Results tagged ‘ Matt Kemp ’
Sizzling Future Stars: Minor League Report, 4/24
With the season underway and some fans already looking forward to next year, even this early, it is a good time to look down on the farms for some names that you should get to know. Everyone knows who Wil Myers, Dylan Bundy, and Oscar Taveras are at this point, so these are players performing at elite levels who may not be household names…yet.
Clayton Blackburn, RHP, San Francisco Giants
| Year | Age | Lg | Lev | W | L | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 18 | ARIZ | Rk | 3 | 1 | 1.08 | 6 | 33.1 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 30 | 0.570 | 4.3 | 10.00 |
| 2012 | 19 | SALL | A | 8 | 4 | 2.54 | 22 | 131.1 | 116 | 47 | 37 | 3 | 18 | 143 | 1.020 | 7.9 | 7.94 |
| 2013 | 20 | CALL | A+ | 2 | 0 | 1.64 | 4 | 22.0 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 0.727 | 5.7 | 12.50 |
| 3 Seasons | 13 | 5 | 2.17 | 32 | 186.2 | 146 | 57 | 45 | 7 | 23 | 198 | 0.905 | 7.0 | 8.61 | |||
The California League used to be where pitching prospects went to die, but elite arms have been challenged there, while others (like Taijuan Walker of the Seattle Mariners) continue to skip the High-A level to keep their confidence. In 2010, Tyler Skaggs posted a 3.22 ERA with a 125:34 K:BB in 100.2 innings in the Cal League, and in 2012, Tony Cingrani posted a 1.11 ERA with a 71:13 K:BB in 56.2 innings. This season, Blackburn appears to be the class of the league. A solid strikeout rate, excellent control, and he seems very hard to hit. The same things could be said for him after his impressive season in the Sally League in 2012, and at 20 years of age, Blackburn looks like he will maintain this type of production throughout his development. At 6’3″, 220 pounds, he has a very good frame to become a valuable piece to the San Francisco Giants in the next few years. It wouldn’t be too far fetched to see Blackburn in Double-A after the All-Star break, possibly sooner, if he continues to dominate the opposition.
Eddie Rosario, 2B, Minnesota Twins
| Year | Age | Lg | Lev | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | TB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 18 | GULF | Rk | 51 | 213 | 194 | 34 | 57 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 26 | 22 | 16 | 28 | .294 | .343 | .438 | .781 | 85 |
| 2011 | 19 | APPY | Rk | 67 | 298 | 270 | 71 | 91 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 60 | 17 | 27 | 60 | .337 | .397 | .670 | 1.068 | 181 |
| 2012 | 20 | 2 Lgs | A-Rk | 100 | 449 | 411 | 62 | 123 | 35 | 4 | 13 | 74 | 11 | 32 | 71 | .299 | .347 | .499 | .846 | 205 |
| 2012 | 20 | GULF | Rk | 5 | 20 | 19 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .368 | .400 | .684 | 1.084 | 13 |
| 2012 | 20 | MIDW | A | 95 | 429 | 392 | 60 | 116 | 32 | 4 | 12 | 70 | 11 | 31 | 69 | .296 | .345 | .490 | .835 | 192 |
| 2013 | 21 | FLOR | A+ | 19 | 87 | 80 | 16 | 27 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 15 | .338 | .368 | .500 | .868 | 40 |
| 4 Seasons | 237 | 1047 | 955 | 183 | 298 | 58 | 16 | 41 | 173 | 51 | 79 | 174 | .312 | .362 | .535 | .897 | 511 | |||
While Miguel Sano attracks a lot of attention, and deservedly so, the Twins have another power hitting player in Fort Myers this season. Eddie Rosario is officially a second baseman now, which should make dynasty league fantasy players salivate. Solid speed, gap power, and still growing frame create an intriguing blend of skills that the Twins should be ecstatic about. While he managed 21 home runs in the Appalachian League at the age of 19, he looks like more of a 30+ doubles and 15-20 home run type of player, which would make him an All-Star at second. Others will clamor for Sano, but Rosario is overlooked at times and could be a special player in his own right.
Victor Payano, LHP, Texas Rangers
| Year | Age | Lg | Lev | W | L | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 17 | DOSL | FRk | 3 | 1 | 3.40 | 12 | 50.1 | 44 | 25 | 19 | 3 | 24 | 52 | 1.351 | 2.17 |
| 2011 | 18 | NORW | A- | 2 | 5 | 5.44 | 9 | 48.0 | 53 | 37 | 29 | 7 | 27 | 43 | 1.667 | 1.59 |
| 2012 | 19 | SALL | A | 6 | 8 | 4.63 | 20 | 105.0 | 97 | 61 | 54 | 8 | 62 | 97 | 1.514 | 1.56 |
| 2013 | 20 | CARL | A+ | 1 | 2 | 4.50 | 4 | 16.0 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 22 | 1.125 | 2.75 |
| 4 Seasons | 12 | 16 | 4.51 | 45 | 219.1 | 204 | 131 | 110 | 20 | 121 | 214 | 1.482 | 1.77 | |||
If you read the Baseball America Hot Sheet, you’d know that Payano was ranked in the Helium Watch on the 4/19 version of the site’s weekly list. I’m buying. While Payano struggled in his start last night (1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 ER, 0 K), the 6’5″, 185 pound 20-year-old has a fastball that has been clocked in the mid-90′s. While the Rangers minor league system is top heavy with Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt in Triple-A Round Rock, they need an arm to hit after waiting several years while Martin Perez plateaued. Payano is a guy with improving overall statistics who could be on his way to an outstanding season. The Carolina League is known to be tough on hitters, so this is the perfect spot for Payano to increase his standing within the prospect world.
