Scout's views: observations and opinions from major league scouts

Sporting News, The, May 24, 2004

Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella is getting less tolerant. He has thrown out a couple of barbs and jabs. I wonder if some of their guys have quit. I sense a lot of uneasiness. And when you're not winning, that uneasiness turns to panic pretty quickly.... No wonder Diamondbacks reliever Oscar Villareal is on the D.L.

with a forearm strain; manager Bob Brenly burned him out Last year. The kid was a starter; he was not used to throwing every day. Then you pitch him in 86 games. That's 86 appearances, not including the 20 other times you warm him up and he doesn't get in. That's a lot of stress on the arm.... Relief pitching is the toughest thing to figure out; it varies year to year. The Mariners used to be set with Arthur Rhodes and Jeff Nelson. Shigetoshi Hasegawa was great last year; now he's struggling. It's his command more than anything. He hasn't been able to hit his spots.... Woody Williams is getting his arm strength back for the Cardinals. He's up to 88 to 90 mph. I saw him in spring training and early in the year, and he was 84 to 86. His velocity won't get much better than average, but at least now he has more to work with.... If the Orioles could get some starting pitching, they might be able to contend. Their bullpen is legit. And their lineup is one of the best I've seen in the American League. But the only one of their young starting pitchers I like is Erik Bedard.... The Astros need someone to step up at third base--that's their hole. Morgan Ensberg looks better lately. Mike Lamb is a good hitter, but not a good defensive player. I'll give him credit, though. He's out there early working with manager Jimy Williams.