HOU Hunter
Pence OF - The last thing the Astros expected coming into this spring was another outfield
playing time dilemma. With a cast that already includes Lee/ Scott / Lane / Burke
/ Hidalgo, Hunter Pence is
making a strong case for regular playing time. Through the first 2 weeks
of the spring, Hunter has been hitting at an insane clip ( .654 AVG/1.145
SLG ) which will force the Astros to make a tough decision in
the coming weeks.
Pence spent last year in AA, where he posted a solid numbers: 28 HR/ 95 RBI/.283 BA. His EYE of .55 isn't particularly appealing, but in line with power hitters within his class. His Walk Ratio of approximately 10% was a plus attribute which aided his respectable .357 OBA. Additionally Pence was successful in 17 of 21 SB attempts.
Realistically speaking, left field is a lock with newly acquired Carlos Lee. I don't see any room in right as either/both Lane and Scott are a lock to see all of the PT there (Yes we can essentially write off Hidalgo who is only batting .133 average this spring). That leaves centerfield, a position which was promised to Chris Burke....a player who has yet to prove himself as anything more than a utility player since his call-up in 2004. If I were a betting man, I'd place my money on Hunter Pence being an everyday player at some point this summer.
MIL Ryan Braun 3B
- With Corey Koskie out of action this spring with post concussion
syndrome, the door is wide open for Ryan Braun to not only make the team
but to also win the job outright. Our David Regan
scouted Braun during the Arizona Fall League
this past November and felt that he was the best prospect
in the desert, included in this group was Jarrod
High-A: .274/.346/.438, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 54/23 K/BB, 14 SB in 226 at-bats
Double-A: .303/.367/.589, 15 HR, 40 RBI, 46/21 K/BB, 12 SB in 231 at-bats
AFL: .326/.396/.641, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 23/11 K/BB in 95 at-bats
As you can see, Braun has tremendous power potential and some speed to boot (26 SBs in 30 attempts last year). What might hold him back is his fielding skills at 3rd base. The prevailing thought coming into this spring had Braun spending the first half of 2007 in AAA, honing the fielding aspect of his position...however with Koskie sidelined, Braun is on the verge.
Other
youth activity we've been following this spring:
-
Marlins new projected starting centerfielder Alex Sanchez has 4 SBs in 5 attempts this preseason.
-
Rockies' Willie Tavaras has 5 SBs in 6 attempts this preseason. If Coors field holds up again this year, look for the Rockies to run often this year.
-
Philadelphia's Shane Victorino is batting .424 this spring with 3 SBs in 4 attempts
-
Once uber prospect Josh Hamilton (Cincinnati) is batting .548 this spring with a .774 Slg. With Griffey iffy for opening day Hamilton looks to be a starter on opening day.
-
Postseason hero Adam Wainwright (Cards) has only allowed 5 hits in almost 12 innings of work this spring. As many of you know Wainwright will be a starter this season.
-
Pirates Ian Snell has 13 K's in 11 innings this spring. In those 11 innings only 7 have reached base.
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Milwaukee's Carlos Villanueva has struck out 12 in 10 innings of work this spring. Additionally only 8 runners have reached base.
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Royals Zach Greinke appears to be beyond the anxiety issues that plagued his 2006 season. After turning in a masterful performance yesterday, Greinke now has 11 K's in 9 IPs this spring.
Have a great
afternoon, Anthony
