Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 1, 2015

I wish I had some insightful story to tell you about today’s workout like SportCenter was broadcasting from centerfield, or someone was overpoweringly electric on the mound, or I saw a multiple HR’s from a hitter, or someone trying a new position for the first time like I’ve had for you in previous reports…but I don’t.

What I can tell you though, which is not as scintillating as any of those other stories, but is actually just as  important in many ways, is that there was NO news today.  At this time of year, no news is often the best news because the only thing “newsy” right now is usually bad.  Everyone is healthy.  Everyone is getting their work in.  Everyone is focused and going hard. The pitchers are building arm strength, and getting the feel of off speed pitches. The hitters are getting their eyes at the plate, and quickening their hands through the zone.  Footwork is being tightened up, and gloves are being broken in.

Pick offs and run downs were the fundamental practice of the morning.  It went surprisingly smoothly.  I say surprisingly because even with MLB players it’s amazing how often run downs are screwed up by the defense by someone not giving up the ball in time, not running full speed at the runner, or not getting out of the running lane. All went smoothly for the Friars with almost none of these gremlins getting in the way.

Ross looked especially strong in the early part of is live BP session today.  In the battle for the #5 spot in the rotation Morrow looked ok for most of his outing, and then seemed to turn it up a notch for the final couple of minutes. It was good to see him open it up a little bit, and show not only that the arm that averaged 95 MPH last year is gearing up, but that his finger injury that caused him to miss over 3 months of last season is hopefully behind him. Despaigne looked his sharpest this spring today as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spangenberg has been looking good every time I see him get into the batters box. I’ve seen him drive the ball as well, like in this video below.

The rain that hit San Diego today is supposed to reach Peoria tomorrow. Hopefully it doesn’t cause too much havoc with the scheduled workouts, nor media photo day.

One little piece of information that Buddy shared this morning was that Cash and Kennedy are both expected to pitch on Thursday.  Bottom line friends, all continues to go well in camp as the Pads close in on the Cactus League opener on Wednesday, and the April 6th regular season lid lifter.

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