Angels Spring Pictures from Tempe, Day 1, 2012

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 20, 2012 3:14 PM PST

Here are the pictures.

I have a few observations but what I really want to talk about most is Kendrys Morales. Kyuge. They kept Albert Pujols distant from the fans today, driving him around the masses in a golf cart, and the pictures I got of him were on a lower field were from right field. First he started fielding some grounders, talking with Alfredo, then taking BP with Kendrys. Kendrys and Albert were taking turns hitting, and while Albert was 100% solid and sending rockets all over, Kendrys was out hitting him. I kept thinking about Mantle and Maris and we we have the two best sluggers in the league (I was also laughing at myself for getting so excited about 5 years ago seeing about our future All Star 1B for the next 10 years, Casey Kotchman, hit ground rule doubles one spring).

Pujols was everything we've seen and heard about - no doubt about that. But the thing that should have all of us giddy is that Kendrys was more - hitting it harder and farther. I don't know if Albert knew much about him before, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was planning to massage that broken leg tonight. Albert has to be pleasantly surprised about pairing with Kendrys. The Halosphere's biggest hope should be Kendrys is ready to run, because his bat was sending rockets.

Other impressions were the starting pitching staff looked as cool and confident as I've ever seen them.

You can see DiPoto caught me by surprise by walking from the parking lot up behind me (from Starbucks), and wasn't sure where to go (new kid in town), cutting across a patch of desert. I didn't see Stoneman though like previous years. Maybe because Reagins wasn't loose.

CJ isn't a huge guy like Jered Weaver and Haren, but he fit right in. He signed more autographs than any player I've seen at Tempe. He was on the opposiite end of accessible than Albert. You can see C.J. Wilson hanging with Dan Haren. I'd guess Albert will be more accessible once the position players report next week and he gets into a routine but the organization was keeping him well away from the fans today. That was the only disappointment.

There were about 10x the number of fans there today than previous years. Usually the Ps/Cs report on Thursday, not the Monday of a 3-day weekend, so that had a lot to do with it. Usually the first days, players outnumber the fans here in Tempe. Not so today. The media horde wasn't as big as it was for Hideki Matsui. Not even close, but there was certainly a coningent there of national press.

Finally I didn't see Mark Trumbo or Chris Iannetta in the field. With Pujols there, I was watching him the whole time he was on the lower field before he was whisked away. Then, it was back to the normal spring Pitcher drills for me, and I had to leave before I got to see Sciosc working with the catchers and Iannetta, and I didn't see any of the catchers get BP.

I won't be back in camp till March 10th unfortunately. I'm working a M-F job now and also will be in Honduras with my church, leaving Thursday night and returning March 4th (ten days).

I am sure thankful I got the opportunity to see Albert today and that he showed early. And we all should be thrilled about Kendrys - I'm telling you he's looking like the ace in the hole. Yeah, kyuge. No doubt about it. Enjoy.

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greatpicturesoexcitedforspringtrainingtostartIforgotwherethespacebaris!!!!!!

"We are the JeDi, the ultimate power in the universe. We will do as we choose. And we will destroy any who dare stand in our way."

by ladybug on Feb 20, 2012 3:18 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

youralovelyladyandithinkyouarefunnyletsgohalos

by eyespy on Feb 20, 2012 6:40 PM PST up reply actions

I went searching for a myspacecobar user id...

alas, not! ;)

by K3YEROUT on Feb 20, 2012 7:40 PM PST up reply actions

thanks

the pictures are awesome

by 3eyes on Feb 20, 2012 3:33 PM PST reply actions

Who is No. 5?

by moralesforpresident on Feb 20, 2012 3:43 PM PST reply actions

what happened to Mathis?

In 2012, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Angel's First World Championship

by tanana40 on Feb 20, 2012 3:54 PM PST up reply actions

Need a media guide

I hate not recognizing players at the beginning of ST.

Can anybody make a list? I’m not sure about #32 (and lots of others, but #32 is the tall, lanky black pitcher who was with the starters)

Plus, did Downs change his #? Cause it sure looked like CJ in #33.

Faith Focus Finish

by b0rd3rline on Feb 20, 2012 3:44 PM PST reply actions

#32 is LaTroy Hawkins

And Scott Downs was/still is #37

by ~MMP~ on Feb 20, 2012 3:46 PM PST up reply actions

yes

the only roster I had was on the Angels site, 40 man, and non roster invitees

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 20, 2012 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

I should be punished

I totally transposed Speier and Downs for some reason. It’s been a long offseason, please forgive me!

