Ray’s Ramblings: March 16, 2016

Andre Ethier cannot hit lefties, but he sure can still mash righties (last season his slash line against right handers impressed: .306/.383/.517). That’s what you call it when a guy posts a .900 OPS against righties as Ethier did last season. As a result, if you can change your lineup on a daily basis Ethier isn’t a bad depth option in the outfield at all. Even more good news. Sounds like Ethier could hit out of the leadoff spot against certain righties according to manager Dave Roberts.

Zack Greinke will hit eighth this season for the D’backs. A lifetime .220 hitter, Greinke can swing the lumber pretty darn well (he even hit .328 two years ago). Seems like manager Chip Hale is following in the footsteps of Tony La Russa, the chief baseball officer of the D’backs, who used to do the same thing with his pitchers on occasion. In an odd twist, it sounds like the Cubs are planning on batting their pitcher ninth this season meaning Addison Russell will hit 7^th or 8^th.

Chris Hatcher has as good a fastball as Wade Davis. Seriously.

Hyun-soo Kim started out spring 0-for-21. He’s gone 5-for-13 since.

Jon Lester is trying to work on throwing to first base, something he simply cannot do. It’s literally shocking to think that after all this time that he can’t hold a runner on first base. For goodness sakes, the guy is left-handed. "It’s out there. Everyone knows. It’s something that I continually trying to tackle every day and get better at.” In his latest attempt Lester had three errant pickoff throws though he did also pick off a batter. "Might as well take the opportunity to work on it in a setting like this," said Lester who allowed 44 stolen bases last season, the most in baseball.

Austin Meadows, the #2 prospect with the Pirates, will have surgery soon to repair a fractured orbital bone (he was struck in the eye last week while playing catch). It’s not known when he will be able to return to action, but this injury certainly puts a damper on any 2016 love for Meadows in the fantasy game.

Jorge Soler is really struggling with his glove, yet another reason to avoid drafting him in mixed leagues. "There are defensive abilities in there," manager Joe Maddon said. "We have to draw it out more consistently. And I'm a big believer in information and the drill work that gives you a better first step and better routes."

Leave it to the White Sox. Sounds like the last straw that pushed Adam LaRoche to retirement was the fact that his 14 year old son was being banned from the locker room. Such an ignominious end to a great career for LaRoche though, predictably, the team is saying that they haven’t changed any of their policies.

Matt Wieters continues to have tests run on his elbow, and he continues to pass every medical exam with flying colors. Wieters, who will turn 30 in May, is trying to recapture his former glory. He’s had three seasons of 500 at-bats. In each of those seasons Wieters has produced 20 homer and 68 RBI. If he gets to 500 again I would expect him to get back to those homer/RBI levels again.

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