Wild World of Spring Training

Well sports fans the first full week of Spring Training comes to a close today and so too does my week in Florida covering two of the Tigers games getting a taste of Spring.  So now it's time to take a look at the "Wide World of Sports" game the Tigers played against the Braves and take a larger look at the "Wild World" of Spring Training and see how the boys of Summer are doing so far this Spring.

Jair Jurrjens

The Tigers took on the Atlanta Braves and former Tiger pitcher Jair Jurrjens on Thursday at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex right here in Kissimmee, Florida.  In the match-up we saw Brennan Boesch knock a screamer over the right field fence letting everyone know (and showing on National TV) that his second half slump from last year is "long gone".  In the same game Tigers 2nd baseman prospect Will Rhymes made a spectacular play ending the 8th, snagging a line drive headed to center field with a leaping catch and doubling up the runner from 1st headed to 2nd to hold Atlanta to a 1-run lead at 3-2.  Atlanta had just scored 2 to go ahead after both a fielding and a throwing error by shortstop Danny Worth on the same ground ball with no outs earlier in the inning.  The Tigers came back to tie it in top of the 9th.  Highlights of the game include another solid outing by Max Scherzer who seems to be in season-ready pitching form even at this early stage, and a look at Miguel Cabrerra driving one deep to center against the wind indicating his early-spring hitting slump may soon be over.  The Tigers lost the game in the bottom of the 9th with the 3rd string players on both sides playing, and then dropped another game today played against the Baltimore Orioles where both sides did not have their starters playing to bring to close the first full week of Spring Training.

Cabrerra drives one deep to center field.

So how are the guys doing?  Check out the latest on the Spring Training (2011) page..

Max Scherzer

Starting Pitchers Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, and Phil Coke are all off to a great Spring so far with 10 strikeouts amongst them and only 2 walks in their combined 15 innings.  Newcomer Charlie Furbush is getting a lesson in Major League hitting..and has a ways to go to show he can pitch at this level.  Look for him to be one of the first optioned to Toledo for more work when the Tigers pare down the roster if his current struggles continue into next week.  Watch a young man named Brayan Villareal.. he has thrown 2 innings of no-hit ball so far this Spring.


There are some eyebrow lifting numbers being posted by the relief pitchers so far this week.  First a couple of guys who are struggling.  Ryan Perry has not quite got his mojo from the end of last season back yet.  Also there is a newcomer with the best name in Spring Training: Al Alburquerque.  Unfortunately we may not get a chance to us his name very much since he is really having problems out of the gate.. holding the unenviable distinction of being the only pitcher on the staff taken out of a Spring Training game after a horrendous 30+ pitch inning against the Orioles.  On the plus side Valverde's outings so far have been productive, and Robbie Weinhart is holding his own giving up only 1 hit in his 3 innings of relief.  An early surprise is also non-roster invitee Fu Te Ni who appears to be over injury issues acquired last year and is throwing well so far with 4 strikeouts against only 1 walk and 1 hit over 3 and 1/3 innings.


So the pitching is looking very solid so far with the only real concern this early being how the relief pitching will fare.  We should know over the next few weeks.  Remember to keep checking the Pitcher Trends page to see how they do.


So how about offense and defense?

Will Rhymes

Two fielders looking to fill in at 2nd haven't been making too much headway with their bats so far.  Will Rhymes and Scott Sizemore are only hitting in the neighborhood of .200 so far, but Rhymes has shown some range and flash in the field at 2nd.  The third infielder in the mix, Danny Worth is hitting better, but stands out so far for his 2-error bobble at shortstop against the Braves.  He'll have to be perfect from here on out.

Andy Dirks, Danny Worth, Casper Wells

In the outfield the standouts are Ryan Rayburn, Brennan Boesch, and a newcomer serving notice in a big way.  His name is Andy Dirks and is simply hitting up a storm this week.  This non-roster invitee lefty is hitting at a .417 pace, going 5 for 12 with 2 doubles and a walk against only 1 strikeout this week.  Definitely a guy to watch and one that could be called up at a moments notice during the season.  The other outfielder standing out is the back-from-injury Clete Thomas going 5 for 10 so far with 3 RBI, a double and a walk against 1 strikeout as well.  Clete is on pace to match his .389 average from the 2010 Spring session.

In the disappointing category so far are the 3-4-5 hitters for the Tigers.  Ordonez and Cabrerra are under .200, and Martinez is at .231 with the franchise player Cabrerra only managing .083 so far.  Look for him to break out in a BIG way next week. Remember to keep an eye on the Hitter Trends as well to see which way these three key hitters are going.


So what about some former Tigers?  Perhaps are wondering how Dontrelle Willis is faring?  Maybe "Pudge" Rodriguez?  Nate Robertson, or others?  Well I can tell you that one former Tigers Pitcher that I wish we had not let get away was Jair Jurrjens.  We traded him to Atlanta for Edgar Renteria in 2007, and he has since become the ace of their staff.  Be sure to check the "Where Are They Now (2011)" page to see how Jair and other former Tigers are doing this Spring and beyond.  I'll go out on a limb already and say that based on the early outing by Dontrelle Willis for Cincinnati I expect he won't be at the Major League level very long.  He's trying to win a bullpen spot, and if he keeps walking batters that won't happen.  One notable Tiger Pitcher from last year is Jeremy Bonderman.  Surprisingly, Jeremy is NOT on a roster this year and is rumored to be sitting out the year, however there is talk that because of the injury to starter Adam Wainwright St.Louis might be interested in Bonderman.  If so that would reunite him with former Tigers catcher Gerald Laird who is hitting .286 so far in Spring Training with the Cardinals.


So that's a wrap from the "Wild World" of Spring Training.  I'll report again next Saturday.. until then.. 


GO TIGERS!    ---Rob






All Photos by:  Rob Hall - The Rob Hall Report