Orioles scout Todd Frohwirth passed away Sunday at the age of 54, the team confirmed. Frohwirth had worked as a scout with the club since 2003, and he was previously a reliever with the O’s from 1991-93. He also pitched for the Phillies and Angels during his career, which spanned from 1987-96. Orioles legend Jim Palmer tweeted Sunday that Frohwirth “could light up a room,” and the team announced it will honor him with a moment of silence before its game Monday. MLBTR joins those around the baseball world in extending our condolences to Frohwirth’s family, friends and organization.
- Outfielder Austin Jackson will open the season on the Indians’ 25-man roster, tweets Ryan Lewis of Ohio.com. Jackson presumably would have opted out of his minor league contract Sunday had the Tribe cut him, but he’ll instead earn a $1.5MM salary as a major leaguer and potentially collect $4MM in incentives. The Indians have three left-handed-hitting starting outfielders in Michael Brantley, Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall, so Jackson and Brandon Guyer will offer variety off the bench as righty-swingers. It’s also worth mentioning that the 30-year-old Jackson has typically been a capable fielder in center, where he has played almost exclusively and totaled 41 Defensive Runs Saved and a 6.9 Ultimate Zone Rating .
- The Tigers reassigned Anthony Gose to minor league camp Sunday, and while the 26-year-old will continue to work as an outfielder, he”ll also try his hand as a pitcher, Chris McCosky of the Detroit News was among those to report. Gose, who possessed a mid-90s fastball as a left-handed high school hurler but chose to give up pitching, approached the Tigers with the idea. They’re intrigued, per manager Brad Ausmus. “(Sean) Doolittle in Oakland did it and he was in the big leagues a couple of years later,” Ausmus said, referring to Doolittle’s successful transition from first base and the outfield to the mound. “It’s going to take some time. He’s going to have to be a sponge and catch up on experience fast. But we feel it’s worth investigating.”
- The Red Sox are likely to put their plan to use Hanley Ramirez at first base against lefties on hold, at least to begin the season, writes Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. A right shoulder issue has prevented Ramirez from playing the field in spring training games, and manager John Farrell noted that time’s running out in the exhibition schedule. “I’m still hopeful but recognizing where we are on the calendar,” he said. Ramirez is well enough to hit, so he’ll be the full-time DH as long as he’s unable to line up in the field, though it’s unclear if anyone will platoon with first baseman Mitch Moreland in the meantime. If healthy, Ramirez would’ve relegated the lefty-swinging Moreland to the bench versus southpaws. With Moreland and third baseman Pablo Sandoval, the Red Sox have two prominent corner infielders who struggle against lefties.
With Papi gone there is nobody to hold Hanley accountable so plan on him being the DH all year. He has sold his glove.
I think Pedroia can step into that leadership role.
What?
So the issue affects his ability to play the field but doesn’t affect his ability to hit….
And play first base, no less. There isn’t a ton of throwing involved at that position. Something doesn’t smell right here.
Former Switch hitter with a torn rotator cuff here. Back shoulder doesn’t take much stress when swinging – do the motion yourself, front arm rotates more than 180 degrees, back maybe 90. But even minor throwing shoulder injury gets constant aggravation for a first baseman, who throws the ball more than anyone other than pitcher and catcher bc of pre-inning warm ups. Even though it isn’t at full effort, the motion is what counts. Better not to do it at all until whatever the problem is has gone away completely instead of constant minor aggravation. Can’t hurt to see if Moreland can hit lefties in the meantime or if his reverse splits last year were a fluke.
How long until Zimmer boots Jackson from our OF?
Hopefully very soon and he can take Almonte with him.
RIP Todd
With the extra long ST, I’m surprised Chris Young didn’t take some reps at 1B
Isn’t he also a lefty though?
Young hits right and is known as a killer of LHP’s. That is why the plan was for him to DH against LHP’s with Hanley at 1B.
Luckily the Sox got plenty off options this year in the Majors and in AAA.
I think this year were deeper then we’ve been in a long time now. We gotta alotta good hitters in AAA that can play on major league teams right now.
That boy Selsky is the sleeper this year for me. Plus we have Sam “Man Hands”Travis also ready to go if need be. Go Sox
Yeah I think Selsky was a super underrated pickup, I see him playing a meaningful 15-20 games this year when the injuries inevitably come.
Bats R – Travis 1b, Selsky OF/1B, Brentz OF (but he is out of options)
Bats L – Marco Hernandez IF
Switch- Swihart C