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Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2005

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

RHP Oscar Villarreal will go to spring training next year trying to win a job as a reliever, which is a complete reversal from this year. This spring, manager Bob Melvin wanted to make Villarreal a starter, but Melvin now realizes Villarreal is better suited for the bullpen because he relies on two pitches: a fastball and a slider. As a starter, he'd need at least one more pitch.... RHP Dustin Nippert's height, 6-7, allows him to throw his fastball on a steeper downward plane than most pitchers, which can bother some hitters. But he needs a better breaking ball to be successful in the big leagues. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: SS Stephen Drew will be the highest-profile Diamondback in the fall league. The team thinks Drew is a polished player, but it wants him to make up for time he missed this season because of injury. It hopes he can pile up at-bats and innings in the field. A strong fall could make Drew the favorite for the starting shortstop job in 2006.--Steve Gilbert

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COLORADO ROCKIES

SS Clint Barmes (collarbone) returned from the D.L. with a keen eye for pitches, and lately he isn't missing them. Cutting the force of his swing has helped him make better contact.... LHP Jeff Francis again is considering attacking a recent slump by changing his positioning on the rubber. He went from the far first base side toward the middle in June and is toying with moving farther in that direction, hoping to get inside against righthanded hitters.... RHP Ryan Speler wants to come into the 2006 season bigger. He believes adding muscle will help him avoid fatigue. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: RHP Ramon Ramirez, acquired as part of the trade that sent RHP Shawn Chacon to the Yankees, was a starter and reliever for Class AA Tulsa, but Colorado wants to get a close look at him as a reliever. Ramirez is smaller and doesn't throw as hard as RHP Eduardo Sierra, the other player acquired in the trade.--Thomas Harding

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

RHP Jeff Weaver seems to be motivated by the inability to reach an agreement on a contract extension with the team. By winning seven of his past eight decisions, he emerged for the second straight season as the team's most clutch starter. Weaver isn't a No. 1 starter, but he's an inning-seater and a competitor.... Late-season fades by rookie RHPs DJ. Boulton and Edwin Jackson have put more attention on Weavers status because at least one of the rookies will be counted on in 2006 if Weaver leaves. Jackson has a higher ceiling, but neither rookie appeared ready in his most recent start. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: After missing 1 1/2 seasons because of shoulder operations, highly regarded LHP Greg Miller was handled gingerly this year. He came on strong enough late in the season to be promoted to Class AA. For now, he's a reliever, and he will use the AFL as an opportunity to catch up on innings missed because of injury.--Ken Gurnick

SAN DIEGO PADRES

If the team makes the playoffs, RHP Woody Williams will be the favorite to be the No. 3 starter, after RHPs Jake Peary and Adam Eaton, partially because of Williams' history of late-season success. The fourth spot would go to RHPs Pedro Astacio or Brian Lawrence.... A recent surge by C Ramon Hernandez, who has recovered from surgery on his left wrist, gives the team a much-needed righthanded presence in the middle of the lineup alongside relentless RF Brian Giles, a lefthanded hitter.... CF Dave Roberts and LF Eric Young are an experienced, productive leadoff platoon. Both are flourishing down the stretch, particularly Young. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: 1B Michael Johnson, 25, should use the fall league as a proving ground against solid competition. Johnson, a lefthanded hitter, has the size (6-3, 215) and tools to advance quickly if he can escape the injuries that have bothered him in the past.--Lyle Spencer

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Rookie OF Todd Linden will play in a winter league again because of his offensive slide, which has cut his playing time. Linden, a switch hitter, still struggles to hit breaking balls despite constant tweaks to his stance.... OF Randy Winn has been a valuable addition because of his power and heady outfield play. The knock on Winn was a weak arm, but that hasn't been a factor. He should be a team mainstay for the next few seasons.... OF Moises Alou, who has struggled with injuries this season, plans to concentrate on lower-body fitness during the offseason, preparing for what could be his final season. ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE: 2B Kevin Frandsen, after hitting a combined .335 in three minor league stops, is on the fast track to the big leagues. Frandsen also played outstanding defense all season. He is smart, has gap power and can steal bases and draw walks. However, he needs to reduce his strikeouts.--Rich Draper

N.L. west

Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2005

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