IBC

2/29

It might not offset Papi's having to don the first baseman's glove full-time, but at least my move to the NL means Micah Owings gets to hit. Ran across this when browsing BP's "Team DT Cards."

Arizona Diamondbacks Pitchers: Five Highest by VORP

1. Brandon Webb, 66.1
2. Doug Davis, 28.6
3. Brandon Lyon, 24.0
4. Jose Valverde, 21.6
5. Micah Owings, 21.1

Arizona Diamondbacks Hitters: Five Highest by VORP

1. Eric Byrnes, 35.2
2. Orlando Hudson, 32.8
3. Conor Jackson, 20.5
4. Mark Reynolds, 19.2
5. Micah Owings, 16.5

Owings edged out CF Chris Young (15.5) and C Chris Snyder (14.5) in the VORP category. The former Tulane cleanup hitter posted a .333/.349/.683 line in 64 ABs last year. While manager Bob Melvin has backed off of his statement at the winter meetings that Owings might see time at 1B this year, he's indicated he won't hesitate to use him as a pinch hitter on his off days.

If he gets a power projection from DMB anywhere near what ZiPs gave him (Ex/Ex), he'll battle LF Scotty Hairston to be the first RH bat off the bench for the IBC Marlins in pinch-hit situations this season. Owings might even start occasionally in the DH spot when playing at an AL park in interleague play.

That would be awesome, and by itself makes your move to the NL worth it.

Nice
And a little plug for my boys Brandon Webb and Brandon Lyon at the same time!

Micah Owings will DH and hit eighth in a split-squad game on Sunday.
The Diamondbacks pretty much ruled out using Owings at first base, but they will consider hitting him higher than ninth in the lineup when he pitches.

3/14 - 3/19

IBC Marlins Notes*

• Ian Kinsler, 2B - Kinsler went 3-for-4 with two runs scored Tuesday in the Rangers' 11-6 defeat of the A's. Kinsler seems to be a shoo-in to occupy the leadoff role now. He's batting .450/.531/.600 in 40 at-bats this spring.
• Zach Duke, LH SP - Duke needed just 51 pitches to shut out the Blue Jays for five innings in Monday's victory.
  He was facing what figures to be Toronto's regular starting nine versus lefties, making it an especially impressive outing. He lowered his spring ERA from 6.00 to 3.86.
• Boof Bonser, RH SP - Bonser blanked a Pirates split-squad for four innings to earn his first win of the spring on Friday. Bonser has a 3.00 ERA through nine innings. His rotation spot is safe after he spent the winner shedding the weight the Twins wanted him to lose.

* Italicized text quoted from Rotoworld.com