Rafael Montero, RHP, New York Mets
| Year | Age | Lg | Lev | W | L | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 20 | 4 Lgs | FRk-Rk-A- | 5 | 4 | 2.15 | 12 | 71.0 | 55 | 23 | 17 | 4 | 13 | 66 | 0.958 | 5.08 |
| 2011 | 20 | DOSL | FRk | 1 | 1 | 1.00 | 4 | 18.0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 0.389 | |
| 2011 | 20 | APPY | Rk | 2 | 1 | 4.24 | 4 | 17.0 | 17 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 1.353 | 1.50 |
| 2011 | 20 | GULF | Rk | 1 | 2 | 1.45 | 4 | 31.0 | 28 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 32 | 1.097 | 5.33 |
| 2011 | 20 | NYPL | A- | 1 | 0 | 3.60 | 0 | 5.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0.800 | 5.00 |
| 2012 | 21 | 2 Lgs | A-A+ | 11 | 5 | 2.36 | 20 | 122.0 | 96 | 37 | 32 | 6 | 19 | 110 | 0.943 | 5.79 |
| 2012 | 21 | SALL | A | 6 | 3 | 2.52 | 12 | 71.1 | 61 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 54 | 0.967 | 6.75 |
| 2012 | 21 | FLOR | A+ | 5 | 2 | 2.13 | 8 | 50.2 | 35 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 11 | 56 | 0.908 | 5.09 |
| 2013 | 22 | EL | AA | 3 | 0 | 1.59 | 4 | 22.2 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 0.706 | 27.00 |
| 3 Seasons | 19 | 9 | 2.21 | 36 | 215.2 | 166 | 64 | 53 | 11 | 33 | 203 | 0.923 | 6.15 | |||
The Mets have sat on scrub pitchers like John Maine, Jeremy Hefner, and Mike Pelfrey over the years, losing on free agent gambles and trades (I’m looking at you, Johan Santana), while watching groups of pitching prospects (Isringhausen, Pulsipher, and Wilson) bomb. Now, Matt Harvey has become an instant ace and the club is waiting for Zack Wheeler to figure out how to throw strikes again. In the meantime, feast your eyes on this beauty. Montero was ranked as the No.8 prospect in the Mets system by MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo and No.5 by Baseball America. His career K:BB rate is absolutely staggering for a young arm, but it is the WHIP that should strike you, as he seems to dominate wherever he goes. Late last season, his K/9 finally went over 9.0 in his stint in High-A and he has maintained the strikeouts while moving up to Double-A. He could become useful to the Mets in 2013 if they continue to miss out on production from their current rotation and pitching in Citi Field will only help his ability to baffle his opponents.
Joc Pederson, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
| Year | Age | Lg | Lev | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | TB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 18 | ARIZ | Rk | 3 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | .000 | .417 | .000 | .417 | 0 |
| 2011 | 19 | 2 Lgs | Rk-A | 84 | 370 | 316 | 58 | 102 | 20 | 2 | 11 | 65 | 26 | 43 | 63 | .323 | .407 | .503 | .910 | 159 |
| 2011 | 19 | PION | Rk | 68 | 310 | 266 | 54 | 94 | 20 | 2 | 11 | 64 | 24 | 36 | 54 | .353 | .429 | .568 | .997 | 151 |
| 2011 | 19 | MIDW | A | 16 | 60 | 50 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | .160 | .288 | .160 | .448 | 8 |
| 2012 | 20 | CALL | A+ | 110 | 499 | 434 | 96 | 136 | 26 | 4 | 18 | 70 | 26 | 51 | 81 | .313 | .396 | .516 | .913 | 224 |
| 2013 | 21 | SOUL | AA | 18 | 78 | 70 | 18 | 22 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 10 | .314 | .372 | .671 | 1.043 | 47 |
| 4 Seasons | 215 | 959 | 827 | 173 | 260 | 52 | 8 | 34 | 148 | 58 | 105 | 159 | .314 | .399 | .520 | .918 | 430 | |||
Can you say “TRADE BAIT”? I knew you could. With Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, and Andre Ethier signed to long-term contracts, there won’t be anywhere for Pederson to play in Los Angeles. It’s a shame, too, because he has the potential to become a very useful player when he reaches the bigs. With a solid approach at the plate, speed, and power, he could be an excellent asset for the bottomless pit of payroll that the Dodgers could take on through a trade this season. Pederson and Yasiel Puig are two of the most exciting bats in the entire minor leagues right now and they and neither of them have a role in L.A. unless the Dodgers are able to deal Andre Ethier and his bad contract (opinion or fact?). I cut him in my dynasty league because he was blocked by so many other players, especially with Puig’s amazing spring, but I’ve come to regret it already.
