Spring Battles: Week 2 Hitters

Written by: Michael Taylor on 8th March 2009

Spring Battles: Week 2 Hitters | read this item

Just as was said yesterday, we are far from settling these two positions on the team, but a few developments have occurred during the past week. A new face has made the list in the race for the Tribe’s utility job, and in the outfield Matt LaPorta is making a lasting impression even if he doesn’t break camp with the team.

Chris Gimenez, a 6’2” catcher with athleticism to play elsewhere on the field, is making waves in camp. It may only be 11 at-bats, but Gimenez has three extra-base hits, including two doubles and one home run. In 2008 he hit over .300 with an OPS of .872 between AA and AAA. Besides catching he can play third base and the corner outfield positions. He is already on the 40-man roster as well, making it easier to promote him.

In a relatively weak performance group thus far in the outfield, Matt LaPorta is standing out with power, and an ability to put the ball in play. It may only be spring training numbers, but the fact that he is confidently putting the ball in-play hard makes you believe the whirlwind of action after the trade last year may have contributed to his poor late season performance. With David Dellucci returning over the weekend,LaPorta remains a dark horse.

Let’s get to the competitors…

Utility Role

Josh Barfield – playing all over the field, Barfield was found at 2B, CF and RF last week. He should now also find some games at third while DeRosa is at WBC. Remains the favorite. ’09 Spring: .273/.304/.318, 0HR, 1RBI, 1SB

Andy Cannizaro – is not presenting himself as an option to choose from. Had just a singe hit in eight at-bats last week and is playing just 2B & SS. ’09 Spring: .111/.200/.111, 0HR, 0RBI, 0SB

Chris Gimenez – sneaking onto the list this week is Gimenez. He is quickly gaining the confidence of team management at the plate, in the OF, at C, and at 3B. ’09 Spring: .364/.533/.818, 1HR, 3RBI, 0SB

Tony Graffanino – getting a very long look at the corner spots on the field, 1B, 3B and LF. Is handling himself well at the plate too. Still has a shot to make team. ’09 Spring: .286/.375/.357, 0HR, 1RBI, 0SB

Andy Marte – getting extra looks at third base with DeRosa gone, but that his the only position he is playing. That won’t win a utility job. ’09 Spring: .200/.200/.200, 0HR, 1RBI, 0SB

Jesus Merchan – no appearances last week. ’09 Spring: .333/.500/.667, 0HR, 0RBI, 0SB

Wilson Valdez – slowly losing the battle. Valdez is getting long looks at multiple positions, but lack of offensive production and poor ML history holding him back. ’09 Spring: .077/.143/.077, 0HR, 1RBI, 1SB

4th Outfielder

Michael Brantley – showing his stuff, but the high number of balls that he puts in play have yet to find many holes. Yet he did have 3RBI and SB during the week.’09 Spring: .214/.250/.214, 0HR, 3RBI, 1SB

Trevor Crowe – struck out four times during a single game on Tuesday. He can look that bad, but the good news is that are the only four K’s in his 17 at-bats. ’09 Spring: .294/.294/.353, 0HR, 1RBI, 1SB

David Dellucci – saw first action of the spring on Friday after recovering from a laceration on his hand, hitting a HR. Should see regular action from here on out. ’09 Spring: .333/.333/1.333, 1HR, 1RBI, 0SB

Matt LaPorta – has 11 total bases in 15 at-bats and has struck out only two times. Chances still slim, but he is making a good impression for later in the season.’09 Spring: .400/.471/.733, 1HR, 1RBI, 1SB

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Topics: Andy Cannizaro, Andy MArte, Chris Gimenez, David Dellucci, Jesus Merchan, Josh Barfield, Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Tony Graffanino, Trevor Crowe, Wilson Valdez

Halifax says:

March 9, 2009 at 9:48 am

My guess is Francisco starts the year as the regular LF with Dellucci hanging on as the fourth and Barfield nabbing the last utility role because of his decent spring and flexibility (we all know how Wedge likes that flexibility).

LaPorta will go back to AAA where he will proceed to mash while Dellucci struggles to keep LaPorta’s spot warm. Think Evan Longoria. The spring camp will be good for LaPorta to get himself grounded in the organization and beginning the season at Columbus will help him feel acclimated to the Tribe Way and forget the whirlwind that was his post-trade 2008.

My guess is that The Columbus outfield will feature the Three Amigos (LaPorta, Brantley & Crowe) with whomever performs ready to be called up at a moment’s notice if injury or merit calls. When LaPorta forces his way up in May, backing off Francisco’s time can ease Matt’s way in without bruising the Treat’s ego too much. Then again, Choo’s arm and performance isn’t a given, either, so it’s good to have quality depth at AAA.

One final note – don’t give up on Barfield.
Al Ciammaichella says:

March 9, 2009 at 11:34 am

Cut ties with the Looch and let Crowe start the season on the big league roster. At this point, it may be his only shot. LaPorta and Brantley are both younger, so it doesn’t hurt to keep them in AAA to see what Crowe can do at the big league level.
Jason Bidlack says:

March 10, 2009 at 2:46 am

I believe that Ben Francisco or Crowe will be the third man to start the outfield with Michael Brantley just behind. It would be nice to see Matt LaPorta make the team but as a young star he needs to get quality at bats and not just pinch hit once a week. So look for LaPorta at the end of the year to be called up unless of course the Indians start to become injury prone again.I have been to every spring training game this year and so far Francisco is looking good and LaPorta not so goo so lets hope he keeps his head up and just battles through this minor slump in Goodyear, Arizona.
Jason Bidlack
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