Evening star., 1922-03-15

Discussing the topic today for the
first time since he assumed direction
of the club. Milan stressed the point
that he has reached no definite con-
clusious in regard to how many of the
recruits will he retained. nor their
identity. but he did commit himself
to the extent of saying that of the
nine now in camp the quintet listed
above may be considered the leading
contenders. Furthermore. he intimae =
ed, they rank as about in the order
named. although he hastened to add
that Woodward. McGrew. Turk and
Digges have by no means been elm
mated from consideration. and en-
phasized that present ratings are sub
5ect to radical revision.
) Milan asserted that observation OF
the boys in action for more than a
week has served to strengthen his
ais have one of the finest rookie hurl-
ting squads a team ever took south.
He explained that tentative top-rank-
ing accorded Phillips is based more
on what the New Orleans graduate
accomplished when with the team
last fall than what he has shown
down here.
with Phillips it is more a question
Of physical fitness than anything
else" Milan said. He already has
demonstrated that he knows how to
pitch. His arm is not yet strong. but
II he can muster the same amount of
stuff that he had on tap last Sep;em-
Der. he is assured of job. 1t is Phil
lips experience which gives him an
edge on the. other recruits. Some of
the younger ones may prove to have
greater speed or wider breaking
get the ball over the plate or are de-
Acient in fielding their positions or
holding runners on the bases their
value is greatly reduced.
Next to Phillips. it seems now
that Gleason should be regarded as
ther seasoning. He has taken on
weight since he was with US a couple
of seasons ago and acts as II he
knew what he was out there for.
He employs a motion that involves
little strain on his arm and fields
his position>in excellent style. Miller.
although he has been handicapped
for the last few days by sore arm,
Iooks promising. Any left-hander
With his unusual degree of control
must be given consideration. Francis
has a mighty strong whip and is
Progressing in knowledge of how to
make the most of his natural ability.
II he displays a hook that Is more
than a wrinkle he must be rated a
nne prospect. despite the fact that
ne mas IudHy IouSh SuSSS ~ NC
anootked of.
1r1llheart Hns. the stun.
This youngster Brillheart has
row, in addition to possessing almost
npr Claude Williams. the former
White Sox star, in one respect-the
batsman facing him always seems to
ne under the ball. which rises as
It approaches and makes it very
hard to judge. Brillheart's youth is
his greatest disadvantage. He is an
pnsophisticated boy who lacks the
shell of wisdom to protect him from
the wiles and, gibes of the case
hardened athletes he would have to
contend with in fast company.
t"McGrew has displayed speed of a
high order since returning to his nat
0ral method of delivery, and, if he
has a curve that approximates his
fast ball, should develop into most
effective pitcher, although he is so
Ereen now that it seems a year. or
even two. will be required to fit him
for fast company. He is only young
ster. just 'twenty-one. and can well
aford to acquire seasoning before
making his debut.
s"what : hurler shows in merely
pitching for batting practice does not
Eive you a true line on his ability.
Speed, curves and control in practice
have some Significance. of course. but
unless they can be employed when
there is something at stake they
amount to little for practical pur-
poses. How the recruits will measure
up in the essentials of holding run
ners to their bases and fielding their
positions, in addition to deceiving
batsmen, will be brought out in the
games with the Braves and between
the Regulars and Yannigans, which
will be a daily feature. starting next
week. We will have them all pretty
well catalogued by the time we break
camp, and In the meanwhile all will
be considered as in the running"
SAs was anticipated in midwinter.
when the makeup Of the Nationals
became virtually assured, following
the acquisition of Peckinpaugh. the
question of how to distribute his