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Golden Sombrero: Nelson Cruz

Bottom 1: Nelson Cruz struck out swinging against Ubaldo Jimenez

Bottom 3: Cruz called out on strikes against Jimenez

Bottom 5: Cruz struck out swinging against Jimenez

Bottom 7: Cruz flied out to center against Joe Smith

Bottom 9: Cruz called out on strikes against Chris Perez

Final Line: 0-for-5, 4 K

Notes: Cruz collected his first golden sombrero of the 2011 season in the Rangers 8-7, 11-inning win against the Tribe last Friday.  He fanned in each at-bat against Ubaldo and was one of two players not to record a hit – Endy Chavez the other.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 86

Golden Sombrero: Josh Hamilton

Bottom 1: Josh Hamilton struck out swinging against Jon Niese

Bottom 4: Hamilton struck out swinging against Niese

Bottom 5: Hamilton struck out swinging against Niese

Bottom 7: Hamilton struck out on a foul tip against Bobby Parnell

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: I can’t help but consider that Hamilton mixed in this sombrero last Saturday solely to support his claim that people with blue eyes don’t see as well during the day. Well played, Mauer.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 57

Top 50 Prospects Update: Lawrie, Perez, Mesoraco, Kipnis and Britton

With a quarter 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 29-25, which includes: Brett Lawrie, Martin Perez, Devin Mesoraco, Jason Kipnis and Zach Britton.

29. Brett Lawrie, 2B/3B, Toronto Blue Jays

Triple-A: .342/.401/.638, 16 2B, 3 3B, 12 HR, 39 RBI, 16 BB, 39 K, 10-for-11 SB

28. Martin Perez, LHP, Texas Rangers

Double-A: 1-0, CG, SHO, 2.31 ERA, 46.2 IP, 23 BB, 48 K, 1.286 WHIP, 0.2 HR/9

27. Devin Mesoraco, C, Cincinnati Reds

Triple-A: .288/.371/.473, 12 2B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 18 BB, 32 K

26. Jason Kipnis, 2B, Cleveland Indians

Triple-A: .292/.368/.497, 10 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 20 BB, 31 K, 8-for-8 SB

25. Zach Britton, LHP, Baltimore Orioles

MLB: 5-2, 2.35 ERA, 65 IP, 21 BB, 35 K, 1.123 WHIP

Sombrero Staff Prognostications: Mike’s 2011 Predictions

National League

West Division

1.     Los Angeles Dodgers

2.     San Francisco Giants

3.     Colorado Rockies

4.     Arizona Diamondbacks

5.     San Diego Padres

Central Division

1.     Cincinnati Reds

2.     Milwaukee Brewers

3.     St. Louis Cardinals

4.     Chicago Cubs

5.     Pittsburgh Pirates

6.     Houston Astros

East Division

1.     Philadelphia Phillies

2.     Atlanta Braves

3.     Washington Nationals

4.     New York Mets

5.     Florida Marlins

Wild Card: Atlanta Braves

NLDS

Phillies def. Reds in 5

Braves def. Dodgers in 4

NLCS

Braves def. Phillies in 6

Series MVP: Jason Heyward

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Sombrero Staff Prognostications: Griff’s 2011 Predictions

National League

West Division

1.     San Francisco Giants

2.     Colorado Rockies

3.     Los Angeles Dodgers

4.     Arizona Diamondbacks

5.     San Diego Padres

Central Division

1.     Milwaukee Brewers

2.     Cincinnati Reds

3.     St. Louis Cardinals

4.     Chicago Cubs

5.     Pittsburgh Pirates

6.     Houston Astros (tear drop)

East Division

1.     Atlanta Braves

2.     Philadelphia Phillies

3.     New York Mets

4.     Washington Nationals

5.     Florida Marlins

Wild Card Winner– Colorado Rockies

NLDS

Milwaukee vs. Colorado- Milwaukee wins in 5

San Francisco vs. Atlanta- San Francisco wins in 4

NLCS

San Francisco vs. Milwaukee- San Francisco wins in 6

Series MVP= Tim Lincecum

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