Spring Training Game Thread

[Imperial59]

Wagner probably replaces Varitek next year as our backup' date=' especially if he has a good year in Pawtucket. With Brown, Wagner and potentially Expo all in range by the end of this year and our starter probably either V-Mart of Mauer I just can't see Theo looking for a veteran backup. If V-Mart's the starter,Wagner's skillset works for a backup role, and it means Wags gets playing time since V-Mart won't catch 150 games..[/quote']

 

I could see it. At least Wagner can throw runners out, if nothing else. He threw out 47% of baserunners last year. I'm sure that's a bit inflated by inexperienced base stealers, but I'm sure most of the pitchers he was working with didn't know how to hold the runner very effectively either.

[example1]

How did his curve look? That's supposedly his best pitch.

 

Like a700 I didn't notice his curve.

 

Unlike a700, I was quite impressed. He was hitting 93 pretty consistently and seemed to have good command low in the strike zone. The catcher didn't seem to have to move his glove very much and he has an easy, very repeatable motion.

 

He looked remarkably polished and poised for a 20 year old.

 

He clearly needs to push himself against better competition because he hasn't really experienced a tough stretch yet and hasn't faced competition that can handle him.

 

FWIW, he made a tremendous play on a hard hit GB up the middle.

 

Frame/stuff/athleticism-wise I feel like Zack Greinke and young Mike Mussina might be useful comparisons. His FB isn't overpowering but it is definitely something that will make hitters defensive, especially if he's hitting 93 at 20 y.o.

[Imperial59]

No wonder no one noticed his curve, he didn't throw it at all. I just saw the video, he was strictly fastball, changeup today. He does have a lot of downward movement on his fastball, I could see why it's a good pitch even though he only throws it 91-93. And he has a lot of downward movement on his change, it almost looks like a slider it has so much bite to it. He wasn't blowing anyone away. But he was getting weak swings at balls down in the zone. I'd say he could be a decent #2 or #3 starter and if he adds some velocity to his fastball he could be a #1.

[RWTP24]

We should not fall in love with Kelly because if the Sox want AGon, Kelly will be in SD.

[Spudboy]

No wonder no one noticed his curve' date=' he didn't throw it at all. I just saw the video, he was strictly fastball, changeup today[/b']. He does have a lot of downward movement on his fastball, I could see why it's a good pitch even though he only throws it 91-93. And he has a lot of downward movement on his change, it almost looks like a slider it has so much bite to it. He wasn't blowing anyone away. But he was getting weak swings at balls down in the zone. I'd say he could be a decent #2 or #3 starter and if he adds some velocity to his fastball he could be a #1.

 

That's interesting given that Francona said that Kelly used "all his pitches " and that Wagner had Kelly throw the curve on a 3-2 count.

 

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2010/03/08/excitement_slightly_raised_by_red_sox_mound_pair/

 

http://bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1238076&srvc=sports&position=3

[Imperial59]

That's interesting given that Francona said that Kelly used "all his pitches " and that Wagner had Kelly throw the curve on a 3-2 count.

 

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2010/03/08/excitement_slightly_raised_by_red_sox_mound_pair/

 

http://bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1238076&srvc=sports&position=3

 

Oh, OK. He threw a pitch on 3-2 that was clocked at 84 but it came off the bat of the hitter on a check swing. The radar must have tracked the speed of the pitch off the bat rather than out of Kelly's hand. :dunno:

 

It was to the second batter he faced if anyone cares to take a look at it. He made the good play on the ball hit up the middle on the next pitch to retire the batter.

[VA Sox Fan]

Exhibition Game 6: Cardinals at Red Sox

 

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff March 8, 2010 07:36 AM

 

Here are the lineups for today's game:

 

RED SOX (3-2)

Scutaro SS

Pedroia 2B

Martinez C

Youkilis 1B

Ortiz DH

Drew RF

Cameron CF

Hall LF

Sanchez 3B

 

Pitching: RHP Josh Beckett followed by RHP Jonathan Papelbon, LHP Hideki Okajima, LHP Dustin Richardson, RHP Ramon Ramirez, RHP Manny Delcarmen.

 

CARDINALS (1-3)

Schumaker 2B

Lopez DH

Molina C

Rasmus CF

Freese 3B

Jay LF

Mather 1B

Henley RF

Greene SS

 

Pitching: RHP Chris Carpenter followed by RHP Pete Parise, RHP Jason Mottte, LHP Trever Miller, RHP Charlie Zink.

[Spudboy]

Oh, OK.

 

You stated that Kelly did not throw a curveball based on viewing a video. His manager and battery mate say otherwise and you spin it into some sarcastic gobbledy gook above.

 

My point is that it is very unlikely you, nor any other lay person can properly identify a pitch from most TV camera perspectives. This is supported by what Jerry Remy wrote in his book and by what other former MLB players have said (Eckersly, Merloni, etc.).