Arismendy Alcantara, SS, Chicago Cubs
| Year | Age | Lg | Lev | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | TB | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 17 | DOSL | FRk | 65 | 293 | 258 | 44 | 71 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 32 | 20 | 30 | 47 | .275 | .349 | .415 | .764 | 107 |
| 2010 | 18 | NORW | A- | 59 | 235 | 219 | 29 | 62 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 24 | 7 | 10 | 53 | .283 | .315 | .402 | .716 | 88 |
| 2011 | 19 | MIDW | A | 99 | 390 | 369 | 45 | 100 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 37 | 8 | 16 | 76 | .271 | .303 | .352 | .655 | 130 |
| 2012 | 20 | FLOR | A+ | 85 | 359 | 331 | 47 | 100 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 51 | 25 | 19 | 61 | .302 | .339 | .447 | .786 | 148 |
| 2013 | 21 | SOUL | AA | 19 | 88 | 76 | 13 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 21 | .276 | .356 | .447 | .804 | 34 |
| 5 Seasons | 327 | 1365 | 1253 | 178 | 354 | 44 | 26 | 19 | 157 | 71 | 85 | 258 | .283 | .328 | .405 | .733 | 507 | |||
Like Pederson, another player who seems to be blocked. Between Starlin Castro and super-prospect Javier Baez coming up behind him, Alcantara could find himself being moved to second or the outfield, but he should be able to stick with the Cubs organization. Like most Cubs prospects, Alcantara is a free-swinger, but he has already increased his walk rate this season from 5.3 percent in 2012 to 11.4 percent this season. While the season is still young and he could fall back to his career norms, it is also nice to see that Alcantara has four home runs in the early going. With a lot of top-notch talent coming up around him, Alcantara is someone to monitor to figure out just where he’ll end up.
Alex Wood, LHP, Atlanta Braves
| Year | Age | Lg | Lev | W | L | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 21 | SALL | A | 4 | 3 | 2.22 | 13 | 52.2 | 39 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 14 | 52 | 1.006 | 3.71 |
| 2013 | 22 | SOUL | AA | 0 | 1 | 0.82 | 4 | 22.0 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 25 | 0.818 | 6.25 |
| 2 Seasons | 4 | 4 | 1.81 | 17 | 74.2 | 53 | 20 | 15 | 1 | 18 | 77 | 0.951 | 4.28 | |||
“In Atlanta I Trust”. The Braves are still amazing arm producers, so when you see a big lefty with a mid-90′s fastball in the Atlanta system who has posted the kinds of numbers that Wood has in his first 74.2 professional innings, you have to take notice. Ranked as the No.6 prospect in the Braves system by MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo, Wood team’s with the No.3 rated J.R. Graham for Double-A Mississippi right now to form a devastating duo for the Braves. Julio Teheran has been a roller coaster after an excellent spring and Brandon Beachy will be back from Tommy John surgery in June, so the Braves can have some patience with Wood and Graham, but if Wood continues to keep runners off of base, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get moved to the bullpen with the recent Jonny Venters injury.
Related articles
- Dylan Bundy to have elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews (hardballtalk.nbcsports.com)
- CSN: Bundy to see Andrews about tight elbow (csnbaltimore.com)
- Is the time right for Oscar Taveras? (stltoday.com)
The Surprises of the First 10 Days
It is still early in the baseball season, but with about a week and a half gone since opening night, we’ve seen a near perfect game for Yu Darvish and plentiful RBI for Chris Davis. While Darvish was expected to take another step towards stardom this season, Davis’ production is still quite a surprise to some, though power has always been a part of his game.
10 Days in, what are the biggest surprises of the 2013 season?
Carl Crawford, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers: .458/.519/.542, 2 2B, 2 SB
Crawford isn’t necessarily setting the world on fire, but the fact that he has played in all seven games for the Dodgers is shocking, considering his availability for opening day was in question since he didn’t make his Cactus League debut until March 23. While he has just two extra-base hits out of his 11 total hits, the fact that Crawford is running (though he’s just 2 for 4 on stolen base attempts), and productive in a loaded lineup are reasons enough to begin to wonder if he can return to his glory days of Tampa, rather than the disappointment that he had been in Boston. If Crawford stays productive around Matt Kemp and Adrian Gonzalez, the Dodgers will get out of the NL West basement rather quickly.
John Buck, C, New York Mets: .393/.387/.859, 4 HR, 14 RBI
After watching Ike Davis tear apart pitching in the second half, you may have expected him to be the leader of the New York Mets this season; however, it’s the guy who was supposed to just be keeping a roster spot warm for Travis d’Arnaud, the slugging catching prospect that the Mets acquired from Toronto in the R.A. Dickey deal, John Buck. Buck has been mashing to this point, ranking second in the majors in RBI (behind Chris Davis) and tied for second in home runs. With the Miami Marlins around, the Mets should feel comfortable about not finishing last in their division, but Buck has led the Mets patchwork pitching staff, dominated by Matt Harvey‘s emergence as an ace, to a solid start.
Jean Segura, SS, Milwaukee Brewers: .458/.500/.750, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI
It’s too bad that Segura exhausted his rookie eligibility last year, otherwise, he’d be leading the pack in the early stages of the season for the title of NL Rookie of the Year. Segura had 151 at-bats last season (166 plate appearances), but he looks like he learned a little after hitting just .258/.315/.325 in 2012. The 23-year-old shortstop has a very interesting tool-set, with solid gap power and speed, which will allow for solid run production in a lineup with a healthy Aramis Ramirez, Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks, and Ryan Braun…the only problem is that getting all four of those guys on the field at the same time may be harder than finding a needle in a haystack.
