The Roster Chase After Cut One
By Fred Owens
Today’s roster cuts were not surprises nor did they say much about the final roster. The question is, two weeks in have we got any better idea who will make the final 25? So far there have been no breakout players or player injuries yet, a few rookies have impressed and a couple of last year’s roster need to pick up their game. Let’s take a look at a couple of the battles, first in the outfield.
Looking good:
Nate McLouth’s numbers this spring look good. In his 15 at bats he’s hitting at a 467 clip, with an on-base is .636 and he’s slugging .800; he’s even stolen one base . Willkin Ramirez and Brent Cleven have also impressed at bat this spring. Ramirez .429/.467/.571 line puts him in with a good chance of making the cut. He’s also stolen 3 bases and driven in a couple in his 14 at bats. Cleven is .357/.500/.357 with 4 RBI so far and a long shot.
Not looking so good:
Jordan Shafer on the other hand has had a nightmare start. He’s stolen 2 bases but his .182/.206/.212 line means the chances of him replacing Nate (which were a fantasy really) or being the fourth outfielder are fading. He will most likely start at Gwinette this year. Matt Young – who I had high hopes for – and Joe Mather signed from the Cardinals after being injured for two years have also struggled. Young’s .235/.300/.235 is not as bad as Shafer’s numbers and his ability to play second as well as the outfield is a plus but he’ll have to do better to leave for Atlanta instead of Gwinette. Joe Mather just hasn’t gotten off the mark yet. In spite of a couple of clutch hits early he’s .130/.200/.174. Joey Bombs is going to have to start bombing to stay with the team.
The competitors infield have also had varying success.
Looking good:
Diory Hernandez has started well. His .353/.333/.588 is actually better than AGon’s line right now. Of course he’s only had 17 at bats – about half the number AGon has – but at least he’s hitting with some authority and playing good defense. Unfortunately for Diory, Ed Lucas has been better. Lucas was signed from KC in the off season as a minor league free agent and has been impressive at second and short while putting up a .444/.500/.556 line and driving in 4 in 18 at bats. Brandon Hicks has been good – .308/.357/.385 – and shown flashes of good defense at short and third. This will sort it self out over the next couple of week but Lucas might just sneak in if things stay the way they are. That would be very bad news for Diory Hernandez.
Not looking so good:
Brooks Conrad has had an awful start to the year. Hitting was always his strength but his .111/.158/.157 is abysmal and his fielding is what it has always been. By all accounts Brooks is a super guy and we know he can be clutch but I wonder if that’s enough? He’s out of options too so if he’s cut he might not stay in the system. Jayson Stark did a great story on Brooks, if you haven’t yet you should take time to read it. Sean Bowman who came over with Agon has struggled nearly as badly. His .125/.176/.313 is marginally better than Conrad but I doubt it’s good enough for him to sty up when the final cuts are made.
While others are still with us, these are the real candidates as I see them. Tomorrow I’ll look at pitching.