It’s intangible, yet palpable. You can’t measure it with a radar gun or stop watch, nor calculate it with even the most advanced modern day metrics…but you know when you’re in its midst. It’s something that every team wants to have in their camps, but in truth it only graces a few organizations each season, and for the first time in many years it’s present in Padres camp. What is it?
The absolute expectation and belief that this is a winning and playoff contending team.
I know, I know, everyone comes to spring training with unbridled hopes of winning, but deep down most teams understand that it is just that…a hope that would require either the unexpected collapse of teams they know are better, or a semi miraculous conglomeration of career bests out of their own players that rarely materializes. The Padres have had to live in that murky world of hope for far too long. You can’t want and hope to win all you want, but until you truly believe you can win you are at the mercy of your opponent.
The winter has been long and severe for this organization, but these first sprouts of true belief are busting through the frost of frustration with virility, and are growing stronger each day under the desert sun. There is a different energy in camp this year, and the conversations among the coaches, front office brass, scouts, agents, visiting media, fans, and most importantly the players themselves is about the different vibe in camp this year, the new expectations to win, and the influx of talent to accomplish it.
These players believe! Every one of them I’ve spoken with so far, new to the organization or old, have talked about the energy in camp, and excitement about what this revamped roster is capable of. True, it’s only been a couple of days of official workouts, but having been here for the week prior and able to observe the attitude of the players who were here early, and the confirmation and cumulative growth of that energy as the rest of the team continues to arrive has been something special to witness.
So what functionally took place today, in day two of workouts for the pitchers and catchers? More of the tried and true regimen of PFP’s (pitcher’s fielding practice), measured bullpens, brief discussion sessions reviewing the fundamentals or in some cases adding a new twist or emphasis on intent or technique, and conditioning all mixed in with the light hearted needling and banter that teammates share on the field.
Pitchers who toed the slab today for their first bullpen work included Benoit, Campos, Elbert, Erlin, Garces, Guerrero, Kelley, Mateo, Maurer, Thayer, Torres, Valverde, and Vincent. So who did I enjoy watching in this early easy session?
- Garces – He did a great job last season in his 15 outings with the big club, throwing lots of strikes with his late life FB, and hard hook. Today it was more of the same with his fastball location, consistently hitting the mitt at the knees – good to see on day one.
- Maurer – Consistently popped the mitt with good velocity down on the zone.
- Guerrero – El Colombiano is a physical specimen on the mound at 6’7″, with long but proportioned limbs and a cannon of an arm that can hit 100 MPH. What surprised me was the quality and consistency of his delivery. He appears to use his lower body well, has a smooth non-rushed rhythm, good line to the target, and reaches out and follows through nicely with his arm. The ball with seemingly little effort was exploding out of his hand, and I’m sure there is plenty more than what he showed on the first day.
Guerrero showing off is big arm and solid delivery as Balsley and #51 look on.
It was good to get a first look at Kelley, Elbert, and Mateo as well who all appeared to have a good first day of work.
I said yesterday that I was going to review what I’ve been seeing with the catching corps in the early going, but I will save it for another day as the positive energy and winning mindset that is energizing this camp took control of my fingers at the open of this article…which was perfectly fine with me, and hope for you as well Padres fans!
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