Ultimate Roster Project (PC,Xbox,PS2)

[kgbaseball]

Foulke only works from the stretch. I think in the windup, it's 3/4 High Kick.

[southside_hitmen]

Joel Zumaya (DET) - 2-seamer clocks in around 96, with the curve from 82-84 - http://www.fantasysportstrades.com/joel-zu...rt-hammer-time/

Joel, who’ll turn 22 in November, throws a 4-seam fastball at 96-100 mph. He has a two-seamer he works at 96, and it’s got good get-up away from left-handed batters. He’s also got a very nice hammer that he can drop at 82-84 mph. It looks a lot like Bobby Jenks’s K pitch, which is absolutely lethal when you’re throwing close to triple digits. His 4-seamer is straight, but I still think it’s unhittable

Some D-Rays line-up notes:

Considering the way the trio handled hitting Nos. 1-2-3 in the lineup, it's a good bet Maddon will structure his batting order the way he did at the end of the season with Baldelli leading off, Young batting second, and Crawford hitting third.

Lineup as I have it right now looks something like this

1. CF Baldelli

2. RF Young

3. LF Crawford

4. 2B Cantu

5. DH Gomes

6. 3B Iwamura

7. 1B Norton

8. C Navarro

9. SS Zobrist

The top 3 were how the season ended last year. 4-7 in the lineup are pretty interchangeable, (Norton could end up batting 4th or 7th) with Wiggington filling in at 1st or 2nd base and Upton filling in at SS and in the outfield. Zobrist is listed as first on the depth chart at short, and ended the year there last year. The mailbag of question they get also asked why not Upton at SS, but the Rays don't want him to face the pressure of being the everyday SS as of right now. Maddon has also toyed with switching Crawford and Young in the order the last couple of days. The other scenario is Iwamura in the 2 spot, with Young in the 4th. I think the above is about the best you can get right now against righties. Against lefties I would have Wiggington play 1st and Upton at SS. Without a DH I would also put Young in over Gomes at RF.

All of the pitching should benefit by an improved look on defense highlighted by newcomer Akinori Iwamura, who comes over from Japan to assume the third-base job. He brings a slick glove and a strong arm to the position.

Iwamura will be the starter at third, replace Wiggington.

Maddon said Shields' mentality has matured immensely over the past year and feels the right-hander has the potential to be one of the better pitchers in the Majors.

"I honestly thought he was an up-and-comer last year, and I feel now he's had that year to progress," said Maddon, who felt it was too early to name Shields as an Opening Day or No. 2 starter. "His fastball isn't the 100-mph range type, but he has ability to locate it well, which is key. Then, of course, he has the changeup and the cutter and he's developed the breaking ball. You combine that with his competitive nature, and he's got the makeup to be a quality pitcher."

Shields worked on his breaking ball throughout last season and said he is at the point where he can throw it when he needs to. Because of his quick work on Tuesday, though, it wasn't necessary.

"My breaking ball is coming along real nice," said Shields, who threw his fastball, cutter and changeup during Tuesday's game. "I have a lot of confidence now to throw it. Last year, I had to learn to throw it and I went through some struggles with it. But now, it's all about feeling comfortable and knowing that I can throw it whenever it's needed."

This says to me that first off, he throws a cutter instead of a two-seamer, change it and the direction to righ extreme or right diag. Also, the fact that he said he hadn't begun to work on a breaking ball untill last year tells me he doesn't throw both a slider and curveball. If I had to guess I would say that he just thows the curve. Article also said that he is the probable #2 starter, move him to that spot.

Whereas Maddon said the 23-year-old righty probably won't make the Opening Day roster, the Rays skipper said Salas most likely will.

"[Salas'] ball naturally cuts, and we're working on the sinker in," said Maddon. "If we can get the ball moving both sides, then he'll be really good."

It's a pitching situation from both the front and back end, which shows tons of promise for the season.

SALAS SHARP: Lost in the disappointment of Tuesday's 12-4 loss, and the 178 pitches thrown by the Rays, was an improved performance by reliever Juan Salas.

The hard-throwing rookie seemed to have more cut on his cut fastball than in his major-league debut last week, the result of making a slight mechanical adjustment to keep him from throwing across his body, and of being more relaxed.

"It was cutting more," Maddon said. "Part of it was the way he lines up with his body when he delivers. ... Part of it is just a little bit of nervousness that he was not having in the past."

Salas was clocked as high as 96 mph, but the key to his spectacular minor-league success (five earned runs, 85 strikeouts in 631/3 innings over 50 games) was the cutter.

Salas consistently showed an 80 arm on the 20-80 scouting scale as an infielder, and he regularly tops out at 96 mph on the hill. But he was pretty much all fastballs all the time before this season--or at least that's the one pitch he was most effective with.

Salas has now added a hard, 85-86 mph slider to his repertoire and the results in the Southern League have been staggering--and so has his command.

He doesn't have a splitter, his slider sits in the 85-86 range. He also uses a cut fastball (I'm guessing 92-94?) and the first quote said he is working on a sinker, although it said to both sides of the plate so it is more than likely a 2-seamer with downward plane (left slight). I'm guessing in the 92-94 range as well. So it should be FB, CUT, SLD, and (SNK or 2-FB). Also stated that he will most likely make the MLB roster, I would move him up.

This and that: Casey Fossum said he is feeling fine after tossing an 80-pitch bullpen session. The left-hander soft tossed on Tuesday and is expected to throw another bullpen session on Thursday. "I like the way the breaking stuff was coming out and I'm really pleased with the way things are going," said Fossum. "I feel strong and I'm getting closer and closer [to throwing in a game]." ... Greg Norton went 2-for-3 with a double that hit off the wall in right field in Tuesday's game. ... Glover, a non-roster invitee, gave up four hits and three runs. ... Doug Waechter and Shinji Mori were re-assigned to Minor League camp following Tuesday's game.

More data for identifying the team's fifth starter became available Friday night after Tim Corcoran, Jae Kuk Ryu and J.P. Howell all pitched during the team's 5-1 loss to the Yankees.

Corcoran started and did not fare well. After pitching a scoreless first, the right-hander surrendered four earned runs in the second inning on three hits, three walks and a hit batter. Entering Friday night's game, Corcoran had not given up a hit or a run.

"I'm trying to find the timing and the rhythm," Corcoran said. "I've just got to keep attacking them."

