Damon Sublett

Damon Sublett had starred as a two-way player, though the majority of scouts liked him better as a righthanded pitcher than as a second baseman coming into 2007. He had a herky-jerky delivery, but it produced a 91-93 mph fastball and a hard curveball. Throw in his tenacity, and in his first two seasons at Wichita State, Sublett pitched 32 innings without allowing a run while also racking up 54 strikeouts. He reminded some Missouri Valley Conference observers of Shaun Marcum, a star closer/infielder at Missouri State before reaching the majors as a pitcher with the Blue Jays. But Sublett has made just five pitching appearances totaling four innings this spring. He fell on ice and strained his back early in the season, followed by a strained knee ligament, shoulder tightness and a strained hamstring. Sublett, who played through a broken hamate bone in his right wrist and mononucleosis last year, has been able to play regularly at second base. As with his pitching, he doesn't always look pretty, but he more than gets the job done offensively and defensively. His swing isn't textbook, but he projects as an offensive second baseman with decent pop and plus speed. He also has has soft hands on defense. Sublett is more likely to get picked as a second baseman than a righthander after this spring.