Ankiel's on his way

The speculation turned into reality Wednesday, as Rick Ankiel cleared waivers and was signed to a minor-league contract by the St. Louis Cardinals. They plan to assign him to Springfield, but when they'll do that is anybody's guess.

The bigger question is "If Ankiel's is, who's out?" Springfield has four outfielders on the 24-man roster, which will later be trimmed to 23. Springfield skipper Chris Maloney told the Springfield News-Leader that Ankiel will be an every-day player. Ankiel played in several Double-A games in Spring Training, batting out of the third spot.

CF Reid Gorecki isn't going anywhere. He's on St. Louis' 40-man roster and is perhaps the top prospect on the roster.

LF Shaun Boyd is a former first-round draft pick and is looking to redeem himself after hitting just .190 in 158 Double-A at-bats a year ago. He hasn't panned out yet, but still has solid tools if the bat comes around.

RF Papo Bolivar hit .295 a year ago with 15 homers and 60 RBI. He slugged .459 and would be at Triple-A Memphis were it not for the fact the Redbirds are loaded with outfielders. Bolivar can also DH for Springfield.

That would likely leave Tyler Minges the odd man out in Springfield. He's a free-agent signee and hit .267 at Double-A Akron (Cleveland Indians) a year ago and committed 5 errors in 81 games in the outfield. Bolivar, by comparison, was charged with 5 in 119 games and Boyd had 1 in 45 Double-A games - 0 in 38 games at Palm Beach.



Good to see Runelvys Hernandez throw well against Detroit Wednesday. Just one run and five hits. He also got out of a big jam in the third inning - bases loaded, one out and Pudge Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez due up. Pop-up, fly ball, deep breath.

Hopefully Lima's bad start Monday was an aberration and he'll settle in. Lima Time was a little too worked up to face the Tigers again - a team he feels like tried to run him out of the league.

If he's on and Hernandez keeps this up, I really like the starting pitching. Zach Greinke is unreal, Denny Bautista had a great spring (2-0, 2.84 ERA) and even Brian Anderson wasn't that bad this spring (1-0, 2.08).

"If he's on" and "keeps this up" will be key phrases this season.

First up for Springfield...the Arkansas Travelers

Springfield's Texas League debut is now hours away, as the Cardinals take on the Arkansas Travelers Thursday night at 7:10 in Little Rock.

The Travs should be a formidable foe. Highlighting the roster is the double-play duo of SS Erick Aybar and 2B Alberto Callaspo. Both were ranked in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's Top 10 prospects by "Baseball America." Aybar (.340-14-65) No. 3, is said to be the organizations best defensive infielder and possess the best infield arm. Callaspo (.282-6-48) is ranked 9th.

Two Travs right-handers also rank in Baseball America's Top 10, Ervin Santana (No. 7) and Steven Shell (No. 10). Santana (2-1, 3.30) is said to have the best fastball and slider in the Angels farm system, while Shell (12-7, 3.59) has the best control.

While not ranked among the Angels' top 10 prospects, BA says Reggie Willits (.283-5-52) is their best defensive outfielder.

And this isn't just the cream of the crop in a crappy system. BA ranks the Angels' minor league talent No. 1.

Yikes.

Springfield will not field a top 10 prospect, though the 'Birds are not without talent. 3B Travis Hanson is the system's best defensive infielder CF Reid Gorecki is the top defensive outfielder.

There are also some pretty good bats in the Cardinals' lineup. Goreckin hit .320-0-1 in seven games with Double-A Tennessee last season after a line of .277-8-47 at Palm Beach. Hanson, also at Palm Beach, hit .259-2-35. RF/DH Papo Bolivar hit 15 homers at Double-A and slugged .459. I think this will be a fun team to watch.

Former SMS Bear Bob Zimmermann is opening the season at High-A Rancho Cucamonga, but could join the Travelers later in the year.