Spring Training provides Alberto Alburquerque another opportunity – MLB Detroit Tigers News
Spring Training session is an ideal time for any Major League Baseball team to try players from minor league. It also gives an opportunity to the youngsters to make the most of available opportunities to impress their managers and coaches. Detroit Tigers are the favourites to win the American League Central division title this season. Considering their hitting and pitching lineup, it is not going to be a surprise to anyone if they make it to the World Series.
Alberto Jose Alburquerque is a promising Tigers’ prospect in pitching department of the game. The right handed reliever has given some strong results since making his MLB debut in 2011. Striking out 13 batters in just over seven innings in Spring Training past season, he showed the baseball world what he is capable of. However, despite making useful contributions in Spring Training, Alberto pitched in only a handful of games in 2011.
"A lot of times, guys that make a really good impression will get an opportunity that year," Tigers’ pitching coach Jeff Jones said. "You're always looking, always watching, to see how guys react to different things. That's what we'll judge a lot in the games. What if you get hit a little bit? How will you react? A lot of these guys haven't been hit around very much.”
"The majority of the times, the pitchers who get called up during the season are the ones who made a good impression in big league camp,” he further added.
The upcoming 2011 regular season will be of great importance for the pitcher. With his controlled and accurate pitching, he will be hoping to secure a permanent place on Tigers’ pitching rotation.
With six pitchers (Drew Smyly, Casey Crosby, Adam Wilk, Duane Below, Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner) competing for the available spot in pitching rotations, the competition will be extremely tough. Turner has already pitched once during this Spring Training and he will be waiting for his next chance to arrive as early as possible.
Without any doubts, Alberto is the leading candidate to grab the open spot in the rotation. The 25 year old has produced consistent performances in Spring Training without getting a decent reward. It will be interesting to see if he can assert himself as a dominant force in the upcoming season.
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