Pitchers vs. Hitters continued this morning, and even the GM got into it. Actually, Pat Gillick (left) spent more time watching from behind the backstop on the four back fields of the Carpenter Complex than playing catch himself.A few observations:
* LHP J.A. Happ , one of the Phillies' top pitching prospects, drew the interest of the braintrust. Gillick, assistant GMs Ruben Amaro Jr. and Mike Arbuckle, farm director Steve Noworyta, special advisor Charley Kerfeld, pitching coach Rich Dubee and former Phillies pitcher Dickie Noles clustered around the cage as Happ threw to Chris Coste, Randall Simon and Wes Helms. Happ looked pretty good, and if the Phillies have the need to call up a starter, he'd probably be among their first choices. Otherwise, he'll be at triple-A Ottawa.
* RHP Jim Ed Warden, selected in the Rule 5 draft in December, has a funky side-arm delivery that can be tough, particularly on right-handed hitters. Just ask Jayson Werth. After watching Warden saw off Jason Hill's bat, Werth gingerly stepped into the batter's box. Just then, Warden walked off the mound, having thrown his allotment of pitches. Werth blew a kiss skyward at having been spared from facing Warden. Instead, Werth faced LHP Brian Mazone and showed some power. After the Rule 5 draft, Arbuckle indicated Warden drops down like Orioles reliever Chad Bradford. That appears to be an exaggeration. Bradford's knuckles almost drag on the mound. Warden doesn't get nearly as low.
* Quote of the day came from LHP Cole Hamels (right). After warming up for his throwing session, Hamels walked onto Mike Schmidt Field, took a look toward the batting cage and saw he would be pitching to Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. "Great, I get the big dogs," Hamels mumbled. The thing is, I don't think facing Hamels was very much fun for them, either.* The long-dormant Phillies-Mets feud finally is heating up, and some of the Phillies, following Rollins' lead, keep chirping. But you can read all about that in tomorrow's News Journal and, as always, at www.delawareonline.com.
Time to start writing. More later.
2 comments:
Hey Scott, where do you predict the Phillies will finish this year?
Helen: Barring injuries or other unforseen developments, the Phillies should make the playoffs. That would mean a first- or second-place finish in the NL East. I think the Mets' starting pitching is VERY shaky. The Mets have a better bullpen than the Phillies, and the lineups are almost a wash. For now, I'll give the Phillies the division by a narrow margin, but I also reserve the right to change that prediction before the season starts.
Thanks for the note.
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