For the Smith report:
I would like to say that I noticed him when he was in Corvallis, but it was really in ST two years ago. I thought he was the most impressive young guy in camp. I thought he was ready for AA or AAA even then. But the proof will be in the the AAA pudding this season. He's found a way to get on base at each and every stop and he's got a better glove and range at SS than Miller did in the minors. Better than Taylor, too, actually. Keep it up kid.
He may make a Chris Taylor expendable (if Marte remains at SS).
BTW, in case you all forgot: Marte was just a bit shy of being a 3 WAR player this season...in 57 games. Ackley's rookie year saw him get to 4.0 in 90 games.
BTWx2: Ackley hit .288-.333-.654 in 57 PA's with the Yanks. 4 HR's will do that for you. I hope he shaved. I also hope Flores hits for us. But good for Ackley.
BTWx3: Flores had major ankle injuries in '14 and '15 (the break above it this year); he isn't playing CF. But in basically a full season of AAA ball (150 games/655 PA) he's .282-.376-.449 with 34-2-16 in the XB hit dept. Uh, the 83 BB's and just 94 K's will get DiPoto's attention quickly, as well.
BTWx4: I suppose a guy can't do the AFL two seasons in a row, but I was hoping for a bunch of Kivlehan sightings in CF. I want to see what he has out there. Remember Dale Murphy guys (that's my Kivlehan-mantra at the moment): After 2 cups of tea and two full MLB years, he moved to CF in '80...from C/1B. He had played one game in AAA in the OF in '76. That was the extent of his OF experience. But beginning in '82 he won the CF GG 5 times running. Was he actualy the best CF in the game? Uh..no. But he was good enough to get noticed and handle the position with aplomb. I'm hoping that's what Kivlehan can do out there. Uh..hoping is the operative word.
Carry on....