins has a different arm slot and release point than what I’ve seen in past years - he’s always had a big breaking hook but with the new angle it’s coming out of his hand with sweeping actions - really moved side to side with a curve ball type break ( had a similar tumble you see with a 12-6 curve but moved horizontally ) - very deceptive. It could be a put away type pitch as a reliever if that’s the path or if Jack is a starter it’s a pitch that can be set up by his fastball and change up with the swerve serving as a backwards primary - really liked what we saw today - good stuff.
Top - L to R - Tyler Phillips & Jack Perkins - Bottom - Alex McFarlane
Live Bullpens :
Nine pitchers threw afternoon live bullpen sessions on Roberts and Carlton fields - Andrew Walling, Ethan Lindow, Jordi Martinez, Hans Crouse, Cam Wynne, Matt Russell, Wesley Moore, Mike Adams & Eiberson Castellano
Back at em tomorrow - Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Note : I've partnered with Fanatics on Phillies Merchandise - if you would like to help support my website and articles here's a link to order merchandise - I get a small commission on any sales - thanks for the support.