Posts belonging to Category High School Baseball

On Sunday, the baseball world woke up to the news that the Kansas City Royals had traded their 2009 A.L. Cy Young winner, Zack Greinke, to the Milwaukee Brewers.  It wasn’t a secret that the Royals were asking for the farm (literally) in return for the coveted right-hander.  It was simply a matter of which organization had both the minor league depth and corresponding “all-in” mentality to justify parting with a substantial portion of its future.  Well, that team happened to be the Milwaukee Brewers.

Although the Zack Greinke trade is something that is sure to interest any fan of the game, the deal holds a special significance for the fans and followers of Illinois high school baseball. The Brew Crew parted ways with some of their best, young talent, including shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain, flame thrower Jeremy Jeffress and, most notably, the 2008 Prep Baseball Report Player of the Year, Jake Odorizzi.  And as more details have been released regarding the negotiations of this blockbuster deal, we have come to learn that Odorizzi seems to have been the player that made this trade happen.

Continue reading ‘Former PBR Player of the Year Jake Odorizzi deal to Royals (Prep Baseball Report)’ >>

Just over a week ago, the Washington Nationals and Jayson Werth reached an agreement on a seven-year/$126 million contract, making him one of the highest paid outfielders in baseball history.  Even before the 2010 Major League regular season began, rumors were swirling regarding where the soon-to-be free agent might call home in 2011.  In addition to an outstanding four-year career in Philadelphia that included a .885 OPS, 99 doubles, 120 home runs, 406 RBI, and 60 stolen bases, Werth’s abundance of postseason experience made him one the most sought after free agent this off-season.  Still, many forget that Werth is actually a product of Illinois, and frankly, I can understand why.

Continue reading ‘Jayson Werth: the greatest prep player in Illinois history?’ >>

• The Mourning Journal is reporting that the baseball world lost yet another legend on late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning, as Bob Feller has passed away at the age of 92.  Earlier in the day it was reported that Feller had been moved into hospice care in Cleveland, and now comes the potentially heartbreaking news of the Hall of Famer’s death several hours later. *I am still seeking further confirmation on this story, check back for updates* [Mourning Journal]

• I’m sure that Atlanta Braves’ fans had a good laugh yesterday after learning that the Kansas City Royals had signed both Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera.  If the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox made a splash in the free agent market, then one would have to assume that the Royals are floating face down. [MLB Trade Rumors]

• The always bat-shit-crazy Luke Scott took the time to give David Brown another candid interview on Wednesday at the Winter Meetings.  It turns out that the gun-toting, buck hunter is also a “birther.” I know, shocker. [Big League Stew]

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A month or so ago, a player who played for Griff and I over the last couple of summers — as well as with Griff during the school season of 2010 — walked away from the game during the fall of his first season of college. His reasons were not unusual by any means. These included not loving the game anymore, not liking his teammates, not liking his environment, and not liking his coaches. Being of considerable intelligence, the player took the obvious logical steps and arrived at the conclusion that he never really loved the game but rather his company within his personal experiences relative to the game, be it on or off the field. Of course I encouraged him to give his decision a little time and a little reflection so that he is confident in it when he looks back at his life. I urged him to gaze beyond talent and performance and rather toward more rudimentary factors such as basic emotions like love, joy, hate, pain, etc. In the last couple of weeks he has developed a new desire to return to the field, and I think his reasoning is worth discussing.

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After a nerve-racking road win in Game 6 of the NLCS Saturday night in Philadelphia, Cody Ross of the San Francisco Giants was justifiably awarded the NLCS MVP trophy after torching the greatest playoff rotation ever assembled.  Ross got very hot at the right time, just like the Giants really.

My opinion of Ross has always been that he is a serviceable Major Leaguer with a chance at a decade of service.  He is athletic enough and is a good enough clubhouse guy to keep getting contracts.  The reason I write this, however, is to inform the world that the man called “Smiles” is a New Mexico native, and we are all very proud of him.

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