As the regular season creeps closer and closer, the excitement for real baseball is rising. Every day, Pitcher List is providing an overview of the top news and performances of the previous day’s Spring Training games. So let’s check out what you might’ve missed.
News
- The Pittsburgh Pirates made the decision to option star prospect Oneil Cruz to Triple-A. After finishing the 2021 season with a brief two-game stint with the big league club, Cruz will start the 2022 season in Indianapolis. It appears as though Kevin Newman will serve as the team’s Opening Day option at shortstop.
- LaMonte Wade Jr. will start the season on the Injured List. The 28-year old outfielder left Monday’s Spring Training game after suffering a knee injury. The Giants will shut down Wade for 10 days before re-evaluating him.
- The White Sox added outfield depth on Tuesday in the form of Adam Haseley. Chicago agreed to a deal to ship minor league pitcher McKinley Moore to the Phillies in exchange for the 25-year-old Haseley.
- On Tuesday it was announced that the player to be named later in the trade that sent Jesse Winker to Seattle would be right-handed pitching prospect Connor Phillips. In Phillips, the Reds get the Mariners’ No. 15 prospect to complement the three other prospects acquired in the deal.
- José Ureña inked a minor league contract with the Brewers on Tuesday with an invite to major league camp. Milwaukee hopes it’s receiving the pitcher that posted back-to-back sub 4.00 ERA seasons in 2017 and 2018.
- Relief pitcher AJ Ramos will miss the entire 2022 season after being diagnosed with torn shoulder capsule. The righty had been in Angels camp as a non-roster invitee. The injury adds to a long list in recent years as Ramos has seen time in just seven games over the past three seasons.
Top Hitting Performances
Francisco Lindor (SS, New York Mets): 2-for-2, HR, 4 RBI, R, BB
After a disappointing first season in New York, Lindor turned in another strong performance on Tuesday. The Mets’ shortstop connected in the third inning for a home run off Pablo López and added another hit and a walk as well for a well-rounded line.
Shohei Ohtani (DH, Los Angeles Angels): 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
Once again, Ohtani left us thinking, “what can’t this guy do?” The Angels superstar blasted an opposite-field home run in the fourth inning that made the type of sound only a Shohei Ohtani home run swing can make. The pitcher-DH hybrid tallied another hit and a walk in the game as well.
https://twitter.com/SotoP_23/status/1508919088327761923
Carlos Correa (SS, Minnesota Twins): 1-for-3, HR, RBI, 2 R
The Twins’ new shortstop gave fans something so salivate over on Tuesday when Correa belted his first home run of the spring—marking his first with his new club. Minnesota will hope that they’ll be seeing many more of those over the life of Correa’s contract.
Joey Bart (C, San Fransisco Giants): 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
With Buster Posey gone, Joey Bart is left with an opportunity to take the reigns as the Giants’ No. 1 catcher. He helped his case on Tuesday with two hits—one a home run—two RBI and a run scored.
Tyler Stephenson (C, Cincinnati Reds): 3-for-4, BB
The Reds might have gotten rid of a lot of their talent, but Stephenson is one of the few holdovers. The Cincinnati backstop showed what he can do against the Rangers on Tuesday, reaching base safely in four of his five at-bats, including three hits.
Jose Altuve (2B, Houston Astros): 2-for-3
At 31 years old, Jose Altuve doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Tuesday’s 2-for-3 line was just another example of this for the Astros’ second baseman.
Top Pitching Performances
Justin Verlander (SP, Houston Astros): 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K, BB
Verlander looks back to his old self after recovering from Tommy John surgery. On Tuesday the 39-year old fanned six batters in just four innings of work and didn’t surrender a run.
Justin Verlander, K'ing the Side. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RKgf9XfssI
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 29, 2022
Sean Manaea (SP, Oakland Athletics): 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 7 K, BB
While Manaea’s name might be floating in trade rumors, it doesn’t seem to be bothering the A’s lefty. On Tuesday he looked dominant striking out seven batters across 5.2 innings, while only allowing one earned run. Whether Manaea sticks in Oakland or ends up elsewhere, it appears whichever team he plays for will be a very happy camper.
Carlos Rodón (SP, San Fransisco Giants): 4 IP, H, 0 ER, 4 K
Giants free agent signing Carlos Rodón turned in a strong start on Tuesday. He blanked the Padres for four innings and struck out four hitters.
Mitch Keller (SP, Pittsburgh Pirates): 4 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 4 K
Mitch Keller has been an enigma in his short MLB career. The young Pirate has seen a gap between his peripherals and on-field performance. Tuesday, however, Keller looked sharp, not allowing a run in four innings as well as striking out four batters.
Chris Bassitt (SP, New York Mets): 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3K
With Tuesday’s performance, Bassitt might make the A’s regret dealing him. The newly acquired Bassitt threw 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out three.
What to Watch for Today
What to watch from SP on TV today
Winder – Can he earn #5 rotation spot?
Irvin – 93? New CT/SL?
Anderson – Lots o' strikes?
Houck – SL strikes?
Skubal – SL/CH whiffs?
Gibson – Decent?
Cease – FB/CH/CB command?
Carrasco – SL/CH whiffs?
Gallen – CH/SL/CB good?
Paddack – Elite FB?— Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) March 30, 2022
Graphic by Michael Packard (@artbyMikeP on Twitter & IG)