The Associated Press

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Left-handed slugging first baseman Craig Brazell is putting on an impressive display of hitting for the New York Mets.

During live batting practice the 6-foot-3 Alabama native peppered the pines trees behind Field No. 5 with several home run balls.

The Mets are thin at first base with Mo Vaughn holding down the position. Both Ty Wigginton and Joe McEwing could play the spot if needed and the Mets recently signed switch-hitting Tony Clark to a minor league deal. They will also look at Clark in the corners of the outfield.

However, it's the 22-year-old Brazell who is drawing attention for hitting mammoth home runs on a daily basis.

"He needs to work on pitch recognition," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said after Brazell hit several balls into and onto the maintenance shed behind Field No. 4. "He only had 14 walks last year, but he can hit a baseball."

Brazell played for both the St. Lucie and Binghamton affiliates last season and became the first Mets minor league player to drive in more than 100 runs since Chris Latham in 1996.

Brazell bats in the same group as Cliff Floyd on a daily basis and the veteran has been free with his time in educating the younger player.

"All major leaguers like guys who can hit it out of the park," Phillips said. "Brazell can hit it out of the park."

Brazell hit .266 with 16 homes runs and 82 RBIs for St. Lucie last season. After being promoted to Double-A he hit .308 with six homes runs and 19 RBIs in 35 games. He was also named the winner of the Doubleday Award for St. Lucie that recognizes the top player on a team.

He was selected in the fifth round of the 1998 draft. His father Ted was a catcher and manager in the Tigers' minor league system for 13 years.

• Reliever John Franco said he felt just "normal stiffness" after throwing off the mound Friday. Franco is rehabilitating from "Tommy John" surgery on his left arm that was done last May.

• RHP Grant Roberts also said he felt fine after his Friday session, trying to come back from tendinitis in his throwing shoulder. "I feel great," Roberts said. "And that's really good news." Roberts said he threw at about 50 percent capacity and will most likely have three or four bullpen sessions before he throws batting practice.

• The Mets signed LHP Donovan Osborne to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training.

• A fan who heckled Phillips was escorted from the grounds Saturday morning. Phillips was on a practice field when the fan displayed a poster that said Phillips should be fired. The fan kept trying to get the GM's attention to show him that and the other side that said to bring back Edgardo Alfonzo. After being asked several times to stop harassing Phillips, the fan was removed from the field by security and police.

CARDINALS: Rick Ankiel had another successful throwing session.

Facing batters for the second time this spring, Ankiel threw 30 pitches Saturday as he tries to overcome bouts with wildness and injuries and make the team.

"It was all right and I'm where I should be," he said. "It's too early to say much about how I will fit in the bullpen. We have to wait until the games start."

RED SOX: Robert Person agreed to a minor-league contract, two years after winning 15 games for Philadelphia.

Person is a veteran pickup on a pitching staff filled with them. If he makes the team, he'll provide depth in the bullpen and an emergency starter.

ATHLETICS: Miguel Tejada reported to camp after being delayed for two days because he was caring for his ill son.

The reigning American League MVP missed only two full-squad workouts, and manager Ken Macha wasn't too concerned that the star shortstop will be behind, because he had been playing winter ball for his native Dominican Republic.