MLB Spring Training: February 26 winners and losers

MLB Spring Training: February 25 winners and losers

Winner: Bret Boswell, Colorado Rockies infielder-outfielder

Let’s be candid. Bret Boswell isn’t likely to see much of Denver this summer. He’s a 26-year-old non-roster invitee picked up in the eighth round of the 2017 draft who hasn’t yet made it above AA. The Rockies thought so little of Boswell that when they put him in the game Wednesday, they stuck him in center field rather than his minor league position, second base.

But in the eighth inning of Colorado’s game with Texas, Boswell ensured that he’ll always have at least one big-league story to tell his grandkids. With the Rangers leading 3-1 and two runners on base, Boswell lifted a fastball over the right-field fence for a three-run home run and a 4-3 Rockies lead.

Losers: Pittsburgh Pirates…generally

It’s understood that spring games don’t count, but all the same, would it be possible for the Pirates to start over?

Entering Wednesday’s exhibition contest against the Red Sox, the Pirates were winless, having been out-scored 19-10. Things did not improve for new manager Derek Shelton against Boston. Nine Pirates pitchers gave up six runs and 11 hits, three of them home runs.  Meanwhile, the projected heart of the Pirate attack, Bryan Reynolds, Josh Bell, and Gregory Polanco, went a combined 1-for-7,  Polanco’s single being the first hit for any of the three this spring.

As a team, the Pirates collected four hits and lost 6-3.