#41 Zach Lee – Los Angeles Dodgers

RHP

DOB: 9-13-91

ETA: 2014

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• Harmon Killebrew has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.  Killebrew, 74, won the Most Valuable Player award in 1969 and his 573 career home runs ranks 11^th all-time.  He is also credited as being one of the first sluggers to incorporate a dismount into his swing following a presumed no-doubter.

• The great Joe Posnanski of Sports Illustrated has dedicated his week to scrutinizing the careers of the players on the 2011 Hall of Fame ballot; each day has had a corresponding post and he has finally narrowed down his list and acknowledged the players that he voted for.  He calls them “The Eight Definites,” and they are as follows- Roberto Alomar, Jeff Bagwell, Bert Blyleven, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Mark McGwire, Tim Raines, and Allan Trammell.  For those who wish to read his entire series, which will be concluded today, here are the articles in order- [First Round] [The Second Round] [The Eight Definites] [The Borderline Five]

• The Baseball Bloggers Alliance has recommended both Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven for the Hall of Fame after both players received 75.97% of the votes.  Other notable players who just missed the cut include: Barry Larkin (70.78%), Jeff Bagwell (62.34%), Edgar Martinez (59.09%), and Tim Raines (54.55%).

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On Monday the baseball word received the devastating news that veteran pitcher Chan Ho Park had inked a deal with Japan’s Orix Buffaloes, potentially marking the end of his 17-year career.  Park, who perhaps is best known for delivering a roundhouse to Tim Belcher, as well as giving a detailed account of his diarrhea, has a career record of 124-98 and a 4.36 ERA.  While pitching for seven, different organizations, Park’s best season came in 2000 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers when he was 18-10 with a 3.27 ERA.  He also recorded 207 strikeouts and issued 124 walks while making 34 starts and logging 226 innings.

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There is nothing an organization loves more than a middle to low round draft pick that ultimately emerges as a top prospect, and forces a team to incorporate him into their immediate plans.

For the Los Angeles Dodgers, that player is Jerry Sands.  Drafted in the 25^th round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft, Sands, 22, has continued to punish the baseball at each Minor League stop, displaying tremendous power, as well as the ability to play multiple positions.

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• As a Chicago White Sox fan, I am still in total shock over the signing of Adam Dunn, as well as the re-signing of A.J. Pierzynski.  What makes the news even better is the fact that they both accepted back loaded contracts so that the organization may still potentially re-sign Paul Konerko.  Furthermore, it appears that Kenny Williams and the White Sox are finally shaking up the bullpen after non-tendering Bobby Jenks and trading Scott Linebrink. [Scott Merkin]

• The baseball world lost a true legend this week, as Ron Santo passed away at 70-years of age.  His lasting impact on the game, the Chicago Cubs organization, and city of Chicago goes above and beyond anything that you will read in a newspaper or on a blog.  Ron Santo will forever be at the heart of Chicago Cubs baseball and he will be sorely missed.  Thanks for all the great memories, Ronnie. [New York Times]  *Be sure to also read ‘Pat Hughes reflects on 15 years with Santo,’ which was published in the Chicago Tribute.

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