Tuesday Day of Rest - The Left Side and Notes

Nine games in, and what can we see? The pitching has been alternating between brilliant and bumpy, but it looks like a staff that's going to be a strong suit over the season. The outfield has been chopped up pretty well - how many teams can lose three of their top four men? - but Melky has been a fifth-guy star, and we agree with the FO in not overreacting, especially with Gregory two or three weeks away and Corey/Lonnie returning in May. That'll turn a thin spot into a logjam for PT.

JHK has flashed leather but not lumber yet 2015 Topps Hi Tek

Then there's the left side of the infield. Colin Moran has been hitting the ball (.286 BA, 167 OPS+), and even drawing some walks, but three errors in 17 innings at third doesn't cut it; he may be staggered by work at 1B and the OF. Jung Ho Kang has had a tough stretch at the dish (.143 BA, 50 OPS+, team-high 10 K's), exposed brutally to off speed pitches, but has been flawless in the field and creating plays above the league average.

Erik Gonzalez has made some web gem plays at short; he's also booted a couple of balls and at .160 BA, 48 OPS+, he needs to be Ozzie Smith. Kevin Newman came up with a rep as a steady defender w/o a lot of range or a rifle, and he's probably feeling the effects of being transitioned into a utility guy, splitting reps at SS, 2B and OF. He's not the sure out of last September, but .273, 85 OPS+ leaves him generally in Jordy's offensive neighborhood.

K-Man is learning the ropes as a multi-role guy 2017 Bowman Draft 

Now nine games isn't much of a sample size (none of the four are anywhere near 50 AB's yet), and the guys should grow more comfortable in their jobs. JHK was rushed back into MLB competition after injuries short-circuited his 2018 rehab, Gonzo is getting his first crack as the man, and Redbeard & K-Man are both in an in-between segue as the Bucs look for another Josh Harrison or Sean Rodriguez multi-role guy, so they all have time and room to improve. But all four would do well to take a peek in their rear view mirrors, where they'll find Ke'Bryan Hayes and Cole Tucker closing in, with Kevin Kramer pushing for a 10th man position.

Notes:

• It appears the Bucs dodged a bullet; Jamo was grazed in the noggin by a liner yesterday, but seemed fine during the post game in the locker room. As for his pitching style, he's all in on his slider so far this year, cutting back on his four seamer while still working his sinker, hook and show-me change.
• More fallout from the Reds series - the Cincy announcers think that Archie doctors the ball (although they didn't seem very upset by it). Archer blamed the throwback unis in a not-very-ardent response. We suspect he may be on the umps radar now, at least for the short term
• The agreement between MLB and Cuba for the orderly transfer of players has been nixed by Washington, which has taken a hard line against the island. It's not a surprise, though - the administration was opposed to it back in December, when it was first announced.