Was able to get to the Woo Sox game in Rochester tonight and it was just what I needed as a Red Sox fan.
Offensively the game had a little of everything except pitching. The young studs bring a ton of excitement. A few “everyday guy” observations-
- Anthony just turned 20 in May and looks bigger than 6-2, 200 lbs. Absolutely in command in the batters box. The baseball just rockets off his bat. Does not get cheated when he swings. 2-4, 3R, 2BB.
- Campbell is just electric. In the 4th inning, he was hit in the hand/wrist area. Looked bad but he stayed in game and next at bat murdered a HR to LF. 109mph!!! 1-3, 2R, 3RBI, 2BB. Felt like more.
- Teel is very athletic and looks small in their lineup… similar in size to Wong. Some big swing a misses but out the ball in play. Nice oppo double showing some speed. It’s one night but the defense was a little shaky. He bounced throws to 2B on 2 steal attempts, bounced a few throws down to end warmups… and wasn’t happy about it. Seems very intense. My thought was he might be tiring late in season. Side note from Sox fans next to me…. Their son waiting late last night for autographs and Story was awesome/signed a bunch and thanked them… Anthony was super chill as was Campbell. Teel was #1 on kids list and was a jerk. Too bad.
- Story batted second and was making the pitcher work… was hitting frozen ropes… 4-5 all singles but seemed to be pacing himself on the bases. Played SS and was making throws with just enough for the out. Kind of made me wonder about arm but later in the game uncorked a throw required on harder play. Looks to me like he’s ready to come up.
- Grissom looks like a MLB player but at the plate looked meh. Had two hits but seemed in between.
- Bobby Dalbec was a monster. Smoked a couple balls to RF. Hit a mile high home run to LF and just missed one late in the game to CF. I watched Dalbec take pitches outside the zone tonight that he chases in Boston. I really want him to find some success elsewhere. It really does show how hard it is to succeed in The Show.
- Westbrook had a night to forget. Played RF and butchered a flyball in to a double. Comical route, dove and still missed the ball by a mile. To be fair, I’m not sure how much OF he plays. At the plate (this hurts to type)… 0-6, 1K and 3 GIDP… rough.
- Jason Alexander was SP. He pitched 5 solid, threw strikes and 8K. Sox were up 11-2 and the bullpen sold. Sounds unpleasantly familiar. Woo Sox won 13-10. Fun night overall. Wished Mayer had been involved but Anthony, Campbell and Teel look promising.
