The Full Squad is Here

It was a pretty busy Friday in Brewers Camp today.  Today was the day that the position players reported to camp meaning the clubhouse was full with Brewers.  Alcides Escobar was the final Brewer to report (and, no that is not a negative thing for him because the team encouraged him to take some time off following his stint in the Venezuelan Winter League) and he participated in some batting practice and took some grounders with the rest of the infielders. 

It was nice to have the entire team together today and the full official workouts begin tomorrow.  The team will have workouts tomorrow through Tuesday and then have an intrasquad game at Maryvale Baseball Park on Wednesday.

The weather was perfect today, about 70 degrees and not a cloud to be seen.  I have a lot of pictures for everyone today, so I will get right to them.

Brewers Catcher Angel Salome goes over some questions in the visiting clubhouse at Maryvale Baseball Park.  Aleta Mercer and Deron Anderson set up and record short interviews with each player for scoreboard entertainment purposes during the regular season at Miller Park.  

Brewers Shortstop Alcides Escobar takes batting practice during his informal workout with the team this morning. 

Ryan Braun takes batting practice during today’s workout. 

Trevor Hoffman throws a bullpen session during today’s workout as head athletic trainer Roger Caplinger looks on. 

Manager Ken Macha addresses a group of Brewers pitchers and catchers at one of the stations during today’s workout. 

Last year’s First Round Draft Pick Eric Arnett throws a bullpen session today. 

Inside the Brewers batting tunnel, a group from Froedert and the Medical College of Wisconsin set up sensors to record and analyze the throwing motion of Brewers pitchers.  Today, five pitchers participated in throwing in front of these sensors.  The sensors were hooked up to a computer that analyzed the throwing motion of each player.  The video will then be used by Brewers coaches, players and front office staff to help prevent injuries and improve performance.  Even the smallest adjustment can make for improvement in the delivery of each pitcher.  Players are encouraged to participate, but it is not mandated.

Over 40 of these little reflectors were attached to various spots on each pitchers body.  As you can see in the upper right of this picture, they even wore hats with the reflectors.

This is what Dave Bush’s feet and legs looked like before he was ready to pitch.

Here is Dave Bush’s left arm with the reflectors.

The computer screen shows little black dots.  Those are what the computer sees after the lights pick up the reflectors.  This is the outline of Yovani Gallardo as he was preparing to pitch.  You guys may think its odd that I didn’t post any pictures of the players actually pitching with all those little reflectors on.  There is a simple reason for that.  In order to get the most accurate reading of the each players body when in the pitching motion, the players had to pitch in, well, their underwear.  I really didn’t want to embarass anyone seeing as I have to work with these guys on a daily basis.  I hope you understand.  This is a family blog!  Anyway, this is the first of five days in which the team is doing this , so maybe there will be an opportunity to show some more photos. 

Here is a “hot off the presses” copy of the 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Media Guide sitting on my desk.  The first shipment of guides came in to Phoenix today.  This is always the biggest offseason project of the Brewers Media Relations Department and it is always an exciting day when the hard copy of the guide is on my desk.  Mike Vassallo, Ken Spindler and I spent a lot of time on this year’s guide and we are happy it turned out well.  Fans can pick up their copy of the guide at the Brewers Team Store by Majestic and the FanZone at Maryvale Baseball Park beginning Monday afternoon.

Tomorrow is the first full workout for the team.  It should be another busy day here as a new routine begins.  I should have some more photos up for you this weekend.  Also, look for a behind the scenes tour of Maryvale Baseball Park in the next couple of days as well.  Some of you have never been able to come out here before and we want to make sure you are able to see what goes on here at Maryvale.  We should have that up for you all next week. 

–John

johnandcait@brewers.com