Posts belonging to Category Players

• Mevs over at Diamond Hoggers offers a suggestion on how to spice up the All-Star Game and its other side-stage events: The Pitcher Home Run Derby.  So, who would win? I also applaud Mevs on the inclusion of Mike Hampton’s 1992 Bowman rookie card. That may be the most awkward card series of all time. See for yourself.

• One of my favorite baseball bloggers, The Flagrant Fan urges the Cardinals to trade Colby Rasmus, and believes that a change of scenery would do the 24-year-old some good.  Over at FanGraphs, though, Steve Slowinski explains why the Cardinals will not be able to trade him. It’s important to note that both articles were written before Colby’s dad burst back on the scene.

• Jim Thome is four home runs shy of becoming the eighth player in baseball history to reach the 600 home run milestone…and nobody seems to be talking about it.  Considering that Thome has NEVER been linked to any sort of PED use, and is perennially regarded as one of the best dudes in all of baseball, why aren’t people talking about this? Perhaps it’s because three of its current members were known steroid users (and flagrant liars). Babes Love Baseball is dead on when they argue that Thome’s 600^th longball is both imminent and a huge deal.

• With Adam Dunn as well as the majority of the White Sox offense still struggling mightily, Jim Margalus (my favorite White Sox blogger) of South Side Sox lays out several potential trades that Kenny Williams could swing as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.

• Speaking of the ever-frustrating Dunn, our friend MTD from Off-Base Percentage airs his frustrations over Ozzie Guillen’s reluctance to bench the big man.  Apparently Ozzie will only sit Dunn if he’s not helping the ball club, which seems pretty ridiculous if you ask me.  There’s no way he is helping the team by turning in an 0-for performance every night which includes at least two strikeouts and three or four runners left on base.

• One of the most frequently mentioned names in trade discussions has been Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who, in the face of a deal that would send him to the Angels, recently stated that he would veto any trade.  With 10-to-5 rights, Ramirez can only be traded if he gives it a thumbs up.  If he’s traded, his potential suitor will be forced to pick up his massive $16 million option for 2012, which seems like nothing given how much the Halos spent on Vernon Wells this offseason.  It comes down to this: Is Aramis Ramirez content with losing, or does he want to play for a contender? Foul Balls weighs in on the issue…

• MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Tigers designated third baseman/super utility man Brandon Inge for assignment on Wednesday after acquiring Wilson Betemit from the Royals.  Even though he was never a star player, I’ve always had a soft spot for Inge.  No, it’s definitely not because he loaded up with a bunch of lame tattoos over the last few seasons. Rather, it’s because he’s an absolutely freak across the athletic board.  At 5-foot-11, 190-pounds, here is a summary of Inge’s sheer athleticism: can drive a golf ball 400+ yards; can dunk a basketball; MLB All-Star (that’s the obvious one); and he can kick (at least) a 50-yard field goal. Don’t believe me? Here’s a link to Laura Downhour’s original article which highlights the team-less infielders abilities. Oh yeah, dude also told a terminally ill kid that he’d hit a home run for him in a game….and did.

Bottom 1: Matt Joyce struck out swinging against Freddy Garcia

Bottom 4: Joyce struck out swinging against Garcia

Bottom 6: Joyce struck out swinging against Garcia

Bottom 8: Joyce called out on strikes against David Robertson

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: It was a tough night for the (first-half) All-Star Joyce, who fanned in all four at-bats in Wednesday’s loss against the Yankees.  The reason for his first three strikeouts is simple: Sweaty Freddy simply throws too damn slow.  And for the final strikeout, well, Robertson is just good at his job.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 72

