Here are some thoughts after reviewing Saturday’s spring training boxscores:
Fantasy Baseball: Saturday’s Spring Training Roundup
Indian's closer Kerry Wood will be sidelined for up to 2 months with a strain under his right shoulder. Chris Perez will fill in for Wood as the Indians closer.
Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright threw 5 shutout innings on Saturday, giving up 3 hits and punching out 6. Wainwright threw 132 innings in 20 starts in 2008, and 233 innings in 34 starts in 2009. That's quite a jump in innings. I don't see him repeating the 2.63 ERA in 2010.
Recently acquired Adam Rosales batted leadoff and played SS for the A's on Saturday. Rosales played 11 games at SS in AAA Louisville and 25 games in 2008. If he can play SS, why didn't the Reds let him play there instead of signing Orlando Cabrera? I think Billy Beane will find out in 2010.
Braves outfielder Nate McLouth went 0-4 and is hitting .029 this spring. Small sample size for sure, but does Jordan Schafer get a look in CF if McLouth's hitting woes continue?
Blue Jays reliever Kevin Gregg struck out 2 in his inning of work on Saturday, but he also gave up 3 hits and the game tying run. His competition for closer Jason Frasor followed with a scoreless inning, but has an ERA over 8 this spring.
Marlins outfielder Cameron Maybin was 2-4 with 2 solo HRs on Saturday. Does he finally show us all the tools in 2010? He has 20-20 possibilities should he reach his potential in 2010.
Astros outfielder Hunter Pence was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI hitting 3rd in the Astros lineup on Saturday. With Lance Berkman on the DL to start the season, Pence could see alot of nice pitches hitting in front of Carlos Lee.
Mat Latos gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 5 innings on Saturday, punching out 5 in the process. Like I said before, he may win the 5th starter's spot in the Padres rotation, but he will be their ace by the end of the season. Ok, ok, I admit, I do have him in the UBA league, and some of that might be wishful thinking.
Outfielder Aaron Cunningham, who is battling for a spot in the Padres outfield this spring, stole his 5th base this spring. He could be a very late source of SBs in mixed and NL-only leagues drafts in the next few weeks.
Rockies starter Jeff Francis gave up 6 runs, 4 earned, on 6 hits in 4 innings on Saturday. He struck out 5 and walked 2, as his spring ERA is now approaching 7. He may need some time to get back to the old Jeff Francis after shoulder surgery.
Mariners starter Felix Hernandez still has not given up a run this spring after shutting out the Diamondbacks for 5 innings on Saturday. He gave up 2 hits, a walk and punched out 2. He outdueled D'Backs ace Dan Haren, who gave up 3 runs on 4 hits in 5 innings, striking out 7 in the process.
Phillies ace Roy Halladay gave up 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings vs the Tigers. There will be more games like this for Halladay, where he will pitch decent, and not get a win. Temper thos 20+ win projections for Halladay.
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