TGIF. Friday is the end of the working week and it must be time for us to look at the cornerstones, the third basemen.
There are only ten third basemen in camp, one of the lowest jobs to players ratios in the organization.
The players are:
Major League: Scott Rolen; Jose Bautista
AAA: Brett Harper; Howie Clark
AA: Andrew Pinckney
A+: Kevin Ahrens; Jesus Gonzalez
A: Robert Sobolewski; Balbino Fuenmayor; Raul Barron
The Jays have lost several third basemen from the 2008 rosters, Hector Luna, Anthony Hatch and Leance Soto have each departed the organization.
Scott Rolen and Jose Bautista are set on the major kleague roster. with Rolen's health history you need to have a backup on hand at all times. Marco Scutaro was the backup for the first half of last season but now he has a full time job so Bautista is the backup.
At AAA the Jays have a couple of free-agent signees, Brett Harper and Howie Clark. Harper can hit, last season in AAA he hit .315 with 52 extra base hits. His slugging percentage was .577. Harper played at Binghamton the previous season and slugged 500 there too. Harper is listed by the Jays in their minor league roster as a third baseman. I am not sure if that is a mistake or if the Jays intend to get him to convert to third as he has played primarily at first base in the past. If it is a mistake then Harper will bump Chip Cannon off first. If not then Harper will be learning to play third "on the job". If Harper is at first then Howie Clark could play there. Clark is generally Mr. Versatile and can play every position and that is probably his best role on a roster. Other possible candidates are Scott Campbell or Kevin Mellilo. Campbell started to work out at third last fall, the Jays could make it a permanent move.
Things get simpler at AA, Andrew Pinckney returns for a second turn in New Hampshire. Pinckney was average kast season but with Hatch gone the Jays have few internal candidates for that job.
Kevin Ahrens will move up from Lansing to Dunedin which leaves Jesus Gonzalez without a job. Gonzalez has shown flashes fo good form but has not been consistent and hitting .228 last season has lost him the starting job.
Robert Sobolewski was the Jays fourth round pick in last seasons draft. Sobolewski had only 130 at-bats before an injury ended his season early. Sobolewski just turned 22 and needs to be in Lansing. Balbino Fuenmayor finally performed well last season in the GCL, hitting over .300. There is some debate as to whether Balbino can stay on third, if he will then he will have to play in extended spring training. Otherwise he could move to first and unseat Mike McDade. Raul Barron is a utility player who can cover all positions.
Major League: Scott Rolen; Jose Bautista
AAA: Scott Campbell or Brett Harper; Howie Clark
AA: Andrew Pinckney
A+: Kevin Ahrens; Jesus Gonzalez
A: Robert Sobolewski; Raul Barron
Extended: Balbino Fuenmayor
The Organization Views are taking the weekend off, we will be back with the outfielders on Monday.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20090219172747525