Spring Training results don’t matter. I’ve said this before, when Off The Bench was in its infancy, but every year I find myself pouring over the spring statistics none the less. For whatever reason, I’m compelled to find the Spring SuperStars. In 2011 and 2012 I posted my conclusions, but for some reason ditched the exercise a year ago. Never fear, I’m back with another instalment! Allowing that there are virtually no supported causal relationships to speak of, here is your list of obscure players who might just translate their spring success into April success, and may even parlay all that success into a successful season, succeeded by a sensational Series. One can dream.
[button color=”blue” link=””]The Hipster All-Stars[/button]
Tommy Medica, Padres
All Tommy Medica does is hit. In his brief stint in the Majors a year ago (79 PAs), Medica hit .290/.380/.449. While he did strike out 23 times, he also hit three home runs. This spring has seen him continue the impressive hitting. In 66 PAs, he’s hit .344 and clubbed three homers. The Padres have used him primarily at 1B, but he was a corner outfielder in college and could see some playing time if Carlos Quintin goes down. I want to call this Bleacher Report guy crazy, but he thinks Medica may just be the Padres new diamond in the rough and mentions him in the same breath as “Face of the Franchise.” So yeah, Medica has turned heads this spring.
Marcus Semien, White Sox
Semien is similar to Medica in that he got a call-up last September, impressed, and then killed it this spring. Semien has hit .348/.455/.522 while playing mostly second base. He’s got a real chance to start the opener if Gordan Beckham is not back from injury, and could find himself as the third baseman if Jeff Keppinger repeats his 2013 performance disgrace. If he hits .348 in the regular season, they’ll find a spot for the 23-year old.
Tim Wheeler, Rockies
At first glance, Wheeler hitting 4 home runs and cruising to a .385/.467/.821 this spring while playing center field means that the Rockies have found their Dexter Fowler replacement (Drew Stubbs isn’t it). However, Wheeler is 26 and has hit just 7 home runs over the last two years. As interesting as this spring’s breakout performance is, his 2011 minor league season trumps that. At age 23, Wheeler clubbed 33 homers in the minors. Has he rediscovered his swing after a 2012 hand injury? Could that hammate bone injury have zapped his power for two full years? He’s a former first round pick and could be this season’s Khris Davis.
Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays
The Blue Jays top pitching prospect isn’t at the forefront of many prospect lists, but his impressive spring put him on the map. Sanchez pitched 12.1 frames and gave up narry a run. His most impressive outing came when he shut out the Rays over 5.1 innings, allowing only 3 hits. He’s got a fairly good minor league track record, but nothing that suggests he should be this good already. At age 21, if he can continue the excellence he displayed this spring, he could be a godsend to the organization, potentially even helping the big club later this season. Given all of the Blue Jays struggles a year ago in that department, I’m sure they were happy to have at least one starter show surprisingly well this spring.
Jeff Manship, Phillies
Manship is 29 and has already pitched in more than 50 major league games, but I’m guessing most baseball fans are not familiar with the Phillies starter. Manship has a 1.80 ERA in 20 spring innings and has struck out 16, while walking just 2. He’s looked good to this spring and as a reward will get to hang out with Jonathan Papelbon in the Phillies’ bullpen.
[button color=”blue” link=””]The “This Could This Be Their Breakout Year” All-Stars[/button]
Mike Moustakas, Royals
Moustakas the prospect, was as promising as they come. He was to pair with fellow corner infielder Eric Hosmer to lead the Royals back to the promised land of the playoffs. That was 2011. Moustakas has hit just .244 in nearly 1500 PAs since. But this spring he’s been a new man. After smashing 4 homers and hitting .429/.525/.796 in nearly 50 PAs, the Royals hope he can translate that .429 average (which is currently fourth in all of spring training) into some serious regular season success.
Michael Brantley, Indians
When a player hits .500 in spring, it’s often attributed to unusually small sample sizes. While 44 at bats is certainly a small sample, the 22 hits are a good sign. Brantley was signed to a four-year $25 Million deal this February and seems poised to make that look like a bargain. He will never be a big power guy, but he’s hit above .280 with at least a .330 OBP each of the past two years. Increase those numbers to .300 and .350 and Brantley could be a star.
Roger Bernadina, Reds
The Nationals added Nate McLouth this offseason and that made fourth outfielder Roger Bernadina expendable. Roger wound up in Cincy and has looked good in the different shade of red. He’s hit .425/.540/.800 in 40 at bats with 3 homers, 2 triples, and 2 doubles. He could finally be living up to his projections and could be a nice surprise for the Reds if Billy Hamilton waivers or Ryan Ludwick gets hurt again.
Dustin Ackley, Mariners
The Mariners seemed about ready to give up on Dustin Ackley last June. Since a promising rookie campaign in 2011, Ackley’s OBP has steadily plummeted. Then, he came back as a center fielder and hit .390 in August. He’s back at it this spring with a .410 average and 10 extra base hits in 61 at bats. Is the former number 2 overall pick finally ready to break through?
Chris Archer, Rays
The Rays are planning to make the postseason thanks to their rotation. Sure, David Price is the glamour boy, Matt Moore is David Price lite, and Alex Cobb is the baseball fan’s favorite sleeper–but Chris Archer is no slouch either. Archer finished third in the ROY voting last year and has backed that up by allowing 1 ER in 10 spring innings so far, good for a 0.90 ERA.
Alex Wood, Braves
Wood came seemingly out of nowhere last year to help the Braves bullpen and with spot starts. Thanks to injuries in the rotation, he will now find himself starting the second game of the season. His 0.45 ERA in 20 Spring innings likely helped.
[button color=”blue” link=””]The “Wow, These Guys Really Are All-Stars” All-Stars[/button]
I’ll keep it short here as most fans know these guys just fine.
Koji Uehara – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 R, 0 Hits, 1 BB, 5 Ks -Koji appears ready to continue dominance as Boston’s closer.
Mike Trout – 51 ABs, .412 avg, 5 HR, 3 SB – The best player on the planet is doing just fine.
Miguel Cabrera – 58 ABs, .431 avg, 4 HR, 17 RBI – The best hitter on the planet just keeps doing his thing.
Justin Verlander – 13.2 IP, 0 ER, 10 K – Is the 2012 Ver-sion back after rekindling his thing with Ms. Upton?
Andrew McCutchen – 39 ABs, .513 avg, 5 HRs, 2 SB – Last year’s MVP could be even better this year.
Come October, at least some of these guys will have had good years, and that’ll certainly be reason enough to do this all again in 2015.
-Sean Morash
Stat of the Day: Carlos Beltran has gone 20 HR/20 SB 8 times in his career.
