Slugging trumps speed, but smart baserunning key for Tigers

LAKELAND, Fla. — Last season, the five of them combined for 115 home runs and 12 steals.

Collectively, they are a prime reason manager Jim Leyland recently said of the Tigers’ lack of speed: «If they hit them where they are supposed to hit them, they can trot. So I’m not as concerned about that as everyone else.»

During Friday’s first full-squad workout of spring training, the five hit a lot of balls where they were supposed to hit them. Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Delmon Young, Brennan Boesch and Alex Avila formed a formidable batting-practice group. During their session on one of Tigertown’s back fields, they hit several drives over the fence.

Cabrera hit one over the big screen behind the 420-foot sign in centerfield.

So it might have all seemed a bit incongruous that immediately after they finished the powerful show, the quintet immediately reported to another field for baserunning instruction.

But there is a lot more to baserunning than stolen bases. During Friday’s baserunning drill, the big five worked on getting a good jump off second base in order to score on a hit.

«Like I try to tell them, the first day of workouts, speed has nothing to do with being a good baserunner,» said baserunning coach Tom Brookens. «It’s about a lot of other things.

«If you’re fast, you get where you’re going quicker, but it doesn’t mean you’re a better baserunner.»

For example, a runner doesn’t have to be fast to get a good jump or take a good secondary lead (the lead a runner takes after the pitch is delivered. Boesch, in particular, has had his speed praised by Leyland, including his ability to beat out potential double-play balls.

won’t make the Opening Day team. He probably will be among the first cut. And whenever he is ready for the majors, it’s not clear if and where he’ll play in Detroit because he’s a third baseman and the team is set up for Cabrera to play third the next several years.

But with his 20th birthday March 4, Castellanos’ baseball life soared to a new level Friday when he participated in his first major league workout.

«Awesome,» Castellanos said. «Very laid-back and very relaxed, but still everybody is getting work done and no one is uptight. So I had a great time.

«I felt that for seeing a live pitcher for the first time since October, I felt my timing was fairly good.»

In his first full year of pro ball, Castellanos hit .312 at Class A West Michigan last year with a league-high 158 hits. That performance helped Castellanos get invited to camp at 19. He appreciated the company Friday.

«It’s really cool when you’re doing agility and Fielder is in your group or (Jose Valverde is in your group or (Brandon Inge or any of the big-name guys,» he said. «It’s cool.»

Contact John Lowe: 313-223-4053 or jlowe@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @freeptigers.

Читать полностью или написать коммент.. Про установку спутниковых тарелок в Московской областиhttp://tarelka-tv.ru/