9-News: 38.012 – Thum Bites In Spring Debut

[RonCo]

It appears that LHB 3B Rob Thomas (6/8/7/3/6 Talents)’s job is secure for at least one more season (or is it Miguel Padilla (7/7/1/4/9 Talents)’s?), as 20-year-old phemon Dong-po Thum (10/10/6/5/9 Talents)’s performance in the first two weeks of spring training says he’s clearly not ready for prime-time. The budding superstar is the only thing that was on the minds of many Nine fans over the hot stove league, and for justifiable reason. The young man from Dongdu, China was outstanding last season, shooting through the system like a double grease burrito with cheese sauce. There’s an image you’re not getting out of your head, am I right?

In 18 spring PA, however, Thum is hitting only .179 and made an error in the field. The club has been using him mostly at shortstop, in hopes to maximize his overall value, though now there are voices saying the budding All-Star might be best served to move to third base and let either Bernardo Sanchez or Roberto Viramontas carry the mantle of short stop in waiting.

“Thum’s been under a lot of pressure for a year and a half now, ever since he signed,” said voice of the Nine Mellisa Lester. “That includes a lot of press on his educational status as he worked hard all off-season to become more proficient with the press. It’s hard on a guy, so you start to wonder if it would be better to give him a little space and let Dong-po be Dong-po for awhile.