 

"There's the cutter". "There's the slider". "There's the two seamer".

 

When announcers say these things I just laugh. Remy says that it is almost impossible for anyone to identify a pitch from the booth even for "experts" such as himself. I believe him.

[a700hitter]

Oh, OK.

 

You stated that Kelly did not throw a curveball based on viewing a video. His manager and battery mate say otherwise and you spin it into some sarcastic gobbledy gook above.

 

My point is that it is very unlikely you, nor any other lay person can properly identify a pitch from most TV camera perspectives. This is supported by what Jerry Remy wrote in his book and by what other former MLB players have said (Eckersly, Merloni, etc.).

 

"There's the cutter". "There's the slider". "There's the two seamer".

 

When announcers say these things I just laugh. Remy says that it is almost impossible for anyone to identify a pitch from the booth even for "experts" such as himself. I believe him.

Yesterday, the play by play announcing of the game left a lot to be desired. There were lots of interviews conducted during the game. I don't remember the announcers calling attention to any curve balls by Kelly, and I didn't notice whether he threw any. On the other hand, Bonser threw a couple of filthy breaking pitches that were noticeable for the TV viewer and of which the announcers took note.

[bsox0407]

Iglesias hit a homer to give the Sox the lead in the 8th.

[Imperial59]

Oh, OK.

 

You stated that Kelly did not throw a curveball based on viewing a video. His manager and battery mate say otherwise and you spin it into some sarcastic gobbledy gook above.

 

My point is that it is very unlikely you, nor any other lay person can properly identify a pitch from most TV camera perspectives. This is supported by what Jerry Remy wrote in his book and by what other former MLB players have said (Eckersly, Merloni, etc.).

 

"There's the cutter". "There's the slider". "There's the two seamer".

 

When announcers say these things I just laugh. Remy says that it is almost impossible for anyone to identify a pitch from the booth even for "experts" such as himself. I believe him.

 

I wasn't being sarcastic. If Tito said he threw a curveball, I'm sure he threw a curveball. I was just going to scouting reports which say he curveball is 76-78 mph because I was watching it on crappy MLB.tv quality and I'd never seen him pitch before.

[Imperial59]

Iglesias hit a homer to give the Sox the lead in the 8th.

 

Wow, not bad for a guy with no power. He didn't hit any home runs his last year in Cuba.

[Spudboy]

The Sox beat the Cards 7-6.

 

Nice.

[a700hitter]

Like a700 I didn't notice his curve.

 

Unlike a700, I was quite impressed. He was hitting 93 pretty consistently and seemed to have good command low in the strike zone. The catcher didn't seem to have to move his glove very much and he has an easy, very repeatable motion.

 

He looked remarkably polished and poised for a 20 year old.

 

He clearly needs to push himself against better competition because he hasn't really experienced a tough stretch yet and hasn't faced competition that can handle him.

 

FWIW, he made a tremendous play on a hard hit GB up the middle.

 

Frame/stuff/athleticism-wise I feel like Zack Greinke and young Mike Mussina might be useful comparisons. His FB isn't overpowering but it is definitely something that will make hitters defensive, especially if he's hitting 93 at 20 y.o.

He did look poised for 20, and his stuff was good for a kid at his stage of development, but it didn't make me sit up and take notice. He might develop into an excellent major leaguer, but it was not like seeing Clemens for the first time. He's not that kind of special. . . at least not yet.

[a700hitter]

The Sox beat the Cards 7-6.

 

Nice.

You love the Cards even in Spring Training.

[Imperial59]

He did look poised for 20' date=' and his stuff was good for a kid at his stage of development, but [b']it didn't make me sit up and take notice[/b]. He might develop into an excellent major leaguer, but it was not like seeing Clemens for the first time. He's not that kind of special. . . at least not yet.

 

I had the same impression. He's poised and mature and has decent enough secondary pitches, but he's not a lights out pitcher, at least yet. He's going to have to add some velocity to his fastball and get more movement on his curveball. Three of us watched him pitch and none of him noticed him throwing it, but he apparently was throwing it.

