Spring Training

Archive for the ‘Spring Training’ Category

Random Roster Notes

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
by Geoff Young

Brian Giles saw his first action this spring on Monday. He went 0-for-2 against the Diamondbacks in Tucscon, but who cares? The important thing is, he was in the lineup and able to play right field. Quoth Giles: This was a pretty good test. I know it was only three innings, but the conditions weren't that good out there. It's a little wet in the outfield, and it's windy and cold. Meanwhile, Rule V draftee Callix Crabbe is pushing hard to make the Padres' Opening Day roster. Batting eighth and starting at third base on Monday, Crabbe singled twice and doubled in three trips to the plate. He's hitting .415 this spring, which doesn't tell us as much as his career .369 OBP ...

Keep reading >>

Posted in Roster Notes, Spring Training | 41 Comments »

Everywhere but Here

Thursday, March 13, 2008
by Geoff Young

I'm all over the place today: How to Quit Your Job and Write a Book (Or Two) (BallHype). I posted this in the comments on Wednesday, but here's a little "behind-the-scenes" look at the process of writing the Ducksnorts Baseball Annuals. Arizona Dreaming (Baseball Digest Daily). In spring training, what happens before the game is at least as interesting as what happens during the game. Where Are They Now: Top Prospects of '98, #41-50 (Knuckle Curve). The latest installment in my look back at the top young players from a ...

Keep reading >>

Posted in 2008 Annual, Spring Training | 75 Comments »

Padres tickets Chargers tickets Sports tickets

Quick Thoughts from Peoria

Monday, March 10, 2008
by Geoff Young

Just bullet points this morning: Bud Black, Wally Joyner, and Rick Renteria all threw during the big-league session we watched. Darrel Akerfelds pitched to minor leaguers over at the next field. Tadahito Iguchi had a nice batting practice session on Sunday. He showed more power than I'd expected. Tony Clark's kid scored 13 goals in two soccer games on Saturday. Relevant? Probably not, but that's the kind of thing you learn while watching guys take batting practice. Some lady asked, and he answered. Rock on. Colt Morton is a big dude. I already knew this, but it bears repeating. He also scalded a ball during Sunday's game against the White Sox, right back through the middle. Randy Wolf looked good on the mound. I didn't see any gun readings, but ...

Keep reading >>

Posted in Spring Training | 11 Comments »

Cactus League Photos

Saturday, March 8, 2008
by Geoff Young

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR. See full photo set at Flickr. How cool was Friday's game? I'm talking about all the Ducksnorters, of course. I hung out with Lance all day, and met up with LynchMob, Bruce (and dad), and Aaron at various points. I'd say that was pretty cool. I even managed to catch a foul ball off the bat of Luis Rodriguez. First time I've ever caught a foul ball at a game. For whatever spring training performances might be worth, our Chris Young looked terrific. Scott Hairston hit the ball hard every time up, resulting in a homer and a double. He also got ...

Keep reading >>

Posted in Spring Training | 20 Comments »

I’ll Trade You Box Scores for a Time Machine

Sunday, March 2, 2008
by Geoff Young

Actual games, eh? Nice. The Padres lost on Friday and won on Saturday. Rookie Chase Headley, bidding for a spot in the San Diego outfield, homered and drove in four runs in the victory. Be sure to read a lot into that. Hey, I like having box scores to look at again, but seriously, it's March 2. Randy Wolf had a "rough start" Saturday, throwing 30 pitches in the process. Friday's starter, Shawn Estes, threw the same number in his outing. Why is Estes a candidate for the #5 spot in the rotation? On a related note, has anyone invented a time machine yet? I was pretty good in 1997, too... at something, I'm sure. Wolf was good this century, so he's ...

Keep reading >>

Posted in Spring Training | 24 Comments »

Spring Training Notes (19 Feb 08)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008
by Geoff Young

I kind of run on autopilot around here sometimes and forget to ask y'all what you want. Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like me to focus on this spring or whatever. I'm open to suggestions, but if I don't hear anything, I'll just assume all is well and keep doing whatever the heck it is I do around here. Meanwhile, back to our February optimism: Jim Edmonds underwent an insane workout regimen this past off-season (hat tip to Coronado Mike). Quoth personal trainer Jim Moss, a member of the Los Angeles County SWAT team: I told him that just because we're 38 doesn't mean we're over the hill. ...

Keep reading >>

Posted in Notes and Links, Spring Training | 57 Comments »

Bad Pitching Performances, Book and Spring Training Updates

Thursday, January 17, 2008
by Geoff Young

Three things on the agenda today. Four if you count "an almost fanatical devotion to the pope," but I digress... Bad Pitching Performances I've got a new article up at Hardball Times: "Ten pitching seasons to forget." Three of these guys once pitched for the Padres. One was Mark Davis, which gave me an excuse to revisit the Keltner List I did for him over at Baseball Think Factory many moons ago. Steve Arlin merited an honorable mention for his 1973 season with the Padres. Before I added an innings-pitched component to the formula, Arlin made my top 10. Here's the writeup on him that got left on the ...

Keep reading >>

Posted in 2008 Annual, Spring Training | 53 Comments »