St. Louis “Summer Camp” news

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  • #132441
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    Shildt says guys are “getting after it”.

    Team handled last two days well Not perfect system. No complaining. Only frustration was not getting on field.

    Cecli’s different arm slot creates more movement, deception to LH batters. Hitting locations. But also looked better than before in last March outing.

    Martinez threw a pen today. Finding out conditioning as they go. Looks like he is strong. Martinez was part of Friday group so just cleared today. Will be off tomorrow. Throw again Thursday or Friday.

    Told Martinez before they want consistent habit with weights, training, recovery to get stamina back up. Displayed that in March. Not his issue in delay. More than earned opportunity to start based on what he showed in spring. Now it is the calendar to get ready.

    First intrasquad delayed to Thursday, 4-5 innings. Live BP again tomorrow. Will stay fluid as to whether yesterday will be the day off or whether they take the 13th off as planned. Will depend on pitchers and rain potential.

    Not committed to good runner in ninth spot in order. Not the driving force. Many factors. Wants all hitters to run well, 1 through 9.

    On Mikolas: Good to see him out there. Had feel for secondaries. DeJong put one on him. Not concerned about location now. See how he recovers tomorrow. Target most guys around 100 pitches to open season, but some (like Mikolas) may be behind that.

    The three extra pitchers (Thompson, Kaminsky, Elledge) are there both to cover for guys not ready and to get them acclimated.

    #132442
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    vegasjim asked:

    Has it been discussed why Reyes is not in camp yet?

    No.

    #132449
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    #132478
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    This may be very interesting to watch. While I get the story line, Shildt was very clear yesterday saying that Martinez had earned the right to start.

    #132479
    bccran
    Participant

    Sure seems like Thompson is on a very fast track. Maybe even faster than Wacha was?

    #132480
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    Cardinals are again having an early evening workout today – 5:30-8:30.

    #132481
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    bccran asked:

    Sure seems like Thompson is on a very fast track. Maybe even faster than Wacha was?

    No, not that fast. Wacha had already made his MLB debut 11 months after being drafted. A year after his draft, Thompson has yet to pitch above High-A. Wacha pitched in Double-A in his draft year. Thompson did not.

    Remember that just because he is among the 48, it doesn’t mean he will be in St. Louis this season. Technically, it would be a jump from High-A to MLB, a unique situation for sure, in a unique year. Good to see him recognized, no matter what.

    #132482
    14NyquisT
    Participant

    What does Kaminsky have left? Enough to be considered a dark horse?

    #132483
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    Ny asked:

    What does Kaminsky have left? Enough to be considered a dark horse?

    I don’t think he is out of gas. He has just never been healthy very long. Kaminsky is still only 25, younger than many on the staff. But to make the 40-man and StL, he would need problems with others from the left side of the pen. Miller, Cecil, Webb, Gomber, Cabrera and Kim (if a reliever) are all ahead of him. That is a lot of people to pass.

    #132484
    DsFan
    Participant

    Brian, When do they announce the Springfield selections?

    #132485
    stlcard25
    Participant

    Paid - Annual

    I don’t see what benefit the Cards get from having Carlos sit in the bullpen rather than start, unless they think he’s an injury risk.

    #132486
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    DsFan asked:

    Brian, When do they announce the Springfield selections?

    There is a two-part answer. Roster cuts from St. Louis are expected this weekend and will make up a part of the Summer Camp South roster assembling on Tuesday. I do not know if the new names (up to 12 more) will be released before, at the same time or after the StL cuts.

    #132488
    Euro Dandy
    Participant

    Free

    Have 6-man rotations been considered? Even if that’s not a consideration, in a short season it might be wise to have six gearing to start from the beginning in case one of them doesn’t have the goods this year.

    #132489
    stlcard25
    Participant

    Paid - Annual

    Have 6-man rotations been considered? Even if that’s not a consideration, in a short season it might be wise to have six gearing to start from the beginning in case one of them doesn’t have the goods this year.

    Or comes down with COVID. I would think Ponce and a few others in the Springfield crew will stay stretched out for emergencies.

    #132492
    bccran
    Participant

    Beyond the 6 vying for the rotation, aren’t the backups Ponce, Gant, and Gomber. With perhaps Reyes and Woodford behind them?

    #132493
    stlcard25
    Participant

    Paid - Annual

    Beyond the 6 vying for the rotation, aren’t the backups Ponce, Gant, and Gomber. With perhaps Reyes and Woodford behind them?

    I would guess that Gant is strictly bullpen at this point, and if Reyes is healthy and his stuff is still there, the big league club would need him.

    #132495
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    Euro asked:

    Have 6-man rotations been considered? Even if that’s not a consideration, in a short season it might be wise to have six gearing to start from the beginning in case one of them doesn’t have the goods this year.

    They have been very clear all along that a 6-man rotation is NOT in the plans. They will have several long men ready each day to step in.

    Here is why I like the idea. If I was the Cardinals, I would want Jack Flaherty to pitch every fifth day no matter what.

