Sheffield and other issues ...
Things that stood out during the Tigers-Houston Astros game at Marchant Stadium, which, because Houston was out of players, ended in a 1-1, 11-inning tie:
1. Gary Sheffield murdered a pitch in the first inning that should have been a 400-foot-plus home run. A breeze blowing in from left knocked it down, but it was a bomb nonetheless and another indicator that Sheffield should be in for a big season in 2009.
2. Increasingly, I like Casey Fien's chances to make manager Jim Leyland's bullpen staff. Fien is a right-hander with a serious reputation as a strikes-thrower who has done just that during his spring stints. Strikes-throwers are regarded in the Tigers camp the way the Jonas Brothers are viewed by teenage girls.
3. Scott Sizemore, the second base prospect, has been mentioned several times this spring as a player Leyland expects to become a good big-league hitter. He hit a home run Tuesday, his second of the spring, as if to confirm the manager's view. He isn't polished in the field, but the Tigers will find a place for him.
4. Brandon Inge looks like a different hitter this spring. And that's because he is. Those adjustments he has made with his hands and with his swing are clearly paying off. He is quicker to the ball. He doesn't get hung up on his swing. He makes better contact. And I wouldn't be surprised to see him put together something in the .250-.260 range with 20 home runs.
5. If Wilkin Ramirez can learn to hit breaking pitches, the Tigers will have one of their more dynamic offensive players in the hopper. Ramirez has speed and power in the extreme. That he's only 23 convinces the Tigers that he has time to work out the kinks hitting curveballs.