[riverside sluggers]

Spring training stats (including college games)

 

Batting

Jason Varitek- 1 for 2 (.500 avg) K

Dustin Pedroia- 6 for 14 (.429 avg) Double, RBI, 4 Runs, 2 Walks, 2 Ks

Mike Cameron- 3 for 8 (.375 avg) 3 RBIs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

Kevin Youkilis- 4 for 11 (.364 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, Run, Walk, K

Tug Hulett- 3 for 9 (.333 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, 3 RBIs, 3 Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

Marco Scutaro- 4 for 13 (.308 avg) Double, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, K

Adrian Beltre- 2 for 7 (.286 avg) RBI, Run, 2 Walks

Jeremy Hermida- 4 for 14 (.286 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, Run, 2 Walks, K

Jacoby Ellsbury- 3 for 12 (.250 avg) 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs, 3 Walks, 3 Ks

Victor Martinez, 4 for 17 (.235 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 Runs

J.D. Drew- 2 for 9 (.222 avg) Triple, RBI, Run, Walk, K

Bill Hall- 3 for 14 (.214 avg) 2 RBIs, Run, 3 Walks, 5 Ks

David Ortiz- 2 for 17 (.118 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs, Walk, 4 Ks

///

Ryan Khoury- 2 for 3 (.667 avg) 2 RBIs, Run

Gustavo Molina, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) Double, RBI, Run, Walk

Nate Spears- 2 for 3 (.667 avg) 2 Runs, Walk, K

Brett Harper- 1 for 2 (.500 avg) RBI, K

Darnell McDonald- 7 for 14 (.500 avg) 4 Doubles, 2 RBIs, 7 Runs, 2 Walks, 2 Ks, SB

Gil Velazquez- 8 for 16 (.500 avg) 2 Doubles, 9 RBIs, 2 Runs, 2 Ks

Mark Wagner- 4 for 9 (.444 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs, Walk

Jeremy Hazelbaker- 2 for 5 (.400 avg) 3 Runs, Walk, K

Josh Reddick- 8 for 20 (.400 avg) 4 Doubles, Triple, 4 RBIs, 4 Runs, 5 Ks

Dusty Brown- 3 for 8 (.375 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, Walk

Ryan Kalish- 4 for 11 (.364 avg) 2 RBIs, 3 Runs, 4 Walks, 4 Ks

Che Hsuan Lin- 5 for 15 (.333 avg) Double, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

Luis Expositio- 3 for 10 (.300 avg) 2 Doubles, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs

Jose Iglesias- 3 for 10 (.300 avg) Double, HR, 6 RBIs, 2 Runs, K

Jed Lowrie- 3 for 10 (.300 avg) Double, RBI, Run, 2 Walks, K

Yamaico Navarro, 5 for 19 (.263 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs, Walk, 2 Ks

Aaron Bates- 3 for 15 (.200 avg) RBI, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, 6 Ks

Angel Sanchez, 3 for 17 (.176 avg) Triple, 3 RBIs, 3 Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

Lars Anderson, 1 for 22 (.045 avg) RBI, 5 Runs, 3 Walks, 5 Ks

Bubba Bell- 0 for 1, 3 Runs, 3 Walks, K

Ino Guerrero, 0 for 2

Daniel Nava- 0 for 1, Run

Jason Place, 0 for 2, K

Matt Sheely, 0 for 2

Oscar Tejeda, 0 for 1, Run, K

 

Pitching

Boof Bonser (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, Hit, 4 Ks

John Lackey (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 5 innings, 3 Hits, K

Hideki Okajima (0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, Hit, Walk, 2 Ks

Jonathan Papelbon (0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, Hit, Walk

Ramon Ramirez (0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, Hit, Walk, 4 Ks

Tim Wakefield (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 5 innings, 3 Hits, K

Josh Beckett (1.80 ERA)- 5 innings, 2 Hits, Run, 4 Ks

Daniel Bard (3.00 ERA)- 3 innings, 2 Hits, Run, 4 Ks

Manny Delcarmen (1-0, 3.00 ERA)- 3 innings, 2 Hits, Run, 2 Walks

Jon Lester (0-1, 9.82 ERA)- 3.2 innings, 5 Hits, 5 Runs (4 ER), 3 Walks, 5 Ks

Clay Buchholz (13.50 ERA)- 2 innings, 5 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 Walks, K

///

Scott Atchison (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, 3 Hits, 3 Ks

Michael Bowden (0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, Hit, 3 Ks

Fernando Cabrera (0.00 ERA)- 2 innings, Walk, 3 Ks

Felix Doubront (0.00 ERA)- 5 innings, 2 Hits, Walk, 5 Ks

Casey Kelly (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, Walk, 3 Ks

Robert Manuel (1 save, 0.00 ERA)- 3.1 innings, 2 Hits, 2 Walks, 5 Ks

Scott Patterson (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 1 inning, Walk

Ramon A. Ramirez (0.00 ERA)- 4 innings, 4 Hits, 3 Ks

Junichi Tazawa (1 save, 0.00 ERA)- 5 innings, Hit, Walk, 5 Ks

Kyle Weiland (0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, Hit, Walk, 3 Ks

Brian Shouse (3.00 ERA)- 3 innings, 4 Hits, 2 Runs (1 ER), Walk, 3 Ks

Fabio Castro (3.60 ERA)- 5 innings, 3 Hits, 2 Runs, Walk, 3 Ks

Joe Nelson (1 save, 1-0, 4.50 ERA)- 4 innings, 3 Hits, 2 Runs, Walk, 4 Ks

Randor Bierd (8.57 ERA)- 2.1 innings, 4 Hits, 3 Runs (2 ER), 3 Ks

Dustin Richardson (12.27 ERA)- 2.2 innings, 5 Hits, 3 Runs, Walk, K

Adam Mills (0-1, 20.25 ERA)- 4 innings, 12 Hits, 10 Runs (9 ER), Walk, 3 Ks

Kris Johnson (0-1, 27.00 ERA)- 1 inning, 4 Hits, 3 Runs

[Spudboy]

The Sox lead the Marlins 5-0 after six. Wake looked good again.

