Thursday, March 28, marks Opening Day for the 2024 MLB season. With just a few days left in spring training, teams are finalizing their Opening Day rosters and are making their final cuts.
Some of these former Vols have made the most of their time in spring training. Players like Trey Lipscomb and Garrett Crochet have given themselves a chance to be on the Opening Day roster or get called up very soon. Others like Ben Joyce, Drew Gilbert and Chad Dallas have struggled. Joyce has already been sent back down to Triple-A to start the season in the minors. While Gilbert and Dallas have not been sent down yet, it is likely they will be before Opening Day.
Garrett Crochet gets the ball on Opening Day
Last week, the Chicago White Sox named Crochet their Opening Day starter. Crochet has pitched in five games so far this spring, starting two for a total of 12.2 innings. He has been lights out in those appearances, allowing just three total runs for an ERA of 2.13. In those 12.2 innings, Crochet has struck out 14 and only walked one, throwing just 91 pitches in the process.
Crochet’s ability to fill up the zone and get outs efficiently earned him one of the highest regards for a young pitcher. On Thursday, Crochet will face Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day. This is an even bigger honor for Crochet given the fact that he has been a relief pitcher for the majority of his time with the White Sox.
Trey Lipscomb continues to rake in spring training
Lipscomb has played in 21 games for the Washington Nationals this spring and has collected 55 plate appearances. This is in part thanks to his high level of play throughout spring training. Lipscomb is currently slashing .400/.455/.540 with seven RBIs and 27 total bases. In addition, Lipscomb has given himself the best opportunity by putting the ball in play a lot. Lipscomb has only struck out seven times this spring and has walked five. Lipscomb has also flashed his other skills, stealing a base and hitting a triple this spring.
On the defensive side of the ball, Lipscomb has also played stellar, logging innings at second base, third base and shortstop. During the entire spring season, Lipscomb has made just one error.
With most of his innings coming at second base this spring, it is possible that the Nationals want him to play second base in the major league level. As of now, the position is up in the air for the team, and Lipscomb has proved himself a worthy candidate for the spot this spring.
Others struggle as spring training comes to a close
Dallas has struggled some this spring with the Toronto Blue Jays. In his three appearances, Dallas has earned an 8.31 ERA in just 4.1 innings. He has also been majorly inefficient, throwing over 20 pitches per inning this spring.
Opponents have also hit Dallas hard. Opposing batters have earned a 1.131 on-base plus slugging against him.
One positive for Dallas this spring has been his ability to strike out batters. With seven strikeouts, Dallas has a 14.54 strikeouts per nine innings rate and a seven strikeout-to-walk ratio. In addition, the Blue Jays seem to like Dallas as a depth option for their rotation. While he might not get the opportunity to play right away for the Blue Jays this year, Dallas could get the call should someone get injured or underperform.
Gilbert has also struggled for the New York Mets this spring. In six games, Gilbert has collected just one hit. While that hit was a two-RBI single, that has been his only offensive production this spring outside of a walk.
While Gilbert has gotten unlucky on a couple of occasions, that is not the sole reason for his struggles. Gilbert’s batting average on balls in play is a low .091. With a batting average below that, Gilbert will likely start the season back in the minors.
Joyce has had a hard time this spring for the Los Angeles Angels. In 7.1 innings, Joyce has earned an 8.59 ERA and 2.32 walks and hits per inning pitched ratio. This is mostly due to his seeming lack of control. Joyce’s strikeout-to-walk ratio sits at 0.67. When he does get it over the plate, opponents have capitalized. Batters have earned a .959 on-base plus slugging against Joyce.
Joyce will start the season in Triple-A this year after he was optioned there on March 22.
