Groups 1 and 2 this morning.  Normally, I would have watched Group 2, but Mike Adams was going to pitch the first inning in the Group 1 game.  Since this would be against slightly more advanced hitters than those he faced against Group 2 in an intra-squad game earlier in the week, I chose to watch Group 1.  Adams was followed by Pettibone for 3 innings.

I reported earlier this week that Adams threw well against Group 2, but after retiring the first 3 batters, he gave up singles to Joseph and Harold Martinez before the outing was called by the coaches. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 22nd, Adams vs. the Blue Jays →

Groups 3 and 4 were back on their normal fields, Ashburn and Schmidt playing the Blue Jays farm teams.  Group 5 was playing an independent team from Long Island, the Storm.  I was able to get a good spot at the backstop on Ashburn, so I Group 3 and Miguel Nunez. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 21st, vs. the Blue Jays →

I didn’t expect much today.  It was a scheduled camp day where Groups 1 and 2; and Groups 3 and 4 would play intra-squad games while Group 5 would play a team from the Blue Jays.  I could see Jesse Biddle warming up, so I ended up at Roberts Field to watch him this afternoon.  While waiting for the game to start, I noticed that Scott Palmer was sitting in the bleachers.  Soon after, Pat Gillick walked past.  Then Charley Kerfeld.  Dickie Noles came out to the back of the cage.  So did Dallas Green.  Gary Matthews came out to sit with Palmer.  Ruben Amaro came out and sat at the table in the balcony behind home plate.  Why were so many guys here and not in Dunedin where the Phillies were playing the Toronto Blue Jays in a Grapefruit League game?

Mike Adams. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; Camp Day →

Heavy rains throughout central Florida forced the cancellation of games yesterday.  Today, Groups 1 and 2 were on the rode in Bradenton.  Groups 3 and 4 played at the Complex.  Group 3 usually plays on Ashburn Field, but the 1-3 inches of rain that fell in the Tampa Bay area must have rendered the field too water-logged for a game.  Group 3 was moved to Roberts Field.

Group 4 played on Schmidt Field.  Ranfi Casimiro was the starter.  I checked the line up card and saw that Cozens was slated to start in center, again.

Ethan Stewart was the starter for group 3.  I had to leave early to pick up family at the airport, I chose to watch Stewart.  The wind on Roberts was strong, blowing from the left field corner to the right field corner. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 18th, vs. the Pirates →

While the “big boys” were playing the Pirates in Bright House, Groups 1 and 2 were on the road to Bradenton and Groups 3 and 4 played at the Complex.  I chose to watch Group 4 on Mike Schmidt Field.  Kevin Frandsen bounced back and forth between fields taking at bats where ever possible.  Although this was Group 4, there were participants from Groups 3 and 5 also.

I got a look at the line up card with coach’s notes before the game started. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 16th, vs. the Pirates →

I went to the Carpenter Complex knowing I wouldn’t be able to stay for a whole game.  Groups 3 and 4 were at Englebert playing the Jays.  Groups 1 and 2 were at Carpenter.  Dave Buchanan got the start for Group 1, Hoby Milner for Group 2.  Milner threw a perfect two innings on Tuesday so I decided to see how he looked today. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 15, The Hoby Milner Edition →

Groups 1 and 2 traveled to Englebert Complex in Dunedin.  Groups 3 and 4 played at Carpenter Complex.  Group 5 played a local college team at Carpenter.  Jay Hernandez started at third for group 4, so no serious injury from the other day.  Zach Green made a couple good defensive plays today. Continue reading MiLB Spring Training 2014; March 14th, Phillies vs. Blue Jays →

The minor league games with the Pirates were cancelled today due to rain along the coast.  It must have been heavier in the Bradenton area, because Group 5 was able to play their scheduled game against the Canadian Junior National Team.  Groups 1 and 2 worked out on one of the fields and Groups 3 and 4 played an intra-squad game.  Kyle Kendrick pitched for Group 3, Carlos Ruiz, caught, and Cesar Hernandez played third base.  Innings started with different on base scenarios and Ruiz and Hernandez batted in most innings.

Kendrick missed a throwing session yesterday due to the flu.  He threw 5 respectable innings today.  Group 4 managed a few opposite field singles, but were generally over-matched when he threw his off-speed stuff.  Jan Hernandez made a great diving catch but left the game afterwards. Continue reading MILB Spring Training 2014; March 12th, Phillies vs. Pirates rained out →

Groups 1 and 2 played at the Carpenter Complex.  Groups 3 and 4 traveled to Dunedin.  Group 5 hosted the Three Rivers College Raiders, an NJCAA member from the MCCAC.  I decided to go to the Complex to watch Groups 1 and 2.  Hoby Milner started for Group 2, Barry Enright for Group 1.  I opted to watch Milner and the younger pitchers in Group 2. Continue reading Spring Training 2014; March 11th, Phillies vs. Blue Jays →

Severino Gonzalez threw two innings in Group 3’s game against Group 4 today.  I had spent the previous innings watching Groups 1 and 2 square off, but came over to Ashburn Field to observe Gonzalez.  He faced Nick Ferdinand, Cameron Perkins, and Edgar Duran in his first inning.  He threw 5 strikes to Ferdinand before finally striking him out swinging.  He threw 3 strikes to Perkins before tempting him with two purpose pitches low and just off the plate.  Continue reading 2014 MiLB Spring Training, Seve Gonzalez, and Other Observations →