PHX Reporter

Darius Robinson recalls throwing baseballs with friends during his high school years in Detroit. This memory resurfaced when he threw a baseball for the first time since then on Thursday. Robinson, the first-round pick (27th overall), along with Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 overall selection, each threw out a first pitch at the Diamondbacks game before the local team hosted the Los Angeles Angels.

The entire Cardinals rookie class observed their efforts from the front row. "I give Marvin maybe a seven or eight," safety Rabbit Taylor-Demerson said. "D-Rob was right there with Marvin though. He wasn't supposed to do that."

Both Harrison and Robinson successfully reached the plate despite initial hesitations about throwing from the pitcher's mound. They expressed positive sentiments about their throws. "I think I threw a strike, but (he) would've hit a home run," Harrison said with a laugh. "But I still threw a strike." Robinson added, "Mine was a ball, but he would've swung and missed."

Harrison, originally from Philadelphia, has previously attended Phillies games as a guest of star Bryce Harper. His visit to Chase Field stands out as one of his highlights since joining the Cardinals. "It's my first time being on an actual field and being in this arena," Harrison said. "It's cool to see a different sport live in person."

The rookies' trip to Chase Field capped off an eventful few days that included their first mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and participation in various community service events. They are learning both professional playbooks and how to integrate into their new community.

"We've gotten really close, this rookie class," tight end Tip Reiman stated. "Events like this just continue to help us bond... we're getting closer together as a unit at the same time."

Earlier Thursday, rookies spent time at United Food Bank packaging 1,300 food bags for those in need, turning it into an impromptu competition between offense and defense teams to see who could pack more bags. "Obviously, the offense won the competition," Reiman noted.

As many players prepare to head home on Friday following the offseason program's conclusion, Harrison reflected on his experience throwing out the first pitch while looking forward to football season: "It's probably easier to catch a baseball with big gloves on," he remarked. "But football is a lot easier for me."

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