A 10 AM game against the Blue Jays on Ashburn Field and a whole lot of promising live BP from five rehab group pitchers on Roberts Field were the highlights of the day at Carpenter Complex.
Roberts Field :
LH Jo Jo Romero, RH Starlyn Castillo, RH Albertus Barber, RH Brett Schulze & RH Sam Jacobsak each threw live BP’s this morning. Amongst the hitting group against them were Mickey Moniak, Rixon Wingrove, Jordan Viars, Gavin Tonkel, Rafael Marchan, Albert Jerez & Uziel Viloria.
Each hurler had good outings and the velocity reads were very encouraging. Romero started the session off and sat 93-95 mph with the heater, Schulze bumped into the 94-97 mph range, Barber was 92-94 mph - also threw a nasty slider with big time movement and a splitter. Castillo was in the 93-95 mph range and Jacobsak 92-94 mph - he also broke off some nasty swing and miss sliders.
It’s still very early in the process for each of their returns to game action - live BP’s will continue with pitch counts incrementing over the next couple weeks before limited game action, either simulated or in extended spring games takes place. It’s a long journey but very encouraging to see some of the fellas turning a big corner. It’s also neat to see how the rehab group rallies around each other in the process - offering cheers and congrats each step along the way.
Jo Jo Romero delivers pitch - Mickey Moniak at the bat
Albertus Barber delivers - Jordan Viars is the hitter
Ashburn Field :
The Blue Jays prevailed by an 8-3 score in a seven inning game.
On the Hill :
LH Christopher Soriano started and went two innings - 4 runs on 3 hits
RH DJ Jefferson - two scoreless frames
LH Jose Acuna - 1 IP, 3 R, 2 H
LH Maikel Garrido - 1 perfect IP
LH Jared Wetherbee - 1 IP - 1 R - home run by one of Jays top prospects Manuel Beltre
At Bat :
Chris Burke continued his hot hitting today with a double and home run. The double sliced down the left field line and the dinger was over the right field fence.
Edward Barboza singled.
Scott Kingery homered in his last AB in extended spring training 🤔.
Other Notes :
Eighteen year old outfielder Lou Helmig is now in extended spring camp. The 6’5” long and lean young man has been training thus far at the Dominican Academy after signing a contract on 1/16/22. He’s from Paderborn, Germany. Looks very raw as an outfielder but shows great enthusiasm - on the first play of the game he sprinted from his left field position far into center field on a routine fly ball that center fielder Yemal Flores camped under and caught easily despite Helmig almost getting in his way. After the inning a coaching moment took place to review - it’s what we do and see on the backfields - learn how to play the game the professional way - it’s all part of it 🤓.
Lou Helmig at bat vs Blue Jays
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️