Week One Wrap Up

[Reg]

Week One Recaps

By Scott Plack


March 10, NO @. NY Win 3-2

It’s the first game of Spring Training and Tanner and company are getting to see their players for the first time. The teams strategy is to use the first ten games of the spring training to see how the prospects will perform at the higher level, with the remainder of the games will be focused on getting the everyday players time to shake off the rust.

Starting for New Orleans was highly touted converted middle reliever Conan McCullough. McCullough shined facing 17 batters striking out 5, walking 2, and allowing 2 hits and two earned runes. Ortiz, Montgomery, and Phelps combined to pitch 5 scoreless innings. Ortiz picked up the win and Phelps recorded his first save.

On the offensive side, the bats were a little quiet, but the Trendsetters managed to put together 3 runs off of five hits. In the top of the second inning, after 2 two out walks to SS Deschamps and 1B Hubbard, Edgar Gonzalez on a 2-2 count belted a double over the right fielder’s head. Deschamps came into score, but Hubbard was thrown out at the plate.

The following inning, Dan Lewis hit a line drive over the left-fielders head, and then stole third to put himself ninety feet closer, N. Bolitho hit a ground ball to the second baseman scoring Lewis. New Orleans final run came when Aragon hit a solo shot to right field in the top of the seventh.

Roster Impact: Hubbard who is a corner infield currently slated to start at the AAA level went 2-2 and added a walk. If James has a prolonged period of struggles at the plate, Hubbard may be a viable short-term answer. Gonzalez has solidified his case to make the team as the fifth outfielder behind Edwards, Cooper, Lewis and Aragon.


March 11, NO @ MAN Win 3-2

New Orleans wins another pitchers duel although they showed a little more life in their bats. 1B Valdez lead went 2-3 with an RBI, and Kato hit a line drive single which scored two runs.

SP Coleman pitched well and the bullpen put together solid work with Ortiz picking up his second win in as many games and Phelps notching his second save.

Roster Impact: It was good to see the confirmed starters for the trendsetters in action. Edwards, Cooper and Valdez each hit a double in their first game of play. No notable action from any prospective players.


March 12, SA @ NO Loss, 9-5

Trendsetter’s bullpen broke down in the final three innings allowing a total of six runs, while the offense took advantage of a stellar seventh inning to score all five of their runs. CF Lewis was responsible for a major chunk of the runs hitting a three run homer.

MR Hernandez was credited with a blown save and the loss only retiring four of the ten batters he faced.

Roster Impact: RF Sanchez who is a project/prospect for NO was 2 for 3 and the front office hopes that with a little more time in the minors he will be the future right fielder in the organization a long time.



March 13, NO @ CONN Loss, 5-4

SP Nicholson pitched four scoreless innings, but then two relievers looking for their place on the team surrendered five runs in the final five innings.

RF Cooper continued to be hot going 2-3 and 3B Hubbard continued his strong spring by doubling over the centerfielders head and knocking in three runs in the top of the first inning.

Roster Impact: Can Hubbard challenge for a corner infield spot? If he continues on his hot streak, Tanner will have a tough decision to make between Hubbard and recently acquired left-handed 1B Robby Shepherd. C Ray had an impressive game as well. Ray went 2 for 3 with a walk and in a few years should be a very good catcher for the Trendsetters.


March 14, KEN @ NO Loss, 10-3

Kentucky scored all of its runs in the first inning against possible 5th starter Fellick.

RF Cooper is really seeing the ball well and DH/LF Edwards had a great game.

Roster Impact: In a word, Fellick was terrible. He only retired one out of the nine batters he faced and walked six of them. Fellick who is competition for the fifth spot in the rotation will really need to pitch well in his following games to help Tanner forget about this outing. Prospective future starting pitcher Lambert, came in and spread out his wildness managing to walk seven batters in six innings and not allow any runs to score.

March 15, NO @ WV, Win 10-6

SP Hashimoto pitched well for four innings and created a little space between him and the rest of the competition for the 5th spot in the rotation. Cliente another future starting prospect did not fare so well allowing 3 runs over one and a third innings pitched.

SS Kato and LF Gonzalez led the way in the top of the 12 helping to generate four runs and the win. Kato finished the game with three RBI’s.

Roster Impact: If Hashimoto pitches well in his next outing, he will be the 5th starter. Whichever pitcher it is the starting rotation looks like it will shine for the Trendsetters this season.

March 16 NO @ ARL, Loss 6-5

McCullough had another dominant outing, but the bullpen faltered once again. Ortiz, who had been pretty reliable up until this point had a melt-down and gave up six runs on four hits.

SS Deschamps had a stellar game as he went 3 for 3 with 4 RBIs.

Roster Impact: Other than Deschamps who has all but earned his spot as a utility infielder there was nothing too spectacular.


March 17 NJ @ NO, Win 6-0

Four NO pitchers held NJ to two hits, allowing only four base runners all night.

RF Scott, first pitch swinging, hit a grand slam over the right center field wall.

Roster Impact: Ortiz recovered from his melt-down to pitch well. The NO bullpen seems to be pretty well balanced and while it may have a few rough spots, continue to perform consistently over the course of the season.


March 18 NO @ CHAR, Win 7-5

SP Davis pitched another strong outing, allowing two runs to score. One of the runs came off of a solo homerun. The bullpen stretched but didn’t break and with the help of 2B Jason Lloyd’s 2 run triple in the ninth preserved the win.

Roster Impact: Minor league prospect 2B Leonard Martin was able to come out of his slump a little with a pinch hit 2 RBI single in the top of the 8th.


March 19 LON @ NO, Win 2-0

SP Nicholson allowed three hits, and the bullpen allowed one walk, other than that five NO pitchers combined to shutdown London.

LF Gonzalez contributed with an RBI double, and Ty Green had a solo home run.
Roster Impact: The remainder of the spring training will see the Trendsetters focusing more on those players who are more likely to be on the 25 man roster. There still remains some flexibility especially at the corner infield spots.

[John]

This is absolutely awesome! Game recaps like this are enormously fun to read. Anyone who take the time to write up game recaps - for their team or any other - will be in line to earn a full 5 CPs for their submission. This kind of thing is a greatly welcome contribution!