Ryu pitched two innings, and the right-hander allowed one run on four hits, including a Jorge Posada home run. Howell pitched two scoreless innings and gave up one hit while walking two.

Howell competed for a spot in the Royals rotation last spring, and the left-hander said he spent too much time trying to win that spot -- and subsequently had shoulder and arm problems, which prompted him to change his approach this spring.

"I'm just trying to get myself ready for the season instead of trying to make the team," said Howell, noting that the latter would take care of the former.

Maddon said his starter candidates are "still getting there," so it was "hard to be overtly critical of anyone."

Also in the hunt for the fifth spot are right-handers Jason Hammel, Edwin Jackson, and Brian Stokes. Jackson, Stokes and Hammel will all pitch Saturday.

You can send Waechter down and bring up Ryu as he is also battling for that 5th starter spot.

What do you think about Joel Guzman thus far? Does he look like the slugger everybody said he was after the Rays traded Julio Lugo to the Dodgers to get him last year?

-- Jack S., Denver

Upon my first look at him, I was surprised at what he looked like physically. He has a slender body, and I was expecting more of a burly guy after seeing that he was 6-foot-5, 250 pounds. I was equally surprised to see how smooth he looked fielding ground balls. Everything I had heard about him suggested he would eventually find his way over to first base. Instead, the Rays are now talking about his ability to play third, first and even shortstop. He will likely be the third baseman at Durham to start the season.

I would say 1st Pos = 3B for Joel Guzman then. Didn't mention anything about playing LF.

Tony Peguero (TB-AA)

What they're saying: "Here's a kid that could easily get overlooked in the long haul. He's kind of a quiet kid. He's been around a few years, so all of a sudden you put a kid like that on the back burner. He's the kind of guy that ends up going somewhere else and you end up saying, 'God, why did we miss that?' ... He's the kind of guy, when his sinker is right, it's like, 'I'm throwing this sinker and there's nothing you can do about it. You can hit a ground ball to third, a ground ball to short or hit it off your front foot.'" -- Maddon on Tony Peguero's slider (gueesing they meant sinker as that what was talked about), which he referred to as "nasty"

I would say that he has a sinker instead of the splitter, probably in the 87-89 range.

Brett Carroll (FLA-A) looks to begin the season at AA.

Roster moves: Top prospect Chris Volstad, catcher Brad Davis and outfielder Brett Carroll were reassigned to Minor League camp on Sunday.

Volstad was told after his start at Vero Beach on Saturday that he would be sent down. The 20-year-old right-hander, who was drafted 16th overall in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, got a taste of life in the big leagues this spring.

Gonzalez says it is a matter of time before Volstad, a 6-foot-7 Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., native, reaches the big leagues. He is expected to open the season at Class A Jupiter.

Davis is slotted to be the Double-A Carolina catcher, while Carroll also is in line to begin the season at Double-A.

He also is an outfielder, not a 3B. He was even rated as having the best outfield arm in the Marlins organization by Basesball America. He's listed as a RF. Maybe 1st pos - RF, 2nd Pos - 3B. Just a thought. Might want to bump his throwing attributes up slightly too.

Alfredo Amezaga doesn't seem to factor in the CF race.

The 6-foot, 170-pound Reed, who also stole 20 bases at Albuquerque, is also probably the fastest and best defensive player of those hoping for the center-field job. Reed, Reggie Abercrombie and non-roster invitee Alex Sanchez are getting the strongest looks early in Spring Training. If none of them seizes the spot, the fallback plan is to give Cody Ross and Joe Borchard a chance. Abercrombie made a nice diving catch and running catch in the second inning on Saturday to help keep the Dodgers scoreless.

"This year there's more competition," Reed said. "It's going to come down to whoever puts up the numbers and who the Marlins like the most."

I would say either Reed, Abercrombie, or Sanchez, but Amezaga isn't even mentioned in the top 5 of the race, so I say switch him out of the lineup.

Straight from the horses mouth, no splitter for Scott Olsen:

Olsen changes pace: An example of how Grapefruit League statistics are basically meaningless is the outing Scott Olsen turned in Friday afternoon.

After giving up two runs in 3 2/3 innings to the Cardinals, Olsen fell to 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA. But that doesn't tell the story of what the 23-year-old lefty is accomplishing.

Coming off the mound after his 60-pitch outing, Olsen was all smiles because he is getting more comfortable with his third pitch.

A year ago, Olsen pretty much enjoyed a successful rookie season throwing predominantly all fastballs and sliders. Now, he is mixing in his changeup more, even though he hung one changeup to Albert Pujols, who swatted it for an opposite-field RBI double in the first inning.

"You really need a third pitch to be a successful starter, I think," Olsen said. "To go out and win 18 games, you need three pitches. To me, that's huge."

He joked he had 2 1/2 pitches a year ago.

"I threw changeups very, very sparingly last year; only when I had to," Olsen said, adding it is better now than it ever has been. "Usually it was just a show pitch. I would go after guys with my fastball and slider. This year, I'm hoping I can get that ground-ball pitch working and get out of innings a little quicker."

Olsen said he expects to start the Marlins' third game of the regular season, at Washington. While the team has yet to announce the rotation, it is leaning toward using Dontrelle Willis, Anibal Sanchez, Olsen, Ricky Nolasco and whomever wins the fifth spot.

I would keep the 2-seamer, but take out the splitter. He says himself that he was mainly FB/slider last year and that he is trying to add a change. Tells me no splitter. Article also tells us a little about the rotation, with it set-up most likely being Willis, Sanchez, Olsen, Nolasco, and a 5th starter.

For the closer spot, Matt Lidstrom appears to have the inside path now.

Closer update: The open closer competition appears to have a new leader. Hard-throwing Matt Lindstrom is believed to have the inside edge after Kevin Gregg's recent inconsistencies.

Early in camp, Gregg was viewed as the front-runner based on his 125 career games and the fact he has the most experience of the group.

The organization prefers some experience, and while Gregg hasn't closed before, he worked in setup and long-relief roles previously with the Angels. In three Grapefruit League games, Gregg has a 5.40 ERA, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Lindstrom has a 100 mph fastball and he's appeared in two games, giving up one run in two innings (4.50 ERA). More so than the numbers, the club likes how Lindstrom is throwing better.

