David Murphy has a piece about Jason Donald, the star infield prospect who is going to camp this week. Last season he got an invite and made a name for himself, blasting two home runs in a Spring Training game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, a game I was proud to see in person.
Donald has received celebrity endorsements – Hall of Famers Tony Gwynn and Ryne Sandberg:
“Jason possesses all of the qualities this award is all about – tremendous work ethic, a true leader, and he plays the game of baseball the right way. He’s been a pleasure to be around. He could be a guy who we see in the major leagues next year.”
Is Donald as good as Sandberg?
Heck, Chase Utley is still not at Sandberg’s level (though he’s close). It’s good to have this type of praise and support for Donald, but be warned, it’s a long way to the top. Donald might not be your opening night second baseman (Utley still wants his shot; Marcus Giles and Eric Bruntlett are also options), but he will see time this season, make no mistake.
I turn it over to you: Where do you see Donald, let’s say, in August?
Tim MalcolmTim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.
