I have been waiting over 5 years to see Rick Ankiel pitch again as a position player. My interest was spiked after watching Chris Davis face Darnell McDonald in the 17th inning of a Red Sox / Orioles match up recently (a rare treat to see 2 position players pitching against each other). Chris Davis looked impressive with a 90mph split-finger fastball.

Has the situation not arose in the past 5+ years?? Does Rick refuse to ever pitch again?

He is the obvious choice in a blowout game, where the Nats don't want to tax their bullpen. Or in a game that goes very deep.

It's becoming obvious that Volstad's stuff becomes much worst in the 6th/7th inning. Freddi and Randy St. Claire must be very cautious with him once he enters the 6th. With Badenhop pitching so well, he should always be lined up and prepared to enter the game in the 6th and pitch 2 innings after Volstad's start. Give Volstad a couple more seasons but, he is not ready to go deep in games yet.

I'm assuming Gabby wins the 1st base job and Fredi goes with 5 bench slots. I think Amezaga, Helms, and Rebelo are locks. I feel Bonifacio will get the MI reserve spot. This puts Andino in a tough spot since Amezaga can play the infield too.

This leaves Carroll, McPherson, Gibbons, Miller, and De Aza for the 5th spot. All eyes point to Brett who has put up monster stats in Albuquerque the past 2 seasons. Dallas has the skills to be a major leaguer, especially a DH, but doesn't fit on the Marlins roster with Helms as the backup 3B/1B. I don't think Jay will do enough to impress management. Jai has yet to prove himself in the minor leagues. My sleeper pick is Alejandro who won the CF job out of spring in 2007. He has put up respectable numbers in the minors and has shown a decent eye.

It was rumored that if A. Miller had another poor start on May 4th that Chris Volstad may very well be called up. He would still seem like the first choice if they give up on B. Badenhop or move R. Nolasco back to the bullpen.

S. Mitre, J. Johnson, and A. Sanchez all won't be back for at least 2 more months.

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This guy deserves the opportunity to see what he can do with 250+ ABs. GMs now a days don't want to jeopardize a young pitcher's arm and choose to shy away from the idea of fielding a pitcher. I would agree with this philosophy with and ace of a staff or a potential ace of a staff. But, to be realistic in all lilkelyhood M. Owings is gonna have a very average career as a SP or reliever. So, why not maximize his talent/potential and see what he can do with the bat. Rick Ankiel's story should open GMs eyes.

First of all the days he is pitching he should bat no lower than 7th in the lineup. Everyday players know what he can do with the bat and won't be embarressed batting behind him. When he is replaced on the mound he should stay in the batting lineup as a double switch if he is having a good day at the plate. I don't know how much of a liability he is on the field and can only imagine him playing LF or 1B. I don't see the DBacks sitting Byrnes or Jackson so that is a problem.

If a position could be found for him I would have him on the field 2 days after a start and the following day (the two middle days in between starts). This could give him up to 300 ABs for the season if he could stay off the DL. He could fill a role similiar to what Tony Clark did the past couple of seasons. Being fairly modest I'll project his stats this season if he were to see about 300 ABs :

.283/.343/.520

Once again that is a modest prediction. That is projecting only 15 2Bs and 11 HRs over 300 ABs. He will probably strike out around 75 times in 300 ABs but, let's see if anyone off the DBacks bench gets close to the #s.