[Spudboy]

Sox now lead 9-0.

[msubulldogs21]

The Sox lead the Marlins 5-0 after six. Wake looked good again.

 

Don't know if you watched much of it, but do you know if a guy named Brett Sinkbeil happen to pitch for the Marlins today? He's a cousin of one of my best friends and a really nice guy. I hope he can crack the Marlins sometime this year.

[Spudboy]

Sox won 9-0.

 

Kalish and Reddick continue to rake.

 

Lars Anderson was 0-4 today which makes him 1-18 in spring training. It may be "Just spring training",

but this can't be good.

[bsox0407]

Don't know if you watched much of it' date=' but do you know if a guy named Brett Sinkbeil happen to pitch for the Marlins today? He's a cousin of one of my best friends and a really nice guy. I hope he can crack the Marlins sometime this year.[/quote']

 

He did not pitch today.

Florida

Sanchez, A

Jennings

VandenHurk

Sanches

Pinto

Olenberger

Nunez, L

 

These are the guys who pitched today.

[RedSoxRooter]

For those of you like me who are outside of Nesn's reach and can't get a dish, here's the list of televised Sox spring training games on ESPN/MLBN:

 

March 11, Thursday @ Mets, 1pm, MLB Network

March 13, Saturday Vs Pirates, 1pm, MLB Network

March 14, Sunday @ Twins, 1pm, MLB Network - TAPE DELAY

March 23, Tuesday @ Twins, 7pm, MLB Network - TAPE DELAY

March 28, Sunday Vs Twins, 1pm, MLB Network

March 29, Monday Vs Rays, 7pm, MLB Network

March 30, Tuesda Vs Rays, 1pm, ESPN

April 1, Thursday vs MIN, 1pm, ESPN

April 3, Saturday @ Nationals, 4pm, MLB Network

 

Nine games. Not bad at all!

[Dojji]

So it's pretty clear Adam Mills will not be breaking camp with the Sox this year. David Pauley redux.

[Dojji]

Nice one, Ells.

 

Boy, I hope he keeps THIS up in the regular season.

[VA Sox Fan]

Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff March 11, 2010 08:02 AM

 

Here are the lineups for today's game:

 

RED SOX (5-3)

Marco Scutaro SS

Dustin Pedroia 2B

Victor Martinez C

David Ortiz DH

J.D. Drew RF

Mike Cameron CF

Jeremy Hermida LF

Jed Lowrie 3B

Lars Anderson 1B

 

Pitching: RHP John Lackey followed by LHP Felix Doubront, RHP Joe Nelson and RHP Junichi Tazawa.

 

METS (6-4)

Angel Pagan CF

Luis Castillo 2B

David Wright 3B

Mike Jacobs 1B

Jason Bay LF

Frank Catalanotto DH

Jeff Francoeur RF

Alex Cora SS

Chris Coste C

 

Pitching: RHP Mike Pelfrey followed by LHP Pedro Feliciano, RHP Tobi Stoner, LHP Hisanori Takahashi and RHP Ryota Igarashi.

 

Game time: 1:05 p.m.

 

TV/Radio: MLB Network. Previous games have been blacked out. But NESN, the Sox and MLB were working to clear this game as of last night.

[J-Beck]

8-2 Boston going into the bottom of the 8th.

[VA Sox Fan]

I saw the first 4 innings at lunch. Lackey looked good.

[italstallianion]

Lars looks lost. Small Sample Size notwithstanding, hopefully he doesn't start the regular season like this.

[a700hitter]

Lars looks lost. Small Sample Size notwithstanding' date=' hopefully he doesn't start the regular season like this.[/quote']Were you watching the game or are you just basing it on the stats? I saw him last Spring Training, and I posted that he looked very tentative, confused and over-matched in his ABs. Of course that was met with all sorts of responses intended to diminish the significance of what I had seen. It is always possible that you see a guy when he is going through a slump, but his batting practice had been poor too. He went on to have a lost season in the minors, and he lost much of his luster as a shiny new prospect. He need to bust out this year, or he will fall off the prospect map, and he will have little use even as a trading chip. I saw one game so far this spring on TV. I believe that he got his one hit that game and his AB s were better quality than they had been last spring.