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MLB Look-alikes: Johnny Narron and Corbin Bernsen

Following the news that Casey Affleck will write and produce a film based upon Josh Hamilton’s life story, I received an email highlighting a look-alike too good not to post. So, The Golden Sombrero presents MLB Look-alikes: Johnny Narron and Corbin Bernsen:

I wonder if Cole Hauser will be casted to play Hamilton…

As always, I welcome any and all submissions via Twitter and email.

Golden Sombrero: Kevin Youkilis (4/17/2012)

Date: April 17, 2012 vs. Texas Rangers

Bottom 1: Kevin Youkilis called out on strikes against Colby Lewis (4 pitches)

Bottom 4: Youkilis struck out swinging against Lewis (6 pitches)

Bottom 6: Youkilis struck out swinging against Lewis (4 pitches)

Bottom 7: Youkilis struck out swinging against Koji Uehara (5 pitches)

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

RE24: -0.827

WPA: -0.039

Notes: For someone who once earned the nickname the “Greek God of Walks,” it took a combined 19 pitches to fan Youkilis four times.

2012 Total Sombreros: 7

Golden Sombrero: Brent Morel (4/6/2012)

Date: April 6, 2012 at Texas Rangers (Opening Day)

Top 1: Brent Morel struck out swinging against Colby Lewis (6 pitches)

Top 3: Morel called out on strikes against Lewis (6 pitches)

Top 5: Morel struck out swinging against Lewis (5 pitches)

Top 7: Morel struck out swinging against Alexi Ogando (6 pitches)

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

RE24: -1.1

WPA: -0.121

Total 2012 Sombreros: 1

 

The Baseball Show: The Yu Darvish Edition

On the latest installment of The Baseball Show, Clint, MJ, and I discussed the week’s most interesting story lines as well as our usual assortment of nonsense.

We started things off by discussing Yu Darvish and how his signing was inevitable after the Rangers posted a $51.7MM bid, so it’s no surprise that they ultimately paid $111MM.  According to MJ, Darvish would have to produce a 22 WAR over the next six years to justify his price.  But what separates Darvish from previous imports like Hideo Nomo and Dice-K?

We also debate whether or not Darvish will perform like the No. 1 starter that Rangers expect him to be.

We discuss MJ’s Baseball Prospectus debut, “The Advantage of Low Expectations,” which has been well received throughout the baseball blogosphere.

A day after our last show, the Yankees and Mariners conducted a big-time prospect swap, as the Bronx Bombers sent Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners for Michael Pineda and Jose Campos.  We evaluate the trade and can’t help but feel that the Yankees were on the winning end of this swap.

Who has received the best return for their starting pitcher this offseason? Although we agree the Padres received a great haul for Mat Latos, we unanimously agree the A’s received the best return this offseason.

And of course, what would The Baseball Show be without “Ask MJ…”

Clint:

Would you take a job in the Angels front office if it were offered to you today?

Yes

Cure for hangover? No booze – note: you can’t say “more booze.”

You’re going to have to find a Waffle House and order the greasiest Cheese Stake plate with hash browns and jalapeños to get through it.

Weirdest thing you’ve ever owned or collected?

I was a huge baseball card fan, but mainly when I was growing up I spent a lot of money on hockey cards for some reason.  I doubt I could get anything for my Pavel Buree rookie card.  I do have an autographed John Smoltz Starting Lineup figurine still in its package.

If you could sit at a bar and have a drink with any three sports figures, who would it be and why?

1)    Mickey Mantle – We’re going to have a good time and hopefully get into some trouble

2)    Wayne Gretzky – He was my hero growing up

3)    Dana White – I like I guy who curses every other word

4)    More so 3a) Mike Trout received an honorable mention provided that MJ can find him a semi-decent fake I.D.

Clint:

1)    Mickey Mantle

2)    Willie Mays, but he’s just an old saltry prick

3)    Joe Nameth – he likes to drink Johnny Walker

4)    Babe Ruth – The more drunk Yankees the better

Mike:

1)    Mickey Mantle

2)    Michael Jordan

3)    Mark Grace

We agree that Vin Scully would have to be there to narrate the entire night.

Mike:

If you could sponsor one BR page, regardless of price, who would it be?

Too easy. I literally sat around waiting for Mike Trout to buy his page. If not, then it would probably be Barry Bonds.

Your favorite Disney movie?

Cinderalla, and you’re not going to believe his response…

Rookie of the Year or the Sandlot?

The Sandlot. No question.

Celery or Celery Salt?

Celery. They should just re-name it “ranch shovel”

Jered Weaver: Long hair or short hair?

Long hair! Come on, he’s a dirt bag.

If you could assume a fake identity, what would it be?

MJ: Viagra Nopantsman, a middle-aged pitcher; Hunter Dye and he’d carry around a shotgun like Omar from The Wire.

CE: Chet Rockwell, 29 yrs old, DH, can’t run

MR: Speechless


Top 50 Prospects: # 13 – Jurickson Profar

#13 Jurickson Profar

Texas Rangers

DOB: 2/20/1993

Previous Rank: N/R

ETA: 2013

As an 18-year-old in the Sally League, Profar very nearly slashed .290/.390/.500 as an elite fielding shortstop, earning him the SAL MVP.  Holy shit.  He’s really, really good and has so much more to gain before he actually arrives in Arlington.  An aggressive international scouting department was able to sign Profar out of Curacao while he was a 16-year-old.  He made tremendous gains at the plate in 2011 in terms of all three hitters’ tools.  He even walked more times than he struck out.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB R 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BA
2010 17 Spokane NORW A- 63 288 252 42 19 0 4 23 8 3 .250
2011 18 Hickory SALL A 115 516 430 86 37 8 12 65 23 9 .286
2 Seasons 178 804 682 128 56 8 16 88 31 12 .273
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/11/2012.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB
2010 17 Spokane NORW A- 63 288 252 4 23 28 46 .250 .323 .373 .696 94
2011 18 Hickory SALL A 115 516 430 12 65 65 63 .286 .390 .493 .883 212
2 Seasons 178 804 682 16 88 93 109 .273 .366 .449 .815 306
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/11/2012.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev G Ch PO A E DP Fld% RF/G
2010 17 Spokane NORW A- SS 63 338 90 232 16 49 .953 5.11
2011 18 Hickory SALL A SS 114 493 176 295 22 62 .955 4.13
2 Seasons 177 831 266 527 38 111 .954 4.48
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/11/2012.

Profar is an exceptional defender and gets above average grades for his footwork, arm strength, and hand agility.  His bat track from both sides of the plate is textbook and produces quality bat speed and carry.  What’s perhaps most impressive is that he has only been hitting from both sides for two years.  There is nothing to knock with Profar except that he might be a couple inches short.  Get ready, because in a couple of years there is going to be a huge debate about where to put Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler, and Profar, because they all need to be on that diamond.