Hunter Pence hit his first HR of the spring. Mark Minicozzi continued his feel-good story with his second spring homer. Giants pitching continued to dominate Cactus League hitters. Key Lines:
Hunter Pence- 1 for 3, HR. BA= .250. Pence getting his work in, getting ready for the season.
Mark Minicozzi- 1 for 4, HR(2). BA= .429. He'll be going down to Fresno, but nice spring story.
Gregor Blanco- 1 for 3, 2B. BA= .231. 4'th OF job is his.
Andrew Susac- 1 for 1, 2B. BA= .143. Looking forward to his season in Fresno.
Tim Lincecum- 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K. ERA= 0.00. Timmy didn't strike anybody out, but he also did not walk anyone. I think he's been talking to Tim Hudson!
Derek Law- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. I didn't see it, but the line looks darn impressive!
Erik Cordier- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K. That K/BB won't get it done in the long run but it worked this time. Shades of Brian Wilson!
Brett Bochy, George Kontos- 1 scoreless IP each.
Marco Scutaro's spring debut has been pushed back again increasing the probability that the Giants will open the season with both Tony Abreu and Ehire Adrianza on the 25 man roster.
Around the League:
Sad new from LA: Dr. Frank Jobe died at the age of 88. His surgery for Tommy John that took on the name of the player, extended the careers of scores of pitchers whose time in the game would have otherwise ended with torn ulnar collateral ligaments, one of the more revolutionizing developments in modern sports history!
Free agent RHP Ervin Santana has reportedly fired his agent, Bean Stringfellow(really?) due to unhappiness with his current contract situation, or lack of same. Santana might have wanted to do this before he accepted his agent's advice to decline a $14 M Qualifying Offer from the KC Royals, as anyone with a passing knowledge of the game could see that he was going to have a tough time finding a large, longterm deal given the situation.
Speaking of Tommy John Surgery, KC Royals reliever Luke Hochevar will undergo the procedure. Hochevar was the Dodgers first round draft pick in 2005, failed to sign with them, then was drafted #1 overall by the Royals in 2006. Now, let's see. I think there was someone else drafted by the Giants that year about 10 picks later. Who could that be…..?
More Royals news: RHP Brad Penny had a rough outing Thursday, hurt his left hand punching a wall and was released today. Gotta think this is the end of the road for the once dominant pitcher.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Minicozzi might not make the opening roster, but I hopefully think he will do more than Randy Elliot when it's all said and done.
ReplyDeleteAs for Cordier, it wouldn't hurt to for him learn knuckleball...when he gets around to it, after working on his control, I mean.
Whatever else we think of Brian Wilson, he is not an unintelligent guy. In fact, he might just be TOO intelligent to be playing baseball for a living! I gotta think he is already anticipating the day when his physical skills will be severely reduced, possibly due to a third UCL tear, and he is working on that knuckler now so it will be perfected when the need arises. Dude just might still be pitching at age 50!
DeleteDon't know about Minicozzi. Randy Elliott appeared in 114 MLB games with 310 PA's. I think Minicozzi is a longshot to get to that.
DeleteMinicozzi seems like a guy who could see his one-time cup of coffee this season. He's certainly paid his dues, but we know that doesn't guarantee you anything. Who knows, maybe he keeps hitting this spring. Unless there's a major injury, I still don't see any way he makes the team out of camp. He's certainly worked his way up that 1B depth chart, although he's got Belt, Posey AND Morse ahead of him.
DeleteWhatever happens, I'll be rooting him on the whole way. Would love to see him come up and get that elusive first MLB game under his belt someday!
Doc, your league roundups are great.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Villalona opens in Richmond to get those regular AB's?
No reason to rush Scutaro. Health provided, congratulations to Adrianza AND Abreu. Cross that other bridge later.
Villalona most likely opens in Fresno.
DeleteThat's a bit of a log jam with Minicozzi, Dominguez, and Duvall between first, third and DH considering roster size is 24 and the DH isn't always in play and extra outfielders that fill the DH like Colvin/Kieschnick.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt; there are some major roster decisions to be made with that Fresno group. Add Noonan and Hicks to the infield list. Also, a little off topic, but Darren Ford is in minor league camp. Apparently the team gave him a deal recently. That one slipped completely through the cracks... Tyler Graham is in the same boat... and Mark Teahan. Almost forgot about him! Where the heck will all these guys play?!
DeleteMinicozzi likely goes to Richmond. I believe I heard that reported, and there's no one who's particularly demanding the time at 3B down there.
DeleteI'll say he ends up in Fresno, just because the Giants seem to be giving him every chance to prove himself this spring. I'm guessing we'll see Mario Lisson at 3B in Richmond. Looking forward to seeing what his bat can do, after killing it this winter in VZ.
Delete