I can’t help but pass along this picture from reader Jim who had the good fortune to visit Spring Training.
What would get this collection of players huddled around a single field with such intent. Turns out it was Shelby Miller throwing BP.
That’s pretty cool. You can also make out a contingent of minor leaguers on the right: Kevin Thomas, Scott McGregor & Lance Lynn.
Some more photos after the jump.
Zach Cox looking a bit trimmer than I anticipated. His first year of pro ball is perhaps more important for Cox than any other first round Cardinal pick in recent memory. Scouting opinions still vary a lot on Cox and 2011 is going to be the first impression that sticks with some team’s scouts as Cox consistently hits with wood against better competition.
I still like the skillset that Robert Stock (left) brings to catcher but the bat has to mature this year. If it doesn’t, a move to the mound would seem iminent. Steve Hill (right) doesn’t seem to have a place in St Louis with guys like Allen Craig sticking around as a bat bench and utility guy. I don’t see a major league team trying out Hill at catcher.
Newly acquired Maikel Cleto is warming up on the left side of the mound. We’ll get some fancy reports about his velocity and “live arm” at some point this year but I’m more interested if the Cardinals can refine his control. Joe Kelly (right) remains my pet starting prospect. I think he remains hugely underrated based on his 2010 performance and repertoire.
(Thanks again to Jim and the other silent readers out there. You’re welcome to e-mail me at any time with questions, comments or awesome pictures.)
Entries (RSS)
(or awesome videos! – use those iPhones spring training peeps!)
Interesting stance on Cox.
high elbow, high Hands, wide balanced lower body…looks a bit like Votto (which I like)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1298/4611756009_0bfab66f60_z.jpg
I said before he looks like Ken Oberkfell and think so more now. Ken also had the high hands at the plate but without the wide stance. Here is Oberkfell striding into a pitch.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31wDT%2BrxpCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Really cool that that many people are watching Miller. Wonder what he was thinking seeing 30 players watching his session. I wonder if they keep players away from Martinez’s first live BP, to not make him too nervous?
Anyone hear if Scott Bittle is healthy enough to pitch this year?
I love how in every picture I have seen of Shelby throwing, Carpenter has been front and center….I hope Miller is soaking up every single word carpenter says to him…this kind of experience and mentorship is priceless
Thats one of the reasons I want Carp to retire a Cardinal. He’s great with other pitchers, Wainwright credited Carp with making him the pitcher he is today….well last year. I want Carp tutoring or great young arms that are coming through the minors.
Anyone seen Matt Adams in Spring Training yet?? Would love to hear reports on him. KLaw ranked him in the Cards Top 10.
Don’t think he’s got there yet.
Should be. He was in the group of minor leaguers asked to report a week earlier for the minicamp. That started this week.
Sorry about that didn’t know he was on that list. Ready for him to have a big year in Springfield. I really do think he will only spend a few weeks in Palm Beach if any at all.
That would be great if he started in Springfield. I’m curious to see if they play him in the outfield this year.
The cards system is still not perfect. But goodness, how far we have come.
Miller is KLaw’s #2 prospect all ready. He said Matias could make the jump to top 10. Next year we could potentially have the top 2 pitching prospects in baseball. Its fun actually having legit prospects in the system.
The 90′s and most of ’00s were brutal. If handling the farm was really caused the Jocketty ouster, its hard to argue with the success. The farm has been much better accross the board in both quanity and quality.
Actually, Matt Adams is there at training camp. He arrived on February 25th.
Miller is law’s #9 prospect…still exciting
Sorry. Meant #2 Pitching prospect. Its a quirk I have. I serpate positional prospects from pitching prospects. From a cost perspective, pitching prospects are more valuable than positional.
gotcha
some disagree. due to a higher failure rate (in large part due to injury) many say that hitting prospects are more valuable.