February 28, 2024

By Mark Whicker

Canadian Baseball Network

Spring training is the original fantasy league.

Under the friendly skies of Florida and Arizona, the road to October seems unimpeded. No one has lost a game that mattered since November, and, for most teams, September. And no matter how many times those peaceful days are invalidated by the chill of April, the optimism keeps bubbling up.

Those who write about spring training need a serious Geiger counter to find actual news. There are injuries, signings, the occasional tantrum, but most spring days are spent watching people who will never get to a major league game without a ticket competing against others in the same boat.

The storylines are scarce and recurring. If you read these, you won’t have to read those.

THE COMEBACK

ALLIGATOR CLAW, Fla. — The Elephants took a chance on Joe Jones in the off-season, signing him to a two-year, $20 million contract, and on Monday he began paying off. He laced an 88 mph ground ball to shortstop in an exhibition loss to the Coal Miners, and said he felt comfortable at the plate for the first time in a long time.

“The coaches here are great,” Jones said. “They and the guys in the analytics department give us great information on what to expect out of the pitchers. Plus, they’ve shown me how to calculate my launch angle in my head, as the pitch is coming in. I really think I can get back to my old form.”

Jones has a .105 average over the past three years, after he had hit 10 home runs for the Badgers in 2020. Last year he managed to reach 100 mph exit velocity on only one swing, and that was a foul. He was walked only one time last year, and the pitcher who walked him was immediately designated for assignment. But Jones says he is optimistic that he can give the Elephants some punch in the middle of the order.

THE NEW PHILOSOPHY

GILA ACRES, Ariz. — The five expected starting pitchers for the Sailors reported no physical problems after they walked from the dugout to the first base line Tuesday morning.

As the Sailors’ executives and medical staffers looked on, the pitchers trotted slowly to the first base line as they wore GPS equipment to calculate their speed and energy displacement.

“So far, so good,” said Bob Smith, who pitched 125 innings last year to lead the staff. The Sailors hope to pare him down to 110 innings or so this year so he can be strong and healthy in 2027.

The exercise was the first step in the pitchers’ development. Executives were mum on what comes next, but the hope is that they’ll be able to walk to the base of the mound sometime next week. The actual ascent to the top of the mound should happen in late March, a week before the regular season begins, and the starters are expected to make their first competitive pitches sometime in May. Until then the Sailors will rely on their bullpen to get through the innings.

“I’m really looking forward to the climbing part,” Smith said. “I’ve got my harnesses and ropes all ready.”

THE PROSPECT

MOSQUITO BEND, Fla. — It hasn’t taken Piso Mojado long to establish himself.

The 16-year-old righthander from Venezuela dazzled the Crocodiles’ best hitters Wednesday during an intrasquad game.

Although he kept losing his balance on the rubber after a brief rain shower, Mojado threw fastballs that were repeatedly clocked at astounding speed.

“I’m saying he threw 112, 113,” said one scout with a radar gun. “Other guys had him at 113, 114. I even heard that he touched 115. That kind of stuff plays very well.”

Mojado followed that up with a 57 mph changeup, and a third pitch that moved so sharply that scouts called it a “25 or 6 to 4” curveball.”

Mojado is getting even more attention because the Crocodiles are dealing with several pitching injuries, including an oblique strain that has kept former ace Tom Johnson in the hospital since 2022.

As he lay on the clubhouse floor and stuck his arm into a cooler full of ice, Mojado told reporters that he felt “very comfortable out there today” during his 167-pitch outing and was hoping “to throw again tomorrow.” Still, club officials said Mojado remains slotted to pitch for the Class A Fort Pierce Brosnans this season.

THE SUPERSTAR

HEATSTROKE, Ariz. — Bill Miller says you haven’t seen anything yet. The reigning Most Valuable Player, batting champion and slash-line Triple Crown winner says he’s ready to do even more for the Appaloosas this season.

Having signed an eight-year, $500 million contract extension will only increase his motivation, Miller said Thursday.

“Anybody who knows me knows how hard I like to work,” Miller said, as he was leaving the clubhouse before Thursday’s exhibition to make a State Farm commercial. “I’m not satisfied with anything I’ve done.”

Miller’s new contract requires club executives to drive him everywhere he wants to go in spring training and exempts him from participation in any road exhibition. When the season begins, the club will fly him to regular season games from his oceanside villa in Belize, and will hire a body double to handle such tasks as autographs.

Miller is in negotiations to hire college players to fill in for him in games at Pittsburgh, Detroit and Kansas City, saying that his “brand” isn’t enhanced when he plays in small markets. He will hold a monthly press conference, via zoom, with beat reporters, as long as the questions are submitted in advance.

“I love my teammates,” Miller said, ignoring a reporter’s follow-up request that he name at least five of them.