FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Operative description of the day: The highlight of the trip so far: In the top of the eighth inning, a foul back came into the pressbox (which is incidentally the closest to the field that I have ever seen) and went screaming no more thaqn three feet over my head, hit the back wall, and then hit the back of my head, which I had previously covered up for the first salvo. It triggered a round of applause from my fellow members of the media and now I have a pretty cool souvenir and story to go along with it.

As for an impression of the action, I must be living right. At nearly every stop I’ve run into great prospects who happen to put all of their tools on display for me that particular day. Today it was Colby Rasmus of the Cardinals and Adam Jones of the Orioles who both showed that they deserve their lofty ratings. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cardinals pitchers today showed that they’re all likely going to ride some more busses in the minors.


GOOD IMPRESSIONS:
Adam Jones was the centerpiece of the booty the Orioles got from the Mariners for Erik Bedard. After seeing him today, I’m not so sure that in the end history will be as far on the side of the Mariners as observers have been ever since the deal. Jones didn’t only hit the ball today (3 for 3) he crushed it, hammering it to all three fields and even pulling a foul ball down the leftfield line that nearly took out the Cardinals bullpen who barely had time to scramble out of the way. He’s locked into center with Markakis in left and the platoon of Jay Payton and Luke Scott in left. Eventhough he looked overmatched at times last year,  based on what I saw today, Jones has rocketed up my draft board. He’s the goods.

The Cardinals top youngster Colby Rasmus wouldn’t be outdone either, driving in both of the Cards’ runs with a second inning RBI single and a blast to the nearly empty right-centerfield bleachers, through the teeth of a 20 MPH wind. It was a blast. Rasmus hit 29 home runs in the minors last year and if tha blast is any indication, he’ll be hitting a fair share out of Busch Stadium in the near very future.

You’re not going to believe this, but Juan Gonzalez looks very good at the plate. As someone whose seen him countless times before throughout his big league career, I can honestly say he looks like the old Juan Gonzalez at the plate. While pulling the ball on each of his two hits, he’s getting great top spin and gave one first inning pitch from Adam Loewen a very long journey just foul and onto the Orioles practice field beyond the left field fence. After seeing him for myself and knowing Tony La Russa’s M.O. pretty well, I’d be shocked if Gonzalez wasn’t the Cardinals starting right fielder when they open the year at home against the Rockies.

Melvin Mora is the epitome of a professional hitter and he was locked in today, missing the cycle (in an exhibition game for goodness sake) by a triple. His home run was blasted out to left. He also drove in four of the O’s 10 runs on the day. He’s hard to recommend in AL-Only leagues because like Bedard and possibly Brian Roberts before him, Mora might be dealt at some point this year, especially with Scott Moore and Mike Costanzo ready to play third base.

Roberts’ audition for the Cubs continued today as he stole his fifth base of the spring, scored two runs and drove in another.

Luke Scott was 3 for 4 and is a great sleeper.  


BAD IMPRESSIONS:
The Cards pitchers, starting with Anthony Reyes, were terrible, and that’s being nice. For someone who had such a great reputation and minor league career, he’s struggling to get anyone out, and most of the contact against him is hard.

Note to the Orioles P.A. announcer: Orioles fans will chant LUUUUUKKKE, when they’re comfortable with Luke Scott. Until then, a simple Luke would be fine when he comes to the plate, because you’re the only one saying it the other way.

With a chance to win a job created by the release of Scott Spiezio, Josh Phelps didn’t capitalize, going 0 for 3 with a strikeout while leaving three runners on base. St. Louis will certainly be in the market for a utility man who can play first.

MIXED IMPRESSIONS:

Another candidate for the rightfield job is Brian Barton (the one with the dread locks). An undrafted free agent from the University of Miami, Barton is on the verge of having a useful major league career. However he doesn’t possess the classic baseball player smoothness or poise. He appears more frenzied, or at times out of control, but for good reasons like his eagerness to make something happen. However missing cutoff man and getting picked off first base isn’t a way to endear you to your bosses.

For someone who missed almost all of last season, Adam Loewen was sharp today, however beware low win totals and having to face the monster offenses in the AL East.

Tomorrow the journey is up to Jupiter to see the Nationals against a Cardinals split squad.