Sweeney Fighting for Spot, D-backs Sell Out SRF Opener

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Photography: Jordan Megenhardt

 

By Greg Dillard

 

In just three days, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies will play in the first ever game at Salt River Fields.

 

The D-backs announced today that the opening game is sold out, with a full house expected to be in attendance.  

 

It is sure to be an exciting environment come Saturday afternoon for not only the fans, but the players and coaches as well.

 

After several days of practice, the D-backs are eager to compete in a game.  

 

“I remember what it was like as a player,” D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. “You get up there without the turtle around you, it feels way different without the batting cage. You’re a pitcher and there’s no screen there, that’s different. The fans will be there. It will pump them up.

 

Salt River Fields figures to not only to be packed on Saturday, but all season long. The D-backs announced that 120,000 tickets have been sold for their 17 home games.

 

Following Saturday’s opener, the D-backs will take on the defending world champion San Francisco Giants on Sunday and the Rockies again on Monday afternoon.

 

Sweeney fighting for job in bullpen

 

Brian Sweeney is one of the several relievers fighting for a job in the D-backs bullpen this spring. Sweeney is a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, but is familiar with the challenges of fighting for a roster spot.

 

“It’s something I’m used to,” Sweeney said. “Every year of my career, it’s always been a competition. You want the team to succeed, and hopefully you can be a piece of that puzzle to help the team succeed. It’s something I’ve been doing for awhile. I do embrace it.”

 

Sweeney has spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with both the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. Last season, Sweeney notched a 3.16 ERA in 37 innings for the Mariners.

 

While camp is only in its second week, Sweeney is pleased with what he’s seen so far.

 

“I really like the atmosphere of camp right now,” Sweeney said. “The management the team, everybody’s working hard. With the great meeting this morning with the Seals and everything, it’s been a good start.”

 

Navy Seals visit D-backs

 

Before Wednesday morning workouts began, the D-backs received a visit from US Navy Seals.

 

The visiting members spoke to the entire team on a variety of topics including mental toughness.  


“It’s pretty awesome,” Sweeney said. “To see what they go through and to relate it to our journey as well, it gets you really in the right mindset. What they have to go through compared to what we have to go through it’s not really the same thing, but in order to compete at what they’re doing you need to be elite. To be elite as a baseball player, you have to have that same kind of mindset. To hear them speak that way, it’s pretty cool.”

 

D-backs hit the links

 

After tomorrow’s workout, D-backs players and coaches are hitting the fairways and greens in a team golf outing.

 

Gibson estimated that more than 40 people are attending the event. Before the golfing begins, the team will hold a workout in the morning.

 

“It’ll be shorter, and then we’re going to go play golf at one o’clock,” Gibson said. “Shorter hitting, do a fundamental segment, a situational segment, kind of a lighter day. Kind of a recovery day, and we’ll get after it on Friday.”

 

On Friday, the busy Spring Training game schedule kicks off for the D-backs when they face off against the Giants. Thursday’s golf event provides the team with a chance to relax before games begin.

 

“We’re trying to do something together, and spend some time together before we get after it,” Gibson said.

 

KTAR Broadcasting from SRF

 

D-backs radio partner KTAR has been broadcasting their shows all day at Salt River Fields this week. They’ve had several D-backs on air, with many more to come:

 

J.J. Putz on Doug & Wolf

 

Ian Kennedy on Doug & Wolf

 

Daron Sutton on with Doug & Wolf

 

Kelly Johnson on with Gambo & Ash

 

Kirk Gibson on with Gambo & Ash

 

Charles Nagy on with Doug & Wolf

 

Melvin Mora on with Doug & Wolf

 

Daniel Hudson on with Gambo & Ash

 

Wednesday images from D-backs photographer Jordan Megenhardt:http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

Blum, Hernandez Settling in for D-backs

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David Hernandez – Photography: Jordan Megenhardt

 

By Greg Dillard

 

With all position players now in camp, Spring Training workouts are in full swing for the D-backs.

 

The third day of full squad workouts took place on Monday morning, and pitchers faced off against live hitters for the first time this spring.

 

While pitchers get acclimated to the game environment, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson was unsure of who will pitch in Friday’s opening game against the defending world champion San Francisco Giants.

 

“All the pitchers have now thrown,” Gibson said. “They’ve had their sides on and off, on and off. They all have thrown live today, see how everybody comes out of that. Want to make sure there’s no soreness in shoulders, or forearms, or elbows and stuff like that.”

 

Blum brings veteran presence, adds depth

 

One of Kevin Towers’ first moves as new General Manager of the D-backs was to sign infielder Geoff Blum.

