GOODYEAR, Arizona – Give Emmanuel Clase an A for speed, a D for location and a W for welcome back.
On Monday, Clase made his first appearance since the end of the 2019 season, when he was signed by the Texas Rangers. A lot has changed since those two goalless entries on September 28, and not least is the fact that he is now shooting at the Indians.
On his Cleveland debut, Clase allowed a three-stroke run in the sixth round of an 8-6 loss to the Royals at the Goodyear Ballpark. A year away from the mountain caused by a suspension of the PED has damaged its location, but not its fleece.
Clase’s last two warm-up shots recorded 97 mph and 96 mph on the scoreboard. His first two inning shots were recorded at 99 mph. One was a ball and the other was a blow. The next shot reached 160 km / h and Kyle Isbel pushed him into the left field for a single.
An indoor single from Cam Gallagher, aided by a pitch error by third baseman Nolan Jones, did not help Clase. But its speed never slowed down.
Nick Heath hit a 97 mph fastball for a double that scored Isbel. Striker Edward Oliveras tried to score from the first one in the double, but was eliminated at the base due to the good relay work of right field player Will Benson and striker Gabriel Arias. Clase eliminated Nicky Lopez and retired Bobby Witt Jr. in a 98 mph fastball that was aligned to the right.
“Clase’s speed was very good,” said manager Terry Francona. “He threw a couple of quick seams with two seams that were really good and some that he sprayed. It was nice to see the ball come out of your hand like that.
“It’s been a long time. So, for a guy who still has his legs under him, we were very pleased. “
No. 1: MVPs for a day
The Indians will not do this after every spring game, but after Sunday’s 5-1 victory over the Reds at the opening of the Cactus League, Francona appointed three game MVPs – field players Andres Gimenez, Tyler Freeman and Gabriel Arias.
“Each of them received $ 50 and we told them not to spend it all in one place,” said Francona.
Gimenez bet 2 on 2 and made a strong shot on the plate to slow the run. Arias bet 2 on 2 and ran away. Freeman used his chest to hit a hard kick and start a double game.
“We are trying to have some fun with the guys,” said Francona. “There will be times when they’ll win a prize and we’ll get them to talk to the team about what it means to them or things like that. But it was just the idea of having a little fun.
“And I think more now than ever, because we don’t get in touch with the guys as much as we usually do (because of COVID restrictions), anything we can do together as a team is good.”
No. 2: Make room for Dad
Last season, Francona only managed 14 games due to health problems. First base coach Sandy Alomar replaced him as an interim coach. Alomar used third base coach Mike Sarbaugh as the bench coach.
This year, Francona, affected by a staph infection in her left big toe, is back and things are looking normal.
“I think the players deserve a lot of credit (for how they adjusted last year),” said Sarbaugh. “As you know, Tito is like their father and their father are not there. Maybe you look at the two uncles at the bank. The guys handled it very well, very professionally. They knew, hey, it doesn’t matter if Tito is here or not, they know what he expects of them and I thought Sandy did a great job of being able to take over Tito’s leadership and move on. “
No. 3: It’s good to be Sam Hentges
Left-handed Sam Hentges’ stories have grown since he spent last year at the alternative training site in Classic Park, Eastlake. One of the people who is beating the loudest drum for the 6 to 6 and 245 pound Hentges was Francona.
Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, jokes with his manager calling Hentges “Sam Francona”.
“I think I’m probably the tall guy on the totem, to the point where Chris jokes, but he called him Sam Francona, because I talk a lot about him,” said Francona. “And I said to Sam, I said, ‘Sam, there will come a day when you will be as good as we think you are.’ And when that happens, it will be a really fun day. “
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Francona tried to steal Hentges in the team’s contract for Detroit to open the season on April 1.
No. 4: Bo knows
Catcher Bo Naylor, India’s No. 1 pick in 2018, replaced Austin Hedges on Sunday in the fifth round. At the start of the shift, he kicked out Mark Payton, who tried to steal second base. At the end of the entry, he chose the right course.
“In fact, he spent a lot of time with Sandy Alomar (catch instructor) and the guys here in developing players with his pitches,” said Francona. “They are always working to improve. But that release was really fun to watch, because it was done so well. Good exchange, accurate, on time. “
Naylor reached 0.243 (97 per-399) in 2019 for Class A Lake County in 2019. He hit 18 doubles, 10 trebles and 11 homers.
“Most children of 18, 19 who are catchers are called up because they can hit,” said Francona. “But when you get a guy who can get it too, that’s a luxury.”
There have been rumors that Naylor could move to third base, but Francona said, “No, we would like him to be a catcher.”
No. 5: Finally
Outfielder Harold Ramirez reported to Goodyear of Colombia. He is working on his own, while still undergoing testing protocols to enter the bubble of the Indians. He was claimed in Miami exemptions on Wednesday. . .Jordan Luplow (right ankle) is scheduled to play Wednesday against Arizona. . .Right Nick Sandlin is back in the field. He wasted time because of an illness. . .Eddie Rosario narrowly failed to do a home run in his first spring training on the bat on Monday. He hit a drive to center field that was knocked down by the wind near the track. Rosario started his career in the major league by doing homering on the first field he saw with the Twins.
A variety of Cleveland Indians face masks available online today. (Fanatics.com)
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