Bottom 2: Travis Snider called out on strikes against Michael Pineda

Bottom 4: Snider struck out on a foul tip against Pineda

Bottom 6: Snider grounded out to second against Pineda

Bottom 8: Snider struck out swinging against Jeff Gray

Bottom 10: Snider struck out swinging against David Pauley

Bottom 13: Snider flew out to center against Jamey Wright

Final Line: 0-for-6, 4 K

Notes: After working out some kinks in his swing at Triple-A, Snider has been on fire since returning to the Blue Jays’ lineup.  On July 6, Snider was hitting .210. Since then, he has hit safely in eight of the last 10 games—five of which have been multi-hit performances—and entered Tuesday’s game against the Mariners hitting .256.  On Tuesday night, however, Snider wasn’t as successful, fanning in four of his six at-bats and failing to reach base in the 14-inning game.  While his golden sombrero was impressive, I find it even more impressive that Snider’s mustache was also 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 71

• In the wake of the MLB Futures Game, John Sickels dedicated one of his ‘Prospect Profile’ installments to the Rays’ Matt Moore.  Moore was the most impressive pitcher at the Futures Game, and at the rate he’s going may force the Rays’ hand earlier than anticipated. Since entering the Minor Leagues in 2007, Moore has compiled a 615/192 K/BB ratio over 439 innings and really has nothing left to prove at Double-A.  On Tuesday morning Moore was promoted to Triple-A, which leads me to believe that we will see him in the pros fairly soon.  Since the Rays have been rumored to have most of their starters on the trading block, maybe they want to get Moore several starts at Triple-A before someone is dealt and he gets the call…Just a thought.

• ESPN prospect guru Keith Law recently updated his Top 50 Prospects list, and because guys like Dustin Ackley, Mike Trout, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas have all received promotions, it has a much different look.  Kevin Goldstein over at Baseball Prospectus also reorganized his Top 50 list, which is a much bolder (and exciting) list if you ask me.

• Jonah Keri argues that the Angels gave Mike Trout the call too soon.  Currently hitting .125 (and granted that it’s only through six games), Trout is yet to truly flash all his tools.  And according to Keri, the news of Peter Bourjos hitting the DL may only intensify the 19-year-old’s early struggles.

• On July 11, Braves’ outfielder Stefan Gartrell slugged 16 total home runs to win the Triple-A Home Run Derby.  His opponent in the final round: 17-year-old high school junior Kayden Porter.  Using an aluminum bat, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound first baseman dropped 14 bombs, one of which traveled an estimated 545 feet and cleared the batter’s eye in center.

• Also at Fangraphs, Matt Klassen explores the potential reasons why the Indians are yet to call up Jason Kipnis.  Regarded by many as a more projectable prospect than teammate Lonnie Chisenhall and with Minor League numbers comparable to those of Dustin Ackley, Kipnis’ arrival is imminent. Like Klassen, I say the sooner the better.

• Playing for Triple-A last night, San Francisco Giants prospect Brandon Belt turned in an ugly and disconcerting performance: 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and a walk – a golden sombrero. In 190 Minor League at-bats this season, Belt has struck out 30% of the time but maintains a 20.8% BB/PA.  The Crazy Crabbers explore whether the Giants should recall him with Aubrey Huff slumping, or if the kinks should be smoothed out before he’s forced to face big league pitching.

Top 1: Chase d’Arnaud struck out swinging against Wandy Rodriguez

Top 3: d’Arnaud called out on strikes against W. Rodriguez

Top 4: d’Arnaud struck out swinging against W. Rodriguez

Top 6: d’Arnaud struck out swinging against Fernando Rodriguez

Top 9: d’Arnaud grounded out to shortstop against Mark Melancon

Top 11: d’Arnaud grounded out to third base against Aneury Rodriguez

Final Line: 0-for-6, 4 K

Notes: It was a tough night for the Pirates’ rookie infielder on Sunday night, as d’Arnaud went hitless in six at-bats and wore the sombrero.  Typically a sombrero is a made possible by extra innings.  In this game, however, d’Arnaud had already completed the feat by the sixth inning, and somehow managed to avoid wearing the platinum sombrero from there on out.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 70

*How is it that there wasn’t some sort of sombrero in Sunday night’s marathon between the Red Sox and Rays??