Whole squad ready

The Phillies held their first full-squad spring workout today, one day after rain canceled all outdoor practice activities. With more players on hand and more fans hanging around BayCare Ballpark and the Carpenter Complex, there was a noticeable uptick in energy from last week.

Some notes:

Whit Merrifield arrives

The Phillies’ new super utility man arrived in camp today, and he said everything fans want to hear: “I’ve been a three-time All Star, I’ve led the league in hits a couple times, I’ve led the league in stolen bases . . . All these different things, I feel like I’ve proven that I’m here and I can play. I was an All Star last year. I’ve done that. I want to win now. And so I’m here to do whatever I need to do to win, and to help this team win, whether it’s to sit on the bench and be a cheerleader for 162 games [laughter]–I don’t think that’s why they brought me in but if that’s what they want–I just want to win.”

Manager Rob Thomson made it clear during his post-workout press conference that the Phillies expect Merrifield to do much more than cheer.

“He’ll primarily [play] second base, corner outfield,” said Thomson. “Might get some reps at third base. He’s played first base in the past. He’s gonna put the ball in play, he hits for average, he’s got sneaky pop, he’s a really good guy, and he’s gonna fit perfectly in the clubhouse.”

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters that Merrifield was a player the Phillies had eyed for some time. Earlier this offseason, however, the Phils weren’t sure whether Merrifield would accept the role that the club could provide. Dombrowski added that Merrifield’s camp was looking for a multi-year deal earlier in the winter. (His deal with the Phils is for one year, with a club option for a second year.)

It’s clear that the organization is excited to have Merrifield on board. And why wouldn’t they be? They landed a versatile, starting-caliber backup player on a team-friendly contract.

Merrifield will wear number nine for the Fightins this season.

An organized organization

It’s striking how organized and precise the workout schedule is for each group of players (catchers, infielders, outfielders, pitchers). If a particular workout activity is scheduled for, say, 10:20 on Schmidt Field, it’s going to start at 10:20 on the dot. Players move seamlessly from one activity to another, with grounds crew members busting their asses to quickly set up or break down whatever’s needed.

Here’s what today’s schedule looked like for each group, following a 9:00 a.m. team meeting:

• Catchers: stretching at 10:10; throwing program at 10:20; practice catching pop-ups at 10:30; batting practice (in cage) at 10:45; a machine warm-up at 11:10; catching bullpen sessions at 11:30; weight room work at 1:00.
• Infielders: stretching at 10:10; baserunning at 10:20; throwing program at 10:30; individual defensive drills at 10:40; team defensive work at 11:00; batting practice (in cage) at 11:20; live batting practice (vs. pitchers) at 11:40; weight room work at 12:25.
• Outfielders: stretching at 10:10; baserunning at 10:20; throwing program at 10:30; individual defensive drills at 10:40; batting practice (in cage) at 11:10; live batting practice (vs. pitchers) at 11:40; weight room work at 12:25.
• Pitchers: Pitchers scheduled to throw bullpens work through stations in staggered groups of two or three–stretching; throwing program; bullpens; pickoff attempts; conditioning; weight room work. Pitchers not scheduled for bullpens are divided into “recovery” or “movement” groups, based on where they are in their recovery cycle, and have lighter workouts.

At any given time, there’s usually something happening on the BayCare Ballpark field and on each of the Carpenter Complex’s practice fields. It’s beautiful, highly organized baseball chaos.

A baseball game in five days?

Though position players just started formal workouts today, the Phillies are scheduled to play the Blue Jays in the Jays’ nearby ballpark on Saturday. That’s just five days away.

On Sunday, the Phils will play a home game against the Yankees.

Saturday’s game will be on WIP radio. Sunday’s game will be on WIP and televised by NBC Sports Philadelphia. But if it’s at all possible, I suggest you make your way to Clearwater to see the games in person. Every Phillies fan really has to come check out this scene at least once.