Spring Training Recap: March 6

Welcome to the spring training recap for March 6! Every day throughout spring training we’ll be providing a rundown of the top news and performances from the previous day’s games, as well as highlighting things to watch for in today’s matchups. Yesterday had 16 games, so let’s get right to it!

 

News

 

• Griffin Canning will be shut down three to four weeks after being given injections in his right elbow.
• Aaron Judge has a stress fracture in his first right rib.
• Tommy Pham could return to game action Wednesday next week.
• Eugenio Suarez took some swings in the batting cage yesterday.
• Blake Snell could return on Monday next week.
• Oscar Mercado underwent an MRI on his left wrist yesterday. Results are unknown.

 

Top Hitting Performances

 

Lewis Brinson (OF, Miami Marlins): 2-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI

Brinson has been on fire this spring, going 9-for-20 with a 1.500 OPS. The headlining player in the Christian Yelich trade has endured rough times while being in Miami, but this—even though it is a small sample size—could be the break Brinson needs to realize his talent.

 

Garrett Hampson (2B/OF, Colorado Rockies): 3-for-3, R, SB

Hampson had a double, two singles, and a stolen base as he tries to snag a starting spot with the Rockies. While Hampson has mostly struggled in his major league stints, he hit five home runs with nine stolen bases and a .903 OPS in September last season. Please, Colorado, give the man playing time.

 

Ryan McMahon (2B/1B/3B, Colorado Rockies): 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI

McMahon hit two bombs on Friday as he filled in for Nolan Arenado at third base. McMahon has always shown batted ball ability, but his plate discipline and his inordinate number of whiffs are far less than desired. Now, McMahon played a majority of his games last season at second base, resulting in a position battle between him and the aforementioned Friday standout Garrett Hampson.

 

Jurickson Profar (2B, San Diego Padres): 2-for-3, R

Profar had a double and scored on Wil Myers‘ RBI triple in the sixth, as he is now 5-for-19 in Cactus League action with a home run and three runs batted in. I’ve written about some changes to his lefty stance and swing—notably weaker side—last year and how it impacted his power. If Profar is allowed to stay at second base and bat fifth as he did yesterday, the once highly touted prospect could turn some heads and produce at a bargain value.

 

Jake Fraley (OF, Seattle Mariners): 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, K

Fraley golfed a home run off Ross Stripling to open the Mariners’ account, then followed it up with an RBI double which was thoroughly misplayed by Dodgers right fielder Cody Thomas that allowed Fraley to advance to third. Fraley is projected to start in Seattle’s outfield, and while good enough to have a 20 HR and 20 SB season, he’ll need to overcome the projected platoon via Roster Resource.

 

Corey Seager (SS, Los Angeles Dodgers): 2-for-2, 2 R

Seager had a single, double, and a couple of runs scored against the Mariners. Los Angeles’ shortstop has been an above-average hitter when he’s been on the field, so a season in which Seager plays over 140 games would potentially result in lofty numbers.

 

Yoan Moncada (3B, Chicago White Sox): 3-for-4, R, RBI

The newly extended Moncada had a field day against Cubs pitching, with two singles and an RBI double. Moncada has all the tools most players dream of and it’s only a matter of keeping the strikeouts down to truly make him an unstoppable force.

 

Pitching Roundup

 

Here was our list of starters to watch from yesterday’s games:

SPs to watch on TV today:

Erod: SL/CT command
Miley: CH usage up?
Manaea: new SL working?
Giolito: SL for strikes / 94mph?
Gausman: Splitty good?
Lindblom: SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT
Brady Singer: Cool cool
Braves TBD: Maybe a fun prospect?

— Pitcher List (@PitcherList) March 6, 2020

Here’s how they fared:

 

Eduardo Rodriguez (SP, Boston Red Sox): 4 IP, 3 Hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 Ks

Rodriguez overcame an RBI single on a pop-up by Marcell Ozuna between Jose Peraza and Jarren Duran in the first on the way to a very nice outing overall. E-Rod was in midseason form as he mixed all his pitches, particularly using his four-seamer up and a new curveball that he learned from teammate Brandon Workman for his four strikeouts.

 

Wade Miley (SP, Cincinnati Reds): 2.1 IP, 2 Hits, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 Ks

Miley had a rough outing against Oakland and nothing stands out more than the four walks issued in fewer than three innings pitched. Hopefully, we see better outings from Miley going forward.

 

Sean Manaea (SP, Oakland Athletics): 3 IP, 4 Hits, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 Ks

Manaea tried out his new slider grip on Friday, and in his three innings, the big lefty struck out six batters while walking none. Unfortunately, the third inning ruined Manaea’s line as he gave up four runs in the frame. The good news is that reports indicate that Manaea was hitting 94 mph on his fastball while hitting 89 mph on the slider—a pitch with a flatter trajectory with movement that better tunnels with the fastball. It looks like Manaea can be a more effective pitcher this season, and that’s something I’m definitely excited about.

 

Lucas Giolito (SP, Chicago White Sox): 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HB

Giolito pitched one inning in his Cactus League debut, resulting in a clean inning even after hitting Kyle Schwarber with a pitch. Giolito used his changeup to strike out Willson Contreras looking and generate a weak fly ball against Jason Heyward. The White Sox ace could possibly have enough time to ramp up to be the team’s Opening Day starter.

 

Kevin Gausman (SP, San Francisco Giants): 3 IP, 2 Hits, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Gausman used his four-seamer and splitter to generate a ton of weak contact against Milwaukee. Gausman has been fairly poor over the past couple of seasons, so maybe a move to pitcher-friendly Oracle Park can do the trick to right the ship.

 

Josh Lindblom (SP, Milwaukee Brewers): 4 IP, 3 Hits, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 Ks

Lindblom went 20-3 in the KBO last year with a 2.50 ERA, and it got him a three-year $9.1 million dollar deal. While Lindblom did give up a few runs, he also struck out five men with his heater, slider, and changeup. I’m curious to see how his 2020 season ends up looking, and based on this outing, he seems like a solid flier late in drafts.

 

Brady Singer (SP, Kansas City Royals): 2 IP, 1 Hit, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

One of the Royals’ top prospects, Brady Singer, got a start yesterday against Mike Trout and the Angels. The right-hander generated a lot of contact, though most resulted in outs. Singer was able to strike out Brian Goodwin looking on a fastball down and in, which was nice. Singer should start 2020 in Triple-A after spending a majority of last season in Double-A, but there could be a chance he sees the majors late this season if everything goes according to plan.

 

Kyle Wright (SP, Atlanta Braves): 3.1 IP, 3 Hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Kyle Wright made the start against Boston and used his wicked slider on all five of his strikeouts. Wright has an electric arm though his two walks in just over three innings pitched is a concern that needs to be addressed before he can be taken seriously in fantasy leagues as a starter.

 

What to Watch for Today

 

SPs to watch on TV today:

Eovladi: good cutters and upper 90s FB?
Thornton: great SL/CB & 4S command?
Voth: Lots o’ whiffs with 2ndary stuff? 93+ mph?
Price: Few sinkers? Good CHs?
Gallen: SL good? 93-95 up?
Luzardo: FB cmd?

Oh and Ubaldo Jimenez is starting for the Rockies: pic.twitter.com/ntU0zULgoT

— Pitcher List (@PitcherList) March 7, 2020

 

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)