Abernathy not fretting over competition

© St. Petersburg Times
published February 26, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- If the Devil Rays brought in Marlon Anderson to take over at second base, Brent Abernathy didn't take it personally.

After a so-so sophomore season in which he started 115 games, Abernathy said his only concern this spring is his performance.

"What I'm worried about is going out and playing up to my capabilities," he said. "I feel like if you go out and play the way you're capable of, good things are going to happen. I think last year I was worried about too many different things and forgot to concentrate on the one thing that's important, and that's playing up to your capabilities."

Abernathy was impressive as a rookie in 2001, hitting .270 with five homers and 33 RBIs in 79 games, but dropped to .242 last season with two homers and 40 RBIs in 159 more at-bats.

The way the team looks to be constructed, Abernathy's only chance to make it could be as the starter. He said he is looking forward to the competition, noting he hit .351 in spring training 2001 when battling Bobby Smith for the starting job.

"You can't worry about what you can't control," he said. "I can control the way I perform on the field and the way I help this club win ballgames, so that's what I need to concentrate on and worry about. All that other stuff is up to (manager Lou Piniella) and his staff, and the front office or whatever."

SIGNING UP: Pitchers Travis Harper and Bobby Seay agreed on one-year contracts for the minimum $300,000. Ten players remain unsigned, with Sunday the deadline for having contracts renewed.

MAKING IMPRESSIONS: Left-hander Jon Switzer, who spent last season at Class A, was "very impressive" on the mound, Piniella said. Nick Bierbrodt and Seth McClung also drew praise. ... Piniella worked with first baseman Travis Lee to make his swing "a little quicker, a little more compact."

SCOUTING IT OUT: With the big-league team on the field, their top minor-leaguers in a minicamp and the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, the Rays brought their 15 area scouts and three supervisors to town for a 21/2-day meeting and review session.

COACH-TV: Piniella said he was looking forward to tonight's televised roundtable discussion with Bucs coach Jon Gruden and Lightning coach John Tortorella (Bay News 9 at 8). "That'll be interesting," he said.

SQUARING OFF: The Rays will move to Progress Energy Park after Thursday's 11 a.m. seven-inning intrasquad game at the Naimoli complex. Victor Zambrano, Leslie Brea, Hans Smith and Mike James will pitch for one team, Dewon Brazelton, Jeremi Gonzalez, Switzer, Doug Waechter and Brandon Backe for the other.

MISCELLANY: Backe won an unannounced postpractice mile run for the pitchers in 5:09. Joe Kennedy was second and Matt White third. ... The first 1,000 fans at Saturday's exhibition against Toronto will get The Rookie mist fans. ... Former manager Hal McRae, now a special assistant to GM Chuck LaMar, has been a regular at camp, offering evaluations when asked. "He knows these kids well," Piniella said.