Pitchers, Catchers Reporting Drawing Closer for Arizona Diamondbacks

Published: 8^th Jan 12 1:51 pm

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Chris Morrison, US Presswire

It seems like just yesterday when the Diamondbacks fell to the Brewers in Game Five of the NLDS, but believe it or not we are about a month and half out from pitchers and catchers reporting to camp at Salt River Fields.

On Friday, the D’Backs announced the dates for players reporting. Pitchers and catchers will report on Feb. 20 with workouts to begin the very next day. Position players will be asked to come in a few days later on Feb. 25 with the entire team working out together for the first time on Feb. 26. All of these events are open to the public.

Along with the players on the 40-man roster, there will be non-roster invitees who will be with the team in camp as well. Here those players are by position.

Catchers: Ryan Budde, Ed Easley, Rossmel Perez

Infielders: Matt Davidson, Chris Owings, Cody Ransom, Rusty Ryal, Ryan Wheeler

Outfielders: Adam Eaton, Marc Krauss, A.J. Pollock

Pitchers: Patrick Corbin, Jason Lane, Tyler Skaggs, Charles Brewer, Mike DeMark, Chris Jakubauskas, Jensen Lewis, Evan Marshall, Kevin Munson

On the infield, Davidson and Wheeler are guys to keep your eyes on. Both have played third base in the past and if Ryan Roberts gets off to a bad start, one of the two could see some action at the big league level in 2012.

With all the depth at the two middle infield spots, it isn’t likely for Owings to see playing time in Phoenix this season. However, he organization wants to see what they have with him for the future this spring, especially with Stephen Drew being a free agent this coming offseason. Is Owings the shortstop of the future for this club or will be a part-time starter and utility guy? This spring could be a deciding factor.

The outfield brings some interesting possibilities as well. There weren’t too many better hitters than Eaton during the Arizona Fall League. He has also hit .340 in his first two seasons down in the minors. Krauss is a player with tremendous power, but he had a poor 2011.

A former Golden Domer, Pollock is one of the my favorite player down in the D’Backs system. Coming off an injury which made him miss the entire 2010 season, Pollock had a great 2011. He hits for average, steals bases and can cover a lot of ground in the outfield. I am very excited to see him in action throughout the spring.

As of right now, Corbin and Skaggs are two of the top options for the Diamondbacks fifth starter spot. Both are arguably two best two left-handers in the entire organization. Brewer, a right-hander, has put up tremendous numbers at every level down in the minors and will battle for the spot as well. Lewis pitched well at times in Cleveland, but he is a long shot to find a spot in Arizona’s deep bullpen.

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