Interviewed to Overviewed: The Players of Spring Training

by wlbbjps10

It’s been close to a month since the beginning of regular season baseball, so let’s check up on how our interviewees have been doing so far.

Clint Barmes – SS – Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)

The Vincennes, Indiana native has struggled thus far with the Bucs.  He’s played in 19 of the teams 21 games, starting 18 at Shortstop.  He’s batting an abysmal .148 and has a horrifying 7.0 K/BB ratio in 56 plate appearances.  By all standards of the MLB, Barmes is performing in the bottom tier.  A relegation to AAA may soon be in order if his hitting woes continue to set the Bucs back at 8th spot in their lineup.

Ivan DeJesus Jr. – 2B/SS/3B – Indianapolis Indians (AAA)

DeJesus Jr. has starting only 7 of the Indians 19 games, according to baseball-reference.com.  The Indians have been using DeJesus as mainly a utility player to fill in anywhere on the infield when they give him a chance.  So far he’s performed up to par, holding onto a .345 OBP in his first 29 PA.  He hasn’t gotten many chances, so his statistics at this point are not very significant.  However, if DeJesus can show defensive strength at all three positions, he will be set up nicely for a future utility spot on with the Pirates late in the season.  He’s been rock solid so far (0 errors in 19 attempts).  If DeJesus can keep finding ways into the lineup with his defensive versatility, he may be able to make a comeback after tearing his oblique last spring training.

Alex Dickerson – RF – Altoona Curve (AA)

Defensively, Dickerson has been solid at his new post in Right Field.  The bat, however, has been some cause for concern.  He’s known to be an all around solid hitter, so his early season struggles should wear off (.206 BA).  Expect Dickerson to bounce back from a rough start.  AA is a whole new ballgame from A+ and his change of position doesn’t make the transition any easier.  Dickerson has the ability to make a jump to AAA late in the season, but MLB should be out of the question this year.  If he can’t pick up his power numbers however, his ETA of mid-2014 won’t look so promising.  Last year was a big season for him in Bradenton, now he needs to show us the evidence to back up those numbers (.295 BA, .451 SLG)

Jim Paduch – RP – Durham Bulls (AAA)

Paduch looks to have fallen into the “veteran AAA relief pitcher” category for the rest of his days.  While a string of good outings may lead to a promotion to the big club, don’t expect him to stay up there too long.  His career 4.58 ERA and 6.6 K/9 is really nothing to write home about.  As a 30 year old pitcher who has experienced some wear and tear, his career, unfortunately, is on it’s decline.  This year has not gone as planned for Paduch, as he has surrendered 5 ER in 7.1 IP.  Statistics show that he has even been extremely luck this season (76.1% strand rate).  At this point, it’s all up to how much the Rays value having a veteran pitcher like Paduch in the clubhouse.  Who knows…maybe he’ll get a call sometime this year and make a feel good story come to light.

Kevin Kiermaier – CF – Montgomery Biscuits (AA)

Kevin’s played in 18 of his teams 19 games, primarily playing CF (14).  A .406 OBP along with 3 triples and 3 doubles in 70 plate appearances is boasted by the young man from Fort Wayne Bishop HS.  He’s performing well and we should expect to see him to make a jump to AAA or the MLB by the end of the season if he can maintain his pace.

Justin O’Conner – C – Bowling Green Hot Rods (A)

Justin has played in 12 of his teams 17 games thus far, splitting time between catcher and DH.  He’s 2 for 6 on throwing out runners, which is his strong suit.  Justin hasn’t ben able to find his stroke the past 3 years in the minors and while this season’s early .261 BA may look like improvement, it’s likely too optimistic of his true BA over the course of the season.  Justin hasn’t shown much sign of power early in the season either, 3 doubles in 46 AB is no cause for excitement.  (especially from a supposed “power hitter”)