Matt Wieters has returned to action and he is showing his inexperience at AAA. This season he is hitting .720 with 1 HR and a 8:13 BB:K ratio. Wieters is know for his exceptional plate discipline and this ratio is telling. Wieters is a switch hitter but he is struggling against LHP as he is batting .143 against them.
If Matt Gamel didn't have 2 concrete blocks for hands this kid would be playing 3B for the Brewers instead of Bill Hall. So far this season he is hitting .403 (.400 vs LHP; .404 vs RHP) with 6 HR and 24 RBI. Gamel has amassed a 1.287 OPS so far and will be in the majors before long.
Davis Price isn't lighting the world on fire for AAA Durham. Price is 1-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 17 IP. He has fanned 20 and walked 8 so far. Interesting stat with Price is that his ERA when he is behind in the count is 13.50 and 0.00 when he is ahead in the count. My advice for Price: THROW STRIKE 1! This performance worries me none and I would be actively trading for him after you tell his owner how bad of start he is having.
Strasburg is at it again against #16 TCU. Friday night Strasburg pitched 7 innings giving up 3 runs while striking out 14 and only walking 1. So far this season he is 9-0 1.54 ERA with 135 K's and 13 BBs in 70.3 innings. This guy is straight nasty and if your league allows minor leaguers go and get him ASAP before the draft hype puts him on everyone's radar screen.
The Indians’ Matt LaPorta (1B, CLE) continues to rake for AAA Columbus. On the year he is hitting .400 with 7 BBs and only 5 Ks. He has displayed great plate discipline along with amazing power as he has 5 HR YTD. The Indians are going to have to get this guy in the line-up in the OF, DH, or at 1B when Victor is behind the plate. I am not high on Garko and I think he is the odd man out in this situation.
I can across this bit of information on baseballHQ forum about the movement of Porcello's FB:
"Brandon Webb, is possibly the greatest sinkerball starter of alltime. (His fastball moves 9.3 inches on average. The average pitcher's fastball moves 6 inches. Porcello so far: 9.6 inches! Porcello's fastball is also a few MPH faster than Webb's at 92.4 (compared to Webb's career average of 88.5)."
Other News:
Jokim Soria is experiencing shoulder sorness and is expecting to miss a few games. This news scares me and Soria owner's need to pick up Cruz and stay away from Farnsworth. Remember Webb's injury started as just sorness and now he is out until June.
AROD could return May 9th
Derek Holland's Pitch F/X data from debut
Rickey Romero on DL with strained right oblique muscle
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Whos is Rickey Romero?
Many owners are rushing to bid for the 24 year old Rickey Romero in fantasy free agent pools. Ricardo "Rickey" Romero is a 6'1 200 lb lefty from the Toronto organization. Romero has spent 4 season in the minors from 2005-2008 and most of his time was spent in AA.
Career Minor League Stats:
W: 16
L: 22
ERA: 4.33
IP: 415.2
K: 324
WHIP: 1.465
K/9: 7.0
BB/9: 3.8
2009 YTD Stats
W: 2
L: 0
ERA: 1.71
IP: 21
K: 13
WHIP: 1.10
K/9: 5.6
BB/9: 1.7
Romero is having more control in the majors then he did in the minors and once that corrects itself his numbers will come back to earth. The scary part is he is only striking out 5.6 per 9 so he is giving up K's for more control. Usually pitchers don't magically change from the minors to the majors so once hitters see him a couple of times I think he is going to get pounded pitching in the AL EAST. He is only 24 so and maybe he improved his mechanics but only time will tell. So I wouldn't be using a lot of FAAB $ on him and if he has a few more quality starts, I would sell high Martha Stewart style of this guy. Here is the complete Pitch F/X data for his MLB debut.
Quote from link above about Romero's movement on his fastball:
"His fastball lacks serious sink IMO and, at least of this day, appeared to be fairly flat. It did have some late in the zone downward movement but nothing indicating too much sink."
Other News:
Cubs recall Samardzija to help Pen
Kelvim Escobar out until June?
