Miami Palms Blog

I was remiss in including Tony Abreu when discussing players that had come from Puerto Rico, where the Palms played last night, and he made sure to draw some attention to himself. Abreau played second, allowing Jaspero Gonzalez a night off, while getting minor leagues some play on the left side of the infield, and made three tremendous defensive playes. He also went 2-5 against a local team from Mayaguez, with a stolen base. The season, as a reminder, starts in 9 days.

Rather than spend the entirety of Spring Training in south Florida, where they call home during the regular season, the Palms have decided to take their show on the road before heading to New York to open the season with the Yankees. The team will play 6 games abroad in 3 different countries. They will start with two in the Dominican Republic, 2 in Puerto Rico (admittedly, not abroad, but definitely overseas) and 2 in the Bahamas. the Washington Nationals may be joining them for the 2 game set in Puerto Rico. Eduardo Nunez is from the Dominican Republic, Javier Vazquez is Puerto Rican, and the Bahamas happens to be a simple jaunt away from Miami.

Felix Gonsales is, after several years in the bullpen, finally making his move to the rotation. The questions that have been directed at him are the same as any pitcher trying to make a move to the rotation from the bullpen. Will he have the stamina? Will his stuff remain as consistent? He will be pitching more innings in Spring than any other pitcher, in order to test his mettle. The Palms have no worries.

People are always curious as to what holidays the Palms will play at home for. Those days, of course, are Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day. Where will the Palms be on those days? Memorial Day: The Palms will be playing the first of a 3 game set in Anaheim, versus the Angels. 4th of July: Curiously enough, the Palms will be squaring off against the Angels again on Independence Day, but this time, the game will be in Miami. Labor Day: The Palms will be visiting their cross state rivals in Tampa, playing the Rays on Labor Day.

The Miami Palms start the season on April 6th in the Bronx against the New York Yankees, and there are always rumors circulating as to their opening day lineup. It was used in the first day of Spring Training games. This is what it is slated to look like: CF Coco Crisp 3b Martin Prado 2b Jaspero Gonzalez RF Frank Sohn C Omir Santos LF Matt Holliday DH Nick Markakis 1b Billy Dupont SS Eduardo Nunez SP Javier Vazquez That certainly looks like a potent offense, and the team is ready for the season to begin!

The Palms are beginning their 2012 campaign today with their spring training schedule in Palm City, Florida with a game against a local community college. They will play a months worth of games as they prepare for the regular season. Among the issues they need to work through is exactly how they will manage their catching situation, with Jose Molina and Omir Santos both very capable. The Palms also want to figure out how to assign roles to their outfielders, with 5 excellent fielders, and 5 excellent hitters. The rotation and bullpen are an obvious concern as well, and the team will look to work out arms. They would like to decide whether or not the youngster Ivan Fernandez is better off in AAA Jackson, or in the bullpen, though it appears he is headed for a long relief role, with the Palms hoping to bolster what had been a shaky group last season. The Palms are optimistic for the 2012 season!