Kelenic Swinging Hot Bat for Seattle
The one goal shared by every major league team when they opened spring training was to head into the regular season without missing any key players.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, who play in the Cactus League, saw a couple of key players go down and, in both cases, it is not looking like a week-to-week scenario.
Many of the top candidates in the Rookie of the Year races according to the Las Vegas MLB odds are playing in the Cactus League.
The Dodgers and their National League West Division rival San Diego Padres are among the teams using the Cactus League schedule to get ready for the start of the season. The Dodgers and Padres are among the front-runners National League teams to win the World Series according to the MLB picks.
There’s still plenty of baseball yet to be played. Here’s a look at some of the early storylines and MLB news to keep an eye on in the Cactus League as the regular season is fast approaching.
Injuries Piling Up
Two National League teams could be without key infielders for much, if not all of the 2023 season.
Gavin Lux of the Los Angeles Dodgers is out for the year with a torn ACL.
Lux set career-highs with 129 games played, 66 runs scored, 116 hits, seven stolen bases and 20 doubles during the 2022 season. He was expected to have an even larger role this season following the departure of Trea Turner.
Even with the loss of Lux, the MLB playoff odds list the Dodgers at +800 in the odds to win the World Series and that is second only to the New York Mets among National League teams.
Colorado Rockies Gold Llove winning second baseman Brendan Rodgers suffered a shoulder injury that has left his 2023 season in doubt.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Rodgers hit .266 with 30 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 137 games. More was expected going into what was supposed to be his third full MLB season.
“This was a pretty classic thing, the shoulder joint popped out on him, and they put it back in,” said #Rockies manager Bud Black.
Brendan Rodgers was helped by trainer and rehab coordinator Scott Murayama. The full extent of the injury will be better known in the next few days. pic.twitter.com/7DhW43I82k
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) March 1, 2023
Kelenic Coming On
Jarred Kelenic was a key piece of the trade that sent star reliever Edwin Diaz and infielder Robinson Cano from Seattle to the New York Mets.
Kelenic, an outfielder who was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, batted .168 in 147 games over the last two seasons.
Kelenic is tied for the MLB lead with three home runs in the early stages of spring training. He is hitting .364 with three of his four hits going for home runs.
Teammate Julio Rodriguez will be the player that those who make MLB predictions will be keeping tabs on. If Kelenic can use a strong camp to translate into more consistency once the games start counting, watch out for the Mariners.
Martin Making an Impact
The Cincinnati Reds have plenty of young players ready to take the next step with infielder Jonathan India and pitcher Hunter Greene at the top of the list.
Perhaps Richie Martin will be joining them.
In his first four games in spring training, he was 4-for-7 with four runs scored, a double, home run, six RBIs and three stolen bases.
Add in Will Benson among the batting leaders and there could be some new names ready to make an impact in Cincinnati.
Royals on the Move
There is more to spring training than just pitch clocks and majestic home runs.
The Kansas City Royals used the short game to beat the Los Angeles Angels.
Salvador Perez, Bobby Witt and MJ Melendez each had stolen bases in the 8-4 win.
Perez is hitting .500, Witt .400 and Melendez .364 so far in the spring. Witt figures to continue to run once the regular season gets going after stealing 30 bases as a rookie. Melendez only stole two bases as a rookie while Perez has six steals in 1,254 career games. Those who bet online might want to keep an eye on Witt to see if he takes the next step and becomes an MVP candidate in the American League.
Martinez Pitching In
Nick Martinez was one of the best stories in baseball in 2022.
After not pitching in the major leagues since 2017, he became one of the vital cogs in the pitching staff of the San Diego Padres.
Martinez started 10 games and had eight saves as he filled a variety of roles.
He is off to a strong start with no runs and four hits allowed in six innings over his first two starters. Martinez has struck out eight and walked one as he is set to have a key role for the Padres once again.