Matt Harvey, SP, New York Mets: 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, .093 BAA, 14 IP, 19:4 K:BB
I mentioned Harvey under Buck, but it is worth noting again…he has been nothing short of dominant. He’s allowed just 8 baserunners over two starts, and the strikeouts limit the scoring opportunities, as well. Harvey had a 2.73 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 70:26 K:BB in 59.1 innings last season. Like Segura, just missing rookie eligibility in 2013, but a dynamic starting pitcher for a team desperate for pitching in the Mets.
Jeff Samardzija, SP, Chicago Cubs: 1-1, 2.63 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, .125 BAA, 13.2 IP, 22:5 K:BB
The former Notre Dame wideout is leading the majors in strikeouts early in the season and appears to be heading towards super-stardom ..which is why I traded him for next to nothing in my dynasty league this offseason. He has a lousy team around him but the 28-year-old has some help on the way, and the Cubs have him under team control through 2015. While he may not win many games, his peripheral statistics could make him look a lot like Felix Hernandez in fantasy formats.
Ryan Hanigan, C, Cincinnati Reds: .043/.148/.043, 1 for 23, 2 RBI
The Cincinnati Reds are playing their 9th game of the season and Devin Mesoraco is making his second start of the season. As most people would like to do, you can blame Dusty Baker for his inability to find value in young talent, unless, of course, it is a pitcher whose career he can ruin. Mesoraco is a sinner for going 0 for 4 in his only start, drawing a walk in the Reds 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Washington Nationals. Apparently, he may only start in day games following a night game, which should be great for the 24-year-old’s development. Ryan Hanigan, meanwhile, will continue to get the at-bats, and the Reds have to hope that batting 8th in the order doesn’t allow clubs to assume that there are two easy outs every time through the lineup.
Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels, SP, Philadelphia Phillies: 0-4, 12.50 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, 18 IP, 19:11 K:BB in 4 starts
Halladay (0-2, 14.73 ERA, 2.45 WHIP) and Hamels (0-2, 10.97 ERA, 1.97 WHIP) have posted ugly numbers to this point. Halladay’s shoulder issues from last season and his drop in velocity, along with Hamels’ shoulder soreness early in his offseason throwing progr am could be to blame for their struggles. Certainly, the Phillies have to be concerned, especially after dealing Vance Worley and Trevor May to Minnesota for Ben Revere, eliminating their ready or near-ready young pitching to replace Shane Victorino, who left for Boston this winter via free agency. Both starting pitchers earn substantial amounts this season (Halladay makes $20 million and Hamels makes $19.5 million), so a turnaround would be necessary for Philadelphia fans to not want to ring the Liberty Bell with Ruben Amaro, Jr.’s skull.
Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants: .091/.130/.136, 2 for 22, 1 R, 1 2B
After Belt hit .293/.362/.423 in the second half of 2012 and .410/.432/.833 this spring, the Giants had to be hoping that they had developed a solid, middle-of-the-order addition to pair with Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval. Things haven’t gone as planned for Belt to this point; however, he has been dealing with some neck issues. The defending champions will hope that he gets that under control, as well as the skills that he showcased over the last couple of months during spring training.
Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton, OF, Atlanta Braves: 5 for 53 (.094), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 7 R, 19:7 K:BB
Heyward (.083/.267/.208) and Upton (.103/.212/.207) have combined for some pretty useless numbers. The Braves are 7-1 going into Wednesday’s game despite the lack of production from two of their stars. Needless to say, Upton’s pricey contract came with big expectations. We’ll see if his big payday after leaving Tampa isn’t going to take the same trip that Carl Crawford endured in Boston.
Carlos Marmol, RP, Chicago Cubs: 12.27 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, .444 BAA, 1-1, 1 for 2 in save opportunities
Considering the short leash that the Cubs had on Marmol, you have to wonder if it was even worth giving him a chance to prove himself or build trade value when there was a 70-30 chance that he was going to implode. And…implode he did. Kyuji Fujikawa has already replaced Marmol as the Cubs’ closer, and his 8.10 ERA is solid since he is 2 for 2 in save opportunities. It’s a process, Cubs fans, and you should be used to that by now.
Brett Myers, SP, Cleveland Indians: 0-1, 12.19 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, 7 HR allowed, 10.1 IP, 4:2 K:BB
When the Indians signed Myers, they wanted him to be a solid innings eating starting pitcher, allowing them to slide him into the No.3 spot in the rotation behind Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez. Myers was to provide solid depth due to Masterson and Jimenez lacking in their ability to throw strikes, resulting in high pitch counts and short outings. However, Myers was a risk since he had pitched out of the bullpen for the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox the last two seasons, and while he had transitioned from starter to relief and back to starter before in his career, guaranteeing Myers $7 million to do that again could leave Indians fans scalping themselves every fifth day. Myers has allowed SEVEN home runs in 10.1 innings, or about six every 9 innings. Some batting practice pitchers don’t average that stat. Myers is either hurt or should retire, but there isn’t any in between on those choices, and a neck injury from watching home runs could be to blame.
Tim Lincecum, SP, San Francisco Giants: 1-0, 4.91 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 11 IP, 11:11 K:BB
Well, after finding a groove as a relief pitcher in the playoffs last year, the Giants gave “The Freak” another chance in a starting role this season. He has only allowed a .175 average in his two starts, and if he wasn’t shutting down those that do hit the ball, he’d have an ERA right around Halladay’s. The free passes need to stop if Lincecum is going to re-establish himself as a valuable pitcher, and he needs to do that if he hopes to score a big contract as a free agent this winter.