Henry Owens, another 95-plus mph right-hander, also is gaining ground in the closer race. In two scoreless spring innings, Owens has issued two hits, while striking out one and walking one.

He's in AAA at the moment, might want to move him up.

Chris Schroeder (WAS-AA) is still searching for a 2nd pitch

Not good: Right-hander Chris Schroder has a blazing fastball and not much else. It haunted him on Sunday against the Dodgers. He came into the ninth inning with a 9-7 lead, but ended up taking the loss after giving up three runs in the frame.

"He needs to work on his secondary pitches," Acta said. "Up [in the big leagues], with one pitch all the time, guys will time it and hurt you."

Schroder is working on a slider with Jose Rijo, the special assistant to the general manager.

Chris Schroder

w/ MLB - Nationals | 0-2, 6.35 ERA, 0 saves (in 1 save opp.) 39/15 K/BB in 28.1 IP

Despite his high ERA, Schroder had a very respectable MLB debut in 2006, striking out 39 batters in just 28.1 IP. The 28-year old righty spent the offseason in the Dominican Republic with special assistant to GM Jose Rijo, working on his slider and changeup.

The club would like for him to cut down his ERA (obviously), because when Schroder is on, it’s very tough to make contact off his stuff. In my opinion, Schroder reminds me of a less experienced Chris Ray.

With the Nats committed to four right-handers already in the bullpen, Schroder has his work cut out for him battling for that last spot. His chances of making the squad depend on his slider and changeup - the pitches he has spent so much time working on in the offseason - so we’ll see if it has paid off.

Schroder has allowed runs in four of his seven major league outings, and his fastball doesn't get much over 90 mph. But St. Claire believes that he can get away with that because the ball has, as pitchers say, "late life," meaning it rises just as it reaches the plate.

Right now in the rosters he has a curveball. I would take it out as it says he doesn't have anything more than a fastball and is working on a slider and a change in the second article. I would put them both at relatively low ratings as they are both new pitches. I would also bump up his fastball to the 90-91 range, and his 2-seamer to the 87-88 range.

Garrett Mock (WAS-A)

Bowden described Mock as having a “Roger Clemens body-type†with a 90-95mph fastball and a power slider (83-87mph). He described him as an innings eater who he envisiones Mock being part of the starting rotation in 2008. John Sickels had Mock rated as his #9 prospect entering 2006 and about a month ago commented “3-7, 4.55 in 17 starts for Double-A Tennessee, 94/39 K/BB in 99 innings, 103 hits allowed. Not really breaking through as I thought he might, but the K/IP remains promising.†Mock will report to Harrisburg where roving pitching instructor Spin Williams will work with Mock on his command in the strikezone as well as focusing more on his slider than his curve.

Garrett Mock RHSP - One of the two arms acquired from Arizona in an August deal for Livan Hernandez, the the 23-year old Mock had his season ended with surgery to repair damage to his patella. Mock has a mid-90s four-seam fastball, a high-80s cutter, a curve, and slider. His biggest problem remains that, for some reason, he is too hittable. He allowed 173 hits in 147.67 innings pitched. He is going to require 4-5 months to rehab from knee surgery, so if everything goes well, he should be ready by spring training. Given the Nationals need for starting pitching, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Mock to be given a chance to start for Washington some time in 2007.

Slider needs to be bumped up to 83-87 range. Cutter dropped to the 87-89 range. Neither say anything about a change so I would probably drop the pitch.

Matt Chico (WAS-A)

Chico, another 23-year old, was compared by Bowden to Mike Hampton, both in body type and in demeanor on the mound. He has a 88-92mph fastball, cutter, and a changeup. Bowden said he was a hardworker, who like Mock will report to Harrisburg with designs on being ready for the major league rotation in 2008. Sickels had Chico #20 and in his update, commented “A rebounding process, combined numbers are 5-6, 3.14 in 17 starts between Lancaster and Tennessee, with an 86/24 K/BB in 95 innings, 75 hits allowed. Is finally adapting to Double-A competition after failing to do so in ‘04 and ‘05.â€

Matt Chico LHSP - Much like Mock, the other piece of the Livan trade, the 23-year old Chico immediately leaps to the top of the Nationals prospect list. In only four starts for Harrisburg, Chico was 2-0 in 22 innings with a 3.27 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 5.3K/9, and 3.3 BB/9. Chico has a starter’s repertoire with a low-90s fastball, an average curveball, and an improving changeup. Even if he does not excel as a starter, Chico has a future as a left-hander out of the bullpen. Depending upon the Nationals’ offseason moves, Chico has a chance to make an appearance for Washington in 2007.

Fastball needs to be dropped a little to the 90-92 range. A cutter also needs to be added clocking in 2-4 mph slower than whatever you end up putting his fastball at.

Shairon Martis (WAS-A) - http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/?cat=5

Top 10 Savannah Sand Gnats Prospects

Shairon Martis RHSP - While he only made four appearances for Savannah after his trade from San Francisco (for Mike Stanton), Martis proved that he was among the better arms in the organization with a 3.80ERA, 1.27WHIP, 5.9K/9, and 1.7BB/9. The 19-year old throws a developing low-90s fastball and has an above average curve. If he can develop one additional average to above average pitch, Martis has the potential to be a top of the rotation starter for the Nationals. He’ll likely begin 2007 where he completed 2006 in AA Harrisburg.

In the rosters he also has a slider and change in his rep, you might want to drop them or lower there ratings as it says that the fastball and curve are his only quality pitches right now.

Collin Balester (WAS-A) - http://farmauthority.dcsportsnet.com/?p=747

Collin Balester RHSP - While his 2006 numbers left much to be desired (118IP with 5.19ERA, 1.52WHIP, 6.6K/9, 4.0BB/9, and 0.9HR/9), Balester boounced back from a dreadful first 8 starts to show signs of the fastball that Nationals management has raved about. He demonstrates a command and control of the fastball well beyond his 20 years and just needs to learn how to dictate a game. He complements his fastball with an above average curveball and developing changeup. His mid to late season performance was enough to earn a promotion to Harrisburg where he seemed to put it together in his final 3 starts. He’ll likely return to Harrisburg to start 2007.

According to Triple-A Columbus manager John Stearns, Balester already has a Major League fastball and curveball and is still working on a changeup. Stearns even predicts that Balester will add more velocity to his fastball. Balester currently throws 90-92 mph.

