Tonight is one of my favorite night of the year, the season ticket holder meet the team party. We get a picnic with the players and then they are formally introduced.
Without further ado, I give you your 2018 Clearwater Threshers HERE.
alexis Rivero
Minor League Spring Training Rolls On-Pictures
As these early days of spring training roll on, it’s more of the “same old, same old” of pitchers fielding drills, batting practice and other drills. It’s hard to really write a narrative of the activities like it is a game. So I will give you these photos:
Pictures From The First Day Of Minor League Pitchers and Catchers Spring Training
Sorry for the absence over the last 10 days or so. I had to have a procedure done on my “Frankenfoot” that required rest. On the plus side, I’m able to walk now, the best since I sprained it and broke a bone just 10 days before spring training began.Â
Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year…the day that minor league pitchers and catchers report. Additionally, the majority of the position players are here already. I’ve known some of these guys for more than five years so it’s great to see some of my friends again.
Matt Hockenberry, who pitched for the Threshers last season, is now a pitching coach for one of the two Gulf Coast League teams the Phillies will be fielding this year. I love this picture as the pitchers are all former colleagues of Hockenberry’s and it’s good to see them all enjoying a laugh together before the work begins. Also in the picture from left to right: Tyler Viza, Alberto Tirado, Alexis Rivero, Garrett Clevenger, Luke Leftwich and Jacob Waguespack in the red shirt.
I took a lot of pictures all around camp yesterday as they are all during drills, there’s not much to say as the pictures speak for themselves:
Introducing The 2016 Clearwater Threshers
It was a beautiful evening here in Clearwater for the annual “Meet the Threshers” picnic for season ticket holders. It’s a fun time where we had a chance to have a nice meal and hob-knob with the players.
After everyone had a chance to eat, the voice of the Threshers, Kirsten Karbach introduced the team.
You can see video of the introductions HERE.
The season kicks off tomorrow night in Dunedin against the Blue Jays.
Phillies Minor League Team 2016 Rosters Released!
Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
Catchers
- JP Arencibia
- Andrew Knapp#
Infielders
- Carlos Alonso
- Taylor Featherston
- Ryan Jackson
- Tommy Joseph
- Angelys Nina
- Brock Stassi
Outfielders
- Cameron Perkins
- David Lough
- Darnell Sweeny #
- Wil Venable
- Nick Williams*
Starting Pitchers
- Mark Appel
- David Buchanan
- Zach Eflin
- Adam Morgan*
- Jake Thompson
The Bullpen
- Elvis Araujo
- Andrew Bailey
- Ernesto Frieri
- Luis Garcia
- Bobby Lafromboise*
- Edward Mujica
- Colton Murray
Reading Fightin’ Phils
Catchers
- Jorge Alfaro
- Logan Moore
Infielders
- JP Crawford*
- Jake Fox
- Rhys Hoskins
- Harold Martinez
- Angelo Mora#
- KC Serna
- Jesmuel Valentin#
Outfielders
- Aaron Brown
- Dylan Cozens
- Christian Marrero*
- Roman Quinn#
Starting Pitchers
- Alec Asher
- Ben Lively
- Ricardo Pinto
- Nick Pivetta
- Anthony Vasquez
The Bullpen
- Severino Gonzalez
- Ulises Joaquin
- Edubray Ramos
- Joeley Rodriguez*
- Reinier Roibal
- Tom Windle
Clearwater Threshers
Catchers
- Gabriel Lino
- Chace Numata#
- Joel Fisher
Infielders
- Maquin Canelo
- Zach Green
- Scott Kingery
- Kyle Martin*
- Drew Stankiewicz#
- Mitch Walding*
Outfielders
- Andrew Pullin*
- Herlis Rodriguez
- Cord Sandberg*
- Carlos Tocci
Starting Pitchers
- Tom Eshelman
- Ranfi Casimiro
- Elniery Garcia*
- Matthew Imhof*
- Will Morris
- Tyler Visa
The Bullpen
- Victor Arano
- Joey DeNato
- Matt Hockenberry
- Jario Munoz
- Miguel Nunez
- Alexis Rivero
- Jesen Therrien
Lakewood BlueClaws
Catchers
- Austin Bossart
- Deivi Grullon
- Wilson Garcia
Infielders
- Grenny Cumana
- Brendon Hayden
- Jan Hernandez
- Emmanuel Marrero#
- Josh Tobias#
Outfielders
- Zach Coppola
- Jose Pujols
- Cornelius Randolph*
- Damek Tomscha
- Jiandido Tromp
Starting Pitchers
- Harold Arauz
- Tyler Gilbert*
- Franklyn Kilome
- Luke Leftwich
- Mitch Gueller
- Shane Watson
The Bullpen
- Alejandro Arteaga
- Kenny Koplove
- Zach Morris*
- Robert Tasin
- Jose Taveras
- Alberto Tirado
- Jacob Waguespack
Extended Spring Training
Catchers
- Edgar Cabral
- Roldolfo Duran
- Greg Brodzinski
- Nerlius Martinez
- Gregori Rivero*
- Lenin Rodriguez
- Rafeal Marchan
Infielders
- Jose Antequera
- Daniel Brito*
- William Cuicas#
- Luis Encarnacion
- Luis Espiritu
- Arquismedez Gamboa#
- Edwin Rodriguez
- Lucas Williams
Outfielders
- Jesus Alastre
- Venn Biter*
- Carlos Duran
- Enmanuel Garcia
- Samuel Hiciano
- Mark Laird*
- Juan Luis*
- Jhailyn Ortiz
- Greg Pickett*
- Jake Sweaney
Starting Pitchers
- Ismael Cabrera
- Seranthony Dominguez
- Bailey Falter
- Nick Fanti
- Edgar Garcia
- Adonis Medina
- Felix Paulino