Top 250: 2013 Fantasy Baseball Rankings
While I’ve already posted a top 10 fantasy baseball player at each position piece, I figured with drafts getting underway, that a more thorough ranking would be valuable. Here are the top 250 players in fantasy baseball for the 2013 season. (5X5 leagues, All MLB)
- Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
- Mike Trout, OF, Angels
- Miguel Cabrera, 3B, Tigers,
- Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
- Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates
- Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
- Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies
- Prince Fielder, 1B, Tigers
- Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
- Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels
- Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies
- Justin Verlander, SP, Tigers
- Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers
- Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Marlins
- Josh Hamilton, OF, Angels
- Justin Upton, OF, Braves
- Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers
- David Price, SP, Rays
- Stephen Strasburg, SP, Nationals
- Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays
- Buster Posey, C, Giants
- David Wright, 3B, Mets
- Felix Hernandez, SP, Mariners
- Jose Bautista, OF, Blue Jays
- Hanley Ramirez, 3B/SS, Dodgers
- Jason Heyward, OF, Braves
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
- Jay Bruce, OF, Reds
- Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers
- Cliff Lee, SP, Phillies
- Matt Cain, SP, Giants
- Jose Reyes, SS, Blue Jays
- Cole Hamels, SP, Phillies
- Starlin Castro, SS, Cubs
- Adam Jones, OF, Orioles
- Jered Weaver, SP, Angels
- Billy Butler, 1B, Royals
- Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds
- Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Blue Jays
- Bryce Harper, OF, Nationals
- Gio Gonzalez, SP, Nationals
- Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Athletics
- B.J. Upton, OF, Braves
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Dodgers
- Ben Zobrist, 2B/SS/OF, Rays
- Craig Kimbrel, RP, Braves
- Matt Holliday, OF, Cardinals
- Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals
- Chase Headley, 3B, Padres
- Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals
- Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox
- Yu Darvish, SP, Rangers
- Adam Wainwright, SP, Cardinals
- Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants
- Zack Greinke, SP, Dodgers
- Matt Wieters, C, Orioles
- Michael Bourn, OF, Indians
- R.A. Dickey, SP, Blue Jays
- Allen Craig, 1B/OF, Cardinals
- Joe Mauer, C, Twins
- Brett Lawrie, 3B, Blue Jays
- CC Sabathia, SP, Yankees
- Johnny Cueto, SP, Reds
- Mat Latos, SP, Reds
- Chris Sale, SP, White Sox
- Austin Jackson, OF, Tigers
- Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians
- Aaron Hill, 2B, Diamondbacks
- Ian Desmond, SS, Nationals
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks
- Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays
- Jordan Zimmerman, SP, Nationals
- Carlos Santana, C, Indians
- Roy Halladay, SP, Phillies
- Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Brewers
- Alex Rios, OF, White Sox
- Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants
- Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies
- Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Reds
- Aroldis Chapman, SP/RP, Reds
- Mark Teixiera, 1B, Yankees
- Jonathan Papelbon, RP, Phillies
- Jason Motte, RP, Cardinals
- Alex Gordon, OF, Royals
- Kris Medlen, SP/RP, Braves
- Matt Moore, SP, Rays
- James Shields, SP, Royals
- Yovani Gallardo, SP, Brewers
- Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros
- Curtis Granderson, OF, Yankees (mid-May return leaves some value)
- Max Scherzer, SP, Tigers
- Freddie Freeman, 1B, Braves
- Victor Martinez, C, Tigers
- Martin Prado, 3B/OF, Diamondbacks
- Ike Davis, 1B, Mets
- Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals
- Rafael Soriano, RP, Nationals
- Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers
- Fernando Rodney, RP, Rays
- Brandon Morrow, SP, Blue Jays
- Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, Indians
- Melky Cabrera, OF, Blue Jays
- Mariano Rivera, RP, Yankees
- J.J. Putz, RP, Diamondbacks
- Doug Fister, SP, Tigers
- David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox
- Ian Kennedy, SP, Diamondbacks
- Jake Peavy, SP, White Sox
- Hunter Pence, OF, Giants
- Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers
- Josh Willingham, OF, Twins
- Joe Nathan, RP, Rangers
- Joel Hanrahan, RP, Red Sox
- Mark Trumbo, 1B/OF, Angels
- Josh Johnson, SP, Blue Jays
- Hiroki Kuroda, SP, Yankees
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs
- Angel Pagan, OF, Giants
- Tim Lincecum, SP, Giants
- Anibal Sanchez, SP, Tigers
