March 22, 200620 yr Despite dealing with back spasms of late, Josh Willingham enters the stretch run in the lead for the Marlins catching job, going 9-for-18 at the plate with four extra-base hits, four walks and zero strikeouts, while earning manager Joe Girardi's seal of approval for his defensive work. One scout who recently saw the team did not agree with the evaluation of Willingham's work behind the plate. "He's just not good back there," said the scout. "With no obvious candidate to play left field, I don't know why they just don't put him out there and let him rake, and let Miguel Olivo catch." Also in Marlins camp, Hanley Ramirez seems to have locked up the starting shortstop job over Robert Andino with a monster spring, batting .381/.409/.690 in 42 ABs and playing stellar defense. "He finally looks like the player that the hype-machine made him out to be," said one team official. The biggest surprise for the Marlins this spring has been Reggie Abercrombie, an annual disappointment for the Dodgers and Diamondbacks in the past, despite pure athleticism that ranks with anyone in the game. In 38 at-bats, Abercrombie has hit .421 with a .711 slugging percentage, but the problems (to put it lightly) remain in the plate discipline department with 11 strikeouts and just 1 walk. Nonetheless, he's been put right in the mix for the center field job, as neither Eric Reed or Chris Aguila have been able to establish themselves, and talks with the Devil Rays concerning a trade for Joey Gathright have gone backwards. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=4889 Really dissapointed by the Willingham comment. Guess we will find out soon enough.
March 22, 200620 yr Ouch on Willy... I hope the author made that up. Or if the scout is real, I hope he's full of it.
March 22, 200620 yr Author one scout. Girardi is one guy also. You know I'm hopeful. There is nothing more I'd like to see then Willingham 130 games behind the plate, and then a monster pinch hitter in the other games if needed.
March 22, 200620 yr Well, we know either way he'll hit, so we've got LF or C locked up for a good long time. Maybe he'll improve behind there, and maybe he'll be a disaster. We'll soon find out.
March 23, 200620 yr Well, we know either way he'll hit... Do we? Should've said rational, thinking people. Sorry for any confusion.
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