Fastball sits between 90-92. He also has a sinker and 2-seamer in the rosters. Scouts usually rave over movement on fastballs, so I would guess that he doesn't have both of them. Maybe one or none at all, I'll try and find more info. Everything that I have looked at on him makes no mention of a moving fastball, and especially no mention of any downward action on it. I would take out the both the sinker and 2-seamer.

Juan Ovalles (WAS-A)

Juan Ovalles RHRP - A 24-year old minor league free agent with an impressive slider, Ovalles biggest challenge is controlling it. If he can harness control of his slider to complement his solid fastball, he could quickly become a relief option for Washington.

Replace his change in the rosters with a slider.

Alex Morales (WAS-A)

The other Morales, Alex, was one of Potomac’s more reliable relief pitchers. He has a mid-90s fastball and an excellent slider which he used over 32 appearances for Potomac in 2006. Over 45 2/3 innings pitched, Morales struck out 49 batters while walking 25, finishing the season with a 2.17 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, holding opponents to a .189 batting average. Alex's biggest weakness is pacing himself. He has the repertoire to be an above average relief pitcher, but needs to learn to pace himself in order to be available on the more frequent basis hard-throwing relief pitchers are often called.

As it says, fastball in the 93-96 region and I would replace the curveball with a slider. Probably sits in the 86-88 range.

[Totte]

All I can say about southside and his input is wow

Thanks man :hail:

[southside_hitmen]

Updated the above post slightly, might want to check it out

[southside_hitmen]

Ok some more edits:

Mitch Maier (KC-AA)

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Mitch Maier was drafted as a catcher in the first round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft out of Toledo, was moved to third base in 2004 and then to the outfield in 2005.

In a Spring Training game, Maier made his debut at first base.

Manager Buddy Bell said don't read too much into that. Maier is still considered an outfielder, plus the Royals have Ryan Shealy, who was acquired in a trade last July with the Rockies, at first base.

"It's a position that adds value," Maier said. "If Shealy needs a day off, it is just another position that helps me help the team."

Maier began taking ground balls at first base at the end of last season when the Royals called him up for the first time. His initial first-base experience proved to be rather routine.

"I was ready for it," Maier said. "There were no ground balls, but I had a couple of double plays where I just had to cover the bag. It was pretty basic. Nothing really caught me off guard."

Maier, who hit .306 in 2006 with Double-A Wichita, will likely start the season with Triple-A Omaha, but in center field, not at first base.

Not sure what you want to do here. He is a CF. He's listed as an OF but as the article above says, he plays 1st base as well. Up to you.

Billy Butler (KC-AAA)

Billy Butler played exclusively in right field from April 29 on last year after spending the first month in left field. That came after playing most of the second half of the 2005 season in left field following a switch from third base to accommodate Alex Gordon. Well, Butler is on the move again, back to left field. "They moved me back to left field and I'm working on becoming a better outfielder," he said. "It's strictly left field. That's where they told me at the beginning of camp where they wanted me to play, so I'm doing a lot of that now." ...

No mention of 1st base anywhere, so I would make his 2nd POS RF instead of 1st.

Brian Bannister (KC-AAA)

Brian Bannister appears as if he's headed for a spot in the rotation rather than heading to Triple-A Omaha, and some of that is because he's been doing so well with his two-seamer. He spent much of the winter tuning the pitch in Mexico and has continued this spring. While the velocity hasn't jumped, the movement on the pitch has.

I would say move him up to the Majors if this is the case.

Joel Peralta (KC-MLB)

Cutter coming along: Joel Peralta hopes the cut fastball he added late last season and developed during winter ball becomes the pitch he needs to fare better against left-handed hitters this season.

"I needed something to go in on left-handed hitters," Peralta said. "I had a lot of trouble against them last year."

Overall the right-hander was 1-3 with a 4.40 ERA in 64 games last season. He held right-handed batters to a .234 batting average, while lefties hit .338 against him.

The lefties also slugged .613 against Peralta, some 210 points higher than right-handers. Even though he pitched 35 fewer innings against left-handed batters than he did against right-handers, lefties had just two fewer homers and one more walk against Peralta than right-handers.

"I started using [a cut fastball] late last year and worked on it a lot in winter ball," Peralta said. "The more I've used it, the better I'm getting controlling it."

Peralta said he threw four or five cutters on Friday in his perfect inning of work against the Brewers. He also threw his split-fingered fastball and four seamer.

"I need to keep working on [the cutter], but so far, it's coming along good," he said.

Obviously, need to add the cutter, probably in the 88-90 range.

Luke Hudson looks to take the #3 spot in the rotation

Hudson works: Luke Hudson started against the Angels on Friday night and pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits while walking two and striking out three.

The lone run Hudson allowed came on an infield single that third baseman Alex Gordon was unable to come up with cleanly. In 6 2/3 innings this spring, the right-hander has allowed two earned runs.

"I threw a little bit more curveballs than I normally do, trying to get the feel of that," Hudson said. "Other than that, I just tried to be aggressive and go after hitters. It's still really early, arm strength needs to come, still have a ways to go on that. Command can always get better."

Hudson, expected to be the No. 3 starter in the rotation behind Gil Meche and Odalis Perez, said the outing was an improvement over his first start.

"I'm just knocking the rust off a little bit and getting back where we need to be as far as tempo and arm slot, finishing all the pitches and just being down in the zone," he said.

Hudson walked Kenny Lofton to lead off the game, uncorked a wild pitch to advance him to second and gave up a single to Frank Catalanotto, but got out of the inning without a run. Michael Young hit a bouncer back to the mound and Hudson started a double play.

"There were a lot of bad pitches the first two innings," Hudson said. "I just had to battle my way out of a jam right out of the gates. The double play helped me out a lot. He hit it pretty firm. It worked out great.

"The first two innings I really felt out of whack. I sped up my tempo a little bit in the third inning, and I felt like I was actually pitching instead of just hoping to throw strikes. The third inning was the best of all three."

Hudson gave up a home run to Sammy Sosa to lead off the second.

"It was a sinker, and I just left it up right in his wheelhouse," Hudson said. "It is a few miles per hour off my four seam [fastball]. I couldn't have placed it any better for him, and he hit it well. It was a terrible pitch."

