ST Week 3: Hitting Conclusions

March 28, 2007
Arizona Diamondbacks – Less performance updates to list than last week, as Carlos Quentin’s been sidelined with a shoulder injury while Carlos Gonzalez was reassigned to minor league camp. Only Chris Young and Justin Upton saw action. While both have showed off their elite athleticism, Young’s struggles at the plate continued and Upton received mostly pinch-hit, late-inning insertions. Quentin hopes to be ready for opening day but might miss the first week.

Spring Lines:

Chris Young – .233/.281/.383, 8-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and five extra-base hits in 60 at-bats.

Justin Upton – .231/.323/.462, 6-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and three extra-base hits in 26 at-bats.

Carlos 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).

Carlos Gonzalez – .429/.429/.571, 6-to-0 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 21 at-bats.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays – What a difference a week makes. After a dreadfully slow start the young Rays really upped their performance at the plate. At this rate, we may actually see Delmon Young, B.J. Upton and Elijah Dukes alongside Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli in April. Upton’s looked more than decent at second base and Dukes has been the Rays’ best hitter this spring.

Spring Lines:

Delmon Young – .323/.338/.403, 12-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and four extra-base hits in 62 at-bats.

Justin Upton – .250/.328/.333, 14-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and four extra-base hits in 60 at-bats.

Elijah Dukes – .345/.410/.436, 12-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and four extra-base hits in 55 at-bats.

Kansas City Royals – The two young stars of the Kansas City system excelled this spring. Alex Gordon won the right to start at third base on opening day, while Billy Butler dominated at the plate before being reassigned last week. Both look ready to anchor the Royals offense a la Mauer and Morneau in Minnesota.

Spring Lines:

Alex Gordon – .358/.469/.623, 11-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and eight extra-base hits in 53 at-bats (four doubles, two triples, two home runs.

Butler Butler – .419/.514/.774, 3-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and seven extra-base hits in 31 at-bats (five doubles, two home runs).

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – While Casey Kotchman’s strong spring is the biggest news involving the Angels’ young talent, Erick Aybar continued to receive lots of action both in centerfield and at shortstop. No updates to report on Gary Matthews Jr. and the HGH investigation, but Aybar remains in the mix to stay up with the club. The powerful Brandon Wood flashed some potential and has since been reassigned to triple-A to work on adjusting to third base.

Spring Lines:

Casey Kotchman – .345/.373/.564, 2-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and six extra-base hits in 55 at-bats.

Erick Aybar – .300/.338/.433, 11-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and five extra-base hits in 60 at-bats.

Brandon Wood – .292/.292/.458, 5-to-0 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 24 at-bats.

Los Angeles Dodgers – The open secret in Dodgers camp is that James Loney will go back to Triple-A despite a blistering spring. The normally quiet 22-year-old is not happy about that arrangement, nor is he silent about his frustrations. Of course, a .500 on-base-percentage can speak for itself. Matt Kemp’s shown improved plate discipline this spring, the number one priority for him to work on. Andy La Roche will join them in Las Vegas after a woeful spring performance.

Spring Lines:

James Loney – .448/.500/.524, 8-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and five extra-base hits in 58 at-bats.

Matt Kemp – .241/.305/.389, 7-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and four extra-base hits in 54 at-bats.

Andy LaRoche – .173/.232/.212, 9-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 52 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. Buck has been featured throughout camp and is third on the team in at-bats. Barton’s seen less action, but also exhibiting strong plate discipline and excellent gap power.

Spring Lines:

Travis Buck – .373/.450/.588, 5-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and eight extra-base hits in 51 at-bats (six doubles, one triple, on home run).

Daric Barton – .440/.563/.600, 2-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 25 at-bats.

Centerfield Notables – Andrew McCutchen, Cameron Maybin, and Felix Pie have all excelled in spring competition. Pie’s been assigned back to Triple-A because of the Chicago logjam in the outfield. McCutchen wowed the Pittsburgh brass before being sent to Double-A. Maybin was the first to go to minor league camp late last week, and it’s still up in the air with he starts 2007 in High-A or Double-A.

Spring Lines:

Felix Pie – .352/.397/.407, 8-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 54 at-bats.

Andrew McCutchen – .327/.373/.491, 6-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and six extra-base hits in 55 at-bats.

Cameron 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. Joey Votto and Hunter Pence also saw reassignments last week. The Padres are counting on newly acquired Kevin Kouzmanoff who has yet to disappoint this spring. And the Reds look settled on taking pleasant surprise Josh Hamilton—who came down to earth some last week—with them back to Ohio.

Spring Lines:

Ryan 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).

Joey Votto – .240/.441/.400, 9-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and two extra-base hits in 25 at-bats.

Hunter 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).

Kevin Kouzmanoff – .314/.407/.569, 8-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and eight extra-base hits in 51 at-bats (five doubles, one triple, two home runs).

Josh Hamilton – .403/.465/.565, 10-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and six extra-base hits in 62 at-bats.

 

Nick Christie can be reached at nickchristie@gmail.com.