- William Stewart*
- Ranger Suarez*
The Bullpen
- Steiner Carmona
- Skylar Hunter
- Carlos Indriago
- Sutter McLoughlin
- Luis Morales
- Geudy Ortiz
- Oskerlly Sanchez*
- Anthony Sequiera
- Jeff Singer*
- Horace Stubblefield
- Gregory Infante
- Chris Leroux
- Jeremy Bleich
- Hoby Milner
Extended Spring Training Rehab
- Jimmy Cordero
- Frank Herrmann
- Yoervis Medina
- Brandon Leibrandt*
- Mark Leiter
- John Richy
- Andrew Anderson
- Scott Harris
- Austin Davis
- Derek Campbell
Scenes From Phillies Minor League Spring Training-March 28, 2016
It started out as a muggy afternoon and by the time the games were over, it was breezy and starting to sprinkle. I was kept busy by having the majority of my pitcher friends all pitching in the same game. There were two major leaguers, Carlos Ruiz and Charlie Morton on the other field. I was also lucky enough to meet two fans and the father of a player who loves the pictures of his son that Ross and I have posted. It’s things like that that make what we do so fun.
Here are the two major leaguers:
And the rest of the guys:
I was excited to get this shot, as Encarnacion hit a homer on this swing.
Scenes from Phillies Minor League Spring Training-March 10
This morning practice was full of more drills. While all these drills make it difficult to write commentary about the activities, it does give me an opportunity to get some great shots.
Derek Campbell narrowly misses a collision with pitcher Victor Arrano.
Elniery Garcia shouts “UP!” during pop-up drills
Alberto Torado gives maximum effort.
Catcher Deivi Grullon fires to second as pitcher Jario Munoz ducks out of the line of fire.
Pitcher Ranfi Casimiro tracks a pop up.
Zach green snags a fly ball.
Pitcher Alexis Rivero smiles in relief after grabbing a sky-high pop up.
I had fun watching drills today, it’s just another day in baseball paradise.
Scenes from Phillies Minor League Spring Training-March 9
It was another beautiful day here in Clearwater. After a cold and wet winter, this warm dry March is a wonderful change.
The one thing that I’ve noticed that’s different from last year is that the atmosphere is lighter and more positive. You see the players with smiles on their faces and a little more bounce in their steps. It seems to be almost the opposite of last season, at least, so far.
Unless you’re someone who’s unnecessarily loquacious, there’s really not a lot that you can say about watching the endless drills of the first week of spring training. So my contribution will be a series of pictures depicting today’s activities.
José Taveras tracks down the ball during PFPs-Pitcher Fielding Practice.
Zach Green begins to spring for the ball.
Deivi Grullon snags the ball from the pitching machine.
Rhys Hoskins makes contact in batting practice.
Miguel Gonzalez begins long tossing before going into the bullpen.
Aaron Brown and Dylan Cozens during base running drills.
Alberto Tirado pantomimes a toss in PFPs.
Derek Campbell gets ready to fire to first.
Matt Imhof smiles after a successful throw to first.
Christian Merraro is ready to fly.
Drew Stankiewicz swings for the fence.
Alexis Rivero tracks down the ball during PFPs.
Mitch Walding throws to second.
Newcomer Jeff Singer played last season for the Camden Riversharks. He looked sharp today.
Baseball Ross and I will be back at it tomorrow, another day in paradise.
Scenes From Phillies Minor League Camp
One of the most difficult things about Spring Training is trying to see it all, especially in minor league camp. At times you will have drills going on on four different fields, pitchers throwing in 3 different bullpens, and hitting in the batting cages. (And that’s the stuff you can actually see, there’s also indoor weight rooms, batting cages and pitching areas.)
When you’re trying to get an idea of how everyone is doing, that leads to a lot of movement around the complex and sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you can’t see everyone in one day.
So I put together a series pictures to show what a typical day in the life of spring training is like.
One of the biggest surprises has been Carlos Tocci. Tocci broke his hamate bone in winter ball but you would have never known it in BP. He was hitting with some power. It was great to see.
Art Charles takes a few swings.
Andrew Pullin practiced bunting.
William Cuicas grabbed a grounder.
Venn Biter laid down a nice bunt. (Ball on left-edge of picture.)
Cornelius Randolph takes a jog around the bases.
Cord Sandberg takes a turn at the plate.
Until the minor league games start, this is a snapshot of what camp is like. For the fan it means a lot of walking in circles, but there is no where else I’d rather be.
2016 Minor League Work Group List Released
The minor league workgroup was released and here it is, hot off the presses:
If you have questions about the list, I’ve answered the most common ones HERE.
Baseball Betsy 