Top 1: Marlon Byrd struck out swinging against Edinson Volquez

Top 4: Byrd struck out swinging against Volquez

Top 6: Byrd struck out swinging against Volquez

Top 8: Byrd struck out swinging against Jordan Smith

Final Line: 0-4, 4K

Notes: Byrd simply couldn’t touch Volquez on Tuesday, striking out swinging in each of his three at-bats against the Reds’ starter.  Although he is hitting .309, Byrd’s non-existent power continues to leave people thinking, “What the hell was that first half of 2010 all about?”

Total 2011 Sombreros: 25

With the first month of the MLB season in the books, and some of the baseball’s best prospects now suiting up for their respective big league squads, it’s time to reflect on the performances of our Top 50 Prospects.  Today we look at 44-40, which include: Nolan Arenado, Brett Jackson, Matt Dominguez, Zach Lee and Grant Green.

44. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Rockies

High-A: .248/.280/.316, 8 2B, 12 RBI, 5 BB, 16 K, 2 SB

43. Brett Jackson, OF, Chicago Cubs

Double-A: .295/.420/.518, 7 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 24 BB, 30 K, 13-for-15 SB

42. Matt Dominguez, 3B, Florida Marlins

N/A; Injured

41. Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Class-A: 3-0, 1.17 ERA, 30.2 IP, 11 BB, 28 K, 1.272 WHIP,

40. Grant Green, SS, Oakland Athletics

Double-A: .293/.364/.421, 9 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 14 BB, 30 K, SB

What’s in a name? A great many syllables, if you’re Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish. But while the former journeyman pitcher’s title is impressively weird, it has many rivals – most of them old-timey – for the goofiest name in professional baseball history.

I’ve compiled a brief, unordered list of those names. Who is the funniest? And whom, as I quickly scoured over a century of data, did I unjustly overlook?

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Stats through April 27, 2011

Troy Tulowitzki: .326/.416/.674, 7 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 58 TB, 14 BB, 8 K, 1.4 WAR, .349 ISO

• 10 multi-hit games
• April 11 – April 16:  13-for-24, 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 8 RBI

Joey Votto: .376/.505/.624, 21 R, 7 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 53 TB, 21 BB, 12 K, 2.1 WAR, .276 ISO

• 10 multi-hit games
• Reached base safely in every game
• vs. left-handers: .579/.600/.842
• w/ runners in scoring position: 7-for-16, 2 2B, HR, 9 RBI, 9 BB, 2 K

Lance Berkman: .371/.443/.729, 18 R, 7 2B, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 51 TB, 9 BB, 8 K, 1.2 WAR, .321 ISO

• 10 multi-hit games
• April 11 – April 15: 10-for-21, 9 R, 6 HR, 12 RBI
• w/ runners in scoring .412/.500/.647, HR, 10 RBI
• w/ two outs: .450/.542/.900, 3 HR, 10 RBI

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Over the last couple of days, Sam Fuld has been going absolutely nuts on the baseball field.  To his credit, he’s technically always going nuts on the field considering that he’s only 5-foot-10 – probably 5-foot-7, at the most.  On Sunday he made one of the best plays in the outfield (of that variety) that I’ve ever seen.  The pressure of the situation; the ground he covered; the full-extension and total disregard for his own well-being.  Everything about it was simply amazing.

I was watching the game live – I’ll try to refrain from sharing my current thoughts on the White Sox, although I did just draw a picture of Juan Pierre and rip it up – and texting with one of the Sombrero’s contributors, Rick, who is also a fan of the South Siders.

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