Diamondbacks’ manager Kirk Gibson was interviewed today on the Gambo and Ash show on KTAR 620 AM. Gibson gave a few updates on how spring is going and the progress he’s seeing in some of the players. Below are some notable remarks that he made.
Ian Kennedy is the opening day starter.
I completely agree with this decision, and this is what I expected. Although his spring hasn’t been stellar, of all the Diamondbacks' starters, Kennedy is the only one who had a decent, full season in 2010.
Daniel Hudson will start the second game.
Again, I fully support this decision. Hudson has had a good spring and was very good in the 14 games he started in 2010. Joe Saunders would have been the only other alternative for the second slot, but he has had an awful spring and was not effective in 2010. Gibson has even declined to declare him the third man in the rotation.
The battle for first base rages on.
All three players competing for the starting first baseman job on Opening Day have had very good springs. Russell Branyan, Brandon Allen, and Juan Miranda are all still considered options.
This is a battle of a veteran, Branyan, against two players with a lot of upside and potential. There is a case to be made to use Miranda and Allen at first base, get them regular playing time, and start developing them since the team is not expected to compete for the division this year.
Gibson declined to say whether or not Branyan had done enough to make the roster,
With a .455 batting average for spring I would assume that it is his only his defense that is holding him back. The Diamondbacks are among the leaders for errors this spring; Gibson might be hesitant to add another player who is a defensive liability.
I would be surprised if Branyan was not on the roster opening day. He’s got experience, provides decent power, and is a productive player when healthy.
All in all, not a lot of updates, but the pieces are slowly falling into place.
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