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Happy Mike Moustakas Day

Baseball fans have waited patiently for this day since the Royals drafted him second-overall in 2007.  But after Eric Hosmer received the call ahead of his fellow future cornerstone, it became obvious that Moose would be loose at Kauffman within a matter of months.  As a baseball fan and prospect junkie, this is an awesome day.  It’s a day that’s been at the forefront of every Royals discussion and signifies that the future has officially arrived in Kansas City.

So, in honor of Moose’s arrival, here are a couple videos of the slugger that will hopefully hold people over until 9:05 PM cst, when he makes his MLB Debut against Ervin Santana and the Los Angeles Angels.  The first video is courtesy of FarmSystem, and features Moustakas taking batting practice prior to the 2009 California League All-Star Game:

The second video features Moustakas crushing a three-run shot in August of 2010:

And what would Mike Moustakas Day be without some celebratory tunes???


Golden Sombrero: Carlos Gonzalez

Top 1: Carlos Gonzalez struck out on a foul tip against Ryan Vogelsong

Top 4: Gonzalez called out on strikes against Vogelsong

Top 6: Gonzalez struck out swinging against Vogelsong

Top 9: Gonzalez struck out swinging against Brian Wilson

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: CarGo struck out swinging in each of his four at-bats on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants.  Three of his strikeouts were against Ryan Vogelsong, who is pitching out of his mind right now.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 37

Golden Sombrero: Landon Powell

Top 2: Landon Powell struck out swinging on a foul tip against Josh Beckett

Top 5: Powell lined out to center against Beckett

Top 7: Powell singled to right field against Matt Albers

Top 9: Powell struck out swinging against Jonathan Papelbon

Top 10: Powell called out on strikes against Bobby Jenks

Top 12: Powell called out on strikes against Alfredo Aceves

Top 14: Powell grounded out to second against Aceves

Final Line: 1-for-7, 4 K, 6 LOB

Notes: My apologies on the brief hiatus from sombrero tracking. I was in Springfield for the Missouri high school baseball finals and following the draft like a mad man upon returning.  Anyway, back to Powell’s sombrero.  It was unfortunate that the game lasted 14 innings on Saturday night, because three of his four strikeouts came in the ninth inning or later.  To his credit, he did manage to mix in a knock and ground out a few times to avoid one of the platinum variety.  But then again, he was the only batter retired by a fiery Johnathan Papelbon, who was ultimately tossed for acting like an idiot.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 36

2012 MLB Draft Preview: Kurt Heyer

With Whitney graduating from U of A a couple of weeks ago, I thought I should write up the ace of that staff, sophomore Kurt Heyer.  Heyer had a truly remarkable season as the Friday-nighter for Arizona posting a 2.41 ERA in 130.2 IP with 128 K’s and only 25 BB.  His numbers were stellar, and Heyer will be one of the top arms in the PAC-10 in 2012 as well.  Heyer has terrific sink on his fastball, which allowed him to keep the ball in the yard quite well despite the thin Tucson air.  He only allowed 5 homers and 25 XBH’s in his 19 2011 starts.

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2011 MLB Amateur Draft Liveblog

We hold Liveblogs for Sunday Night Baseball, so obviously we’re going to have one for the MLB Draft tonight.  So if you have absolutely nothing to do but watch the draft–which I’m guessing is the case if you’re reading this–then come hang out and gush about prospects with us.  Mevs from Diamond Hoggers will be there like always, and the same goes for those goofy bastards over at Off-Base Percentage.  The Sombrero should have our own prospect guru, Dee, stopping by, too.  If we play our cards right, maybe we can get Dylan Bundy to drop by to punch something.