Hudson has a hard fastball that tends to be around 93 and occasionally hits 95, but his go-to pitch is a nasty two-seamish sinker out of a split-ish grip that runs 88, 89 and has a ton of movement when it's on. According to the Royals' excellent TV play-by-play team, Bob Davis and Paul Splittorff, the Royals don't really know what to call it because of the wide difference in velocity from the four-seamer. Pitching coach Bob McClure suggested "one-seamer," because the way Hudson holds it, you see one seam between his index and middle fingers. Whatever it is, Hudson tried turning it into a changeup, but couldn't slow it down enough for it to be effective, so he uses it as a second fastball instead ... McClure loves that pitch: "Sometimes he'd throw that pitch and it'd drop off and guys would be looking over to their dugout, saying, 'What in the world was that?'" ... Has a curve that breaks from 1 to 7 and hits the high 70s, as well as a straight change, but the fastballs are his bread and butter ...

Hudson could have been a much bigger winner, but the bullpen blew six saves behind him.

His fastball is average but his changeup, called "The Wiggle" by longtime Royals scout Art Stewart, is what Moore really likes about Hudson.

"It's a swing-and-miss pitch, not a contact pitch," Moore said. "It sinks, dives and changes planes."

Put him in the 3 spot. Fastball at 93-94. Also, it looks as if he is using a sinker or sinking 2-seamer. As the article says, somehere in the 88-89 range. It really is up to you on wheteher its a 2-seamer, sinker, or splitter as even the Royals don't know what to call it. It has a ton of movement though and whatever it is I would say left-slight break on it. I would say in the low 60's for control, as the article gives the disclaimer "when it's on". My suggestion would be a sinker. It says the curve is in the high 70's, so bump it into the 76-79 range. I would add some movement to the change or "the wiggle" as the scout calls it and make it dive one way or the other, with left or right slight movement.

Octavio Dotel

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The smile on Octavio Dotel's face said as much as any words.

"I feel like I did in Houston, man," the Royals right-hander said. "I'm feeling unbelievable. That wasn't much, what, 11 pitches? But I never had that kind of velocity this early before. Not in Houston, not in Oakland or New York. I never threw this hard, 94-95 [miles per hour] this early."

Dotel had just completed his second stint of the spring, a perfect inning against Seattle on Thursday, during which he retired Jeff Clement, Jose Lopez and Jeremy Reed in order on 11 pitches -- including eight strikes. He got Reed with a moving fastball that registered 96 mph on the radar gun above the left-field fence.

Of course, airing it out this early in the preseason is probably not the best idea for any pitcher, especially one who can see the scars from Tommy John surgery on his right arm. But Dotel has never been just any pitcher, and he is going on two years since the operation, so his impatience is understandable.

In his mind, Dotel can see the end of his two years in limbo as well as the starting point to the second leg of his career. He sincerely believes he is back and is eager to prove it to the rest of the baseball world.

"I didn't work on everything I wanted to, because it was just one inning. But I did work on my fastball; I let it go," he said, smiling, as he knocked on the wood of his clubhouse stall. "Everything feels good. I know everybody is saying, 'After the surgery, how's Dotel gonna be?' One of the things I really feel good [about] is the fact that I'm feeling great throwing my fastball, my slider and sinker. I don't feel anything I'm worried about. I feel like I did three years ago, praise God."

Says he throws a sinker, fastball and slider. My guess is that the sinker is a 2-seamer. I would just change the angle to left slight to get more downward movement on it.

Todd Wellemeyer

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Maybe Todd Wellemeyer's time has finally come. Or so the Royals right-hander hopes after years of waiting his turn in a rotation, any rotation.

Since going 3-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 12 starts at Triple-A Iowa in 2005, Wellemeyer has come close to getting a start in a Major League game but always found himself back in the bullpen.

This time the 28-year-old Kentuckian has a legitimate shot at opening the season in the Kansas City rotation. Especially if he continues to pitch the way he did Thursday during Kansas City's 11-3 victory over Seattle.

Wellemeyer pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one baserunner, struck out one and perhaps most importantly of all -- did not walk anyone -- to earn the victory.

"Wellemeyer was very good, [he was] down in the zone all day [and] was efficient with his pitch count," Royals manager Buddy Bell said.

Wellemeyer is competing with Zack Greinke, Jorge De La Rosa, Brian Bannister and Rule 5 Draft pick Joakim Soria for one of two spots in the rotation.

"He did not harm himself at all," Bell said.

Wellemeyer's fastball registered a high of 95 mph on the scoreboard indicator, and other than a base hit by Willie Bloomquist, dominated the Mariners batters. Wellemeyer stayed ahead in the count and fell behind only two of the 10 batters he faced.

"I left the ball up on 2-1 [on the Bloomquist single]," Wellemeyer said. "But this was as good as I've felt all spring. I'm really working on this two-seamer I've got now, and I'm getting some good swings at it. Well, good swings from my perspective."

Wellemeyer said he is ahead of the curve in his preparation now, compared to where he was last year. In 2006, Wellemeyer began the season with Florida, going 0-2 with a 5.48 ERA in 18 games with the Marlins before the Royals picked him up. He was 1-2 with a save and a 3.63 ERA for Kansas City.

"I'm definitely way beyond where I was last year at this time and I feel really good about that," Wellemeyer said. "Last year I was at 88-90 [miles per hour velocity-wise], but I've worked my [tail] off to get ready for this."

Against the Mariners, Wellemeyer showed some of the pitches he will need if he is going to succeed in cracking the Kansas City rotation.

"I threw one slider, one curveball, two changeups, 98 percent two-seamers, the rest four-seam fastballs," he said.

Wellemeyer has never started a Major League game in a four-year career covering 103 games.

"I had fun starting in the Minors, I had pretty good success doing that," Wellemeyer said. "[The Cubs] never gave me a shot. I know these guys wanted to do it in the middle of the year last year but we got a couple of other starters like De La Rosa and they ended up keeping me in the 'pen."

Royals general manager Dayton Moore came to Wellemeyer at the end of last season and told the pitcher of the plans to put him into the rotation candidates pool this spring.

"I'm definitely going to try to get it," Wellemeyer said. "This team is wide open. But as long as I'm in the game and contributing, that's really all I'm looking for."

