For instance, how many pitchers do you know that have thrown 200 innings or more seven out the past eight seasons?  I don’t know the exact number off the top of my head but I would venture to say it is not many.  The one year he didn’t hit the 200 inning mark was 2011 when he “only” threw 199.  In that span, Arroyo started 30 games or more in each of those seasons.  It could have been nine but he fell one short in 2004, the season the Red Sox won the World Series and  the year which he began to prove his worth as a pitcher both starting and relieving.  He has recorded double-digit victories in a season seven times.  As we continue through 2013, Arroyo is on pace for another 30 start, 200 inning, double-digit victory season.  With Cincinnati gunning for another postseason berth, it is worth noting that in his two starts for the Reds in the playoffs (2010 and 2012), he has given up only one earned run 12 1/3 innings.  He may not be on anyone’s list of top-flight pitchers but there is no mistaking the value and durability of Bronson Arroyo.

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This past Tuesday featured a serious brawl between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers.  If you want to see a video of it, click here.  Anyway, after all was said and done, LA’s Zack Greinke who was hit by the pitch in question was seen at first base chatting it up and even smiling with AZ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.  Some may wonder why the two of them were so friendly such a short time after their respective teams became so heated.  Fans of these teams may also not like the fact that one of their guys is speaking or joking with the “enemy”.

Truthfully, I don’t have a problem with the fraternization of players on the field.  I know that many fans and older players have an issue with it but I find it refreshing that guys that can compete so hard against one another and then are able to turn off the intensity when the time is right.  We see enough fighting in our daily lives from politicians duking it out on issues both locally and nationally as well as the day-to-day reports of shootings, muggings and every other crime that fills up a police blotter.  We always tell kids that sports are just games and attending sporting events is a way to get away from any problems that we may have.  It is nice to see that professional athletes who earn their living trying to beat their opponents into submission can also show a softer side on their field of play.   Talking or joking with the opposition doesn’t make them any less intense or passionate about winning.  It just make them realistic and human. 

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At 23-44, the Houston Astros are headed for another long season.  However, there have been some glimpses of what promises to be better days for the young squad led by first year manager Bo Porter.  Recently, the club swept four games from the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim.  Catcher Jason Castro has put together a nice season with 8 HR’s, 20 RBI’s and a .266 batting average.  Jose Altuve has once again been playing a solid second base and is hitting nearly .300.  1B/DH Chris Carter, despite his high strikeout total has 13 home runs.   Porter has been doing a tremendous job with a club that basically has been ticketed for its third straight 100-loss season. 

The pitching is what has caught my attention.  For such a bad team and playing in hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park, two starters have ERA’s under 4.00.  Bud Norris leads the team with 5 wins and a 3.47 ERA and tops out at 95 on the gun.  Jordan Lyles has a 3.48 ERA and dominated the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, fanning 10 over seven innings while not allowing a run.  Lucas Harrell has struggled at times but he still is one of my favorite pitchers because he doesn’t fool around on the mound.  He has given up only one earned run over his last two starts covering a span of 14 innings.   Hopefully, the organization can get number one overall pick Mark Appel signed quickly and possibly see him in Houston by 2014.

The Astros will give some contenders fits as the playoff push begins.  Their goal will be not to lose 100 games and have their young talent to mature at the big league level.  This is a franchise that is heading in the right direction.

  Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at www.venomstrikes.com

Carlos Gonzalez is the best left fielder in baseball right now. Image: 1043thefan.com

Ever since coming to Colorado in the deal that sent Matt Holliday to the Oakland A’s, the 27-year old Gonzalez has been a fixture in the lineup.  Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is the most recognizable member of the Rox  but Cargo has quietly been putting up steady numbers.  His best year was 2010 when he slugged 34 long balls and drove in 117 while placing third in the National League MVP race.  So far in 2013, he has 17 dingers, 45 RBI’s and a .304 batting average along with twelve stolen bases.  He has also provided some highlight-reel defense in the outfield.  With another PED cloud hovering over Ryan Braun, Cargo is ready to assume the title of Best Left Fielder in baseball.

