Every Friday, Beer League brings you some sort of farm update. This week, we're going to review the MLB Rule 4 draft (amateur players), 25 statistical player updates, and a brand new top 20 prospect list.
Coming into the 2010 season, many scouting corporations such as Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus ranked the Royals farm system somewhere in the middle of the pack. After picking in the top of the first round for nearly a decade, this was terrible news to Royals fans. If true, this news meant that despite the Royals' chances at top talent in the draft, they had failed to successfully scout and sign the real top players.
Even more disappointing was that (again, if true) Dayton Moore came to our franchise with the track record of being a scouting and farm-building expert. He took chances on drafting high school players like Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer with his 2007 and 2008 top 5 selections. Why were these picks so risky? High school players notoriously have high demands due to the immense amount of leverage they control. They are able to enter the draft, garner a top 5 selection, and (if they don't get the money they want) still honor their commitment to play college ball. If this happens, the team which selected that player will be compensated with the same pick in the following year's draft.
Regardless, our middle-of-the-pack ranking was due to these two players' combined lack of stellar production. Their 2009 stat lines left a lot to be desired by companies like Baseball America and especially the Royals.
In this unique situation, the Royals had two seemingly good explanations for their coveted young players' lack of statistics. For Moustakas, the organization understood he was playing in an extreme pitchers park with swirling wings. These aren't the kind of swirling winds which aid hitters in certain MLB parks (cough, NY). They are the type which push the ball back and keep it from the fence. "Moose" still mustered 16 homers, though.
Hosmer's story was a bit different. He mysteriously took a hiatus from playing while the local radio shows and Royals blogs tried to determine the reason. Finally, we learned he was having difficulty seeing the ball at the plate and needed special glasses. The amount of time required to get back into the game caused everyone to become skeptical.
Fortunately, both "Moose" and "Hos" are mashing, raking, and any other syllable for domination of the plate--actual stat lines will be shown below. This emergence of our "top hitting prospects" caused many people from these scouting organizations to re-evaluate their opinions on KC's farm system. Before the draft, we were thought of as a top 10 system.
Speaking of the draft, let's take a look at some of the key picks in 2010.
Round 1, pick 4: SS Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton
-The separation of talent in this year's draft was no secret. The top 3 were chiseled far away and above the rest. So, picking at 4 had its drawbacks. However, the Royals believe they selected the short stop of the future in Colon. In fact, most other MLB teams believe the same thing. No, he's not a toolsy freak like other high profile short stops, but he plays good fundamental baseball. He understands the game at an alarmingly high degree and has the leadership skills to become a positively vocal part of the Major League foundation. He should hit for average (as shown by his amateur stats) and some nice pop (16 homers as a junior this year). At 6 feet and about 190, he sports an athletic frame. Some think he may have to shift to second base if he let's his body go at all.
Player Profile= Placido Polanco (with pop)
Round 2, pick 4: CF Brett Eibner, Arkansas
-Eibner was on many team's boards as a first rounder...as a pitcher. He only pitched minimally in college, but the belief was if he focused and honed in on his pitching ability, he had endless potential. Why were the Royals able to snag him in the second round? Eibner wants to hit, and the Royals drafted him to do just that. He brings a ton of power from the right side (21 homers this year) and progressed nicely each year he was at Arkansas. The best part? He'll showcase this mashing ability as a toolsy center fielder. Remember that arm teams raved about? Imagine him beading balls in to the catcher from deep center. Is it just a bonus that he's got loads of speed and athletic ability. Sounds like the Royals' kind of player, huh?
Player Profile= Matt Kemp-ish
Round 3, pick 4: SS Michael Antonio, HS
-Another short stop? Yes. This kids quite a bit different than Colon. He was a pre-season high school All-American this year, only to let down just about every MLB team with his mediocre performance as a senior. He's looked at as a project. He's very raw, but the Royals believe they got the best player on the board here.
Player Profile: Too Raw to Tell
Round 4, pick 4: LHP Kevin Chapman, Florida
-This is a very exciting pick. After going through Tommy-John surgery early in his college career, Chapman rebounded to have an excellent year in 2010. He lights up the guns in the mid to upper 90's and looks to have closer-type stuff.
(FYI-no more player profiles)
Round 5, pick 4: RHP Jason Adam, HS
-Adam is a guy a lot of scouts thought would go in the second round. He has a commitment to play for Missouri, but supposedly about a million dollars can change that. Did I mention he's a local kid? Blue Valley North West. Lot's of upside here!
All in all, the Royals selected 1 second baseman, 1 first baseman, 7 short stops, 7 catchers, 9 outfielders, and 26 pitchers. There were 9 high school players selected and the rest were either college of community college guys.
