For a third straight season, XN Sports brings you spring training stats far sooner than you could possibly need them. But we all know, with an increasingly fantasy-centric universe, it’s never too early to start overreacting about prospects and veterans alike. With that said, let’s take a look at who’s hot after the first handful of games in 2015 MLB Spring Training.
Outfielders
Alex Rios (6-for-12, 3 HR, 7 RBI) Now a Royal, Rios will likely have another up and down year in which he disappoints a lot of people and satisfies just enough.
Brennan Boesch (5-for-11, 2 HR, 5 RBI) Boesch has been bobbled around a handful of teams since the last time I saw him (signing cheap cards at a Verizon store in suburban Detroit). Only time will tell if his long swing and intermittent power will pan out in the big leagues for good.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis (9-for-15) Putting the ball in play doesn’t always result in runs or RBIs, but it’s better than not putting the ball in play.
Brett Eibner (4-for-7, 2 HR, 5 RBI) We may not hear Eiber’s name again this year, but the 26 year-old center fielder from Texas is doing his best to make sure he earns a September call up to Ned Yost‘s Bunt-Squad.
Anthony Gose (8-for-14, 4 RBI, 3 SB) The Tigers new center fielder will not hit for average, but he will steal bases and track balls down in cavernous Comerica Park.
Mark Trumbo (4-for-9, 2 HR, 4 RBI) Trumbo’s 1.778 OPS will not hold up. He’ll hit ~20 home runs but when the strikeouts start to pile up the Diamondbacks will clear out the cobwebs in other parts of their dugout.
Infielders
Marcus Semien (7-for-14, 2 HR, 4 RBI) Semien had six home runs in 231 at-bats last year on the South Side, so it’s reasonable to assume that he’ll hit anywhere between 0 and 1 home runs when the regular season starts and (if) he has a full 81 games at the Coliseum.
Xander Bogaerts (3-for-8, 2 HR, 6 RBI) You were warned about the small sample sizes. Still, nice start.
Tommy Medica (6-for-10) Last year we ventured to guess that Medica would make a push for Yonder Alonso‘s spot at first base. Another year, another chance.
Tyler Moore (6-for-11, HR, 6 RBI)
Pitchers
Ubaldo Jimenez (3.1 IP, 16.20 ERA, 7 K, 2 HB) You might be wondering why Ubaldo is at the top of this list. You also might be wondering why he has a bloated ERA of 16.20 and seven strikeouts in only 3.1 innings pitched. You’re also wasting your time trying to figure what Ubaldo Jimenez is. Note: stats “leaders” can mean anything.
Matt Barnes (4.0 IP, 6 K, 2 H) The Red Sox may need Barnes to step up at some point after Justin Masterson‘s arm falls off or Clay Buchholz drowns in the sweat of his own hair.
Jason Marquis (5.0 IP. 0 H, 6 K) This is likely Marquis’ last chance to reduce his 4.56 lifetime ERA. So far, he’s making the best of it.
Rubby De La Rosa (5.0 IP, 4 K, 2 H) De La Rosa has been making a comeback since 2011 when he pitched 60.2 innings with the Dodgers and put up a respectable ERA of 3.71.
Taijuan Walker (5.0 IP, 2 H, 6 K) Walker is part of the reason the Mariners could win the West in 2015. Also, Safeco Field has good coffee and veggie hot dogs.
All stats courtesy MLB.com
Stay tuned to XN Sports for more meaningless Spring Training Stats.
