Baseball in Fort Wayne

It’s getting that time of spring, position battles are being won and lost. Here’s a look at four former Fort Wayne Wizards:

Josh Barfield dedicated himself to regaining a big league roster spot this offseason and into spring. In doing so, he developed skills at new positions, which may have been the deciding factor in giving him a spot on the roster. Barfield will be used as a late-inning pinch-runner, and will start at second base, in the outfield and at third. Until this year, he was exclusively a second baseman.

“I like his versatility, speed and how good he is on the bases,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said of Barfield. “I trust him late in the ballgame to do those things . . . I still feel the bat’s coming. The work he’s done has yet to translate into the games, but I think it will.”

I guess his extra work this spring paid off. Congrats Josh. Hope it’s the first step toward great things!

George Kottaras appears to have also locked up a spot with Boston. His ability to catch Tim Wakefield impressed:

“He’s not been thrown into just a normal backup situation,” said the manager. “Again, nobody has made our team yet. But he’s catching Wake right now, so he’s got that added responsibility. He’s a good receiver. He’s been throwing real well. He’s had a good camp.”

…

He knows Kottaras possesses some power in his bat; in 395 at-bats with Pawtucket last season, Kottaras hit 22 home runs.

In Orioles camp, the out-of-options David Pauley cleared waivers and is being outrighted to AAA Norfolk. Pauley came to Baltimore from Boston in a trade a few months back. He was first expected to contend for place in the rotation, but that was ruled out last week.

Veteran and well-traveled Chad Moeller remains in Baltimore’s camp as he fights for a spot as backup catcher. Yet, even if he wins the gig, it’s liekly to be short-lived:

“I think it’s pretty clear,” said Trembley. “Hammock provides offense. Moeller provides experience calling the game and working with the staff. That’s a decision where we will decide on what’s more important.”

One complication for the Orioles is that their backup catcher is likely a temporary posting. Baltimore expects to promote top prospect Matt Wieters to the parent club at some point before the All-Star break, and once that happens, it will shift initial starter Gregg Zaun into a backup and mentor role.