Mike Leake did his best to contribute in the Reds’ 15-2 loss to the Brewers on Monday afternoon, surrendering five runs on nine hits in his three innings of work.  After becoming the first player since Xavier Nady (2000) to bypass the minor leagues entirely, Leake began his career at the back of the Reds’ starting rotation.  His rookie campaign looked to be exceptionally promising when he won four of his first ten decisions over April and May, logging 66 innings in the process.

And then Leake got tired – really tired.  By June his effectiveness had waned considerably – evidenced by his 5.22 ERA and 1.77 WHIP – and he was in the midst of pitching himself out of the rotation.  The subsequent months resulted in more of the same as he posted a 4.56 ERA in July, and 8.83 ERA in August

(more…)

The Golden Sombrero presents MLB Look-alikes: Homer Bailey and Christian Bale

Thanks to Clint from Diamond Hoggers for bringing this one up last Saturday on The Baseball Show.

If it weren’t for Bailey’s distinguishable tattoo, we’d never be able to tell them apart.

#12 Aroldis Chapman – Cincinnati Reds

LHP

DOB: 2-28-88

ETA: 2011

(more…)

Shortly after the turn of the New Year, we began unveiling our Top 50 Prospects for the 2011 season.  The list is the product of hours of deliberation between Dee and myself, and is far from your average, cookie-cutter top prospect list.

Our rankings are based on a number of criteria such as ceiling, refinement, age, level, performance, and health thus far.  Positional scarcity and chances to stay at a premium position in the Major Leagues carries some weight too, but is a lesser component. No pitcher rankings are based off of potential as relievers because no top arm ends up in the bullpen unless the front office decides to lose its mind.

In case you have missed any player on our list, here is a recap of 20-30:

(more…)

Today on The Baseball Show Clint from Diamond Hoggers and I welcomed our good friend MTD from Off Base Percentage and Monkeys Throwing Darts. Today’s show was an absolute blast.

Topics for discussion include but are not limited to the following:

• MTD’s baseball blog Off Base Percentage
• His following the Anaheim Angels
• Edinson Volquez electing a short term contract with the Cincinnati Reds
• The Albert Pujols contract extension
• Will Angels ‘prospect’ Brandon Wood ever pan out?
• We talk about Bo Jackson
• Rob Neyer’s move from the SweetSpot Network to SB Nation
• Who are the most frequently read baseball bloggers?
• The sponsoring of a Baseball-Reference Page
• We give some discussion time to Eric Chavez, Francisco Rodriguez, Nick Markakis, Johnny Cueto, and many more players

(more…)