The weather is heating up and so are some of the pitchers and hitters in the Cactus League. Here are my observations from the past week's games I attended.

Remember Kendry Morales? Well, it turns out his actual name is Kendrys Morales. It seems his name has been inaccurately spelled without the "s" since he came to the United States. In addition, according to the Angels, his first name is pronounced KEN-dreez. So there you go. Now you know exactly how to say his name in your auction draft.

Speaking of Kendrys Morales, he still hasn't played in the Cactus League. Now he has 17 pre-season games remaining to work on his swing and show that he can run the bases. It still looks "iffy." Mark Trumbo continues to play well. And by the way, Trumbo attempted a bunt today as the leadoff hitter in the 9th inning. He almost pulled it off. It was a good bunt but he was thrown out.

I got to see Michael Pineda start for the Mariners. He has huge- and I mean huge hands. The ball looks like a little white dot coming out of his right hand. He is everything as advertised. He has a complete repertoire of pitches, good mound presence and the ability to miss bats. I do think he needs work on command and refinement of his pitch selection. If he doesn't make the starting rotation at the beginning of the season, I don't think it will be too long until he's up with the big club. I had 95 on Pineda twice on the radar. That's bringing it. He is a guy to target in keeper leagues.

The Mariners are still wresting with the middle infield roles. Will Jack Wilson or Josh Wilson start? Will Brendan Ryan play 2B? How about SS with one of the Wilson's at 2B? Does Dustin Ackley make the team as the 2B putting Brendan Ryan on the bench? Here's my best guess: I think Ackley starts the season in the minor leagues to refine his 2B defense. I think Brendan Ryan may well start the season at SS with Jack Wilson at 2B. Brendan Ryan is a magician with the glove and Jack Wilson may be a step or two slower than in his past. Whatever they choose, the Mariners will be solid up the middle when you add gold glove caliber center fielder Franklin Gutierrez to the mix. None of them hit much and really aren't factors in anything but deep keeper leagues.

I came away from watching the Cubs with a very good impression of Andrew Cashner. I was always skeptical of the huge (6'6") righty, but he showed some outstanding command on his fastball and an excellent assortment of pitches. When in top form, Cashner can hit 95 regularly. He will be a blessing for the Cubs and for fantasy teams if he stays healthy.

Kerry Wood looked very healthy to me. He threw the ball right past hitters and mixed in his slider to boot. He should get lots of one inning set-up calls from the pen. If Carlos Marmol falters, Wood looks like the guy they will call upon to save. The real worry about Marmol is his command rather than his health. He has a solid arm but he still walks too many hitters. But he also blows guys away with that heat. That will give your fantasy team a double dose of saves and K's. Love it.

Jeremy Moore of the Angels just flies down the first base line on grounders to the infield. He has lots of OF's ahead of him in the Angels system, but if his contact improves and he shows he can get on base he fits the Angels consistent prototype of a speedy outfielder. He's a guy to store in the back of your mind.

There are clubs interested in trading for Alex Gordon. That's good because the Royals shouldn't be interested in him, I'm not and you shouldn't be either. There will be better options on the board for all of us on draft or auction day.

Heard today that Ryan Braun is on the shelf with abdomen or rib or the mandatory oblique issues. Now if that injury is anything that lingers, the Brewers will have serious, serious problems. Many of us have or will use Braun as the centerpiece of our fantasy teams. I hope it's just a strain.

Ichiro was concerned about his family back in Japan after the earthquake hit. All is well. Imagine the thoughts that go through a player's mind who is thousands of miles from home and not knowing if their loved ones are safe? Ichiro didn't speak about it to the press. But apparently his family is fine.

Manny Delcarmen is struggling on the mound for the Mariners. Keep that in mind when looking for set up men. And remember that David Aardsma may be gone all of April, leaving closing to Brandon League. League may take the job over permanently if Aardsma can't handle it upon his return.

I now know why I had Cameron Maybin on my "pans" list. Yikes! I'm not a fan of the bat. But I am a fan of Anthony Rizzo. I still think the Padres made a very good deal (the best they could probably get) for Adrian Gonzalez. Rizzo is going to hit big league pitching and be a fixture at 1B once he gets some minor league experience. He has some big time explosion in that bat.

Last spring I raved about the speed of OF Luis Durango. Well, he's still hanging around. Getting on base remains the problem long term although he's hitting in spring training. Once on first, he's a blur on the bases. It's always getting on base that becomes the downfall of the speed demons, isn't it? Durango is working hard to get to talk to the Padres first base coach more often.

Cory Luebke isn't overpowering on the Padres mound, but he can pitch. I think he earns a spot in their rotation as a classical lefty with good command and good touch on his pitches. I like him as a lower round sleeper. Especially in NL only leagues.

Adam Kennedy played some 1B this spring for Seattle. That's interesting. I'm still not sold on Justin Smoak although his front office is convinced he's a better hitter than last year. They admit they expected too much of him. Duhh!

Chad Huffman (non-roster), Ezequiel Carrera, Shelley Duncan and Travis Buck (non-roster) are battling for roster spots with Cleveland. Perhaps more than one will be needed if Grady Sizemore begins the season on the DL. If I were the Indians, I couldn't choose between them at this point. Each of the four is playing very well.

Remember Wily Mo Pena? He's in outstanding shape and he's hitting home runs in the Diamondbacks camp. I don't know if he'll be a factor for the roster, but he's looking very good so far. The DBacks are looking for veteran leadership and he might help. The club denies any interest in Michael Young. But that could change.

A decision may be coming soon regarding the role for Neftali Feliz. The club either have to let him start spring training games or allow him to work on back to back days if he's going to be the closer. This is almost the point in spring when they have to make a final decision. If he doesn't start this year, it's more than likely he'll start next year with possible free agent defections in the Rangers rotation. Reports that surfaced this week indicating Feliz will be in the pen as the closer were premature according to sources of mine. In fact, the club may be leaning that way but a final decision has not been made.

Joe Saunders has not looked good as yet in Diamondbacks camp. The lefty remains a candidate to start opening day, but he's scuffling at the moment.

I'll be catching up with the Giants, Royals and A's in the days ahead.

My concern about Zack Greinke? I hope he doesn't compensate for his sore ribs when he gets the green light to pitch. Did you ever have a stone in your shoe? Well, you begin to walk differently. You compensate until it feels better to walk. If a pitcher's arm hurts, he may change his arm angle to seek comfort. If Greinke does that. he could ruin his mechanics or cause injury to his arm. So that's my concern.

Dayan Viciedo has a broken thumb that will set him back for about 4 weeks. It's too bad. He looks good in the outfield and at the plate.

I wish you well in your drafts this coming week. Please stop by my weekly prospect article on RotoWire where I will feature a different prospect every week. Until then, if you're in Milwaukee at Miller Park try the kettle corn. There is none better in the world. They also have it at Maryvale Baseball Park, the spring training home of the Brewers.