National League

With the wind blowing in Tuesday, manager Bobby Cox said he saw only one ball hit over the fence during batting practice. That was by C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the Braves' top-rated prospect. "He's as good looking a young hitter as has ever walked through here," Cox said of the 20-year-old switch-hitting slugger, who will start the season in Class AA. Quite an endorsement from a manager who is pretty rigid on Rookie development. Saltalamacchia may be the fantasy catcher that most of us have been clamoring for since the height of Mike Piazza's career. Unless you play in a keeper league, there is no reason to draft Jarrod in 2006 as McCann, a prospect in his own right, is expected to hold down the fort.

Marlins' LHP Scott Olsen, who is competing for a rotation spot, is returning from elbow inflammation that sidelined him the second half of last season. On Tuesday, Olsen felt great throwing 35 pitches to catcher Miguel Olivo. Olsen mixed in some changeups, a key pitch for him to develop. And he threw a couple of sliders without feeling any discomfort. Here's what our Aaron Gleeman said about Olsen in 2005:

Florida’s sixth-round pick out of an Illinois high school back in the 2002 draft, Scott Olsen has established himself as one of the most underrated pitching prospects around over the last three seasons. After pitching in the Gulf Coast (rookie) League after signing in 2002, Olsen posted a 2.81 ERA and 129-to-59 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 128.1 innings at low Single-A Greensboro in 2003, and then had a 2.97 ERA and 158-to-53 strikeout-to-walk ratio at high Single-A Jupiter last season. He began this season at Double-A Carolina and continued to impress, going 6-4 with a 3.92 ERA in 14 starts, with a 94-to-27 strikeout-to-walk ratio and just 75 hits allowed in 80.1 innings. His ERA at Double-A this season is a little higher than you’d like to see, but take a look at how Olsen’s strikeout rate has improved as he’s gone up the minor-league ladder 10.53 K/9 in 2005. That’s a pretty rare pattern and very encouraging.  A rare hard-throwing southpaw, the 6’4” Olsen works in the low-90s and has also improved his control while boosting his strikeout totals. The combination of increased strikeouts and decreased walks for a young pitching prospect coming up through the minor leagues is pretty amazing, and speaks very well of Olsen’s future.  Olsen has a very bright future.  At the very least, he should be a full-time member of Florida’s rotation at some point during the 2006 season. Gleeman Long-Term Fantasy Grade: B

Manager Willie Randolph has yet to reveal where in the order CF Carlos Beltran will hit, but the most logical spots seem to be second or third, where he would be protected by either David Wright or Carlos Delgado. Randolph sounds confident that Beltran will bounce back, and with that kind of firepower around him, he really will have no excuses. We're counting on a comeback season for Beltran as well. Unless Betran was part of the steroid crowd that infiltrated the game, there is no reason to believe that he won't make a comeback at the peak age of 28. His hamstring injury had a lot to due with his lack of production last year, and if he keeps it healthy he should be a steal on draft day. We are projecting a 22/92/.288 season with 32 stolen bases.

LHP Paul Maholm returned to the mound on Tuesday after sitting out the previous day due to a slight hamstring pull. Maholm is considered a top prospect, however I feel that he's being pushed through the system too quickly. When I look at his minor league numbers, I see a pitcher who only has a total of 117 innings in AA and AAA combined. Contained in that stint is a 3.30 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, and a .82 K/Inning ratio. All of these numbers are solid, and impressive for a 23 year old. However they are not dominating. Neither is his fastball which tops out in the high 80s. I believe he has a very bright future, but in 2006 I don't see him as anything more than a middle of the road pitcher who'll have some stellar performances followed by a few blowups.

RHP Brian Lawrence played catch yesterday but was unable to pitch his scheduled bullpen session and said he's probably a few days from being ready to resume full activities. "Hopefully, I'll be able to extend it out tomorrow playing catch and then get on the field the day after that," he said. "I'm just a little slow getting into it, but it'll be there."

RHP Mark Prior spent a few minutes Tuesday morning responding to an Internet report that his shoulder is hurting and that he looks “weak and sick.” Prior proved that he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. “It’s a process to get ready for the season,” he said. “It’s not just show up and go to work. I wish it was that easy, but it’s not. I feel good. My body feels good. I don’t feel sick and weak. I don’t tan well.”

Although manager Jerry Narron won't anoint him the closer, he sees in RHP Todd Coffey what he wants in a closer. "Todd Coffey throws strikes and doesn't beat himself," he said. "If you're going to beat him, you have to do it yourself." Despite the positive vibes, Coffey says, "Nobody has told me a thing and I'm here as if I'm trying to win the 25th spot on the roster." Statistically I don't see how Jerry Narron makes this comment, realistically I do see the dire straits the team's relief corp is in. He has had a rough go of it at both the AAA and majors level where he's posted a 5.20+ ERA and 4.50+ ERA respectively. At times prior to these experiences at the upper levels, he's come close to posting a 1 to 1 K/Inning ratio. However this is certainly a work in progress, and the Reds may be forced to start the season with David Weathers as their closer. Ryan Wagner is still in the mix, however he must overcome the butterflies and step up to be considered.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, two sources said the contract signed by closer Derrick Turnbow this week will pay him $488,000, a significant raise from his 2005 salary of $322,000. "I had heard the Brewers take care of their one to three-year guys," Turnbow said. "Now, I see what they mean." GM Doug Melvin said the Brewers had a formula for rewarding non-arbitration-eligible players, a point system that is based on performance. "I think our system is very fair," Melvin said. "If guys earn it, they should be rewarded."

