Padres Spring Training Report – Feb. 15th, 2014

Ok, so no spring training “goose bump” moments today, but in fairness those seem to show up once every quarter of a decade or so.  That being said, still a productive day for the Pads pitching staff today in Peoria.  This time it was the relievers turn to toe the slabs on the practice mounds to get their first official bullpen session’s of the season in.

Of particular interest to me today was to watch newly acquired set up man Joaquin Benoit.  In talking with him yesterday I got the sense he is a pretty down to Earth, no nonsense type of guy.  Even in his free agency process this past off season it wasn’t about who was recruiting and wooing him the most that factored into his decision.  He was more interested in asking suitor GM’s questions about their team’s roster construction, lineup, and the major league readiness of his potential future teammates.  Apparently he liked what he saw in San Diego, and chose to join the Friars over other potential landing spots.  His 12 years of MLB experience showed not only in his mature approach to choosing his new team, but also in how he went about his business today on the mound.  Calm, cool, no rush, execution of his pitches down and to both sides of the plate.  Mixed in some of his change ups that give opposing hitters fits, finished with some heaters with a little more zip, and called it a workout.  My sense is that not only will he be a dependable guy for Buddy to go to late in tight games, but also a calming veteran influence in the bullpen corps.

Was nice to get to see some deliveries of guys I’ve been hearing about, but had not seen much like Tony Sipp, Kevin Quackenbush, and Patrick Schuster.  Sipp showed some nice FB arm strength from the left side, and the ability to stay down more often than not, as well as to adjust back down the next pitch when he did miss.  The other lefty, Schuster, looked to have a deceptive delivery with a low 3/4 arm slot at times that could be tough on lefty’s.  Quackenbush also showed a somewhat less than conventional delivery that could provide deception, as hitters have already attested to with is career 1.15 ERA over 3 minor league seasons.  Looking forward to watching these three further as they make their big league camp debuts.

What I found most interesting though was not what was going on around the mounds, but what I saw at the other end of the pitches being delivered.  As I watched Benoit go through his routine, it suddenly dawned on me that there were two catchers at the home plate that he was firing towards.  Non-roster invite Rocky Gale was catching the ball, but standing next to him equally focused and tracking every pitch that poured in was Yasmani Grandal.  Because of his knee surgery last season, Yas will be catching every other day during these early spring workouts so as to not over work the repaired knee.  He caught several of the starters yesterday, so today was his day to rest.  He could have easily chosen to just hang out on the side, and casually observe the workouts he wasn’t a part of, or even pay no attention at all and no one would have said a word.  But instead he used the opportunity to acquaint himself with one of his new charge’s delivery, tempo, movement, body language, and preferred pitch sequence during his workout.  When he first joined the Padres Yasmani told me his whole career he has always considered himself a defensive catcher first, even though his offense is what seemed to open people’s eyes.  I had also heard stories last year about him watching games while recovering from his knee surgery, so that he could watch both his own pitchers and opponents to study their habits.  Advance scout Eric Junge who puts together the reports for Pads pitchers on how to get opposing batters out had also relayed stories about Grandal joining him before series to learn and to help in analyzing how best to attack opposing lineups.  Again, no one would think twice if he simply hung out in the training room with his ice wrap on, eating a sandwich, but that’s not who this kid is.

Later  on in the workouts I witnessed another example of the organization’s catching core depth growing, as former big league catcher, and now assistant GM A.J. Hinch called over Austin Hedges to discuss what appeared to be some finer points on framing pitches.  The point is there’s been a nice trend within the organization of the catching corps continuing to gain prowess and depth.  Nick Hundley has put in a tremendous amount of work over the years to build up his defensive skills, and that work ethic seems to be caring over to the youngsters.  In fact, with the presence of Hundley, Grandal, and Rene Rivera (who is also considered a polished receiver despite limited MLB time), there has been talk by Buddy that it is not impossible that the team may keep 3 catchers when they break camp at the end of March.  The extra back stop would allow the skipper to pinch run, and pinch hit more freely with Hundley and Grandal especially while Yas continues to build the strength back in his knee.

So far so good here in Peoria, and no injuries…knock on wood!  Looking forward to watching some more bullpen sessions by the starting rotation candidates tomorrow, and the expressions of more of the position players as they filter in and see the new facilities.

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