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Temps in 70s — Escobar in 90s
March 23rd, 2009, 2:25 pm · 9 Comments · posted by BILL PLUNKETT, OCREGISTER.COM
TEMPE, Ariz.
In his first game action since surgery to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder, Escobar faced seven hitters in a minor-league game against the Cubs’ Triple-A team.
Escobar consistently reached 95 mph on one radar gun, topping out at 96 mph on one of his last pitches in the first inning. He allowed one hit in the first (a sinking liner to center field by former major-leaguer Luis Rivas that became a triple when the Angels’ centerfielder came up empty on a dive), struck out the leadoff man in the second then gave up a single and a walk before the inning was cut short.
“Oh man, I knew I felt good. I knew the ball was coming out of my hand good,” Escobar said when informed of his gun readings. “I’m surprised with myself because I feel so good.
“I know myself very well. I knew I had good velocity in the ‘pen (while warming up). I heard that ‘vvvvt.’ I could feel the ball was coming out of my hand with good life.”
In all, Escobar threw 34 pitches — only 18 for strikes with the minor-league umpire calling a tight zone.
“I think what happened is I feel so good I was trying to throw too hard sometimes,” Escobar said.
Escobar is likely to be on a five-day routine like the rest of the Angels’ prospective starters for the rest of spring training. The window for his potential return to the rotation could now open before the end of April.
“I think I’ve tested my arm every time this spring and it’s feeling good,” Escobar said. “For now, I’m going to just focus on my mechanics instead of waiting — is this going to hurt? is there to going to be a pinch?
“Just focus on my mechanics and making good pitches.”
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Bill, any chance you might tell us about the “future Angels” who were in the game? :-)
That looks like Bobby Wilson catching.
It is Wilson. When a pitcher goes over from the big-league camp, a catcher always goes with him.
Reggie Willits also got some work in this game and Brian Fuentes followed Escobar with two innings of his own.
Bill, how did Fuentes do?
Stay tuned on Fuentes. I’ll be posting that momentarily.
Yikes. I hate to get optimistic about pitchers like Escobar, but hard not to with how hard he seemed to be throwing.
Bill, just drafted Escobar in a big draft over the weekend. When does he except ready to go? Topping at 96 MPH nice sounds like Jimmy Morris (Movie the Rookie).
And any info on VLAD will he be the old Vlad this year? Thanks Bill.
A Smokin’ E, that’s what we like to see!
Mark youve summed it up. You have hit the nail on the head. You have said what everyone and i mean EVERYONE is thinking. If I didnt know any better id say you were Walt Whitman. The way you get to the core of me is just freaking profound man. Walt Whitman would never be optimistic about Escobar either.
Has anyone noticed Arrodondo? He has given up one hit all spring and has… ah the goods as they say. Perhaps this team didnt need to…ah forget it, we rule.
So lets see: Lackey in a contract year, Escobar with something to prove, Weaver and Saunders maturing into consistent starters and Santana, a strong, deep and cheap bullpen, and a solid offense. barring catastrophic injuries 96+ wins and another shot at the WS is a very reasonable expectation. What a studly pitching staff!