View From the Press Box: April Changes
By John Skilbeck - Contributing Writer
08/01/2006
A look back on developments that took place back in April:
This is the first in a series of columns I’ll be posting on noteworthy in season developments. With countless fantasy sites devoted to this sort of information, I will be approaching things slightly differently, namely from a strat perspective. This means I’ll be covering a combination of callups, platoons, positional eligibility, and anything else that catches my strat eye. And with that, my April notes:
Nick Markakis OF BAL – In a move that surprised many, the Os took their best positional prospect north at the end of spring training. Much of this surprise stemmed from fact that this meant that Markakis’ 125th at bat above A ball would come in his big league debut. The Os have made good on their vow to get Markakis regular playing time thus far, although a return to the minors at some point this season seems like a strong possibility. Regardless, he’ll be in the draft and should be taken in round 1.
Brandon Phillips 2B/SS CIN– The former Expo (redundant?) and Indians prospect entered spring training out of options. As such, he was dealt to the Reds at the end of spring training after the Indians decided that their last roster spot would be better filled by Ramon Vasquez. An injury to Ken Griffey opened up playing time (with Ryan Freel shifting from 2B to the OF), and Phillips has made the most of it, bashing his way to 17 RBI in his first 13 games. He’ll cool off, but the Reds brittle OF and recent dumping of Tony Womack should get Phillips a minimum of 300+ ABs. He’s already seen time at 2B and SS, and he should have plenty of bat to be a useful card at those positions.
Alexis Rios OF TOR – Rios opened the season in an OF platoon with another fallen prospect (Eric Hinske). Since then, Rios has shown unexpected pop, bopping 5 HRs in 48 ABs after hitting a total of 11 in his first 900 trips to the plate. This may not be anything more than a brief hot streak, but Rios has good size and has shown power in the minors. He’s also started getting more time against righties. If he continues to hit, he should seize the job fulltime.
Gavin Floyd P PHI – You guessed it, another former prospect. Floyd was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball when he got a September callup in 2004. He began 2005 in the rotation, failed miserably, then did more of the same in Triple A and winter ball. A return to his old mechanics combined with a new mental approach helped to Floyd to a stellar spring that landed him the #4 spot in the Phillies rotation. Things haven’t gone terrifically well thus far, but the control problems that plagued him last season seem the have faded. Floyd appears to be on the road to reestablishing himself, but his 2006 card will likely be a lousy one.
John Thomson P ATL – The injury plagued Thomson landed in the Braves bullpen after experiencing some elbow pain during spring training. He has since made his way back into the rotation, but those early season relief appearances should make him a valuable swingman next season.