4/2/22 : Today in Spring Training

Knowing that the rains were coming this afternoon the Phillies decided to pitch Zack Wheeler in a 10 AM minor league intra-squad scrimmage at BayCare Ballpark rather than risk him missing the opportunity in the scheduled Grapefruit League game in Dunedin.

The intra-squad scrimmage was closed to the public so I didn’t drive over to Clearwater. We did make the short drive to Dunedin though and were in attendance for the Grapefruit League game there.

Grapefruit League : Phillies 2 Blue Jays 2 ( called after 5 innings due to rain )

The Phillies posted two runs in the first inning as Bryce Harper doubled down the right field line to advance JT Realmuto ( reached on a fielder’s choice ) and Nick Castellanos scored them both with a single to left center field.

Toronto scored a single run in their half of the first inning and Matt Chapman homered in the bottom of the fifth frame to tie the score.

My daughter Michelle checked the radar on her phone at around 2:25 pm and said the skies would open in about 20 minutes so we hightailed it out of there. She was right and due to her good projection we avoided getting wet. 😅 Great job Michelle !

Defense :

Johan Camargo made a really nice play at third base to end the first inning on a grounder down the line. The Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman put on a fielding clinic, he’s incredibly smooth out there - fielded everything hit to him with ease and started two double plays. Really enjoyed watching him play the hot corner position.

Pitchers :

RH Andrew Bellatti - 1 IP, 1 unearned run, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K - 19 pitches - 13 strikes - sinker ( 89-96 mph ), cutter ( 87 to 89 mph )

RH Jeurys Familia - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 17 pitches - 11 strikes - looked strong - splitter ( 91-92 mph), slider ( 87-90 mph ), sinker ( 94-96 mph ) and 4 seamer ( 95-97 mph )

LH Brad Hand - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 K’s - 11 pitches - 6 strikes - slider ( 78-80 mph ), 4 seamer ( 90-92 mph ) and sinker ( 90-92 mph )

LH Damon Jones - 1 perfect IP - 2 K’s - 13 pitches - 9 strikes - velo was up a bit - his best inning of the spring - slider ( 81-83 mph ), 4 seamer ( 92-94 mph ), sinker ( 92-93 mph )

LH Christopher Sanchez - 1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s - 7 pitches - 6 strikes - rolled a double play to end inning - sinker ( 93-94 mph ), slider ( 85 mph ) and changeup ( 85 mph )

Minor Leaguer Notes :

The minor league position player reserves today were mostly lower level players as most of the higher level group players have already left Clearwater - was cool to see them walk in and on the bench during the contest - unfortunately the weather cancellation kept them from getting into the game as scheduled in the later innings - only Leandro Pineda got in as a pinch runner. Maybe tomorrow or over the next couple of days.

According to Matt Gelb’s Twitter post Kendall Simmons had himself a day in the morning scrimmage as he homered against both Zac Wheeler and Seranthony Dominguez. Kendall can turn around most any fastball - kudos to him for doing so this morning 💪.

I’m in process of writing my four full season affiliate opening roster articles and will post throughout the next few days - exciting times as the real season approaches.

As always - Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

Today’s Minor league reserves walking in towards the dugout.