Derek Holland solid in debut
Hamilton sits with sore ribs
Nady avoids TJ surgery and expected back in 4-6 weeks
Doumit has pins put in wrist, out 8-10 weeks
Thames out at least a month with strained ribcage
Career Minor League Stats:
W: 16
L: 22
ERA: 4.33
IP: 415.2
K: 324
WHIP: 1.465
K/9: 7.0
BB/9: 3.8
2009 YTD Stats
W: 2
L: 0
ERA: 1.71
IP: 21
K: 13
WHIP: 1.10
K/9: 5.6
BB/9: 1.7
Romero is having more control in the majors then he did in the minors and once that corrects itself his numbers will come back to earth. The scary part is he is only striking out 5.6 per 9 so he is giving up K's for more control. Usually pitchers don't magically change from the minors to the majors so once hitters see him a couple of times I think he is going to get pounded pitching in the AL EAST. He is only 24 so and maybe he improved his mechanics but only time will tell. So I wouldn't be using a lot of FAAB $ on him and if he has a few more quality starts, I would sell high Martha Stewart style of this guy. Here is the complete Pitch F/X data for his MLB debut.
Quote from link above about Romero's movement on his fastball:
"His fastball lacks serious sink IMO and, at least of this day, appeared to be fairly flat. It did have some late in the zone downward movement but nothing indicating too much sink."
Other News:
Cubs recall Samardzija to help Pen
Kelvim Escobar out until June?
Derek Holland solid in debut
Hamilton sits with sore ribs
Nady avoids TJ surgery and expected back in 4-6 weeks
Doumit has pins put in wrist, out 8-10 weeks
Thames out at least a month with strained ribcage
Hamilton has Awful 2nd Week
If you are in a weekly league and own Josh Hamilton, you know where I am going with this post! In week 1 he was fine but he has decided to suck real bad real quick once that 2nd Monday came around. From the reports on him that I read, he is swinging at the first pitch too much and breaking balls are making him consider calling his dealer. I think he is going to be fine but if you can find an owner in a league starting to panic, I would buy low on him before he turns it around.
First week: 21 ABs, .286/.385/.524; 1 homer, 1 triple; 3 walks/2 ks.
Second week: 27 ABs, .185/.185/.222; 0 homers, 1 double; 0 walks/10 ks.
EPSN reported that Wang would have to pitch 47.67 scoreless innings to get his ERA back to his career average of 3.93. Speaking of Wang, pundits all over the country are calling the new Yankee Stadium the Coors of the Northeast, I think the pitching has been terrible and we need a larger sample size to make any conclusions. I think the Yankkes are going to come up with some lame injury for Wang because he is out of options and would be claimed even with his historic start. To get ahead of the curve, I would pick-up Phil Hughes because his chance will come real soon.
I watched Jordan's Zimmerman's debut and he was really impressive getting ahead in the count and keeping the Braves off balance. 71% of his pitches were for strikes and 16% were swinging.
Here is a complete breakdown of his start with Pitch F/X
Other News:
Hamels Explains Bad Start
Matt Wieters has been out since the 19th with a Hamstring injury
O's recall Montanez as Freel goes on the DL
Mauer to return May 1
High School Pitcher Throws 4 straight No-Hitters
First week: 21 ABs, .286/.385/.524; 1 homer, 1 triple; 3 walks/2 ks.
Second week: 27 ABs, .185/.185/.222; 0 homers, 1 double; 0 walks/10 ks.
EPSN reported that Wang would have to pitch 47.67 scoreless innings to get his ERA back to his career average of 3.93. Speaking of Wang, pundits all over the country are calling the new Yankee Stadium the Coors of the Northeast, I think the pitching has been terrible and we need a larger sample size to make any conclusions. I think the Yankkes are going to come up with some lame injury for Wang because he is out of options and would be claimed even with his historic start. To get ahead of the curve, I would pick-up Phil Hughes because his chance will come real soon.
I watched Jordan's Zimmerman's debut and he was really impressive getting ahead in the count and keeping the Braves off balance. 71% of his pitches were for strikes and 16% were swinging.
