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Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2005

CHICAGO CUBS

RHP Jerome Williams should fit in the Cubs rotation next season. Wrigley Field's thick grass suits his sinker. He needs a better mental approach, and he's working on that with RHP Grag Maddux.... C Michael Barrett has improved his defensive game, allowing fewer passed balls. RHP Carlos Zambrano's ball moves everywhere, which is why C Henry Blanco sometimes is paired with him. Barrett works on his skills on off-days.... 2B Todd Walker, a lefthanded batter, is hitting .337 against lefthanders this season, which pretty much erases the need for him to be platooned. He could hit .300 for the season for the first time since 1998, when he was with the Twins. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: Matt Mutton could be the team's starting left fielder next season. Murton, who began this season in Class AA, needs to develop more power. He consistently makes solid contact and has good speed. In 38 games with Chicago, he has batted .337 with four home runs.--Carrie Muskat

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MILWAUKEE BREWERS

CF Brady Clark's nagging ribcage injury limits his basestealing ability. Clark is taking extremely short leads off first base to avoid having to dive back headfirst on pickoff attempts.... RHP Derrick Turnbow emerged as one of the N.L's elite closers this season after gaining control of his high-90s fastball, and his confidence is so high that he is throwing his breaking ball more. When he has both pitches working, he is nearly unhittable.... A shorter swing and improved focus have helped IF Bill Hall become a much more patient hitter and, consequently, an everyday player. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE; In a rare move, the team is sending a major leaguer to the AFL: SS J.J. Hardy. Hardy missed much of the 2004 season at Class AAA with a shoulder injury that required surgery, then lost big-league playing time this year after a slow start at the plate. He has been much better in the second half, but the club wants him to get extra at-bats and gain more trust in the shoulder before next season.--Adam McCalvy

CINCINNATI REDS

The Reds demoted RHP Luke Hudson to the bullpen, though it's doubtful he'll be used much in the season's final days. Hudson's lack of consistent command is a big concern for the organization. The team had hoped he would be a key contributor in the rotation for years to come.... CF Ken Griffey's playing time will be limited in the final stretch. He'll have offseason surgery on his left knee, and he probably will need surgery on a tendon in his right foot.... The team must decide whether to pick up 2B Rich Aurilia's option for 2006. His contributions this season, combined with Ryan Freel's injury history, could lead the club to bring Aurilia back. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: OF Chris Denorfia moved from Class AA to Class AAA this season without skipping a beat at the plate or in the field. His focus in Arizona will be to gain more experience and continue to show his ability to play all three outfield positions. He must treat the experience as an audition.--Anthony Castrovince

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

The team's decision to keep RHP Josh Fogg in the bullpen despite injuries to other starters is a sign that Fogg's days with the Pirates are numbered.... Interim manager Pete Mackanin is giving the club's inexperienced players the bulk of the playing time in what essentially is an audition for 2006.This does not bode well for 1B Daryle Ward and CF Tike Redman, neither of whom appears to have a future with the club.... After an awful season as a starter in 2004, RHP Ryan Vogelsong has adjusted well to the bullpen as a result of his ability to control his two-seam fastball. He'll likely take on an expanded relief role next season. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: Big-league regulars rarely participate in the league, but the club believes 1B Brad Eldred will benefit from additional experience. Eldred must improve his plate discipline-most important, he must stop chasing off-speed pitches out of the zone. The team also wants Eldred to shed some weight and work on his defensive footwork.--Ed Eagle

HOUSTON ASTROS

When the Astros recalled OF Charlton Jimerson last week, they said he would be used mostly as a pinch runner and late-game defensive replacement. But with CFs Willy Taveras and Chris Burke both banged up, Jimerson might get more playing time in center than originally expected.... C Brad Ausmus, often criticized for his lack of offensive production, hit above .300 in July and August and is turning in similar numbers in September. He has been doing a good job of moving runners over and avoiding double plays, something he has been prone to in the past. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: RHP Taylor Buchholz, the key acquisition in the Billy Wagner trade, will pitch in Arizona to make up for the innings he lost this season because of a shoulder injury. The club would like him to pitch 20 to 30 innings, get considerable rest in November and December, then start a throwing program in January. Buchholz is expected to contend for a rotation spot in 2006.--Alyson Footer

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

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Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2005

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