Spring training week 5 wrap up

[southsider2k5]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....iew-week-5.html

 

Spring training review, week 5

 

By Phil Rogers

 

Countdown to Opening Day: 13 days (and starting to fly)

 

THE BIGGEST THING THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK

 

Non-Chicago Division: Team USA advanced to the Final Four in the World Baseball Classic -- something it had not done in WBC I in 2006. The dramatic ninth-inning rally against Puerto Rico was as exciting as baseball gets.

 

White Sox: Chris Getz got hot at the right time. The 25-year-old has earned his chance to play in the big leagues, and will get it as Ozzie Guillen's second baseman. That had seemed in danger when his unimpressive start allowed 2008 first-round pick Gordon Beckham to creep into the picture but Getz went on a steady roll, raising his average to .350 with a .409 on-base percentage. Getz should add contact hitting, speed and grit to the lineup but it's probably not fair to ask him to hit leadoff, not at this point.

 

Cubs: The club announced that it is retiring No. 31 to honor both Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins.

 

THE BIGGEST THING THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN LAST WEEK

 

Non-Chicago Division: Team USA bowed meekly to Japan in the WBC semifinal on Sunday night. ESPN's Jon Miller called it correctly, saying that Japan played like it was in a World Series game while Davey Johnson managed like he was in a Grapefruit League game. Japan might have won a fair fight but the USA doesn't give its managers and players an even chance to fight, not given the micromanagement of how playing in the tournament could impact a player's readiness for the regular season. The urgency showed by the international teams makes this a captivating event but it's viewed as an exhibition in the United States, limiting its appeal.

 

Cubs: The club did not announce it is leaving Arizona after its Ho-Ho-Kam lease expires at the end of 2012. Crane Kenney, the club president, did say he has begun to explore all his options, including Sarasota, Fla. This was a move from the heavy-handed management handbook, attempting to pressure Mesa officials into an understanding that it needs to spend seriously to keep its No. 1 asset in place. The ball's now in Mesa's court, as the Cubs almost can't stay without serious concessions. The team is landlocked in its current site, making it impossible to expand the stadium to meet the Cubs' stated requirements, but there's no shortage of land in the area. This is a deal that should get done, keeping the Cubs in place.

 

White Sox: Center field remained a potential hole. Jerry Owens began to make a late bid for the job but so far hasn't returned the faith that Ken Williams showed by not going out and getting a proven center fielder over the winter.

 

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

 

Non-Chicago Division: Josh Hamilton, Rangers -- This guy looks like he is trending toward another monster year. He is hitting .373 with three homers and 16 RBIs in 17 games.

 

White Sox: Paul Konerko -- It's been an ultra-solid spriing for the veteran first baseman. He's hitting .420 with four homers, a .720 slugging percentage and very few bad at-bats. Witness his having only one strikeout in 53 plate appearnaces.

 

Cubs: Sean Marshall -- He's claimed the fifth starter's spot, going 3-0 with a 1.40 ERA (and only one walk in 19 1-3 innings) . This guy has been better than a lot of people know during his short big-league career. He could have a 15-win season in him if he makes 30-plus starts.

 

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

 

Non-Chicago Division: Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo, Mariners -- The son of former NFL player Manu Tuiasosopo, he received a $2.29 million bonus to sign in the 2004 draft. He's only 22 but seems ready for a big-league look, hitting .440 with two homers in 20 games. The problem is he's behind Adrian Beltre. Also receiving consideration were Phillies outfielder John Mabry Jr. and Kansas City outfielder Mitch Maier.

 

Cubs: Micah Hoffpauir -- If the Cactus League had an All-Star Game, he'd be in it. He's been impressive wire to wire, hitting .273 with four homers and 18 RBIs, tops in the majors. Left-handed reliever Jason Waddell, a 27-year-old signed as a minor-league free agent, has joned Hoffpauir in making the most of his chances this spring. Waddell has allowed only one run in his nine outings, striking out nine in 9 2-3 innings.

 

Sox: Randy Williams -- At 33 and with his seventh organization, this lefty is hoping to be viewed as a late bloomer, not an aberration. He's been almost perfect in the spring, allowing one run in his nine appearances (and only five hits and two walks in 9 2-3 innings), and is coming off a big winter in Mexico.

 

GUESSING AT THE OPENING DAY ROSTERS

 

WHITE SOX

 

Starting pitchers: Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Jose Contreras, Bartolo Colon.

 

Bullpen: Bobby Jenks, Scott Linebrink, Matt Thornton, Octavio Dotel, Clayton Richard, Jeff Marquez, D.J. Carrasco.

 

Catchers: A.J. Pierzynski, Corky Miller.

 

Infield: Paul Konerko, Chris Getz, Alexei Ramirez, Josh Fields, Wilsoin Betemit, Brent Lillibridge.

 

Outfield/DH: Carlos Quentin, Jermaine Dye, Dewayne Wise, Brian Anderson, Jim Thome.

 

Changes since last week: Getz replaces Jayson Nix, who is likely to open the year on the disabled list.

 

CUBS

 

Starting pitchers: Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, Rich Harden, Sean Marshall.

 

Bullpen: Kevin Gregg, Carlos Marmol, Aaron Heilman, Neal Cotts, Jose Vizcaino, Chad Gaudin, Mike Stanton.

 

Catchers: Geovany Soto, Koyie Hill.

 

Infield: Derrek Lee, Mike Fontenot, Ryan Theriot, Aramis Ramirez, Aaron Miles, Esteban German.

 

Outfield: Alfonso Soriano, Reed Johnson, Milton Bradley, Kosuke Fukudome, Micah Hoffpauir.

 

Changes since last week: The back of the bullpen remains a bit of a jumbled mess. Ditto the 25th roster spot. Kevin Hart and Rule 5 pick David Patton were in last week's bullpen but have been replaced by Gaudin and Stanton, who would become the second lefty. German replaces Gathright for the last spot as it would be asking for trouble to take only one backup infielder. Jake Fox probably should be on the roster but still has no position.

[The Ginger Kid]

I just got back from four days in Glendale. One word to describe the complex and access to the practice fields: heaven.

 

My other big impression is that infield defense, apart from Lexi, is kind of scary. Hope it improves, but Fields seems to be a work in progress still at 3rd. it's not just the occasional errors, it's the way he gets in position, sets his feet, etc. He forced Buehrle to get 5 outs the other day in one inning, one on an error the other by waiting back for another hop before throwing to first (late). I do like his bat.

 

Linebrink looks old; BA looks frustrated and wound too tight, he was even pressing in practice, getting frustrated in the cage. And Greg Walker is aces in my book for wandering over and chatting it up with a few of us fans watching workouts.