 

Blum brings a strong veteran presence, and much needed experience to an Arizona roster that had a youthful look in recent years.

 

“I think the expectations are that you stick around long enough you garner hopefully a little more respect by the experiences you’ve been through,” Blum said. “I’ve been fortunate to be on some really good teams, really bad teams, and some interesting teams. I think coming here into this clubhouse and some of the rumors you hear about what had happened in the past. I think that’s exactly what it is, the past. We’re a whole new ball club.”

 

While Blum is highly regarded as a role player off the bench, he is also in the midst of a position battle at third base.

 

“So far so good,” Blum said. “Obviously I’m just happy to be here and have a job. To be put in a situation here in Arizona, is going to be a special thing for me. I’m just happy to be even mentioned in the competition at third base.”

 

Gibson said that the influx of veterans is already paying dividends.

 

“They’ve got great attitudes,” Gibson said. “They work hard. They go about their business. We’ve talked about Blanco; Blum is the same way, Mora, Bloomquist. They all have different aspects about them. It’s contagious. It’s what we were hoping for.”

 

Hernandez hopes to make impact in bullpen

 

David Hernandez is only a week into his D-backs career, but the right-handed hurler is excited to be a part of the new-look D-backs.

 

Hernandez and fellow reliever Kam Mickolio were shipped from Baltimore to Arizona in exchange for Mark Reynolds over the offseason.

 

Hernandez offered some insight on his longtime teammate Mickolio. 

 

“He’s really tall,” Hernandez said. “He throws from a wide angle that I couldn’t repeat. He’s got a good repertoire. He just deserves a chance. It was really tough for him over in Baltimore, but I think he’s got a little more opportunities over here.”

 

Last season, Hernandez sported a 4.31 ERA in 79 1/3 innings of work. He also collected two saves with the Orioles, and will most likely serve as a late inning reliever for the D-backs.

 

Towers added the two pitchers in hopes that they will revitalize a bullpen that was dreadful in 2010.

 

“It’s definitely complimentary when he goes out of his way and he trades somebody that is proven big leaguer that hits home runs,” Hernandez said. “I’m happy to be a part of that package, and I’m happy that Kam came along with me.  It’s definitely good to come in here knowing at least one person. It’s been really easy to get along with everybody in here.”

A Quick Toss with Wade Miley

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Photography: Rick Scuteri
By Greg Salvatore
D-backs left-handed pitcher Wade Miley is in big league camp after having a terrific season in the minors last year. 
Miley started at Class-A Advanced Visalia, where he posted a 3.25 ERA in 80 1/3 innings, allowing just one home run in a very homer-friendly league, before being promoted to Double-A Mobile. There, he was fantastic. Miley was 5-2 with a 1.98 ERA in 72 2/3 innings for the BayBears.
We caught up with Miley to chat about how things are going.
GS: How has the first week in big league camp been?
WM: Good so far. It’s been fun being around guys that are out here, the team, the big leaguers. The new complex is amazing. It’s been a great time.
GS: Do you have the chance to talk to big league catchers and pitching staff, to get views from different guys on what you have to work on?
WM: I try to pick their brains as much as I get an opportunity to. I don’t want to bug them too much. But when I get an opportunity, I talk to them. I actually live with Barry (Enright). So that’s good. I get to communicate a lot with him about things.
GS: That Mobile pitching staff last year was pretty impressive. Do you think there’s a chance that almost everybody in that rotation (Miley, Barry Enright, Josh Collmenter, Bryan Shaw, Tom Layne, etc.) is in the Major Leagues in the next few years?
WM: Who knows, there’s a chance for anything I guess. That would be great. It was a good staff, a lot of fun. Tom Layne, Collmenter and all those guys, it was fun pitching with those guys.
GS: You took a big step forward last year (153 innings, 2.65 ERA), what do you think were the biggest things that progressed for you?
WM: I just tried to start focusing on getting ahead in counts. I worked out in the offseason harder than I had prior to Spring Training the last year. The pitching part of it, I felt more into it. I could get ahead, and (decide) what pitch to throw here, what pitch to throw there. I talked with a lot of staff members in minor league camp and they helped me out tremendously.
GS: Is there a matter of physically adapting to getting older? This is the  body you’ve got, this is the stuff you’ve got, and you can kind of perfect things?
WM: When you’re younger, you’re still getting better and better and your stuff gets better. Now I’m 24 years old and I’m at that age where I’ve got to perfect it. Guys who are in here, that’s what they talk about, your stuff is what it is now. Just use it and be the best they can be with what they’ve got. 
GS: What are your goals for this year?
WM: I just want to go out and compete and have a good season. Whatever is in store is in store, I guess.

