Thursday, September 18, 2014

The final playoff push begins



If you looked at this report to determine who make the playoffs and who advances, you would find some interesting results in the NL. This site looks at and grades each teams hitting, fielding, starting pitching and bullpens. 

StatCorner Team Runs Above Average Report
  • The Nationals and the Giants are the two most well-balanced teams looking to advance, with positive number across the board. 
  • The Brewers are also well-balanced across the board, less their bullpen which is scored slightly negative. And they may not even make the playoffs.
  • The Pirates are the highest ranked team overall, higher than the Nats, but with a slight negative to their bullpen and a LARGE negative to their fielding.  And they may not even make the playoffs, minus a late push to catch the Cardinals for the division (more likely) or the Giants for the wild-card (slightly less likely). 
  • The Dodgers score high overall, but their bullpen is somewhat negative and their fielding is hideous. I don't recall their gloves being that bad, but you have to hit the ball to find out and I was watching the Giants take their hacks. 
  • The Cardinals throw a dubious set of gloves out there as well, belying their organizational image as Captain Fundamentals. How they are beating the Pirates, I don't know.  

Looking at the remaining schedule again, the Pirates and Cardinals both play the Reds (not at the same time, that would be weird) but the schedule favors the Cardinals overall in that they finish with the Cubs and Diamondbacks whereas the Pirates clean-up with the Braves and the Brewers.

For the Giants sake, I guess I would rather see the Cardinals win the division rather than the Pirates, who appear to be clicking and have a lot of energy right now. They could be a real buzz-saw if they make the playoffs. 

It surprises me that so many teams are graded weak defensively which, in theory, should be a strength for a playoff club. The Cardinals IF grades and the Pirates and Dodgers OF grades could come back to haunt them in late September and into October. Although as we've seen in the past, in the playoffs -- especially the shorter series -- you ride your strengths and hide your weaknesses. 

I am surprised as well that the Giants offense grades out slightly better than the Nats, not so much that the Nats starters are slightly better versus the Giants bullpen grading out a bit ahead. 
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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.