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N.L. West

Sporting News, The, Sept 2, 2005

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

LF Luis Gonzalez has tweaked his mechanics at the plate so that he stands more erect. In the past, he hit more out of a crouch, especially when he didn't feel comfortable against a pitcher or when he had two strikes.... RHP Brandon Lyon is adjusting to pitching again in the majors after missing three months. Lyon is working on slowing things down when he's on the mound.... Rookie Conor Jackson continues to adjust to playing first base. He's working with Tony Clark on when he should go for grounders hit to his right and when he should go to the bag. Jackson has been caught in no man's land on some balls hit into that hole. KEY CALL-UP: it will be hard for the club not to promote IF Andy Green from Class AAA, where he is hitting .340 and showing surprising power (19 home runs). He can play three infield positions and also in the outfield. The Diamondbacks have had only one backup infielder, so promoting Green would allow manager Bob Melvin more flexibility.--Steve Gilbert

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COLORADO ROCKIES

1B Todd Helton regained his stroke by curbing a habit of chasing pitches too far outside the strike zone. He always has chased pitches, but earlier this year he began swinging at balls far outside the zone and getting tied up by good pitches.... 3B Garrett Atkins is regaining the consistency in his swing that he lost during the All-Star break, in recent games, he has been generating bat speed earlier in his swings. He was helped by studying video and imitating his best swings until his mechanics felt natural again.... 2B Luis Gonzalez has hit 150 points higher against lefthanders, though he hit righties better last year. If he can balance those numbers, he'll be a force in the No. 7 spot. KEY CALL-UP: RHP Mike Esposito made it to Class AAA with good pitch location, but he turned himself into a significant prospect by gaining confidence in his changeup. He's tying up batters on both sides with it and should get a chance to test it against big-league hitters in September.--Thomas Harding

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

OF Ricky Ledee has been one of the club's most effective lefthanded hitters off the bench, but his chronic hamstring problems have limited his availability in recent weeks. He hasn't been able to start in the outfield for some time, Ledee's condition calls into question how much the club can rely on him next season.... Rookie RHP D.J. Houlton has altered his warmup routine in an attempt to end a career-long tendency to allow runs in the early innings. His warmup now more closely resembles game conditions. KEY CALL-UP: The Dodgers' greatest need in September is a leftanded reliever, They have two candidates: veteran Wilson Alvarez, who is on the D.L. for the third time this season with shoulder problems, and Taiwanese minor leaguer Hong-Chi Kuo, who finally appears healthy after a pair of elbow surgeries. Kuo, 24, has the talent to pitch in the majors, but he has thrown fewer than 100 total innings in six professional seasons.--Ken Gumick

SAN DIEGO PADRES

With SS Khalil Greene (toe) expected to be out until mid-September, Damian Jackson has gone from supersub to everyday player. Jackson is a contact hitter who is a threat to steal when he gets on base.... The team's offense against lefthanded pitching has been poor. Opposing managers are using as many lefties as possible against the Padres to try to neutralize lefthanded-hitting OFs Brian Giles and Ryan Klesko. The team needs 1B/OF Xavier Nady, a righthanded hitter in the middle of the order, to make opponents pay for that strategy. KEY CALL-UP: During a brief audition as an injury fill-in earlier this season, LHP Craig Breslow showed the ability and attitude to thrive in pressure situations. Breslow, a Yale biochemistry graduate, is smart and steady. He's confident he can throw four pitches for strikes in any count. Breslow should complement Chris Hammond, giving the team a second lefty option for specific matchup situations.--Lyle Spencer

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

OF Jason Ellison was demoted when LF Moises Ainu came off the D.L, but Ellison will be back. He has hit for a decent average and can make things happen on the bases.... C Yamid Haad's tenure with the Giants could be a short one. Since making his debut with the team in early August, Haad has provided solid defense but has not hit at all. Haad has been in pro ball since 1995 but has been unable to stick in the majors. The Giants could use Justin Knoedler to back up Mike Matheny next season. KEY CALL-UP: The team already has made liberal use of its farm system, and IF Kevin Frandsen also figures to get valuable part-time duty in the final month, A 2004 draft pick, Frandsen impressed many in the organization in spring training and has thrived at Class A San Jose and Class AA Norwich this season. Frandsen lacks power but has great instincts and good speed and produces a high on-base percentage. He rarely strikes out.--Rich Draper

N.L. West

Sporting News, The, Sept 2, 2005

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