Drew's Spring Training Continues

Thursday, February 29, 2008

One of the things you occasionally hear from pitchers in Spring Training, particularly after a sub par performance, is that they were "just working on a certain pitch," or "just working on location."  I asked Jeff Francis yesterday and Matt Herges today if that was the case.  Francis said plain and simple that whenever he takes the mound, whether its Spring Training or in the regular season, he's "trying to get people out."  He did allow that certain pitches may not have the finish they'll hopefully have 4-5 weeks down the road.  Herges echoed those sentiments after working an inning at Hi Corbett, adding that he still gets butterflies even in a spring game, and even with the knowledge he has a guaranteed deal.  Pride - when you have that, it matters very little if you're competing in June or in this case, February.

You gotta love Spring Training, Reason # 345:  All it takes after nine innings and a tie game, is a little wave from one manager to another, and the game is over, get on the bus, go home with a tie, and shed no tears.  It's like your slow-pitch softball beer league: when the keg is empty, the game is history.  In Spring Training, when the pitching runs out, it's time to call it a day.

Marcus Giles has a lot of character in him, both figuratively and literally. We were talking the other day about high school football - where both he and brother Brian were standouts in the San Diego area - when he shared a post-career wish with me.  When their baseball days are done, the Giles brothers plan on purchasing about 25 sets of football equipment so they can periodically put the pads on with old friends and get after it.  He plans on hiring a couple refs, work on plays, etc.  I told him not to forget a trainer or two!  Giles in his current occupation had a good day at the plate, with a couple of hits including a long double to center. 

Kid to watch down the road:  former top pick Chris Nelson had a solid single to the opposite field this afternoon at Hi Corbett.  He's a good looking player with several tools who really came on last year at High A Modesto, hitting .289 with 19 homers and 99 RBIs.  He also had 27 stolen bases in 32 attempts while playing every day at shortstop.