Friday, February 24, 2006
Notes: Lerew slides into competition
02/20/2006
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Anthony Lerew drew praise from Braves manager Bobby Cox on Monday, then declared that he's got his sights on being the Braves' closer.
Minutes after Cox had proclaimed that Lerew had been the most impressive pitcher he'd seen during Monday's workouts, the right-handed pitcher said that he came to camp with hopes of emerging victorious in the battle for the closer's role.
"I'd like to be the closer," Lerew said. "That's something I think I could do and have fun with."
Lerew, a 23-year-old hurler who threw a scoreless inning in last year's All-Star Futures Game, has been a starting pitcher throughout his Minor League career. But Cox believes that Lerew could be successful as a reliever or starter at the Major League level.
"The feelings are [that] he could be either one and be good at it," Cox said. "From what I saw today, he could do anything and be good at it."
Lerew caught Cox's eyes on Monday with the pinpoint control he displayed with his live fastball, biting slider and quickly developing split-finger fastball. He didn't begin throwing the splitter until mid-August last year, and he really didn't begin working on it again until a few weeks ago.
During the club's early throwing program, which was held in Atlanta earlier this month, new pitching coach Roger McDowell told Lerew to begin throwing the split-finger pitch on the outer part of the plate. Suddenly, he saw improved action and displayed better control with the pitch.
"I throw hard, and I think if I get this split working for me, I believe I can [be the closer]," Lerew said. "It's something that I'd want to do."
Improved mechanics have allowed Lerew to find quick success with the split-finger pitch and at the same time see his velocity rise into the upper 90's. These pitches combined with his slider give him a well-round repertoire.
Since being selected by the Braves in the 11th round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft draft, Lerew, who was recruited to play quarterback at Penn State University, has shown great control. In 568 Minor League innings, he's recorded 484 strikeouts and issued just 183 walks.
While combining for 27 starts with Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Richmond last year, Lerew recorded 117 strikeouts, issued 55 walks and posted a 3.71 ERA. He received a September promotion to Atlanta, where he held opponents scoreless in five of seven appearances.
"Hopefully, I opened some eyes out there on the field today," Lerew said. "I want them to realize what I can do."
Chris Reitsma currently stands as the front-runner in the competition for the closer's role. But Cox is keeping an open mind, and he could ultimately choose to give Lerew, Joey Devine or Oscar Villarreal the job.
"I want to fight for it," Lerew said. "It's something I think I could be good at."
Cox on Bonds: Barry Bonds seemingly hasn't reached a definite decision regarding the possibility of playing past this season. But from what Cox has seen from a distance, he believes that the legendary slugger still could absolutely obliterate Hank Aaron's all-time home run record.
"He could [be a designated hitter] for anybody and hit 850 home runs," said Cox, while conceding the fact that Bonds' troublesome right knee might force a move to the American League after this season.
After USA Today reported on Sunday that Bonds had said that he'll retire at the end of this season, MLB.com's Barry M. Bloom spoke with the slugger and learned that a definite decision hadn't been made.
Bonds, who is in the final year of his contract with the Giants, enters this season with 708 career homers. He needs eight more to surpass Babe Ruth and 48 more to unseat Aaron as baseball all-time home run king.
"I don't think there's been a more feared hitter since ... forever, probably," Cox said.
Cormier impresses: When Johnny Estrada was traded to the Diamondbacks in December, it was a financial move that freed some cash for the Braves. It also might have landed them two valuable relievers.
Villarreal and Lance Cormier, the two pitchers acquired in the trade, have both made favorable impressions on Cox. Villarreal appears set to play an important role in the bullpen. As for Cormier, he's doing well early in his fight to land a roster spot.
Cox has said that John Smoltz's curveball is the best one the Braves have to offer. But he was also impressed with the one he saw from Cormier on Monday.
"The kid is in that class with John's breaking ball," Cox said.
Cormier began last year in impressive fashion, allowing just two earned runs in 23 1/3 innings (16 appearances). He entered the All-Star break with a 2.70 ERA, but he allowed 17 earned runs -- and 11 in a span of two consecutive games -- in August, finishing the year with a 5.11 ERA.
Last year was Cormier's second big-league season and the first of his professional career in which he was used exclusively as a reliever. The 25-year-old right-hander went 17-15 with a 3.51 ERA in 59 career Minor League appearances (46 starts).
Braves bits: Marcus Giles and Edgar Renteria are the only position players targeted for an Opening Day roster spot who hadn't reported to camp by Monday. All position players must report by Tuesday, and the first full-squad workout will be held on Wednesday. ... Giles was in Daytona on Sunday to watch his good friend Jimmie Johnson win the Daytona 500.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Anthony Lerew drew praise from Braves manager Bobby Cox on Monday, then declared that he's got his sights on being the Braves' closer.
