THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 28, 1995 TAG: 9503280387
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
If it was one of the investments Chris Saunders is learning to manage in the offseason, his Double-A summer a year ago would seem to portend decent growth potential.
Saunders had the finest season of his career in Binghamton, N.Y. But for his reward, all the New York Mets did was talk all winter about sliding Edgardo Alfonzo ahead of Saunders on the organization's third-base depth chart.
However, in this surreal spring, Alfonzo, a member of the Mets' 40-man roster, is home in Venezuela, waiting out the strike. Meanwhile, Saunders is right where he feels he should be, preparing to be the Norfolk Tides' third baseman.
Certainly, Saunders, a 24-year-old from near Fresno, Calif., earned his way here. In only his second full season, Saunders batted .269, hit 10 home runs and knocked in 70 runs - all career highs. Also, he led Eastern League third basemen in fielding at .939 as Binghamton won the championship.
Trouble is, Alfonzo, 21, is considered a golden prospect who needs to find a new position. Rey Ordonez, a brilliant fielder, bumped Alfonzo from shortstop to second base last year in Binghamton, but Jeff Kent is cemented at second for the Mets. In the Mets' mind, that leaves third base for Alfonzo, a superb offensive player who would have been given a chance to win the big-league position this spring.
At the least, Alfonzo would be the starter at Norfolk, and still figures to be whenever the strike ends. That will be about the time Saunders won't be very bullish on the whole situation.
``Of course, it disappointed me,'' Saunders said of the plans to move Alfonzo. ``I don't know, maybe they didn't think I was ready to play Triple-A at third base. I don't know if it was something more against me or they just wanted to get him to the big leagues as fast as they could and third base is probably the quickest way for him to get there.''
Saunders himself took the fast track to Norfolk. After playing for the short-season rookie club in Pittsfield, Mass., following his selection in the seventh round of the 1992 draft, Saunders jumped to Class A St. Lucie in '93 and then Binghamton.
A solid 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, Saunders drove the ball better than ever last season. And while he's no picture of grace in the field, he has worked to soften his hands and has made marked progress, Tides coach Ron Washington said.
``They've gotten much softer,'' said Washington, a major league infielder for parts of 10 seasons. ``He still doesn't have a lot of range, but I think that'll get better as he positions himself more.
``He's still got a little inexperience, but the kid grows on you. He may not look like much, but the more you watch him. ... he's getting there.
``He used to be awfully tight. Every year he's gotten more and more fluid. He's gonna do a good job.''
Saunders spent last winter playing in the Arizona league for top prospects, which gave him only about a seven-week offseason. It wasn't enough time for him to dabble much in his father's business - insurance and investments. But Saunders said he plans to continue work towards acquiring his broker's license.
As for long-term potential, Saunders said Tides manager Toby Harrah would like him to acquire a first baseman's glove, ``just in case. I'm sure I can play there.''
In baseball as in the financial markets, past success is no guarantee of future performance. At third or elsewhere, though, Saunders at least has forged a pretty healthy foundation.
NOTEWORTHY: The Tides beat Albuquerque, 6-2, Monday as lefthander Chris Roberts gave up six hits and two runs in seven innings. Norfolk is 5-3-2 in exhibition games. ... The Mets released nine replacement players Monday but offered one, infielder Bubba Wagnon, a minor league opportunity. Tides lefthander Jimmy Williams pitched in his second replacement game against the Dodgers. The New York Post reported Monday that Williams is one of four minor league pitchers who has agreed to play in regular season replacement games. Two of the others, Jeff Tam and Joe Vitko, are also expected to be with the Tides. ... The Mets say they will not announce their replacement roster, including the minor leaguers they hope to lure with special financial incentives, at least until Saturday, the day before they open the season at the Florida Marlins. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN, Staff
Chris Saunders, who hopes to be the starting third baseman for the
Norfolk Tides, watches a fly ball during batting practice.
by CNB