Marty Lurie Talks San Francisco Giants Baseball
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Batter Up March 19th, 2006


What a difference a year makes. In 2005, the Angels were clearly the best team in the Cactus League.

This spring the A’s can match the Halos position for position. Both teams have excellent starting pitching, deep bull pens, talented veterans, and exciting young players.

For Oakland, youngsters Dan Johnson, Nick Swisher, and Bobby Crosby all are swinging the bat very well this spring. Angel first baseman Casey Kotchman looks better every day. Rookie catcher Jeff Mathis can play. Third baseman Dallas McPherson, injured for most of 2005 is back in the picture.

Both teams are hoping for contributions from rehabbing vets: The A’s expect to see Frank Thomas on the field by the end of the month. With DH/ outfielder Garret Anderson hurt once again, the Angels are giving DH Tim Salmon every chance to comeback from his multiple injuries.

Without a consistent power hitter other than Vladimir Guerrero, the Angels are playing small ball every chance they get.

Milton Bradley is my key to the A’s offense. Bradley is a legit right fielder, not a small guy by any means. Bradley should hit fifth behind Eric Chavez. Bradley is a serious competitor to say the least, but he can hit 25 homers with a .300 batting average if things fall into place. You will enjoy watching him play baseball. His baseball intensity when channeled properly is refreshing.

The AL West promises to be much more balanced in 2006.

If Seattle gets bounce back seasons from pitchers Joel Piniero and Gil Meche plus big seasons from Jarrod Washburn, Jamie Moyer, and Felix Hernandez, Mike Hargrove’s team can be taken seriously.

The Mariners latest import from Japan, catcher Kenji Johima might be the real deal. He hits with gap power. He has a quick release behind the dish. Johima already threw out Angels speedster Chone Figgins on the bases.

In Texas the story begins and ends on the mound. New Ranger hurlers Kevin Millwood, Vincente Padilla, and Adam Eaton are a major upgrade from last year’s big three.

I like Ranger rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler. New Center fielder and lead off hitter Brad Wilkerson knows how to take a pitch. Wilkerson should score 125 runs with all the Ranger firepower following him in the lineup.

The Chicago Cubs are headed for another long season. With injuries to pitchers Mark Prior and Kerry Wood plus the shoulder miseries of first baseman Derek Lee, Dusty Baker’s crew will be lucky to finish ahead of the Reds in the NL Central.

Local baseball coaches are impressed with the energy of the NY Mets area scout Kevin Brand. The 25 year old hustles watching high school and college games from Sacramento to Fresno. No surprise, Kevin’s father Ron played in the big leagues from 1963-72 and currently is one of the Yankees top talent evaluators.

Brewer second baseman Ricki Weeks has opened my eyes in Arizona. Weeks has Gary Sheffield bat speed. Weeks jumped all over a Barry Zito fastball early in the spring quickly driving the pitch out of the park. Weeks has the best swing I’ve seen all month.

I’ve seen Milwaukee’s Ben Sheets pitch twice this spring. If you are Sheets fan start worrying. The righty has yet to throw the ball with any authority.

Arizona does have the best young talent in the Cactus League. With infielder Craig Counsell’s shoulder still hurting, sensational rookie Stephen Drew has a legit chance to open the season as the DBacks shortstop.

Best pitcher I’ve seen so far, the Cubs Carlos Zambrano, he simply overpowers the opposition.

If the Cubs don’t sign Lee to a multi year deal this season, look for the Yankees and Giants to lead the charge for the big first baseman.

San Francisco’s starting pitching looks very solid. Fifth starter Jamey Wright might be their most pleasant surpise of the month.

Whoever thinks Barry Bonds will respond publically to the daily stories about his alleged steroid use is way off base. Bonds can never answer the allegations. Any weak attempt to deny the stories would immediately place Bonds in the same position that Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmiero, and Sammy Sosa found themselves in after the congressional hearings.

No comment is the way to go for Bonds. Once the season starts his bat will do the talking.

Steroids or not, in my opinion he is still the most dominant hitter I have ever seen. One pitch to hit per day and he hits it 485 feet, that’s mind boggling.

0 comments

1 pachyderm { 03.21.06 at 1:01 pm }

Hey Marty,

AL West is going to fun and real dog fight, we hope. The Angels having a 14-4 record last season against the Rangers, hope won’t happen this season. Yesterday’s game between the A’S/M’S had a pitching match-up of Pinero v. Harden, which is a good Spring Training match-up but a greater regular season match-up. In the NL, are the Brewers still dark horse pick in the Central? Milwaukee might finish ahead of the Cubbies again, so Prior needs get well soon. Ken Rosenthal of the Sporting News and Fox Sports predicted Bonds hitting 12 HRs this season as mentioned on today’s MLB Radio. Let’s wait and see, most prediction in March aren’t always workout.

Wishing to be in desert,
Edgar Martinez, A’S Fan

2 Anonymous { 03.22.06 at 2:37 am }

Marty, what do you think the A’s lineup should look like? Do you think Crosby should be batting third? I don’t. He’s not a consistent enough hitter. I think Chavez should bat third, Thomas fourth, Bradley fifth and Crosby 6th. I’ve just been going crazy with the idea of Crosby batting so high in the order. And where do you put Kendall?
-Mike

3 marty { 03.23.06 at 10:48 am }

Glad to be back home in the Bay Area. Next Right Off The Bat Friday at 4 30 PM live on 1550 AM.

From what I have seen in Phoenix the line up should be:

Ellis
Kotsay
Thomas, I’m assuming he is ready on April 3rd
Chavez
Crosby
Bradley
Payton
Johnson
Kendall

If Thomas isn’t ready I bat Crosby third.

Last weekend vs. the Giants we will see how the potential batting order plays.

Marty

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