Articles from January 2011

• Delino DeShields, Jr. was charged with a DUI last week after he was stopped by police in Georgia.  The 18-year old center fielder was the Houston Astros’ first-round pick – eighth overall – in the 2010 draft, and is the son former Major Leaguer, Delino DeShields (a name that is an essential for the baseball name game).  Somewhere Matt Bush is laughing his ass off right now…

• The Kansas City Royals announced that they will move their prized catching prospect, Wil Myers, to the outfield.  Regarded as one of the top prospects in all of baseball – and a pre-season candidate for Minor League Player of the Year – Myers bat can play at any position.  As we all know, catching can be lead to any number of injuries.  Therefore the Royals decision is an investment in the 21-year old Myers, and more than likely means that his arrival in the Big Leagues will come sooner than expected.

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• Splashing Pumpkins takes a look back at some of the more notable home runs hit by the San Francisco Giants in 2010 thanks to information provided by Hit Tracker.  With sluggers like Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff, and Pablo Sandoval, you will never guess who owns the year’s biggest bomb…

• These days I feel like most of us have forgotten how good Grady Sizemore was from 2005-2008.  Over those four seasons, Sizemore appeared in three All-Star games while playing in 639 of 748 possible games for the Cleveland Indians.  But after several injuries – the most recent being a microfracture in his knee – Sizemore has only played in 139 games over the last two seasons.  Now in the last year of his contract, Craig Calcaterra speculates whether the Indians will pick up his $8 million option for 2012.

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#33 Kyle Drabek – Toronto Blue Jays

RHP

DOB: 12-8-87

ETA: 2011

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#34 Kyle Gibson – Minnesota Twins

RHP

DOB: 10-23-87

ETA: 2011

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On Friday afternoon the St. Louis Cardinals signed infielder Nick Punto to a one-year deal worth approximately $700K.  Punto, who can play both middle infield positions as well as third base, will likely serve as the backup for Ryan Theriot and Skip Schumaker. However, knowing Tony La Russa’s affinity for “gamers,” I’m sure that he will receive far too many starts.

The Cardinals’ middle infield now consists of three players who are under 6-feet tall and coming off seasons in which each posted less than a 1.0 WAR.  In 2010, Theriot, Schumaker, and Punto hit a combined .262 (1,314 ABs) with eight home runs and 91 RBI.  After Albert Pujols, Schumaker is considered to be the Cardinals’ second-most productive infielder headed into the upcoming season.  I know, frightening.

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