Feature Photo: Austin Barnes, C/INF, Dodgers
Welcome to The Spectrum! Here’s a quick look at some notable performances from around spring training this week.
Monday, March 7
Dan Vogelbach, 1B/DH, Chicago Cubs: 1-3, R, BB
Jose Peraza, SS/2B, Cincinnati Reds: 2-4, R, 2B, 2 SB
Alen Hanson, 2B, Pittsburgh Pirates: 2-3, 2B
Lewis Brinson, OF, Texas Rangers: 1-2, 2 R, SB
Archie Bradley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks: 2.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 K
Hunter Harvey, RHP, Baltimore Orioles: 1.1 IP, H, R, 2 BB, K
Jonathan Gray, RHP, Colorado Rockies: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, K
Steven Matz, LHP, New York Mets: 3 IP, H, R, 2 BB, 3 K
The Cubs don’t have a place for Dan Vogelbach now or in the immediate future, but he can flat out hit, and will work his way into someone’s lineup at some point. Alen Hanson continues to make a case to be the Pirates’ choice to hold second base warm until third baseman Jung-Ho Kang returns to the field (and slides Josh Harrison from third to second). Lewis Brinson can affect a game positively in a number of different ways, and his future Rangers teammates are getting a first-hand look at what could be their starting center fielder next year. We got a glimpse of what Steven Matz can do last fall in the playoffs, but despite showing the ability to handle the high-pressure situation of October baseball, he wasn’t at his best. He won’t get overlooked in an impressive Mets’ rotation.
Tuesday, March 8
Brandon Drury, 2B/3B, Arizona Diamondbacks: 2-3, R, 2B, SB
Mallex Smith, OF, Atlanta Braves: 2-4, 2 R, 2 2B
Marco Hernandez, SS, Boston Red Sox: 2-2, 2 R, 2 2B
Christian Arroyo, SS, San Francisco Giants: 2-2, 2 R, HR
Sean Newcomb, LHP, Atlanta Braves: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, K
Luke Weaver, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals: 2 IP, 3 H, R, BB, K
Jacob Faria, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: 2 IP, H, R, 3 K
Alex Blandino, 2B, Cincinnati Reds: 2-2, R
Brief major league experience, above-average power and the ability to play two infield positions make Brandon Drury a strong candidate for a bench spot on a crowded Diamondbacks Opening Day roster. Marco Hernandez, a former Cubs farmhand, is known mostly for his defensive abilities at shortstop, but he has enough bat to hold his own as a fringe-regular at the position. Jacob Faria is one of the best-kept secrets in the prospect world, with the repertoire to become a mid-rotation starter. Alex Blandino is probably going to end up as a second baseman, not a shortstop, but he profiles as an above-average offensive player for the position, with more power than most of his counterparts.
Wednesday, March 9
Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Chicago Cubs: 2-3, R, HR
Phillip Ervin, OF, Cincinnati Reds: 1-1, 2B, BB
Hunter Dozier, 3B, Kansas City Royals: 2-3, R, 2B, BB
Austin Barnes, C/IF, Los Angeles Dodgers: 3-4, 2 R, HR
Roman Quinn, OF, Philadelphia Phillies: 2-4, 2 R, 3B, BB, SB
Josh Hader, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers: 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), BB, K
Jarlin Garcia, LHP, Miami Marlins: 1 IP, H, K
Mark Appel, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies: 2 IP, H, R, 3 K
Jake Thompson, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies: 3 IP, 5 H, K
Adalberto Mejia, LHP, San Francisco Giants: 2.2 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 K
Lucas Giolito, RHP, Washington Nationals: 1 IP, 2 H, ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Phillip Ervin has parlayed a solid 2015 season into a strong Arizona Fall League stint and a hot spring training. He has his flaws and will start the season in Double-A, but his recent progress gives him a chance to join what should be a bad Reds team by this fall. Roman Quinn has come a long way with the bat from his early days as a professional, and while he may never develop a plus offensive tool to speak of, his speed will allow his overall offensive profile to play up into an everyday player. Austin Barnes is already 26, and undersized (5’10”/185), and he’ll probably never be an everyday player, but the ability to catch, and play second and third base, provides tremendous value to an N.L. club, especially when paired with his plus contact skills. This was Mark Appel’s final start before being send down to minor league camp, but it won’t take more than a tinker or two before he joins the Phillies this season. Jarlin Garcia has one of the best arms in the Marlins’ system, but likely profiles as a reliever, a role in which he could help Miami soon.
Thursday, March 10
Jairo Labourt, LHP, Detroit Tigers: 1 IP, 2 BB, K
Lucas Sims, RHP, Atlanta Braves: 2 IP, H, BB, 4 K
Jose Berrios, RHP, Minnesota Twins: 3 IP, H, 2 K
Jameson Taillon, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates: 2 IP, 4 H, R, BB, K
Dustin Fowler, OF, New York Yankees: 1-1, R, 2B
Carson Fulmer, RHP, Chicago White Sox: 2.1 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 2 K
Dansby Swanson, SS, Atlanta Braves: 0-1, BB, K
Looking much more his normal self than in his first, nerved-wracked outing, Jose Berrios is on the doorstep of the big leagues and likely won’t be blocked by even a crowded Twins’ rotation. Lucas Sims has always had strong stuff, but scouts are split on whether or not he’ll be able to remain a starter, and he continues to battle inconsistencies from appearance to appearance. Jameson Taillon has been on the prospect radar for a long time, but injuries have held him back in recent years. If he can prove he’s healthy, he should challenge for a rotation spot at some point during the season.
