Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings For the week of :
March 29, 2004

Arizona Minor League teams break camp
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Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Cactus League teams end spring training with traditional intra-squad games
April 4, 2004

The inclement weather caused many of the final minor league spring training games to be either cancelled or turned into intra-squad contests. But enthusiasm was high as all of the 12 Cactus League teams broke camp this weekend in preparation for the 2004 regular season.

Mizuo with teammate and interpreter
Yoshitaka Mizuo (center) talks with catcher Wil Nieves (right) through his interpreter after his one-inning stint

The games against the neighbor Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday morning was slated to be the final contests for the Chicago White Sox farm teams, but heavy rains wiped out all activity. No one around the White Sox clubhouse seemed bothered in the least, as equipment bags were packed and players said their farewells to teammates heading off to one of the four teams in the Chicago system. The players were pleased to have extra time to prepare for their Saturday morning departures to Charlotte, Birmingham, Winston-Salem and Kannapolis.

Auditions for healthy pitching arms have been quite common at the Anaheim Angels' minor league complex in Mesa. Last week, 35-year-old veteran Japanese left-hander Yoshitaka Mizuo threw for various members of the Anaheim staff. Mizuo, who pitched only three innings in his native land last season due to injury, impressed the Angels enough to land a minor league contract. He is expected to start the season with AAA Salt Lake.

Former #1 draft pick Bobby Brownlie was on the hill on the final day of Cubs minor league camp

Mizuo pitched one inning in Saturday's AAA game. He quickly retired the first two hitters with a variety of off-speed pitches before giving up a couple of hits and a run.

Southpaw Colin Young stopped by the Angels' Gene Autry Park on Saturday afternoon just after receiving his release from the Colorado Rockies, while former Devil Rays and Marlins hurler Delvin James pitched a strong four innings for the Angels' AAA team in Saturday's games.

The Chicago Cubs finished spring training with three simultaneous intra-squad games Sunday morning. Several of their top pitching prospects were on the mound, including former #1 draft picks Bobby Brownlie, Chadd Blasko and Ben Christensen.

Safe or out? Jasha Balcom was called out on a bunt attempt after a nice play by third baseman Elvin Puello

Newly acquired Damian Jackson was playing shortstop for the Cubs' AAA squad.

The best defensive plays of the day were turned in during the game between the short-season players. A young Dominican third baseman by the name of Elvin Puello made two sparkling gems at the hot corner, throwing out speedy Jasha Balcom on a near-perfect bunt and then later leaping high into the air to pick off a line drive.

The first report of the regular season will come in about a week after the start of the AAA season, followed the next week by extended spring training.

--- Bill Mitchell