Tagged: Brandon League

Spring photos: Volume 2

Some more pics from the Jays’ workout today.

                                                               ~JB

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Roy Halladay preparing a throw during a bullpen session

 
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Lyle Overbay getting ready to take some cuts in batting practice

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Adam Lind watching batting practice

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Manager Cito Gaston talks hitting with coach Gene Tenace

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Manager Cito Gaston takes in batting practice

 
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Adam Loewen watches batting practice

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Travis Snider steps out of the batting cage

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Infielder Joe Inglett prepares to field a grounder

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Second baseman Aaron Hill fielding a ground ball

 
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Shortstops Marco Scutaro (left) and John McDonald during fielding drills

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Pitching prospect Brett Cecil fires a pitch during a bullpen session

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Ace Roy Halladay throws while pitching coach Brad Arnsberg admires

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Left-hander David Purcey in his windup during a bullpen session

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Catcher Michael Barrett and Brett Cecil after their bullpen session

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Reliever Jesse Carlson throws during a bullpen session

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Casey Janssen throws during a bullpen session

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Jesse Litsch prepares to throw during a bullpen session

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Reliever Jason Frasor follows through on a pitch during a bullpen session

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Reliever Brandon League prepares a pitch during his bullpen session

Reporting Day



halladay.jpgBack at the ol’ MLB.com condo here after spending the morning over at the Mattick for Toronto’s reporting day for pitchers and catchers. The reporting date is kind of overblown, if you ask me. All this day means is players have to be in Florida — not at camp.

The real action will start on Monday, when all of the invited pitchers and catchers are required to be in camp for the first official workout. There’s plenty of them around already, including Mr. Halladay (pictured right). That photo is from the AP wire — nice shot. I’ll probably begin toting my camera to camp beginning on Monday. So keep checking back here for photos from around camp.

It was a pretty chill day today. Only three reporters and a few new faces around for the Jays. Ken Takahashi made his first appearance, as did GM J.P. Ricciardi and team prez Paul Beeston. I also saw Rod Barajas briefly before heading out to watch some of the pitchers work through drills.

I talked to Shaun Marcum today after he was done playing a light round of catch with one of the Jays’ trainers. Marcum is throwing every other day right now and has been throwing since shortly after the Super Bowl. Seeing him and Dustin McGowan walking around is a constant reminder of what Toronto is missing, and the competition it’s created this spring.

From our short meeting with J.P. today, we learned that the team isn’t going to pencil Travis Snider into the Opening Day lineup just yet. Ricciardi said he could definitely envision a scenario in which the Jays feel Snider could benefit from more seasoning at Triple-A. That’s one reason for the Millar signing, to help build a contingency plan.

If Snider begins the year at Triple-A, Adam Lind would be the starting left fielder and both Kevin Millar and Jose Bautista would likely make the team as well. With Snider and Lind in the fold, it’s not clear whether the club would carry both Millar and Bautista, or if someone like Joe Inglett might be at risk.

As for any more spring additions:

“We’ll see if there’s anybody out there that we match up with in a trade,” Ricciardi said. “I don’t foresee it, because obviously the No. 1 thing we’d want to get is some kind of pitching and I just don’t see that being in excess out there.”

Discussing the rotation, Ricciardi said he’s looking forward to seeing how the battle for the two vacancies plays out, with a mix of prospects, reclamation projects and holdovers vying for jobs. He did say that, on paper, the top five right now are Halladay (no kidding), Jesse Litsch, David Purcey, Casey Janssen and Scott Richmond.

As for Scott Downs being considered as a starter? No more. Said Ricciardi: “His heart’s not in it. He doesn’t want to do it, so we’re probably better off keeping him at a comfort level.” I say that’s a smart move, because Downs is a big reason why Toronto’s bullpen is as strong as it is right now.

FUNNY EXCHANGE OF THE DAY:

Bench coach Brian Butterfield: “Hi, Scotty.”

Scott Richmond, walking to the bullpen: “Hey.”

Butterfield: “Hey? I haven’t seen you all winter and all I get is ‘Hey’?”

Richmond (laughing): “How are you doing today Butter?”

(a few minutes later, Brandon League walks by)

Butterfield: “Hi, Leaguer.”

League: “Hey.”

(Butter laughs and throws his arms in the air)