More fun in the sun…

The Clippers roster is starting to take shape. Today they tangle with the Dodgers Triple-A squad (Albuquerque) at the Goodyear player development complex.

Here is the Clippers lineup…

1. Jose Constanza CF
2. Jason Donald SS
3. Carlos Santana DH
4. Shelley Duncan 1B
5. Brian Horwitz LF
6. Stephen Head RF
7. Jared Goedert 3B
8. Josh Rodriguez 2B
9. Damaso Espino C
10. Nick Weglarz DH

* This is not a typo, there are ten batters (two designated hitters) in the lineup to allow more players to get some swings.

Bench:
Brian Bixler (INF/OF)
Dwight Childs (INF/OF)
Wes Hodges (INF)
Jerad Head (INF/OF)

Pitching:
LH Jeremy Sowers (3 innings)
LH Aaron Laffey (2 innings)
RH Hector Ambriz (1)
RH Josh Judy (1)
LH Mike Gosling (1)

Today’s Clippings…

* Jose Constanza seems to be the favorite for the Clippers centerfield job if Michael Brantley begins in Cleveland. Constanza is already 26 years old, but led the Eastern League in runs (98) last year and carried a .378 OBP during the Aeros championship campaign. He would give Columbus a true leadoff presence if Brantley is unavailable. Constanza’s 49 stolen bases set a franchise record.

* Brian Horwitz is in the running to be the Clippers fourth outfielder. He was selected in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft in December. A 26th round pick by Oakland in the 2003 draft, he batted .290 with 4 HR and 26 RBI in 76 games with Triple-A Fresno last year.

* Shelley Duncan spent extra time making throws from right field after the Clippers morning batting practice session today. Duncan will play first some (like today), but with a crowded outfield and Wes Hodges moving to first full-time, he will DH most days in Columbus. Duncan hit .277 with 30 HR and 99 RBI with Scranton Wilkes-Barre last year. He led the league in HRs and RBIs on his way to the International League MVP trophy.

* I received my copy of Tony Lastoria’s “Indians Top 100 Prospects and More” today. Tony does a remarkable job of tracking all the minor leaguers in the Indians organization. Be sure to check out his site and order a copy of the book.

* I’m taking my son to see WrestleMania XXVI (or 26 for some of us) tonight here in Phoenix. I’m told Travis Hafner is attending as well. I haven’t watched “wrasslin” in about 15 years, but I know Jerry “The King” Lawler will be there. He’s appeared at a couple of Clippers games over the last few years and the autograph lines have been surreal. I’m told at least one former WWE Superstar is booked for Huntington Park this season.

* I’ll be doing a position-by-position preview of the Clippers this week:

Monday – Starting Pitchers
Tuesday – Catchers
Wednesday – Infielders
Thursday – Outfielders
Friday – Relief Pitchers

Oh by the way, the Indians open the seson a week from Monday and the Clippers start one week from Thursday! It’s almost here!