- Dan Haren, SP, Nationals
- Jonathan Niese, SP, Mets
- Shane Victorino, OF, Red Sox
- Torii Hunter, OF, Tigers
- Erick Aybar, SS, Angels
- Neil Walker, 2B, Pirates
- John Axford, RP, Brewers
- Carl Crawford, OF, Dodgers
- Alejandro De Aza, OF, White Sox
- Carlos Beltran, OF, Cardinals
- David Freese, 3B, Cardinals
- Brett Anderson, SP, Athletics
- Jim Johnson, RP, Orioles
- Danny Espinosa, 2B/SS, Nationals
- Brett Gardner, OF, Yankees
- Lance Lynn, SP, Cardinals
- Nelson Cruz, OF, Rangers
- Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox
- Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels
- Ben Revere, OF, Phillies
- Denard Span, OF, Nationals
- Jon Lester, SP, Red Sox
- Addison Reed, RP, White Sox
- Huston Street, RP, Padres
- Alcides Escobar, SS, Royals
- Sergio Romo, RP, Giants
- Jeff Samardzija, SP, Cubs
- Ryan Dempster, SP, Red Sox
- C.J. Wilson, SP, Angels
- Greg Holland, RP, Royals
- Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies
- Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals
- Adam LaRoche, 1B, Nationals
- Jason Kubel, OF, Diamondbacks
- Rickie Weeks, 2B, Brewers
- Wade Miley, SP, Diamondbacks
- Andre Ethier, OF, Dodgers
- Mike Napoli, C/1B, Red Sox
- Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies
- Michael Morse, OF, Mariners
- Jarrod Parker, SP, Athletics
- Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates
- J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles
- Homer Bailey, SP, Reds
- Matt Harvey, SP, Mets
- Jeremy Hellickson, SP, Rays
- Manny Machado, 3B, Orioles
- Kyle Seager, 3B, Mariners
- Dexter Fowler, OF, Rockies
- Rafael Betancourt, RP, Rockies
- Tim Hudson, SP, Braves
- Dan Uggla, 2B, Braves
- Miguel Montero, C, Diamondbacks
- Josh Reddick, OF, Athletics
- Todd Frazier, 1B/3B, Reds
- Matt Harrison, SP, Rangers
- Jonathan Broxton, RP, Reds
- Chris Perez, RP, Indians
- Derek Holland, SP, Rangers
- Marco Scutaro, 2B/SS, Giants
- Wilin Rosario, C, Rockies
- Salvador Perez, C, Royals
- Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees
- Ryan Vogelsong, SP, Giants
- Chris Davis, 1B/OF, Orioles
- Grant Balfour, RP, Athletics
- Mike Minor, SP, Braves
- Alexei Ramirez, SS, White Sox
- Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Yankees
- Alexi Ogando, SP/RP, Rangers
- Nick Swisher, 1B/OF, Indians
- Tommy Milone, SP, Athletics
- Kendrys Morales, 1B/DH, Mariners
- Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Red Sox
- Colby Rasmus, OF, Blue Jays
- Adam Dunn, 1B/DH, White Sox
- Alfonso Soriano, OF, Cubs
- Phil Hughes, SP, Yankees
- Jaime Garcia, SP, Cardinals
- Andrelton Simmons, SS, Braves
- Jesus Montero, C, Mariners
- Jason Grilli, RP, Pirates
- Cameron Maybin, OF, Padres
- Corey Hart, 1B, Brewers
- Norichika Aoki, OF, Brewers
- Lance Berkman, 1B/DH, Rangers
- Kevin Youkilis, 1B/3B, Yankees
- Dayan Viciedo, OF, White Sox
- Brandon McCarthy, SP, Diamondbacks
- Kenley Jansen, RP, Dodgers
- Brandon League, RP, Dodgers
- Bobby Parnell, RP, Mets
- Michael Cuddyer, 1B/OF, Rockies
- Michael Young, 1B/3B, Phillies
- A.J. Burnett, SP, Pirates
- Jurickson Profar, 2B, Rangers (he should get enough time to have value)
- Jayson Werth, OF, Nationals
- Trevor Cahill, SP, Diamondbacks
- Justin Masterson, SP, Indians
- Glen Perkins, RP, Twins
- Casey Janssen, RP, Blue Jays
- Tom Wilhelmsen, RP, Mariners
- Everth Cabrera, SS, Padres
- Trevor Plouffe, 3B, Twins
- Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins
- Tommy Hanson, SP, Angels
- James McDonald, SP, Pirates
- Josh Beckett, SP, Dodgers
- Marco Estrada, SP, Brewers
- Jason Vargas, SP, Angels
- Zack Cozart, SS, Reds
- Mark Reynolds, 1B, Indians
- Steve Cishek, RP, Marlins
- Daniel Murphy, 2B, Mets
- A.J. Pierzynski, C, Rangers
- Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles
- Garrett Jones, 1B/OF, Pirates
- Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, Dodgers
- Wei-Yin Chen, SP, Orioles
- Omar Infante, 2B, Tigers
- David Murphy, OF, Rangers
- Kelly Johnson, 2B, Rays
- Dustin Ackley, 2B, Mariners
- Lorenzo Cain, OF, Royals
- Carlos Marmol, RP, Cubs
- Kyuji Fujikawa, RP, Cubs
- Jon Jay, OF, Cardinals
- Brian McCann, C, Braves
- Wil Myers, OF, Rays
- Jean Segura, SS, Brewers
Fun With Projections
Looking over the current leaderboards, some players are really showing some crazy skills early in the year. Below are some potential records.
Matt Kemp, Dodgers
.481/.525/.1000, 185 R, 301 H, 46 2B, 0 3B, 93 HR, 231 RBI, 12 SB
Simply amazing. Kemp is hitting like no one I’ve ever seen right now. He’s not going to do this all year, but he was worthy of the NL MVP last year, and he’ll certainly win it in 2012. Needless to say, Kemp would break several records. He said that he was aiming for a 50/50 season in 2012, but he can’t steal bases when he hits the ball and has to touch home plate right afterwards with all of his homers.
Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins
.321/.429/.321, 116 R, 197 H, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 23 RBI, 104 SB
Bonifacio is on pace for 197 singles and ZERO extra-base hits. He is also on pace to steal 100 bases, something that hasn’t been done since Vince Coleman stole 109 in 1987.
Derek Jeter, Yankees
.359/.373/.609, 116 R, 266 H, 46 2B, 0 3B, 46 HR, 127 RBI, 0 SB
So, he’s done, right? After hitting an “awful” .270 and .297 the last two season, Jeter is back to his old self and more. He isn’t going to post numbers like A-Rod did at shortstop when all is said and done, but a Jeter-like season is definitely within reach.
Pitching Projections
No one will ever win 59 games like good ol’ Old Hoss Radbourn did in 1884 for the Providence Grays, but Ivan Nova, Lance Lynn, and Roy Halladay are on pace to go 35-0 in 2012.
Ross Detwiler beat out John Lannon for the Washington Nationals #5 starter job and has only gone 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA through three starts, good for a 22-0 record in 32 projected starts.
Matt Harrison of the Rangers is also 2-0 in his two starts, with a dazzling 0.64 ERA in two starts, good for a 25-0 record in 25 projected starts.
Brandon Beachy has been absolutely filthy, compiling a 2-1 record with a 0.47 ERA and .162 average allowed in his three starts. He’s on pace for a 23-12 record over 35 projected starts.
Javy Guerra beat out Kenley Jansen for the Dodgers closer job this spring. He’s already closed out 7 games, so he is on pace for 81 saves, which would break Francisco Rodriguez’s 2008 record of 62 by a few. The Dodgers have to keep winning, which Matt Kemp seems to be capable of doing on his own, ala Bugs Bunny.
GM for the Day: Los Angeles Dodgers
Ownership issues have truly limited the Dodgers from taking the next step or competing in the NL West. Ned Colletti has done well considering his inability to spend, even in a “lucrative” market in L.A., hell, they just reached the NLCS in 2009. That seems like decades ago now! The Dodgers continue to develop talent within the organization, seeing the arrival of young stallions like Rubby De La Rosa (who had Tommy John surgery in August) and Nate Eovaldi. A lot of their offensive talent isn’t the Matt Kemp variety, as they feature “toolsy” guys like Alfredo Silverio and Joc Pederson, rather than Grade A guys like Brett Lawrie or Bryce Harper. With ownership issues still up in the air, this is another patchwork type of offseason for Dodger fans to look forward to. Here is their current 25-man roster:
2 Catchers: A.J. Ellis and Josh Bard
1B: James Loney
2B: Mark Ellis
3B: Juan Uribe
SS: Dee Gordon
LF: Juan Rivera
CF: Matt Kemp
RF: Andre Ethier
Bench: Jerry Sands (1B/OF), Jerry Hairston, Jr. (INF/OF), Tony Gwynn, Jr. (OF) and Justin Sellers (INF)
Starting Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly, Chris Capuano and Nate Eovaldi
Relief Pitchers: Javy Guerra, Matt Guerrier, Kenley Jensen, Scott Elbert, Blake Hawksworth, Josh Lindblom and John Grabow
The Dodgers are set right now in their rotation. They will lose Hiroki Kuroda in Free Agency, but they’ll replace him with Chris Capuano, who needs to stay healthy (doubtful after 2 TJ surgeries), and Nate Eovaldi. Eovaldi is an interesting pitcher. He should do well pitching in Dodger Stadium, but he doesn’t have a great strikeout rate. He could probably use more seasoning, but the 40-man roster doesn’t have a whole lot to offer and the Dodgers aren’t going to be in on Edwin Jackson or in deals for Matt Garza anytime soon. Allen Webster is the next closest prospect arm and he made just 17 starts in Double-A in 2011. They could use some depth but it would have to be a journeyman or two. They don’t have to have someone taking away starts from Eovaldi, but they need one decent guy to be there if he struggles or Capuano blows out his arm again. Zach Duke, Rodrigo Lopez, Ramon Ortiz or a Brad Penny reunion could work for the Dodgers on a small one-year or Minor League deal. The bullpen is loaded with hard throwing young arms. Lindblom and Guerra could be a solid 8th and 9th duo for the next several years, once Lindblom gets moved up to the 8th inning role, which could happen in 2012.
The offense starts with Kemp and gets frustrating after that. I can’t understand the contract being tendered to James Loney. He is all over the place, posting a .914 OPS after the All Star break but just a .653 OPS in the first half. Who is he? 2012 is his age 28 season, meaning he is in his prime, but he was last year when he hit just 12 homers and finished with a .755 OPS. In fact, Loney has a career .778 OPS and 67 career homers in 3,018 plate appearances. Loney has a .632 vs. LHP since the 2009 season started and his lack of power and consistency is reason enough to not give him a raise over the $4.88 million he made in 2011. Speaking of guys who can’t hit lefties, remember when Andre Ethier was just as valuable as Matt Kemp? Ethier turns 30 in April and hasn’t come close to his 2009 breakout (42 2B, 31 HR, 106 RBI and .869 OPS) the last two seasons. His OPS fell all the way to .789 last season thanks to his Loney-like 11 homers. Even counting his 2009 season, Ethier is hitting just .215/.279/.329 in the last three seasons, good…or is it bad…for a .608 OPS. Juan Rivera’s signing could allow the Dodgers to put Sands in LF/RF and leave Rivera at first when the Dodgers face lefties. The struggles that Ethier and Loney have had since the start of 2010 could be the reason why the Dodgers haven’t made it back to the playoffs since then. Dee Gordon showed the speed that could make him a great table-setter in the long run, but it will be full of slap hitting…like a Juan Pierre at shortstop…in his prime…without the walks. It isn’t all terrible, but they have some stopgaps in place if a 2B or 3B wants to ruin the fading careers of Mark Ellis and Juan Uribe.