Here is a complete breakdown of his start with Pitch F/X
Other News:
Hamels Explains Bad Start
Matt Wieters has been out since the 19th with a Hamstring injury
O's recall Montanez as Freel goes on the DL
Mauer to return May 1
High School Pitcher Throws 4 straight No-Hitters
Minor League Draft Rd. 8
This round really turned out to be a pretty good late round. I love Kyle Gibson from Missouri at pick #104. I was targeting power hitting catcher J.P. Arencibia, who ended up going #100, but I went with Poreda, who is a tall lefty for the White Sox, and to be honest I am not really crazy about this pick but he had the highest ceiling for pitchers on my board at the time. Hind sight I would have loved to get RHP Aumont, I didn't have the luxury to see him pitch in the WBC. The reason why I think Brignac fell this far is the arrival of Tim Beckham who was the 1st pick in the 2008 draft. Once Beckham is ready, I assume Brignac will be dealt.
Round 8
99. Scott Elbert, Los Angeles Dodgers
100. J.P. Arencibia, Toronto Blue Jays
101. Adys Portillo, San Diego Padres
102. Reid Brignac, Tampa Bay Rays
103. Fautino De Los Santos, Oakland Athletics
104. Kyle Gibson, Missouri
105. Kentrail Davis, University of Tennessee
106. Kyle Skipworth, Florida Marlins
107. Adrian Cardenas, Oakland Athletics
108. Chris Coughlan, Florida Marlins
109. Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays
110. Aaron Poreda, Chicago White Sox
111. Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds
112. Phillippe Aumont, Seattle Mariners
Round 8
99. Scott Elbert, Los Angeles Dodgers
100. J.P. Arencibia, Toronto Blue Jays
101. Adys Portillo, San Diego Padres
102. Reid Brignac, Tampa Bay Rays
103. Fautino De Los Santos, Oakland Athletics
104. Kyle Gibson, Missouri
105. Kentrail Davis, University of Tennessee
106. Kyle Skipworth, Florida Marlins
107. Adrian Cardenas, Oakland Athletics
108. Chris Coughlan, Florida Marlins
109. Jeff Niemann, Tampa Bay Rays
110. Aaron Poreda, Chicago White Sox
111. Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds
112. Phillippe Aumont, Seattle Mariners
Sunday, April 19, 2009
I Hate Chien-Ming Wang
First, I must start by stating that I am a Wang owner and that S.O.B. is on a mission to personally ruin my team's ERA and WHIP. I can't put it in words the pure hate I have for this guy and it is obvious what his problem is as 42.6% of his pitches are considered up or high in the zone compared with 31.1% from 2008. His average velocity is also trending downwards for the past 3 season so when you combine lower velocity with less sink and balls up in the zone you get the shit sandwich called Chien-Ming Wang. You see view a complete breakdown of his pitches for the past 2 seasons here. I thought it was an accomplishment to shoot a round a golf below your age, I will be happy when Wang's ERA gets below his age (29 years old vs. 35.50 ERA).
Your time to "sell high" on Emilio Bonifacio or Jordan Shafer is officially over. These two young lads came out firing on all cylinders this season but they have been brought down to reality in hurry. Over the past 4 games, Bonificio is 1-16 with 9 K's and only 1 BB while Shafer is went 1-21 with 13 Ks and 1 BB for a season average of .225. I never bought into Bonificio but I was drinking the Shafer Kool-Aid early. This could be a buy low opportunity on Shafer.
Pitching Prospects in the Minors (Data from http://www.minorleaguenotebook.com/):
Tommy Hanson fanned 17 batters and walked just 4 in 10 innings while allowing just 1 run.
David Price has 10 strikeouts and 3 walks in 8.2 innings over 2 starts with a 2.08 ERA.
Madison Bumgarner has 9 strikeouts and 2 walks with a 0.00 ERA over his two starts.
Derek Holland has 5 strikeouts and 3 walks in 4 innings in his only start of the season.
Neftali Feliz has 9 strikeouts and 8 walks in 9 innings with a 2.00 ERA.
Jarrod Parker has 11 strikeouts and 1 walk over 9 innings with a 0.00 ERA in two starts.
Brian Matusz has 10 strikeouts and 5 walks over 9.2 innings with a 4.66 ERA.
Jhoulys Chacin has 8 strikeouts and 2 walks over 10.2 innings with a 2.53 ERA.
Chris Tillman has 5 strikeouts and 3 walks in 4 no hit innings.
Tim Alderson has 8 strikeouts and 1 walk in 8.1 innings with a 4.32 ERA.
Brett Cecil has 1 strikeout and 2 walks in 4 innings with a 4.50 ERA.
