Atomic RoadRunners

ESPN’s Buster Olney had some kudos on Adrian Gonzalez in today’s blog entry:

Looks like Adrian Gonzalez is entrenched as the Padres first baseman for good. Ryan Klesko, battling a bad shoulder, is going to Arizona this week to try to play in some extended spring games, and if he cannot bounce back, Klesko may have surgery that could sideline him for at least half of the season.

The Padres are undoubtedly a better team with Gonzalez in the lineup, because of his defense and his ability to put the ball in play. What makes the National League so interesting this year is that with such a collection of mediocrity, the sudden rise of one or two players could lift a team into position to challenge for the league title.

Maybe Gonzalez will be that kind of player for the Padres, who already are improved defensively and may be vastly improved once Mike Cameron returns to the lineup.

Also, Rich Aurilia had a good game at first base today – on the RoadRunner reserve squad.

Aurilia had a big day in his first career start at first base, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI as the Reds beat the Cubs 8-6. Aurilia will play all over the infield this year, including at first, where he had played just three innings in his whole career before Wednesday’s start. Aurilia hit cleanup today against left-handed Glendon Rusch. He should play over Scott Hatteberg against all lefties, and he might also prove to be the superior option against right-handers.  (from Rotoworld and Rotowire)

What’s nice is that both Adrian Gonzalez and Rich Aurilia were acquired in the draft for a total of $6 ($5 for Gonzalez, $1 for Aurilia).  Their purchases were really targeted as being players that would be worthwhile subs, as they were originally going to sit with the expected promotions of Prince Fielder for Gonzalez, and Ryan Zimmerman for Aurilia.  While Adam Dunn‘s move back to the outfield gives one of them an everyday roster spot, I must say that I’m pleased with these two acquisitions thus far (as of Day 3).

RotoAuthority’s Tim Dierkes has his Top Busts list, which was generated prior to the season. While hopefully Benitez can be explained away by injury, an ERA over 4.00 doesn’t bother me so much as not getting at least 30 saves. Also, with Mark Mulder making his first start tonight on the road against Philadelphia, here’s hoping Dierkes is wrong, as a good portion of the AaRr hopes rely on the contract-year performance of Mulder.

1. Alfonso Soriano
2. Miguel Tejada
3. Armando Benitez
4. Bobby Jenks
5. A.J. Burnett
6. Tim Hudson
7. Mark Mulder
8. Robinson Cano
9. Josh Beckett
10. Mike Lowell

Bryan Smith at Baseball Analysts has a great column today:

We knew this was coming, didn’t we Prince Fielder fantasy owners? As I mentioned during Fielder’s slow Spring Training, the big guy has a history of slow Aprils. So while 7 strikeouts in eight at-bats would be scary to any sane baseball fan, don’t lose confidence and start yearning for Lyle Overbay or … worse … Jeff Cirillo. Expect a gradual decrease in strikeouts as the year progresses, as well as an increase in home runs. Still a future star, as is Edwin Encarnacion, another highly touted young player with a bad debut. Patience is a virtue with phenoms.

I have began to think Chris Denorfia is the right third outfielder for [the Reds], if only because Adam Dunn‘s Opening Day performance might be the worst OF defense in the history of baseball … seriously.

I made a mistake. In picking preseason breakout candidates — and looking mighty deep for sleepers — I chose Ben Johnson. Johnson is currently being inexplicably blocked by the likes of Eric Young and Terrmel Sledge.

Khalil Greene continued from impressing me in spring to doing so in his first game; while many predicted Bobby Crosby to win AL MVP, it’s not a stretch to say former first-round mate Greene could be a better player in the end.

And an interesting take on Carlos Quentin‘s future with the Diamondbacks:

With the announcement that Justin Upton will begin the season two weeks late, in the Midwest League, playing centerfield, I won’t leave you with nothing. A rough senior year in the field provided evidence that Upton’s infield career was headed down the same path as his brother’s. His arm was so erratic in high school, but at the very least, it never lacked power.

If Carlos Gonzales breaks out to the degree that Jim Callis and Kevin Goldstein have predicted — and it’s tough to get two better backers — then we can say that Arizona now has four of the game’s best outfield prospects: Upton, Gonzales, Chris Young and Carlos Quentin. In the end, only three can fit into the long-term plans, so, who doesn’t fit?

Upton is obviously in the team’s future plans, and my guess is that he will stay in centerfield for quite some time – no better D-Back prospect has better speed. Besides, while Young’s range is fantastic, a move to left field could help minimize his one defensive weakness: a lack of arm strength. Young is in the team’s future, too, they chose to trade for him just a few months ago. These players are locks.

