Original Issue
ANKIEL WATCH
Former pitcher Rick Ankiel, 25, is trying to make the Cardinals as an outfielder. How's he doing? SI's Ankielometer tells all.
Ankiel finally got the best of a major league pitcher. Last Thursday he lined a pinch-hit double off Washington's Jon Rauch (who was 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 2004 for the White Sox and the Expos), his first hit in seven Grapefruit League at bats. The next day Ankiel smacked a three-run homer and drove in four runs for the Cards' Double A affiliate--probably one rung above where he'll start the season. "Whether it's defense, baserunning or hitting, [Class A] is where he's rated right now," said St. Louis manager Tony La Russa.
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