2015 Spring Training Games Thread

[cp176]

It doesnt look like HanRam left his dog in LA. Normally, I wouldn't think much of it, because it is just spring training, but he does have a reputation. He never runs hard. He needs a kick in the butt, but I don't think there is anyone in our clubhouse to do that.

 

You must be down there watching them! I wish that I could have seen Rodriguez on the mound. Of their young pitchers, I am sticking with what I said earlier. If any of them have the potential to be a frontline starter, he is the one. Pretty soon, we will start hearing from the people who don't see the significance of the power pitcher. We will hear about location, location, which of course is significant but if Bucholtz and Masterson can't find a few more mph's, they will get pounded. I hope that Ramirez has made the mental changes that he said he has made. We will sorely need his bat in the lineup. Not just 75% of the time either.

[Spudboy]

The updates from The Fort by our friend a700 is some of the most enjoyable reporting during ST. I know how he sees things. So I get a very good, realistic idea of what is being done.

 

And cp176, I agree about Rodriguez. To be truthful, I have not seen a whole lot of him. But he looks good, is well thought of by pro scouts, and I am praying that he is the deal because the Sox will need at least 2 spare Starting arms this season.

[mvp 78]

Pete Abraham said that Masterson's velocity was down like last year, but that he did hit 91-92 a few times.

[Bellhorn04]

Pete Abraham said that Masterson's velocity was down like last year, but that he did hit 91-92 a few times.

 

One thing I read was that the movement on his pitches has all been side to side and not down. The implication was that if it stays that way he will suck donkey balls.

[seabeachfred]

One thing I read was that the movement on his pitches has all been side to side and not down. The implication was that if it stays that way he will suck donkey balls.

 

No argument there Bell. If he can't sink his hard stuff he could get eaten alive. Right now I am zeroing in on Porcello, Kelly, Miley and Buchholz because they appear to be our "Big Four", and this time the latter one must finally step us for us----------- finally!!!!!!

[Spudboy]

Miley looked good today against a bunch of names I mostly did not recognize from the Pirates.

 

 

Jackie Bradley had two more hits and they were not cheapies. Solid contact on both.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Spudboy

[Kimmi]

I'm not sure how the sky is falling already, when it's only spring training. Geez, these posts are depressing.

[pruneface]

I'm not sure how the sky is falling already, when it's only spring training. Geez, these posts are depressing.

I'm not worried. Masterson might fail, but he's on a one year trial deal anyway. I'm excited about guys like Wright, Owens, Johnson and Rodriguez. The Sox can surely find some internal remedy and get a rental ace at the deadline for a guy like Cecchini if need be.

 

Any bets that there'll be flabby drunken streaker this year in a panda mask? That should make you laugh or lose your supper.

[mvp 78]

I'm not sure how the sky is falling already, when it's only spring training. Geez, these posts are depressing.

 

Just wait until the Sox lose a few games in early April...

[Ogden]

One of the best CFers in baseball (Bradley) played RF today so Castillo could play CF. What a joke. Unless Castillo has a total rag arm and can't reach the cutoff man on the fly, he should be in RF since Mookie is going to be in CF anyway.

[a700hitter]

Pete Abraham said that Masterson's velocity was down like last year, but that he did hit 91-92 a few times.

Maybe some of the scouts guns registered him at 91-92, but he didn't hit higher than 89 on the stadium gun, and that was a couple or three times. I moved into the shade for his fourth inning and I couldn't see the readings from my vantage point. The stadium gun had him more than a few clicks of last year's velocity in the first three innings, never reaching 90.

[a700hitter]

One thing I read was that the movement on his pitches has all been side to side and not down. The implication was that if it stays that way he will suck donkey balls.

 

I couldn't see the movement on his pitches from my vantage point, but he did get a number of key ground ball outs and a DP. Earlier in the week, Matt Harvey was hitting 97 on the same gun. Masterson was not throwing hard. Eck would have said that he was tossing up salad.

[Kimmi]

I'm not worried. Masterson might fail, but he's on a one year trial deal anyway. I'm excited about guys like Wright, Owens, Johnson and Rodriguez. The Sox can surely find some internal remedy and get a rental ace at the deadline for a guy like Cecchini if need be.

 

Any bets that there'll be flabby drunken streaker this year in a panda mask? That should make you laugh or lose your supper.

 

 

I know you're not worried Pruneface. As you said, if the starting 5 falter, we have some young talent who could get the job done, or we have certainly have the pieces and money to trade for a pitcher if need be.

 

As far as the flabby drunken streaker goes, I guess it's a good thing that the stations will no longer show these guys on air. LOL

[Kimmi]

Just wait until the Sox lose a few games in early April...