    #132507
    jj-cf-stl
    Participant

    Paid - Annual

    If they max the total GS with the top of the rotation as the priority, the GS totals on at least regular rest would be…

    SP1 14 GS
    SP2 13 GS
    SP3 13 GS
    SP4 11 GS
    SP5 09 GS

    #132508
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    Well, it looks like we may be given the Summer Camp South roster list tonight. So that should be good.

    #132510
    Cardinals27
    Participant

    Paid - Annual

    Is there any significance to Thompson being named to the roster before Liberatore? Perhaps his name leaked out?

    #132529
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    Thompson is in St. Louis. Liberatore is heading to Springfield. That is the difference. Thompson pitched higher last season and has a college background (2 years older). Liberatore pitched a level lower last season and was a prep player.

    #132536
    Brian Walton
    Keymaster

    Paid - Annual

    A lot to unpack from last night. Sorry for blurry photos. The Cardinals Zoom camera was out of focus.

    Mo’s remarks about Summer Camp South and the roster are in the article on the home page, so I will not repeat here.

    Has no plan to add more players beyond the 60 (due to potential COVID or other IL moves). Hoping the time out for those currently affected will not be extended.

    No additional word on Reyes or Gallegos.

    Re: Taxi squad. Will be able to keep the catcher with MLB club at home or road, but at end of road trip, the other two taxi squadders will have to be returned to Springfield.

    Hoping to stream some of the intrasquad action, but not start to finish.

    Most of Flaherty’s comments were about speaking out on social issues. Other media is posting entire articles about this so I will be net.

    Watching that video (George Floyd death) struck a nerve with him. Doing anything he can to be an advocate for change. Many players speaking with each other.

    Wants to help Black community and youths to make baseball more accessible to them. Travel ball circuit is ridiculous what they charge.

    Sitting out this season crossed his mind, but this is not a time for sports to be a distraction. Can be an advocate for change inside or outside.

    Jumo in fastball velocity came gradually as he grew bigger and stronger and made mechanical refinements. Some in 2017, in 2018 and 2019. It just happened. As he could execute to locate spots better, his confidence grew.

    Will pitch 3-4 innings Thursday, 60 pitches.

    On urgency of short season, every game since last August was this way. It is not going to change.

    KK Kim’s family is staying in Korea because virus situation there is improving. Not likely to come to US this season unless there is a vaccine.

    Was very difficult time being away from home and family. Might have gone home had Wainwright not played catch with him regularly.

    His arm feels good. Now needs to get used to pitching in games again.

    No cable in his house so he did not watch KBO games on ESPN live, but saw highlights. Made him really want to play too.

    Starting would be great, but most important thing is to take any role to help the team win.

    Goal is 100 pitches by end of camp. Confident he will be ready to pitch 5-6 innings.

    Will throw next on Friday.

    Martinez spent the first month in Florida and then returned to home town in Dominican. Threw BP there to MLB player Erik Gonzalez and minor leaguers. Last time out last Wednesday, he threw 7 innings, 90-95 pitches at 90%.

    During downtime, he sent videos weekly to Mike Maddux of his bullpens and live BP.

    Never lost focus from spring training. He felt he was on time then and ready for season.

    Mentioned Miller and Webb as relievers who could step in, but they need Gallegos.

    Another late practice Thursday. At this stage of camp, did not want to have workout one evening, then again next morning. Will stay with evenings for next few workouts.

    Thursday will be “Jack and Dak”. 4 inning intrasquad game. Not sure how many relievers will get in. May pitch live BP to get work in.

    Gomber and Gant were good on Wednesday, but got hurt by pitches not in desired location. Gomber’s breaking ball was good and Gant’s change up was filthy. Noted that Gomber had success in 2018 and is being prepared as a starter, but sometimes guys can do everything asked, but so do others.

    Gant could pitch ninth, but cannot see him doing that on a consistent basis. Also cannot say anyone will.

    Martinez was impressive. Everyone (Maddux, Gerdy) were very impressed, including secondary pitches and command.

    Rotation decisions will start to take shape in next 7-10 days.

    In terms of jobs open in camp, clearly some guys have earned the opportunity to start. Some guys have a leg up and have earned it.

    Will start new dugout protocols for guys not in game by 4th or 5th (of 8) intrasquads. Still having conversations about this.

    #132538
    Lee
    Participant

    Woodford needs to be given a shot. I heard he pitched 2 innings yesterday, allowing only a broken bat single and a bloop hit… nothing squared up and 2 k’s. His stuff is right there with all the others, but is being pushed down because he doesn’t have MLB experience… So tell me how he gets that..?

    #132539
    bccran
    Participant

    Good point about Woodford. He’s kind of been lost in the crowd of Cardinal higher level pitching prospects – Liberatore, Thompson, Oviedo, etc. He had a 4.15 ERA last season, but that ranked #3 in the entire 16 team PCL. 26 starts. Seems like he’s major league ready.

    #132541
    THerr28
    Participant

    Paid - Annual

    thanks for the article Brian about the 12 added players.
    Wow. Walker, Winn and Fletcher !

Viewing 25 posts - 51 through 75 (of 306 total)
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