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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 2, 2002
ST. PETERSBURG -- Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford aren't likely to get many opportunities to start for the Rays this spring.
So why shouldn't they show off when they can?
The prized outfield prospects had three hits each Friday in the Rays' 11-0 exhibition exhibition win over the University of Tampa.
Crawford, the Rays' second-round pick in 1999, had a first-inning home run and two singles that keyed rallies.
"I'd take three hits any day," said Crawford, a 20-year-old likely to open the season at Triple A. "All I'm trying to do is open a few eyes, trying to make a good impression."
Baldelli, the Rays' top pick in 2000, had a well-struck double and two singles in his first game with the big-league club.
"This stuff is all new to me and I'm enjoying it," said Baldelli, a 20-year-old who hopes to get to Double-A Orlando this season. "I'm pretty much a realist, and I realize I'm not going to be here the entire spring training. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can."
Jon Switzer, the Rays' second-round pick in June, also had an impressive debut, striking out the three batters he faced in the ninth.
FIRST AT THIRD: Jared Sandberg struck the first blow in the battle for the third base job, and it was a blast, a two-run homer off the top of the leftfield wall.
"Obviously it's a good start," Sandberg said. "You sit around all winter waiting for spring training to start and here it is and you have some success the first day. But it's just the first day, and there's plenty more days to come."
STRIKE FORCE: Tanyon Sturtze and Paul Wilson, the Rays' top returning starters, zipped through the Spartans' lineup.
Sturtze allowed one hit and struck out five during his two innings. Wilson did him one better, retiring all six batters he faced.
"We knew those kids were going to come out swinging," Sturtze said. "I was just trying to move the fastball around, hit some spots and get a feel for the hitters and a feel for the plate."
GANG OF SIX: By late afternoon, the Rays agreed to terms on one-year deals with their last six unsigned players: Steve Cox, Felix Martinez, Bobby Smith, Aubrey Huff, Jason Tyner and Nick Bierbrodt. The Rays had planned to renew their contracts by midnight had they not signed.
"As always, our conversations with the agents were positive and constructive and we're happy we could reach agreement before our deadline," assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said.
MEDICAL REPORT: Smith sprained his right ankle during Thursday's workout but hopes to be ready Sunday, when he is scheduled to start at first base. ... Catcher Paul Hoover tweaked his left hamstring in Friday's game and could miss a few days.
REMEMBER HIM? After struggling with the Rays, Vinny Castilla resurrected his career with Houston and is even happier now to be back with the Braves. "I hadn't lost anything," Castilla said Friday. "Tampa made me feel like ... it was a bad situation. After that I just lost my confidence. As soon as I go to Houston, they tell me you're going to be the third baseman, don't worry about what happened in Tampa, just go out and play. It changed the whole thing. They made me feel wanted and gave me my confidence back."
MISCELLANY: Actor Dennis Quaid and ex-Rays reliever Jim Morris, promoting the upcoming Disney movie The Rookie, are slated to throw out ceremonial first pitches today. ... Josh Hamilton will throw out the first pitch at the Fossil Park Little League opener at 8 this morning.