Camp Notes Pt. 2



It’s good to see a guy like Christian Lopes put up good numbers this Spring (won the Marlins a ballgame yesterday with a 2-Run Tater), as well as seeing former Olympic Silver Medalist Eddy Alvarez play solid defense on the Infield. 2 career Minor Leaguers who have produced at every level, just looking for a shot similar to a Jon Berti a season ago.. Btw, Alvarez’s Medal was in Speed Skating 😉.

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Homer Simpson before winning the Championship for the Sprinfield Nuclear Power Plant Softball Team after being hit by a pich in the head with the bases loaded.

Marlins Relief Pitcher Pat Venditte is not a “multi-sport” athlete like Alvarez. But he is “multi-handed” one?! Let me explain. Baseball geniouses will tell you Right-handed pitchers matchup better against Right-handed batters. And even more so, Left-handed hitters historically don’t do as well against pitches that are coming from a Left-arm. Don’t believe me? Ask Mr. Burns who in the Simpsons Episode “Homer at the bat” pinch hit for Major Leaguer Daryll Strawberry (who had Homered 9 straight times in the company Softball Game 😉). Mr. Burns had to explain to Smithers "it's called playing the percentages, it's what smart managers do to win ballgames”. So Homer Simpson took the at-bat for the Lefty-hitting Strawberry because the opposing pitcher was throwing his under-arm-pitches Left-handed 🙂. Well this particular 34-year old pitcher on the Marlins may have seen this episode and took it to heart. Pat Venditte pitches BOTH Left-handed AND Right-handed. And effectively might I add. He won’t blow you away with velocity, but this Big-Leaguer has a Sergio Romo like Breaking-Ball that he can spin in the strike zone with Both arms. Keep an eye on this guy. I think he has a chance of breaking camp with the Fish. Especially after Jeff Brigham's injury and Stephen Tarpley’s early struggles.

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No reliever has been as impressive a Yimi Garcia has this Camp however. The former Dodger who signed as a free-agent in the off-season has been explosive so far. Now, he never really was a back-end Reliever with L.A. but that certainly looks to change in Miami. Why did those Dodgers let this guy go beats me, but thanks.  

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