Some late week updates...

Well, there's plenty to keep an eye on at the moment, its all happening. Here's a summary of some news stories about the place:

• Brad Harman had his first outing as a Philly (that doesnt sound very masculine does it?)yesterday. With Philly leading, he got a pinch hit in the 9th inning. He worked to a 3-1 count before popping out to short. You can read more about Harman's debut and his thoughts about being called up here and here. Harman yet again is a great example of the down to earth attitude held by Aussie players: 'I got the call on my birthday, so it was a nice little birthday present to be put on the 40 [man roster]. It's been a fun ride the past five months for me. It's been indescribable in a sense. It's been one good thing after another'.
• Thanks to MatM from Ozcardtrader.com.au, here is a top article from the San Diego Union-Tribune about Justin Huber. In the article, Padres manager Bud Black notes 'he's a better all-around player than I thought' . That cant be bad! The article also gives an insight into Huber's approach to the game and at the plate on the night he hit his first MLB homer. He arrived at the game early to study tape of Johnson, and he had a clear plan to stay away from the slider. I have a lot of respect for people (not just baseball players) who can have such 'gameplans' and execute them. I think Manny Ramirez (and probably most of the Red Sox roster actually) are awesome at being able to get into hitters counts and draw out the pitch that they want to hit. Huber has shown an ability to get deep into counts and pick the right pitch to hit. This level of professionalism and attention to detail should bode him well in his MLB career.
• Speaking of Huber, he played again today - pinch hitting late in the game for the Padres, who lost 3-2 in 13 innings. He played leftfield and went 0-for-2 with the bat. His season average is now .333, after 15 at-bats.
• Ryan Rowland-Smith pitched today. He gave up a homer on the first pitch. Ouch. He came on in the 8th inning with 1 out. He faced Baltimore right-fielder Nick Markakis, who lined a 90mph fastball over the right field fence. Rowland-Smith took the loss, as the shot gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead. He recovered, and retired the next two batters to escape the 8th. He also retired the first hitter in the 9th, before being replaced. It was a disappointing (and maybe unlucky) outing for Rowland-Smith, who has been good lately. "I tried to get ahead of him with a fastball, and it probably was a stupid choice," Rowland-Smith said. "I should have started him out with something else. It was like he was sitting dead-red on a fastball, and no matter what I threw him, he was going to be swinging." This is an interesting observation from Rowland-Smith, particularly as he has made use of his slider heavily this year...as his first pitch too. I guess he was trying to vary it up a bit.
• In minor league action, Travis Blackley had a bad outing yesterday. That's the only word for it - bad. He did not make it out of the first inning, giving up 4 walks, 2 hits and 6 runs. He obviously struggled with his command, with only 16 of his 35 pitches being strikes. After 4 games this year, Blackley is 0-3 , with an ERA of 8.22, and a WHIP of 1.72. Over 11 innings pitched he has managed to strike out 12...but has given up 11 walks. Meanwhile, at Tucson, Trent Oeltjen had a busy old day. He took 5 catches in the field, and made one error, as well as scoring the tying run late in the game. A couple of Aussies faced off in AAA today, with Craig Anderson and the Tides meeting Damian Moss, Phil Stockman and the Richmond Braves. Anderson and Moss both pitched in relief, and while the Tides won the game, Moss won the statistical battle against Anderson - who gave up 2 runs in his 1 IP. Michael Collins hit a triple and got 1 RBI, as he went 1-for-4 for the Travs today. His season average is still hot at .355.

Four Aussies make Opening Day rosters as pre-season wraps up

Four Australian born baseballers were named in Major League Baseball rosters for opening day over the weekend. There is one Australia position player, and three Australian pitchers down to commence the season in the bigs. Around eight or nine Aussies had been vying for positions in MLB squads over the US spring, and while four have made it at this point, there are a few who will be hoping to earn a slot later in the season.

Justin Huber is the only Aussie position player to commence the season on the 25-man roster. Huber was acquired by the San Diego Padres last week, after posting some impressive numbers over spring training. The Padres have him showing as a first baseman on their roster, and he is likely to start the season as a bench player. He could see some time in left field, as the Padres manage with their centrefielder Jim Edmonds on the DL. Huber celebrated his spring training success and position on the opening day roster by smacking a 2-run homer in the 8th inning of the Padres' loss to the Angels on Saturday.

Playing against Huber in California on Saturday was 23-year old pitcher Rich Thompson. He too has secured a place in MLB for the start of the season. Thompson will pitch in relief for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Through spring, Thompson posted an ERA of 3.38, and struck out 10 batters over 13.1 innings, while walking only 2. He played in 7 games for the Angels in late 2007, and will be hoping to see a lot more time in 2008. On Saturday, Thompson pitched 1 inning, and gave up a one-run homerun.