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Speaking of Braun, I hope this latest PED scandal is the last.  I know as a fan, I am both tired and disgusted by this ongoing saga of steroids and other drugs in baseball and in all sports for that matter.  I would have to imagine that those athletes that are clean are also tired of having to answer question after question about using performance enhancing drugs.  The only way these stories go away is if the players say to their breathern who are dirty, “enough is enough”.  The games and their seasons are too much fun to have them tainted by players sticking themselves with needles to gain an edge.  To those who say they don’t care what these guys do to their bodies, that they only hurt themselves, well it does matter.  We don’t want records or statistics tainted by people who gained an advantage instead of those who decided to do it without the benefits of drugs.  I also don’t want to see players who are forty-five or fifty drop dead because they recklessly used when they were in their playing days.   It is almost a callous disregard for human life even if it is the player’s own fault.  I would rather have our athletes sticking around long after their playing days have ended, becoming productive members of society than to become another casualty in the race to have the biggest stats and the most money.

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The Baltimore Orioles are proving that 2012 was not a fluke.  They stand at 35-28, 3.5 games off the lead in the American League East.  This, despite the fact that closer Jim Johnson who dominated with 51 saves a year ago has a 4.30 ERA.  Chris Tillman is the only starting pitcher who has an ERA under 4.00 (3.89) who has made at least ten starts in 2013.  The O’s have been doing it with first baseman Chris Davis, who is having a great season leading the American League in homers with 20, slugging with .709 and OPS with 1.133.  Third baseman Manny Machado, not yet 21, has 33 RBI’s and is batting .314.  Expect him to man the Baltimore hot corner for the next fifteen years.   Outside of Johnson, the rest of the bullpen has been stellar led by Darren O’Day (1.61 ERA) and Tommy Hunter who has found his niche as a reliever (1.84 ERA).  The rotation will get better eventually when super prospects Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman stay with the big club for good.  They may not make the playoffs in 2013 but manager Buck Showalter has this team primed for the foreseeable future.

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at http://venomstrikes.com

No, really I do.   I think I know what I am talking about but the reality is, I know squat.

OK, so I am being just a little hard on myself.  I know Major League Baseball, and yes there are times that I get things right and sound intelligent explaining my reasoning.  However, it is much more entertaining to offer up some self-deprecation for myself and for you, the reader.  Bragging is boring.   Belittling is fun.  Sounds strange?  Well, I have my reasons.  Simply put:

Despite King Felix’s best efforts, his team and the Brewers are making me look dumb. Image: hardballtalk.nbcsports.com

The Seattle Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers are killing me.

You may recall that before the season I had high hopes for these two teams.  I wrote a piece that stated these would be the two most intriguing teams in 2013.  I then stated that the M’s would win the American League West and the Brew Crew would capture a Wild Card spot.  Well, it’s two months into the season and boy, do my picks look worse than a Kardashian after yet another facelift.  Seattle sits 11 games out of first place with a 26-34 record and are 6-13 over their past 19 games including a 10-0 pasting by the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. Despite moves designed to bolster the offense, the team still struggles to score and is at times anemic at the plate.  Kendrys Morales leads the club at .299, no other regular is over .280.  The Brewers are even worse, at 22-35; only the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins have worse records.  The bullpen I still a mess, Yovani Gallardo (4-6, 5.25 ERA is not pitching like an ace and the bats have been quiet.  It is a shame because shortstop Jean Segura is having an MVP-type year ( 8HR’s, 25 RBI’s, 15 steals, .339) and Carlos Gomez (10 HR’s) has shown surprising pop.

While the season still has plenty of life yet, I am doubtful that either team can make a recovery in order for my preseason predictions for them come true.  At the time, I used sound logic and in the case of the Mariners, hoping for a little bit of luck.  These two errant selections do not make me an amateur when studying Major League Baseball.  It just means for the moment I only have one thing to say about myself.

I stink.

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The St. Louis Cardinals are the best team in baseball.   They sit atop the National League Central with a 38-21 record.  I guess blowing that 3-1 lead in the 2012 NLCS did not affect the team in an adverse way.  They hit everyone and hit them hard with a potent lineup that shows no sign of missing Albert Pujols.  They are tied for the NL lead in runs scored.  They bat .269 as a team.  However, the rest of baseball should be worried:

The best is yet to come.

