Callix

Crabbe

Our hopes of Crabbe ever seeing the light of the day in the majors seemed to be smashed when he hit just .267/.368/.345 in Double-A last year, but he’s bounced back to bat .296/.376/.435 with 15 steals for Nashville this year. That he’s not really an asset anywhere other than second base hurts his chances of making it as bench player, but the chances are pretty good that the 5-foot-7 switch-hitter will at least get a cup of coffee someday.

Crabbe was the fourth and final position player chosen. Despite standing 5-foot-7 (if that), Crabbe has some pop in his bat, finishing at .287/.377/.435 in his first year at Triple-A. Unfortunately, he’s not an asset anywhere other than second base and he’s not a very good basestealer despite above average speed. We’re rooting for him, but he’s a long shot to have a career. He’ll be in the mix to start at second base for the Padres if the team fails to add a veteran.

Crabbe’s lack of versatility won’t help his case for a roster spot, but he still might make the Padres on the basis of his strong perormance this month. Another possibility is that the Padres will trade for his rights. The Brewers made it clear they were happy to see him get an opportunity elsewhere when they lost him in December.

Crabbe had been selected by San Diego in the Rule-5 draft in December, and he hit .176 in 28 at-bats for the Padres. With Abraham Nunez struggling in the minors, the Brewers probably wanted a better insurance policy if something happened to Rickie Weeks. Crabbe’ll be sent to Triple-A Nashville.

Cameron had a shortened spring because of the fractured left thumb he surrendered earlier this month, and it didn’t help his case that he had options left and Enrique Gonzalez didn’t. Cameron is still the far better bet for the season, and he might have a chance to get his spot back by the end of April. Rodriguez’s departure guarantees that Callix Crabbe will have a spot.

DaVanon still hasn’t disapled any power since shoulder surgery, so the Padres chose to cut him despite a .450 OBP in 31 at-bats. This clears the way for either Chase Headley or Paul McAnulty to make the team. It would also seem to make it more likely that they’ll carry Rule-5 pick Callix Crabbe.

Crabbe hit .176/.282/.206 in 34 at-bats for the Padres. The Brewers will have the option of taking the Rule-5 pick back if he clears waivers, but they might just give him to the Padres for a minor prospect. He’s not part of their future plans, and they were pretty happy to see him get an opportunity elsewhere when he was selected in December.

Crabbe’s roster spot is very much in danger with Juan Castro available in Triple-A. The Rule-5 pick is hitting .176 with one extra-base hit in 34 at-bats.

Fields, who finally signed with the Mariners a month ago, didn’t get a chance to appear in a game this spring. Still, he might start his pro career in Double-A. It’s disappointing that the Mariners didn’t take a longer look at Crabbe as a possible utilityman. The former Brewers prospect was 4-for-11 with a steal this spring.