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Rockpile Rumblings Spring Training- Rain Go Away, It’s Time to Play!
On Saturday, we played San Francisco’s A club which may be future Augusta Greenjackets. We saw two very good pitching performances from Daniel Winkler and Alex Gillingham. Winkler has been impressive all spring, attacking hitters, keeping the ball down and pounding the strike zone. He went three innings of scoreless ball.Gillingham followed with three innings of solid pitching as well. We took the lead when Robert De La Cruz hit a solo HR to put us up 1-0. With the score tied 1-1 in the 8th, the Giants scored 5 runs on only 1 hit, 3 walks and an error. De La Cruz also had a single making him the only multi-hit player going 2-2. There wasn’t much offense today. Once again, in spring training games, we mix and match a lot of players in the game to get them at bats and much needed innings on defense. I believe there are no better teaching tools than the actual game itself. Yes, we can discuss certain situations, we can simulate a game situation by setting up runners on base with a specific number of outs, but nothing is like the real speed of the game when you have to see it, think it and react to it as quick as you can. We constantly talk about a pre-pitch thought process that is mandatory before every pitch. Simply, it’s about understanding how to play the scoreboard. This will be discussed over and over all season. The scoreboard creates the situation. Nothing can be solved until we have an exact idea of what the scoreboard is telling us. It sounds wacky, but the next time you watch a baseball game, follow the board and watch how the game is played according to the scoreboard.
On Sunday weather kept us from playing any games. We all met in the weight room, had our group meeting and then everyone went to the cages. Now, you have to realize we have around 140 to 150 players in camp and they all have to get there work in on this rainy day. First, all the live pitching took place with hitters standing in the box. The pitchers simulated a game; therefore, all of the pitchers that threw on this day, were the pitchers that were suppose to pitch in games. This keeps them on track for preparing for the season. Next, we had staff batting practice. There are 10 very large cages that we use. The big league club used the 1st four cages and the minor league club occupied the rest. After batting practice, we had meetings inside and the day concluded. Hopefully, we can get our games in today (Monday). A day of rest is great, but these players really need to play in games because once again, there is no better practice than games.
Until then, take time to help someone today and don’t take any day for granted!!!
May God Bless and Never Surrender!!!
-Joe Mikulik
Rockpile Rumblings Spring Training- Intra-Squad Games!
The last two days were filled with early work and intra-squad games between the Asheville work group and Modesto. Yesterday, we played 3 1/2 innings and then had a very important meeting to go to afterward, well if you call golf important. Every spring, we include an annual staff golf tournament. My team included Dave Hajek, Bill Swanson (Director of Employment Assistance), Scott Muryama and myself. We enjoyed a beautiful afternoon and came up short shooting a 60, 10 under and missing out on 1st place by two strokes. We did eagle two par 5’s on the front nine but on the back missed a couple of shots and putts that cost us.
In today’s intra-squad game, we saw the Tourists defeat the Modesto club 11-7. When playing in these games, we design certain situations when the inning starts and then continue the inning from there. In the 2nd inning we placed runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and put the bunt plays on. In the 4th, we placed a runner on 2nd with no outs and the hitter had to work on moving the runner over any way possible, via bunt or hitting the ball to the right side of the infield or outfield. We also put a runner on 1st and work on the hit and run. This gives not only the hitters an opportunity to work on things but also the defense has to execute the play with pre-pitch communication and alignment. Last year’s Tourists Bryce Massanari hit a 2 run home run for Modesto. One of our top prospects Trevor Story made an incredible diving stop to his right got up and threw a runner out at 1st….”web gem.” Rossel Herrera had two singles. Jordan Ribera had a 2 out rbi triple, he also stole 2nd twice and he is a power hitting 1st baseman. Taylor Featherston also had two singles. David Kandilas made a nice diving catch coming in on the ball in leftfield and he had an rbi single.
Thats all for today. Take time to help someone today and don’t take any day for granted!!!
May God Bless and Never Surrender!!!
-Joe Mikulik
Rockpile Rumblings Spring Training- Game One Play Ball!
Play Ball! Today was game one of our exhibition season. We traveled to Goodyear to face theCincinnaticlub.Ashevillecame out on top today by a score of 8-6. TheModestoclub, combined of mostly last yearsAshevilleclub won 10-8. After a slow start in the first inning, Peter Tago settled down and pitched better in the 2nd inning. In the first, control problems ran his pitch count up but got out of a bases loaded jam with a ground ball 4-6-3 double play performed by Jose Rivera, Trevor Story (2011 2nd pick) to Harold Riggins (former NC State product). The Tourists scored 2 runs in the 2nd inning on a RBI double by Dylon Thomas and Riggins. In the very next inning, Julian Yan hits a grand slam HR to put us up 6-1. Yan was the only player to have 2 hits.
We were pleased with what we saw today. Tago, Geoff Parker,KyleRoliard, Brook Hart and Russel Brewer all got work on the mound today. Brewer looked very good closing out the last 2 innings of scoreless ball.
In these exhibition games, first and foremost we try to get everyone as much work as possible. As for the lineup, it is a mix and match of 18 position players. Today 15 saw action. 3 different catchers worked 3 innings each. As the games go on, we try to evaluate to the best of our knowledge, formulating an opinion of who and where players will play during the season. Yes players are auditioning for jobs. Although some jobs have already been secured by performances of last season, there are still positions that need to be filled. One thing to remember and this is what I told the team today, even if you don’t make this club coming out of spring, you have a chance to impress us to when we need a player in a month or so, or it could be a couple of weeks, the impression you leave with us will be important in the future.
