AL Rookies: Yet to Perform as Advertised

Jason Michael Barker

Before you accuse me of being too harsh, yes, I do realize the season's only a week old. But it's been a month since my AL Rookie preview, and it's time to check back in with those future stars. Of the four players I profiled back in March, only one has shown anything so far, but remember, it's only the second week of April.

Ben Grieve, Oakland
	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BB	K	Avg.	OBP	SLG
Spring '98	24	68	25	6	1	3	14	14	12	14	.368	n/a	.618
1998	5	19	5	1	1	0	1	1	1	4	.263	.333	.421

As anticipated, Grieve won Oakland's everyday right field job out of spring training, although there was little doubt that he'd have the job to start the year after his stellar 1997. Just for good measure he tore it up in Spring Training, hitting a cool .391 with 25 hits in 24 games.

Yet despite his hot spring, hehasn't done much hitting after opening day, when the games count. Batting third in the A's line-up, Grieve has collected just 5 hits while striking out 4 times in 19 at-bats. He's been perfect in the field, handling 9 errorless chances thus far this season. His lack of hitting is no reason for concern this early in the season, while he's still learning the subtle nuances of major-league pitching.

Todd Greene, Anaheim
	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BB	K	Avg.	OBP	SLG
Spring '98	4	9	4	2	0	0	3	1	1	2	.444	n/a	.667
1998	Has yet to play in the majors (injury)

Greene started off hot this spring, only to injure himself yet again. The young slugging catcher injured his shoulder early in spring training and went under the knife on March 19. At the time, no one was sure how much time he'd miss.

This week Greene took live batting practice and threw for five minutes at a distance of 45 feet, and reported no problems other than the expected rustiness. It was the first time in over a month that he had participated in either activity. Despite this progress, Greene is expected to be out at least another month while he builds up strength in his shoulder. The Angels will need his bat in the lineup if they hope to compete in the AL West.

Magglio Ordonez, Chicago WS
	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BB	K	Avg.	OBP	SLG
Spring '98	20	64	25	5	1	4	13	19	6	11	.391	n/a	.688
1998	6	21	8	1	0	1	4	2	3	1	.381	0.458	.591

Like Grieve, Ordonez hit very well this spring and won his team's starting right field job. But unlike Grieve, his hot hitting has carried over into the regular season. Splitting time between the sixth and seventh position in the batting order, the 5'11" right handed batter has 8 hits in 21 at-bats, and has also walked 3 times while only striking out once. Much of Ordonez' early success may be due to his unusual batting stance, as pitchers have yet to figure out how to pitch to him.

I don't expect him to continue his current pace, nor do I expect that it will be long before Grieve breaks out in Oakland. Still, Ordonez should give Grieve a run for his Rookie of the Year money.

Ken Cloude, Seattle
	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	W	L	S	ERA
Spring '98	7	n/a	0	29.2	31	19	19	n/a	13	12	2	2	0	5.76
1998	1	1	0	6.00	7	4	4	2	3	2	1	0	0	6.00

Cloude wasn't exactly stellar this spring and admitted as much, but Jeff Fassero's injury coupled with Cloude's 1997 performance left little doubt that he'd make the M's starting rotation. Without Fassero, Seattle's rotation is so thin Jim Bullinger got the start Tuesday night (and gave up 6 first-inning runs), but that's for another time. Barring injury or a complete collapse, Cloude should remain in the rotation all season.

In his first outing, Cloude once again fell victim to the evil that plagued him last season - the home run ball. He surrendered two long balls in 6 innings, and 4 earned runs overall. But with Seattle's offense, that's often enough to win, and Cloude did just that in the Mariners' first victory of the season, 11-6 over the Boston Red Sox.

Jason Michael Barker will look at some more rookies next month, as well as following these four all season. Request your favorite rookie performer, as well as Jason's recipe for mousse torte, by mailing suggestions to jmb@strikethree.com

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