As the article says, he goes slider, curve, change-up, 2-seamer, 4-seam. In the rosters he has a sinker instead of the curveball. I would give him the curve and put it somewhere in the 78-81 range. The article said his fastball hit 95 so I would up it a bit. His change is set at 72 right now, but i cannot imagine a 23 mph difference in his change and fastball. I would guess its in the high 70's (76-79 range). He is also listed as a RP right now, might want to change him to a starter and up his stamina.

The rotation should go Meche, Perez, Hudson, then any combo of De la Rosa, Grienke, Bannister, Wellemeyer, and Soria. De la Rosa is a virtual lock for the 4 spot, while I would say Bannister has the inside track as of right now on the 5th spot, with the others battling it out with him.

Emil Brown

Brown is being used strictly in left field this Spring Training after playing 54 games in right, 87 games in left and 10 as the designated hitter last season. He started 126 games in right in 2005.

"If that is what they want, I'll stick to that," Brown said of left field. "I like just being in one position. I can get more familiar with it. It is a lot easier doing a lot of work at one position rather than switching back and forth."

Change his first position to LF instead of RF. and his 2nd POS to RF instead of OF. He didn't play any games in CF last year.

Also, Teahen looks like he will get the nod in right.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Whenever manager Buddy Bell jots down potential lineups, he reaches the cleanup spot and hits a little snag.

"I played with a few lineups this morning," Bell said on Sunday. "I had [David] DeJesus leading off, then [Mark] Grudzielanek, [Mark] Teahen and [Mike] Sweeney. That's about as far as I got. After that, there are a lot of things we can do. I'm just not sure what the best lineup is right now."

Bell has the remainder of Spring Training, which includes a 30-game Cactus League schedule that begins Thursday afternoon in Tempe against the Los Angeles Angels, to figure it out.

By the time the Royals break camp on March 29 for a two-game exhibition series in Houston against the Astros, the batting order for the regular-season opener against the Red Sox at Kauffman Stadium on April 2 will have been settled.

Bell said he likes to alternate right- and left-handed batters, which can force opposing managers to use their bullpen more often than they would like.

It would be nice to have a couple of switch-hitters at his disposal, but infielder Andres Blanco is the only player in camp that bats from both sides of the plate. And he isn't a starter.

Bell has an opportunity to select a military lineup, going left-right-left-right from one-through-seven in the regular-season opener. Rookie third baseman Alex Gordon bats from the left side, as does first baseman/outfielder Ross Gload.

One of them could bat fifth behind Sweeney, and the other hit seventh. Bell could opt to start incumbent Ryan Shealy at first base in the opener against projected Red Sox starter Curt Schilling, a right-hander.

If Gordon proves during Spring Training that he belongs in the Opening Day lineup, Bell might decide to bat him sixth or seventh to reduce some of the pressure. The No. 5 hole is regarded as an RBI spot and Gordon might benefit better, in the long run, to bat lower in the lineup at the beginning of the season.

That leaves left fielder Emil Brown, either John Buck or Jason LaRue at catcher and shortstop Angel Berroa to complete the first-game lineup.

The way the lineup looks right now, I would guess this:

1. CF DeJesus

2. 2B Grudzy (He's hurt) so German

3. RF Teahen

4. DH Sweeney

5. 1B Shealy/Gload

6. 3B Gordon

7. LF Brown/Gload

8. C Buck/LaRue

9. SS Berroa

Runelvys Hernandez (BOS-AAA)

Hernandez seems to get in walk trouble because he can't get ahead of hitters with his inconsistent fastball. It's usually around 89-91 but doesn't do anything special ... Hernandez' best pitch is a looping changeup that runs at around 80. He also throws a mid-80s slider. When Hernandez gets ahead, he's very tough; if the hitters can't just lay off anything that isn't a fastball, Hernandez does well ... The Royals' broadcasters like to say Hernandez rarely has both his command and his stuff going at the same time ...

Fastball 89-91. Circle Change at 80. Slider at 84-86.

Odalis Perez (KC-MLB)

Won't overpower anyone with his fastball, which is usually around 90, but has some solid breaking stuff and rarely gets into walk trouble ...Throws a circle change in the low 80s that tails down and away from righties; he also has a cutter in the high 80s which he throws often to righties, and a high-70s breaking ball that he uses as an out pitch against lefties ... The changeup and cutter are probably his two best pitches, as he's actually been slightly tougher on righties over the course of his 7-year career (.263/.316/.420 for lefties, .259/.309/.409 for righties) ... Resolves at-bats quickly; he's thrown a very efficient 3.6 pitches per batter in 2004, 2005 and in LA this year. His 4.1 in KC is probably going to fall back to that mark ... Is one of two MLB players to have Odalis in his full name, the other being Miguel Odalis Martinez Tejada. Fine, you come up with something to say about the Royals' starting pitchers ...

Though by no means a flamethrower, Perez routinely throws in the upper 80s and can reach back to hit 92 MPH on occasion. The fastball's natural action is to bear in on righthanders, and he complements it with a fine changeup that drops down and away from righties. Over the course of his career, Perez has actually been slightly more effective against righthanded hitters than versus lefties. He uses a decent curveball to keep lefties off-balance, but it is clearly his third-best pitch.

Changeup is actually a Circle-Change in the 80-82 range. Fastball bumped slightly to 92. I would say scrap the 2-seamer for the cutter, as both articles cite it ("natural action to bear in on righties" "Cutter in the high 80's). I would say 87-89 on the cutter with decent movement.

Joe Nelson (KC-AAA)

Joe Nelson: Righty reliever is in his third tour of duty in the majors. He had short appearances with Atlanta in 2001 (2.0 IP) and Boston in 2004 (2.2) before earning a full-time gig in the Royal pen this year ... He's actually been very effective; he is holding batters to .223/.310/.357 with backwards platoon splits ... Uses Eric Gagne's Vulcan Change, possibly the coolest pitch in baseball. It's like a splitter, except with the ball held between the middle and ring fingers; the pitch moves almost screwballishly and doesn't spin. Nelson only throws 90 mph, so it's not deadly deadly, but that pitch has been very effective for him so far ... Will probably go for the save tonight, if the opportunity arises ...

Fastball at 90. Changeup trajectory change to left-diag (Same as Gagne - screwball action) with probably a little more movement on it (4-6 range as opposed to current 2).

