Then Mateo, slated to hit sixth, continued showing the power and speed that have made him the team's top prospect since Gonzalez. What you do is lay out all your options and pick the best one. I'm just trying to see which works. The reason against hitting Mateo fifth is that teams may pitch around Palmeiro because they'd rather face the rookie. That could put even more pressure on Mateo, who is eager to succeed after injuries cut short his 1999 season.
Oates hopes the decision becomes moot.
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