Goldschmidt, Krauss Taking Advantage of Big League Camp

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Paul Goldschmidt – Photography: Jordan Megenhardt
By Jordan Megenhardt
Saturday was the first official practice for everyone other than pitchers and catchers, but many players have been working out at Salt River Fields for more than a week.
“I feel good, I’ve been out here for about ten days, last week, now this week,” said Paul Goldschmidt, the D-backs Minor League Player of the Year in 2010. “The coaches and all the guys have made us all feel comfortable.” 
Showing up early to camp is a standard practice, but the spacious new facility made it an even more attractive option this season.
“It’s amazing here, obviously with this brand new complex where everything is (available) at your service, at your request, everything you need,” said outfield prospect Marc Krauss. “It’s pretty awesome, definitely better than I expected.” 
“New” seems to be the theme this spring. With the new facility, new coaching staff and the infusion of new veteran faces in the clubhouse, it may be easy to overlook guys like Krauss and the fresh crop of prospects that are appearing in big league camp for the first time.  
Young players like Krauss and Goldschmidt, teammates at Class-A Advanced Visalia last year, are taking advantage of every opportunity in big league camp. 
“Watching all the big league guys, all the guys that have been around, you want to get some pointers and everything,” Krauss said. “Everyone has something that they can help you out with. I’m just going to see if I can get some of these guys to rub off on me all camp, for as long as I’m around. I’ll try to mingle and fit in and see what I can learn and take from this experience.”
While soaking up the experience and taking cues from veterans, the younger guys hope to gain an advantage that will help propel them to new levels throughout the upcoming season.
“Watching these guys prepare, they obviously know what they’re doing and have been doing it a lot longer than I have,” Goldschmidt said, “so anything that I can pick up from them whether it’s mental preparation or physical skills or just little adjustments that I need to make, I’ll try to do that while I’m here as well as get ready for the start of the regular season.” 
“I watched Kelly Johnson hit yesterday and watching the way he hits the ball the other way, he has so much power, he’s so good.”
 
After just the first day of full-squad workouts, it appears the D-backs roster is happy to get baseball season started. Despite the overcast skies and impending threat of rain throughout the morning, it certainly was not hard to find guys laughing and smiling.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

Friday Interviews at Salt River Fields

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Daniel Hudson – Photography: Jon Willey

In our continuing quest to bring you as much information as possible on the D-blog, here are some interviews conducted by D-backs Insider writer Greg Dillard at D-backs workouts on Friday.

Miguel Montero:

 

Daniel Hudson:

 

Kirk Gibson:

 
Here is some video of D-backs prospect Jarrod Parker throwing a bullpen session on Friday:
 

http://www.twitvid.com/embed.php?guid=XRYXU&autoplay=0

Pitchers, Catchers Have Last Workouts Before Full Squad Reports

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Photography: Jon Willey

 

By Greg Dillard

 

Under an overcast sky in Scottsdale, D-backs pitchers and catchers took to the practice fields at Salt River fields for a variety of workouts on Friday.

 

Spring Training serves as a time to work on the fundamentals of the baseball. Pitchers and catchers devoted time to bunt defense drills, comebacks, pick-offs and much more.

 

On Friday, catchers participated in fundamental drills such as rundown plays.

 

“Those are little things you got to do in a game,” catcher Miguel Montero said. “That’s one thing that help you win a game. If you are not able to do it, then you aren’t going to win any games. It’s always important to do all those plays and do the little things to help you win a ballgame.”

 

Hudson looks to duplicate 2010 success

 

After being acquired by the D-backs from the White Sox last July, pitcher Daniel Hudson was nothing short of dominant on the mound.

 

Hudson came to Arizona and immediately made an impact by posting seven wins, a 1.69 ERA, and striking out 70 batters in his 79 2/3 innings of work.

 

So far this spring, Hudson is enjoying his first spring as a member of the D-backs.

 

“I felt great, getting into the full swing of things,” Hudson said. “You’ve got position players officially reporting tomorrow, full team workouts and everything. I’m pretty jacked up.”

 

After making a bold statement with his performance last year, Hudson is eager to continue his success for all of 2011.

 

“You got to keep getting better every day,” Hudson said. “That’s what I always tell myself. Just go out there and try to replicate what I did last year. If I’m fortunate enough to even come close to that then I’m good. I’m just trying to go out there and give the team the best chance to win and try and get deep into ballgames.”

 

Baylor brings experience to coaching staff

 

Don Baylor has seen it all throughout his lengthy career as a player, manager and coach in the Major Leagues.

