Everybody was happy to be back yet got right down to business this morning as minor league spring training kicked into full gear. Here’s a little bit of what I saw at the A and Low-A camps at the Buck O’ Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes.
The teams are divided into two distinct groups and then further divided into offense and pitchers. Today there were several pitchers dressed in Orange jerseys which means live BPs or pen sessions. They were: Preston Price, Griff McLarty, Xavier Moore, Ricky Ramirez, Connor Gillispie, Dylan Heid, Dan Hammer, Thomas Girard and Ignacio Feliz
A player who seems to be everywhere around Sarasota is catcher Creed Willems. Last week I saw him doing middle infield drills (and looking good), while today I saw him catching and taking grounders at each corner. He’s comfortable everywhere and at camp he’s becoming part of team which is great to see.
Orioles OF prospect Heston Kjerstad takes BP at camp pic.twitter.com/AweWEI0Aui
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) March 10, 2022
It’s also great to see the FCL players I’ve grown close with be back to baseball activities stateside. Returning to southwest Florida has been on their minds since the day they left and practicing with the O’s instructors is how they get better. That restarted today.
Elio Prado is an OF prospect who hadn’t been able to get on the field due to injuries at the wrong time. Today I saw him get a loud hit in a BP session and his dugout was smiling and yelling for him.
OF prospect Elio Prado got a nice hit and the dugout is happy! pic.twitter.com/7aDPuQiFL2
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) March 10, 2022
Some pitchers who I got to watch live were Noah Denoyer, Connor Gillispie and Ricky Ramirez. Denoyer broke off a bender under the bat of lefty corner Josue Cruz that had strong pull downward. Gillispie had it spinning for high and in to a couple righties and Ramirez hit the corners w/run.
O’s RHP prospect Rickey Ramirez is back to hitting spots pic.twitter.com/5jRQXUrFFC
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) March 10, 2022
Catchers Angel Herrera and Ricardo Rivera stayed busy catching pens and taking hacks in the cage too. Good thing it’s only humid in March, not too hot yet.
The 2021 draft class was well represented and I saw Colton Cowser in the same cages with Connor Norby, John Rhodes and 2020 pick 3B Coby Mayo. Some pitchers I saw had off from work today as they were in regular clothes rooting on their teammates from the bleachers. Jake Lyons, Jensen Elliott and Shane Davis led one cheering section.
The team was accommodating to the dozen or so fans and the players were so happy to be doing what they do. Several fans and trainers commented on how right it felt to be back to baseball.
I never lose track of the circle of baseball so when I shook hands with instructor Daniel Fajardo in the same exact spot where he signed autographs for kids, I reminded him. He was a catcher in the system, and a damn good one. Faji will be with the Shorebirds this season sharing his experience and education with the baby Birds. I know he’ll be outstanding.
I encourage anyone and everyone in the area to come and watch these guys get better every day from 9-1 at Twin Lakes until March 13th.