Their pitching is young and extremely talented.  We have already seen Shelby Miller dominate as a starter, same with Trevor Rosenthal in the bullpen.  Both guys are big and throw some serious heat.  While top prospect Michael Wacha got roughed up last night, don’t expect too many outings like that.  The team leads all of baseball with a 3.00 ERA and have tossed nine shutouts also the most in baseball, tied with the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates.   With Adam Wainwright leading this staff, Cards’ pitching should dominate for at least the next five seasons, just what the other 29 teams wanted to hear.

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It is hard to fly under the radar in Philadelphia but Domonic Brown is changing that notion.  When one thinks of the Phillies, you automatically think of names like Jimmy Rollins,  Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels.  However, it is Brown who has had the monster year so far.  He was just named NL Player of the month for May and at 25, is enjoying a breakout season.  His 18 home runs lead the NL and his 44 RBI’s are good for third on the Senior Circuit.  Brown and Lee are the biggest reasons why the Phillies are hovering around the .500 mark with Halladay hurt and Hamels pitching poorly, albeit with little run support.

Drafted in the 20th round in 2006, the Phillies have been waiting for this production for a couple of years.  He had been a highly regarded prospect, so much so that the team didn’t even try to match the obscene contract offer the Washington Nationals made to Jayson Werth.  After minimal output in 2011 and 2012, Brown seems to have rewarded the Phillies with their patience.  If the team has another second half like last season, don’t be surprised if they make a  bid for the playoffs.

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at http://venomstrikes.com

Joe Mauer will be around when the Twins make the playoffs again. Image: http://www.mlbreports.com

The first move came when the organization removed the interim tag from Terry Ryan and again made him the general manager in October 2012.  Ryan was instrumental in making the Twins perennial contenders and while he left the GM’s position in 2007, he stayed with the club as an adviser.  He decided to keep Ron Gardenhire as manager, sticking with the man who won all of those division titles as skipper but who some felt has stayed with the Twins too long.   Ryan was active this Winter trading outfielders Denard Span and Ben Revere for three pitchers including Vance Worley, the only one with Major League experience.  Worley has underachieved, to say the least with one win and a 7.25 ERA but the other two prospects, Alex Meyer and Trevor May are very-well regarded (May is in the Twins’ bullpen) and will be in Minnesota’s rotation very soon.  Span’s and Revere’s departures have opened the door for Aaron Hicks, who has a very low batting average but has some pop (six home runs in 158 at-bats) and great defense you can see here.   He just turned 24 and will be in the Twins’ outfield for a long time.

Mauer’s  monster contract still has eight years left but at the time, it was necessary to show fans that the team was serious about competing for the long-term.  It also demonstrated a willingness to spend money to attract free agents.  Hitting .330, Mauer is showing no signs of slowing down.  Morneau’s contract runs out after this year and it is debatable whether or not Minnesota will be keeping him beyond 2013.   He seems to be fully healed from his prior injuries as his 34 RBI’s, tied for 12th would indicate as much.   Josh Willingham is out to prove 2012 is not a fluke but he needs to hike his 2.13 average.  9 home runs and 24 RBI’s are good power numbers for Target Field. 

Minnesota will probably not be heading to the playoffs in 2013.  However, there should be some excitement surrounding the team.  After all, there is no more danger of postponing any more games due to snow and they still reside in the American League  Central where a seven game winning streak can put them in the fight for a division title.  Throw in the fact that Terry Ryan is back running things and you can imagine the Twins making the postseason sooner rather than later.

