Quick notes -- Orioles vs. Cardinals
The Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals played two games in the Grapefruit League today. The Orioles lost the early meeting, 6-5, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and later suffered a 3-1 loss in the night matchup in Jupiter, Fla.
Game 1 final score: Cardinals 6, Orioles 5
Thumbs up
Craig Brazell -- Today's game wasn't a remarkable performance by the 29-year-old first baseman, who received a non-roster invitation to camp, but it's notable because Brazell picked up his first hit of the spring. Brazell was 1-for-1 against the Cardinals after taking over for Aubrey Huff at first base.
Nolan Reimold -- I'm listing the 25-year-old outfielder in this category even though he was 0-for-2 at the plate. Reimold walked twice in the game, showing good plate discipline, and he also demonstrated tremendous defense by throwing Albert Pujols out at third base from right field. He also had a diving catch in the game, which should help to quiet some of the criticisms about his defensive skills.
Justin Turner -- The 24-year-old infielder was 2-for-2 in the early game after replacing Brian Roberts at second base. Turner hit an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning. He also had a stolen base and a run scored in the game. For the spring, Turner is hitting .364 (8-for-22) with one home run and six RBIs in 13 games.
Matt Wieters -- The top prospect continues to light up the opposition for the Orioles this spring. Wieters collected another two hits against the Cardinals, but they were in a different way than normal -- both were infield hits. The 22-year-old catcher is hitting .440 (11-for-25) with one home run and five RBIs in 11 Grapefruit League games.
Thumbs down
Donnie Murphy -- Expected to compete for a utility role with the Orioles, Murphy continues to struggle this spring. The 25-year-old player was 0-for-4 with four runners left on base in the afternoon game. He is batting .130 (3-for-23) with one home run and two RBIs in 14 games during the Grapefruit League.
Hayden Penn -- The 24-year-old right-hander isn't living up to my expectations so far this spring, and his chances of opening the season in the rotation for the Orioles are growing slim. Penn allowed two runs and seven hits in three innings. He walked one hitter and struck out two in the outing. In three appearances, Penn is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. I'm still not giving up on him because he will be a very good pitcher in the future.
Game 2 final score: Cardinals 3, Orioles 1
Thumbs up
Jolbert Cabrera -- With Murphy and Chris Gomez struggling offensively so far this spring, the 36-year-old veteran is quietly sneaking into the discussion for a utility role. While he is still facing long odds to make the Orioles out of spring training, Cabrera has been playing well recently. He was 3-for-4 with a run scored tonight, which brings his batting average in the Grapefruit League to .429.
Lou Montanez -- Similar to Reimold in the first game, the 27-year-old outfielder flashed his defensive ability against the Cardinals in the nightcap. Montanez threw out Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel at home plate in the sixth inning. Offensively, Montanez was 1-for-4 with a strikeout in the game, and he is hitting .333 (10-for-30) in the Grapefruit League.
Alfredo Simon -- The 27-year-old right-hander pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk. Simon also collected a strikeout in the game. Although several pitchers overshadow Simon in camp, don't be surprised if he contends for a role with the Orioles during the upcoming season.
Thumbs down
Chris Gomez -- So far this spring, the 37-year-old utility player hasn't done anything to prove he is worthy of a role on the Orioles' Opening Day roster. Gomez was 0-for-3 with a strikeout and three runners left on base in tonight's game. He is hitting .063 (1-for-16) with a double and an RBI in nine Grapefruit League games.
Scott Moore -- The 6-foot-2, 180-pound third baseman has been playing well so far in camp, but he struggled tonight against the Cardinals. Moore was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and three runners left on base. He also committed a fielding error. Still, Moore is hitting .385 (10-for-26) in 12 games during the Grapefruit League.
Comments
I'd rather see this Turner kid be the utility guy if they choose to keep the extra bench player.He puts the bat on the ball and plays good defense.Gomez is done and really doesn't offer the team much. He's basically redundant to Wiggy.Eaton showing some potential has to be good news to the brass to shore up a shaky rotation.Bergy deserves a spot because the O's desperately need to start working the young guys in and he has the composure to pitch in the bigs.Penn is headed to the pen butonly if O's keep 13 pitchers.I hate the Pie experiment and it's going to be a waste of time .Lou and this Christian kid are better LF options, not to mention Freel.If you think about it,Pie is going to put Wiggy or Freel's bat on the bench when he plays when we need to score allt the runs we can get. Sneak Pie through waivers at the end of ST.
Posted by: John | March 14, 2009 8:17 AM
So, Penn will be very good in the future, eh? Got news for you - his future is now. So far, just more of the same. Overrated from the start. ZZZZZ.
Posted by: duke of york | March 14, 2009 11:11 AM
1 - You seem to like Jolbert Cabrera because of his hitting, but his fielding isn't so hot. I've seen him in 2 games and he was good at waving at grounders to his left and right.
2 - Weiters is a natural hitter but he hasn't shown that he's a natural catcher, though he was able to handle 4 different pitchers in the game with the Cards. Let him spend this year in AAA ball.
Posted by: Stan Dubow | March 14, 2009 1:59 PM
I hope Jolbert Cabrera makes the team, he was a key player in my Fukuoka Hawks making their close-but-so-far attempt at the Japanese championship in 2006.
Go Hawks!
Posted by: Lee | March 14, 2009 6:03 PM