 

Baylor was hired this past offseason as the new D-backs hitting coach, and is tasked with helping rejuvenate an offense that struck out at a record rate last season.

 

In 2010, Baylor returned to the Colorado Rockies as their hitting coach. Under his watch, the team plated 804 runs which was the second most in the National League. Baylor’s hitters also clubbed 190 home runs.

 

“Don is a guy who’s got loads of experience as a player,” Gibson said. “He’s been a manager. He’s been a hitting coach for a lot of good hitters. He’s got a good way about himself. If you had the chance to spend time around him, you might think he’s quiet. He picks his spots. He’s not over coaching at this point.”

 

Several position players report early

 

While the first full squad workout is not until Saturday, several position players have been at Salt River fields already.

 

These players ranging from infielders Geoff Blum, Stephen Drew, Kelly Johnson and Willie Bloomquist to outfielders Chris Young and Justin Upton are here working out and getting a head start on their season.

 

Gibson said many of the position players are chomping at the bit to get going.

 

“We have staff so we can help them out,” Gibson said. “They want to be ready to go. You workout in the offseason, and then when you come to the field and you do all the elements you get really sore. Guys who have been here working out, it should help them out a little bit. They’re enthusiastic about it for sure.”

 

Zavada, Johnson Report on Day 3 at SRF

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Jarrod Parker looked good throwing a bullpen session on Wednesday at Salt River Fields.

Photography: Jordan Megenhardt

 

By Greg Dillard

 

It was business as usual at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Wednesday as pitchers and catchers took part in day three of spring workouts.

 

Pitchers continued with bullpens, PFP (pitcher’s fielding practice), conditioning and hitting work.

 

Hitting figures to be a continuous work in progress for the pitching staff as manager Kirk Gibson has expressed his desire for pitchers to be able to handle the bat.

 

As workouts progress, several players have established a routine and are developing a routine.

 

“It feels great, obviously to be out here at the great Salt River fields,” pitcher Barry Enright said. “You can’t really complain being at this place, but two bullpens now. Obviously, getting into the conditioning and the thick of things and being with all the guys. It’s good to be back, and it’s definitely a lot less boring than being at home by myself.”

 

Among the pitchers who participated in workouts today was left-hander Clay Zavada. Zavada missed the first two days of camp for reasons he deemed were a personal matter.

 

While the southpaw did not throw a bullpen, he was able to play catch and workout.

 

“It was great,” Zavada said. “It was sunshine, everyone’s in a good mood, working hard. It’s a good group of guys. Staff is awesome. I love it. It’s been real exciting so far first day.”

 

Zavada said he hopes to throw a bullpen on Friday or Saturday.

 

While getting Zavada in camp was a priority, so was reaching an agreement with starting second baseman Kelly Johnson.

 

Johnson agreed to a one-year deal with the D-backs on Tuesday, which allowed him and the organization to avoid an arbitration hearing. Johnson reported to camp Wednesday.

 

“I don’t know anybody that’s ever been to a hearing so you go off of hearsay on things like that, and nobody has too many good of things to say,” second baseman Kelly Johnson said. “Besides all that, it’s no different than anybody else’s deal free agency or whatever. It’s one of those things that once it’s announced, it’s all good, but after that it’s all about team.”

 

Now that Johnson is under contract, the infielder has developed a winner’s mentality he hopes the D-backs will hold as team throughout 2011.

 

“I’ll be honest, I’m sick of the moral victory thing we started doing at the end of the year. I think we started with a really good, positive note going into spring training. Going into the season, I think everybody was very strong. I think we played great baseball in Spring Training. I know spring games don’t mean a lot, but there was just a lot of confidence. I think guys going up to the mound, going up to the plate, I think everybody was confident and positive. I thought we had a really good momentum going into the season.

 

“It was unfortunate the way some games were lost, but that’s how it works. You still have a chance to go and play in May, June and July. April and May, those months aren’t going to decide your season.”

 

Johnson is adamant that a moral victory attitude for the D-backs has to be put to an end this season.  

 

“We started looking for those positives, but we’re losing,” Johnson said. “I think that’s got to be done. That’s go to be out the window, it’s got to be more about how are we going to win today. What are the Arizona Diamondbacks going to do today to win the baseball game?”

 

Here are some shots from D-backs staffer Jordan Megenhardt:

 

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

Notes From Day 2 at SRF

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D-backs pitcher Micah Owings signed autographs for fans after workouts on Tuesday.

Photograph: Jordan Megenahardt

 

By Greg Salvatore

 

 

The D-backs had their second day of workouts at Salt River Fields. Here are some of the goings on:

 

Johnson Deal Done

As noted earlier, the D-backs agreed to terms with Kelly Johnson on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration.