Harold Baines is ready to make the BP pitcher pay. Image: http://www.bleacherreport.com

Harold Baines  My pal Jim wondered when I was going to get toe the former Chicago White Sox great, so buddy this one is for you.  Actually, he was a favorite of mine unless he played the New York Yankees, a team he absolutely owned.  When you look up the term “professional hitter”, you probably will see a picture of Baines smiling and with his signature wiggling of the bat.  For his career, he hit .289 with 384 home runs and an impressive 1,628 RBI’s with the Sox and four other teams over 22 seasons.  Most impressive perhaps is his 2,866 lifetime hits, 43rd on the all time list, seven behind Babe Ruth.  In eight postseason series, Baines hit .324 with five homers and 16 RBI’s.   He had two top ten finishes for the American League MVP and was a six-time All Star.  While he knocked in 100 runs or more only three times, he did exceed 90 RBI’s six times.  He also seemed to drive in the big run whenever the game was on the line.   I would say he and George Brett were the two guys I never wanted to see Yankee pitching face in the later innings.  The only thing missing from his career is a World Series ring; he made one appearance with the Oakland A’s in 1990.

Chili Davis  Before there was an Edgar Martinez as the prototypical designated hitter, there was Davis, the first Jamacian-born Major League ball player. The switch-hitter pounded out 350 career home runs with five different teams.  He totaled 2,380 hits and 1,372 RBI’s while batting .274.  He was never the best hitter on a team but you always had to be aware of his presence in the lineup.  While he drove in over 100 runs only once, he did compile 90 or more RBI’s in a season six times.  He was a winning player as he managed to grab three World Championship rings, one with the 1991 Minnesota Twins and two more with the Yankees in 1998 and 1999.   In fact, his final season in the bigs was very memorable.  In 1999, he had 554 at bats and clubbed 19 home runs to go along with 78 RBI’s and hit .269.  He closed out his career as a World Champion.  That’s not a bad way to end a fine career.

Lance Johnson  You might think the heat is getting to me or that I am stretching this to get another player on this list.  While I am toughing out the heat with some cold water, you are dead wrong about One Dog.  Anyone who leads the league in a category five times in a six-year span is a darn good player.  From 1991 through 1996, led his league five times in triples including an amazing 21 in 1996  with the New York Mets.  Only Curtis Granderson‘s 23 three baggers in 2007 exceeded Johnson’s total over the past 33 years (Willie Wilson had 21 in 1985).  He also led the AL in hits in 1995 with 186 for the White Sox and led the NL in the same category in 1996 with 227 for the Mets.  That ’96 season was the best of his career as he drove in 69 runs while hitting .333.  Johnson finished 18th in the MVP tally and made his only All Star appearance.  Johnson retired after the 2000 season with 117 triples, 327 stolen bases and a lifetime .291 average.

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at www.venomstrikes.com

Howie Rose, one of the best in the business. Image: nypost.com

In the world of baseball, there are many calls where all I need to hear is one word and I can tell you all there is to know about that particular game and what exactly the call was about.  For instance, when I hear a high-pitched scream of “Safe!”,  I know right away it is Sean McDonough on the last play of the 1992 National League Championship Series.  Sid Bream barely beat Barry Bonds‘s throw home as the Atlanta Braves , trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, rallied to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 and punch their ticket to a second consecutive World Series. The following year, right after the Toronto Blue Jays’  Joe Carter ended the 1993 World Series with a three-run home run , McDonough’s line, “Touch ‘em all Joe, you’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life” is another one that stands the test of time for me.

There is the legendary Jack Buck who had so many great moments both in baseball and football over a long and distinguished career.  Who could forget his “I don’t believe what I just saw” line after the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kirk Gibson hit his famous home run to end Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.  Then there was the “We’ll see you… tomorrow night” after Kirby Puckett‘s 11th inning home run for the Minnesota Twins sent the 1991 World Series to a 7th game.  This line was used by his son Joe as David Freese also sent the 2011 World Series to a 7th game with an 11th inning home run for the St. Louis Cardinals.   However, the three words that did it for me were, “Go crazy folks”! as Ozzie Smith ended Game 5 of the 1985 NLCS with a solo home run as the Cards defeated the Dodgers 3-2 in a series St. Louis won in six game.

One that took place slightly before my time was the call made by Russ Hodges on October 3, 1951.   If you don’t know what I am referring to, perhaps the shout, “The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!  The Giants win the pennant!” will ring a bell.  It was Bobby Thomson‘s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”  as his New York Giants rallied from 13 1/2 games down in the regular season and then a 4-1 deficit in the 9th inning of a sudden death playoff game to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers 5-4 to earn a trip to the World Series.  It may possibly be the greatest call in the history of sports broadcasting and over 60 years after the fact, the most recognizable one.