Things got easier for RHP Byung-Hyun Kim when the Rockies claimed Sunny Kim off waivers from Washington on Aug. 7, making the Kims just the second pair of Korean teammates in major-league history. "It's a good thing, not just for B.K., but for me, too," said Sunny Kim, whose English is more advanced than his buddy's. "I have never pitched as good or was happier than when I pitched for Colorado last year." The Kims are a non fantasy consideration in Colorado.

Although he has played more major-league games in left field, Ryan Klesko considers first base the position where he feels most comfortable. Klesko is coming off a season in which he hit .270 and knocked 14 home runs before the All-Star break, then broke down afterward, finishing with only 18 homers (a total that led the team) and a career-worst .248 average. The culprit was a neck injury that he suffered diving for a fly ball in late July and that a winter of rest and acupuncture sessions were unable to heal completely. "I felt good in the cage today," Klesko said. "It should be all right, but it just doesn't disappear.”

RHP Kevin Correia reported that his first bullpen session went well, and he felt no ill effects of a minor back injury.

According to the North County Times, "Bochy said he talked to Mike Cameron on Tuesday about different lineup permutations involving his new center fielder. "I told him we'll mix it up this spring," Bochy said. "He may hit at the top of the order, at No. 2, then some at No. 6 and No. 7. I don't think he's the prototypical No. 2 hitter, but he's not bad at it, either." Cameron strikes out too often to be considered ideal in that spot, but he also walks frequently and could combine with leadoff hitter Dave Roberts to bring excellent speed to the top of the Padres' order. New York Mets manager Willie Randolph used Cameron chiefly in the No. 2 hole last season, although he occupied every position in the lineup (even ninth) at least once during his two years in New York. ... Bochy also listed Cameron as a candidate to lead off when Roberts doesn't play. Khalil Greene, Eric Young and whoever wins the second base job between Mark Bellhorn and Josh Barfield are also leadoff possibilities."

Dodgers’ owners Frank and Jamie McCourt will announce a two-year contract extension for Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully at a press conference set for this afternoon at Dodger Stadium. He will be entering his 57th consecutive season with the franchise. According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Scully's tenure with the Dodgers is believed to be the longest of any broadcaster in sports history with one team. If you are using a PC with Real Player installed and are in an appropriate location to play a sound-byte … here is a spine-tingling clip of one of the great moments in the history of The Game, as called by Mr. Scully.

American League

Manny Ramirez was given permission by the Red Sox to report to spring training on March 1, six days after the team’s first full-squad workout and one day after MLB’s mandatory reporting date. “Manny is in Florida completing an extensive training regimen and is prepared to have an exceptional season,” said a joint statement from Ramirez and the team that was released by the Red Sox on Tuesday. Manny being Manny....

Manager Joe Maddon said he has been particularly pleased with his first looks at LHP Scott Kazmir. "When I was with the Angels we never saw him pitch against us," Maddon said of the 22-year-old left-hander. "I just love the way he goes about his business. I love the way the ball comes out of his hand. I didn't know he's as strong as he is.” If you take a look at Kasmir's line from 2005, it doesn't appear very impressive 10 Wins, 1.46 WHIP, 3.77 ERA. However if you look at his development in the second half, you'll see a young stud in the making (7 Wins, 3.16 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 1.06 K/Inning ratio). At only 22, Kazmir is a solid sleeper pick in any draft format. There is a good chance that he'll throw up quality starts in 60-65% of his starts this year.

Blue Jays LHP Ted Lilly is ahead of schedule from the previous two springs when he showed up with injuries that put him behind the other pitchers. Last year, it was a shoulder injury sustained after getting a little overzealous in his winter workouts. In 2004, it was a wrist that he injured trying to move a television set. Lilly made sure he didn't put himself in harm's way again this past winter. "I definitely was more conscious of making sure I didn't take any chances or do something that would set me back," he said. "I think the last two springs were kind of flukish. It was a few weird things and bad timing." Lilly has been on the cusp of stardom since the 2002 season, however he has yet to fulfill his expectations. The problem with Lilly is his inconsistency from game to game. Continually throughout his career he has failed to string together quality starts. Only worth a very late round flyer if you're willing to gamble that this will be the season he puts it all together.

RHP Brandon McCarthy had thoughts of tacking on a fourth pitch to his repertoire this spring. The 22-year-old already features the basic fastball and curve, along with what some insiders consider one of the best changeups in the American League -- even with less than one year of Major League experience. Instead of adding the cutter, McCarthy said that he plans to develop a two-seam fastball.

DH Erubiel Durazo signed a minor league contract with the Rangers that issued no promises other than an invitation to big-league spring training. He is expected to compete for DH at-bats with David Dellucci and Phil Nevin. Durazo ranked fifth among AL hitters in average (.321) and was seventh in on-base percentage (.396) in 2004.