A big role for Abreu?

www.bayarea.com Posted on Mon, Mar. 03, 2003 By JIM SALISBURY Philadelphia Inquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ken Griffey Jr. has taken notice of the additions the Phillies made in the off-season, particularly the one Bobby Abreu made to his body.

While discussing the Phils' roster renovations - Jim Thome, Kevin Millwood, etc. - before Monday's exhibition game, the Cincinnati Reds star brought up the subject of the beefed-up Phillies rightfielder.

"Bobby came in bigger," said Griffey, wide-eyed and chuckling. "When I saw him , I was like, `Darn, I've got some furniture at home. Can you help me move it? I could just throw it on your back.'

"He looks good. He looks a lot bigger, especially across the chest. I go lift, but I don't swell up like that. They need to get him some Spandex."

Griffey isn't the only one who has noticed that Abreu is filling out his uniform a little more this spring. Several scouts have commented about it in recent days and wondered whether the extra bulk will hurt his game.

Here's the skinny on Abreu's bulkier body:

Abreu said he ended last season weighing 210 pounds and that he now weighs 215. He believes that he will be down to 210 by the end of spring training.

The bulked-up frame, he said, was a result of hard work, nothing more, in the weight room. He said he probably put on a few more pounds than usual because the winter baseball season in his native Venezuela was shortened due to political unrest in the country. Abreu usually plays winter ball.

"I'm all right," Abreu said, laughing about the subject of his weight. "I spent a lot of time in the weight room."

Manager Larry Bowa said he has no concerns about Abreu's weight or physical condition.

"It doesn't bother me," Bowa said. "He's five or six pounds over what he was at the end of last season. Part of it, I'm sure, is that he didn't play this winter.

"I'm not worried about his weight at all. If it was an issue, I'd tell you. It's a non-issue. He looks really strong and he's swinging the bat well."

Could the increased brawn be a sign that Abreu wants to hit for more power this year? His home-run totals rose steadily from 17 in 1998 to 31 in 2001 before dropping to 20 last season.

"No, I'm not trying to hit more home runs," Abreu said. "I can't do that. I have to play my game."

Abreu homered Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, but he maintains that home runs just happen. When he is going good, he hits many line drives, especially to the gaps. He is also a patient hitter with tremendous plate discipline. Those strengths - the gap power and the patience - were reflected in his statistics last year: He led the National League with 50 doubles and ranked sixth with 104 walks.

Speed is also a big part of Abreu's game. He has stolen 36 and 31 bases, respectively, the last two seasons.

Abreu, who will turn 29 next week, said his speed will not be affected by his beefier body.

"My running is fine," he said with a smile.

Abreu has gotten off to a good start at the plate this spring. He hit a hard single up the middle in the Phils' 7-2 loss to Griffey and the Reds Monday at Ed Smith Stadium. He is 3 for 6 so far.

As for the rest of the Phillies' winter additions - Millwood, Thome, etc. - Griffey is as impressed with them as he is with Abreu's bulkier physique.

"Millwood is tough," Griffey said. "He comes right at you."

An "Oh, wow!" look swept across Griffey's face when Thome's name came up.

"He's just so strong, country strong," Griffey said. "I was looking at his bat. It looks like something I'd warm up with. Mine looks like a toothpick compared to his.

"He'll make a big difference in their lineup. One swing of the bat and he can give you three quick runs."

Contact staff writer Jim Salisbury at 215-854-4983 or jsalisbury@phillynews.com.