In Seattle, Ryan Rowland-Smith has made it to the Mariners' opening day roster. He too will pitch in relief, although there is a possibility he could see some time as the M's fifth starter. The 25-year old has had some major league experience, pitching in 26 games in 2007.

And one of the more experienced Australian MLB players, 29-year old sidearmer Peter Moylan, has confirmed his place in the Atlanta Braves' bullpen. Moylan has appeared in 95 major league games since 2006, and will operate as a setup for Braves' closer Rafael Soriano. In 8.1 innings of work over spring, Moylan struck out 6, and gave up 4 earned runs.

Of the other Australians participating in spring training, Chris Snelling and Travis Blackley have been sent to Philadelphia's AAA affiliate Lehigh Valley, where they will start the season. Tampa Bay's Grant Balfour has been designated for assignment, so we should know in a few days what the future holds in store for him. Damian Moss pitched another 2 innings for Atlanta on Saturday, but he will begin the season in the minors as well. Trent Oeltjen has continued to feature in the Arizona Diamondbacks spring, hitting in an exhibition game on Saturday. Oeltjen has had plenty of chances to impress this spring, and seems to have performed quite well. While there are some reports that he had been reassigned to the D-Back's minor league camp, this has not yet been verified on MLB.com. Again, over the next few days we should know more about where Oeltjen will begin the year. Stay tuned to Oz MLB Players for all the latest news!

Spring Training Updates (7 Mar 08)

Some more outings over the last two days:

• Chris Snelling played in the Phillies' game against Detroit on Thursday (AEST), drawing two walks and striking out once.
• Damian Moss got the save in the Braves' win over the Tigers on Friday
• Grant Balfour managed to escape what ended up being the final inning in the Rays' 6-4 win over the Phillies. He gave up a 2 run homer to Chase Utley, but did not allow any more runs
• Finally, Justin Huber is back on deck after being affected by a flu. He drove in a run in the Royal's win over the D-Backs

Spring Training Update (3 Mar 08)

Just one Aussie featured in today's spring training action - Damian Moss, who the Braves recently signed to a minor league contract - pitched one inning for 1 hit, 1 walk and 1 K in the Braves' 6-4 win over the Astros.

Also today, more on Travis Blackley's good outing against the Nats last week. Phils' manager Charlie Manuel has said that while Blackley has always been a starter, there is a chance he may wind up in the Phils' pen this year.

Looks like Ryan Rowland-Smith might end up playing triple-A this year. According to the Mariners official site, it looks like he will definitely miss out on a spot in the starting rotation, and may not make the pen either.

Spring Training Updates

A few Aussies went around today. Here's the latest:

• Peter Moylan and Damian Moss pitched in Atlanta's 10-3 win over the Dodgers. Moylan pitched one frame, gave up 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 run and had 1 K. Moss also pitched one dig, for no hits, and got 1 K
• Chris Snelling had a hitout with Philadelphia in their 5-4 win over the Pirates. He went 0-for-2
• Grant Balfour tossed one inning in the Rays' win over the Reds. He gave up 1 hit but got 1 K and got the hold
• Justin Huber had a great day against the Padres. He went 2-for-2 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 1 walk and 1 run
• Ryan Rowland-Smith gave up 2 hits and a walk over 2 scoreless innings against the Giants

Spring Training games

There is a lot of news coming out of the various spring training camps at the moment. Here is some of it:

• MLB.com reports from today's spring training games shows that Baltimore's prospect Craig Anderson pitched an inning in their 16-3 loss to Florida. Fortunately for Anderson, he only gave up 1 hit, no runs, and had 2 strikeouts. While these games ultimately dont represent all that much, this seems like a pretty good performance. Anderson is coming off a reasonably successful winter campaign with Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Republic comp, and looks like he might have a chance to find a spot in the Oriole's bullpen this year as they look to rebuild their pitching roster.
• Also from MLB.com, Grant Balfour recognises the challenges ahead, but hopes to be a part of the Rays bullpen this season.
• Good news for Travis Blackley, who was acquired by the Phillies at the GM's winter meetings. He threw three scoreless innings, giving up one hit and picking off a runner in the Phillies game against the Nationals.
• Justin Huber has reported to the Royals' spring training complete with his catchers glove, first base glove, and an outfield glove. He may get a start with the Royals on Friday (Saturday AEST) in their match against the Padres.
• Some good news coming out of the Braves' camp. Peter Moylan looks set to be the top setup man for Rafael Soriano. Also noteworthy is the fact that Atlanta have signed 31-year old Damian Moss to a minor league contract.