No list of baseball announcers would be complete without the mention of Vin Scully.  Now in his 62nd year of calling Dodger games, Scully’s is a true living legend, a connection to the great baseball names of the past and possessing a vast reservoir of story-telling second to none.  No hysterics, no “signature call”, just a an easy listen focusing on the game and not himself.  He is the best broadcaster in baseball history, followed closely by long time Detroit Tigers man, the late Ernie Harwell.  These two gentlemen have called games for a combined 100 years with memories of their greatness lasting another 100 more.  More of today’s broadcasters should be like these two men and the others on this list.  No rehearsing, no silliness.  They should just call a game without becoming a sideshow.

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at http://venomstrikes.com

Jurickson Profar will be smiling at the Major League level soon enough. Image: minorleagueball.com

At the end of last season, the Curacao native seemed to be ready to make the leap to Texas to become the everyday shortstop.  Incumbent Elvis Andrus was rumored to be sent to any number of places including the Arizona Diamondbacks for Justin Upton.  Andrus himself also became the Rangers’ starting shortstop at age 20.  It was thought that he could be dealt for a power hitting outfielder to fill the void by the departing Josh Hamilton.  Then Andrus was inked to an eight-year extension for around $120 million dollars just as Opening Day arrived.  It would be natural to assume that Profar could slide over to second base; however Ian Kinsler is showing no signs of slowing down batting .336 with six home runs in 2013.  He is signed through the 2017 season with an option for 2018.  Of the two veterans that would be moved to make room for Profar, it would probably be Kinsler as his salary dips from $16 million to $14 million in 2016 and then to $11 million the following season.  Or it could be Profar that is moved to become some other team’s everyday shortstop.

Since we are in May, any talk about Profar’s future will probably come after the season.  Right now, he has played 21 games at short and 3 games at second for Round Rock.  The batting average (.231)  isn’t great, the on-base average (.352) is OK but probably needs to be .375 and higher.  To view a full profile on Profrar click here and find out why people around the game are so excited about him.  Texas seems to be in no hurry to make a decision on the future of its prized prospect.  On Opening Day 2014 you can bet that Jurickson Profar will be a in a starting lineup.  The question is will it be with the Rangers or somewhere else?

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at http://venomstrikes.com

Well, not quite.

Josh Hamilton’s slow start has helped put the Angels in an April hole for the second straight year. Image: yahoo.com

The Angels are 9-15 heading into tonight’s opening game against the (once again) first place Oakland A’s.   Much like the 2012 club, I don’t expect the team to make the playoffs.  However, I also don’t expect this Angel team to match last year’s 89 win output.  For one, LA does not have Jered Weaver pitching every fifth day.  The ace right-hander, who went 20-5 with a 2.81 ERA, finishing third in the Cy Young race won’t be back until at least the end of May with a broken left elbow.  Last year, Weaver’s superb 1st half stats (14-1 through July 31st) kept the team afloat until Pujols started hitting and Trout became well, Mike Trout.  This year, Trout is ordinary at the moment (2 HR’s, 12 RBI’s, .263) Pujols has hit another April skid (2 HR’s, 13 RBI’s .244) and Hamilton has been brutal (2 HR’s, 8 RBI’s, .211).  Free agent signing Sean Burnett, expected to bolster the bullpen, just went on the 15 day DL with forearm stiffness.  The lefty was off to a great start with a 1.04 ERA in 11 games.  Without Weaver, the rotation does not strike fear into anyone and right now, Garrett Richards is the only starter to have an ERA lower than 4.00.  Other key injuries include shortstop Erick Aybar who could be back by the end of the week and reliever Kevin Jepsen who is out until at least mid-May with arm trouble.

