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Augenstein wants a chance
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All Bryan Augenstein wants is a chance.
He'll take it from there.
Right now, Augenstein, a right hander with an eye on the big leagues, is preparing for his spring training audition. The 6-6, 23 year old year is bunched with several others, and focused on locking up a position in the Diamondbacks rotation. In the mix with Kevin Mulvey, Daniel Cabrera, Billy Buckner, and Yusmerio Petit, Augenstein knows he needs to standout and grab attention of the decision makers next spring in Tucson.
He made have done that with a stellar effort at AA, but surviving at the major league level is another story.
"I can't worry about others, but need to focus on myself and what I can do," he said recently after a game in the Arizona Fall League. "Right now, all I can ask for is an opportunity, and then make the most of the chance."
Augenstein is honing his skills this fall with the Scottsdale Scorpions, and addressing basic components of his make-up. Admitting his out-pitch is a hard sinker and effective slider, Augenstein is also mastering the change-up and working on location.
Stats in the Arizona Fall League, considered "graduate school" and an important stepping stone to the major leagues, can be deceiving. On a pitch count, Augenstein may throw one or two innings at a time, yield a run or two, and walk away with inflated numbers. With three weeks remaining in the Scorpions season, he would like to get five or six innings in during a particular game, and use those efforts as spring-boards to his off-season conditioning program.
Coming off nerve injury to his right forearm last season, Augenstein reports is arm is as strong now as his initial May 13 call-up from AA Mobile. With the Bay Bears, he posted a clean 5-0 slate, 0.78 ERA in six starts and that Call to the Show. Then, arm trouble, reassignment to the minors, and an eventual return to the D-Backs September 2.
For 2009 at the major league level, Augenstein, in seven games, went 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA.
Because of the reality surrounding the D-Backs starting rotation, that all could change.
Ace Brandon Webb, after starting opening day, went down with right shoulder problems and his future remains uncertain. Arizona has until 10 days after the World Series to pick up his option year. If the D-Backs do not, that opens another slot in the rotation.
Starter Jon Garland was dealt to the Dodgers just before the August 31 trading deadline, and left hander Doug Davis is a free agent. His future in Arizona is unknown.
All of which places Dan Haren as the "ace" of the staff with right hander Max Scherzer a likely number two starter. From that point, the remaining three slots are open, and a possible two if Webb returns healthy.
"I'd like to finish strong here, and take that into my off-season program," Augenstein said. "Right now, I feel as strong as I did all season, and waiting for that chance in spring training."
