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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