Overall, there isn’t much the Dodgers can do. They’ve stuck with what they have without making many changes because they can’t really add payroll during the sale of the team. Due to that handcuffing, the Dodgers will hang tight and hope that a prospect or two come up to make a difference. Nate Eovaldi, Jerry Sands and Tim Federowicz, a solid catching prospect, should carve out significant roles this year. Since A.J. Ellis is 30 and not very good at baseball, they could go with Josh Bard at catcher and let Federowicz get a taste of the bigs early and often. I would also like to get Eovaldi a few more starts in the Minors, though Albuquerque isn’t the best environment for that, at the Triple-A level. Sign Brad Penny and see if he can bring his attractive wife to games and pitch well every five days on the cheap as insurance due to the loss of Kuroda and Capuano’s health record. If he is inconsistent or crap like he was last year, cut him loose and bring Eovaldi up. Platoon Rivera and Sands at 1B and RF with Loney and Ethier against lefties, put Hairston in LF those days, and watch the offense click.
Final 25-man Roster:
2 Catchers: Tim Federowicz and Josh Bard
1B: James Loney
2B: Mark Ellis
3B: Juan Uribe
SS: Dee Gordon
LF: Juan Rivera
CF: Matt Kemp
RF: Andre Ethier
Bench: Jerry Sands (1B/OF), Jerry Hairston, Jr. (INF/OF), Tony Gwynn, Jr. (OF) and Justin Sellers (INF)
Starting Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly, Chris Capuano and Brad Penny
Relief Pitchers: Javy Guerra, Matt Guerrier, Kenley Jensen, Scott Elbert, Blake Hawksworth, Josh Lindblom and John Grabow
GM for the Day: Los Angeles Dodgers
Poor, poor Ned Colletti. What a mess the Dodgers have turned into, as the McCourt family has turned a once highly respected organization into a complete joke. The Dodgers have three major parts right now: Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. At the trade deadline, the rumors are flying about Hiroki Kuroda going to the East Coast with the Yankees and Red Sox as the favorites for his services. He has a full no-trade clause, though, so it will have to be negotiated. Outside of Kuroda, who would I trade?
The starting rotation has Kershaw, Chad Billingsley and Rubby De La Rosa who would be untouchable. Billingsley is 27 and is signed through 2014 with a club option for 2015, so he isn’t going anywhere. He has 68 wins in his career, and, while he can be inconsistent, he can be viewed as a solid #2 or #3 for the Dodgers long-term. Kershaw is an elite starting pitcher and he is just 23, has already won 38 games, and is under team control through 2014, with arbitration coming up in 2012 for the 1st time. De La Rosa is still new at this at just 22. He has made just nine career starts, but he looks like a keeper. I would deal Kuroda, if he’ll waive his no-trade clause, to the Red Sox for Ryan Lavarnway and Felix Doubront, getting an offensive-minded catcher and a solid left-handed pitcher who is overlooked as a prospect, despite being 23 with a 46-35 record and 3.55 ERA over parts of seven seasons in the Minors. I would then deal Ted Lilly to Detroit for Daniel Fields, a toolsy center field prospect who is struggling in High-A. Fields would be a project who could take Kemp’s spot in a few years, though.
Matt Kemp is my superstar, he is three years younger than Ethier at 26, and he is a Free Agent in 2013. I am keeping him at all costs and I shed some payroll by trading Kuroda and Lilly, though I would have had to take on about half of the $24-26 million that Lilly was owed through 2013. Andre Ethier is eligible for arbitration in 2012, so I am going to trade him and start over. I will work with the Braves on this one. While Pence isn’t worth those aces, Ethier is. He would be a great addition due to his ability to get on base (.364 career OBP), and I think he is worth the $10-12 million he could get in arbitration. However, I’m not taking the top prospect from the Braves, I need more depth. Martin Prado will have to play center for Atlanta with the acquisition of Ethier, as Ethier has never played center in the Majors. As the Dodgers GM, I would want Jordan Schafer to take over center. I want Kemp out of center to protect him long-term, so he’ll go to right. Jerry Sands will be my left fielder, giving him a longer look after his struggles earlier this year, as he deserves another shot after hitting .275/.349/.564 with 16 homers in Triple-A.
This roster will need to be turned over and go young over the next few years, so if I get offered prospects for a veteran bullpen arm, like Mike MacDougal, I will jump at it. I will trade Rafael Furcal and give the shortstop job to Dee Gordon, and trade Jamey Carroll to a team in need of a utility player. Furcal should be useful for a team like the Pirates, who are running Brandon Wood and Ronny Cedeno out there, and I should be able to get more depth, maybe even Gorkys Hernandez, a speedy outfielder in Triple-A.
It is all about depth at this point. Going young, going cheap. Until the McCourt’s lose control, that is all we can do in Los Angeles. Get rid of veterans, play a bunch of kids, see what you have. Get as many prospects as I can and get rid of payroll. Keep Kemp and Kershaw until they retire, if possible, and build around them.






