N.L. West

Sporting News, The, April 22, 2005

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

C Chris Snyder has impressed the pitchers with his game-calling ability and skills. After watching him block several balls in the dirt in a tight game against the Cubs, the staff is confident it can throw any pitch in any situation with Snyder catching.... RHP Russ Ortiz allows a lot of baserunners, but he always seems to make the big pitch when he needs it to get out of jams.... Chad Tracy, who is making the switch from third to first base, is beginning to settle in at first. He is getting a better feel for how the ball comes off the bat toward first. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: OF Luis Gonzalez dropped down a bunt with a runner on third and two out against the Cubs on opening day. Look for Gonzalez to do that more if teams continue to use a shift against him in which the third baseman moves to shortstop and the shortstop moves behind second base. He spent a Jot of time this spring working on his bunting. In the past, he was too quick getting out of the box on bunts.--Steve Gilbert

COLORADO ROCKIES

Moving prospect Jeff Baker from third base to the outfield was put on hold when Baker was called up to replace 3B Garrett Atkins (hamstring). Baker has the quickness and instincts to be functional at third, but the club believes the outfield is a better long-term fit for him.... Versatility is a must for a club that carries 12 pitchers. Luis Gonzalez saved the club a roster spot by showing he can be the backup first baseman in addition to playing the other infield positions and the corner outfield spots. Gonzalez won't need to play first much as long as Todd Helton is healthy. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: OF Brad Hawpe was called up after RF Dustan Mohr (calf) went on the D.L. Hawpe's strength is hitting. There are concerns about his defense, though he is getting more comfortable in the outfield after playing first in college and much of his minor league career. He has an excellent arm, having been drafted as a pitcher out of high school by Toronto.--Thomas Harding

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Manager Jim Tracy and C Jason Phillips deserve some credit for the superb pitching in the season's first series. Phillips got acquainted with the pitchers in the two weeks he had with them in spring training. He also was an immediate offensive contributor, the real reason he was obtained from the Mets for LHP Kazuhisa Ishii.... While OF Jayson Werth (wrist) recovers, rookie Jason Repko is getting an opportunity to play. Repko also has been getting playing time because he can play all of the outfield positions. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The Dodgers' bullpen got younger because of the injuries to RHPs Eric Gagne (elbow) and Giovanni Carrara (hamstring) and LHP Wilson Alvarez (shoulder). Of the six relievers available, the only one in the majors a year ago was RHP Duaner Sanchez, who has 92 innings of big-league experience. As a result, Tracy is uncertain who fits where. LHP Kelly Wunsch already has emerged as a workhorse.--Ken Gumick

SAN DIEGO PADRES

The starting pitchers don't figure to go deep into games consistently, which means the veteran trio of RHP Rudy Seanez and LHPs Chris Hammond and Dennys Reyes could get quite a bit of middle-inning work. The three are making a solid first impression as they hold leads for the late-inning trio of RHPs Scott Linebrink, Akinori Otsuka and Trevor Hoffman.... The outfield depth took another hit when Eric Young dislocated his right shoulder in the home opener. With OF Freddy Guzman's return date uncertain, the team needs CF Dave Roberts (groin) back healthy even more. But it must be sure not to rush him back. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: RF Brian Giles tried to do too much at the plate early last season, and that led to a first-month slump. With a better approach this year, Giles is more productive and showing he again can be an all-around threat.--John Schlegel

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

OF Moises Alou (calf) is out, so IF/OF Pedro Feliz will play fairly regularly in left field for the immediate future, and Michael Tucker will play right. Feliz's left field skills have improved dramatically; his ability allowed the club to bring up Lance Niekro as a backup first baseman.... Watch for backup OF Jason Ellison and SS Omar Vizquel to take chances on the basepaths and steal more, something that has long been missing from the Giants' offense.... RHP Jerome Williams has improved his changeup, curve and conditioning since last season. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: It's no accident that Vizquel, who turns 38 on April 24, is a physical marvel. He works out diligently and has low body fat. Vizquel is wowing fans with acrobatics around second base, and he practices leaping and throwing. His penchant for barehanded catches already has helped on double plays and in cutting down fast runners.--Rich Draper