Second day of major league full squad workouts and minor league mini-camp. Major leaguers practiced in the morning and minor leaguers in the afternoon.
Major League Camp :
A big crowd gathered around Roberts Field as Bryce Harper was in both the morning fielding and hitting groups (BP). The sound of the ball off his bat is just different and it’s consistently loud in how he squares up the baseball. I’d say he’s pretty good 🤓. Others in the group included Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa and Bryson Stott.
Live BP took place on both Roberts and Ashburn fields at around noon. Right handers Alan Rangel and Nabil Crismatt threw two inning “up-down” sessions. Griff McGarry, Michael Mercado, Max Lazar and Devin Sweet were the other pitchers I saw in live BP action - they each threw an inning. Mercado showed a slower off-speed delivery today which I don’t recall seeing before - looked like a curve ball. It was an effective pitch and could be in game action as well offsetting an upper nineties heater. Kyle Schwarber went yard to right center field against Rangel - it was a Schwarbomb 😎.
Minor League Mini-Camp :
Side Bullpens : 22
Marty Gair, Kevin Warunek, Erubiel Armenta, Casey Steward, Andrew Baker, Daniel Harper, Alex McFarlane, Wesley Moore, Micah Ottenbreit, Cody Stashak, Jaydenn Estanista, Mavis Graves, Carlos Francisco, Ethan Cheanult, Jonah Dipoto, Jake Eddington, Tommy McCollum, Mitch Nuenborn, Andrew Schultz, Luke Russo, Josh Hejka, Emmanuel Mejia.
Batting Practice :
Lefty hitting Dante Nori hit the ball well today - short linear stroke thru the baseball - peppered line drives and also went yard to right field. His hands seem lower in setup to me as compared to this fall and he’s quick and straight thru his swing without any added motion. With his strength there’s plenty of pop to drive the ball. Good stuff. Alirio Ferrbus also impresses me with his consistency in swing and how he drives the ball, big body catcher who looks very athletic - has a lot of tools to work with. Hendry Mendez drove a couple out of the yard today as well, there’s ability to do so which should be of note to those who’ve been concerned about a perceived lack of power perspective in his regard - just sayin.
Class Act :
When minor league players get released I usually reach out to them with best wishes and encouragement for whatever comes next in their lives. RHP Alex Garbrick was released yesterday, he’s a really good young man who’s always been welcoming and upbeat whenever we’ve chatted - most times that was at the complex while he was going thru rehab work from TJ surgery. I sent him a note and he responded “Speaking for many of us I’m sure, I appreciate everything you do for us minor league guys! We appreciate all the kind words you share and all you do to share with the world the work we put in on a daily basis. I’ll certainly be following your article this season to check in on all my guys. Enjoy the spring and the baseball season 👍🏽⚾️.” Alex is a class act and it’s for folks like him that I began this writing journey ten years ago - am thankful that it’s appreciated - good stuff 🤓.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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