Although I expect the lineup to start hitting better, I don’t think any of the three guys mentioned earlier will duplicate their 2012 numbers.  Outfielders Mark Trumbo and Peter Bourjos have been great but won’t be able to make up the loss of production of the other guys.  The pitching is not as good as last year which spells trouble for a team without its best arm.  You have to wonder with the advancing age and declining numbers of Pujols and Hamilton if the window for LA is starting to close.  I predicted the Angels would finish in third place.  So far,  I see no reason to change my mind.

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at http://venomstrikes.com

Hopefully, Brian Roberts can help the Orioles in 2013. Image: zimbio.com

Brian Roberts was drafted by the O’s in the first round of the 1999 draft and made his Major League debut on June 14th, 2001.  He became the starter at second base for good during the 2003 season amassing over 500 plate appearances and hitting .270.  Over the next six seasons, he established himself as one of the premier players at his position.  In 2004, he led the American League in doubles with 50 and led the circuit in two-baggers again in 2009 with 56, the most ever by a switch-hitter.   With 51 doubles in 2008, he is one of only four players (the others being Hall of Famers Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial) to record 50 or more doubles in a single season three times.  In 2007, Roberts led the league in stolen bases with 50 and had a streak of six consecutive seasons of 25 thefts or more from 2004-2009.  His best campaign came in 2005 when he belted a career high 18 home runs and knocked in 73 runs to go along with a .314 average.  His rewards included being named the starting second baseman in the All-Star Game and an 18th place finish in the MVP race.  However, since 2010 a series of injuries have derailed an excellent career.  A herniated disk and an abdominal strain limited him to 61 games that year while he suffered a head injury on May 16th, 2011 and never appeared in a game the rest of the season.  After rejoining the club in June 2012, he suffered a groin strain and then elected to have season-ending hip surgery.

Roberts’s latest injury came during the third game of the 2013 season when he ruptured a tendon behind his right knee.  It is anybody’s guess as to when he will return.  Given his recent lengthy history of ailments, it may be a while before we see him again.  Some will speculate the reason he has been injured so much is that he is an admitted steroid user although he has claimed to have used only once.  I would like to believe him.  Before his career is through, I would like Roberts to get into the middle of one, bona-fide playoff chase.  Given his stellar performance during the darkest days of the Oriole franchise, it would be tremendous if he could close out his career with one final flourish in a series of games that have great meaning.

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at http://venomstrikes.com

Michael Cuddyer celebrating after putting one in the seats. Image: yahoo.com

Michael Cuddyer:  The right fielder is hitting .387 with two home runs and seven RBI’s for the Colorado Rockies who, unfortunately for them, were just swept by the San Francisco Giants.  He has twelve hits in eight games and needs to stay hot in order for the Rox to hang around the ultra-competitve National League West.  If he can play 150 games, something he has not done in three years, there is no reason why Cuddyer couldn’t put up 30 HR, 100 RBI, .300 numbers at Coors Field.

Carlos Santana:  The last two days of rainouts certainly helped the catcher’s batting average but hey, .500 is .500 (13 hits in 26 at-bats).   There is not a chance that the catcher for the Cleveland Indians can keep up that pace.  However, Santana just turned 27 and in his third full season in Cleveland.  He has the chance for a tremendous season and with a break or two, the Tribe could find themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot.  If that is the case, Santana will have put himself in the MVP discussion.

John Buck:  He may not  be the starting catcher for the New York Mets at season’s end with prospect Travis d’Arnaud on the horizon.  However, the 32-year old Buck is having an April to remember as he among the game’s leaders in home runs with five (fourth) and RBI’s with 15 (second).  Buck has always been able to hit for power (he had 20 in 2011 for the Toronto Blue Jays) but the average has always been on the low side.  He will have to continue to provide pop for a team that has severe starting pitching issues.

Jean Segura:  This is an actual Rookie of the Year candidate.  Segura came over to the Milwaukee Brewers from the Los Angles Angels in the deal that  sent Zack Greinke to the Halos.  The shortstop is hitting a robust .458 to begin 2013 through seven games.  Four of his eighteen hits have been for extra bases although a thigh bruise has set him back a little bit.  Segura will have to keep on hitting for a team that is still missing Corey Hart and a bullpen that is still missing Consistency.

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and covering the Arizona Diamondbacks at www.venomstrikes.com