ANGELS Spring Tempe: Pics of Day 2

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 19, 2010 12:40 PM PST

Angels coach Steve Soliz (an alum of Cal State L.A.) observes catcher Hank Conger earlier today in Tempe.

Here's another 'few' from this morning. I got some catchers today. I didn't see the bearded dude around, but Tim Mead was leading a group of about 20 Japanese media around (I caught the back of the group). Even yesterday I forgot to mention there were two Japanese media gals there. Pedro Gomez was on site too.

Another initial impression and concern is that John Lackey and before him Troy Percival could be counted on to be a vocal leader of the pitching staff. We don't have that veteran mound mouth now and can't see any one filling the void.

I guess Jeff Mathis is in FL doing his arb thing, so it was just Bobby Wilson and Mike Napoli as the big two catchers. Anyway, here THEY ALL are. (I might not be back up there till next Thursday - besides tomorrow, that's my next opportunity)

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and...

I got there a bit later this morning, but driving on the way into the complex, it looked like Kazmir and Rodney were jogging – Rodney wasn’t wearing a hat. That was the only time I saw him today.

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 19, 2010 12:47 PM PST reply actions

caption: Look out Rangers, we're coming to getcha!!!

Link to Halos Mob o’ Doom

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Feb 19, 2010 1:16 PM PST reply actions

i felt the same about the Japanese media

there were about as many of them there as there were fans.

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 19, 2010 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

Who is th eguy on the far right wearing a different top?

Play Wood already. Willits sucks.

by hauldog on Feb 19, 2010 1:37 PM PST up reply actions

i think a trainer

not a player of coach. i think.
there are a few of them there.

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 19, 2010 1:38 PM PST up reply actions

You can tell Ervin is loving the jog

Lollygagging

by The OC Disorder on Feb 19, 2010 2:07 PM PST up reply actions

In the previous set, Erv looked bored...

but he always looks like that. Ever seen him throw 8 2/3 innings on one run? Its like he doesnt even care by the end of the game. So much so that he drops f-bombs and puts cotton in his nose.

Halos & Clips...must have something to do with the color red and jaded pasts...

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 19, 2010 3:15 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks a ton for these

Keep ’em coming if it is not too much trouble. Much appreciated.

Is that Sosh out there takin’ grounders with the guys? Awesome.

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

by LAASurfin on Feb 19, 2010 1:24 PM PST reply actions

It's a pitchers fielding drill

balls are hit to the 1B (members of the coaching staff for now). the pitchers pretend they’ve just thrown a pitch to home plate, then run to first to cover and grab the throw from the 1B. And yes, the Scios, Ebel, Roenicke in the 1B rotation among others.

It’s one of four drills the pitchers rotate through in groups. The others are:

2. a throwing session to the catchers
3. combackers to the mound the pitchers field
4. slow rollers to the mound they have to run into field.

The pitchers are divided into four groups that stay consistent each day and spend a period of time at each station.

Then the pitchers jogged, and the catchers did their fielding drill (balls hit in front of the plate a bit), then I saw Nap and Wilson hit. Not much power shown today but i got two balls that cleared the fence.

the part i enjoy most of all each spring is watching Scios work with the catchers, especially the young ones. It’s epic.

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 19, 2010 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

It will get loud once Torii and Abreu show up

Don’t worry about a veteran leader, we got two of ’em.

"You gotta have nuts." - Torii Hunter / Part-Time Nemesis of the HH Reply Function

by Commander_Nate on Feb 19, 2010 1:38 PM PST reply actions

yes agreed

but imo, we need a pitcher himself to lead and keep the other pitchers in line; Weav and Saunders are going to HAVE to do step up and do it, be more vocal. Perhaps, being his second year Fuentes can be that guy.

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 19, 2010 1:41 PM PST up reply actions

I think Weaver will grow into it for the starters, and Shields will handle it for the pen

Hopefully anyway.

"You gotta have nuts." - Torii Hunter / Part-Time Nemesis of the HH Reply Function

by Commander_Nate on Feb 19, 2010 1:45 PM PST up reply actions

Scot Shields

His veteran presence and that 2002 WS ring should be enough to get the respect he deserves from the rest of the staff!

by Angel Aviator on Feb 22, 2010 5:32 PM PST up reply actions

I dont see the big deal about a "vocal" leader...

These guys had plenty of years hearing Lackey yap his jaw. It probably comes as a relief for some of them to not have that loud mouthed Texan blabbing on about steers he wrangled all summer.

Also, Soth looks a little shaky on the grounders…

Finally, I didnt get to put my two cents into Arte’s beard. Personally, I love it. He looks mean…like Columbia Drug Lord mean…into it.

Halos & Clips...must have something to do with the color red and jaded pasts...

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Feb 19, 2010 2:12 PM PST reply actions