The High Heat Podcast Visits the D-Backs' Spring Training Workouts

by Hayden Hughes
2/13/14

"Oh! We get Cody today!" exclaimed minor league hitting coach Mark Grace as outfielder Cody Ross stepped into the batting cage for some live batting practice for the first time since his August 2013 hip surgery. "Do you have a note from your mother?!" continued Grace. A positive, laid-back influence on the team came to no surprise to familiar onlookers as the Diamondbacks took batting practice.

Rewind to 7:01 a.m. on Tuesday morning, I knew I had to get up, but I hit snooze. I irresponsibly left Nick in charge of getting the morning going, and me fully awake. The initial thought of, I don't want to do this, quickly transitioned to, Alright, let's do this, after some form of caffine.

"This" was just the chore/pleasure of going to watch our favorite team work out as Spring Training looms only two weeks away.

We were up so early so that we could make the trek out to Salt River Fields to check out what was going on at the Arizona Diamondbacks' facility, and as familiar faces began to appear, I became more and more happy we did it.

The two of us ultimately came away with some insight on what the players are up to, as well as a good look at how players looked.

However, we also came away with some pictures. Some good, some not. But without further delay:

Mark Grace up early talking with other coaches before players, one by one, trickled into the batting cages

Didi Gregorius, Martin Prado, Aaron Hill, Cliff Pennington, and Shelly Duncan work out while waving to families with young fans who came to see their favorite infielders work out.

General Manager Kevin Towers does some early morning interviews.

Second-year Play-by-play commentator Steve Berthiaume talking with first-year Outfielder Mark Trumbo in between rounds at the hitting cages. Our best guess is Berthiaume was hazing Trumbo.

Pennington, Hill, Eric Chavez, and Cody Ross (L to R) talk and stretch out prior to taking batting practice.

Shortstop Chris Owings warmed up with some long toss before the first group took some batting practice.

Owner Ken Kendrick came out to see his players take some batting practice with a accidental photo-bomb by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt

Martin Prado taking infield, with his comically small glove, with Chris Owings waiting his turn in the background.

First basemen Mike Jacob and Paul Goldschmidt (L to R) taking grounders.

Third base prospect Jake Lamb fielding a grounder in front of Nick Evans and bench coach Alan Trammell (L to R).

Alan Trammell with Didi Gregorius discussing a second baseman's positioning on double plays.

We were fortunate to run into Steve Berthiaume in the morning and talk some baseball before he watched some of the guys take batting practice.

Some things to note from the morning through observations and in talks with different members of the Diamondbacks' organization:

• Outfielder Cody Ross, who is healing from hip surgery, looked really good. While taking batting practice was a great sign, Ross certainly wasn't swinging 100%. However, we were told despite being on a crutch as recent as late December, Ross can now run on a treadmill at 90%.
• Status remains in question for the late-March Australia trip against the Dodgers. There's probably no need for Ross outside of potentially a pinch-hit opportunity, but the outfielder might benefit more from avoiding 28 hours on an airplane.
• With the Freddie Freeman extension recently costing the Braves $135 million over the next 8 years, the extension Paul Goldschmidt signed last March is now a confirmed steal for the D-Backs. A new contract in the future is completely possible, but for the time being, the D-Backs and Goldschmidt remain happy with the current deal.
• Aaron Hill and Goldschmidt's relationship is perhaps on of the strongest on the team, as we were told they were the "Frick and Frack" of the team.
• Chris Owings looked great on Tuesday. The shortstop threw a solid round of LONG toss and had an impressive round of hitting to both sides of the field. Owings, built like a "brickhouse" looked like he improved both his footwork and hands on defense as well. Perhaps the hardest working on Tuesday, Owings' defense has improved but we're told is still not "Didi-good" but has a "plus glove."
• The D-Backs felt more than comfortable with the departure of third base prospect Matt Davidson to the White Sox, as upcoming prospect Jake Lamb has potentially a more promising future. With Martin Prado solidifying the hot corner for the next three years, Lamb has time to develop and isn't ready yet, whereas Davidson was. With the trade being "good for both teams," the D-Backs ultimately have "better options" at third for the future.
• Lamb worked extremely hard on defense. Aside from some poor hops on the dirt, Lamb's glove seemed more-than-adequate, and his arm was lively to say the least.