For
the week of :
May 10, 2004
Weekly HOT - COLD
Report
High profile
prospects in Extended Spring Training
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Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.
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High profile prospects
seen re-habbing in Extended Spring Training in Arizona
The late May time period starts to be the "dog days" of extended spring training, when short season players yearn to move on to cooler climates like Boise, Provo, Helena, etc., where they actually get fans out to watch them play. Injured players passing through the training complexes in Arizona during this time are eager to heal their nagging injuries and move back to their regular assignments. The games this year have been enlivened by high profile minor league pitchers getting their arms in shape or gaining additional game experience. The Anaheim Angels especially have had a prospect-laden staff this spring.
Ervin Santana spent time in east Mesa at the Angels camp, only recently moving on to Anaheim's AA affiliate in Arkansas. The right-hander is considered to be one of the Angels top pitching prospects. He was joined in Arizona by big right-hander Carlos Morban, who put up solid numbers at short season Provo last year, and a couple of highly-rated southpaws, Anthony Whittington and Kyle Pawelcyzk. Chicago Cubs right-hander Angel Guzman was working his way back into shape after last season's shoulder surgery with extended spring game action before recently joining the Florida State League Daytona Cubs staff. Guzman will stay in Daytona until the temperatures in either the Pacific Coast League or Southern League cities warm up. Former Montreal prospect Donnie Bridges has been seen pitching for Kansas City's extended spring training team as the right-hander tries to get his career back on track. He was joined on the Royals squad by fellow right-handed prospect Brian Bass, who looked sharp in a recent outing.
Craig Whitaker, San Francisco's 2003 #1 pick, is pitching in Arizona not to re-hab an injury, but rather as part of the Giants short season roster. The lanky Texas right-hander pitched only three innings of rookie league ball after signing a contract last summer. It wasn't just pitchers getting in some re-hab time in Arizona, as the Giants recently had first baseman Lance Niekro and third baseman Brian Buscher working out with their extended spring squad before heading back to their respective teams. Keep an eye on a couple of Oakland lower level hitting prospects when the regular "short season" schedule starts. A pair of young outfielders, Javier Herrera and Jose Garcia, both of whom were on the A's rookie league team last year, have filled out since last summer and are swinging the bat with more authority. --- Bill Mitchell |
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