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Shildt Monday pregame remarks:
Kim’s schedule is fluid. Hesitate to say he is ahead of schedule, but he is. Could play catch today or tomorrow. Back is loosening up. Checking medical boxes. It is going to be close for him to be ready for regular season. Don’t want to rush him. Do not have to build up from ground zero. Today is day 5 since last throw. But may run out of runway. Can’t ramp up further yet, but should be able to get back to where he was relatively soon.
Mendoza is an under the radar kind of guy. Getting more opportunities this spring deservedly so. Very consistent. Smart, sincere, quiet. Got competent at SS last year. Kind of a swiss army knife. Finds ways to get it done. Has plate zone discipline (tied for team lead with 5 BB in just 16 PAs) but also has a nice stroke, as evidenced by a double down the line yesterday.
Whether 13 or 14 pitchers to start the season will be based on team need at the end of camp. Does not have a preference.
Gant has a nice body of work ever since he got to StL. First year, Dak took #5 starter and he went to pen. Also a swiss army knife. Confident in his ability to start then and now. Shows depth of roster. Miles/KK setbacks have given him a sincere chance to open the season in the rotation.
Edman will enter game later today. Carp gets first back to back starts of spring.
Five inning sim game Tuesday – Jack, Oviedo, Helsley, Gallegos to throw vs. MLB hitters.
Carlson has had more switch-hitting opportunities this spring than Edman, but they are at the mercy of the opponent. List of pitchers for the day are exchanged as a common courtesy, but not the sequence of appearance. Also, no minor camp to get more ABs vs. LHP.
Loved Carlson’s 3rd AB Sunday. On pitches, just fouled them off. Finding timing again. Having pretty traditional spring. He will be in good spot come 4/1.
Hudson played catch today, right on his 3/15 target. He is energized. Great to check the box off. Mad Dog was there to reassure him.
Great to see, Forsch. Tremendous improvements in swing plane, barrel rate, and exit velocity. A poster suggested on here one time that Hairy was outthinking himself between pitches. That when he stayed in the box and remained focused he was a better hitter. Crush the first pitch if it’s in the hitting zone. Don’t get behind in the count and be victim to that slider down and away. Is he doing that too? If so, good to see.
Shildt himself said the other day (scroll back a page) that being more aggressive early in the count has been part of their advice to Bader this spring, based on his 2020 data. However, this is specifically against RHP.
Stay in the box, stay focused, and swing at the first good pitch in the hitting zone. Don’t get behind in the count.
Basics that Yadi employs very well. Bader can learn from him.
He can learn from Goldy and RA too. They don’t mess around when they’re up there.I think I’d like to see more of the outfielders batting second. That way they should see more fastballs with Goldschmidt and Arenado at 3 and 4. Plus, I have never been a fan of all 3 outfielders batting 6,7,8.
Theoretically, O’Neil should bat third between Goldy and RA. Can’t happen if they are back to back. Dejong is the real key. If DeLong, Carlson, and O’Neil all hit, the order won’t matter much. If they don’t all hit, the order can’t make up for it anyway.
Well dejong is a big question mark right now and probably the biggest piece that needs to work. I’m not expecting great things from carlson so anything he gives will be fine.
Shildt Monday post game
Hicks came through Sunday outing very favorable. Said he feels great.
With more innings, Gant’s changeup improves. With longer outings (79P today), he needs more weapons. Looked great today. Close misses then Zimmerman got a good swing on one that could have been better located and that was it.
Don’t expect to split Goldy and Arenado in the order.
Kim played catch at 90 feet. Going to 120 on Tuesday.
Sim game Tuesday, five innings starting at 11. Flaherty pitching for one team. Oviedo/Helsley/Gio for the other. Five regulars in each batting order plus a few others. Set defenders in the field for both sides.
Reyes in 9th on a dozen pitches. Shildt has no issue with him closing, but does not think he will have a set closer. Cabrera also threw well, then have Helsley and Gio. But Reyes clearly has the stuff and fortitude to do it.
Shildt Tuesday remarks
Kim came through Monday well. Still on plan to throw at 120 feet today.
Very encouraged by Mikolas’ medical review. Will get his arm moving soon. Won’t put a day on it.
Wainwright starts Wednesday. 100% confident he will want to bat though game is in AL park.
Likes the 4 day on/1 day off schedule this spring. Just discussed with Mo this morning. Gives them time to explore what needs to be worked on.
Gave Jack an extra day (to today) to line him up for opening day. When he worked on stuff in B game, his next regular start was better.
Not overly concerned about playing same teams and seeing same pitchers over and over, though did notice they play the Mets/Nats/Marlins early in regular season.
“Don’t expect to split Goldy and Arenado in the order.”
Glad to hear that, even though “The Book” suggests batting them 2nd and 4th.
