They're Working Out

That's right folks, the 2008 season is off and running. Of course, there's more running than pitching going on right now, but that counts as working out, which means that all 21 pitchers and non-roster invitees were in action today.
 


Of course, its hard to get much of a review from anyone's performance, seeing as how the first bullpen sessions are still days away. But being in camp gave players and coaches, etc., plenty of time to talk.

That being said, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield all threw together today. So did Clay Buchholz, Devern Hansack, David Pauley and Julian Tavarez. And while the more established names like Beckett, Matsuzaka and Wakefield may have drawn the most attention and nuanced critiques, the oddest name still might be the most interesting one.

Awkward, sweaty stretching. A classic Spring Training hallmark.

Devern Hansack. Remember him? The guy who was supposed to be a dark horse candidate for the team's closer opening last year? The guy who threw an abbreviated no-hitter at Fenway in his last start of 2006? The Venezuelan is still an enigma, though the team seems to remain adamant that he has big-league quality stuff. Thus far, Hansack's campaign to earn a spot on the big league roster has been conspicuous in its complete absence; there's been no talk of Hansack earning a spot in the 'pen. At all. Naturally, that would seem to indicate that he has a long, uphill minor league battle ahead of him. But it's also possible that the Sox have kept quiet about his progression, particularly in the light of different offseason trade talks, because the think he actually could make an impact in the not too distant future.

The workouts that Buchholz is being put through will also bear watching. The team said it hard targeted 180-190 innings from him in 2008, a significant upgrade from past seasons. Still, that could all be lip service, particularly when viewed in conjunction with his late-season shoulder injury last year. If Buchholz is still throwing with the pitch counts put on top prospects Justin Masterson and Michael Bowden a few weeks in - as opposed to the workouts being used by Julian Tavarez and Kyle Snyder (who confirmed to the Herald on Saturday that he's in the team's open audition for the fifth starting spot) - that could be an early tell that the team plans to start Buchholz back in Pawtucket and work him back up to Fenway during the season.

Naturally, because this is still pitchers and catchers camp, there's scant positional players filing in. But there are two hitters of note who reportedly have been seen around City of Palms Park, according to both the Herald's Bradford Files blog and the Globe's counterpart in Extra Bases: reigning rookie of the year Dustin Pedroia and - get ready for it - stud shortstop prospect Jed Lowrie. Anyone who thinks that Julio Lugo's starting spot won't come under fire if he puts up another year of 2007 numbers might want to watch the progress of Lowrie in camp. If he can show signs of improving his fielding to meet up with his significant hitting prowess (think Pedroia without the wacky swing) then the clock on Lugo might start ticking a bit earlier than people expect.

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