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Quick, I’ll give you two guesses as to who’s hit the most home runs this spring…

…

Yeah, I wouldn’t have guessed that either. It’s Detroit Tigers catcher, Ivan Rodriguez. The veteran backstop who is closer in age to Yankees DH Billy Crystal than some rookies (that’s an exaggeration) has six home runs in 12 games this spring. He’s averaging a home run every 5.33 at-bats.

Now, he won’t keep that pace up all year, but what do you guys think about a little game of over/under? Pudge hit 11 bombs last season and over the past three years has averaged 12.5 homers per year. So, let’s set the over/under there.

Over/Under 12.5 home runs for Pudge in 2008? (Leave your answers below in the comments)
photo credit: jimcchou

We’re a few weeks into Spring Training and Mariners outfielder, Ichiro Suzuki is without a hit. In seven games he’s 0-21 with an RBI. The interesting point about Ichiro’s hitless streak is that he doesn’t care.

“To tell you the truth, some of this is kind of fun,” Ichiro said, speaking through translator Ken Barron. “To be in a situation this early in spring training, and have this bit of an intense environment, it’s something I couldn’t experience before.

“Basically, it’s a situation where I need to battle within myself mentally. That’s something I haven’t experienced this time of year, and I get to experience that right now. That is something that is great for me.”

So rejoice, Mariners fans. Ichiro, as usual, is in full control of the situation. The more outs, the merrier. All hail the weak grounder! Power to the pop fly!

Looking a little more intensely into his stats shows that he hasn’t struck out at all in his 21 at-bats. He’s making contact, and sooner or later those balls are going to start squirting through.

Since balls started flying in Florida and Arizona, Ichiro has been firmly entrenched near the back end of the second round in mock drafts. Two weeks ago his ADP was 22.45. Last week his ADP was 22.81 and right now it’s 22.98. Not too much movement for a guy who can’t buy a hit right now.

Apparently, neither Ichiro nor mock draft participants really care about his hitless streak. So, until the regular season begins, join me, and Ichiro, in hoping that none of his batted balls land in fair territory.

UPDATE, 3-14-08 at 08:43: Of course, as soon as I start the spring 2008 Hitless Ichiro campaign he beats out an infield single to crush all my hard work.

photo credit: BobbyProm

In the first inning of Monday’s Grapefruit League game, [tag]Chipper Jones[/tag] pulled up lame and left the game, limping off the field. As you know, Jones hasn’t played in more than 110 games in either of the last two seasons. His chronic foot problems have plagued him as well as two oblique injuries last year after the All Star break sent him to the DL twice.

Today’s injury is listed as an ankle sprain and Jones is listed as day to day. This is a sigh of relief to Jones, the [tag]Atlanta Braves[/tag] and anyone who has already drafted Jones since it’s not related to his foot or toes. However, we’re barely two weeks into spring training and he’s already leaving a game with an injury.

Be very careful when drafting Jones…

An extreme long shot to make the [tag]Houston Astros[/tag] out of spring training, [tag]Hunter Pence[/tag] is tearing it up in Kissimmee, so far hitting .722/.750/1.389 with 4 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs and 7 RBI. Without Burke, Lane or Scott completely falling off the radar, Pence will most likely be heading to AAA Round Rock to start the season. However, the value of Pence in keeper leagues is starting to rise. You can also consider him for deep NL only leagues. He will make it to Houston sometime in 2007.

This isn’t earth shattering news to the fantasy baseball community as [tag]Rafael Soriano[/tag] isn’t a closer, but he is the main set up man in Atlanta. And since I live in Atlanta and tend to get more news about the [tag]Atlanta Braves[/tag] than anyone else, you’re gonna hear it here. For those of you looking at Soriano as a source of holds or maybe as the heir apparent to close for the Braves in 2008, make sure you look into his new shoulder soreness this spring.

For a guy who spent 2005 recovering from TJ surgery and also spent the last month or so of last year out with a concussion, this isn’t great news. Sure he pitched this winter in the Dominican League, but he also had velocity problems there. If healthy, Soriano should rack up a bunch of holds and grab a few saves too. If healthy, his ERA should be below 3.00 and his K/9 should approach 9.5. Just remember that I said… if healthy.

Fantasy owners weren’t supposed to have to look at [tag]Ryan Braun[/tag] on draft day as he wasn’t likely to be on the big club on opening day. With Corey Koskie’s return to baseball uncertain, the Brewers were going to send out a 3B platoon situation involving Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino until Ryan Braun was seasoned enough in the minors to bring up to the big club. There’s not too much question that 2007 is the year Braun will be wearing a [tag]Brewers[/tag] uniform in Milwaukee, the question is when.

I realize that you can’t put too much weight on spring training numbers, especially only 3 games in. However, if Ryan Braun keeps hitting over the next month like he’s doing so far, the brew crew might have to clear a spot for him at 3B on opening day. So far this spring, in 2 games, Braun is 6-10 with a double and 3 home runs. We knew he had power with his 22 home runs in AA last year, but this is ridiculous.

Keep an eye on Braun over the next weeks. As of right now he’s still only worth a late round sleeper spot in most mixed leagues. But if he wins the starting job outright and Koskie is no closer to coming back, his draft status will climb considerably. Being #26 on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect List and knowing what Braun could be capable of down the road, he’s obviously more valuable in keeper leagues.