Sunday Game Recap

 OK, let's jump in:

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Hunter Gaddis - This was Gaddis at his best.  Two innings, one walk, 4 strikeouts, not a lot of hard contact.  I know they want to keep developing him as a starter but, dam guys, he could be the next Trevor Stephan.  Logan Allen does not have the pedigree to be a short reliever.  Gaddis and Curry do.  Let's go!

Jose Tena - Two ABs, two hits.  Good up the middle approach.  He will be solid on D.  Still very young.

Micah Pries - A laser shot to RF after his double to left center yesterday.  Is it possible that this guy is STILL on the steep part of his development path.  If so, we could see him at some point this summer, especially if he can also play LF at a decent level.  

Angel Martinez - Golf shot to RF for a homer in the wind.  Love his potential

Richie Palacios - Two ABs, two base hits, both to LF.  He needs to show more than this to be a ML player but with his pinch hitting last year for Cleveland, he is staying in their mind.  It would be great if he could play 2B in the WBC.  It almost seems like the Guardians have written him off as a second baseman. 

DUDS OF THE GAME

Zach Plesac - I just really can't believe this.  He has a low bar to get over to be a successful ML 5th starter and it appears he is doing everything in his power to not be successful.  It is early and, seeing what Quantrill did yesterday, we will chalk this one up to 'workng on stuff'.  I hope this is right, otherwise about 2 starts into the season we could see him sent to the bullpen.

James Karinchak -  Just not sharp in his first time out.  But we have seen this Jekyl and Hyde thing from him before.

Sam Hentges - Not sharp..

Caleb Simpson - Hurt by some questionable defense but not the start you want to have an a non-roster invitee.  Still think they did a terrible job with the NRI pitchers this year.  It puts a lot of pressure on guys to stay healthy and be productive...unless we plan to use Curry, Gaddis, Herrin and Battenfield as bullpen arms.

Jonathon Rodriguez - Like Simpson, not a memorable game for the youngster.  Didn't hit and butchered a fly ball in right field.  I am one of the few that rate him as a good prospect. My view has not changed.

OTHER PLAYERS

Ponticelli, Michael Kelly, Davis Sharpe and Hanner all pitched relatively clean today.

Brito - Got his first hit, an opposite field double down the line and played clean in the field.

Rosario, Jose Ramirez, Bell, Gonzalez, Noel, Gallagher, Bo Naylor and Collins didn't do much offensively.

Gimenez - Led off (a good sign).  Would love to see him hit second in the WBC.  Even leading off would be a help.  

Halpin - Didn't hit and came up short when he had a chance to make a play in CF that would have turned some heads.

Valera - Not hitting and showing us that he is NOT a centerfielder.  Just barely stayed off the dud list.

Rocchio - Got a hit up the middle in 2 ABs.

Naranjo - Got an opposite field hit in 2 ABs.

SUMMARY 

Just one of those games that happen during spring training.  File it. Flush it.  Forget it. One comment I will make about a player for the opposite team:  Church came into the came in the 9th and our guys seemed to have a really hard time picking up the ball.  Throws hard and easy. He had Pries talking to himself and teammates as he went back to the dugout.  Rarely saw him that befuddled last year.  Church's numbers, 78 K in 49 IP last year, showed there is something there. He is not listed among the Rangers top 30 prospects and if we could get him in a minor trade I would be intrigued.  Again, a minor trade, no Myers for Caminero or even Jones for Brito.  M-I-N-O-R trade.  Maybe Will Dion?