Luis Guillorme's 22-Pitch Walk Was Everything You Want To See In Spring Training

by Tim Reilly March 14, 2021 0 Comments

Do you remember that scene in Moneyball when the movie is building up to a big in-game moment and... it's a walk? Good movie, anti-climatic moment. Well, I felt the opposite of that on Sunday afternoon as I watched Luis Guillorme work a 22-pitch walk that was absolutely electric. This was far bettter than what Hollywood put together.

A 22-pitch at-bat of pure joy. I've never had more fun watching a walk unfold. pic.twitter.com/6JSPpnTwoL

— Tim Reilly (@LifeOfTimReilly) March 14, 2021

Guillorme is better known for his glove. He wasted no time showing off his Gold Glove potential by making a stellar play up the middle to kick off the game. Watching Lindor and Guillorme up the middle is the closest thing the Mets have had to Ordonez and Alfonso defensively. Those guys can flash leather with the best of them. 

The at-bat will Sunday's takeaway though. 

Luis Guillorme with the 🔥 diving stop pic.twitter.com/I1bYtpH98R

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 14, 2021

I don't mean to put too much stock into a fifth inning at-bat of a Spring Training game, but I guess I'm going to anyway. As soon as the at-bat ended I was monitoring my Twitter feed for a replay. It's the first walk I've ever wanted to watch over and over again.

Look at the focus. Look at the bench. Look at a team coming together.

Guillorme fought off pitch after pitch as if it was Game 7 of the World Series. When you're fighting for playing time, like Guillorme is, every at-bat is Game 7. That's the approach you have to take with you. The guys on the bench showed their support by not staying on the bench for long. Alonso, Smith and the rest of the crew were on the top step eagerly awaiting the outcome of each pitch.

This is exactly what you want to see from a team in Spring Training. The wins and losses don't matter. The stats don't matter. You want to see guys getting their work in and the team come together. This at-bat put both of those things on full display.

The 28-year-old is slated to serve as a utility infielder off the bench this season. He's likely going to split his time between second and third base, while giving Lindor relief at short stop on a rare day off. Ya never know what could happen though if J.D. Davis ends up struggling to start the year...

P.S.: The regular season record is 21 pitches for an at-bat.

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