Fantasy Baseball: Saturday's Spring Training Roundup

by Ray Guilfoyle on Mar 14, 2010 9:00 AM EDT in Baseball

There were lots of rainouts in Florida on Friday, but they were back at it on Saturday. Here are my thoughts after reviewing Saturday's boxscores:

The Ray's BJ Upton hit 2 HRs, both to the opposite field according to ESPN's Jayson Stark, and went 3-3 with 3 RBI. Could we see a 20-40 season from Upton this season? Could Justin go 40-20 in 2010?

The Marlin's Ricky Nolasco gave up one run on 4 hits in 4 innings while striking out 4. He's looking like the 2008 Nolasco so far.

The Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin pitched the 7th inning, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits, one a HR, and his spring ERA is now 10.38. Jason Motte pitched the 9th inning to earn the save. Motte could be a late round closer sleeper.

Astros catching prospect Jason Castro was 0-1 with 2 walks and a run scored and is hitting .462 so far. I could see him either winning the catcher spot out of spring training, or getting the call by June.

Matt Lindstro threw a scoreless 4th inning today striking out one. He appears to be the favorite to open the season as the Astros closer. National's pitching prospect Drew Storen threw a scoreless 4th inning as well, striking out two while giving up a hit and a walk. His main competition as Nat's closer Matt Capps pitched a scoreless 5th inning.

The Padres stole 6 bases in their game against the Athletics. Is this a sign they will be running more this year?

Indians pitcher Justin Masterson struck out 6 Rangers in 3 2/3rd innings on Saturday, lowering his spring ERA to 1.29.

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters went 0-2 with a walk and a run scored, but is only hitting .077 so far in spring training. To make matters worse, Nick Johnson stole a base off Wieters on Saturday as well.

Nick Punto and Brendan Harris went a combined 0-4 with 3 strikeouts vs the Phillies. The competition for the Twins third base jonb may go down to the wire as both are hitting .182 thus far.

Danys Baez pitched a scoreless 9th for the save vs the Twins giving up a hit and a walk while striking out two. Could he be the Phils closer till Brad Lidge returns? Phils starter JA Happ threw 4 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out 3. Can he repeat his 2009 season? I don't think so.

Poll

Can Phillies starter JA Happ repeat his 2009 season in 2010?

Yes, he is better than the scouts say he is.

8 votes

No, his strand rate was absurdly high in 2009. That won't happen again.

48 votes

56 votes | Poll has closed

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John Shea at the SF Chronicle on Buster Posey

The better Posey hits in spring training, the tougher the decision. He had four hits the past two days, including a double and single in Saturday’s 8-7 loss to the A’s. He’s hitting .368 with five RBIs, tied for second on the team, in 19 at-bats.

“Buster’s situation is a little different,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Sure, we want to continue to develop him. We don’t want to sit him. It’s a matter of whether he’d get enough playing time to warrant being on the club to help us or to continue his progress (in the minors) and have him ready.”

Bochy added, “It’s really a matter of time. Buster can hit.”

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by Ray Guilfoyle on Mar 14, 2010 10:47 AM EDT reply actions