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COPYRIGHT 2003 Sporting News Publishing Co.
ANAHEIM ANGELS
There's an excellent chance this is the last year 1B/3B Scott Spiezio will be with the team. He's a free agent after the year, and it's unlikely the team will try to re-sign him because of 1B Robb Quinlan, who entered the week hitting .366 in his first 12 big-league games. Quinlan isn't a big bopper, but he has gap power and hit for average at every minor league stop. Spiezio put up 82 RBIs in 2002 while hitting .285, but he was hurt by a slow start this season--he hit .230 in March and April--and his run production is down. Still, the team would miss Spiezio's versatility; he has been playing third with starter Troy Glaus on the D.L. ... Another key player who has struggled is CF Darin Erstad, who returned to the D.L. with tendinitis in his right hamstring, which has bothered him all season. Erstad eventually will need surgery to fix the problem because it has not improved. With Erstad out, look for Jeff DeVanon to get most of the time in center. DeVanon has been impressive in part-time duty. He has both power and speed potential. Another option is Eric Owens, who has speed but also a sickly .238 on-base percentage.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
After pitching poorly in May and June, LHP B.J. Ryan has bounced back, allowing one earned run and two hits in his last 15 appearances (covering 6 2/3 innings). Ryan's effectiveness largely is tied to his unorthodox delivery in which he hides the ball from lefthanded hitters. Righthanders see--and hit--him very well, but Ryan is dominant as a lefthanded specialist. He leads A.L. relievers with an average of 13.7 strikeouts per nine innings.... Less than three months after giving 2003 first-round pick LHP Adam Loewen a $4 million contract, the organization has shut him down for the season. The club stresses that Loewen, 19, is not injured; it just wants to be cautious with him because a number of pitching prospects have been set back by arm injuries. In seven games at Class A, Loewen was 0-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 23 1/3 innings. Loewen will begin an offseason conditioning program and should be ready to pitch again by February. Loewen will start spring training with the major league team.... The club wants OF Jack Cust, who recently was recalled, to be more aggressive. Cust too often waits for the perfect pitch. Walking a lot is nice, but he also finds himself behind in the count because of his unwillingness to attack pitches. He has yet to be productive on the big-league level.
BOSTON RED SOX
OF Manny Ramirez has hit a wail, but considering the team is fighting for a postseason berth, it can't give him time off. Ramirez entered the week hitting .188 in August, but manager Grady Little also knows he's a hitter who has the ability to turn it on, so he isn't overly concerned about Ramirez's slump.... The best part of RHP Pedro...
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