Dontrelle the next Ankiel?

[Dewey2007]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8196156?MSNHPHMA

At least Willis has his bat to fall back on if things don't work out.

[allstarsplus]

That was quite the demotion to go straight down to "A" ball. Let's hope it works out for Dontrelle.

In hindsight, it looks like the Florida Marlins decision on Dontrelle may have been a wise one.

[bigtruck260]

Ankiel is a once in a lifetime occurance. The thing about Rick is -

His draft team never gave up on his talent - even when he decided to give up pitching. He has been with the same team for 10 years. Dontrelle should be so lucky.

[Dewey2007]

Ankiel is lucky he could hit and was with the right organization that was willing to take their time with him or he would be a footnote in baseball history.

Willis is athletic and can hit too so he has a fallback if his pitching reaches Ankiel proportions. Seems like he's just not trusting his natural talent and thinking to much out there on the mound.

[bigtruck260]

I would take Dontrelle as a pitcher right now as long as Detroit eats most of his salary.

Detroit signed him as an expensive pitcher (30 million) and I just find it hard to believe that they will allow him to just flip into position player mode at 26 But, I guess if all else fails...

Ank never made much money as a pitcher, so no real risk.

This will be an interesting story. Hope it ends well...I think Willis is a good kid.

[Fnazxc0114]

it worked for volquez