Faith Focus Finish

by b0rd3rline on Feb 20, 2012 11:06 PM PST via Android app up reply actions

here baby-cakes

spring training roster
Active Roster

Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
22 Trevor Bell L-R 6’2" 200 Oct 12, 1986
68 Ysmael Carmona R-R 6’1" 190 Feb 12, 1985
38 Bobby Cassevah R-R 6’3" 220 Sep 11, 1985
37 Scott Downs L-L 6’2" 210 Mar 17, 1976
24 Dan Haren R-R 6’5" 215 Sep 17, 1980
32 LaTroy Hawkins R-R 6’5" 220 Dec 21, 1972
49 John Hellweg R-R 6’9" 210 Oct 29, 1988
40 Kevin Jepsen R-R 6’3" 230 Jul 26, 1984
58 Michael Kohn R-R 6’0" 200 Jun 26, 1986
52 Fabio Martinez Mesa R-R 6’3" 190 Oct 29, 1989
59 Brad Mills R-L 6’0" 185 Mar 5, 1985
56 Ariel Pena R-R 6’3" 190 May 20, 1989
43 Garrett Richards R-R 6’3" 215 May 27, 1988
54 Ervin Santana R-R 6’2" 185 Dec 12, 1982
21 Hisanori Takahashi L-L 5’10" 175 Apr 2, 1975
63 Rich Thompson R-R 6’1" 205 Jul 1, 1984
51 Jordan Walden R-R 6’5" 235 Nov 16, 1987
36 Jered Weaver R-R 6’7" 215 Oct 4, 1982
57 Jerome Williams R-R 6’3" 240 Dec 4, 1981
33 C.J. Wilson L-L 6’1" 210 Nov 18, 1980
Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
16 Hank Conger S-R 6’1" 220 Jan 29, 1988
17 Chris Iannetta R-R 6’0" 230 Apr 8, 1983
46 Bobby Wilson R-R 6’0" 210 Apr 8, 1983
Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
19 Alexi Amarista L-R 5’8" 150 Apr 6, 1989
2 Erick Aybar S-R 5’10" 180 Jan 14, 1984
6 Alberto Callaspo S-R 5’9" 195 Apr 19, 1983
13 Maicer Izturis S-R 5’8" 175 Sep 12, 1980
35 Luis Jimenez R-R 6’1" 205 Jan 18, 1988
47 Howard Kendrick R-R 5’10" 210 Jul 12, 1983
8 Kendrys Morales S-R 6’1" 225 Jun 20, 1983
5 Albert Pujols R-R 6’3" 230 Jan 16, 1980
18 Andrew Romine S-R 6’1" 190 Dec 24, 1985
20 Jean Segura R-R 5’11" 160 Mar 17, 1990
44 Mark Trumbo R-R 6’4" 220 Jan 16, 1986
Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
53 Bobby Abreu L-R 6’0" 220 Mar 11, 1974
25 Peter Bourjos R-R 6’1" 185 Mar 31, 1987
48 Torii Hunter R-R 6’2" 225 Jul 18, 1975
28 Jeremy Moore L-R 6’1" 190 Jun 29, 1987
27 Mike Trout R-R 6’1" 200 Aug 7, 1991
10 Vernon Wells R-R 6’1" 230 Dec 8, 1978
#
#
Non-Roster Invitees
Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
91 Ryan Brasier R-R 6’0" 205 Aug 26, 1987
86 David Carpenter R-R 6’3" 180 Sep 1, 1987
41 Eric Hurley R-R 6’4" 195 Sep 17, 1985
87 Matt Meyer L-L 6’4" 220 Jan 17, 1985
45 Francisco Rodriguez R-R 6’1" 220 Feb 26, 1983
70 Matt Shoemaker R-R 6’2" 225 Sep 27, 1986
81 Daniel Tillman R-R 6’1" 205 Mar 14, 1989
65 Loek Van Mil R-R 7’1" 220 Sep 15, 1984
Catchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
96 Jett Bandy R-R 6’4" 210 Mar 26, 1990
62 Robinzon Diaz R-R 5’11" 215 Sep 19, 1983
97 Carlos Ramirez R-R 5’11" 210 Mar 19, 1988
98 Alberto Rosario R-R 5’10" 190 Jan 10, 1987
Infielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
3 Jorge Cantu R-R 6’3" 205 Jan 30, 1982
79 Taylor Lindsey L-R 6’0" 195 Dec 2, 1991
31 Efren Navarro L-L 6’0" 200 May 14, 1986
72 Darwin Perez S-R 5’10" 160 Jul 27, 1989
Outfielders B/T Ht Wt DOB
77 Kole Calhoun L-L 5’10" 200 Oct 14, 1987
55 Doug Deeds L-L 6’2" 195 Jun 2, 1981
39 Ryan Langerhans L-L 6’3" 220 Feb 20, 1980
76 Matt Long L-R 5’11" 180 Apr 30, 1987
#

"We are the JeDi, the ultimate power in the universe. We will do as we choose. And we will destroy any who dare stand in our way."

by ladybug on Feb 20, 2012 4:53 PM PST up reply actions

WoW

typed that with hashtags and all

by eyespy on Feb 20, 2012 6:41 PM PST up reply actions

cut & paste

I’m too GA to type

"We are the JeDi, the ultimate power in the universe. We will do as we choose. And we will destroy any who dare stand in our way."

by ladybug on Feb 21, 2012 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

That's awesome!

