As a full-time college student with a full-time job, I rarely have time to spend the entire just watching baseball, but when I do, I like to take the time to watch as many games as possible, making as many fantasy observations as possible. With only a week to go in spring training, the games are heating up and each game can have a significant impact on the upcoming season. Here’s what I was able to make out of today’s games and box scores:
Cleveland 4, Atlanta 3
-Despite some injury concerns earlier this spring, Chipper Jones has kept his bat alive and well, and with a 2-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI showing today bumped his average up to .324 this spring and should erase any immediate health concerns.
-Ryan Garko prolonged his good spring with a 2-4 performance at DH resulting in a HR and 3 RBI. He’s hitting on the same plane he did at the end of last season and he’s shown good consistency, which indicates he could carry this over to this season and have some key value as an up-and-coming power prospect.
-Tom Mastny got the start for the Indians, but only last two innings, allowing four base runners on three hits and one walk, resulting in two earned runs. He looked strong but is clearly hittable and doesn’t appear to be a good fit as a starter nor the makeup as closer; his best bet is in a mid-inning relief role this season.
Boston 1, Tampa Bay 1
-Mike Lowell continues his spring training struggles leaving four on base today, but managed to pick up a base hit in three at-bats as he nears .200 this spring. He hasn’t shown anything terribly wrong with him, so it’s not worth over-examining his minor struggle at this point.
-Edwin Jackson stole the show today as the former #1 prospects in the Dodgers organization struck out 6 in 4.2 IP, allowing five hits and on run in his start. He’s in the mix for a spot in the rotation and his 1.84 ERA this spring combined with his overwhelming potential may push him past the tentative starters.
Detroit 7, Houston 5
-Omar Infante’s battle to stick as the team’s primary utility infielder took a hit today, with arguably the worst performance of the day. An 0-5 day at the plate, resulting in 3 LOB was matched with a poor performance in the field and an error charged to his name. He’s still better than Neifi Perez or Ramon Santiago, but today hurt.
-Luke Scott put together another solid effort at the plate, going 2-4 with a double off Zach Miner and 2 RBI. He’s held his own this spring, and despite a valiant effort from guys like Jason Lane and Hunter Pence, Scott will keep his spot in the lineup. He looked like a well experienced hitter today and while a decrease in AVG/OPS is expected, he could still be a productive #3/4 OF.
Los Angeles (N) 4, Baltimore 2
-Randy Wolf continued his recovery from arm surgery and strengthened his bid today, by showing good arm strength and durability over the course of a 5.2 inning start. His 7 K’s are nice, but a good pitch count was most important. He stayed effective for the majority of his start and looked like he could be a viable #5 starter this season.
-Brian Roberts went 0-3 today, but showed his speed can take over when his bat struggles. He stole a base and got into scoring position before adding a run. He’s a flashy player who can generate runs and even though he didn’t record a hit today, he’s got a good bat to go with his wheels.
Florida 6, New York (N) 5
-Alejandro De Aza has been a brilliant surprise this spring playing a sharp centerfield and hitting a near .400 all spring while showing good speed on the base paths. He’ll start in the minors, but after picking up a key pinch hit single in the 8th, he showing he could be a nice asset off the bench, should he get off to a hot start in AAA.
-John Maine has more pressure on him to duplicate his 2006 performance than any other pitcher. The problem is, statistically, he was one of the luckiest pitchers in baseball last season, didn’t post good K rates, gave up a lot of hits and had a much-better-than-average BABIP success. Today’s performance exemplifies the problems he still needs to work on – as he allowed 12 hits in 5.2 IP, but maintained a 3.07 for the spring.
Cincinnati 7, Philadelphia 0
-Bronson Arroyo threw six solid innings of shutout baseball against one of the more potent lineups in baseball, striking out six and walking only one. His 1.53 ERA this spring is top-notch and after today’s performance, he could be a good bet to get off to a strong start and perhaps match last year’s unexpected production.
-The Phillies struggled as a whole offensively today, recording only six hits, but Shane Victorino picked up one of those, going 1-4, lowering his spring AVG to .371. His best asset is his speed, but as the expected starter in RF to start the season, if he can hit half as well, he could be a tempting sleeper.
Pittsburgh 13, Minnesota 7
-6′5” 245 26-year old power-hitting Brad Eldred led the way for an explosive offensive onslaught, going 3-4 with 2 runs scored, 1 HR, and 3 RBI. He crushed a homer off Carlos Silva and brought his spring training average up to .347. He hit 40 HRs between MLB, AAA, and AA in 2005, so he’s got some monster power and potential.
-Carlos Silva is still in line for a rotation spot, but was annihilated to the tune of 11 hits and 9 earned runs in 3.1 innings against a light-hitting lineup. He only struck out two in the process and while his control looked good, he was entirely hittable and overmatched. His spring ERA: 11.02, but he’s still slated as the #3 starter.
St. Louis 4, Washington 2
-With a spot open in the OF with due to mounting injuries, Skip Schumaker put together a good line, recording three singles in five at-bats and scoring a run. He showed some good contact hitting and is an adequate fielder, which could put him in the mix for a roster spot.
-Christian Guzman who missed all of last season after one of the worst offensive seasons in major league history in 2005, Guzman has rebounded well this spring, and after going 2-3 with an RBI today, he bumped his AVG up to .438. He’s still rusty, but he’s gradually returning to form with each successful at bat.
