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Archive for Baseball – Page 2

Baseball’s Best Free Agents Part 1

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Saturday, December 4th, 2010

In wake of Victor Martinez signing with the Detroit Tigers, we decided to chronicle other game-changing free agents around the world of baseball. Starting with number ten, we will countdown this off-season’s hottest commodities. Our list begins in New York with the always dramatic Bronx Bombers:

10. Derek Jeter (SS) - Although the Yankees need to also re-sign star closer Marino Rivera, Jeter’s impending free agency presents quite a dilemma for Hal Steinbrenner. The 36 year old shortstop appears to finally be slowing down, evidenced by his limited defensive range and batting average of just .270. Nevertheless, Jeter is still considered the face of the Yankees’ franchise, and he is primed to reach the hallowed mark of 3,000 hits in 2011. Reportedly, Jeter wants between $20-23 million annually for at least 4 seasons, but the Yankees refuse to meet the future of Hall-of-Famer’s demands. Already worried about the Jeter’s diminishing skills today, the Bronx Bombers fear how unproductive he could be at age 40. Recently, General Manager Brian Cashman urged Jeter to test the free agent waters, perhaps finding suitors in the San Francisco Giants or Cincinnati Reds. Remember, the Yankee Captain had the best season of his career in 2009 at 35 years old, so he still will command attention from clubs around baseball. Read More→

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A Treasure Beneath the Rocky Mountains

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Monday, August 30th, 2010

The question is simple. Who is currently the best player on the Colorado Rockies? Ubaldo Jimenez? Well, he would be the popular choice, considering Jimenez had one of the best 1st halves ever this season. Perhaps, the more informed baseball fan would point to Troy Tulowitzki. He is probably the best shortstop not named Hanley Ramirez in baseball, and although often injured, Tulowitzki has drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken Jr. Yet, to me, the answer has to be Carlos Gonzalez (left).  At 24 years old, he looks to be among the best centerfielders in the major leagues, producing statistics that rival Albert Pujols and Joey Votto in the National League.

Gonzalez’s road to big leagues is unheralded, but quite common among Central American talents.  He was first signed in 2002 by the Arizona Diamonbacks at only age 17. In his first professional stint, Gonzalez played in just 72 games. He batted a meager .258 with just 6 home runs. The following season, however, proved to be more successful for the native of Maracaibo, Venezuela. He hit .275 with 10 home runs. Read More→

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A Minor Souvenir City

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Friday, August 6th, 2010

When scouts evaluate baseball prospects, power is one of the most important tools. The presence of a player able to hit a home run in each at-bat is vital to a team’s success, just look at the major leagues right now. The Yankees, Rays and Padres have the three best records in baseball, anchored respectively by the combination of Rodriguez and Teixeira in New York, Evan Longoria in Tampa Bay, and star firstbaseman Adrian Gonzalez in San Diego. In this post, however, Edgar Walker takes a look at the most powerful prospects at each level of minor league baseball, from Triple-A down to Rookie League.

Triple-A: J.P. Arencibia, C, Las Vegas (Blue Jays)- Arencibia (left) is your protoypical power-hitting catcher. A big guy with a big swing, he has power to all fields and has shown it consistently throughout his minor league career. With 27 dingers in his first full season (2008) and 21 last year, Arencibia has stepped up his game even higher this year in Triple-A, blasting 31 big flies in only 95 games. Plus those gaudy home run numbers, he’s accumulated 117 doubles in his time on the farm, showing that if he doesn’t hit the ball quite far enough to get over the fence, he still hits it pretty far. Read More→

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Categories : Baseball, Minor Leagues
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New York’s New Hopes

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Saturday, July 31st, 2010

As the Mets sink deeper in the NL East, general manager Omar Minaya grows increasingly desperate. Local media continues to badger him with questions concerning manager Jerry Manuel’s future, and the time to make a trade is waning. With coveted pieces, namely Cliff Lee and Dan Haren, out of the picture, Minaya looks to supplement a lackluster roster with youth from the farm system, which already produced starting first baseman Ike Davis, to hopefully catch the streaking Braves.

Historically, the Mets organization has been synonymous with catchers. Names, such as Joe Torre, Gary Carter, and Mike Piazza, all have been ingrained with the success of the franchise. The Mets hope Josh Thole (left) can add his name to the list. A 13th round draft pick in 2005, he entered professional baseball unknown to many. He lacked the innate baseball talent of fellow former top prospect, Joe Mauer, and Thole had not dominated the amateur ranks. Four years later, however, he has developed into one of the minor league’s best hitters. Although Thole is not in the Ted Williams mold, in terms of prowess at the plate, he possesses a knack for getting on base. Of course, walks are a speciality of the Breese, IL native. Read More→

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Categories : Baseball, MLB, Minor Leagues
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Hughes Clues

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Monday, July 19th, 2010

Much ignored in wake of the deaths of both Bob Sheppard and George Steinbrenner is the success of the Yankees’ pitching rotation. Of course, CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte have produced as always, but Phil Hughes (right) has emerged to infuse youth into the staff.

He grew up in California, just minutes away from Angels Stadium. Hughes, the son of a Vietnam War veteran, was instilled with the values of hard work from a young age. Heading into his sophomore season in high school, unfortunately, he rode the bench. Hughes was small, scrawny kid, and the consensus of coaches believed that his future was certainly not in baseball. All such opinions changed during that spring, however. Hughes grew six inches, and he would go on to lead his high school team for the next three seasons.

In 2004, Hughes entered the draft as a surefire first round pick, and the Angels had the 12th overall pick. With this in mind, Hughes’s dad had told Anaheim’s front office that his son would sign immediately following his selection. The Angels, on the other hand, decided to draft star college pitcher Jered Weaver from Long Beach State. Needless to say, the entire Hughes family was crushed. Read More→

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