Come To Think Of It...Spring Training Roundup

Hope springs eternal for baseball fans everywhere as the regular season rapidly approaches. Even teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates, who seemingly have no hope of a winning season, are at break-even.  And teams with high expectations and large payrolls haven’t won any more than anyone else.  At least in games that count.

Baseball players and experts alike decided long ago that spring stats mean nothing. Yet for fringe players, the 11^th or 12^th pitcher and the 13^th or 14^th position player, spring stats are all we have to go on. 

As with each spring, there are players who have struggled.  Among the bigger names that have struggled this spring:

Big Time Expectations, Big Time Struggles 

Erik Bedard, Mariners. The subject of trade rumors all winter, this young, talented lefthander was traded to the M’s for a bounty of talent that will demand a strong return on their investment. Well, they better hope that spring does mean nothing, because Bedard has allowed 30 hits and 19 earned runs in 18 innings, with an era of 9.50 and 7 homers allowed. That will leave a mark. 

Rich Hill, Cubs. This young lefthander doesn’t have quite the resume of Bedard, yet is being counted on to be the third starter in the Cubs rotation. Based on what we’ve seen this spring, however, the Cubs might want to consider whether Fergie Jenkins is available. Hill walked seven of the first 11 batters he faced in his last start and has a 7.59 era over his past four starts.

Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners.  More good news for the M’s as Ichiro has struggled like never before this spring. While no one is freaking out quite yet, Ichiro did go hitless in his first 21 at-bats this spring.

Dontrelle Willis, Tigers. Part of that famous trade which also sent over the $153 million dollar Miguel Cabrerra to Detroit, Willis is being counted on to bounce back from a horrendous season last year in Florida. But he has struggled mightily this spring, walking 10 and allowing 9 earned runs in his last 8 and two-thirds innings. If this carries over into the season, should it really be a surprise considering that he was mediocre at best in 2006 and terrible in 2007 pitching in the weaker National League? Me thinks not.

Barry Zito, Giants. Zito was a Zero his first year in San Francisco, coming off of a record setting contract in his free agency season. And his troubles continue this spring. How bad has he been? Well, it only took him 73 batters before finding a strikeout victim. And, despite a solid outing in his last start, his era is 10.31. Is there something physically wrong with this guy?

Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs. The Japanese import came to Chicago with the reputation of a high on-base, contact hitter. So it has been somewhat disconcerting to find out Fukudome is 3 for his last 21 with five K’s  in his last 8 at-bats. He’s hitting a robust .205.  This is supposed to be the year for the Cubbies, and Fooky is being counted on, fairly or not, to lead the way.

Conversely, there have been a bunch of lesser known players, and players who for various reasons lack the expectations of their colleagues, who have had terrific springs.

Don’t worry; several big-name players have had good springs so far. Among them, A-Rod, Pujols, Ryan Howard, Grady Sizemore, Roy Oswalt, Placido Polanco and Carlos Zambrano have enjoyed solid springs.

But it’s these other guys who I am focused on, as they are either much lesser known or have endured much on their way to the major leagues.

Chase Headley, Padres. While Mike Cameron’s need for speed has him sitting out a suspension come April, this enigmatic left fielder has hit .371 with 3 hr’s and 12 rbi.

Manny Parra, Brewers.  While Capuano and Sheets have garnered most of the attention, this unknown lefthander sits at 2-0, with an 0.64 era and 15 K’s in 14 IP.

Edinson Volquez, Reds. Though he has a reputation for disliking rookies, Dusty must trusty this guy based on what he’s done thus far this spring. 1-0 with a 3.00 era and 21 K’s in 15 IP. Makes the next guy's accomplishments a bit easier for the Reds to swallow...

Josh Hamilton, Rangers.  OK, Josh is much more of a household name because of his well known past history of drug abuse, but he still makes this list because of just how much this highly improbable feel good story continues to inspire. Sure, he has all the talent in the world but he did spend almost four years without picking up a baseball bat and has done untold damage to his young body. Yet all Josh has done this spring is to hit .556 with 13 rbi’s and a .972 slugging percentage.  If he can stay healthy, and that is a big if with this guy, the Reds may be regretting this trade for years to come.

Yunel Escobar, Braves.  Better known names certainly abound in Atlanta’s infield, with names like Chipper and Tex, but no one is performing better than Escobar. With a .462 avg and 12 rbi’s, this young shortstop is turning some heads in Florida.

Johnny Cueto, Reds.  Another relatively unknown pitcher making some noise in Reds camp, with a 2.08 era and 12 k’s in 13 IP. Dusty's well known aversion to young players is being tested this spring 

The regular season starts on March 30th. While many of these young guys wish spring was eternal, I am ready for the real thing to start. Let's "Play Ball" !!!!