Cactus League Game 11: Mariners at Giants
Yesterday’s impressive win against the Diamonbacks behind the pitching performance of the M’s big three big four pitching prospects opened a lot of eyes nationally. Erasmo Ramirez transformation from undersized/underpowered righty to a prospect (almost) in the class of the three pitchers who followed him last night is nothing short of remarkable – Shannon Drayer’s got a great story on him here.
Yesterday’s split squad games featured a legitimate M’s line-up in the A game and the exciting pitchers in the B game. Today, we get the best of both worlds with a good line-up and, well, Felix. The M’s made 15 cuts this morning, but they haven’t made the list official as of yet as they were waiting for some player to arrive after he had a flat tire this morning. That should get the number of players in MLB camp down to 47.
The Lineup for today’s game at 1:05:
1: Ackley (2B)
2: Rodriguez (SS)
3: Seager (3B)
4: Smoak (1B)
5: Peguero (RF)
6: Catricala (DH)
7: Saunders (CF)
8: Jaso (C)
9: Robinson (LF)
SP: King Felix
Behind Hernandez, the M’s will get a look at Steve Delabar, Tom Wilhelmsen, Cesar Jimenez, Lucas Luetge, Forrest Snow, Shawn Kelley and Oliver Perez.
Go M’s.
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Catricala still really interests me, though I don’t see him making the team out of spring. Can’t help but wonder if they’ll really try to convert him to the outfield, or if he has a shot at 3rd. I’ll be following Rainier games more closely this year.
Agreed. Catricala’s 2011 season + 2012 spring seems like it’s helped convince the team to keep him at 3B for a while. Going to be interesting to see what they do at Tacoma – if they keep Martinez in AA to start, or if they move Liddi to 1st. I still liked the idea of having Catricala in LF, but I can’t really complain if they give him a few more months to grab hold of the 3B position.
As I’ve said before, I don’t really like the idea of Liddi going to 1B, but I understand that the M’s are going to have to do something to get PAs for three interesting (but flawed) players. I see Liddi as a better defensive 3B and Catricala as a more advanced bat.
Yeah, it’s kind of a crazy situation. Three 3rd basemen, all having something to work on. Martinez may end up starting in AA, for no other reason, than 3rd being too crowded in Tacoma. Liddi’s starting to show improvement with the bat, and like you said, he has the better glove, so it kind of sucks to see him moved to 1st. The fact that there’s an argument for the future at 3rd is a good thing though!
You said that today’s game featured “a legitimate lineup”. Peguero is in today’s lineup.
Has the “Peguero sucks” meme run its course, and people are just sick of complaining about him? Or was it an oversight? 🙂 Or maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for Pegs after all…?
So we have re-assignments:
Right-handed pitchers: Yoervis Medina, Scott Patterson, Forrest Snow, Taijuan Walker
Left-handed pitchers: Danny Hultzen, James Paxton, Mauricio Robles
Infielders: Nick Franklin, Carlos Triunfel, Francisco Martinez
Outfielders: Johermyn Chavez, Chih-Hsien Chiang, Darren Ford
Catcher: Ralph Henriquez
DH: Luis Antonio Jimenez
I’m assuming Seager makes the team of course. Could be even more crowded if he didn’t! Another thing I kind of forgot about… Wedge had said Kawasaki would be getting a look at 3rd this spring. Been a few years, but he did play some 3rd in Japan. Maybe they’ve moved on from that idea? You could make an argument for him or Seager starting over Figgins. Really, things would be a little easier if Figgins disappeared. Broken-record statement, I know:/
Vinnie! It’s amazing to think he hasn’t even played a game of AAA yet. And Saunders just drove him home.
Keep it up, Condor…
Maybe Bard figured out a way to keep Saunders from thinking so dag-blamed much. Anyone noticed a guy with a hand puppet in the outfield stands? Did Glenn Close stand up whenever he came to bat?
Slogan for the 2012 prospects…. ‘Dumb It Down!’. Kidding
It keeps throwing me that they list “Peguero, C” in the box scores – my first thought is he’s splitting his time between right field and catcher.
I don’t know why they do that either. Gameday does a few things weird.
Smoak is due for his first HR of spring.
and still due.
Yeah, Saunders is showing a lot of confidence at the plate now. Good to see Jaso get that first hit.
So Robinson can work on bunts at AAA, as well as his defense, and general plate discipline.
Vinnie once again!
Good for Robinson.
Sloppy defense by the Giants today.
Gameday decided to stop working for me, but only for the Seattle game.
^What luck. Better you than me though 😛
First TV game is Wednesday?
Glad to see Saunders get some hits, but I just peeked at his stats and noticed he’s struck out six times already – as many as Peguero.
Our guy Montero has yet to strike out once!
Yep, Wednesday. Montero has been hitting like a 10 year veteran.
I like how I bust on Robinson and he turns around and tags the ball hard a couple times. I don’t mind that though!
Yeah, Robinson’s got some things to work on, but I’m glad to see him get a couple of XBHs.
Thanks for thee re-assignments Jay.
Guess the only real surprises are Robles and Ford this early.
Saunders early impression likely spelled the end of Ford in April.
After throwing all four of the top pitching prospects yesterday it seemed like the writing was on the wall. Let Rizz gush over the big three to give us hope then send them off to higher learning or non super 2 camp.
Jack seems very sincere in his love of E. Rameriz.
Nah, Robles really didn’t have any shot, especially not after his injuries last year and after a terrible winter league performance. He’s got a shot later in the year if everything goes right, but he had a 1% shot to break camp with the team.
With Ford, he was always a long shot, but if Saunders had fallen on his face, he probably would’ve stuck around a little longer. But Saunders (and Robinson) were always going to be ahead of him.
Hell, *I’M* sincere in my love of E. Ramirez. There’s a combination there of not caring as much about his super-2/arb clock and about the real fact that he’s a bit further along in his development. I think he’s now somewhat likely to go to Japan with the M’s. That’s more to do with the expanded roster size than anything, but still – he’s now in the running for one of the five “extra” roster spots, and I think he’s going to get one.
Is there anything to not like about Ramirez?!
Not that I’ve seen. Rameriz fits in with the strike throwing, efficient, put it in play (Preferably on the ground) kind of pitcher that Jack likes.
Not sure why he’s over looked and down played so much (obviously not by the M’s). Jack talked him up earlier in the winter, touting him as a legit rotation prospect. We’re beginning to see why.