Results tagged ‘ Cale Iorg ’
Before the First TV Game of the Spring
The Tigers made what I think were the first real cuts of the spring today. Yes, a few pitchers were sent down last week, but we all knew they weren’t going to have an impact on this year’s team anyways. Sent down to the minors/minor league camp were Cale Iorg, Alex Avila, Chris Lambert, Michael Hollimon, Zach Simmons, and Casper Wells. Most would agree that these players were also among the ones not expected to even be under consideration for the team. I don’t completely agree.
Avila was 4-7 on the spring. In my mind, that is good enough to stay in camp until he shows that the “real players” are overpowering him. Iorg had started hot, but has since tapered off. Hollimon didn’t get a hit this spring, but was also slowed by a minor injury to a finger. The important thing for Hollimon is to be healthy so that he can resume his role as infield insurance like he did before injury last year. Wells also did not hit well this spring. Zach Simmons had the worst ERA among Tigers pitchers, so his being sent down is no surprise. Despite getting tagged hard against Flordia Southern, Lambert did not allow an earned run in Grapefruit League competition. In my book, this also should have kept him in camp, considerig some of the ERAs that the “legitimate” contenders have right now.
Speaking of the contenders, I am very happy with Nate Robertson’s last time out. His ERA is much much more acceptable than it was before. In fact, he even has a lower ERA than Justin Verlander right now. Of the big three (Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Zach Miner), I’d consider Robertson to be the front runner for the rotation spot. However, Rick Porcello is still in the mix.
Fantasy Roster Part 2
The Tigers sit on 2-2 on the spring. This is one of the last games before we lose people for the WBC. This is Granderson’s last game before leaving for Team USA and the last before Guillen, Cabrera, Ordonez, and Galarraga leave for Team Venezuela. Anyways, after four spring games, my performance based roster sits as follows:
Position Players
Alex Avila
Brandon Inge
Don Kelly
Casper Wells
Gerald Laird
Placido Polanco
Miguel Cabrera
Ramon Santiago
Mike Hessman
Gary Sheffield
Clete Thomas
Adam Everett
Marcus Thames
Pitchers
Kyle Bloom
Freddy Dolsi
Edwin Jackson
Chris Lambert
Macay McBride
Zach Miner
Clay Rapada
Juan Rincon
Bobby Seay
Justin Verlander
Scott Williamson
Joel Zumaya
I feel the need to put some explanations on this list. I had to take Thames over Cale Iorg because the team needed more OF than IF, even though they have the same batting averages so far. On the pitching side, there were more than 12 who have an ERA of 0, but I left off Brandon Lyon because of the unearned runs against him, and Fu-Te Ni because I don’t believe he will make the team under most any circumstance.
Notable among those who are not on this list include Armando Galarraga, Nate Robinson, Fernando Rodney, Dontrelle Willis, Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, Ryan Raburn, and Matt Treanor. Now, Willis and Rodney have only pitched one inning each so far. Nate and Armando also have only seen one game. Treanor is not on this team for his ability to swing the bat, but we need a capable backup catcher. Guillen is batting 1 for 10 coming into today, so no doubt the Classic will have him on track. While Granderson is only 1 for 6, he is drawing walks, so his average will get a pass until he returns. Ordonez is 1 for 7, and like Guillen his bat will probably come around for the Classic. Raburn, who might end up playing himself off the team is Casper Wells continues to swing well, is 0 for 4 with a few walks.
I think its safe to say that most people are pleased with how Inge is playing so far. Among the surprises for me is that Wells and Clete Thomas are both still on my stats only roster. Granted the numbers don’t say much, its good to see that the rookies can push the vets when needed. Kyle Bloom and Clay Rapada are also pleasant surprises to be on the list still. I’m also glad to see Juan Rincon and Scott Williamson being productive early on. That goes back to my prediction before the spring games started when I said I’ve give an inside edge to veteran arms over young ones who can use more conditioning.
A Different Kind of Game
The Tigers are two games into the spring schedule, with a record of 1-1, which doesn’t matter at all. I made my prediction for the 25-man roster, and I stick by that. However, if I were to play it another way, I’d make my team performanced based. I’d take the best batting averages and lowers ERAs and figure it all out from there. As a way to track the grapefruit league progress I’ll make more rosters every now and then to see if players get better, worse, or stay consistent. So, my stats driven roster, as of today, is…..
Brandon Inge
Casper Wells
Gerald Laird
Ramon Santiago
Curtis Granderson
Adam Everett
Placido Polanco
Clete Thomas
Miguel Cabrera
Magglio Ordonez
These are the only players with a batting average so far. Since I need at least 12 position players, I’ll add….
Cale Iorg
Ryan Raburn
Both with .500 OBP
Pitching will be….everyone. Since only 13 pitchers have been used, everyone makes the team in this game, for now.
Kyle Bloom
Edwin Jackson
Brandon Lyon
Macay McBride
Zach Miner
Fu-Te Ni
Clay Rapada
Justin Verlander
Bobby Seay
Joel Zumaya
Eddie Bonine
Nate Robertson
Rick Porcello
On this grins and giggles team, we have five guys who have never seen a major league roster before. The only one who this doesn’t effect is Bloom, the Rule 5 pick who’ll have to stay on the roster all year if he makes the team at all, otherwise he gets offered back to Pittsburgh at half price.
Also, Robertson and Porcello are on the bubble, having ERAs at 9.00 (aka 1 ER per inning). So the next pitcher who does better than that knocks one or both off my performance list. Likewise, Raburn and Iorg have no batting average to speak of, so the next two or three Tigers to get a hit will be above them.
Practicallity wise, I have 5 players who could start, Brandon Lyon, my projected closer, and seven other pitchers to fill out a bullpen. Position wise, I have one real catcher in Laird and two guys who could catch in a pinch (Raburn and Inge, if you look past the fact that they will never really catch again). I can put together a real outfield, with real position players and backups/utilities/supersubs to provide depth anywhere, infield or outfield. So go ahead and call the all-performance team crazy, even if it has only been two games and the regular season is like 40 days away.
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