Crunch time
Tuesday, March 21 2017 @ 11:15 AM EDT
Contributed by: John Northey
Getting to the final days of spring now - time for someone to step up.
Going to B-R and its spring stats lets see what we can tell. They have opponent quality (ie: what quality of pitchers or hitters did this player face so far) - 10 is major league, 1 is rookie ball. Generally most regulars will be around an 8 for quality faced (AAA level - mix of major league and low level guys) - numbers appear off so I'll just use them for opponent quality as no one else seems to provide that
- Catcher: Saltalamacchia 8.4 273/333/545 in 10 games - I'd say he has the backup spot locked up. Ohlman has hit 267/353/667 but Opp quality is just 6.9 (about AA level)
- First Base: Pearce has been solid (333/375/429 just 8 games), Smoak has sucked (7.9 147/250/265), Tellez was interesting but needs time (6.5 267/371/333), Morales has been good but will most likely be DH most of the time (8.3 367/424/667).
- Infield: with Travis hurt it will be Barney (7.8 267/314/300) and Goins (8.0 211/250/342), pure glove no bat. Get better soon Travis and Donaldson.
- Left Field: Only 6 outfielders have 20+ AB's so far. Ceciliani has by far the most playing time (45 AB) just 7.5 quality faced, 267/283/444 isn't horrible but isn't good either. Alford is back in the minors (no chance of making it) but was given a lot of time (32 AB's) 7.4 188/212/406. Pillar, D Smith (200/238/250), Carrera (296/424/481) and Upton (174/208/304) are the others getting time. Pompey has an interesting line (222/364/556) but just 9 AB's. Bautista wants to embarrass those who refused to give him a good deal (563/611/1.063) which is good for Jay fans.
- Rotation: set in stone with Estrada, Happ, Stroman, Sanchez, and Liriano. #6 is Latos (6.94 ERA in 11 2/3 IP 7 BB 9 SO) vs Lawrence (3.97 11 1/3 7 BB vs 8 SO). Those are the only 2 with 10+ IP so far.
- Bullpen: We know Biagini, Grilli, Osuna are dead on locks with others likely locks (Howell, Smith) there are only 1 or 2 slots that are probably open. 6 guys have had 7+ appearances thus getting long looks (Campos, Beliveau, Dermody, Leone, Mayza, and Girodo) Leone is impressive with 3 BB vs 11 K's in 7 1/3, Campos at 4 BB vs 10 K in 7 IP, Mayza is at 1-8 in 6 1/3. Boslinger has 5-11 in 8 2/3 IP. Generally to surprise you need to K everyone in eyesight like Osuna did a few years ago. It'll be interesting to see who wins in the end.
So of the many questions catcher is resolved. First base looks to be Pearce with Smoak on the 'please release him, pretty please' list. Infield is set but we all have to pray for health for every regular. LF is still a mess and will probably stay that way until April and could into the season. The 6th man is not great but has 2 reasonable options at least. The pen is mostly set but a lot of interesting options for #6/7.
Fun guy to watch this year will be Lourdes Gurriel who is 2 for 7 with a double and a home run plus a walk and zero K's so far. Wonder if he'll get a chance at some point.
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