This picked look real good until about 4 days ago when Motte got his first chance to close for STL and then he got rocked Barry Zito style. I now have Motte along with Perez, who is starting the season in AAA, and Tony is running a bunch a veteran clowns out to save games. I think one of the two will be the closer by the end of the season but this is frustrating as I need a save source ASAP. To be perfectly honest this was a pretty boring round. The pick that I like the most is Ryan Perry who was closer stuff and is pitching for Detroit's bullpen right now. Max Ramirez is an interesting player if he doesn't eat himself into a 1B because his value is much greater a catcher. Pick #95, Kyle Blanks from San Diego, has huge power potential but is blocked by Adrian Gonzalez until 2010 and it will be interesting to see what the Padres do with Adrian's 2011 club option $5.5 million. Brett Lawrie has recently changed his position from catcher to 2B so I am not really sure that it alters his value much at all.
Round 7
85. Greg Halman, Seattle Mariners
86. Tyler Matzek, Capistrano Valley HS
87. Jason Motte, St. Louis Cardinals
88. Christian Walker, Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic HS
89. Michael Bowden, Boston Red Sox
90. Max Ramirez, Texas Rangers
91. Brett Lawrie, Milwaukee Brewers
92. Ryan Perry, Detroit Tigers
93. Ben Revere, Minnesota Twins
94. Nick Adenhart, Los Angeles Angels
95. Kyle Blanks, San Diego Padres
96. Michael Saunders, Seattle Mariners
97. Jake Arrieta, Baltimore Orioles
98. Daniel Bard, Boston Red Sox
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Minor League Draft Rd. 6
As I stated before I got a little CF crazy and I did it again with Austin Jackson from the Yankees. I like him but with my depth in CF I am going to look to trade him. One thing you have to watch out for is the "NY Hype" (i.e. Fernado Martinez) and I think Jackson gets a boost due to playing for NY. The exact opposite is Jordan Zimmerman from the Nationals who would be more known except he plays for a team that has roughly 37 fans. Zimmerman is my favorite pick of this round and he has made the roation as the 5th starter for the Nationals. Zimmerman had a amazing Spring and has the luxury of playing in a pitchers park in Washington. Going into this round I wanted to get Darvish knowing that he is going to come over sooner or later. I think this kid is going to be lights out for the Yanks or Red Sox when he comes over (they are the only teams that will be able to afford the posting fee). Darvish has stated that he wanted to become the greatest pitcher in Japan's history before coming to the Majors but with the recession, I could see his team selling his ass to the highest bidder real soon.
Round 6
71. Yu Darvish, Japan
72. Alex White, UNC
73. Jeremy Jeffress, Milwaukee Brewers
74. Jose Ceda, Florida Marlins
75. Tyler Flowers, Chicago White Sox
76. Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays
77. Jordan Walden, Los Angeles Angels
78. Jeff Samardzija, Chicago Cubs
79. Aaron Crow, Fort Worth Cats
80. Jordan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals
81. Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics
82. Austin Jackson, NY Yankees
83. Chris Carter, Oakland Athletics
84. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Round 6
71. Yu Darvish, Japan
72. Alex White, UNC
73. Jeremy Jeffress, Milwaukee Brewers
74. Jose Ceda, Florida Marlins
75. Tyler Flowers, Chicago White Sox
76. Brett Cecil, Toronto Blue Jays
77. Jordan Walden, Los Angeles Angels
78. Jeff Samardzija, Chicago Cubs
79. Aaron Crow, Fort Worth Cats
80. Jordan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals
81. Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics
82. Austin Jackson, NY Yankees
83. Chris Carter, Oakland Athletics
84. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
ESPN Poll Day After Adenhart's Death
You would think someone in Bristol would get a clue and not reference the injuries of the Angels pitching staff related to winning a pennant when a member of thier team was killed the night before.
What the Hell is Going on with Webb
I know that Webb isn't a prospect, but I own him in a league and I would have loved to know that he visited Dr. Doom back in December! It looks like Webb is going to start on Friday but Webb's health shut down contract extension talks and this quote below explains why:
According to Rosenthal's sources, "Webb couldn't reach the standard of health required for an insurance company to provide several million dollars worth of coverage. After Webb failed several physicals, apparently in June, the team apparently broke off contract negotiations and yanked their three-year, $54 million offer off the table".
