Game Date: March 18, 2007
Giants 6, Royals 5 /
Box ScoreRoyals Spring Training Record: 8-11
Odalis Perez finally had a good outing. He pitched three strong innings, giving up no runs and no walks on two hits. Unfortunately he left early because of a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. Hopefully it doesn’t amount to anything big.
Todd Wellemeyer gave up two runs in two innings, David Riske gave up a run in two innings, and Jason Standridge got the loss when errors by Fernando Cortez and Alex Gordon allowed the Giants to come back and win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. I find it a little odd that Bell hasn’t put Octavio Dotel in the closer’s role yet. He’s probably just seeing how Standridge performs in that role, but as the regular season draws near, I’d like to see Dotel close a couple of games.
Alex Gordon hit his first home run of the spring after working the count to 3-1. Mark Teahen was 2-for-5 with 3 RBI as he played center for the third time this spring. Esteban German was 4-for-4 with two runs scored. He’s hitting .383 for the spring and he’ll fit in nicely while Grudzielanek is on the shelf. Reggie Sanders had a couple of hits and he has his average up to .333. John Buck was 1-for-2 and remarkably has his average up to .316—which is important since Jason LaRue is hitting .381 with 3 HR. So far, Bell said that no clear favorite has emerged behind the plate.
Billy Butler is still putting up huge numbers: .448 AVG, .543 OBP, .828 SLG, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 BB. And he thinks he ought to be given a shot at the roster.
“There have been plenty of guys who have been ready by 20,” Butler is
quoted as saying in an article on the Royals website. “I think it should be based on performance, not on age. Age is just a number. If you act above your age and play above it, I don’t think they should hold you down because of that.”
I don’t think the Royals have a problem with his age. He started as a third baseman and now that’s he’s an outfielder, the Royals want him to
work on his defense in Omaha.
Zack Greinke will get the start against the White Sox this afternoon.
2 comments:
I thought that it was made clear that Butler would have to prove his ability in the field at the AAA level before he would be considered to move to the big club. February 5 he said, "It's going to happen eventually and I hope it's sooner than later. If it's not in the plan this year, it's not in the plan. I love baseball ... I figure I'll be in the big leagues when I'm ready, when I earn it." I hope that he can get back to this kind of thinking and not get down on the organization for looking out for his future.
I know that they said it would be fielding that would determine Gordon's move to the Royals, but with 4 errors in 14 games he seems to be a lock to make the team coming out of camp. I think that a stop in Omaha would give Butler a chance to prove his abilities in the field. I think he needs to see (overused cliche coming) the forest for the trees in his situation. I think that KC's glut of outfielders right now may also play into their plan to develop Butler within each level of the farm system, and once a few fall by the wayside during the season he will be the obvious first person to call up.
I'm also a little biased because I really want to watch him in person at some point this season and Omaha is 30 minutes away and KC is about 4 hours from me. I hope he makes it up some time this season, he's too good not to at least get a look in '07.
Yeah, Butler seems to be changing his tune as the regular season gets closer. But I'm with you...I hope that he goes to Omaha, performs to the best of his ability there, and does so gladly. He'll get his shot, and I'm guessing it'll be sooner rather than later.
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