Spring Training: 3/27

Spring Player Outlook: Gio Gonzalez

Stat Line: 2-0, 1.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 9 K's in 14 innings.

Gio has pitched in four games, working his innings totals up.  In his first start, he tossed two no-hit innings against the Mets.  In his second start, he upgraded three innings, but gave up two runs on five hits to the Cardinals.  Improving against the Astros, he tossed three shutout innings.  After that third start, he took a break from the Nationals and threw five shutout innings against Team Puerto Rico for Team USA.  Returning from Classic action, he threw six innings against the Mets on March 23rd.  He gave up one run on four hits and a walk.  The totals for his spring training pitching: 14 innings, 3 earned runs, 12 hits, 4 walks, 9 K's.  Though the number of hits is high, it is good to see the low number of walks.  Entering his age 27 season, Gio is looking to build off his 21 win 2012 and lead the Nats to a World Series. 

News

Angels traded Vernon Wells (11 HR, 29 RBI, .230 AVG, 3 SB, 2013 age: 34) to the Yankees for minor leaguers Kramer Sneed (0-7, 5.37 ERA, 1.65 WHIP at High Class A, 2013 age: 24) and Exicardo Cayones (1 HR, 15 RBI, .228 AVG, 7 SB at Low Class A, 2013 age: 21).

Brewers signed Kyle Lohse (16-3, 2.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 2013 age: 34) to a three year, $33 million deal ($11 million per season). 

Nationals signed J.C. Romero (0-0, 9.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 2013 age: 37) to a minor league deal and released Chris Young.

Blue Jays demoted former ace Ricky Romero to High Class A Dunedin.

Game Scores

Marlins (12-15) beat the Nationals (12-16) 8-5.

Phillies (14-15) beat the Rays (15-15) 10-1.

Yankees (12-17) tied the Astros (13-14) 4-4 (10 innings).

Rockies (16-12) beat the Dodgers (11-18) 7-6.

Braves (19-14) beat the Tigers (18-12) 6-5.

Reds (10-18) beat the Cubs (16-17) 11-1.

Top Scorer: Cardinals beat the Mets 11-4, White Sox beat the Rangers 11-3, Royals beat the Mariners 11-6, and Reds beat the Cubs 11-1.

Standings

Grapefruit League: Top: Orioles (18-8, .692 WPCT).  Bottom: Yankees and Pirates (12-17, .414).

Cactus League: Top: Royals (23-6, .793).  Bottom: Angels (8-18, .308).

Nationals: 12-16, .429, 13th in Grapefruit League.

Spring Leaders

Offensive: AVG: Bryce Harper (Nationals), .476 (30-63).  Home runs: 5 tied with 7.  RBI: Justin Upton (Braves), 19.  Stolen bases: Ezequiel Carrera (Indians), 11.

Pitching: Wins: 6 tied with 4.  K's: Julio Teheran (Braves), 35.  ERA: Jon Lester (Red Sox) and Brandon Maurer (Mariners), 0.90 (20 innings, 2 earned runs).  Saves: 9 tied with 3.

Top Performers

Offensive: Brandon Short (White Sox): 3-5, 2 home runs (2), 4 RBI, 3 runs, AVG up .102 from .273 to .375, hitting streak to 4 games (6-11, .545 AVG).  Plus I got his autograph after the game.

Pitching: Ian Kennedy (Diamondbacks): No decision, 6.2 shutout innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, 8 K's (17), ERA drop: 2.92 runs from 7.59 to 4.67.

Worst Pitching Performance: Randy Fontanez (Mets): Loss (0-1), 0.0 innings, 5 earned runs, 4 hits, 1 walk, 0 K's, ERA jump: -.-- runs from -.-- to -.--.

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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