Monday, August 05, 2013

As they round the turn and head for the finish line....



Both leagues have basically trimmed the field almost in half in terms of teams with valid chances of making the playoffs. 

In the AL:
Boston, Detroit and Oakland look secure to win their respective divisions as of today.

The two wild card candidates the Rays and Indians could switch places with the Red Sox and Tigers respectively, but the rest of the field has less than  a 10-1 shot to make the playoffs, with the Yankees, Orioles and the Royals putting up a respectable run. The LA Angels have to be disappointed in a <.500 season given the payroll dollars expended. The Rangers just have to be disappointed overall. The Blue Jays, Mariners and Twins are sharing a room in the Motel Medicore, while the White Sox ( they're probably getting hosed by bad umpiring, Dad Gum It!!!, STRETCH!!! ) and the AAA-Astros bring up the rear. 

In the NL:
Atlanta, Pittsburgh and the Dodgers look like the best bets to hold on and win the divisions.

The Cardinals could give the Pirates a push, but they still look like the real deal to me. The Reds should hold on and win the last wild-card spot over the Diamondbacks. The Nationals have to be disappointed in a <.500 season after last years showing. No word on whether they have reconsidered the Strasburg shutdown. My guess would be "NO!!" at this point, perhaps maybe even "HELL, NO!!"  but we'll see if another season or two of not making the playoff changes their minds or costs somebody their job. The Rockies, Phillies, Padres, Giants, Mets and even the Cubs are all locked together in that morass of mediocrity that is the .450 winning percentage level. One of them could and should break away from the pack and challenge for a playoff spot (hint: Giants) but we shall see. Milwaukee and the Marlins are playing for the top draft pick, something the Marlins have the most experience with and therefore should win by losing. Don't discount the Astros, now on the distaff side or the White Sox, either. 
Guess what fellas?, The next Bryce Harper is not walking through that door come 2014 MLB Draft Day, so the Suck for Luck strategy is not quite as valuable here as it is in other sports. In baseball, there is no reward for sucking. 
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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.