I have read articles blaming his velocity on his struggles but looking at historical Pitch F/X data, that isn't the case. I have pulled data from his start this season, his first start in 2008, and a start late in the 2008 season:
4/6/2009- Avg Fastball Speed:87.56 MPH with a Max Speed of 88.6 MPH
4/5/2008- Avg Fastball Speed:88.15 MPH with a Max Speed of 89.8 MPH
8/5/2008- Avg Fastball Speed:87.54 MPH with a Max Speed of 89.4 MPH
As you can see his velocity is very consistent from last season. In April of last season he pitched 35 innings going 5-0 with an ERA of 1.80, so he isn't known as a slow starter and his MPH is there so I guess it has to be the movement of his sinker that is the problem. One thing to watch is his K rate as the season progresses as the final 3 months of 2008 his K/9 declined:
July: 7.7 K/9
Aug: 7.1 K/9
Sept: 6.0 K/9
Other News:
The #1 prospect for the Seattle Mariners, SS Carlos Triunfel, broke his Tibia and could miss the rest of the season.
Pitch F/X data for Brett Anderson's Debut
Madison Bumgarner was impressive in 1st start of the season going 6 innings giving up 2 hits and fanning 5 for the San Jose Giants.
Wieters faced David Price in Durham today and he struck out and walked vs. Price and went 0-4 in the game with 2 K's. Price went 3 2/3, 4 H, 2BB, 2 ER, 4 K, 1 HR, 74 pitches. This may knock these two superstars back to reality for a brief moment.
Really funny Matt Wieters Facts Blog
According to Rosenthal's sources, "Webb couldn't reach the standard of health required for an insurance company to provide several million dollars worth of coverage. After Webb failed several physicals, apparently in June, the team apparently broke off contract negotiations and yanked their three-year, $54 million offer off the table".
I have read articles blaming his velocity on his struggles but looking at historical Pitch F/X data, that isn't the case. I have pulled data from his start this season, his first start in 2008, and a start late in the 2008 season:
4/6/2009- Avg Fastball Speed:87.56 MPH with a Max Speed of 88.6 MPH
4/5/2008- Avg Fastball Speed:88.15 MPH with a Max Speed of 89.8 MPH
8/5/2008- Avg Fastball Speed:87.54 MPH with a Max Speed of 89.4 MPH
As you can see his velocity is very consistent from last season. In April of last season he pitched 35 innings going 5-0 with an ERA of 1.80, so he isn't known as a slow starter and his MPH is there so I guess it has to be the movement of his sinker that is the problem. One thing to watch is his K rate as the season progresses as the final 3 months of 2008 his K/9 declined:
July: 7.7 K/9
Aug: 7.1 K/9
Sept: 6.0 K/9
Other News:
The #1 prospect for the Seattle Mariners, SS Carlos Triunfel, broke his Tibia and could miss the rest of the season.
Pitch F/X data for Brett Anderson's Debut
Madison Bumgarner was impressive in 1st start of the season going 6 innings giving up 2 hits and fanning 5 for the San Jose Giants.
Wieters faced David Price in Durham today and he struck out and walked vs. Price and went 0-4 in the game with 2 K's. Price went 3 2/3, 4 H, 2BB, 2 ER, 4 K, 1 HR, 74 pitches. This may knock these two superstars back to reality for a brief moment.
Really funny Matt Wieters Facts Blog
Friday, April 10, 2009
Time to Roster Dotel?
Bobby Jenks is that guy who always ends up on one of my fantasy team every year. Going into this year I really didn't want to own him , but I had him in a keeper league so I am stuck with him for now. After looking at his number overt the past 3 years it seems like Jenks is due to explode very soon. Let look at his figures for the past 3 seasons:
Note: XERA is a Baseball HQ figure that displays what an ERA should be with a pitcher's given ratios.
2006: IP: 69.7 SV: 41 ERA: 4.00 K/9: 10.3 XERA: 2.79
2007: IP: 65.0 SV: 40 ERA: 2.77 K/9: 7.8 XERA: 3.24
2008: IP: 61.7 SV:30 ERA: 2.63 K/9: 5.5 XERA: 4.01
On the surface his ERA has declined 3 years in a row but it is really tough for a closer to suceed in an extrexe HR park with a K/9 rate of 5.5. His K rate has almost cut in half since 2006 and his XERA has gone from 2.79 to 4.01. I believe it is time to sell on Jenks and if you own him it would be wise to grab Dotel as Plan B. Last season Dotel fanned 74 in 56 innings of work posting an ERa of 3.86.