End of day Tuesday Zooms
Flaherty 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 83 P/53 strikes. 3 solo HRs – 2 Goldy, 1 DeJong. Got sharper and better as game went on. No idea when making next start. Does not mind facing teams multiple times. Make small adjustment each time out.
Oviedo 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, BB, 3 K, 43/27 – HR Heineman. Wants to be ready for whatever role team needs. After last season, went to Dominican to train for 2 months then to Tampa the rest of the offseason. Good facility there. Started this spring with one inning, then twice at 2 IP and now three. Fastball command getting better.
Gorman put in a lot of work at 2B. Played there today for entire game. Cuts and relays and defensive differences are things he had to understand. Where to be when is biggest adjustment. Arenado is one of best defensively. Made great throw to 2B to start DP today. Only other play today was a popup, but also worked on holding runners and the infield in today. Good to have a real game (at 2B).
3B is where Gorman wanted to play, but it is all about helping the team to another level. Adding Arenado brought that. Glad playing with him vs. against him. Wants to stay on the dirt. Need to take any opportunity given.
On fear of injury at 2B, if I am shy about a guy sliding in, then I guess I should go to the outfield. Can’t be afraid. Don’t get to choose when and where I play. Bat is obviously carrying tool. If he has to go to OF to get his bat into lineup, he will be glad to help. Got new gloves for everywhere (later clarified to exclude 1B). 2B model a 1/2 inch shorter than 3B. Don’t see an issue.
For sure, he feels he can handle 2B in a real game. Ready for anything.
I don’t think so. He could definitely make inroads into RF though if Carlson keeps struggling. Carlson will “play every day” but it may be at Memphis if his OPS starts with a 6 and he continues to look like the weak link defensively.
I hope Thomas makes the bench, but there are other roster implications the org has to consider. Has there been any clarity yet on Williams option down status?
Carlson is set in RF. He has nothing more to prove in the minors. The competition for starting positions is taking place in CF and RF between O’Neill, Thomas, and Bader. O’Neill is making a strong case for LF. Thomas’s OPS is over 300 points higher than Bader’s right now in the CF competition.
It may not be about proving anything, but Dylan wouldn’t be the first 22 year old to need a refresher at AAA. Maybe one day UNICEF will dole out playing time, but until then, the guys playing the best should play. Carlson will have first shot, but it won’t last forever.
There is no starting OF competition, IMO. The real competition is for what may be only one reserve spot and Thomas seems to be in the lead.
Carlson is ranked the 13th best prospect by mlb.com. The 16th best prospect by Fangraphs.
But he’s right now at a disadvantage compared to the slower path Bader and O’Neill had.
# of games played in at AAA –
O’Neill – 235 (996 PAs)
Bader – 188 (715 PAs)
Carlson – 18 (79 PAs)So maybe you’re right, 25. They may be pushing Carlson a wee bit too fast.
In the OF competition for starting jobs.When they discuss Sosa and Williams, I’d sure like to be that fly on the wall overhearing the discussion.
Since BW is saying, in his opinion, that there’s no competition for spots in the OF right now, then it’s O’Neill, Bader, and Carlson going into battle for the WS title this year. Here are their career MLB numbers –
O’Neill – 450 PAs – .229/.291/.422/.713
Bader – 1,050 PAs – .234/.322/.399/.721
Carlson – 119 PAs – .200/.252/.364/.610Going up against the Dodgers, Padres, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Twins, et al. Should be interesting.
Red herring alert.
Listing career regular season stats of ANY of the outfielders in camp would not present any different conclusion.
They are almost all inexperienced and lack strong MLB offensive track records.
This is NOT spring training news. It is yet another rehash of the concern over the lack of other roster moves over last winter.
Shildt Wednesday comments
No roster changes. Being not sure if 13 or 14 pitchers affects other roster decisions. Not sure enough spots for all who have earned it. Not heard anything about Williams’ 4th option, but it will not affect 13-14 decision.
Gorman played most of sim game yesterday at 2B. Did not get a lot of action, but good first test.
Waino is hitting tonight. Ponce to start tomorrow.
Edman is not chasing as much out of the zone. Puts ball in play and pretty good barrel rate. Will allow walks to continue.
Szczur available today off the bench. Playing NL rules so could be PH candidate.
Normal day off for Arenado. Took 5 ABs yesterday, including a double.
Oviedo was better as he went on yesterday. Did not control counts early as well as they wanted. Slider looks improved. Plan is for him to remain built up.
DeJong homered vs. Flaherty yesterday and also had a one hopper single. Short stroke. Gettng timing with at bats. Jack hit him in ribs next AB after HR – “It’s competition.” DeJong will be ready.
No more B games until after the next off day on the 21st (a full off day with no one in camp).
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