Commish’s Offerings
Rick Hummel is presented by:
Fast Eddie’s Bon Air
in Alton, Illinois
Two games in, here are some takeaways from the Cardinals' camp:
The kids are all right
Jordan Walker, who may have read about Johnny Cueto but never faced him, pounced on a sinker and hit it 430 feet for his first hit and homer of the spring on Sunday But, equally as impressive, if not more so, was the 6-foot-5, 20-year-old beating out a grounder to third and making a catch in the sun in left field at Roger Dean Stadium.
"These guys, when they come in and see how important defense is to 'Goldy (Paul Goldschmidt)' and Nolan (Arenado), they start to take more ownership of it,” said manager Oliver Marmol. “It's a big deal.”
Shortstop Masyn Winn, also 20, singled in his first two at-bats on Sunday and also showed Marmol he has slowed the game down in the field and is not rushing plays, as had been his penchant. Winn was in the lineup at shortstop Monday.
"“He's not trying to show off the arm,”said Marmol. “He's just playing the game at a good cadence.”
The kids are all right, Part Two:
Nolan Gorman, 22, who hit 30 homers between Class AAA Memphis and the majors last season, singled twice on Sunday. Normally, he doesn't hit many singles but Marmol said he had been impressed by the change in Gorman's swing, enabling him to hit the high fastball.
"It's a real bat,” said Marmol. “And we can use it, especially when you look at him truly addressing the whole top-of-the-zone-deal (with the fastball). He looks different. And he's going to play different. That's the reality.
"I believe this is going to play at a much higher rate. He's going to be able to help us if he continues doing what he's doing.”
WBC looms
The exodus has begun for World Baseball Classic players. Infielder Tommy Edman, who will play for Korea at Tokyo, was to take off Monday--he took ground balls during drills before the game--and outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who is starting in center field against the New York Mets, will leave on Tuesday to join his Japan club in Tokyo.
Right-hander Andre Pallante, who will pitch for Italy and is to work today, also is due to leave sometime Tuesday.
(EDIT: Pallante told me after the game he isn't leaving until Saturday because he wanted to pitch once more for the Cardinals)
Donovan on the move
After making his first start at second base and hitting a home run, versatile Brendan Donovan was at third Monday. . “It will be good to keep Donovan sharp at multiple positions so we will continue to move him around,” Marmol. “That is a big part of his value.”
Left is right
Left-handed relief was one of the Cardinals' downfalls last year but, on Saturday,. Zack Thompson, Genesis Cabrera and Packy Naughton all spun a scoreless inning. The three needed only 32 pitches among them.
“It was a productive day for all of them,” said Marmol.
VerHagen back in picture
Right-hander Drew VerHagen, who battled injuries in his initial season with the Cardinals, threw an impresive, albeit short (five pitches), on Sunday.
“He's an interesting piece,” said Marmol. “At the end of the day, he has much swing-and-miss as anybody. If we can get the right version of him, it could be real.
"“I'm excited to see him in this camp.”
Gomez impresses
The ball has been jumping off the bat of outfielder Moises Gomez, who had two singles and a double in his first four at-bats. He hit 39 homers to lead the minors last year.
"“His main focus is in not leaving the zone and swinging at that slider down and away, which he did a decent amout of in the minor leagues," Marmol said.
Discussion, no fine
Marmol said he had discussions with Major League Baseball representatives about his pointed criticism of umpire C. B. Bucknor and Bucknor's manners on Saturday. He deferred further comment but apparently there has been no fine yet. Bucknor is set to work Monday's game here.
NOTE: Marmol and Bucknor did shake hands at home plate exchange of lineup cards.
