WBC set, good news for Detroit prospects, coaches, and fans.
The World Baseball Classic rosters were set. Big news for Detroit outfield prospects and coaches: It gives them some time to shine and evaluate.
Carlos Guillen, Curtis Granderson, and Magglio Ordonez — the projected starting outfield — will all be gone. Perfect. What are some of Detroit’s biggest (non-pitching-related) questions?
- How do they handle the backup center field slot
- How will Carlos Guillen fit in left
- Can Jeff Larish play in the outfield
- Where does Marcus Thames fit
- Is Brent Clevlen ready to be a major league player
- Can the team drum up trade interest for Clevlen if he doesn’t fit into their plans
So here we go. Guillen has said he wants to start for Venezuela or he won’t play for them; now that he’s on the roster and presumably starting, he should see more quality bats to field against. Also, positioning is key for an outfielder, so playing behind major league caliber starting pitching (vs say a Chris “can we please let Gary Sheffield injure himself, and not help him in this process” Lambert) should be an added boost.
On the prospect point, we all know its make it or break it time for Clevlen. Now Leyland doesn’t have to figure how to get him more innings, it just naturally just happened. If he does well, they can decide to keep him, or Brent is doing his part to create value. I still don’t see Casper Wells making the team out of spring training, but its more of a chance to see him side by side against the same pitching and lineups as Ryan Raburn and Clevlen. And I still think Thames gets traded, whether it be in March or early April… and that’s assuming perfect health from the projected starting lineup. Larish will be getting time in the outfield, and how comfortable the coaching staff feels about his play will go a long way in determining his roster spot.
From a fan’s standpoint, i’d rather go to spring training and see the prospects anyway. I can see the starting lineup when they travel to Oakland (twice this year! Woohoo!). Last year I went too late in spring training to see the likes of a Porcello play; this year its more likely they’ll keep the prospects around longer.