Spring Training update
By Scott Barancik, editor
With MLB Spring Training winding down, we thought we’d update you on how Jewish players are doing so far.
We’ll start with roster players and non-roster invitees. Stats are for games played through March 19, 2019:
P Jeremy Bleich (Phillies): A southpaw who made an inauspicious MLB debut in 2018, Bleich is 0-0 this Spring with one hold and a 3.00 ERA across 9 innings. He has struck out 11, walked 7, held opposing batters to a .194 average, and given up 1.44 walks/hits per inning.
P Richard Bleier (Orioles): The only Major Leaguer with a sub-2.00 ERA in each of the past three seasons, Bleier is 0-0 with one hold and a 2.45 ERA across 3.2 innings. He has struck out 3, walked none, and yielded a .333 average and 1.36 walks/hits per inning.
LF Ryan Braun (Brewers): The 2011 National League MVP is hitting .294 (5-for-17) with a HR, 2 RBIs, no walks and three strikeouts.
3B Alex Bregman (Astros): After finishing 5th in voting for the 2018 American League MVP award, Bregman is hitting a blistering .438 (7-for-16) with 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 4 RBIs, 6 walks, 3 strikeouts and a .609 on-base percentage. A recent article speculated that he “may soon become the face of the Houston Astros.”
P Max Fried (Braves): The 6’4″ southpaw looks likely to make Atlanta’s starting rotation this season. Fried is 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA across 15.1 innings. He has struck out 16, walked 5, and held opposing teams to a .246 average and 1.24 walks/hits per inning.
P Rob Kaminsky (Indians): A newbie making his MLB Spring Training debut, Kaminsky struggled in 3 appearances before being sent down to the minors, going 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA across 2.2 innings, striking out 5 while walking one, and yielding a .500 average and 3.38 walks/hits per inning.
2B Ian Kinsler (Padres): Kinsler’s first Spring in San Diego has been a good one. He’s hitting .385 (10-for-26) with 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, a stolen base, and a .429 on-base percentage.
P Dean Kremer (Orioles): Poised to make his MLB Spring debut, Kremer suffered an oblique strain and didn’t appear in a game before being sent down.
C Ryan Lavarnway (Yankees): A former Red Sox now with rival New York, Lavarnway is hitting .333 (6-for-18) with 2 doubles, 6 RBIs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts and a .400 on-base percentage.
P R.C. Orlan (Indians): An MLB Spring Training rookie, Orland was hit hard in 3 games before being sent down, going 0-1 with a 15.43 ERA across 2.1 innings, yielding 3 walks and no strikeouts, and giving up 2.57 walks/hits per inning.
LF Joc Pederson (Dodgers): After a bad start, the power-hitting Pederson is hitting .175 (7-for-40) with 7 RBIs and a .261 on-base percentage. All 7 of his hits have been either doubles (4) or home runs (3). Pederson has a hit in 5 of his last 7 games, but he’s struck out 15 times against 5 walks.
CF Kevin Pillar (Blue Jays): The human highlight reel is hitting .225 (9-for-40) with a double, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts and a .279 on-base percentage.
P Robert Stock (Padres): After a strong 2018 debut, Stock is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA across 6 innings this Spring, plus 2 holds and one blown save. Along the way he’s struck out 5, walked 8, and held opponents to a .217 average and 2.17 walks/hits per inning. MLB.com’s Matt Kelly recently called Stock one of “5 late-blooming pitchers primed for a breakout 2019.”
C Garrett Stubbs (Astros): Before the Astros sent him down to minor-league camp, Stubbs impressed, hitting .300 (6-for-20) with a double, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs and a .333 on-base percentage.
1B Rowdy Tellez (Blue Jays): A late-season darling in 2018, Tellez is hitting .283 (13-for-46) with a double, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 12 strikeouts and a .313 on-base percentage.
At least 8 other prospects who were not formally invited to MLB Spring Training have gotten a brief chance to play there this year:
OF Zach Borenstein (Cubs): .125 avg (1-for-8), 1 RBI
SS Scotty Burcham (Rockies): 1.000 avg (1-for-1), 1 RBI, 1 BB
P Scott Effross (Cubs): 0-1, 0.00 ERA, 0/1 saves, 0.2 IP, .600 avg, 4.50 WHIP
P Brad Goldberg (Diamondbacks): 0-0, 54.00 ERA, 0/1 saves, 0.1 IP, .500 avg, 12.00 WHIP
P Matthew Gorst (Red Sox): 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 3.2 IP, 2 BB, 1 K, .154 avg. 1.09 WHIP
2B Ty Kelly (Angels): .500 avg (1-for-2)
C Mitchell Kranson (Twins): .000 avg (0-for-2)
P Zack Weiss (Twins): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0/1 saves, 1 IP, .333 avg, 2.00 WHIP
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