Jordan Zimmermann has 4 strikeouts and 1 walk in 5.1 innings and a 5.06 ERA.
Stephen Strasburg continues to make a mockery of NCAA baseball. He is 8-0 with 121 Ks in 63.1 IP with only 12 BB. His ERA is 1.28 and he is on pace to demolish the NCAA record for K/9 of 16.8 as he currently is at 17.19 Ks per 9.
Prospects in MLB through 4/18:
Colby Rasmus- Rasmus is off to a rough start hitting .235 with only 1 XBH for a SLG% of .265
Cameron Maybin- He is porting a 14:1 K:BB ratio and hitting .206 with only 1 SB
Dexter Fowler- He is hitting .308 with 2 HR and 2 SB. He also has an impressive OPS of .934
Kendry Morales- He is batting .244 with 0 HR and only 3 RBI. He has K'd is every game but 1
Pablo Sandoval- He is below the Mendoza line at .195 with 0 HR and 1 RBI.
Travis Snider- He is hitting .321 with 3 HR and 9 RBI. His OPS is 1.173 and has 6K and 3BB.
Trevor Cahill- he is 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in 17.3 IP but he has 13 BB and 5 K
Rick Porcello- He is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP after 1 start.
Other News:
Rangers call up Pitching Prospect Derek Holland
Vlad out for a month with torn muscle in chest
Alex Gordon out until June with torn labral cartilage in his right hip
Your time to "sell high" on Emilio Bonifacio or Jordan Shafer is officially over. These two young lads came out firing on all cylinders this season but they have been brought down to reality in hurry. Over the past 4 games, Bonificio is 1-16 with 9 K's and only 1 BB while Shafer is went 1-21 with 13 Ks and 1 BB for a season average of .225. I never bought into Bonificio but I was drinking the Shafer Kool-Aid early. This could be a buy low opportunity on Shafer.
Pitching Prospects in the Minors (Data from http://www.minorleaguenotebook.com/):
Tommy Hanson fanned 17 batters and walked just 4 in 10 innings while allowing just 1 run.
David Price has 10 strikeouts and 3 walks in 8.2 innings over 2 starts with a 2.08 ERA.
Madison Bumgarner has 9 strikeouts and 2 walks with a 0.00 ERA over his two starts.
Derek Holland has 5 strikeouts and 3 walks in 4 innings in his only start of the season.
Neftali Feliz has 9 strikeouts and 8 walks in 9 innings with a 2.00 ERA.
Jarrod Parker has 11 strikeouts and 1 walk over 9 innings with a 0.00 ERA in two starts.
Brian Matusz has 10 strikeouts and 5 walks over 9.2 innings with a 4.66 ERA.
Jhoulys Chacin has 8 strikeouts and 2 walks over 10.2 innings with a 2.53 ERA.
Chris Tillman has 5 strikeouts and 3 walks in 4 no hit innings.
Tim Alderson has 8 strikeouts and 1 walk in 8.1 innings with a 4.32 ERA.
Brett Cecil has 1 strikeout and 2 walks in 4 innings with a 4.50 ERA.
Jordan Zimmermann has 4 strikeouts and 1 walk in 5.1 innings and a 5.06 ERA.
Stephen Strasburg continues to make a mockery of NCAA baseball. He is 8-0 with 121 Ks in 63.1 IP with only 12 BB. His ERA is 1.28 and he is on pace to demolish the NCAA record for K/9 of 16.8 as he currently is at 17.19 Ks per 9.
Prospects in MLB through 4/18:
Colby Rasmus- Rasmus is off to a rough start hitting .235 with only 1 XBH for a SLG% of .265
Cameron Maybin- He is porting a 14:1 K:BB ratio and hitting .206 with only 1 SB
Dexter Fowler- He is hitting .308 with 2 HR and 2 SB. He also has an impressive OPS of .934
Kendry Morales- He is batting .244 with 0 HR and only 3 RBI. He has K'd is every game but 1
Pablo Sandoval- He is below the Mendoza line at .195 with 0 HR and 1 RBI.
Travis Snider- He is hitting .321 with 3 HR and 9 RBI. His OPS is 1.173 and has 6K and 3BB.