So it’s down to Quentin and Gonzales for the final spot, in right field. And simply put, I think the Diamondbacks have put a good majority of their chips behind the latter’s corner. Quentin has not been shown a lot of confidence from the organization that drafted him, as the club barely pursued the idea of trading Shawn Green to make room for him. Instead, it was Quentin’s name that was brought up in trade rumors, namely to the outfield starved St. Louis Cardinals.

When July rolls around, expect Arizona to really re-evaluate their outfield situation. If Gonzales hits the California League in a big way — and that is no bold prediction — then Quentin could be moving teams by August 1. Not often are top 20 prospects blocked in from above and behind, so some Major League organization must step up and take advantage. Any takers?

Given the RoadRunners’ outfield, I’d welcome a trade (with value) to get Quentin at bats, and the D’backs some good pitching prospects.  I bet Quentin would be a stellar OF alongside Hermida in Florida.  I don’t think St. Louis has anything that can match – maybe Anthony Reyes straight-up, or possibly Marquis with the cash to cover his salary – not likely.

From Rotoworld:

Kerry Wood (shoulder) is on the fast track during his rehab. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild thinks that Wood is doing so well in the rehab of his injured shoulder that he could return to the Cubs by the last week in April.

Armando Benitez played catch Tuesday, and trainer Stan Conte declared the pitcher’s inflamed left knee is better. In addition to his knee problems, Benitez was also suffering from a virus and had a 103-degree temperature for two days. “He was weak,” manager Felipe Alou said. “He was throwing the ball all right, then he got sick.” Benitez  isn’t expected to spend longer than two weeks on the disabled list, manager Felipe Alou told the San Francisco Chronicle. The Giants are focusing on his mechanics after a poor spring (23.48 spring ERA). “We’re really concentrating on his throwing, more than anything else,” trainer Stan Conte told the San Jose Mercury News. “The knee, I think we can get under control.”

From Rotoworld and Rotowire:

With Eric Gagne serving a two-game suspension, Danys Baez got a save chance tonight and pitched a scoreless ninth in a 5-4 win against the Braves.  Baez struck out one and allowed a hit that Jason Repko almost made a diving catch on.  Now we’ll be curious to see what happens if the Dodgers have another save opportunity on Wednesday. It’s early for a reliever to be working three straight days, but Baez has only thrown 28 pitches over the last two. He’ll probably get the nod again, but if not, Yhency Brazoban could be the choice.

Prince Fielder struck out three more times on Tuesday night, leaving seven men on base, and is 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts after two games.  We’re guessing Fielder is going to get a break tomorrow against lefty Zach Duke, with either Corey Hart or Jeff Cirillo starting at first. There’s no way he’s going to lose his job within the first few weeks, but manager Ned Yost may decide to have him switch lineup spots with No. 7 hitter Corey Koskie. Obviously this is not a good start for Fielder, but he is a young player with tremendous upside.

Matt Herges got roughed up in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 11-2 win over Houston, giving up both Astros runs on three hits and a walk. He could quickly find himself at the back of the bullpen, rather than a prime fantasy spot, if he keeps that up. 

Standings: 2nd, 72 points, 2.5 behind first place (Get Off Kong!, who vaulted 16 points)

BOX SCORE FOR 04.04
Atomic Roadrunners            ab  r  h  bi | bb so    avg
---------------------------------------------------------
Prince Fielder       Mil 1B    5  0  0   0 |  0  3   .000
Jeff Kent            LAD 2B    4  1  2   0 |  0  1   .500
J.J. Hardy           Mil SS    5  0  1   1 |  0  0   .250
---------------------------------------------------------
Totals                        14  1  3   1 |  0  4   .214
---------------------------------------------------------

RBI: JHardy 1(2)

PITCHING                          ip  h  r er bb ibb so bf   era whip
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Dan Wheeler                      1.0  0  0  0  0   0  2  3   0.00 0.00
Danys Baez        S(1)           1.0  1  0  0  0   0  1  4   0.00 1.00
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Totals                           2.0  1  0  0  0   0  3  7   0.00 0.50
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RESERVE HITTING               ab  r  h  bi | bb so    avg
---------------------------------------------------------
Matt Diaz            Atl OF    1  1  1   0 |  0  0   1.00
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Totals                         1  1  1   0 |  0  0   1.00
---------------------------------------------------------

2B: MDiaz 1(1)

RESERVE PITCHING                  ip  h  r er bb ibb so bf    era whip
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Matt Herges                      1.0  3  2  2  1   0  0  7   18.00 4.00
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Totals                           1.0  3  2  2  1   0  0  7  18.00 4.00
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