The Norfolk vs Durham game was postponed due to rain and that game was going to feature David Price vs Wieters for the first time since college.
Tim Beckham goes yard in opener for the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Brett Wallace sending message to Tony going deep twice and driving in 6 runs while going 4-5. This may be guy to pick up now as the 3B position seems to be in serious limbo in STL.
Pedro Alvarez impresses in debut going 3-4 with 4 RBIs and falling a triple short of the cycle
Tommy Hanson fans 10 in 4.1 innings for AAA Gwinnett
Texas Top Pitching prospect, Neftali Feliz, issued 6 walks in AAA debut. With Kris Benson in the Texas rotation, this kid may not have much time to learn in AAA.
Jason Motte's time as closer may be running out fast as he was pulled from tonight's game in the 9th inning after he surrendered 2 hits to Pudge and Keppinger. He did get Bourn to fly out to center but K. Mclellan relieved Motte and recorded the Save by striking out Matsui and getting Pence to ground out. This is not good news for Motte owners and I have no idea what Tony is going to do but after reading this article, it seems like Perez is going to get another shot at closing games for the Cards sometime this season.
Other News:
Tribute to Nick Adenhart
Trevor Cahill's Pitch F/X data for MLB debut
Rick Porcello's Pitch F/X data for MLB debut
AROD to resume Baseball activities on Monday
Note: XERA is a Baseball HQ figure that displays what an ERA should be with a pitcher's given ratios.
2006: IP: 69.7 SV: 41 ERA: 4.00 K/9: 10.3 XERA: 2.79
2007: IP: 65.0 SV: 40 ERA: 2.77 K/9: 7.8 XERA: 3.24
2008: IP: 61.7 SV:30 ERA: 2.63 K/9: 5.5 XERA: 4.01
On the surface his ERA has declined 3 years in a row but it is really tough for a closer to suceed in an extrexe HR park with a K/9 rate of 5.5. His K rate has almost cut in half since 2006 and his XERA has gone from 2.79 to 4.01. I believe it is time to sell on Jenks and if you own him it would be wise to grab Dotel as Plan B. Last season Dotel fanned 74 in 56 innings of work posting an ERa of 3.86.
The Norfolk vs Durham game was postponed due to rain and that game was going to feature David Price vs Wieters for the first time since college.
Tim Beckham goes yard in opener for the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Brett Wallace sending message to Tony going deep twice and driving in 6 runs while going 4-5. This may be guy to pick up now as the 3B position seems to be in serious limbo in STL.
Pedro Alvarez impresses in debut going 3-4 with 4 RBIs and falling a triple short of the cycle
Tommy Hanson fans 10 in 4.1 innings for AAA Gwinnett
Texas Top Pitching prospect, Neftali Feliz, issued 6 walks in AAA debut. With Kris Benson in the Texas rotation, this kid may not have much time to learn in AAA.
Jason Motte's time as closer may be running out fast as he was pulled from tonight's game in the 9th inning after he surrendered 2 hits to Pudge and Keppinger. He did get Bourn to fly out to center but K. Mclellan relieved Motte and recorded the Save by striking out Matsui and getting Pence to ground out. This is not good news for Motte owners and I have no idea what Tony is going to do but after reading this article, it seems like Perez is going to get another shot at closing games for the Cards sometime this season.
Other News:
Tribute to Nick Adenhart
Trevor Cahill's Pitch F/X data for MLB debut
Rick Porcello's Pitch F/X data for MLB debut
AROD to resume Baseball activities on Monday
Monday, April 6, 2009
Finally the Games Count!
