The first sure thing--if there is such a thing for non-poster boys in spring training--is that veteran right-hander Junior Guerra, a onetime starting pitcher in the American Association, will open the season in the major leagues with the Los Angeles Angels.
Although a regular
on major league pitching staffs since 2017, the 36-year-old, who went 18-7 in
two seasons at Wichita ('11, '13), entered the Angels' camp this spring as a
non-roster player. The native Venezuelan
won a promotion to the 40-man roster this week, and seems certain to be on Joe
Maddon's 26-man opening day roster.
While Guerra's
immediate future seems settled, the intrigue remains for many of the 30 non-roster
players as well as a few of the other former Independent Baseball players with
40-man roster status who started the spring in major league camps. Opening day is little more than two weeks
away so the palms are likely to be sweating each time one of these players gets
into an exhibition game.
Prime examples
can be found in the Chicago White Sox camp in Arizona and at Tampa Bay's base
in Florida.
Pecos and United
League grad Yermin Mercedes, who got into his only major league game last
season, could be the second or third catcher for the Chisox, or he could be
back in the minor leagues if Tony LaRussa and company decide two backstops are
sufficient.
The debate
between two and three has heightened by the fact vet Yasmani Grandal has been
slowed by a knee injury. Mercedes and
Zach Collins seem to be next in the picture.
“Competition is
good right now,” Mercedes told MLB.com.
“Just working hard here with the coaches. They are giving their support for everybody
here. Just believe in everybody and give
them the chance. Doing the best we can
do. We are feeling good with the coaches
and Tony.” The 28-year-old has hit .273 (6-for-22) in 11 Cactus League
appearances with three doubles and six runs batted.
The Tampa Bay
competition is heightened by the fact the defending American League champions
had 15 members of its extremely deep pitching staff with 0.00 earned run
averages this spring entering Grapefruit League play Wednesday. That group included Indy grads Chris Mazza
(Southern Maryland, Atlantic League, and San Rafael, Pacific Association) and
non-roster Brian Moran (Bridgeport, Atlantic).
Both have made three appearances.
Also seemingly in the picture are Dietrich Enns (2.70 ERA) and returning
free agent Chaz Roe. Enns worked in the
City of Champions Cup league in Joliet, IL last summer while Roe has spent time
in the American Association. Nick
Anderson, who started his career in the Frontier League (Rockford and Frontier
Greys), is anchored in a relief job, likely as a closer.
This
'n That--Sioux City
product (American Association) John Nogowski is making a stiff bid to stick on
St. Louis's bench by hitting .333 (6-for-18) with a homer and eight RBI. The first baseman had one four-hit
contest...It may be too much of an uphill battle this spring, but onetime Fargo
(American Association) catcher Nick Kahle has a double and homer among three
hits and only five official plate appearances.
He also has four RBI in four games for Milwaukee...lefty Zac Rosscup,
re-signed by Colorado and a product of the Constellation Energy League in Sugar
Land, TX last summer, has made two scoreless appearances (1.1 IP) for the
Rockies...Tim Dillard has called it quits after 18 pro seasons, including
several major league stints and Indy time with Lancaster (Atlantic League) and
Milwaukee (American Association)...Toronto signed free agent right-hander James
Dykstra once again. His Independent
experience was in the Atlantic League (Southern Maryland and Sugar Land) as
well as with Sioux City.
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