BY SCOTT LAUBERAnd so it begins, here, at Gate D7 in Philly International Airport. Bag is checked. iPod is humming with Springsteen tunes. We're practically in midseason form (well, not quite, but we'll get there; that's what spring training is for, after all.) Still about 30 minutes until my flight to Tampa (via Dulles) boards, so I thought we'd use the time to discuss five players to watch over the next seven weeks in Clearwater.
1. Kyle Kendrick
2. Ronny Paulino
3. Sergio Escalona
4. John Mayberry
5. Chase Utley
You can read about them in today's News Journal, but here at Philled In, I'd like to talk more about Mayberry (pictured). The Phillies acquired him in November from the Rangers for speedy center fielder Greg Golson in a swap of former first-round draft picks, but the trade was overshadowed by the news that Utley was going to have hip surgery. At the time, Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phils were looking for a power-hitting outfielder, and Mayberry fits that description. He's 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, and last year, he hit 16 homers in 437 at-bats in Triple-A. Power runs in his family. His father, John Mayberry Sr., hit 255 career homers over 15 major-league seasons. When I asked Amaro if Mayberry had a chance to make the team as a right-handed hitter off the bench, he said, "You never know. We'll see."
Now, I'm not saying Mayberry is a favorite to win a roster spot. In fact, unless he has a terrific spring, it's more likely that he'll open the season at Lehigh Valley. But the Phillies have been looking for a right-handed pinch-hitter (still waiting to hear from Nomar Garciaparra), and eventually, Mayberry could be an internal solution.
OK, almost time to board. More in a bit from Clearwater.
5 comments:
What about Marson or Donald (or even Coste)? Don't remember if they're righties, but are they not considered pinch hitter options?
Hey Scott, if you get a chance, could you ask Amaro if there have been any internal discussions about bringing in a guy like Frank Thomas? He's currently unemployed and would likely sign for cheap. He strikes fear into the opposition and could look great as that righty off the bench that we've been longing for.
Andrew: Coste definitely is a possibility as a right-handed pinch-hitter, if he doesn't win the backup catcher job. But the Phillies would rather have Donald and Marson playing every day in Triple-A than sitting on the bench in the majors. Of course, Donald could start the season with the Phillies if Chase Utley isn't ready (more news on him in a bit, so please check back for that). But for the most part, they'd rather see Marson and Donald getting regular at-bats.
Zach: I'll bounce your Frank Thomas idea off Ruben tomorrow. Like me, today was his first day at the ballpark, and we didn't see each other.
Great questions, guys. Please keep 'em coming, and I'll do my best to get you answers.
scott:
i enjoy reading your blog. i realize this is not a phillies question but since you mentioned springsteen, what do you think of the new cd?
BC: Still kind of undecided about the new CD. I think I probably was expecting more, and that's the tough thing with Springsteen. Expectations are so high, it's difficult to meet them. But I'm giving it a chance.
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