Also in these games, we try to let the players play and showcase what they can and can’t do. I will let them freelance if you may, in order to be creative and aggressive to show us what type of player they are. From allowing them to perform in this manner, we get a better understanding of what direction we need to go with the player in a specific area. What I really find out is if the player can lead, think outside the box or is he passive and reluctant to think on his own. We play in a very low pressure arena in spring training. Although many peers watch and cast out opinions, there are not many fans, music, no scoreboards and National Anthems. Mostly, all players get to a point in spring when they all are curious where they will be headed out of camp. A saying around camp is when you hear the National Anthem on opening day, you know you’re not inScottsdale.
Tomorrow is a fun day, intra squad against theModestoclub, yes the team I had last year and then we have our annual staff Golf Tournament. My team consists of Dave Hajek, Bill Swanson, Scott Muryama and myself. We always look forward to this outing.
Until then, take time to help someone today and don’t take any day for granted!!!
May God Bless and Never Surrender!!!
-Joe Mikulik
Rockpile Rumblings Spring Training Days 14 & 15 – Live Batting Practice
Two more days go by; pitchers facing hitters began to be a bit more of game like situations. Yesterday, pitchers were calling pitches so the hitters were aware of what was coming. Today the catchers called pitches and the hitters were on their own. The pitchers threw more strikes today. The first five pitches were fastballs then they had the option to mix in other pitches with a 35 pitch count. After three days of facing live pitching, the hitters are getting more comfortable at the plate. One more day of live batting practice and then games start on Wednesday.
Our team fundamental yesterday was pickoffs and rundowns, plus catchers pickoffs at each base. A proper rundown if executed is performed preferably with one throw and tag. Today was cut offs and relays. The main focus today was proper alignment, making sure the two infielders are lined up accordingly to the correct base. It is important to understand the speed of the base runner as well as the speed of the batter running. There will be times when you will have to redirect the throw to a different base according to the speed of the runners and how the outfielder gets to the ball. Then, we had pop up priorities. Hitting pop ups all over the field with a situation in play. Understanding the high sky, sun and wind plays factor in this fundamental. Communication between the outfielders and infielders are so important. When calling for the ball, we practice in a loud manner, simulating a packed house in a big league stadium.
We also had our individual defensive work. I worked with the outfielders today, hitting them fly balls so they can go back on the ball and at times having to take their eye off the ball and run to a spot where they feel the ball will end up.
One more day of this and then we get to start games. Until then, take time out to help someone today and don’t take any day for granted. May God Bless and Never Surrender!!!
-Joe Mikulik
Rockpile Rumblings Spring Training Day 13- Full Squad Workouts!
And away we go. After an hour and a half group meeting including the entire minor league staff, front office personnel, 140 players that all met out in center field on field three, we started our first day of full squad workouts. The meeting took place covering all aspect of rules and standards of the organization.
Today’s workout included individual defense. For 30 minutes, all respective positions infield (double plays, backhand/forehand), outfield (footwork drills/reading balls off the bat at a short distance), pitchers and catchers have their time to work on defensive skills set up by each coordinator.
Team fundamental of the bunt defense followed. Our team fundamental begins where we all meet on field 6 to go over all 4 plays demonstrated by a select group of players. After the short demonstration, we all break to our fields to work on this drill for 30 minutes.
Live batting practice followed with hitters now facing live pitching. Pitchers threw 30 pitches, 15 out from the wind up and 15 out of the stretch. Each hitter saw 5 pitches each. Overall, pitchers were ok and surprisingly the hitters were not far off.
All of this will continue for the next 3 days until games begin. Until then, take time out to help someone today, and don’t take any day for granted!!!
May God Bless and Never Surrender!!!
-Joe Mikulik
Rockpile Rumblings Spring Training Day 12- FUN!
You got to have fun, find ways to be creative, find ways to have fun with a fine line of getting your work done in a quality manner. Today was the last day of the pitchers wheel. All stations of fundamentals were fine tuned in order to prepare for our team fundamentals starting tomorrow. Making sure all pitchers know their responsibilities on bunt plays, pick off situations, run downs and backing up bases. There were no bullpen sessions, giving them a chance to rest their arms, because live batting practice will take place tomorrow.
Today we had our annual Rag smash contest. Rag smash is a fielding fundamental for the pitchers, with a coach hitting sharply a same size softer ball at a fairly short distance. Bruce Kern and Coty Woods were in the finals after all pitchers went through the drill for a few days. Woods came out the winner in a fun battle. Coty took his talents to the big league side and a host of pitchers with our big club. Coty battled, but the overall winner was Guillermo Moscoso.
The catchers worked on catching pop ups off a life bat that I hit. This is a fun drill, taking the catchers to the outfield and smashing pop ups straight up simulating a pop up in a game. With the high sky and sun to contend with, it made some of the pop ups somewhat difficult but our catchers did a fine job with the drill.
Tomorrow we start our full squad workouts. Until then, take time to help someone today, don’t take any day for granted!!! May God Bless and Never Surrender!!!
-Joe Mikulik