Baltimore 2, New York (N) 1
-Hayden Penn may have had a good outing on the surface, lasting four innings and not allowing a run, but playing against the majority of Mets without much on the line, combined with 4 BB and 0 K, and it’s average at best. He did only allow one hit and is a touted prospect, so this could help his bid for a spot in the rotation.
-Shawn Green prolonged his spring struggles, going 0-2, including grounding into a double play. Lastings Milledge posted his best game of the spring against the Marlins today and with Green hitting a measley .140, there could be a position battle looming.
New York (A) 4, Toronto 4
-Hideki Matsui continues his climb back up the OF rankings this spring, going 2-3 today with an RBI today. His wrists look fine and his bat speed is still remarkable, throw in the fact that he was hitting pitches in all areas of the strike zone, and there’s no need to worry about Matsui’s ability to produce this season.
-Victor Zambrano may have lost a touch off his fastball, as was evident today, but he’s added some movement on his pitches and his command looked impressive today. Four solid innings, with 3 Ks and 2 BBs against a very good lineup put him way ahead of schedule and keep him in the mix for a rotation spot.
San Diego 7, Arizona 6
-Terrmel Sledge continues to further secure the LF job, as he hit his 6th HR of the spring off Doug Slaten in the sixth inning. Throw in a good showing in the field, drawing a walk, and some serious power today and thus far in spring training, and he may be a quality deep sleeper pick, especially in NL-only leagues.
-I already gushed about Micah Owings’ potential in the NRI report, but today put an exclamation point of his bid for the fifth starter, as he went 4 innings, not allowing a run and only two base runners. He lowered his ERA to 1.93 for the spring and showed some quality stuff today.
Arizona 5, Chicago (A) 4
-Scott Hairston looks to seize a timely opportunity and open as the starter in RF and looked worth of the job today, going 2-4 with a triple and an RBI. He’s got good pop, can handle all OF spots, and is hitting .391 this spring. He’s still got upside and more hitting like this will secure him some early season ABs.
-Jon Garland, who was heavily-reliant on a good offense behind him to pick up wins over the last two years, could be exposed as a below-average #3 starter, based on his spring. His ERA ballooned to 8.66 with a 5.2 inning performance in which he alowed 11 hits, walked two, and gave up four earned and didn’t have any show any above-average pitches today.
Chicago (N) 3, San Francisco 2
-Wade Miller may have all but locked up the #5 spot today, with a 5 inning, no-run performance today. He struck out five in as many innings, didn’t allow a single free pass, and allowed only three hits. Miller has battled injury in the recent past, but not long ago he was a solid NL Central starter, capable of double-digit wins – today showed the potential to return to form.
-Mark Sweeney is in position for a 4th OF/pinch-hitter job this season and showed why today, with a pinch-hit double in the 6th and adding a HR off Angel Guzman in the 8th. He’s only hitting .194 on the spring, but he’s a good veteran presence and is valued for his pinch hitting, as seen today.
Colorado 11, Los Angeles (A) 1
-John Mabry is a veteran jack-of-all-trades with good experience and a modest bat, but will be a longshot to crack the Rockies’ MLB roster in any form. He made a good showing today with a double, triple, and a run scored in three at-bats along with a solid performance at first base, but it won’t likely be enough to stick. Mabry could get a call-up, but even if he does, his value is at a minimal.
-Chris Resop, a servicable young, relief arm acquired from the Marlins took a beating today, going 1.2 innings and allowing seven hits, a walk, four earned runs, and a homer. He’s still got a bright future, but may have cost himself a spot in a loaded bullpen come Opening Day.
Seattle 5, Kansas City 4
-Chris Reitsma may have earned the save today, but he still looked shaky, as he allowed two hits and a run in his ninth inning appearance. He’s better than last season’s numbers, but he still shows an inability to cope with pressure, he might struggle as a set-up man as he’s expected to be, but could develop into a good mid-relief option should he be shifted.
-Odalis Perez has been much maligned over the last year and a half, and while today’s performance wasn’t anything to write home about, 1 ER in 5 innings is still a solid outing. He allowed 6 hits and 3 walks, but showed good stuff and an ability to get off jams when needed.
Oakland 5, Texas 2
-Nick Swisher’s biggest flaw last season was his propensity for striking out and a poor AVG, but his batting eye has looked much improved this spring, and he continued that trend today, going 2-3 with two doubles. He did strike out once for good measure, but he’s still hitting .320 this March. His AVg is still a concern, but an improvement seems imminent.
-Mike Wood pitched the final three innings for the Rangers and showed some good set-up man, spot-closer potential, should Akinori Otsuka be dealt, after allowing two hits and striking out three today. He picked up some late-inning opportunities in Kansas City and has a good make-up to thrive if healthy, as seen by his miniscule 1.69 ERA this spring.
San Diego 5, Milwaukee 2
-Josh Bard will be fighting off the fluke tag every step of the way this season, but with the starting job secured, he’s still hitting .353 this spring, thanks in part to solid outings like today. Bard added to his spring resume with a 1-3 showing and 2 RBI.
-J.J. Hardy still has the faith of the organization despite missing most of 2006 with injury and struggling at the playe in 2005. He’s still developing his stroke and could be one of the most improved hitters this year, and his spring training performances are enhancing that notion. He’s locked in as the starting SS, but today’s 2-3 showing with a solo shot best shows his improved pop this spring.
Posted by James 