Stairs and Ruiz return
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Stairs and Ruiz return
Andy Martino
Good morning from Clearwater. Had a half-day off yesterday (probably shouldn’t make this public, but I did my own laundry last night for the first time since college—my wife has always taken care of that particular chore. It did not go well. Went down to the laundry room at my hotel with just enough quarters for detergent and one load. Used the quarters earmarked for detergent on something called “Bounce,” opened the box, and was very surprised to find that Bounce was not detergent, just two little strips of fabric softener. The strips floated to the ground while I searched the empty box in for something that would clean my clothes. Told you, I don’t know laundry).
Anyway, we jump right back into it with two games today. The intrasquad game at noon (played at DiMaggio field, across the street from Bright House) features Chris Coste and Pedro Feliz, as expected. Brett Myers, Chan Ho Park, Chad Durbin and Brad Lidge will pitch.
Here’s the lineup for the 1:05 Grapefruit League game against the Braves:
Donald 3B
Bruntlett SS
Ibanez LF
Howard 1B
Werth CF
Mayberry RF
Giles 2B
Ruiz C
Kendrick P
Also pitching: Eyre and Madson
You may have noticed Ruiz’s name in the lineup. Both he and Matt Stairs returned to hugs and boisterous greetings from teammates after Panama and Canada were eliminated from the World Baseball Classic. More on them later, and more on the intrasquad after I return from that.
Comments (40)
yes he does. Has anyone else noticed Donald's numbers lately? AB 25, H 8, R 4, 2B 1, RBI 2, BB 6, K 3, OBP .452. SLG .360 AVE .320 Personally I think this is more impressive then mayberry's— jeff gross- I noticed how Donald was performing too Jeff.. but you know how it is.. mashers are the rock stars of the sport. I don't know much about Donald other than that he is one of their top prospects. If Pedro is still tweaked a little as the regular season starts, is the word that there is a chance Donald would stay up?— benw
- Another year same old Jeff Gross. Mayberry has had an excellent spring, guys like him don't grow on trees. While I think Donald is an excellent prospect he is just that. He is NOT a part timer and his best destination is the MINORS. Mayberry on the other hand is a GAME CHANGER. in games where we are down 2-4 runs entering the 7th I'd rather have his bat in the line-up than Werth and possibly Ibanez depending on how his season starts off. Mayberry has nothing to lose and that is when guys arre dangerous. Furthermore Gross, I trust Gillick more than I trust you. Mayberry, if he keeps it up is a lock to make this team listen to Manuel gush over the guy. Gross once again I find your analysis lacking.— Truth
- ain't that the Truth... A bomb and a double for Mayberry for the day and two RBIs. With the need for right handed power in the lineup, I have to imagine he's going to require the Phils management to think very carefully about their options.— benw
- Truth, WTF have you been?? Great seeing you on the blog again. As always, you love the long ball and dont' care about short ball, which wins games. If no one is on base, it matters not how many HR howard or mayberry hit, they only get one run across. I also like Mayberry, and think he'll see many seasons in Phila, but I think he could use another year, or part of a year in AAA. If you notice he is leading the team in---strikeouts. Just what we need behind Howard. It seems Charlie has helped him with his swing, now let someone help him with his discipline. I also think Donald will start the year in teh minors, unless Chase isn't able to go. At least it will be interesting, with you and me bloggin all day long— jeff gross
- Jeff, Mayberry is a good outfielder, according to the reports I'm reading. He already played all three outfield positions this spring. I saw him on TV a few Saturdays ago. He has a quick swing. He hit a laser out of the park against the wind. If I have a choice to send one of the prospects, I'll send Donald. He needs more work defensively, specially at third base and second, according to the reports. It looks like the Phillies doesn't have to look somewhere else when the time to replace Feliz and Ibañez comes up in a year or two.— EL Zorro
- Jeff in this economy I can't close the door and frivolously spend my liesure time on the blog like before now that leads to pink slips. I've digressed into personal matters none the less I do feel Mayberry's time is now. How many games did the Phils win in the Playoffs and World Series with small ball tactics? Honestly answer that question. Not many this team is built around the first third of of the line-up getting on base and the second third hitting doubles or homers to get them in. No this team will not bat around and many men will be left on base and it will be maddening but when they get in the rhythm just described they can go on on 10-2/ 12-3 stretches. this is proven. Imagine having a Mayberry step into Werth's spot for a few wks when he goes cold. Or spelling Ibanez's 36 yr old legs 30-40 times a yr. He'll hit 30 homers and drive in 80 plus in a part time role as cholly says his tools are just that great. In the five hole if he's hot you have to pitch to Howard or in the 6 hole he drives in whatever is left. It could be crazy. Where would you bat Donald in this line-up? Maybe 7th? Worse case scenario 8th if Ruiz is hitting like he did a few yrs back.— Truth
- philly10 ... Stairs earned a spot because of one home run?— GoPhilsGo
- Let's be clear, I dont' envision DOnald or Mayberry making the team this year, at least not at first (again unless Utely can't play opening day). I do envision a line-up in 2011 of C-Marson, 1b Howard, 2b Utley, SS rollins, 3B Donald, LF Mayberry CF Victorino RF Werth. Please notice that except for Werth and Victorino all are home grown. (Vic and Werth were rule 5 pick-ups)so much for our lack of farm system.— jeff gross
- In regard to Matt Stairs, he is only a one-dimensional bench player if you’re a one-dimensional thinker and/or manager. In 2008, within 6 months of his famous (or infamous if you’re a Dodger fan) launch in LA, he slugged 2 homers in a game vs. the Rays (as the starting RF no less) ... hit a Grand Slam vs. the Twins ... and had 8 RBIs vs. the Yankees, including a pair of 2-run dingers in two separate games. In 2007, he made 89 starts (37-1B, 35-LF, 13-RF and 4-DH) … hardly a one-dimensional player. While it’s true his numbers are down, you can’t hit the ball if you’re kept sitting on the bench. Let’s not forget how long he sat between that legendary hit in LA and his one AB in the World Series (13 days later). And then there’s what he brings to a club beyond his bat. Just ask the Tigers what he meant to the club as they made their sprint to the World Series. Lastly, though his days at 2nd & 3rd are behind him, you can not compare him to Marcus Giles by any measure. What Mr. Stairs offers separates him from most. So while it’s great to thank him for his ‘LA Story’, show him the appreciation and respect, not to mention playing time he deserves.— get a clue
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