Throughout the past week, baseball has been roaring in the Valley of the Sun, as spring training action finally has gotten underway. With a couple games already broadcasted over the HD airwaves, we've been able to get a look at the team and get some quick, early impressions.
-The Cubs new RF acquisition from Japan, Kosuke Fukudome, has looked very good in his first few games. Despite only having 1 hit, he's been extremely patient and looks to be a high OBP guy. He's drawn numerous walks, gotten hit a couple of times, and has shown amazing defense with a rocket of an arm. Not to mention, he's been having fun in the clubhouse.
-Lee has been solid...he looks stronger than the past and hopefully will regain All-Star form. Sori and A-Ram have been injured, but should be back soon, along withe DeRosa.
-Pie has looked bad at times with the strikeouts, but overall he does have 2 dingers this spring with some good hits. So, coupled with his stellar D, he should do a nice job in CF this year and only improve.
-Soto looks amazing defensively, and continues to hit. He should be very good this year, and a plus over past years of Cub's catchers.
-The bullpen has seen many new, hardthrowing guys coming through that could make it to the big-league club at some point this year. Jose Ceda, Ascanio, Mateo, and Samardzija are all supposed to be very good and have shown flashes of it, but they'll need the spring to make an impression on Lou.
-The IF has had a nice showing of candidates that could not only make the club, but maybe be used as trade bait for the rumored Brian Roberts deal. Figueroa, Cintrón, Fontenot, and Cedeño have all played pretty well. And Theriot has had a great start getting his hits and scoring once he gets on.
So, it's been a nice start with some good first looks...more to come has the spring progresses in Mesa, AZ. Cubs will take on the division-rival Brewers later today with Ryan Dempster slated to make his second start of the spring.
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