Jorge de la Rosa (KC-MLB)

In the Tony Graffanino trade, the Royals were able to swing him for a young left-hander. Jorge De la Rosa was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1998 and his arsenal features a 95 MPH fastball and a slider that's in the 90 MPH range as well. He was one of the Red Sox best prospects back in 2003, but was included in the Richie Sexson trade, and moved to Milwaukee where he had a 6.23 career ERA as a Brewer. He throws a change-up too, but it is probably average or slightly below from what I've read on him. If he'd learn how to throw strikes, and use his 3-pitch arsenal effectively, he might become a starter. He's only 25 and lefties are hitting only .154 against him this year.

90 on the slider is a stretch, but 87 or 88 on it sounds good.

Jay Bergmann (OAK-AAA)

BERGMANN, JAY - TR - b: 9/25/81 - Scouting Report:

Bergmann's career took a step forward when he converted from starter to

reliever in 2004. Although he has a full repertoire with a fastball, slider,

curve and change, working in short relief stints, he can concentrate on

placement of the fastball, which has low to mid 90's velocity. He does best

when he gives up a little velocity for better location, with the slider as

well as the fastball. Bergmann has also developed a cutter, and he is refining his change. He got three callups to the big league bullpen in 2006, and he got five starts late in the year - demonstrating once again why he ought to be a reliever.

Has developed a cutter and change. No mention of 2-seamer. I would replace the 2-seamer with the cutter and also add the changeup. Cutter probably clocks in at 90-92 range. Curve prob needs to be bumped into the high 70's and his change should be in the same area.

Jimmy Gobble (KC-AAA)

GOBBLE, JIMMY - TL - b: 7/19/81 - Scouting Report:

Gobble alternates his low-90's four-seamer and an upper-80's two-seamer with a sharp curveball. The four-seam fastball is fairly straight but can be an effective pitch if he keeps it in on a hitter's hands. His two-seam fastball

has some tailing action and is especially useful against lefthanded hitters.

Gobble's curve is his best pitch and he has pretty good command of it. He will throw strikes consistently. Gobble has to take care to maintain a consistent delivery; when he becomes overly anxious he'll rush his delivery, overstriding and causing his breaking pitches to flatten while lessening the velocity on his fastball. Gobble has graduated from the starting rotation to become an effective lefty setup man, although he still has the ability to make an occasional spot start. In 2006, Gobble was a more confident pitcher who was less afraid to pitch inside; as his confidence grew, his results improved and he gradually won more important bullpen assignments.

Uses a 2-seamer instead of a cutter. Sits in the 86-89 range. 4-seamer is in the 90-93 range. Upgrade his curveball's movement. It is his best pitch.

[cubsfaninfla]

Some notes after coming back from the Reds-Jays game.

Matt Belisle:

- Has a 3-0 1.00 ERA this spring. Rotoworld said he's in the running for the fifth starter's position, but will probably make the roster regardless.

Victor Santos:

- Could make the roster as a middle reliever as he has yet to give up a run in 7.2 innings. (Per Rotoworld)

____________________________________________________________

Other notes (sorry if these have been covered):

-Rockies release Javy Lopez

-Damian Jackson released by LA

-Tigers will have two lefties in the pen this year. Based on stats and stats alone, Rule 5 pick Edward Campusano and Bobby Seay (who is from my hometown, BTW) appear to be the frontunners.

-Red Sox returned Rule 5 pick Nick DeBarr to the Devil Rays.

-Chris Snelling will likely not be a starter this year. (Per Rotoworld)

[herky]

I'm not sure what to do with this guy right now since the rosters for the Cubs are full. If you want to wait to see who make the A-AAA rosters you could leave him where he is until the final cuts/rosters are set.

The Chicago Cubs today announced that right-handed pitcher Lincoln Holdzkom, who was claimed by the Houston Astros in the Major League portion of the 2006 Rule V Draft, has cleared outright waivers and been returned to the Cubs organization.

[cybernetic]

Jays notes:

GM J.P. Ricciardi said today that as of right now Shaun Marcum and Josh Towers are penciled in as the 4th and 5th starters respectively. Although more than likely one or both of John Thomson and Tomo Ohka will take their rotation spots by the end of spring training. Marcum has not looked that good this spring, while Josh Towers has been outstanding.

Royce Clayton has officially been confirmed as the starting shortstop to start the season. The team was hesitant to give the job to him right away. John McDonald will most likely be carried and one of Jason Smith or Ray Olmedo as reserve infielders. Jason Smith has the edge at this point.

Manager John Gibbons announced the expected starting lineup:

1. Johnson, LF

2. Overbay, 1B

3. Wells, CF

4. Thomas, DH

5. Glaus, 3B

6. Rios, RF

7. Zaun, C

8. Hill, 2B

9. Clayton, SS

Some changes to Dustin McGowan:

-4-Seamer at 98

-2-Seamer bump to 96

Baltimore released RP Jose Acevedo

Colorado released C Javy Lopez, who is considering retirement if he doesn't get fine a full time job soon.

[herky]

The Chicago Cubs today announced their first round of roster cuts, reducing the spring roster from 58 players to 44 players.

Infielder Scott Moore and left-handed pitcher Clay Rapada have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. In addition, infielder Brian Dopirak has been optioned to Double-A Tennessee and right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija has been optioned to Single-A Daytona.

Ten non-roster invitees have been returned to minor league camp, including right-handed pitchers Jason Anderson, Sean Gallagher, Adam Harben, Ben Howard, John Webb and Randy Wells. Infielders Mike Kinkade and Eric Patterson, as well as outfielders Tyler Colvin and Chris Walker, have also been returned to minor league camp.

[Totte]

I'm not sure what to do with this guy right now since the rosters for the Cubs are full. If you want to wait to see who make the A-AAA rosters you could leave him where he is until the final cuts/rosters are set.

I'll move Holdzkom right away but I'll just drop him in the Cubs organisation and we'll wait and see how the rosters shape up.

[herky]

I'll move Holdzkom right away but I'll just drop him in the Cubs organisation and we'll wait and see how the rosters shape up.

That works for me!

[Totte]

That works for me!

God I love it when you're so flexible to my suggestions :wink:

:)

[cubsfaninfla]

The Chicago Sun-Times refers to Mark Prior as the "dark horse" candidate for the Cubs' fifth starter job.