Trevor Cahill- he is 0-1 with a 2.60 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP in 17.3 IP but he has 13 BB and 5 K
Rick Porcello- He is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP after 1 start.
Other News:
Rangers call up Pitching Prospect Derek Holland
Vlad out for a month with torn muscle in chest
Alex Gordon out until June with torn labral cartilage in his right hip
Monday, April 13, 2009
BA Midseason All-American Team
Hitters
C- Tony Sanchez, BC AVG:.381 HR: 12
1B- Dustin Ackley, NC AVG: .411 HR:10
2B- Phil Gosselin, Vir. AVG: .375 SB: 12
3B- Tom Mendonca, FS. AVG: .327 HR:12
SS- Bryant Hernandez, OK AVG: .433 HR:6
OF- Jason Kipins, AS AVG: .429 HR:9
OF- Kent Mattes, Ala AVG: .394 HR:17
OF- Brett Nommensen, EI AVG: .516 HR:11
DH- Rich Poythress, GEO AVG: .443 HR:13
UT- Brooks Raley, A&M AVG: .358 SB: 17
Pitchers
SP- Stephen Strasburg, SDS 6-0 ERA: 1.40 K:BB Ratio: 94:10
SP- Mike Leake, ASU 7-1 ERA: 1.29 K:BB Ratio: 62:13
SP- AJ Morris, KSU 8-0 ERA: 0.83 K:BB Ratio: 55:18
SP- Josh Spence, ASU 6-0 ERA: 1.17 K:BB Ratio: 72:16
RP- Kyle Bellamy, MIA 3-0 ERA: 1.52 K:BB Ratio: 41:13 Saves: 9
UT- Brooks Raley, A&M 5-1 ERA: 2.51 K:BB Ratio: 50:12
The 2 players that you need to pay attention to is Stephen Strasburg (obviously) and Dustin Ackley from NC. Ackley is hitting .411 slugging .734 with an OBP of .520. Ackely has also stole 7 bases and has walked more then he has K'ed this season. Both Ackley and Strasburg should be top 5 picks in this year's draft.
Other News:
Marlins Prospect Fractures Thumb
Tom Glavine Experiences Setback
Balt Sun Article about Markakis
Escobar has a "Bump in the Road"
OC Register Article about Angels Promoting from Within
C- Tony Sanchez, BC AVG:.381 HR: 12
1B- Dustin Ackley, NC AVG: .411 HR:10
2B- Phil Gosselin, Vir. AVG: .375 SB: 12
3B- Tom Mendonca, FS. AVG: .327 HR:12
SS- Bryant Hernandez, OK AVG: .433 HR:6
OF- Jason Kipins, AS AVG: .429 HR:9
OF- Kent Mattes, Ala AVG: .394 HR:17
OF- Brett Nommensen, EI AVG: .516 HR:11
DH- Rich Poythress, GEO AVG: .443 HR:13
UT- Brooks Raley, A&M AVG: .358 SB: 17
Pitchers
SP- Stephen Strasburg, SDS 6-0 ERA: 1.40 K:BB Ratio: 94:10
SP- Mike Leake, ASU 7-1 ERA: 1.29 K:BB Ratio: 62:13
SP- AJ Morris, KSU 8-0 ERA: 0.83 K:BB Ratio: 55:18
SP- Josh Spence, ASU 6-0 ERA: 1.17 K:BB Ratio: 72:16
RP- Kyle Bellamy, MIA 3-0 ERA: 1.52 K:BB Ratio: 41:13 Saves: 9
UT- Brooks Raley, A&M 5-1 ERA: 2.51 K:BB Ratio: 50:12
The 2 players that you need to pay attention to is Stephen Strasburg (obviously) and Dustin Ackley from NC. Ackley is hitting .411 slugging .734 with an OBP of .520. Ackely has also stole 7 bases and has walked more then he has K'ed this season. Both Ackley and Strasburg should be top 5 picks in this year's draft.
Other News:
Marlins Prospect Fractures Thumb
Tom Glavine Experiences Setback
Balt Sun Article about Markakis
Escobar has a "Bump in the Road"
OC Register Article about Angels Promoting from Within
Interview with Ranger Prospect Justin Smoak
I would be willing to bet a whole lot of money that Smoak's career HR total will be greater then his SAT score.
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