Thanks for the photos. It’s nice to see Kendry taking BP.

Mark Trumbo: 2011 Rookie of the Year

by nicolasville on Feb 20, 2012 3:46 PM PST reply actions

Thank you

As much for the intel as the photos.

(see what I did there?)

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read" ~Groucho Marx

by George Kaplan on Feb 20, 2012 3:49 PM PST reply actions

I wonder if KMO is even going to "take" infield

or just focus on running and hitting?

by Raaddad on Feb 20, 2012 4:35 PM PST reply actions

You have to have a Google account to see the pictures? Ugh

"One time, when we got back to the locker room, all of our clothes were gone," Trout recalled. "They left me a Lady Gaga costume and I had to wear it."

by 44FAN on Feb 20, 2012 4:43 PM PST reply actions

My thought exactly.

"Stay loyal to the Angels. As for me, I'm jumping on the Nationals bandwagon, later." -Daniel Sirca

by migfig on Feb 20, 2012 5:01 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

put a fucked up first name

insist it is your first name they will probation you access

by Rev Halofan on Feb 20, 2012 5:33 PM PST up reply actions

HELL YES

This kendrys news just adds to the excitement! Great pics by the way. More plz…i need my fix

by Halo Addict on Feb 20, 2012 5:34 PM PST reply actions

Thanks Rex

Good luck in Honduras.

Unlike this cat, my love for the LAA will never die.

by NathanielS on Feb 20, 2012 5:41 PM PST reply actions

If it wasn't for your awesome photos, I am not sure I ever make the trek out there...

Bummed I won’t see you when I am out there in the early days of March.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Feb 20, 2012 6:09 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for the great shots, it's going to be an awesome year!

...there's always next year..

by NYC HALO on Feb 20, 2012 6:10 PM PST reply actions

Got excited seeing these pics

Thanks!
Blessings on the church trip to Honduras.

by Seraphan on Feb 20, 2012 6:40 PM PST reply actions

Any Trout sightings???

With the P’s and C’s reporting and all

by eyespy on Feb 20, 2012 6:43 PM PST reply actions

I C what you did there.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Feb 20, 2012 6:46 PM PST up reply actions

I've heard enough!

I’m going ahead and getting excited about Kendrys being ready this year! And him being DH and not having to focus on fielding should only help. A man can dream.

Re: Kendrys hitting more/further than Pujols. Keep in mind, we know Kendrys has been hitting for a while in recent weeks but we don’t know about Pujols. Still great to hear. Thanks for the nice pics and insights.

by Theren86n02 on Feb 20, 2012 6:45 PM PST reply actions

I was nervous about his foot planting and his facial expressions in Rex Fregosi's photos.

Seems like he’s wincing … I hope I am wrong and I will see in person in a couple of weeks. Excited, too that K-Mo is back in form. We NEED HIM.

I love this team.

by Downing Rules on Feb 20, 2012 6:47 PM PST up reply actions

i couldn't see facial expression from where I was

i was much more aware of fast-moving hard balls landing, one after the other, right where I was standing over the right field wall.

yeah, it was just the first Spring day but i walked away thinking Kendrys would be hitting #4 and put up incredible offensive #’s.

by Rex Fregosi on Feb 20, 2012 7:02 PM PST up reply actions

I remember reading that hitting was the least taxing on his leg

And that it’s not really an issue for his leg. Maybe just the sun? I thought the big problem/challenge is running and turning at full speed. Like around the bases or changing directions while fielding. And that he didn’t feel any pain until the next day. So tomorrow might be telling.

by Theren86n02 on Feb 20, 2012 7:15 PM PST up reply actions

Kendrys is fatter.

by moralesforpresident on Feb 20, 2012 8:33 PM PST reply actions

Agreed

Then again he has probably had his fair share of burritos the past year

by Halofan1043 on Feb 20, 2012 9:04 PM PST up reply actions

Really?

I thought it was just certain pictures and the way his windbreaker was billowing. IMO, he looks a lot better this year than he did last year around this time.

Winning doesn't matter. –Lyle

by 5thStarter on Feb 21, 2012 8:05 AM PST up reply actions