FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Operative description of the day: This was one of those spring training games that are usually reserved for later in March. Because these same two teams played a ‘B’ game earlier in the day, most the starters for the Twins stayed in for more than half of the game and as expected, it wasn’t exactly a pitchers duel. The highlight of the day was the defensive changes for the Reds in the bottom of the fifth when in right field, no. 93 Drew Anderson was announced and in left field no. 83 Drew Anderson was also announced. For good measure the P.A. announcer clarified that they were indeed not the same person.

 
GOOD IMPRESSIONS: The fantasy siren is sounding: Carlos Gomez is the goods. In addition to blazing speed and an ability to get on in various ways, he’s the kind of batter who shows tremendous patience at the plate and is willing to make the pitcher work. His first inning walk after two bunt attempts (one fake, the other foul) that put him down 1-2 in the count, was veteran-like. He then proceeded to get a tremendous jump and has second base stolen, but Joe Mauer grounded out to the second baseman. Shortly after and for good measure, he stole third, well ahead of Javier Valentin’s high throw.

Also sounding a siren throughout the stadium was Chris Basak whose two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th gave the home Twins an 8-6 win. Another of the running Twins was utility infielder and perpetual prospect

Alexi Casilla who stole two bases and made some excellent ranging plays at short. On his first steal, he was actually picked off, but Scott Hatteberg’s throw went over Juan Castro’s head and into left. Casilla rounded third and kept on coming home, but was called out at the plate (although he was clearly safe). Yes he made an out, but he also showed the excellent speed and willingness to use it that fantasy owners are always looking for.

Adam Dunn had an excellent day with two singles, the first of which was a two run opposite-field job between third baseman Mike Lamb and the line he was playing too far off of. Actually in Lamb’s defense, nobody in the park expected Dunn to stroke that single to that spot. 

Prospect Adam Rosales, a corner infielder, has been one of Cincinnati’s brightest spots so far this spring. However he nearly became public enemy no. 1 in Minnesota after hitting one of his usual hard smashes back to the box and off of Phillip Humber’s leg. It bounced to third baseman Matt Macri who proceeded to throw him out, and Humber did not return after retiring the side in order.

Jason Pridie was one of the pieces that came along with Delmon Young from the Devil Rays and although he won’t beat out Gomez in center, his defense puts him in the running for a bench job. He's someone to stash on a very deep bench. 

DH Randy Ruiz hit a two run game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth off of Ramon Ramirez. Ruiz is a nine-year minor leaguer who has played jut 22 games higher than Double A and has been suspended twice for steroid use. Absolutely no value here, but a nice moment for him nonetheless and he’s probably bought himself a few more days in big league camp.

BAD IMPRESSIONS: It’s spring training so we’ll cut him some slack, but Ken Griffey Jr. didn’t really want to expend much energy chasing balls in the outfield today. Twice balls that you hope he’d get to fell in, one for a Delmon Young single that opened a three run Twins fifth, and another that went for a Joe Mauer double later in the inning.

Casey Daigle, a.k.a. Mr. Jenny Finch, is trying to win a spot in the pen but got smacked around, allowing two runs and three hits in two innings.

Super prospect Joey Votto went 0 for 2 and grounded into a double play. 

MIXED IMPRESSIONS: Playing second base, his position in most of his minor league career, former Yankee Andy Phillips had a mixed day, committing an error on an easy chopper but then making a stellar diving play in the hole to make up for it. He also lined a double down the leftfield line. He has a slim chance to stick with the big squad with Alex Gonzalez likely sidelined at the start of the year.

Starter Glen Perkins is trying to crack the rotation but got into instant trouble in the first. However he escaped allowing just one run when Jeff Keppinger grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Check back tomorrow as my trek turns east to Fort Lauderdale for the Cardinals at the Orioles.