Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Spring Training: Harper’s hit checks out; Myers springs into action

By Bill Felber

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Spectrum Field on February 25, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Spectrum Field on February 25, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

MLB Spring Training Recap: March 4

Winner: Niko Goodrum, Detroit Tigers shortstop

In his second full season, Goodrum labored along with the rest of the Tigers in 2019. He batted just .248. The signs of a turnaround this spring are substantial.

Facing the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, the Tigers rolled up 13 runs and 15 hits. Goodrum was a big part of it.

His one-out single touched off a five-run Tiger first inning. Goodrum added a fifth-inning home run to run his spring batting average to .429.

Winner: Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox outfielder

The Tigers-Red Sox battle was a pitcher’s nightmare, largely due to guys like Goodrum and Jackie Bradley Jr.

Trailing 5-0 before they got an at-bat, Bradley ignited a three-run Boston first with a double, eventually scoring. He homered to lead off the third and singled in the fifth.

Sadly for the prospect of a spring cycle, Bradley was lifted at the top of the sixth inning before getting a shot at a possible triple.

Loser: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds first baseman

In other circumstances, it would be easy to look beyond Votto’s .083 start. Every year a star looks bad in the spring for reasons that have nothing to do with anything.

But Votto’s recent performance – a 60 percentage point decline in batting average the last three seasons – raises a question about whether his best seasons are behind him. Against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, those questions lingered.

Facing Tyler Chatwood, Votto grounded out in the first. Leading off the fourth against Craig Kimbrel, Votto whiffed. Then with two on and two out against Kyle Ryan in the fifth, Votto struck out a second time.

Votto has only one base hit this MLB spring training, although he does have six bases on balls. The problem is he also has a half dozen strikeouts.

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