Baseball - Rick Ankiel Shines In Cardinals Camp

There is no doubt that Rick Ankiel will make it to the Minor Leagues and with that he is trying very hard to return to the Major League as an outfielder. Ankiel is trying for the third consecutive year to make it to the Majors and all his well wishers would be keeping their fingers crossed.

Ankiel helped the Cardinals win 6-3 in the opening game of the Grapefruit League over the Marlins and Ankiel was just continuing from he left in training camp. According to manager Tony La Russa, Ankiel has been very impressive in the pitching practice sessions and besides that he is in a good shape physically.

Ankiel injured his knee while playing the intrasquad coaches game just before the Grapefruit League and ended up missing the entire season in the 2006. For Ankiel it was a disaster as in the 2005 he hit 21 home runs while playing part of the season in Class A Quad and part in Double A Springfield.

Since Ankiel missed the entire 2006, he was no longer considered as a prospect but anyone who knows his game realizes that Ankiel is an extremely talented baseball player who can hit the ball, run fast in the outfield and has a strong throwing arm. However, there are still questions lurking about Ankiel’s fitness and he may not make it to the roster. Although, he will have a chance to make to the Major Leagues in 2008 if he can impress everyone concerned with his play at the Triple A Memphis.

Ankiel has reconciled to the fact that he may not make it to the Major Leagues this year. All he wants to do is especially after missing a whole year. He is no longer thinking about his statistics or his path to the Majors. He just wants to be healthy and play.

When Ankiel arrived for the camp, it was clear to everyone that he meant business. He started working out in Fall 2005 and he was it good shape and is striking the ball well. Over next few weeks of Spring Training, Ankiel will be able to play some Major League exhibitions games and that would be time when the Cardinals would want to see what Ankiel can do. There is no doubt that Ankiel will make it to the Majors provided he can stay healthy and fit.