Well, Derek Lowe looked like Sandy Kofaux last night against the Phils but I want to touch on the fact that Jordan Shafer was Intentially walked in the 3rd AB ever! I know the pitcher was up next but I bet this may be a record for earliest IBB in MLB history. Shafer also became the 99th player to hit a HR in his first AB as he finsihed 2-3. Brett Myers was throwing watermelons up to the Braves but he hit that ball a long way. I think Shafer had his welcome to the Bigs moment when he faced Brad Lidge in the 9th as Shafer look extremley over matched against his slider but so does the rest of MLB. His K rate is one thing to watch but this kid is going to have a great season. Click here to see his PitchFX data from last night's game. You can really see the pitch from Myers that he hit out has right down the pike
Prospect Watch:
Keep your eyes on Ryan Perry from DET who has made the Opening Day Roster and has closer stuff. He will be valuable in leagues where Holds are counted and he is an outside saves source.
Tuesday: Trevor Cahill goes Tuesday against the Angels
Thursday: Rick Porcello goes against Thursday against TOR
Other News:
Article about Strasburg's recent outing
Samardzija sent to AAA Iowa
Later this week I will post about the 1st week of FAAB for NFBC leagues
Prospect Watch:
Keep your eyes on Ryan Perry from DET who has made the Opening Day Roster and has closer stuff. He will be valuable in leagues where Holds are counted and he is an outside saves source.
Tuesday: Trevor Cahill goes Tuesday against the Angels
Thursday: Rick Porcello goes against Thursday against TOR
Other News:
Article about Strasburg's recent outing
Samardzija sent to AAA Iowa
Later this week I will post about the 1st week of FAAB for NFBC leagues
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Minor League Draft Rd. 5
Round 5
I went into this draft wanting to upgrade CF and as you will see later I went overboard on them. I was very excited to land Schafer especially now that is is the starting CF for the Braves. I think he has a great mix of power and speed and his defense will keep him in the MLB if his bat slips. I think Schafer is going to be the best player within this group for a least the next 3-4 years. The Inoa (I think he changed the spelling to Yona) pick is major/risk reward as he only just turned seventeen. The most interesting pick of the round was Bryce Harper who is only a sophomore in HIGH SCHOOL right now but this kid can straight up rake the baseball. Click here to watch video of Harper. Ike Davis 1B from the Mets was really a stretch in the 5th round but what the hell do I know as a drafted Perez in the 3rd!
57. Michael Inoa, Oakland Athletics
58. Dominic Brown, Philadelphia Phillies
59. Jordan Schafer, Atlanta Braves
60. Hank Conger, Los Angeles Angels
61. Wilmer Flores, New York Mets
62. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
63. Jose Tabata, Pittsburgh Pirates
64. Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado Rockies
65. Bryce Harper, Las Vegas High School
66. Kila Ka'aihue, Kansas City Royals
67. Angel Salome, Milwaukee Brewers
68. Michael Taylor, Philadelphia Phillies
69. Ike Davis, New York Mets
70. Daryl Jones, St. Louis Cardinals
Other News:
Madison Bumgarner K's Manny in Spring game
Leyland names Rodney closer to start the year
Joba bounces back just hours after I post about being worried!
Projected Standings for Tout Wars
I went into this draft wanting to upgrade CF and as you will see later I went overboard on them. I was very excited to land Schafer especially now that is is the starting CF for the Braves. I think he has a great mix of power and speed and his defense will keep him in the MLB if his bat slips. I think Schafer is going to be the best player within this group for a least the next 3-4 years. The Inoa (I think he changed the spelling to Yona) pick is major/risk reward as he only just turned seventeen. The most interesting pick of the round was Bryce Harper who is only a sophomore in HIGH SCHOOL right now but this kid can straight up rake the baseball. Click here to watch video of Harper. Ike Davis 1B from the Mets was really a stretch in the 5th round but what the hell do I know as a drafted Perez in the 3rd!
57. Michael Inoa, Oakland Athletics
58. Dominic Brown, Philadelphia Phillies
59. Jordan Schafer, Atlanta Braves
60. Hank Conger, Los Angeles Angels
61. Wilmer Flores, New York Mets
62. Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
63. Jose Tabata, Pittsburgh Pirates
64. Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado Rockies
65. Bryce Harper, Las Vegas High School
66. Kila Ka'aihue, Kansas City Royals
67. Angel Salome, Milwaukee Brewers
68. Michael Taylor, Philadelphia Phillies
69. Ike Davis, New York Mets
70. Daryl Jones, St. Louis Cardinals
Other News:
Madison Bumgarner K's Manny in Spring game
Leyland names Rodney closer to start the year
Joba bounces back just hours after I post about being worried!
Projected Standings for Tout Wars
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