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By VAN ROSE vrose@leader.net
Sunday, March 16, 2003 Page: 1C
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Shortstop Anderson Machado is regarded as a “can’t
miss” prospect by the Phillies’ organization, even though Jimmy Rollins might
prove to be a formidable roadblock at the major league level.
After Machado’s performance Saturday, you can probably add New York Yankees
pitcher David Wells to a list of Machado believers.
Machado, 22, had two hits and stole a base against Wells, who started for
the Columbus Clippers against the Red Barons at the Carpenter Complex.
Machado, who will begin the 2003 season at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, also made
a couple of sterling defensive plays in Saturday’s game.
“He’s a fun player to watch,” says Reading manager Gregg Legg, who was
Machado’s manager last year. “He’s one of the best baserunners I’ve seen in
all my years in baseball. He has great instincts.”
There’s a good reason that Legg likes Machado’s baserunning. Last season,
he had 40 stolen bases for the R-Phillies, and was thrown out only 11 times.
“Anderson played great last year,” Legg says. “He made some errors that
could be attributed to him being so young, but some of them occurred when he
had two stitches in his throwing hand.”
Machado also is an exciting offensive player. He’s a switch-hitter with
some power who has the ability to drive in runs. Last year at Reading, he
batted .251, with 12 home runs and 77 RBI.
Machado went on a memorable hitting tear in a four-game series against
Altoona. He drove in 16 runs, including grand slams on back-to-back nights.
“That was an incredible experience,” Machado recalls. “I really felt
good up at the plate, and it seemed like I ripped every pitch.”
A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Machado was signed by the Phillies in 1998
as an amateur free agent. He has steadily worked his way up through the farm
system.
Machado attributes his success to a strong work ethic. “I feel very good
about the things I’ve accomplished. I think the most important thing is that
I’ve gotten better every year.”
Even so, there’s still room for improvement, according to Legg. He says the
switch-hitting Machado needs to become more proficient as a right-handed
hitter, and cut down his home run swing.
“He’s not really a power hitter. He needs to concentrate more on hitting
line drives and getting on base. He also needs to be a more consistent hitter
and stay focused.”
Machado says he got the message.
“My main job this season is to put the ball in play and score runs. The
most important thing is to help the team win.”
Machado has set some lofty personal goals for his first season at the
Triple-A level. He’s planning to smack 20 home runs, 30 doubles and steal 30
bases.
“Those are things I’m capable of accomplishing. I believe in myself and my
ability to reach the big leagues.”
Machado says he fell in love with baseball at age 5, partly because of his
father’s passion for the game. His older brother, Albenis, played in the
Montreal Expos’ organization.
“My father has always dreamed of me becoming a Major League Baseball
player,” Machado says. “Right now, I’m living his dream.”
He doesn’t have a personal timetable for joining the Phillies. Machado is
well aware that Philadelphia shortstop Rollins is only 23.
“I can’t worry about that. I just want to keep playing hard. I know I will
have an opportunity to play in the big leagues.”
Notes: David Wells had a nice outing for the Clippers on Saturday. He gave
up three runs (two earned) in the first inning. However, he gave up just one
hit and shut out the Red Barons during the next four innings.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre outfielder Jeff Inglin blasted an RBI double off
Wells in the first inning.
Cole Hamels, the Phillies’ first-round pick in 2002, pitched two shutout
innings for Single-A Lakewood against Bellarmine College on Saturday. The
18-year-old phenom allowed one hit – an infield single.
Pitcher Bud Smith, who underwent shoulder surgery last fall, is expected to
begin the season with the Red Barons. However, Smith is expected to remain in
extended spring training until late April, according to Phillies’ Minor League
Director Steve Noworyta.
Philadelphia obtained Smith last year from St. Louis in the Scott Rolen
trade. Smith pitched a no-hitter against San Diego in 2001.