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Now that there has been a good sample size I will share my thoughts on the team. I have been to 8 of the 12 games thus far.
Im going to dive right into the pitching:
Jorge De La Rosa- Looks terrible absolutely terrible, if he is supposed to be our ace he better shape up. He is leaving the ball up in the zone and he is getting hammered. Worst part is its effecting his attitude and seems to be doing worse each start he has. His play has been alarming but can be fixed, but attitude adjustment seems to be the first place to start.
Juan Nicasio- Really hot and cold. One inning he will be dealing and picking guys off, the next he is serving balls over the middle of the plate. Early control issues but I believe he'll fix it and should be fine.
Chacin- Looked like his normal self when here he should be fine. Added a new pitch as well I believe.
Drew Pomeranz- Still struggling and battling for a spot in the rotation. With all his talent its shocking that he still can't figure it out. Fighting off Chris Volstad for the 5th spot in the rotation.
Jeff Francis- The ole reliable. The one game he played the ball was kept down. He is fine
Chris Volstad- Surprise of the camp, pitching wise anyways. He has been great keeping the ball down forcing ground outs. His only bad game was against the USA team, so a lineup full of all stars. At this point i'd take him and his sinker ball over Pomeranz.
Bullpen is same as last year except Corpas has a chance to make the roster and the addition of Wilton Lopez.
Wilton Lopez- This was a great great great get. The guy brings the stuff, his era may seem high for ST but don't kid yourself he will be our best reliever. IMO he should be our closer and Betancourt shout go back to being the setup man.
Positional Players
Willin Rosario- Brings his beefy bat as always, but has improved the D. Still doesn't handle dirt balls well but at least he is keeping the balls in front of him. His arm to the bases is better, so at worst he keeps the runners honest.
Todd Helton- Has played 2 games. Same Helton we know. Leadership, good glove at 1st, but has no pop on the bat. With emergence of EYJ and Arenado it will be interesting to see how many games he plays.
Ruthledge- Getting the guy we got last season. Has all but locked up the starting 2nd job to me.
Tulo- You know what you got here. Looks fine off the injury. Bat has been a little slow in spring like always. But he did blast a ball out of the ball park against the angels yesterday. No worries here
Chris Nelson- Bad spring, and couldn't come at the worst time. Arenado should take his spot.
Nolan Arenado- The star of spring. Power to all sides of the field. A great glove and arm at 3rd. If he is not on the roster and the starting 3rd baseman I will already give up on Walt Weiss. Tulo, Cargo, Rosario, and Arenado the power in the middle of our lineup is ridiculous. If this team actually had a rotation it would have been a title contender.
Dexter Fowler- Great defense, obviously. Been seeing the ball well on both sides of the plate. Has been given green light to go. Might be our 2 hole hitter with EYJ
Cuddyer- Nothing spectacular to note but overall solid.
Eric Young Jr.- Should be our starting LF. His speed always amazes me, he beats out routine ground balls. Still gets picked off more than he should. Got doubled up badly yesterday on a line drive.
Colvin- Not a flashy spring, has not showed much power at the plate but we know its there.
Those are the players I noticed and followed intently. Honestly, I'm a little nervous, outside of Arenado, that none of our minor league players look ready for the majors. But one thing is clear, this team is going to score runs, and this team wants Double plays.
Im going to dive right into the pitching:
Jorge De La Rosa- Looks terrible absolutely terrible, if he is supposed to be our ace he better shape up. He is leaving the ball up in the zone and he is getting hammered. Worst part is its effecting his attitude and seems to be doing worse each start he has. His play has been alarming but can be fixed, but attitude adjustment seems to be the first place to start.
Juan Nicasio- Really hot and cold. One inning he will be dealing and picking guys off, the next he is serving balls over the middle of the plate. Early control issues but I believe he'll fix it and should be fine.
Chacin- Looked like his normal self when here he should be fine. Added a new pitch as well I believe.
Drew Pomeranz- Still struggling and battling for a spot in the rotation. With all his talent its shocking that he still can't figure it out. Fighting off Chris Volstad for the 5th spot in the rotation.
Jeff Francis- The ole reliable. The one game he played the ball was kept down. He is fine
Chris Volstad- Surprise of the camp, pitching wise anyways. He has been great keeping the ball down forcing ground outs. His only bad game was against the USA team, so a lineup full of all stars. At this point i'd take him and his sinker ball over Pomeranz.
Bullpen is same as last year except Corpas has a chance to make the roster and the addition of Wilton Lopez.
Wilton Lopez- This was a great great great get. The guy brings the stuff, his era may seem high for ST but don't kid yourself he will be our best reliever. IMO he should be our closer and Betancourt shout go back to being the setup man.
Positional Players
Willin Rosario- Brings his beefy bat as always, but has improved the D. Still doesn't handle dirt balls well but at least he is keeping the balls in front of him. His arm to the bases is better, so at worst he keeps the runners honest.
Todd Helton- Has played 2 games. Same Helton we know. Leadership, good glove at 1st, but has no pop on the bat. With emergence of EYJ and Arenado it will be interesting to see how many games he plays.
Ruthledge- Getting the guy we got last season. Has all but locked up the starting 2nd job to me.
Tulo- You know what you got here. Looks fine off the injury. Bat has been a little slow in spring like always. But he did blast a ball out of the ball park against the angels yesterday. No worries here
Chris Nelson- Bad spring, and couldn't come at the worst time. Arenado should take his spot.
Nolan Arenado- The star of spring. Power to all sides of the field. A great glove and arm at 3rd. If he is not on the roster and the starting 3rd baseman I will already give up on Walt Weiss. Tulo, Cargo, Rosario, and Arenado the power in the middle of our lineup is ridiculous. If this team actually had a rotation it would have been a title contender.
Dexter Fowler- Great defense, obviously. Been seeing the ball well on both sides of the plate. Has been given green light to go. Might be our 2 hole hitter with EYJ
Cuddyer- Nothing spectacular to note but overall solid.
Eric Young Jr.- Should be our starting LF. His speed always amazes me, he beats out routine ground balls. Still gets picked off more than he should. Got doubled up badly yesterday on a line drive.
Colvin- Not a flashy spring, has not showed much power at the plate but we know its there.
Those are the players I noticed and followed intently. Honestly, I'm a little nervous, outside of Arenado, that none of our minor league players look ready for the majors. But one thing is clear, this team is going to score runs, and this team wants Double plays.
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