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Cox likes power surge, he just can't explain it

© St. Petersburg Times
published March 9, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- Steve Cox swears he isn't attempting anything different. Hasn't changed his swing. Isn't trying to knock the ball out of the park.

So how does he explain hitting home runs in three straight games?

He doesn't.

"Sometimes you hit them better than others," he said.

Cox is considered more of a line-drive hitter than the prototypical slugging first baseman. The Rays figure he'll get into double digits in home runs, but not necessarily deep into double digits. Cox, who hit 30 homers in 1995 at Class A and 25 at Triple A in 1999, said he isn't sure what he can do over a full season in the majors.

"If I hit with more power, great," Cox said. "I'm not trying to hit home runs to prove people wrong. If you get extension, you turn doubles into home runs."

Said manager Hal McRae: "It's nice to see."

ROUND TWO: Dewon Brazelton wasn't as nervous or as impressive as in his pro debut Monday, allowing two hits and two runs (one earned) in one inning. "I felt real comfortable out there today," Brazelton said. "No nerves or anything. I felt like I do normally." ... Ryan Rupe looked better during his three innings, allowing five hits but no runs.

ROCCO RISING: With a roster cutdown coming next week, McRae hopes to take another look at some of the young players who likely are headed to the minors. "It gives you an opportunity to see guys play and when there's conversation about them you can put the name and ability together," McRae said.

Among the most impressive has been 20-year-old outfielder Rocco Baldelli, the team's top pick in the 2000 draft. "He's played as well as anyone has," McRae said.

CENTER STAGE: Because he's out of options and the Rays have a glut of outfielders, Jason Conti has no idea where he's going to be next month. Today, he'll be making his first start in centerfield trying to show that he's worth keeping around.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Conti said. "I could be anywhere. I could be here, I could be in Durham (if he gets through waivers), I could be somewhere across the country. Whatever happens, happens."

INSTANT REPLAY: The day after Brent Abernathy got picked off on the fake-to-third-throw-to-first play, Carl Crawford was caught on the same move by Jay Powell. The difference Friday was that Crawford made it safely to second. "Same play," McRae said. "I don't know ... "

CROWDED CORNER: In trying to determine whether Jared Sandberg is ready to be an everyday player, get veteran utilityman Russ Johnson ready and decide how useful Bobby Smith could be as a reserve, McRae hasn't had the opportunity to play Aubrey Huff at third. "I'm going to play him sometime," he said. "When his number comes up I don't know." McRae said he is pleased with Sandberg, who is off to a .308 start: "He's doing good."

MINOR MATTERS: The Rays signed three former big-league pitchers, Reggie A. Harris, Rich Croushore and Marc Wilkins, and sent them to minor-league camp.

ON TRACK: Rule 5 draft pick Kevin McGlinchy, recovering from shoulder surgery, is getting into shape but said he doesn't know when he'll be able to pitch in games -- this month, next month or by mid season. "Every day is a step forward, but I don't know where the end is," he said. "The good thing is that I'm gradually, continually getting to a point where I'm comfortable with the fact that I can throw a pitch every time and it doesn't hurt."

MISCELLANY: Right-hander Matt White, recovering from May shoulder surgery, is tentatively scheduled to throw off the mound for the first time Sunday. ... Greg Vaughn's left calf is feeling better but the date of his spring debut has not been set.

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