Spring Training SuperStars 2012

We all know Spring Training results don’t matter, but with the season approaching quickly (we’ve got about 7 days before everything begins in ernest) I think it is time to see who’s been hot and who’s been not in this year’s Spring baseball.  Later in the week I’ll give an update on some of the big name guys and see what that says about their potential going into the year.  For now, the guys you may have never heard of:

Hot:

Lorenzo Cain, OF, Kansas City Royals.  Cain has been handed the center field job in Kansas City after the offseason departure of Melky Cabrera and while he may have flattened out as a prospect in recent years (he’s 25 and has spent much of the past four years across AA and AAA), Cain can really play the game.  I konw it’s only Spring Training, but in 51 at bats, the Center Fielder has a .413/.473/.843 slash line and 4 homers.  I wouldn’t be surprised by Cain reminding many of Desmond Jennings last year where he finally gets a chance and flourishes at the Major League level. 

Gregor Blanco, OF, San Francisco Giants.  Gregor has been much of a journeyman through his career, but has put on a show this spring with the Giants.  He’s hit .356 with a .424 OBP and has 11 steals in 59 at bats.  11 steals in 59 at bats!  Blanco’s performance this spring has likely earned him the fourth outfielder spot (though at this rate he’s probably more valuable to start than Nate Schierholtz in right) and forced the slugger Brandon Belt back down to the minors “for more seasoning.”

Zack Cozart, SS, Cincinatti Reds.  Cozart came into Spring as the definitive shortstop for this Reds team, but there were still questions.  He had seemed to catch lightning in a bottle for two weeks last year after his callup hitting .324 with 2 homers before a broken elbow sidelined him the rest of the year.  Now, after 19 spring games, Cozart has hit .413 with two steals.  This after hitting .394 last spring.  He’s a high batting average guy who won’t hit 20 homers, but the Reds become a much better team if he’s hitting .300.

Luis Mendoza, P, Kansas City Royals.  Mendoza is about as obscure as they get.  The rookie was considered a longshot to win one of the final two rotation spots in KC, but after posting a 0.54 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 16.2 innings this spring.  The Royals may well overlook his 7.68 career Major League ERA.  Oh yeah, he’s gotten 4 wins already too.

Brian Bruney, P, Chicago White Sox.  The journeyman reliever has been in Chicago competing for a job in the bullpen and been performing excellently after losing 20 pounds this offseason.  Bruney has posted a 0.73 ERA in 12 innings with 12 strikeouts.  The White Sox love his versatility as a guy who can go 2 or 3 innings and I expect him to help this season.

A Few other Names:  Luke Hochevar (1.29 ERA), Mike Minor (0.96 ERA) and Rick Porcello (1.59 ERA) could all have major influencing on their ballclubs if they continue to pitch with some inkling of the same success they have displayed this spring.

NOOOOOOTTTTT Hot

Dayan Viciendo, OF, Chicago White Sox.  Viciendo has been penciled in to start the season in the outfield for the White Sox and was looked to as a guy who could produce in the middle of the order. This spring the Cuban outfielder has hit just .140 with 1 extra base hit in 43 at bats.

Casper Wells, OF, Seattle Mariners.  Wells has made the Mariners roster as a defensive first fourth outfielder.  Know how I know this?  1) He’s hit .167 this spring with exactly zero extra base hits in 39 at bats.  2) He was subbed into this morning’s game in Japan as a defensive replacement.

Tyler Pastornicky, SS, Atlanta Braves.  Pastornicky came into Spring Training as the odds on favorite to win the shortstop battle for Opening Day. He has, however, fallen completely on his face. The rookie has hit .220 with 1 extra base hit in 59 at bats while committing 3 errors.  Andrelton Simmons (his rival at short) has hit .205 over 13 games this spring while dazzling with the glove.  Both players will struggle to hit at times this year, but it’ll be interesting to see the tradeoff that team management opts for:  slightly better bat or significantly better glove.

Bruce Chen, SP, Royals.  Chen has an 11-something ERA this spring.  Not good.

Hopefully you get a better idea of some of the races and some of the more obscure players filling out various rosters as the season approaches through this post.  Any further questions, comment away.

-Sean Morash