I actually only got to watch ESPN highlights of the spring games yesterday but I liked a lot of what I saw. Sure it’s only spring, nothing counts but still…
The Cincinnati Red’s, New Cuban import, lefty pitcher, Aroldis Chapman made his spring training debut against near major league batters (the Kansas City Royals) and looked good, breaking 100 mph on the speed gun a few times. Chapman pitched two innings and gave up 1 hit, walked 1 and struck out 3. It’s still too early to call Chapman a sure ace. Starters are made or broken during their second and third times through a lineup, the third or forth time a team sees that starter. Plus, Chapman has a history of being wild. Still, this was a nice start to what looks to be a promising career. Chapman is only 22 and was signed for a very reasonable (in today’s world of “baseball logic”) $30 million and change over 6 years. Man, I wish the Mets made more of a run at him. It will be interesting watching how Chapman progresses against the Washington Nationals 21 year old, future ace, Stephen Strasburg. Who ex-Met coach Davey Johnson is already comparing to Dwight Gooden.
Speaking of the Mets. They continue to look good in the spring. Yeah, the games don’t count, but I still like to watch them win and hope for the future. In the 11-2 victory over the Florida Marlins, the kids continued to do well. Ike Davis went 2-3 with 2 RBI. If he stays this hot, the Mets will have a hard time not bringing him up north with the big club. Fernando Martinez also had a nice game picking up 2 hits in 5 at bats. He probably won’t go north with the club, but if he stays healthy he could be a regular in the Mets outfield in 2011. Sure, Reyes and Beltran are both out but their subs Tejada and Pagan are filling in well.
Of course most of the experts on ESPN are predicting the Phillies to run away with the NL east, but with a break here and there and somewhere else the Mets can contend. Hey, it’s spring I am allowed to be optimistic.
