So, about two weeks into games, I thought it'd be worth checking in as to how our players are doing in their bids for roster spots. I excluded guys who are already settled into their roles and so aren't competing for anything, and those who haven't spent any time at AA and/or really have no shot at making the team. Stats are as of and including today's performance:
Rajai Davis: Doesn't really need to make the team, but could be competing for playing time. Showing a bit of pop, with a home run and two doubles thusfar this spring. Has also drawn a couple of walks in his 22 plate appearances.
Jonathan Diaz: No real chance to make the team, but has seen a fair bit of playing time thusfar. Hasn't done much with the bat, but has looked solid in the field.
Scott Podsednik: Dealing with plantar fasciitis, Pods hasn't yet made an appearance.
Corey Patterson: Hitting just .158/.158/.211 in 19 plate appearances. The Podsednik injury has probably helped his chances of making the team, though.
Eric Thames: Hitting an impressive .316/.364/.632 with two walks, a double, a triple, and a home run in 21 plate appearances. A very nice spring for him so far, but with no experience above AA he's likely ticketed for the minors. Still, a good sign for the Jays' outfield depth going forward.
J.P. Arencibia: A lock to make the team, it would seem, but has just 1 hit in 22 plate appearances thusfar (a single). He has drawn 4 walks which is nice, although the 7 Ks are less so.
Brett Lawrie: Hitting .333/.333/.556 and looking good in the field at third. I don't see any way he makes the team out of camp, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him around the all-star break.
David Cooper: Looking decent at the plate so far (.375 OBP and as many walks as Ks) though has yet to hit an extra-base hit.
Mike McCoy: His options may mean he doesn't make the team, but his versatility is nice to have a short flight from the bigs. .214/.353/.286 over 16 plate appearances
Darrin Mastroianni: Jays don't appear to be giving him much of a chance to make the team (he's been used more as a defensive replacement and has just 14 plate appearances in the 10 games in which he's appeared) .231/.286/.231.
Adeiny Hechavarria: obviously not going to make the team out of camp, but it's been fun to watch him play a bit. no hits yet in 10 plate appearances, though he does have 2 walks.
Pitchers:
Marc Rzepczynski: Has looked better of late, with a pretty decent performance his last time out. Still, with 3 walks and 4 Ks over 5 2/3 innings (4.76 ERA), he'll have to show a bit more.
Jesse Litsch: Making his case for a rotation spot, Litsch came back into camp in good shape and has gotten off to a nice start. Has not given up any runs over his 5 innings so far, with 5 Ks and no walks and just 2 hits.
Brad Mills: Probably can't make the team out of spring barring a rash of injuries, but making his case for a callup when the time comes. Has given up 7 hits over 5 innings, but only two runs and no walks (4 Ks). Had a very nice 3-inning appearance out of the bullpen his last tiime out, stranding the bases loaded after entering with the bags juiced and no outs.
Jo-Jo Reyes: If only the Jays played their spring games in Tuscon. Reyes is out of options but hasn't yet made his case, with 3 walks and just 2 Ks over 5 innings.
Zach Stewart: Not sure he has any real chance at cracking the rotation, but certainly getting a chance to show the team what he has for later in the season. I would be surprised to not see him get his shot sometime this year. Zach has had some control issues (4 walks in 4 2/3 innings) but has struck out 5. His second outing was much better than his first.
David Purcey: Hasn't made his case for a more prominent bullpen role, with 4 walks and a HBP in 4 innings (2 Ks) and 4 hits given up (2 runs). As the number one lefty you'd think he's a lock to make the team, but if you can't throw strikes it doesn't really matter with which arm you throw.
Robert Ray: I don't think he's a frontrunner for a spot, but he seems healthy and has struck out 4 over his 4 innings without walking anyone (though he has hit two batters).
Carlos Villanueva: Making his case to make the team, Villanueva has kept a clean sheet in his three innings, with 3 Ks and no walks. Has looked quite good so far.
Octavio Dotel: A rough start to the spring, with 9 hits given up in 3 innings. At least he hasn't walked anyone, but I wonder whether age is catching up. Still, at his salary it doesn't matter how he pitches this spring. If he is healthy he'll come north.
Casey Janssen: Another guy fighting for a bullpen spot, Janssen's options work against him but he has looked great so far this spring, with three shutout innings, 3 Ks to no walks, and his usual bevy of ground ball outs (2 GO/AO). It'd be a shame for him to get cut just because of his options if he continues to pitch so well.
Shawn Camp: I can't imagine he's really fighting for a job, but for the sake of completeness Camp has pitched just 2 innings this spring so far. He's given up 1 run, and has 2 Ks to no walks.
Kyle Drabek: slow start due to some health issues. Drabek looked solid in his first and only outing, with 3 Ks and no walks in 2 innings. Tons of grounders.
Jon Rauch: A lock for the team, one would think, Rauch has thrown two scoreless innings thusfar.
Josh Roenicke: Josh hasn't stuck in the majors despite excellent stuff, and is slouching towards 30, but he's had a nice start to the spring, with two scoreless innings and a 3:1 K/BB ratio.
Scott Richmond: Everyone's favourite story, Richmond, has only gotten into one game this spring and it didn't go well for him. He'll look to settle down next time.