Bradenton — The Pittsburgh Pirates opened up Pirate City from Monday until Friday for a voluntary mini-camp for players to attend. The camp was focused more on conditioning and served as a way for the players to rebond from the offseason, new players get acquainted with teammates, staff, coaches, etc. The turnout of players at the voluntary mini camp was pretty impressive. Some notable players that were at Pirate City included: Pedro Alvarez, Clint Barmes, Chase d’Arnaud, Nick Evans, Jake Fox, Matt Hague, Josh Harrison, Garrett Jones, Jeff Locke, James McDonald, Michael McKenry, Kyle McPherson, Rudy Owens, Alex Presley, Jo-Jo Reyes, Neil Walker, Duke Welker and Justin Wilson. Also at Pirate City this week were prospects and minor leaguers, who were having workouts in Bradenton. Some notebale players were Stetson Allie, Nathan Baker, Josh Bell, Luis Heredia, Phil Irwin, Andrew Lambo, Tony Sanchez and Jameson Taillon.
I attended Pirate City on day two and three of the five-day camp. Here are some note from the workouts.
Day two of mini camp was a busy day for the players and the coaches. It was high 70’s and sunny and all fields were in use at Pirate City. Players took batting practice in the indoor cages, on the fields and worked on conditioning and fielding drills.
The weather on day three was rainy, cold and very windy at the voluntary mini camp at Pirate City. Half of those that are attending the camp were on a team building activity on Wednesday. Position players took swings in the cages and pitchers threw long toss up to 90 feet. Only a few fields were used and it cleared out by noon for lunch.
Third baseman Pedro Alvarez continued to look in great shape this offseason. Alvarez is coming off a disappointing 2011 season and is expected to be the starting third baseman out of spring training.
Matt Hague continues to see playing time at third base. Hague, 26, has played primarily first base in his minor league career and saw a lot of playing time at third during winter ball this offseason as well as at mini camp.
Phil Irwin, who made just one appearance (2.1 innings of relief) in the Arizona Fall League before leaving early with right forearm tightness said his arm is healthy. “It feels good. Ready to get going.”
Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle told me that he will be returning back to Bradenton in two weeks to prepare for spring training. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on February 19th, but most players report early.
The voluntary mini camp is a great way for the players and new teammates to bond prior to spring training. Pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes, who signed a minor league deal this offseason with a non-roster big league invite, tweeted of the experience, “Had a good mini camp at pirate city got to meet most of the guys excited for spring training #blackandyellow”
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