 

 

Heaven forbid we should start off 0-3...

[Kimmi]

I couldn't see the movement on his pitches from my vantage point, but he did get a number of key ground ball outs and a DP. Earlier in the week, Matt Harvey was hitting 97 on the same gun. Masterson was not throwing hard. Eck would have said that he was tossing up salad.

 

 

The encouraging sign there is that Masterson's GB/FB ratio was more in line with what he typically induces over his last outing.

 

To steal a post from a good poster on another site, Buccholz, Porcello, Miley, and Masterson have combined for a 3.34 ERA so far this spring. That's not too shabby.

 

Cheer up! It's not the end of the world!

[a700hitter]

The encouraging sign there is that Masterson's GB/FB ratio was more in line with what he typically induces over his last outing.

 

To steal a post from a good poster on another site, Buccholz, Porcello, Miley, and Masterson have combined for a 3.34 ERA so far this spring. That's not too shabby.

 

Cheer up! It's not the end of the world!

 

Cheer up? I was in the Florida sunshine watching Red Sox baseball. What could be better? End of the world? I am just passing on information.

[a700hitter]

Betts continues to rake. In his first 2 ABs, he has a double to the RCF gap and an inside the park homer to CF.

[Kimmi]

Cheer up? I was in the Florida sunshine watching Red Sox baseball. What could be better? End of the world? I am just passing on information.

 

 

I was teasing about cheering up, but I wish you would quit sounding so negative in your pitching reports. I don't think it's as bad as you make it sound.

[Kimmi]

Betts continues to rake. In his first 2 ABs, he has a double to the RCF gap and an inside the park homer to CF.

 

 

And I'm glad you're enjoying yourself in the Florida sunshine.

 

Go Betts!

[a700hitter]

I was teasing about cheering up, but I wish you would quit sounding so negative in your pitching reports. I don't think it's as bad as you make it sound.

I thought Porcello looked fine. He's not a #1, but he should be solid. Masterson's velocity is down significantly. That's not negative. It's just a fact. Kelly looks like garbage. Not negative -- just a fact. Maybe he just needs to get healthy and build arm strength. Buch has looked good. He just needs to stay healthy. This is an objective assessment of the situation, not being negative.

[a700hitter]

And I'm glad you're enjoying yourself in the Florida sunshine.

 

Go Betts!

I got home yesterday.

[Kimmi]

I thought Porcello looked fine. He's not a #1, but he should be solid. Masterson's velocity is down significantly. That's not negative. It's just a fact. Kelly looks like garbage. Not negative -- just a fact. Maybe he just needs to get healthy and build arm strength. Buch has looked good. He just needs to stay healthy. This is an objective assessment of the situation, not being negative.

 

 

Wright has looked solid through 4 innings against the Phillies. And so has our offense. Buchholz pitched well in an intrasquad game today.

 

As far as Kelly goes, haven't you heard that he's winning the Cy this year? ;-)

[Kimmi]

I got home yesterday.

 

 

Bummer. Welcome back to reality.

 

On a good note, only two more weeks until real baseball!

[Ogden]

Kelly looked good today in a simulated game with Napoli as a simulated hitter ... Nap wasn't allowed to swing but had a few simulated hits - though no solid contact.

[a700hitter]

A tough day for Owens today.

[jad]

Just looking at the box scores, holy crap, has Bradley developed a swing this year?? and is he not a lost cause after all? (or is this just the 'spring training' swing)? Has anyone watched closely enough to have an opinion on this?

[a700hitter]

Just looking at the box scores, holy crap, has Bradley developed a swing this year?? and is he not a lost cause after all? (or is this just the 'spring training' swing)? Has anyone watched closely enough to have an opinion on this?

His ABs have looked much better. The difference has been night and day. He doesn't look lost at the plate. I hope other teams have been watching, because he is excess baggage with Hanley, Rusney, Victorino and Betts.

[cp176]

We might be happy we have some depth - injuries starting to pop up. Vasquez-

[seabeachfred]

We might be happy we have some depth - injuries starting to pop up. Vasquez-

 

Let's not be too panicky and rush Swihart up to the Red Sox. I think a couple of months honing his hitting and catching full time will make him more ready when he does come up.

[Kimmi]

We might be happy we have some depth - injuries starting to pop up. Vasquez-

 

 

It's possible that Vazquez will not be ready for Opening Day. Hopefully, his injury is not too serious. He seems to think he'll be ready to go.

 

Hanigan was scratched from the line up today and Quintero started in his place. I don't know what that was all about.