A few weeks ago, it didn’t look like Andruw Jones would make it with the Texas Rangers. He was struggling in spring training and the Rangers’ roster appeared to be completely filled at the outfield position. However, on Wednesday the Rangers released Frank Catalanotto to make room for Jones.

Andruw Jones, Texas Rangers (Image: Newscom)

Catalanotto was having a good spring training but he’s a left-handed hitter and the Rangers have plenty of lefties in their lineup. Jones also has a much more potential both at the plate and in the field.

Even though Jones is only 31, his career has totally derailed. In 2005 and 2006, Jones hit a combined 92 home runs and averaged 128.5 RBIs in those two season. The last two seasons, on the other hand, have been horrendous. In 2007, he had 26 homers but had a batting average of .222. Last season, Jones had only three homers and a .158 batting average.

Jones is young enough to turn around his career but he will have to put in the extra work to get in shape and dedicate himself to the game. If he does, the ten-time Gold Glove winner could be a very good player for the Rangers.

After incumbent closer Kerry Wood left the Chicago Cubs in free agency, many baseball insiders believed that the team would simply hand over the closer role to Carlos Marmol. Marmol spent 2008 as the Cubs setup man and he did a fine job in that role. However, after a shaky spring, manager Lou Piniella has decided to give the closer job to Kevin Gregg.

Last year with the Florida Marlins, Gregg racked up 29 saves along with a 3.41 ERA. Acquired via trade in the offseason, Gregg hasn’t given up a run during spring training. That fact, along with Piniella being comfortable with Marmol as the setup man once again, allowed Gregg to win the top job in the bullpen.

Marmol, a 26-year-old out of the Dominican Republic with dynamic stuff, pitched very well last year. He had a 2.68 ERA, a WHIP of 0.93 and 114 strikeouts in 87.1 innings. Marmol also finished the year with 30 holds in 82 outings.

Despite losing out on the closer role, Marmol is the next in line if Gregg struggles at any point during the 2009 Major League Baseball season.

Here is a video of Gregg while with the Marlins robbing the Cubs of a hit with a behind the back stab:

Alexei Ramirez is one of the latest Cuban defectors to land in a big-league organization. He played second base in the game I saw, and didn’t do much to distinguish himself one way or the other, but some folks think he’ll end up in the outfield. As you can see, Ramirez has quite the uppercut swing.

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, one of the great things about attending spring training is that you have the opportunity to watch players hone their craft. This includes prospects getting their first taste of pro ball as well as future first-ballot Hall of Famers.

For reasons I won’t get into here, we missed Greg Maddux’s start while we were out in Peoria. But to me — and I can’t stress this enough — the games aren’t nearly as interesting as the practices. Fortunately, we did get to watch Maddux practice.

In the photo above, you can’t see it, but Maddux is standing on a pitching rubber. You’ll notice that his right (throwing) hand is clenched into a fist. He is about to wind and throw an imaginary pitch. A coach will then hit a grounder toward first, with Maddux breaking to cover the bag.

The other thing you can’t tell from this photo is that nobody dogs these drills. Even the veterans. The most successful guys, like Maddux, didn’t reach the top of their profession by doing stuff half-assed. As I learned in my time as a semi-working musician, if you can’t practice well, then what’s going to happen come show time?

One of the stories of 2008 I’m most looking forward to is that of St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel. You know the story: Ankiel was a pitching phenom who reached the big leagues at 19 before losing the strike zone and then blowing out his arm.

After a long and improbable journey, he returned to the Cardinals last summer as an outfielder and played himself into a material role with this year’s club. There’s even talk that he might bat cleanup, although manager Tony LaRussa is quick to deflect any such discussion at this point. Still, even LaRussa can’t contain his excitement when talking about Ankiel:

I think he can have good at-bats wherever he goes. He’s such a special guy… You can read between the lines. He’s an impact guy. You can hit him in a lot of key spots.

Ankiel, for his part, is playing it cool. He’s experienced the hype before, and so maybe it’s not surprising to hear him take the proverbial low road:

Let’s keep it: “See ball, hit ball.” Whatever lineup is picked, that’s what happens.

Seems like a sensible approach to me. We’ll see what kind of fruit it bears…

We’re taking a break from the “Who Am I?” segment that normally runs on Mondays. Don’t worry, it’ll be back, but with the season fast approaching and memories of my recent trip to the Cactus League still reasonably fresh, I thought I’d share some photos this week.

You can see all my spring training photos at Flickr, but I understand that you’re busy and may not have time to go clicking all over the place. With that in mind, here’s a shot of Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton:

Upton, for those who may have been living in a cave, is one of the brightest young players in baseball. From the Baseball America 2007 Prospect Handbook (aff link):

The term “five-tool prospect” somehow doesn’t seem strong enough for Upton. He does everything exceptionally well and already has the body and composure of a big leaguer. If one thing stands out, however, it’s his bat speed. He whips his bat through the hitting zone and has great leverage in his swing, which allows him to sting the ball like few players can and gives him plus power potential.

Upton doesn’t turn 21 until the end of August, and he already has 43 big-league games under his belt. Yeah, as a Padres fan, I’m more than a little concerned at the thought of his sustained presence in the National League West. He may well be the game’s best player in 5 years.

Photo by Geoff Young

Headed to spring training? If you’re thinking of going to the games only, think again. My latest article at Baseball Digest Daily provides a glimpse of what you’re missing if you don’t get out the ballpark early:

At the next field, pitchers are fielding bunts. And one field over from that, they’re practicing pickoff moves. Runners are stationed at first and second base. A batter stands at the plate. The pitcher throws to first and then runs to cover the bag as the first baseman chases the breaking runner.

After the pitchers are done, the catchers take their turn. They snap throws to first, second, and third. There is a batter and a runner to distract them, as there would be in a game.

They work on rundowns. The coach hits grounders to drawn-in infielders, who throw home as a runner breaks from third. The catcher sprints down the line, chasing the runner back until the third baseman yells “now.” The catcher then tosses the ball to the third baseman, who tags out the runner. Two or three catchers rotate in for this exercise, and you get exhausted just watching these kids in full gear jump up from a squatting position and bolt into a sprint time and time again.

The games are great, but they don’t count in the standings. The real treat is watching these kids bust tail to improve and, with luck, give themselves a chance at living the dream.

I got out to my first game of the spring on Friday. San Diego Padres vs Arizona Diamondbacks at Peoria Stadium. Even managed to catch a foul ball (first time ever, thanks for asking).

Anywho, I took a bunch of photos. Enjoy!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

See full photo set at Flickr.

Hey, look, more audience participation:

I’ll be in Arizona the weekend of March 7 & 8. I am so ready…

So, is it just me or is anyone else ready for spring training to end and the regular season to begin?

I shouldn’t be so cynical. I’m actually headed out to Arizona at the end of the week, and I’m very psyched. Still, I’m jonesin’ for some real games.