Wade Miller, Angel Guzman and Neal Cotts are listed as the primary competition for the slot, which shows just how unimpressive Prior has looked thus far in camp. Manager Lou Piniella said Monday that Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and Rich Hill will start the first four games of the season in that order.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

Related: Wade Miller, Neal Cotts, Angel Guzman

I'd say Miller or Guzman are the top two, with Cotts still as a contender.

[evil1182]

Mets release P Alay Soler.

[cubsfaninfla]

Mariners reassigned LHP Jim Parque, RHP Carlos Alvarado, RHP Jesse Foppert, RHP Juan Sandoval, C Luis Oliveros and 3B Matt Tuiasosopo to minor league camp; optioned LHP Travis Blackley and LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith to Triple-A Tacoma.

Mariners released LHP Matt Perisho.

[Totte]

Thanks for the info guys!

[Totte]

Leaving for Copenhagen and another Dave Matthews show tomorrow morning. MarkB is in charge of the thread while I'm gone so please behave and keep posting stuff as they roll onto your desk. Cheers people! :D

[cybernetic]

Jays notes:

Adam Lind who has been bothered by a sore wrist/arm will return to action either tomorrow or Thursday. He's still a long shot to make the Jays opening day roster.

Ray Olmedo is still batting .000 this spring 15 at-bats.

John McDonald drove in the lone Jays run in a 1-0 victory over Boston today.

[Jerryluo]

Chad Billingsley is now a Relief Pitcher, Hong Chih Kuo is wining the race for the 5th starter on the Dodgers

Andy LaRoche is getting time in the outfield

[cybernetic]

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles and Brian Roberts have come to terms on a two-year, $14.3 million contract extension through 2009.

The Rockies informed Taylor Buchholz that he'll begin the season in the bullpen.

[herky]

It sounds like Mark Prior might be running out of options. Wade Miller and Angel Guzman are fighting it out for thr #5 spot. Prior got sent to minor leauge camp and will make a start there Friday.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cu...T-cub14.article

"He [Prior] needs to throw pitches and start [games] and throw pitches in between [starts]," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "If we have to extend him [longer in Arizona] at the end of spring training, we'll look at it then. Right now it's him getting things together."

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-cubs-headlines

[lilfisch]

Tigers news via ESPN...

Top pitching prospect Andrew Miller is among eight players the Detroit Tigers cut from spring training on Monday.

Miller, a 21-year-old who played at North Carolina, has been assigned to Single-A Lakeland, in a move that was expected and is intended to give him some seasoning. The 6-foot-6 left-hander made eight appearances out of the bullpen for the Tigers last season.

The team also announced that it has optioned the contracts of pitchers Jordan Tata and Virgil Vasquez to Triple-A Toledo and pitchers Eulogio De La Cruz and Kyle Sleeth to Double-A Erie.

The Tigers assigned pitcher Jair Jurrjens and catchers Gabe Johnson and Dusty Ryan to minor league camp.

The roster reductions leave the Tigers with 51 players in major league camp in Lakeland, Fla.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2007/n...tory?id=2795443

[cybernetic]

Jays notes:

Rotation candidate John Thomson got rocked today in a spring training game vs. Cleveland. He allowed 6 runs in just 3.2 innings of work. He allowed 5 hits, 3 walks and struck out 2 in the outing. His ERA balooned to 7.27 so far. This doesn't bode well for his chances now but he'll have likely 3 or so more starts before the end of the month.

Dustin McGowan also got roughed up in the game allowing a couple of runs in 3.1 innings.

Tomo Ohka was the opposite throwing 4 shutout innings in the second of a game today vs. Cleveland. His ERA now stands at an even 4.00.

Victor Zambrano had a strong appearance in the same game (Ohka's) throwing 2.2 scoreless innings.

Adam Lind drove in the lone run in the 8-1 loss in the Thomson start.

Troy Glaus had 2 of the Jays 7 hits in the a scoreless draw in Ohka's start. He was the lone hitter to have a multi hit game today.

[cybernetic]

SD released RP Mike Adams

LAD released 3B Fernando Tatis

Rangers GM Jon Daniels reportedly told both Jerry Hairston Jr. and Sammy Sosa Thursday that they've made the team.

[cybernetic]

Jays notes:

SP Josh Towers pitched an effective 4 innings today, allowing just a single run on 3 hits. He walked one batter and struck out five. His ERA now stands at an even 2.00 in 9 innings this spring.

The Jays optioned SP/RP Dustin McGowan to Syracuse (AAA) today, effectively ending his chances of breaking camp with the team. With the Jays receiving an additional option year on him, he was a longshot to make the team anyway with his current command issues. McGowan had an ERA of 8.10 in 3 outings covering 6.2 innings. This will have to be his make or break year as he will be out of options at the end of the season.

CF Vernon Wells went 3-for-3 with 2 homers and 3 RBI today before being lifted in the 6th. He now has 4 homers and 8 RBI with a .346 average.

RP Jason Frasor pitched a scoreless inning, lowering his ERA to 4.76. He's almost a lock to make the team so this doesn't have much effect on the opening roster.

RF Alex Rios went 0-for-4 and had his average drop to .240. After a very hot start, he's struggled the past couple of games.

SP/RP Francisco Rosario allowed his first run of the spring on a solo home run to Aaron Rowand after 4.2 scoreless innings. Matt Roney didn't help his cause either, allowing both runs he inherited from him to score on a home run to the first batter he faced, former Blue Jay Jayson Werth. Rosario is out of options so he will have to be carried on the 25-man roster all season, placed on waivers or traded after the spring. If he does remain the team, he'll likely be carried as a middle reliever.

Speaking of RP Matt Roney, he allowed 2 runs (1 earned) over 1.2 innings of work. He previously pitched two scoreless frames. He has next to no shot at making the team.

INF Jason Smith kept up his hot hitting going 2-for-2 with a triple and an RBI before being lifted for a pinch runner. He's now batting .458.

OF/1B Matt Stairs who replaced Wells in the lineup mid-game went 2-for-2 with a couple of RBI, bumping his average to .400.

INF Ryan Roberts went 2-for-2 with an RBI and continued his hot hitting this spring, bumping his average to .429. He was removed from the 40-man roster ealrier in the season so he's unlikely to make the team anyway.

RP Brian Wolfe pitched a scoreless frame today with a couple of strikeouts, he has now pitched 3 scoreless innings. He will likely be assigned to New Hampshire (AA) to start the season.