Each Monday for the rest of Spring Training Project Prospect will be taking notes on how the best young hitters are faring in their Spring Training at-bats.
Arizona Diamondbacks –
Loaded with outfield prospects, the Diamondbacks have witnessed strong
springs from their crop with the exception of their opening day
centerfielder. Chris Young continues to struggle at the plate, although
starting right-fielder Carlos Quentin has sparkled. Younger prodigies
Justin Upton and Carlos Gonzalez impressed in their few appearances.
Spring Lines:
Young – .209/.261/.372, 7-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and three extra-base hit in 43 at-bats.
Quentin – .357/.424/.821, 1-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and seven extra-base hits in 28 at-bats (four doubles, three home runs).
Upton – .250/.360/.450, 4-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 20 at-bats.
Gonzalez – .429/.429/.571, 6-to-0 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 21 at-bats.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays –
In a season where many expect Tampa Bay’s young talent to take a step
forward, it seems the entire team is starting slowly. Even stalwarts
Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli do not have a spring OPS over .800,
and star prospects Delmon Young, Elijah Dukes, and B.J. Upton all are
well south of that mark.
Spring Lines:
Young – .275/.293/.300, 1-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and one extra-base hit in 40 at-bats.
Upton – .237/.326/.368, 5-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and four extra-base hits in 38 at-bats.
Dukes – .250/.314/.250, 3-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and no extra-base hits in 32 at-bats.
Kansas City Royals –
The two young stars of the Kansas City system have flourished this
spring, although it looks like only Alex Gordon will remain up with the
team to start the year. Partner in crime Billy Butler has looked even
more impressive, however, and should be up before the All-Star break
regardless of whether he can play outfield or not.
Spring Lines:
Gordon – .378/.500/.622, 7-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and five extra-base hits in 37 at-bats.
Butler – .423/.528/.800, 3-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and seven extra-base hits in 30 at-bats (five doubles, two home runs).
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim –
After a red-hot opening to spring Erick Aybar has cooled off some but
his work in centerfield made news last week. With Gary Matthews Jr. in
the middle of an HGH investigation, the 23-year-old shortstop may
actually make the spring team if the Angels feel he’d be useful in the
outfield. The powerful Brandon Wood flashed some potential and has
since been reassigned to Triple-A to work on adjusting to third base.
Spring Lines:
Aybar – .286/.340/.452, 8-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and four extra-base hits in 42 at-bats.
Wood – .292/.292/.458, 5-to-0 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 24 at-bats.
Los Angeles Dodgers –
Much has been made about how many young Dodgers are currently blocked
at the major league level by the team’s decision to stick with more
established players. However, the team’s choices look wiser after the
struggles of Matt Kemp and Andy LaRoche. Kemp’s shown decent plate
discipline but has yet to look comfortable at the plate, while LaRoche
has committed a staggering 7 errors in 16 games. Only James Loney has
excelled this spring, even while the first baseman struggles to learn
the outfield.
Spring Lines:
Loney – .410/.489/.487, 4-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and three extra-base hit in 39 at-bats.
Kemp – .189/.268/.243, 5-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 37 at-bats.
La Roche – .250/.360/.450, 4-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 20 at-bats.
Oakland Athletics –
While neither Travis Buck nor Daric Barton figure to make much
contribution in Oakland this year until the summer, both have stood out
this spring. Exhibiting strong plate discipline and excellent gap power
(seven of their eight combined extra-base hits have been doubles), the
duo appear refreshed after injury-plagued 2006 seasons.
Spring Lines:
Buck – .361/.455/.528, 5-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and six extra-base hits in 36 at-bats.
Barton – .409/.519/.591, 2-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 22 at-bats.
Centerfield Notables –
Andrew McCutchen, Cameron Maybin, and Felix Pie have all excelled in
spring competition. Pie’s given manager Lou Pinella another option in
the Cubs outfield, although currently the 22-year-old is destined to
return to Triple-A due to the crowd of veterans already stationed in
front of the Wrigley ivy. 2005 draftmates McCutchen and Maybin have
each had their moments—McCutchen’s been a spring workhorse while
Maybin’s seen only half as much playing time.
Spring Lines:
Pie – .354/.404/.417, 7-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in a team-high 48 at-bats.
McCutchen – .286/.333/.405, 5-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and three extra-base hit in 42 at-bats.
Maybin – .429/.520/.905, 5-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and four extra-base hits in 21 at-bats.
Position Notables –
Ryan Braun raked all spring but his lousy defense made the Brewers send
him to Triple-A despite his prodigious bat. The Padres are counting on
newly acquired Kevin Kouzmanoff who has yet to disappoint this spring.
The Reds sent down Joey Votto after a tremendous spring debut, while
still deciding what to do about pleasant surprise Josh Hamilton.
Houston is leaning towards keeping its own spring star, Hunter Pence,
down in minors.
Spring Lines:
Braun –
.353/.405/.912, 5-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a team-high eight
extra-base hits in a team-high 34 at-bats (five home runs).
Kouzmanoff – .367/.472/.800, 5-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a team-high eight extra-base hits in 30 at-bats (five doubles).
Votto – .300/.500/.500, 5-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 20 at-bats.
Hamilton – .487/.543/.692, 7-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and five extra-base hits in 39 at-bats.
Pence – .571/.647/.1.071, 4-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and a team-high eight extra-base hits in 28 at-bats (four doubles, two triples, two home runs).
Nick Christie can be reached at nickchristie@gmail.com.