Articles from April 2011

Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com: With a smooth delivery, Bradley shows a plus fastball at times, but sits around 90-92 mph. He throws a curve and a slider, and commands the ball fairly well. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he’s got the build and projectability that scouts love.

Nathan Rode, Baseball America: Bradley stands about 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. Scouts love his frame and the projection it oozes. He works with a fastball that gets up to 95-96 mph. He also throws a knuckle-curve and is working on improving a circle changeup.

John Sickels, Minorleagueball.com: Rated a likely first-rounder pre-season and still does. Has football leverage since he’s a great quarterback, too. Athletic, mid-90s fastball, good breaking ball, reasonable level of polish for a young power pitcher, competitive makeup. Would be a top ten guy in a thinner class and might still get there.

Dee Clark, The Golden Sombrero: Bradley might be the most well-known member of this year’s draft class due to his success on the football field as well as the baseball field.  Even though his fastball velocity and breaking ball sharpness have been down a little this spring compared to where they were toward the end of the summer, he will still go inside the first 20 picks.

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The man is scary without a hat

Top 2: Brett Gardner called out on strikes against Jake Arrieta

Top 4: Gardner called out on strikes against Arrieta

Top 7: Gardner flew out to left against Koji Uehara

Top 9: Gardner struck out swinging against Kevin Gregg

Top 11: Gardner struck out swinging against Jason Berken

Final Line: 0-5, 4 strikeouts, 3 LOB

NOTES: Gardner’s golden sombrero on Sunday was another red flag in what has a been a disconcerting start to the season for the Yankees’ left fielder.  The 0-5 performance dropped his slash line to .140/.197/.263 for the season.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 13

Welcome to the first-ever Sunday Night Baseball Liveblog at The Golden Sombrero.  The Liveblog is a joint-chat with our friends over at Diamond Hoggers and Off-Base Percentage, where the chat will also be hosted.

We plan to have one every Sunday night during the game of the week, so if you’re sitting around and watching the game, come watch the Reds battle the Cardinals with all of us.  We expect a good crowd tonight; almost all of our staff should be in attendance.  Punch and pie will be served.

The Legends grows with his sombrero on Sunday

Top 1: Sam Fuld struck out swinging against Ricky Romero

Top 2: Fuld called out on strikes against Romero

Top 5: Struck out swinging against Romero

Top 8: Struck out swinging against Mark Rzepcyznski

Final Line: 0-4, 4 strikeouts

NOTES: Fuld’s sombrero on Sunday was the fourth this season by a leadoff hitter, and refutes the contention that Fuld is other-wordly.  With the forgettable performance, the Legend lowered his batting average from .365 to .346.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 12

Two golden sombreros in three days for Howard

Top 2: Ryan Howard struck out looking against Tim Stauffer

Top 4: Howard struck out swinging against Stauffer

Top 6: Howard struck out looking against Stauffer (Really?)

Top 9: Howard struck out swinging against Heath Bell

Top 11: Howard rips go-ahead two-run double off of Chad Qualls.

Final Line: 1-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 4 K

NOTES: The golden sombrero on Saturday was Howard’s second in his last three games and second of the season overall.  After starting the season red hot, Howard has cooled off significantly.  As we all have witnessed during previous seasons, the strike outs start adding up when Howard is slumping.  In his 88 plate-appearances this season, the big man has already fanned 23 times (not including Sunday’s results).  Since Mark Reynolds is yet to record a sombrero — although he is 2 for his last 29 with 10 strikeouts — I’ve gone and added a Ryan Howard Sombrero Counter, which can now be found on our left side bar.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 11