http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2008633 Can pitcher make Cardinals roster at new position? Associated Press JUPITER, Fla. -- Rick Ankiel is ending a pitching career derailed by injuries and record wildness and will try to make the St. Louis Cardinals' roster as an outfielder. Ankiel as a hitter Rick Ankiel's athletic ability makes his move from the mound to the outfield an option, and his hitting background, as both a professional and as an amateur, indicate his move to the outfield has a small chance of succeeding. As a major leaguer, Ankiel is 18-for-87, including a .250/.292/.382 season in 2000, when he went 11-7, 3.50 on the mound. Ankiel also homered twice that season, which is when his control problems cropped up in the playoffs. When his wildness forced him out of the big leagues in 2001, the Cardinals dropped Ankiel to Rookie-level Johnson City in the Appalachian League to clear his head. As a 22-year-old, Ankiel pitched and hit for Johnson City and hit .286-10-35, striking out 26 times in 105 at-bats. If he had qualified, he would have led the league with a .638 slugging percentage. In 1997, as a high school senior, Ankiel played for USA Baseball's junior national team, which won a bronze medal in the World Championships. The roster included future big leaguers such as Reds outfielder Austin Kearns, Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday and Twins infielder Michael Cuddyer. Kearns led the team in hitting and Cuddyer topped the club in home runs and RBI. Ankiel, meanwhile, was the team's fourth-leading batter, hitting .387-3-16 in 62 at-bats. "At the time, (Rick) was as good a hitter as he was a pitcher," said Paul Seiler, CEO of USA Baseball and the general manager of the U.S. Junior national team in '97. "He's athletic enough to do it; he flipped between pitching and first base for us with Austin Kearns, who was considered more of a pitcher in high school. He was a smooth hitter who could go yard at any time. He was hitting against legit guys in our trials like Ryan Anderson, Matt Riley, Corey Vance, Kearns ... It would be a great story if he were able to become a contributor as a hitter." -- John Manuel, Baseball America Ankiel, 25, had yet to appear in a spring training game as he tried to revive a career interrupted by control problems and reconstructive elbow surgery. He was to have pitched in a "B" game Wednesday, but it was rained out. Ankiel said he's been thinking of making the switch since he left winter ball in Puerto Rico after feeling a twinge in his elbow. He was impressive in his first time throwing to hitters this spring, but the outings since then have been erratic. "This whole time, the frustration that built up, it seems like it was really eroding my spirit and starting to affect my personality off the field as well," Ankiel said. "It just became apparent that it was time for me to move on and pursue becoming an outfielder. I feel relieved now and I'm happy to move on." Ankiel is a career .207 hitter in the major leagues, going 18-for-87 with two homers, a double, a triple and nine RBI. He played some at designated hitter for the Cardinals' rookie league team in Johnson City, Tenn., where he hit 10 homers in 2001. "I've always enjoyed playing outfield and I've definitely enjoyed hitting," Ankiel said. "Hopefully, I can pick up as much as I can being around some of these guys and spending more time with them in the cage." Manager Tony La Russa and general manager Walt Jocketty had been aware for a few days that Ankiel was considering giving up pitching. Ankiel said the pair "said they understood and wished me luck." "We are fully supportive of Rick's decision to convert to an everyday outfielder," Jocketty said. "Rick will continue to train with the major league club this spring, and we look forward to seeing his development as a full-time batter and outfielder." Pitching coach Dave Duncan said he didn't know of the decision until Wednesday morning. "I've been trying to get him ready to pitch," Duncan said. Center fielder Jim Edmonds sympathized with Ankiel's decision. "It can't be any more difficult than what he's been going through," Edmonds said. "He's been through a lot." Ankiel sat out 2002 with a sprained left elbow and missed most of the 2003 and 2004 seasons after reconstructive elbow surgery. The left-hander made it to the major leagues at age 19 and was 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA with 194 strikeouts in 175 innings in 2000 but developed record-setting wildness in the playoffs. In the postseason opener against Atlanta, he became the first major league pitcher since 1890 to throw five wild pitches in one inning and had nine wild pitches in four innings during the postseason. He went 1-2 with a 7.13 ERA in six starts for the Cardinals in 2001, walking 25 in 24 innings, then was sent to the minors. He didn't return until last Sept. 7 and made five late-season starts, going 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 10 innings. Before Wednesday, Ankiel had been a virtual lock to make the team because he is out of minor league options. Now that he's changed positions the Cardinals likely will have an easier time sending him outright to the minors. "My concern is just taking care of me as a person, and whatever else happens will fall into place," Ankiel said.
I can't wait until his throw to get a baserunner sliding into home plate gets launched into the press box.
You thought Steve Blass and Chuck Knoblauch had throwing issues? Ankiel evidently is still battling the same problem he developed in the 2000 playoffs, 5 years later. Poor guy. I'm no fan of the Cardinals, but I was rooting for this kid to get over whatever demons he had, because he was a heck of a prospect. This outfield move means he's given up, but then I think I would too in his shoes.
Maybe a little of both. But this guy was supposed to have the pedigree of a Mark Prior. Kind of like bringing up a QB, I think it depends on the person in each situation. With Steve McNair, the Titans looked smart for waiting. At the same time, Troy Aikman would tell you that facing a rough first year and being allowed to make mistakes was a big benefit for him later in his career. But this is largely a head thing. Very weird. Happened to me on a much smaller level in little league! Very Knoblauchish.
