NL WEST UPDATE - PITCHING WOES FOR COLORADO, SF?
By Jason Martinez
sdpadrefan.com

3/16/08

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
… BULLPEN COMPETITION: Edgar Gonzalez (7 IP, ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K) has the inside track on a rotation spot if Randy
Johnson or Micah Owings are not ready to start the season. He also has the best results of any pitcher competing for a
bullpen spot. Other notable standouts in the competition are Emiliano Fruto (7 IP, 2 ER), Bill Murphy (6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 K),
Connor Robertson (6 IP, 2 ER), and Yusmeiro Petit (10.1 IP, 4 ER, 14 K).

… BENCH COMPETITION: Chris Burke (.389 BA, 3 HR) and Augie Ojeda (.306 BA) have likely done enough to ensure that
they start the season on the major league roster while prospect Emilio Bonifacio has slowed down after a quick start (.256
BA). Career minor leaguer Jesus Merchan is trying to put himself in the mix with a 13 for 25 start (.520 BA) but he's
probably headed for AAA Tuscon because of the crowded infield picture.

… PLAYERS TO WATCH: Outfielder Gerardo Parra, Baseball America's #5 ranked prospect in the D-Back's organization,
is in the big league camp after just one full minor league season. The 20 year-old lefty is hitting like a big leaguer so far,
with nine hits in his first 14 at bats (.643 BA).

COLORADO ROCKIES
… CAUSE FOR CONCERN? Projected starters Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales, who played a huge part in the
Rockies' amazing 2007 run, are struggling badly this spring. Jimenez has given up eight runs and 14 hits in 11 .2 innings
and Morales has given up 17 hits and walked five, also in 11.2 innings. Luckily, they brought in some veteran insurance
this off-season. ON SECOND THOUGHT: Mark Redman (9.24 ERA, 24 H in 12.2 IP), Josh Towers (7.20 ERA, 21 H in 15
IP), and Kip Wells (5.14 ERA, 7 BB, 3 K) have been much worse.

… WHO'S ON SECOND? Statistically, veteran Marcus Giles (.333 BA) is leading the race because none of the others have
yet to stand out. Jeff Baker (.214, HR), Ian Stewart (.241, 2 HR), and Jayson Nix (.158, 2 HR) are still in the mix.

… PLAYERS TO WATCH: The bullpen looks to be a strength once again with Manny Corpas and Brian Fuentes leading the
way. However, several young bullpen candidates are impressing this spring, with Taylor Buchholz (7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 9 K),
Ramon Ramirez (8 IP, ER, 4 H, 7 K), and Ryan Speier (6 IP, ER, 5 H) all pushing for roster spots.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
… ANY SPOTS AVAILABLE ON THE PITCHING STAFF? Jason Schmidt has yet to pitch in a spring training game,
making it likely that Chan Ho Park has a legitimate chance (12 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 7 K) to start the season in the rotation.

… WHO'S ON THIRD? It won't be Andy LaRoche, at least for awhile, as he could be out at least two months with a thumb
injury. With Nomar Garciaparra also hurt, they could look to trade for a third baseman (Brandon Inge, Joe Crede?) or they
could let in-house candidates, such as Ramon Martinez, Tony Abreu, or Terry Tiffee, hold down the fort until Nomar is
healthy.

… PLAYERS TO WATCH: Top pitching prospect Clayton Kershaw is stil just 19 years old, but he could find himself in the
majors sometime in 2008 if the team suffers any significant injuries in their rotation. Entering his second full professional
season, the left-hander has given up one earned run in four innings this spring.

SAN DIEGO PADRES
…FIFTH STARTER JOB UP FOR GRABS? In all likelihood, Justin Germano is the front-runner after putting together
back-to-back solid starts (9 IP, ER, 7 H), although lefties Wil Ledezma (7 IP, ER) and Glendon Rusch (6.2 IP, ER) have
remained in the competition with their strong spring performances.

… LEFT FIELD SITUATION STILL UP IN THE AIR: The same four players are still fighting it out, with Chase Headley still
mashing (.400, 3 HR, 12 RBI), and Gerut (.310, 2 HR) , Hairston (.292, 5 doubles, HR), and McAnulty (.321, 3 HR, 10 RBI)
all playing very well. With Jim Edmonds and Brian Giles each targeting Opening Day for a return to the lineup, it is most
likely that at least one of the four LF candidates will be elsewhere when the season starts.

… INJURIES COULD OPEN ROSTER SPOTS FOR RELIEVERS: With the status of pitchers Justin Hampson and Kevin
Cameron up in the air due to injuries, the likes of Paul Abraham (6.1 IP, 3 ER), Adam Bass (7 IP, 2 ER), Michael Gardner (6
IP, 4 ER), Enrique Gonzalez (7.2 IP, 3 ER), and Mauro Zarate (4 IP, 2 ER) all have a much better chance to make the team
than before spring started.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
…VETERANS IN DANGER OF LOSING JOBS ... NEVER MIND: After stuggling early in camp, veterans Ray Durham
(.400 BA), Dave Roberts (.314 BA), and Randy Winn (.438, 2 HR) are doing what they can to hold off younger players.
However, the Giants have to be excited about the future of speedy infielder Eugenio Velez (.340, 11 R, 9 SB), who could
play some infield and outfield before settling in as the team's second baseman later in the season.

… #4 and 5 STARTER COMPETITION: The spots will likely be filled by two of the following candidates: Kevin Correia
(6.75 ERA in 10.2 IP), Brad Hennessey (5.58 ERA in 9.2 IP), Patrick Misch (12.92 ERA in 7.2 IP), and Jonathan Sanchez
(6.55 ERA in 11 IP). Good luck Boch!

… PLAYERS TO WATCH: Barry Zito, looking to bounce back from a disappointing debut season in San Francisco, has a
14.92 ERA in 12.2 innings this spring. Surprisingly, this is not the most alarming stat. He has 10 walks against 0 strikeouts.
I know it's spring training, but that's got to scare you if you're a Giants fan.