There's no doubt that they had some trouble last year. Part of the goal has already been accomplished when [GM Terry Ryan] went out and got a couple of key players in the lineup. Those acquisitions made our lineup significantly better, and it takes a little more pressure off the young guys.

Joe Vavra

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We got back to doing some of the stuff we were doing in spring training. He's as comfortable as he's ever been, and I just want to try to maintain that. I keep telling him that I think he's going to have a pretty good year.

You don't have to worry about me.

This was his first at-bat with this organization. He's off to a pretty good start. He loves to play the game. He's completely in control of his emotions out there.

You watch his swing path, and it's always level. It's always on the ball. He knows how to fight out there. Like today, there were a couple of pitches that were borderline pitches. He had enough discipline to stay back and hold his position.

Control has always been an issue for him. But he's also been effectively wild.