Updates on Kitsap’s three major leaguers, all South Kitsap grads:
Willie Bloomquist is having another sensational spring. He was 2-for-3 for the D-backs on Wednesday and is hitting .411. Bloomquist has been used almost excluisively at second base and has been batting leadoff for the D’backs when he plays. Kelly Johsnon (.288, 26 home runs a year ago) is Arizona’s starter at second. But Bloomquist’s versatility — he’s played every position except pitcher and catcher — should get him a lot of playing time on this team.
Padres outfielder Aaron Cunningham was scratched from Wednesday’s game against the Brewers because of a high calf strain. It’s not a serious injury and he could be back by the weekend. Cunningham’s hitting .321 and is in the hunt to be the Padres’ fifth outfielder, but it looks more and more like he’ll start the season at Triple-A Portland because San Diego wants him to play everyday.
Jason Hammel is entrenched as the No. 4 starter for the Colorado Rockies. He’s a strike machine who gets a lot of groundballs. The 6-foot-6 right hander won double digit games the past two seasons, and his ERA has been below 5.00 since 2007. After signing a two-year, $7.75 million deal, this could be a breakout year for the pitcher who pounds the strike zone and gets a lot of groundball outs.
