Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
February 27, 2003
Q:

Quilvio Veras is attempting a comeback with the Dodgers:


Veras, who turns 32 on April 3, went 2-for-2 and stole two bases in the Dodgers' first intrasquad game Tuesday. He added a single in Wednesday's intrasquad game.

His performance caught the attention of Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, who said Veras looked much like the same player who wreaked havoc on the basepaths during the mid-1990s.

"This guy was a dynamic base stealer when he was in San Diego," Tracy said. "You really hated it when this guy got on base."

Veras certainly knows how to get to first: He owns a .372 career on-base percentage in seven seasons with the Padres, Braves and Florida Marlins. Shawn Green (.385) was the only Dodgers starter with a higher on-base percentage last season.

But he still faces an uphill battle in his quest to open the season on the major-league roster.

Rookie second baseman Joe Thurston went 6-of-7 with a homer and double in two intrasquad games this week. Alex Cora, who can play second base and shortstop, batted .291 with a .371 on-base percentage last year.


I've liked Veras for a long time. The Dodgers could certainly use the OBA at 2nd after having Mark Grudzielanek, who put up a .301 OBA for the team last year. Best of all for the Dodgers, they seem to have a number of good options at the position.


Posted by David Pinto at 07:43 PM | Baseball