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The defending IL champion Washington Bats are soon to report to Spring Training. The team is over budget, not active in trade discussions and is returning almost every player from their 2006 run. The Bats normally have some position battles going on but this year team is almost completely set and ready to go…besides one position.
The Bats announced they are bringing back longtime infielder R.A. Grounds. The three-time All-Star and two-time DWI fielder has been hired as a special assistant to the GM. His only job this Spring is to help decide who will play second base. Who better than the Bats all-time game leader at 2B to help with the decision.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said the 48-year-old Grounds. “I’ve been retired since 1997 and would really like to get into coaching. I’ve spent the last few years with the kids but they are about to be out of the house for good and I’m going to get bored.”
With no money for Free-Agency, the Bats did make a move for a player, relief pitcher Alex Otero from Seattle in the Rule V Draft. How does a relief pitcher play into the second base position battle? Well, the Washington front office thinks he has a brighter future in the infield.
“Alex Otero was drafted in our division, which hurt because he was high on our board. The kid can really do it all. He can pitch, field, hit and run, “said GM Pat McLaughlin. “After moving from Cuba to play one year of Texas High School baseball, Otero was a near dominant closer for his team. 3-0, 14 saves, 68 K to 8 BB. But we liked him every better as a hitter, after mashing .472 with 22 steals in just 24 games.”
Joining Otero in the competition are infield incumbents Orlando Saucedo and Cy Gray. Both are switch-hitting defensive studs in their 30’s, but neither did much to solidify a spot in the starting lineup after both OPSing below .600. Both are on the last year of their contracts and likely are either to win the job or be waived, and they know it.
The fan favorite to win the job is 6th overall pick from the 2003 draft, Venezuelan Danny Romero. Just 21-years-old, the lefty hitter likely needs more seasoning before he is ready but the Bats had enough confidence in him to add him to the playoff roster and give him a handful of starts.
Another option is 24-year-old Antonio Pequeno. Originally a 4th round pick in 2000, the Bats actually lost Pequeno to the Rule V in 2004. However he was eventually released by Baltimore and back to Washington. He’s equipped with top notch speed but hasn’t done much at all with his 105 BLB at bas.
The switch-hitting Tommy Tipsword was expected to make the roster last year after hitting .440 in Spring Training…but was diagnosed with a Torn Labrum and spent his entire year on the disabled list. The soon to be 25-year-old was drafted in the 3rd round of 2000 and is anxious for the opportunity.
Long-shots Travis McDowell and Armando Felipe are both 25 and have spent a long time with the franchise. But there are only so many at bats to be had in Spring Training and despite being on the team for now, they might not get a chance to prove their worth.
Odds:
Saucedo – 25%
Gray – 25%
Romero – 25%
Pequeno –10%
Otero – 10%
Tipsword – 3%
McDowell – 1%
Felipe – 1%
The Bats announced they are bringing back longtime infielder R.A. Grounds. The three-time All-Star and two-time DWI fielder has been hired as a special assistant to the GM. His only job this Spring is to help decide who will play second base. Who better than the Bats all-time game leader at 2B to help with the decision.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said the 48-year-old Grounds. “I’ve been retired since 1997 and would really like to get into coaching. I’ve spent the last few years with the kids but they are about to be out of the house for good and I’m going to get bored.”
With no money for Free-Agency, the Bats did make a move for a player, relief pitcher Alex Otero from Seattle in the Rule V Draft. How does a relief pitcher play into the second base position battle? Well, the Washington front office thinks he has a brighter future in the infield.
“Alex Otero was drafted in our division, which hurt because he was high on our board. The kid can really do it all. He can pitch, field, hit and run, “said GM Pat McLaughlin. “After moving from Cuba to play one year of Texas High School baseball, Otero was a near dominant closer for his team. 3-0, 14 saves, 68 K to 8 BB. But we liked him every better as a hitter, after mashing .472 with 22 steals in just 24 games.”
Joining Otero in the competition are infield incumbents Orlando Saucedo and Cy Gray. Both are switch-hitting defensive studs in their 30’s, but neither did much to solidify a spot in the starting lineup after both OPSing below .600. Both are on the last year of their contracts and likely are either to win the job or be waived, and they know it.
The fan favorite to win the job is 6th overall pick from the 2003 draft, Venezuelan Danny Romero. Just 21-years-old, the lefty hitter likely needs more seasoning before he is ready but the Bats had enough confidence in him to add him to the playoff roster and give him a handful of starts.
Another option is 24-year-old Antonio Pequeno. Originally a 4th round pick in 2000, the Bats actually lost Pequeno to the Rule V in 2004. However he was eventually released by Baltimore and back to Washington. He’s equipped with top notch speed but hasn’t done much at all with his 105 BLB at bas.
The switch-hitting Tommy Tipsword was expected to make the roster last year after hitting .440 in Spring Training…but was diagnosed with a Torn Labrum and spent his entire year on the disabled list. The soon to be 25-year-old was drafted in the 3rd round of 2000 and is anxious for the opportunity.
Long-shots Travis McDowell and Armando Felipe are both 25 and have spent a long time with the franchise. But there are only so many at bats to be had in Spring Training and despite being on the team for now, they might not get a chance to prove their worth.
Odds:
Saucedo – 25%
Gray – 25%
Romero – 25%
Pequeno –10%
Otero – 10%
Tipsword – 3%
McDowell – 1%
Felipe – 1%
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