March 3rd, was the first day for all of the pitchers and catchers reporting to minor league spring training. However, I decided to come to Florida a few days earlier on the 28th of Febuary to check out the facility and get use to the time change. As a Californian born and raised it takes me a little while to adjust to the climate change. The feel of the ball and the sweat coming from your hand creates a discomfort that is not experienced in California. Humidity causes the ball to have a sticky feeling creating a change that a pitcher and player have to make; in this situation focusing on a consistent release point will help you get a better feel for the ball. Whenever you are playing in a new environment it is always important to pay attention to the changes of the game in order to be succesful.

Reporting to spring training a few days early, I was able to get my usual workouts in as well as bull pens in order to be prepared for camp. Our locker-rooms for minor league spring training are away from the big leaguers but we still interact. People like Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena passing by as we all prepare for the season ahead. They have been in my situation and understand as a minor league player you have to put in the time before you have an opportunity to be in their shoes.
Today was my first official day of spring training. I arrived to the field around 6:45amfor complete physicals. They had to make sure my body was physically healthy along with blood work, arm flexibility and strength test. This lasted around 3 hours. We then were allowed to go to the cafeteria to sit down, relax and eat breakfast. A meeting then took place from 11-11:30 followed by a 4 hour workout. This consisted of different stations such as pick offs, pitching fielding practice (PFP's) bullpens and core workouts. After that we broke off into groups of running, leg workouts, shoulder workouts and upper body workouts.

It was great to be back out on the field with everyone. For the next few days it will just be pitchers and catchers, about 80-100 of us. I am dead exhausted and feel like I cannot move after such a long day in the sun. Tomorrow I will be reporting to the field around 6:30am to start it all over again!