eye on …

Desmond Jennings is expected to have a big impact on the Tampa Bay Rays’ season — but it might not be this season. The former Itawamba Community College star, the subject of much buzz in the off-season after the Rays lost Carl Crawford, has had a rather subdued spring. He was hitting .154 with no extra base hits and one stolen base in 26 at-bats when he was sent to minor league camp last week. When Tampa Bay signed Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, it created a glut of outfielders heading into spring camp, and Jennings, once penciled in as the starting left fielder, seems to have been lost in the shuffle. A superb athlete with plus-plus speed, Jennings still has a bright future in the big leagues. It’s just seems to be on hold.
P.S. Props to Southern Miss for cracking the Collegiate Baseball Top 30 at No. 25. The Golden Eagles (15-3) were impressive in winning three games in the Cougar Invitational at Charleston, S.C., over the weekend.