Spring Training: 3/16

Spring Player Outlook: Micah Owings

Stat Line: 2 HR, 8 RBI, .429 AVG, 0 SB.

The Nationals' pitcher turned first baseman has had an incredible spring.  Over ten games, he's hitting .429 with a pair of home runs, three doubles, and four runs scored.  Perhaps his most notable game came on Thursday, when he knocked a go-ahead grand slam in his only at bat to put the Nats up 6-3 over the Astros.  Over his past three games, he is 6-8 (.750 AVG) with a home run, two doubles, and six RBI.  Despite his great spring, it is unlikely that he will be on the Opening Day roster.  Most likely, he will get his chance if a player like Adam LaRoche, Tyler Moore, or Chad Tracy goes down with an injury.

News

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera announced that 2013 will be his final season.

Team Puerto Rico eliminated Team USA from the World Baseball Classic.  Other teams, such as Cuba and Italy, have recently been eliminated from the tournament.

Today, Team Puerto Rico will meet Team Dominican Republic to decide seeding for the four team, single elimination, final tournament.

WBC Scores

Puerto Rico (4-2) beat Team USA (3-3) 4-3 (USA Eliminated)

Exhibition: Cubs (SS) beat Japan 7-5.Exhibition: Netherlands beat the Mariners (SS) 8-1.

Game Scores: SS=Split Squad

Cardinals (10-8) beat the Nationals (9-9) 5-1.

Red Sox (SS, 11-9) tied the Orioles (11-5) 3-3 (10 innings).

Red Sox (SS, 11-9) beat the Twins (10-10) 5-0.

Yankees (8-12) beat the Marlins (7-10) 7-3.

Rays (13-7) beat the Phillies (8-11) 3-1 (10 innings).

Dodgers (SS, 7-10) beat the Royals (SS, 16-3) 8-1.

Padres (SS, 11-10) beat the Dodgers (SS, 7-10) 8-7.

White Sox (9-7) beat the Cubs (SS, 8-12) 15-3.

Tigers (12-8) beat the Blue Jays (8-11) 4-2.

Rockies (10-7) beat the Reds (5-14) 5-1.

Top Scorer: White Sox beat the Cubs (SS) 15-3.

Standings

Grapefruit League: Top: Orioles (11-5, .688 WPCT).  Bottom: Astros (7-11, .389).

Cactus League: Top: Royals (16-3, .842).  Bottom: Angels (4-12, .250).

Nationals: 9-9, .500, t-6th in Grapefruit League.

Spring Leaders

Offensive: AVG: Jeff Baker (Rangers), .514 (19-36).  Home runs: Paul Konerko (White Sox) and Michael Morse (Mariners), 5.  RBI: Aaron Hicks (Twins) and Ryan Howard (Phillies), 13.  Stolen bases: Ezequiel Carrera (Indians), 8.

Pitching: Wins: 6 tied with 3.  K's: 5 tied with 18.  ERA: Michael Wacha (Cardinals), 0.00 (11.2 shutout innings).  Saves: 5 tied with 3.

Top Performers

Offensive: Jordan Danks (White Sox): 3-4, 2 doubles, home run (1), 5 RBI, 2 runs, AVG up .100 from .150 to .250, hitting streak to 2 games (5-6, .833 AVG).

Pitching: Nelson Figueroa (Puerto Rico): Win, 6 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 2 K's to shut down Team USA.

Worst Pitching Performance: Scott Feldman (Rangers): Loss (0-2), 3.2 innings, 7 earned runs, 7 hits, 2 walks, 1 hit batsman, 2 K's, ERA jump: 2.81 runs from 9.00 to 11.81.

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Teams followed in this update: Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers

If your team is not included, please leave a comment.

HR: home runs.  RBI: runs batted in.  AVG: batting average.  SB: stolen bases.  ERA: earned run average. WHIP: walks/hits per innings pitched.  K's: strikeouts. WPCT: winning percentage

Zack Silverman