From Mike Kaffee
PRESEASON: SAT 24 JAN 26
Field conditions have returned to normal, pushing today's start from noon to 1 p.m. A roller was used to smooth the infield, and it was worth the wait: we were able to watch five innings of actual baseball. Pitching picked up where it left off yesterday, dominating the hitters. Offensively, the team remained cold, managing only six singles and crossing the plate twice, initiated by the failed P/O attempt. The defense's main issue was a pickoff to first base, which allowed the runner to advance to third. Fabio Peralta led the hits today with multiple, ending a difficult preseason fall and showing he's returning to form from last year. The rest of the lineup remains quiet at the plate. Notably, Jailen Watkins, Cian Copeland, and Daniel Covet failed to record a plate appearance. Daniel did play third base defensively.
Rob Evans and Lazaro Collera each pitched three innings at today’s scrimmage. Rob is competing for a spot in the weekend rotation. By the third inning, Rob was in top form, striking out Michael Torres, Brandon DeGoti, and Derek Williams in succession. In contrast, Lazaro faced difficulties in the third inning, yielding three consecutive singles by Fabio, Max Galvin, and Brylan West, along with a failed pickoff attempt from catcher to first base, which resulted in one run. A sacrifice fly by Alonzo Alvarez brought in a second run for the offense. These were the only runs scored today.
Michael Fernandez and Jake Lodgek finished their scrimmage today. Michael has been working to improve after a difficult fall, during which he struggled considerably. He was likely among the top contenders for walks previously, but today revealed a different side of himself. He did record one walk, but his main issue was a misfire on a pickoff attempt to first base. Like Lorenzo, his throw was off target. A skilled first baseman might have been able to field it, but defensively, first base isn't our strongest position. The infield has faced challenges due to field conditions, and with more repetitions, those throwing errors should decrease. In both of Michael's two innings, he encountered errors—one on his own throw to first and another involving his shortstop, Vance Sheahan. Thanks to the strong arm of the CF, uncertain whether it was Torres or Peralta, Sheahan was doubled up at home, preventing a run. Lodgek completed his two innings smoothly, only issuing a walk to Dylan Dubovik.
Offensively, the performance was underwhelming. The solution involves spending more time in the batting cage or working to eliminate the rust from the two-month layoff. They have three weeks to regain their timing before their plate appearances begin to count. Our pitching is solid, but not at a level where the offense should be struggling at the plate. Strikeouts were significantly reduced to twelve today, yet they remain too high. With only six hits and Fabio being the only player with multiple hits, today's performance leaves much to be desired. As previously mentioned, Watkins, Cuvet, and Copeland failed to make a plate appearance.
Initially, our defensive weaknesses are evident. I haven't been particularly impressed with Brylan West's defense at first base; he seems somewhat lazy and uncomfortable there. The same applies to Donavan Jeffrey. Based on my observations, Cian Copeland has shown the most promise, but since West has more experience, JD will start him. The situation with our catcher is similar, though less apparent. Alex Sosa will get the starting role over Alonzo Alvarez, who has outperformed Sosa both defensively and at the plate. Ideally, JD should split their playing time evenly rather than favoring one over the other. A decision on the middle infield is still pending. My preference is for Jake at shortstop, given his throwing arm and familiarity with the position from last year, and Vance at second base.
Tomorrow, we wrap up week one of the preseason with a scheduled start time of noon again, but it may be delayed if they decide to continue working on the infield
