PT Today

(*) PT TODAY: May heads to MIN bullpen

PT Today

BaseballHQ

Mar 17 2016 11:06pm

(*) PT TODAY: May heads to MIN bullpen

BaseballHQ

Mar 17 2016

Team-by-team playing time allocation charts can be found in our Teamview pages.

American League \| National League

Twins \| Trevor May lands in bullpen
Minnesota Twins RP Trevor May was informed Wednesday, March 16, that he will be part of the team's bullpen. Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Phil Miller

BHQ take: Although Trevor May struggled somewhat as a starter in 2015 with a 4-8 record and a 4.43 ERA through 16 starts, he provided excellent value as a bullpen arm, winning 4 games with a 2.87 ERA. His rise in velocity from 91.9 in 2014 to 92.9 in 2015 can probably be attributed to shorter outings as a reliever, however, what is more significant is his BPV rise from 53 in 2014 to 117 in 2015. As pointed out in the 2016 Baseball Forecaster, Trevor May showed skills growth as a SP (7.9 Dom, 1.9 Ctl in 83.1 IP), but took it to another level as a RP (10.6 Dom, 2.3 Ctl in 31.1 IP). Moving Trevor May to the bullpen likely means that Tommy Milone, Ricky Nolasco and José Berríos are still in the running for Minnesota's fifth starter position. —Alex Beckey

Impact: High
Berrios, Jose
May, Trevor	PT Gain: 2%
Milone, Tommy	PT Gain: 1%
Nolasco, Ricky	PT Gain: 1%



Indians \| Marlon Byrd to Cleveland
Free-agent OF Marlon Byrd (Giants) signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians Thursday, March 17. Source: FOXSports.com - Ken Rosenthal

BHQ take: Byrd joins a crowded, yet underwhelming, CLE OF mix. His arrival likely spells bad news for Will Venable and Colin Cowgill in the battle for OF PT and roster spots. Byrd has experienced a late-career power surge in recent seasons, sacrificing contact and BA/xBA in the process. He has a streak of three straight seasons (2013-15) of 140+ PX, giving him considerably more power potential than his PT rivals. He seems likely to get considerable PT in the OF corners, particularly vs. LHP. —Tom Kephart

Impact: Med
Cowgill, Collin	PT Loss: -10%
Byrd, Marlon	PT Gain: 40%
Venable, Will	PT Loss: -30%



Rays \| Logan Forsythe could bat leadoff
Tampa Bay Rays 2B Logan Forsythe went 3-for-3 out of the leadoff spot against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday, March 10, and the team could use him as a leadoff hitter during the regular season if he shows that he is comfortable in the role. OFs Desmond Jennings, Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Guyer and SS Brad Miller are other candidates to bat first, according to manager Kevin Cash. Source: The Tampa Tribune - Roger Mooney

BHQ take: Indeed, Forsythe has batted leadoff in every game he has played since the above-mentioned March 10 game, and is now 10-for-20 with five doubles and one walk thus far in the spring. He spent 2015 batting lower in the order (primarily fourth or fifth), but a .359 OBA in 2015 and a projected 111 Spd score suggests he should thrive in the leadoff spot. Expect some minor improvement in runs scored at the expense of a few RBIs if this lineup configuration sticks. Miller has also seen a lot of time at the top of the spring lineups, batting second behind Forsythe and leading off as part of the contingent listed below when Forsythe is not playing. Miller offers a little bit less in the on-base department (.329 OBA in 2015 and same projected for 2016), but a little more speed (118 Spd), and is also enjoying a productive spring (7-for-19 with two doubles and three walks). All three of the OFs listed have previous experience topping the lineup, so there are plenty of options in TAM if either of these middle infielders begin to struggle in those roles. —Matt Dodge

Impact: Low
Jennings, Desmond
Kiermaier, Kevin
Miller, Bradley
Guyer, Brandon
Forsythe, Logan



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National League \| American League

Reds \| Alfredo Simon signs with Reds
Free-agent SP Alfredo Simon (Tigers) signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds Thursday, March 17. Source: MLB.com

BHQ take: Simon's signing comes on the heels of physical setbacks which will prevent young starters Michael Lorenzen and Jon Moscot from being ready for Opening Day. Simon will be in the season-opening rotation, though he could eventually shift to the bullpen as injured CIN starters return to action and various pitching prospects are potentially called up later in 2016. —Tom Kephart

Impact: Med
Moscot, Jon	PT Loss: -1%
Lorenzen, Michael	PT Loss: -2%
Simon, Alfredo	PT Gain: 3%



Brewers \| Will Smith, Jeremy Jeffress to close
Updating a previous report, Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said he plans to use RPs Will Smith and Jeremy Jeffress to close games depending on hitter-pitcher matchups. 'Both of those guys are really good,' Counsell said. 'One throws left-handed; one throws right-handed. I think we should take advantage of that.' If one of the closers takes control of the job, Counsell isn't opposed to giving that guy the job. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Haudricourt

BHQ take: Counsell's comments clarify that RHP Corey Knebel, regarded by many as MIL's future closer, will not open the season as part of the closing mix. LHP Smith and RHP Jeffress will open the season as co-closers. Each has recorded three straight 100+ BPV seasons, though Smith has hurled more IP than Jeffress over that time, as Jeffress did not cement his MLB role until the second half of 2014. Jeffress has displayed markedly improved Ctl/Cmd in 2014-15, though his marginal FpK suggests he could still be prone to bouts of wildness. He has the heavier GB tendency of the pair. Smith's elite SwK and Dom compensate for his unimpressive Ctl. Knebel, MIL's third reliever with closer-worthy skills, is likely to amass a large number of Holds in a setup role. —Tom Kephart

Impact: High
Knebel, Corey	SV Loss: -10%
Smith, Will	SV Gain: 10%
Jeffress, Jeremy



Rockies \| Daniel Descalso out several weeks
Colorado Rockies 2B Daniel Descalso (hand) is out for several weeks due to a very small fracture in his left hand. Source: The Denver Post - Patrick Saunders

BHQ take: In 2015, Descalso’s 101 games played produced 185 AB, which typically translated to late-inning defensive appearances or injury replacements in all four infield positions. The same is expected of him in 2016, although uncertainty surrounding SS José Reyes (on MLB-imposed leave of absence during spring training) might have resulted in a little extra early-season PT for a healthy-handed Descalso. Regardless, he does little to recommend himself offensively. He has nudged his lifetime walk rate to 10% and did tie his seasonal best of five HR last year, but his lifetime .252 BA/.248 xBA and .358 Slg are more telling. Trevor Story continues to be the Rockies’ best shortstop option. He’s showing improved plate discipline and his four spring HR are double that of any of his teammates. No PT adjustments here yet, but it continues to be a situation worth monitoring. —Rob Carroll

Impact: Low
Descalso, Daniel W

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Playing Time Key

The playing time percentage changes at the bottom of most news items correspond to BaseballHQ.com's Teamview pages. The percentages approximate changes in AB, IP and Saves in the following manner:

For batters, each 5% of PT% ~ 31 AB (100% total for each position = 618 AB)
For pitchers, each 3% of PT% ~ 44 IP (100% total for a team's entire pitching staff)
For relievers, each 5% of Svs ~ 2 saves (100% of a team's total = about40 saves)

A complete explanation of BaseballHQ.com's playing time allocations can be found in the article "How the Projections are Created."