Haven’t been to the complex for a few days - was there today to watch a mid-day intra squad scrimmage. Today’s contest was played on Ashburn Field so I set up my chair in the only shaded area available by the first base line. The ability to connect with folks at the complex is something I value. Whether it be chatting with the security personnel or police officer on duty or with players passing by if folks want to stop it’s my pleasure to interact. Today we were privileged to talk with a player here on rehab not only about how he’s progressing but how it felt to hit a baseball as hard as he did in a recent game (before his injury), it’s cool to see and hear things from the perspective of the person who actually performed the feat. I think the young man was also pleased that I recognized the home run he hit and for my support. Yet it’s not always baseball, it’s general talk like I had with another young player here on rehab assignment about the local beaches and how they compare to where he’s from. Others stop to just say hello or first bump. Today we chatted with a young infielder on his way to catch the Clearwater team bus to Lakeland that I told how I’ve been impressed with his throwing skills and quick hands and feet fielding his position, that brought a smile. Albeit I’m not part of the team process of player development I tell myself that my little factor in the equation is in the ongoing encouragement and willingness to listen and also sharing what I see happen on the fields as well - oh yeah, all the while these chats occurred today, a scrimmage game was being played less than sixty feet in front of me - so here’s how that went 🤓.
It was a seven inning scrimmage with six pitchers getting work in - starters Maxwell Hernandez (4 IP) and Wilmer Blanco (4 IP) along with relievers Kleyderve Andrade, Luis Avila, Josh Bortka and Josbel Garcia. Situational setups were emphasized so multiple innings started with runners on various bases. I was pleased to see Josh back on the hill as he’s continuing a progression from a spring training injury - he threw an inning today.
On the hitting front Yemal Flores hit a big league home run - went a very very long way over the left field fence - the raw power the young man has always been intriguing. Junior Marin had a triple in the contest while Aroon Escobar and Rickardo Perez each doubled. Perez, Raylin Heredia (rehabbing from injury) and Jorge Mendez each had two hits. I really like how Mendez takes charge of the game defensively as a catcher as well - is always very into the game and on top of the situation at hand. Jarol Martinez, Ezra Farmer and Guillermo Rosario each hit singles in the scrimmage, Nolan Beltran scored three runs after waking twice and reaching on an error while I was there - I left early (didn’t want to be late twice in one day 🤓) so can’t comment on the last frame .
Yesterday the Phillies Player Development Center (PDC) group played the Tigers in an extended spring training (XST) game on Ashburn Field.
XST Phillies 8 XST Tigers 2
At Bat : 8 R, 9 H, 7 BB, 7 K’s
Second baseman Aroon Escobar continued his hot hitting going 2 for 4 with a double, walk and RBI. DH Rickardo Perez was 2 for 3 with a double, walk and RBI. Right fielder Raylin Heredia (on rehab assignment) had two hits including a triple, he posted three RBIs. Catcher Eduardo Tait hit a long home run. Center fielder Jerffson Peña doubled and posted an RBI. Third baseman Diego Gonzalez singled. Third baseman Nolan Beltran drew two walks in three plate appearances.
On The Hill : 2 R, 3 H, 7 BB, 4 K’s
Right hander Danyony Pulido continues to impress - he started and went 4 innings - 1 RBI, 0 H, 4 BB, 1 K - fastball touched 97 mph. RH Cam Brown faced just four batters (2 walks) before exiting with apparent arm discomfort in a rolled frame. LH Juan Amarante pitched 3 innings - 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s.
Some bonus reporting : 4/29/24 Dominican Summer League XST games
Rockies2 5 Phillies Red 1 - 8 Innings @ Rockies Complex
At Bat : 1 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K’s
DH Alirio Ferrebus and 1B Renair Manrique each doubled. Shortstop Maylerson Casanova singled.
On The Hill : 5 R, 8 H, 2 BB, 8 K’s
RH Jeffrey German started and went two innings - 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s. RH Elicier Bata pitched two innings - 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K’s. LH Luis Martinez threw an inning - 1 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s as did RH Cristian Diaz - 2 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K and LH Eduardo Fernandez - 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s
Rockies1 5 Phillies White 4 - 9 Innings @ Phillies Complex
At Bat : 4 R, 8 H, 7 BB, 6 K’s
Catcher Anderson Navas went 2 for 3 (singles) with an RBI. Left fielder Nathan Cijntje was 2 for 3 (single, double) with a walk and RBI. Shortstop Andres Hernandez, 2B Meylin De Leon, 1B David Freitas and 3B Santiago Prado each singled. Center fielder Jalvin Arias walked twice in four plate appearances.
On The Hill : 5 R, 8 H, 6 BB, 3 K’s - incomplete line
RH Orlando Gonzalez started and went two innings - 2 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 K’s. RH Enderson Jean pitched 2 innings - 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s and RH Naoel Mejia went 2 innings - 2 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 K. The pitching line is incomplete - Rockies scored two runs in the last three innings on three more hits.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
Intra-squad action today
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