San Diego Padres Spring Training news and notes
Credit: J. Clark/ EVT Sports
Here are some Spring Training news and notes that pertain to the San Diego Padres for Feb. 26.
San Diego Padres spring camp is in full swing.
East Village Times is in major league camp this week, keeping you up to date on all things Padres. We are also keeping tabs on the prospect mini-camp that is happening on the backfields in Peoria.
Baseball is in the air, and there is a lot to report about the state of the San Diego Padres. There is a new feel about this team, as Jayce Tingler has taken to his role and run with it. The Padres are busy early in camp as there is an emphasis on fundamentals and the small stuff within the game.
As the team prepared for their afternoon game against the Indians, several players were hard at work.
Here is an idea of what was going on in camp on Wednesday.
-In the morning, manager Jayce Tingler indicated that both MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino are likely on pace to make their spring debuts next week.
–Manny Machado was in great spirits around camp on Wednesday. He was seen horsing around with his teammates and even taking some photos with a media member’s camera.
–Brian Dozier spoke about his ability to speak Spanish and the fact he learned the language to help his communication with his teammates. He mentioned Eduardo Escobar as a good friend and someone who struggled to speak English. Dozier took it upon himself to learn the foreign language and make Escobar more comfortable in and around his teammates.
–Reggie Lawson is going to hold back on throwing his slider for the moment. The right-handed pitcher believes the selection irritates his elbow. Lawson indicated that he will rely upon the curveball and changeup this season as his year begins. He threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and looked great.
-When asked about the new three-batter rule for relief pitchers, Matt Strahm shrugged his shoulders and had no comment. Five minutes later, Drew Pomeranz was asked the question and had the same answer. The relievers generally have no opinion on the new rule. At least not these two lefties.
–Ty France is limiting his time watching SDSU basketball. “They have been doing really good, so I don’t want to watch any games.” He admits he is superstitious.
–Luis Patino and Anderson Espinoza shot hoops this afternoon. Espinoza has slowly begun baseball activities and is throwing off flat ground in his rehab from Tommy John surgery.
-There is a noticeable difference in Padres spring camp this year as the whole squad is working on the little things in the game. Bunting, baserunning, and fielding have all been greatly emphasized by Tingler and his staff. Take a look at this tweet of the Padres working in the morning and the passion Tingler brings to the game.
Jayce Tingler coaching the team up with absolute passion. You have got to love hearing this if you are a #Padres fan. pic.twitter.com/N3Gqc5YUkD
— James E. Clark 3 (@EVT_JClark) February 26, 2020
–Reggie Lawson, Cal Quantrill, and MacKenzie Gore all threw a bullpen session today. New pitching coach Larry Rothschild was seen working hard with Quantrill during the session.
-The minor leaguers keep working hard in the backfields. Catching drills and some fielding exercises were what most of the day consisted of for the young players.
–Taylor Trammell, Owen Miller, and a few other prospects had an impressive bullpen session in the backfields.
-Nascar driver Austin Dillion was in camp as Wil Myers invited him. Dillion went to a rival high school of Myers’ in North Carolina. The stocky right-handed hitter made solid contact in the box and drove a few balls deep into left field. Dillion threw out the first pitch in the game and also participated in a brief Q and A before the game with Casey Mears, a former Nascar driver.
-La Mole, aka Franmil Reyes, was in a great mode as always as he showed up in Peoria to play the Padres. There is a notable difference in his physique, as Reyes has slimmed down this winter. He reports that he is drinking a lot of water and staying away from sweets. Reyes smoked the first pitch he saw off Padres’ pitcher Chris Paddack in the second inning for a double. “He ambushed me. I kind of missed my location a little bit. I wish the best to him. I miss that guy,” Paddack said after the game.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.
