March 2009 Archives

Above: Former West Covina star James Skelton is getting a good look in Arizona Diamonbacks Major League camp.

Remember for West Covina High School standout James Skelton?
When last heard from, he was playing Double-A ball in the Detroit Tigers organization. But now he's on the brink of making the Major Leagues after being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Rule 5 Draft, which means the Snakes must return him if he doesn't make the big club.
Skelton, a catcher throughout his minor-league career, is now working in the outfield and infield, knowing that to make the D-Backs roster, his only value would be as a utility player.
Here's what coach Chip Hale told the Arizona Republic:
"I've seen him with good feet for a guy who has never played the infield since high school. He has really soft hands. He worked hard at all the infield positions. Hitting fungos, he looked like he'd have no problem fielding the ball and throwing to first. Obviously, we don't know what it's going to look like in game situations. He definitely has the body and the feet and the hands to be able to play the infield."