Spring Training Trip Day Two

On the second and last day of my 2015 Spring Training trip, I woke up early to make it over to Camelback Ranch in order to take in more back field action. It was a beautiful sunny day in Glendale. Although I was tired from my travels the day before, I was eager to see what the day was going to have in store for me.

When I arrived at Camelback Ranch, the players had yet to come out of the weight rooms and clubhouse to start their workouts. A couple of the Dodgers including Andre Ethier and Darwin Barney were out there early getting in some extra batting practice in the cages. During my two days, I noticed that the players who aren’t for sure locks to grab a roster spot, or in Ethier’s case a starting role, were more inclined to work out while others were more lackadaisical in their Spring Training regiments.

Andre Ethier was kind enough to take a couple of photos with me, and I briefly chatted with my favorite current Dodger. Ethier always takes time to patiently interact and talk with fans, and he’s always willing to sign autographs not only at Spring Training but at Dodger Stadium and around the league as well at different ball parks. Perhaps that is why I noticed that Ethier received the loudest applause from the two sold out crowds at Camelback Ranch during my visit when he was announced during at bats.

I also watched early bird Darwin Barney taking some batting practice, and all the extra work paid off for the Gold Glover when he hit a two-run homerun during Sunday’s game. Barney, who is on the bubble to make the roster, was hard at work on his offense the entirety of the two days I was present.

After a 10:15 a.m. players meeting, the Boys in Blue gathered on the lawn in front of the batting cages to begin morning stretches. Some players were more interactively stretching than others (Juan Uribe was noticeably laughing and talking instead of stretching). After the trainer led the group in stretching, the players spread out amongst the batting cages to get some work in with Mark McGwire there to instruct. Some players were told to go ahead to the practice fields to work on defensive drills as well.

After I watched some of the batting practice, I headed over to where Hyun-jin Ryu was pitching his bullpen session with Rick Honeycutt looking on. Like the previous day when I watched Greinke, it was truly special to be that close as Ryu pitched.

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Over on the back fields, I was lucky enough to catch Alex Guerrero working at third base with Juan Castro looking on. You can check out my exclusive video of Alex Guerrero’s third base work where you can get an idea of his capabilities at the hot corner. Like Darwin Barney, Guerrero is vying for the last bench spot on the 25-man roster. Guerrero will not agree to a minor league assignment, so he has been busy at work both offensively and defensively this Spring Training in order to prove he is worth a valuable roster spot.

After workouts finished up, I headed over to the press box for the 7:05 p.m. game against the Cleveland Indians. Brett Anderson made the start for the Dodgers going 3 innings and allowing just 2 hits with 2 strikeouts and a walk. I also had the opportunity to see left-handers J.P. Howell and Paco Rodriguez getting some work in as well during the 7-2 win over the Indians.

Offensively, the Dodgers had two huge hits off the bats of Scott Van Slyke and Matt Carson. SVS hit a beautiful solo homerun to left field in the bottom of the second. I take back any thought regarding Chris Heisey making the club over Van Slyke who has looked exceptional at the plate this Spring and provides power off the bench. The fireworks were just getting ready to be lit as Matt Carson smashed a humongous grand slam over the center field wall in the bottom of the eighth. Carson, who had an impressive September with the aforementioned Indians in 2013, is one of the many young talented players putting on a show this Spring for the Dodgers.

I took one last stroll around the gorgeous grounds of Camelback Ranch before I headed back to my hotel. The weekend was fun, but it went by way too fast. I could easily stay the entire six weeks in Phoenix enjoying Dodger baseball. I hope you enjoyed coming along with me on my trip, and I look forward to sharing an exciting season of Dodger baseball with you.