Minutes after Cox had proclaimed that Lerew had been the most impressive pitcher he'd seen during Monday's workouts, the right-handed pitcher said that he came to camp with hopes of emerging victorious in the battle for the closer's role.
"I'd like to be the closer," Lerew said. "That's something I think I could do and have fun with."
Lerew, a 23-year-old hurler who threw a scoreless inning in last year's All-Star Futures Game, has been a starting pitcher throughout his Minor League career. But Cox believes that Lerew could be successful as a reliever or starter at the Major League level.
"The feelings are [that] he could be either one and be good at it," Cox said. "From what I saw today, he could do anything and be good at it."
Lerew caught Cox's eyes on Monday with the pinpoint control he displayed with his live fastball, biting slider and quickly developing split-finger fastball. He didn't begin throwing the splitter until mid-August last year, and he really didn't begin working on it again until a few weeks ago.
During the club's early throwing program, which was held in Atlanta earlier this month, new pitching coach Roger McDowell told Lerew to begin throwing the split-finger pitch on the outer part of the plate. Suddenly, he saw improved action and displayed better control with the pitch.
"I throw hard, and I think if I get this split working for me, I believe I can [be the closer]," Lerew said. "It's something that I'd want to do."
Improved mechanics have allowed Lerew to find quick success with the split-finger pitch and at the same time see his velocity rise into the upper 90's. These pitches combined with his slider give him a well-round repertoire.
Since being selected by the Braves in the 11th round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft draft, Lerew, who was recruited to play quarterback at Penn State University, has shown great control. In 568 Minor League innings, he's recorded 484 strikeouts and issued just 183 walks.
While combining for 27 starts with Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Richmond last year, Lerew recorded 117 strikeouts, issued 55 walks and posted a 3.71 ERA. He received a September promotion to Atlanta, where he held opponents scoreless in five of seven appearances.
"Hopefully, I opened some eyes out there on the field today," Lerew said. "I want them to realize what I can do."
Chris Reitsma currently stands as the front-runner in the competition for the closer's role. But Cox is keeping an open mind, and he could ultimately choose to give Lerew, Joey Devine or Oscar Villarreal the job.
"I want to fight for it," Lerew said. "It's something I think I could be good at."
Cox on Bonds: Barry Bonds seemingly hasn't reached a definite decision regarding the possibility of playing past this season. But from what Cox has seen from a distance, he believes that the legendary slugger still could absolutely obliterate Hank Aaron's all-time home run record.
"He could [be a designated hitter] for anybody and hit 850 home runs," said Cox, while conceding the fact that Bonds' troublesome right knee might force a move to the American League after this season.
After USA Today reported on Sunday that Bonds had said that he'll retire at the end of this season, MLB.com's Barry M. Bloom spoke with the slugger and learned that a definite decision hadn't been made.
Bonds, who is in the final year of his contract with the Giants, enters this season with 708 career homers. He needs eight more to surpass Babe Ruth and 48 more to unseat Aaron as baseball all-time home run king.
"I don't think there's been a more feared hitter since ... forever, probably," Cox said.
Cormier impresses: When Johnny Estrada was traded to the Diamondbacks in December, it was a financial move that freed some cash for the Braves. It also might have landed them two valuable relievers.
Villarreal and Lance Cormier, the two pitchers acquired in the trade, have both made favorable impressions on Cox. Villarreal appears set to play an important role in the bullpen. As for Cormier, he's doing well early in his fight to land a roster spot.
Cox has said that John Smoltz's curveball is the best one the Braves have to offer. But he was also impressed with the one he saw from Cormier on Monday.
"The kid is in that class with John's breaking ball," Cox said.
Cormier began last year in impressive fashion, allowing just two earned runs in 23 1/3 innings (16 appearances). He entered the All-Star break with a 2.70 ERA, but he allowed 17 earned runs -- and 11 in a span of two consecutive games -- in August, finishing the year with a 5.11 ERA.
Last year was Cormier's second big-league season and the first of his professional career in which he was used exclusively as a reliever. The 25-year-old right-hander went 17-15 with a 3.51 ERA in 59 career Minor League appearances (46 starts).
Braves bits: Marcus Giles and Edgar Renteria are the only position players targeted for an Opening Day roster spot who hadn't reported to camp by Monday. All position players must report by Tuesday, and the first full-squad workout will be held on Wednesday. ... Giles was in Daytona on Sunday to watch his good friend Jimmie Johnson win the Daytona 500.
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
