Blame It On The Rain (and a few spring training thoughts)

Well, today's game never started (rained out). That's okay. Let's look at some highlights of spring training thus far. Warning: I know that spring training games are often played against B-list lineups and it's a very small sample (less than 20 at bats). So everything is to be considered with rational expectations.


Jose Bautista

It seems like everyone (myself included) was angry to hear that he was Cito's choice to start the season in right field. The popular choice was to have Travis Snider take his rightful place as Vernon's "left-hand man". However, he has really surprised everyone this spring, sporting an astronomical 2.214 OPS (just to show you how skewed small sample statistics are). 3 HR's in 14 AB's may have something to do with it.

Aaron Hill

Coming off an awesome year, which saw him hit 36 HR's and 108 RBI's, all the critics dismissed the idea of him duplicating his 2009 campaign. This was based mostly on the fact that he was overly aggressive early in counts, and was appearing like a "hit-or-miss" batter. His preseason approach seems to be much more patient: 7 BB in five games, which has translated into a .786 OBP. I wonder if this is simply because he's facing mediocre/half-assed pitching, or if he's actually laying off trash. It's hard to tell since there haven't been any telecasts of the games, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Keep it up A-Dog!

Mike McCoy

Whoa, honestly didn't even know who this guy was a week ago, but he's making the case for a roster spot with the big boys. Spent 2009 hanging around the Rockies' system (played 12 games in the bigs). The Jays signed Alex Gonzalez 2010 edition in the off season, and I'm sure the starting job is still his. Johnny Mac, a mainstay of the Blue Jays dugout, will presumably take his usual spot (which last year was reduced mostly to pinch running on account of Marco Scutaro's killer year). What, then, is Cito et al going to do with our boy McCoy. According to Mike "Mecca" Wilner:

McCoy is a guy who values on-base and who has great speed. He thinks that if he plays his game he could eventually work his way into the line-up at shortstop, and so do I.

Interesting... Survivor - Jays Shortstop - continues.

Vernon Wells

I'm going to have to write an entire treatise on V-Dub soon but in short, I was telling Sister Turf of Dreams that he would disappoint me if he didn't show up in great shape, ready to play. He has not disappointed me. OPS of 1.192 and a dinger. Good to see from a guy who "starts out slow".

Shaun Marcum

If you think the batting sample sizes are small, the pitching is even worse. I feel foolish trying to analyze pitching performances for 5 IP. Screw it, that's what spring training is all about. Marcum has looked good returning from Tommy John surgery: No earned runs over five innings and a WHIP of 0.40. Many blogs, including MLBastian, have noted that Marcum is slotted to be the opening day starter if they keep to the current rotation of pitchers. This pleases me.

Ricky Romero

Sister Turf of Dreams says he looks like a character from the wire. Can't remember who it was. I responded with L.L. Cool J. Either way, a man of many familiar faces, Romero has put together five strong innings, only allowing a single earned run. Pretty good WHIP at 1.20. Also, everyone's talking about his "confidence". Gotta love those intangibles.

Dustin McGowan

Since The Trade, Dustin has taken over the title of Turf of Dreams' favourite pitcher. Ever since he took a no-hitter into the 9th against Colorado on a beautiful Skydome afternoon, he's been our boy. Plus, Sister Turf of Dreams loves the mutton-chops (although they're out of commission for now). Many were openly wondering if the man would ever pitch again, but it seems like he's in the clear (*knock on wood*). He felt good after a simulated game on March 9th. Details and a look at his new "right-down-to-business" look can be seen here.

I'd also like to point out that Kyle Drabek tossed three scoreless innings yesterday, raising our hope that we may see a piece of The Trade in powder blue (or home whites or away grays) at some point this season. Nice.

Let's go Blue Jays!