Friday, July 25, 2014

Giants ready to renew rivalry with Dodgers - Yahoo Sports



Giants - Dodgers running neck and neck for the divisional title face-off this weekend with both teams looking to avoid the wild card, do or die game.

from Yahoo Sports:
Giants ready to renew rivalry with Dodgers - Yahoo Sports:
PHILADELPHIA -- The San Francisco Giants hit the road after the All-Star break and took care of BUSINESS.
Now the fun begins.
 After a 5-2 trip away from the Bay Area, the first-place Giants (57-45) welcome the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers (56-47) to AT&T Park for a three-game weekend series that has must-see entertainment written all over it.
'via Blog this'

In the NL, it looks as if the Nationals are the top team in the league over the Giants and Dodgers, but not by much. All three are low 90's win teams. The Nats advantage is that they seem to have distanced themselves from the Braves, who are positioned as the second wild card team, with the first wild card being the Dodgers - Giants consolation prize.

The Central Division is developing into a mud wrestling match between the Brewers, Pirates and Cardinals all struggling at the 85-86 win pace and  the Reds drifting towards an 81 win,  .500 type finish. The Cardinals could really make a move here if they can pry David Price from the Rays.

Let the tussling begin.


My NL Power Ranking as of today:
** Nationals - 92 Wins
** Giants - 91 Wins
** Dodgers - 90 Wins
** Braves - 88 Wins
** Cardinals - 88 Wins
Brewers - 87 Wins 
Pirates - 85 Wins 
Reds - 81 Wins
** - Playoff Teams



In the American League, things are a bit clearer at the top with a competitive race for the Wild Card spots shaping up as well. 

The A's and Angels will battle it out for the division with the loser facing the wild-card death match. Both teams seem to be hovering around the 95 win pace. The Tigers seem to have the Central in hand with a low 90's win season. 

For now, the Orioles appear to be the class of the AL East, but appear destined for an 86-88 win season.

The Mariners and Blue Jays appear to be the class of the wild-card contenders, both headed for an 85 win finish. The Yankees, Indians, Royals and Rays seem destined for the 80-82 win mark which will leave them short of the mark. 

The Rays will signal their organizational confidence level in a playoff finish by either dealing Price/Zobrist or keeping them both and mounting a challenge. The Royals have already signaled their lack of confidence.  

My AL Power Ranking as of today:
** Angels - 96 Wins
** A's - 94 Wins
** Tigers - 92 Wins
** Orioles - 87 Wins
** Mariners - 85 Wins
Blue Jays - 85 Wins
Indians - 83 Wins
Yankees - 83 Wins
Rays - 81 Wins
Royals - 81 Wins
** - Playoff Teams

P.S. - If the Giants do get involved in the Price / Zobrist sweepstakes,

I would favor any deal that includes:
RHP Chris Stratton
RHP Martin Agosta
LHP Edwin Escobar
LHP Steven Okert (has potential as a closer or worse-case, a LOOGY)

I will lose my lunch over any deal that includes:
LHP Ty Blach
RHP Clayton Blackburn
RHP Derek Law (injured)
RHP Kendry Flores
RHP Keury Mella
LHP Adalberto Mejia (OK, maybe I could live with this one)
RHP Kyle Crick (although maybe after a good nights sleep, I could live with this one as well)

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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.