 

“I’ve said all along that to me there are no winners in going to a hearing and arbitration,” D-backs General Manager Kevin Towers said. “Sometimes it hurts relationships and especially being new here, I want the player to be focused on getting ready for the season, not on putting on a suit and sitting in a hearing room tomorrow. It was good for both sides.”

 

Towers said that the sides did not work on a multi-year deal, with the contract being strictly a one-year deal.

 

This is Johnson’s last year as an arbitration-eligible player, so he would be a free agent at the end of this contract.

 

Versatile Owings Getting Ready

When the D-backs signed Micah Owings to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, Towers said he expected Owings could be used as a batter in addition to pitching.

 

Owings is already getting after it in Spring Training. On Tuesday, he took ground balls at first base, and on Wednesday he will throw a bullpen session.

 

“He said, ‘I want to be ready for when the position players get here,'” Manager Kirk Gibson said. “He could be more of a bullpen guy, but if he can play some first base, he’s going to get some innings at first base in Spring Training.

 

“Maybe he’ll go in and play an inning at first at the end of the game. He gives us flexibility. He’s got great power and he wants to hit.”

 

As valuable of a tool as he could be as a bat, Owings is primarily a pitcher. And his value to the D-backs is directly proportional to his value in the bullpen.

 

“I want him to be throwing the ball good,” Gibson said. “First and foremost, I want him to have value as a pitcher. The other is a bonus.”

 

Veteran Relievers Teaching Pickoff Moves

“On the pick fields, there is a lot of mechanics to throw to the bases better,” Gibson said. “It’s just the second day and we’re progressing.”

 

Former D-backs reliever Mike Fetters and left-hander Ed Vosberg, a native Arizonan who pitched 10 seasons in the big leagues, were the instructors on the pick fields.

 

“Those guys were very good,” Gibson said. “They understood it, it was an important part of their game and consequently they became very good at it. We know it can’t be a weapon for everybody, but is there one guy or two guys or five guys?

 

“We’re on the pitchers’ side of it now, but when our infielders get here, they’re going to have to be very communicative as well. It takes some communication from everybody on the infield. Our goal is that they run the show out there.”

 

Here are some shots from D-backs staffer Jordan Megenhardt:

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

D-backs Open SRF with First Workouts

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New D-backs closer J.J. Putz stopped to sign autographs for fans on Monday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.  Photography: Jordan Megenhardt
By Greg Dillard
For the first time in the 13-year history of the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitchers and catchers began Spring Training workouts in Scottsdale.
There was a new feel and sense of excitement surrounding Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Monday afternoon as pitchers and catchers moved among the practice fields on day one of Spring Training. 
It was a busy day for the D-backs as a clubhouse meeting kicked off the day at 8:30 a.m. 
The meeting was led by new D-backs skipper Kirk Gibson, and he stressed the importance of competing. 
“We’re just talking about competing,” Gibson said. “How do we do that? What does it mean to be a pitcher? For me, obviously we want to command the zone with all pitches at any time in the game. We all know that, we focus on that stuff. Fielding your position, being able to control the running game, your sequences, your picks, how to handle the bat.
“I want guys to be able to bunt. I want them to be able to slash. I would love to hit and run with them. I want them to be able to handle the bat and help themselves.” 
Aside from throwing bullpens, pitchers participated in the usual Spring Training exercises such as bunting and hitting practice, PFP (pitcher’s fielding practice), pickoffs and comebackers. 
“Well no matter how many times you work out, or how hard you work out in the offseason, you never can prepare for the first day,” pitcher Ian Kennedy said. “Then just going out there, standing on the field taking PFPs, running around field to field, and then to do conditioning and working out after. This complex is amazing.”
The D-backs catchers not only caught the bullpen sessions, but participated in defense and hitting drills as well. 
“It was a good day, fun,” catcher Miguel Montero said. “It’s an unbelievable facility. It was good, kind of easy. I’m sweating a little bit because I’m probably out of shape. I caught a couple new guys and they looked pretty good so far. From what I see it looks great.” 
While day one of pitchers and catchers consists of plenty of baseball activities, it is also a chance for the players to meet the new faces and reconnect with the returning faces. 
“Just have fun,” Kennedy said. “This is the first day, first time I get to see some guys from the east coast that haven’t been here. Seeing the guys is a good thing, it’s a fun day.” 
Several position players including outfielders Justin Upton, Chris Young and Xavier Nady, along with utility man Willie Bloomquist were spotted around the complex several few days before their report date.
The first full squad workout will be on Feb. 19.