Sunday, April 05, 2009

OPENING DAY NOTES



"There is no sports event like Opening Day of baseball, the sense of beating back the forces of darkness and the National Football League." — George Vecsey


"Time begins on Opening Day . . . (when) we know that something fine, almost wonderful, is about to happen" - Thomas Boswell.


I can't put it in much better words than that so I won't even try. Everyone begins with a 0-0 record and hopes are renewed that last years failures will evolve into this years successes. And when there is snow on the ground in places like Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and the Northeast cities, this give us more hope for the arrival of spring than Puxatawnee Phil could ever do.

Who will be this years Rays or Phillies?

Who will be the next Jay Bruce or Tim Lincecum?

You guess is as good as mine. But since it's my blog, here goes:

Rookies to Watch
David Price, LHP Tampa Bay
Matt Wieters, C Baltimore
Tommy Hanson, RHP Atlanta
Pablo Sandoval, 3B San Francisco
Colby Rasmus, OF St. Louis
Andre McCutcheon, OF Pittsburgh
Cameron Maybin, OF Marlins
Dexter Fowler, OF Colorado
Matt LaPorta, OF Cleveland
Travis Snider, OF Toronto

Teams to Watch:
1) Rays - it will be interesting to see how they handle the switch from the hunter to the hunted - my guess is pretty well, they are loaded.

2) Cubs - hey, they're due. Peavy would have been nice.

3) Brewers - will the loss of C.C. mean a return to mediocrity?

4) Dodgers - Manny's schizophrenic personality guarantees intrigue.

5) Yankees - New stadium, stratospheric ticket prices in a declining economy means results will matter.

6) Mets - Is this a crossroads year for the Minaya regime? Owners lost a lot of money in Madoff scandal maybe some gains on the field provide a diversion. Another wasted year with a bloated payroll could be too much to handle. Also added Manny-lite candidate in Gary Sheffield.

7) Giants - JK, I have to keep an eye on them. Not many others will is my guess.
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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
  • 5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.

2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.