FCL Phillies 3 (1-1) FCL Blue Jays 2 (1-1)
Clearwater, FL - Carpenter Complex - Roberts Field
Summary :
Manolfi Jimenez reached second base on a fielding error by the Blue Jays first baseman in the third inning. He advanced to third base on an errant pickoff throw and scored on a single to left field by Starlyn Caba.
Sam Shaw (I sat next to his dad the entire game - nice chap) hit a two run home run for the Blue Jays in the fifth inning.
The Phillies loaded the bases in the sixth on singles by Aroon Escobar, Eduardo Tait and Kendall Simmons (a rocket line drive past the shortstop). Guillermo Rosario singled to score Escobar, Diego Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Tait.
At Bat : 3 R, 9 H, 2 BB, 8 K’s
Guillermo Rosario is a name to register in the bank for future mention - he’s a very solid catching prospect who played first base today and went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a single and RBI. All three of his hits were smoked, the two doubles were hard knocks down the line - he’s a 19 year who has really impressed in extended spring camp and continued to do so today in FCL action.
On The Hill : 2 R, 7 H, 5 BB, 14 K’s
Right hander Danyony Pulido started and showed a very lively fastball (mid nineties on most I believe) - he went 4.2 innings, 2 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 6 K’s. Lefty Juan Amarante pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball - 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K’s picking up his first FCL win - Juan had an outstanding curve ball today that baffled the Blue Jays hitters - he was outstanding. RH Luis Avila closed - 1 perfect IP with 1 K - the young man goes right after em - over the top delivery with mid to upper nineties gas -challenges hitters to beat him - today he sat em down in order - good stuff!
Defensive Gems :
I’m likely to say this quite often but it’s a joy to watch Starlyn Caba play shortstop. He gets to balls easily that others can’t - today there was a pop-up down the left field line that he caught from a starting point of shading towards the second base bag (left handed hitter) which he made look easy - Trea Turner like speed to get there from my view along the first base line. Ground balls towards him are right turns for the hitter and he’s got a rocket arm that turns double plays easily - saw that today as well. He’s just really fun to watch - the last kid I remember being so excited to watch play defense now patrols center field in Philly - my buddy Johan Rojas. Caba has shown those type skills in the last few months I’ve observed - really good stuff!
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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