Spring training is over; however spring training storyline post will still be made for a little while. The next project is setting the 24/25 man rosters, depth charts, and pitching staffs. This could take a couple weeks. The next player update will be on opening day. Each player's debut, either at the major league or minor league level, will be noted. Thereafter, at the end of each week of play, a report will be done. I'll answer a direct question about any player as you'd like as well.
The roster designations are NOT final at this point. A player has not "made the team" until I post their team's roster in the roster thread. It is conceviable a player I think has made the team really hasn't.
Baltimore Athletics
P Winston Lafayette 7 G, 27.1 IP, 14 ER, 2 BB, 22 K
Had a big hiccup in his second to last start (3.1 IP, 5 ER), and then came right back with a big time start (8.2 IP, 1 ER). Didn't walk a batter over his last 20 IP. Pretty sure he starts the season on the major league roster, but I think he's going to start in long relief. The big question is will he ever get left handed hitters out (they hit .447 off him in the spring)? Unless he conquers that part of his game, I don't see him getting out of the bullpen very often. Control makes him very valuable; possible innings eater.
Buffalo Bison
P Achilles Brown 6 GS, 21.1 IP, 28 H, 14 ER, 2 BB, 12 K
He was better, but I don't think it was good enough. There is a group of 4 that's right on the edge of that 10th spot. I like the control; but he needs at least 1/2 year at AAA. Scouts liked him more and more as camp went along.
OF Graham Walker 8-32, 8 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 9 K
Ends camp 3-20, but made an impression. Look, Lloyd Waner will probably retire after this season; and Felix Mackiewicz might put up superficially good numbers, but what kind of future do you have if you can't win the job outright from a 40-year old? Buffalo was the surprise team of camp (21-11, best record of the CL/PCL teams)--they may not be in a rush to call Graham up this year. I think I'm getting another possible thread for next season with these two. Basically this year, Gus Zernial will hit home runs. If there are enough men on base, they'll win.
Columbus Clippers
P Owen Hunter 1 IP, 2 K
Forget about this, just throw like you can at AAA. The staff is older, that means injuries and retirements. Mid-season could be your time.
Hollywood Stars
2B Maximus Meridius 31-79, 21 R, 5 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 9 BB, 14 K
Big numbers, early PCL MVP canidate?
3B Harley Gathers 15-46, 8 R, 3 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB, 10 K
Started slow, but after that: Professional Hitter. Really nice 1-2 punch for the Stars.
SS Vince Cressio 16-65, 2B, HR, 10 RBI, 8 BB, 14 K
4-38 slide, and Red Barkley was white hot. He isn't a lock to make the club now, he is part of a "3-guys, 2 roster spots" combo. I don't think he'll be in the minors long, but that's where this slump has put him. I said this was the only way Cressio couldn't make the team--slump with Barkley getting hot. Turned heads early, and that gets the name out there.
Minneapolis Millers
Wally Klukas 8-34, 4 R, 2B, 4 RBI, BB, 7 K, SB
Very consistent throughout camp, but not enough power yet to bring put him on the major league roster. The Millers were also a camp surprise (20-12) on the arm of the pitching staff. I suspect Miranda could be moved for a firstbaseman--the combo of Dahlgren and Limmer hit a combined .116 this spring.
Phoenix Cowboys
SS Rabbit Donovan 18-78, 7 R, 5 2B, 8 RBI, 9 BB, 13 K
Finally started hitting, but is it too little too late? I think it was just enough.
Portland Beavers
OF Charlie Denton 39-107, 18 R, 8 2B, 3B, HR, 9 RBI, 9 BB, 16 K
Expect these kind of numbers all year.
1B Jimmy Fitzpatrick 21-57, 11 R, 4 2B, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 8 BB, 9 K
Slowed down a bit, but still showed good power.
The pitching just isn't there guys. Be content to put up really nice numbers for this season, and hope for a better tomorrow.
Sacramento Salons
2B Anton Gogolak 19-76, 14 R, 8 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 13 BB, 13 K
He's slumping out of camp, but the Solons did have the best PCL record (18-12) in spring training. This club can absorb a slump, but with both Jorgensen and Rivera out to start the season, the margin of error shrinks.
Salt Lake City Saints
SS Dashiell Spivey 19-51, 11 R, 3 2B, HR, 11 RBI, 11 BB, 4 K
Another very good player on a not so good team. Harry Brecheen and Spivey will be the most frustrated players in baseball by the end of the season.
San Diego Padres
P Rod Lockheart 46.2 IP, 44 H, 17 ER, 15 BB, 53 K
Ends spring with 14 shutout innings. Only question left is did he make the rotation? Bud Byerly has a hurt arm. They may want him to pitch himself healthy in the minors, giving Lockheart a better chance to start. It will be close.
For what it's worth, these are the final standings from spring training:
Code:
National American League Eastern
Team W L PCT GB
Pittsburgh 17 15 .531 ---
New York 16 16 .500 1.0
Philadelphia 16 16 .500 1.0
Boston 15 17 .469 2.0
Cleveland 15 17 .469 2.0
Washington 13 19 .406 4.0
Code:
National American League Western
Team W L PCT GB
Saint Louis 19 13 .594 ---
Chicago 18 14 .563 1.0
Los Angeles 17 15 .531 2.0
Milwaukee 16 16 .500 3.0
San Francisco 16 16 .500 3.0
Detroit 14 18 .438 5.0
Code:
Contential League
Team W L PCT GB
Buffalo 21 11 .656 ---
Kansas City 20 12 .625 1.0
Minneapolis 20 12 .625 1.0
Brooklyn 18 14 .563 3.0
Baltimore 17 15 .531 4.0
Columbus 16 16 .500 5.0
New York 16 16 .500 5.0
Cincinnati 14 18 .438 7.0
Code:
Pacific Coast League
Team W L PCT GB
Sacramento 18 14 .563 ---
San Diego 16 16 .500 2.0
Hollywood 15 17 .469 3.0
Seattle 15 17 .469 3.0
Phoenix 14 18 .438 4.0
Portland 13 19 .406 5.0
Oakland 12 20 .375 6.0
Salt Lake City 11 21 .344 7.0