azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Dan Zeiger, Tribune
TUCSON - It is a statement that established, veteran pitchers make often after their first few spring training outings: "I was able to try some things I could not do during the regular season."
For some hurlers, that means general mechanics. Others, trying a pitch in certain situations.
Sometimes, the success of their personal experimenting is not indicated by the numbers on the scoreboard — but that does not matter, since their spot on the regular season roster is secure.
Younger pitchers fighting for a spot on the staff do not have that luxury, Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said on Sunday.
"The guys who are trying to make the team are not coming out here to work on things — they are trying to impress," Melvin said. "Guys who have their spot on the team will do things differently because they need to work on things."
Take Arizona’s Javier Vazquez, who has been already named the openingday starter by Melvin. In his first Cactus League appearance on Sunday, Vazquez allowed two hits and a run in three innings (44 pitches) against the Chicago White Sox.
But for the veteran righthander, the statistics were not the ideal measure of his success.
"I was trying to work on my mechanics and get them where I want them," Vazquez said. "I usually do that during the first two or three games and not worry about whether I’m ready (for the regular season). I’ll get ready for that when I start going five or six innings."
In tonight’s split-squad game against Colorado in Tucson, Michael Gosling is the DBacks’ starting pitcher. The rookie left-hander will do very little tinkering and tweaking on the mound, as he is battling for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.
"You might go out there one day and say, ‘Well, I’m struggling with my curveball, so I am going to throw a bunch of curveballs,’ " Melvin said.
"A guy like Gosling or (rookie southpaw Brad) Halsey won’t do that."
STILL PATIENT
While young pitchers have a smaller margin for error, Melvin will not penalize them greatly for shaky outings early in spring.
Right-hander Brian Bruney, battling for a bullpen spot, had a long inning Saturday, allowing a run on a hit with two walks. Also, he got a warning for coming too far up and in to a hitter.
Last season, control problems earned Bruney (27 walks in 31 1 /3 innings in 2004) a demotion to Class AAA Tucson.
"He was rushing just a little at times (Saturday)," Melvin said. "Brian is a power guy, and early in the spring, they have a tendency to come open a bit, which pushes the ball up and in to (right-handed hitters).
"Once you have those mechanics settled and your feet wet a little bit, you settle in and get better."
INFIELD DOINGS
Reserve infielder Alex Cintron, who has played primarily at third base this spring, will start seeing time at shortstop, Melvin said. As a result, shortstop project Sergio Santos will play some at third.
Santos has been projected as a third baseman at the major league level.
"Nothing needs to be read into that," Melvin said. "I just need to get Alex some reps at shortstop."
Cintron played second base for Arizona down the stretch last season. But Melvin said most of the Cactus League work at second behind starter Craig Counsell will belong to Matt Kata.
SHORT HOPS
Most of the veterans — including Royce Clayton, Craig Counsell, Troy Glaus, Luis Gonzalez and Shawn Green — will be in Phoenix for today’s split-squad game against Oakland. . . .
Closer Greg Aquino, who has a strained flexor mass in his right elbow, will not throw on the side today. . . .
Melvin praised the preparation and organization of pitching coach Mark Davis, who has a near-daily briefing on paper for his hurlers.
"We kill more trees than any camp I’ve been in," Melvin said. . . .
The start of Sunday’s game was delayed 25 minutes because of rain.
AT A GLANCE
D-Backs 8, White Sox 3 Notable pitching: Javier Vazquez allowed two hits and a run with a walk and three strikeouts in three innings. Mike Koplove allowed two hits and a run in an inning. Adam Peterson, Shane Nance, Jon Cannon and Randy Choate tossed a scoreless frame each. Notable hitting: Second baseman Craig Counsell had his first two hits of the spring and scored two runs. Third baseman Troy Glaus went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a sacrifice fly. Shortstop Royce Clayton went 2-for-2.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=37547
TUCSON - It is a statement that established, veteran pitchers make often after their first few spring training outings: "I was able to try some things I could not do during the regular season."
For some hurlers, that means general mechanics. Others, trying a pitch in certain situations.
Sometimes, the success of their personal experimenting is not indicated by the numbers on the scoreboard — but that does not matter, since their spot on the regular season roster is secure.
Younger pitchers fighting for a spot on the staff do not have that luxury, Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin said on Sunday.
"The guys who are trying to make the team are not coming out here to work on things — they are trying to impress," Melvin said. "Guys who have their spot on the team will do things differently because they need to work on things."
Take Arizona’s Javier Vazquez, who has been already named the openingday starter by Melvin. In his first Cactus League appearance on Sunday, Vazquez allowed two hits and a run in three innings (44 pitches) against the Chicago White Sox.
But for the veteran righthander, the statistics were not the ideal measure of his success.
"I was trying to work on my mechanics and get them where I want them," Vazquez said. "I usually do that during the first two or three games and not worry about whether I’m ready (for the regular season). I’ll get ready for that when I start going five or six innings."
In tonight’s split-squad game against Colorado in Tucson, Michael Gosling is the DBacks’ starting pitcher. The rookie left-hander will do very little tinkering and tweaking on the mound, as he is battling for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.
"You might go out there one day and say, ‘Well, I’m struggling with my curveball, so I am going to throw a bunch of curveballs,’ " Melvin said.
"A guy like Gosling or (rookie southpaw Brad) Halsey won’t do that."
STILL PATIENT
While young pitchers have a smaller margin for error, Melvin will not penalize them greatly for shaky outings early in spring.
Right-hander Brian Bruney, battling for a bullpen spot, had a long inning Saturday, allowing a run on a hit with two walks. Also, he got a warning for coming too far up and in to a hitter.
Last season, control problems earned Bruney (27 walks in 31 1 /3 innings in 2004) a demotion to Class AAA Tucson.
"He was rushing just a little at times (Saturday)," Melvin said. "Brian is a power guy, and early in the spring, they have a tendency to come open a bit, which pushes the ball up and in to (right-handed hitters).
"Once you have those mechanics settled and your feet wet a little bit, you settle in and get better."
INFIELD DOINGS
Reserve infielder Alex Cintron, who has played primarily at third base this spring, will start seeing time at shortstop, Melvin said. As a result, shortstop project Sergio Santos will play some at third.
Santos has been projected as a third baseman at the major league level.
"Nothing needs to be read into that," Melvin said. "I just need to get Alex some reps at shortstop."
Cintron played second base for Arizona down the stretch last season. But Melvin said most of the Cactus League work at second behind starter Craig Counsell will belong to Matt Kata.
SHORT HOPS
Most of the veterans — including Royce Clayton, Craig Counsell, Troy Glaus, Luis Gonzalez and Shawn Green — will be in Phoenix for today’s split-squad game against Oakland. . . .
Closer Greg Aquino, who has a strained flexor mass in his right elbow, will not throw on the side today. . . .
Melvin praised the preparation and organization of pitching coach Mark Davis, who has a near-daily briefing on paper for his hurlers.
"We kill more trees than any camp I’ve been in," Melvin said. . . .
The start of Sunday’s game was delayed 25 minutes because of rain.
AT A GLANCE
D-Backs 8, White Sox 3 Notable pitching: Javier Vazquez allowed two hits and a run with a walk and three strikeouts in three innings. Mike Koplove allowed two hits and a run in an inning. Adam Peterson, Shane Nance, Jon Cannon and Randy Choate tossed a scoreless frame each. Notable hitting: Second baseman Craig Counsell had his first two hits of the spring and scored two runs. Third baseman Troy Glaus went 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a sacrifice fly. Shortstop Royce Clayton went 2-for-2.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=37547
