Spring Training Thread

[Smithian]

He's young, though. Does he have any future? You have to have some ability in this game to be 5-0. I really don't know. I'm unable to keep a close eye on the Nats like you all.

[Obed_Marsh]

Nothing happened to him.

Q: What do you see from Shairon Martis? Because he was in the rotation at the beginning of last year and now doesn't seem to get talked about as much.

McCatty: Yeah, well I love him... Everybody you're talking about, looking at those guys [for the last rotation spots], but I love him. He's got great stuff. His arm dropped a bit and started nibbling last year, started walking some people and got in trouble. But I like him. If he gets in the right arm slot where he should be, he's got a devastating change-up with that fastball, he should be fine. But if there hasn't been a lot of talking, maybe you just haven't asked the right questions. Because everybody still feels good about him... Inside, his name always comes up. He's what, 22 or 23 years old? He's got a great future. He really does.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/02/a_quick_post-bullpen_chat_with.html

On the 5-0, this blast from the past was interesting.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/martis-is-5-0

[Evolution33]

He always looked good to me when I saw him pitch in the minors. I don't really care about what he did last year. All that matters is what he can do this year.

[HalfSmokes]

He'll probably be in the rotation at some point this year- this team gives guys a shot

[aspenbubba]

He'll probably be in the rotation at some point this year- this team gives guys a shot

Not because they are magnanimous but out of need and desperation.

[imref]

Some awesome photos from spring training and the first day of practice:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/02/20/GA2010022002572.html

Didn't see Ryan Zimmerman in any photo, he must be the odd guy out now that all the attention is on Strasburg.  They did show Jordan Zimmermann working out with the pitchers.

[PANatsFan]

Damn it I do too. freakers get $35.00 more of my money.

Free on opening day. I'd sell mine for half of that

[I can Throw]

Some awesome photos from spring training and the first day of practice:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/02/20/GA2010022002572.html

Didn't see Ryan Zimmerman in any photo, he must be the odd guy out now that all the attention is on Strasburg.  They did show Jordan Zimmermann working out with the pitchers.

Who's the blonde in pic 45???

YO!

[PANatsFan]

I recognize the Lodson and Zuckerman but not the blonde woman or the WTOP guy.

[Lintyfresh85]

I'm guessing its either Lisa Hillary or Kelli Johnson because she's holding a CSN mic.

[sportsfan882]

I recognize the Lodson and Zuckerman but not the blonde woman or the WTOP guy.

Craig Heist = WTOP guy

I'm guessing its either Lisa Hillary or Kelli Johnson because she's holding a CSN mic.

yeah that's KJ. she's been down there for the past week or so

[blue911]

So is Balester back to his Drop & Drive delivery?


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/02/20/GA2010022002572.html

Pic 23

[JMUalumni]

So is Balester back to his Drop & Drive delivery?


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/02/20/GA2010022002572.html

Pic 23

Looks like it.  It makes no sense, Balester is one of the last guys that should be using drop and drive because of his height.  Additionally, drop and drive isn't going to help him keep the ball in the park, in fact drop and drive tends to cause pitchers to have their hands be late in their delivery causing the ball to rise.

[balzig777]

Sever was aterrible pitcher?

[tomterp]

Sever was aterrible pitcher?

Seaver?

[JMUalumni]

Sever was aterrible pitcher?

Hmm not quite sure how you got that, but the height is a key component.  Seaver = 6'0 vs Balester = 6'5

The more leverage (or height in this instance) you have, then the less effective/efficient the drop and drive would be.

[balzig777]

is'nt science wonderful! maybe it could be used to study all the pitchers styles and eliminate all those with bad motions before its too late....

[balzig777]

Seaver?

oh sorry about the lost a

[JMW IV]

I find it hilarious how people are so adverse to changing the way they evaluate things. or at least considering a different angle.

[JMW IV]

Lastly, Elijah Dukes, Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman took batting practice at the same time, and as one player after another started knocking balls over the fence, an impromptu (and unspoken) game of Home Run Derby broke out. If there was a contest going -- and it seemed from players' reactions that there was -- Dukes might have stole the show by blasting four homers over the left-field fence in the span of five minutes. But Zimmerman had the most impressive shot, launching a ball over the 30-foot batter's eye in center field.

http://masnsports.com/2010/02/saturday-workout-observations.html

[The Chief]

Zimm likes that batter's eye

[tomterp]

Zimm likes that batter's eye

Kotsay on the run, he's going back, back, back, going, going, gone, it's gone, goodbye......

[Kevrock]

I'm kind of bitter our first televised Spring Training game is at 1:00pm on a Friday. Guess I'll try to figure out if I can watch from my computer at work.

[Smithian]

Mentioning Dukes, what are everyone's expectations of him this year?

[Obed_Marsh]

The same old flashes of  brilliance, injuries, and lack of concentration. I've been expecting him to have a breakout year for the last couple years but at this point I expect him to fade away.