Interesting to note that before the draft the Royals publicly stated they would look to draft short stop depth, catching depth, and lots of arms. Looks like they stuck to it.
Speaking of depth, let's take a look at the top 25 performers down on the farm in no particular order:
*indicates a blue chip prospect/player
AAA
*LF Alex Gordon= .370 9(2B) 1(3B) 10(HR) 29(RBI) 5(SB) 29BB-36K
1B Kila Ka'aihue= .315 8(2B) 11(HR) 36(RBI) 50BB-36K
OF David Lough= .278 7(2B) 5(3B) 5(HR) 23(RBI) 5(SB) 9BB-28K
OF Jordon Parraz= .257 13(2B) 3(HR) 27(RBI) 5(SB) 26BB-35K
*RP Blaine Hardy= 2-0 36(IP) 25(K) 0.50(ERA) 0.67(WHIP)
AA
*3B Mike Moustakas= .354 15(2B) 13(HR) 50(RBI) 17BB-25K
*CF Derrick Robinson= .277 6(2B) 5(3B) 20(RBI) 26(SB) 28BB-43K
*2B Johnny Giavotella= .269 13(2B) 2(3B) 17(RBI) 8(SB) 25BB-27K
C Manuel Pina= .265 7(2B) 4(HR) 21(RBI) 18BB-16K
SP Edgar Osuna= 5-2 65(IP) 44(K) 1.66(ERA) 1.00(WHIP)
*SP Aaron Crow= 2-5 65(IP) 40(K) 5.68(ERA) 1.65(WHIP)
*RP Louis Coleman= 2-0 40(IP) 38(K) 2.25(ERA) 0.90(WHIP)
*SP Mike Montgomery= 5-1 50(IP) 55(K) 1.98(ERA) 0.98(WHIP)
High A
*1B Eric Hosmer= .361 22(2B) 5(3B) 2(HR) 37(RBI) 9(SB) 27BB-23K
C Salvador Perez= .284 11(2B) 1(3B) 3(HR) 22(RBI) 1(SB) 9BB-14K
SP Christopher Dwyer= 3-3 64(IP) 64(K) 3.22(ERA) 1.29(WHIP)
*SP Timothy Melville= 2-6 58(IP) 55(K) 5.86(ERA) 1.37(WHIP)
RP Buddy Baumann= 2-0 32(IP) 37(K) 2.48(ERA) 1.32(WHIP)
RP Patrick Keating= 2-0 30(IP) 41(K) 1.19(ERA) 0.92(WHIP)
RP Barry Bowden= 2-3 26(IP) 30(K) 1.71(ERA) 1.18(WHIP)
*SP John Lamb= 4-4 64(IP) 71(K) 1.55(ERA) 1.06(WHIP)
Low A
*C Wil Myers= .289 14(2B) 1(3B) 10(HR) 43(RBI) 8(SB) 38BB-43K
*CF Hilton Richardson= .193 6(2B) 3(3B) 4(HR) 20(RBI) 19(SB) 12BB-41K
*SP Tyler Sample= 2-3 54(IP) 47(K) 4.47(ERA) 1.51(WHIP)
SP Bryan Paukovits= 3-3 54(IP) 59(K) 3.31(ERA) 0.98(WHIP)
Finally, after taking players' production thus far and the draft into consideration, we'll present to you the Beer League Top 10 Prospect List:
1. SP Mike Montgomery- A long, tall, lanky lefty who brings the heat and puts it where he wants it. Has a minor triceps injury (soreness) but should return soon.
2. 3B Mike Moustakas- Absolutely no denying his production with the stick. You know that special "crack" of the bat scouts rave about? He's got it. And, oh ya, a batting average in the mid 300's. Oh, and don't forget he's finally learned strike zone discipline. Scary.
3. C Wil Myers- A true 5 tool prospect, and his bat has finally come alive this year. He'll probably progress slowly as he learned the fundamentals of professional catching, but watch out... the kid can rake and run.
4. 1B Eric Hosmer- As we've said before, his glove plays in the Majors right now. Additionally, he's maintaining a batting average above 360 while he uses the entire field with his bat. The home run power is lacking right now, but keep in mind the park he plays in. A promotion to Northwest Arkansas would most likely result in a monster increase in balls over the fence.
5. SS Christian Colon-Already? Yes! His bat plays that well and his defense won't take any time to adjust. He's an all-around player who will be fun to follow during his ascent to the Bigs.
6. SP Aaron Crow- He's struggling to locate his pitches and is getting blown up currently because of it. Keep in mind he was out of baseball for nearly a year and is still shaking the rust off. The stuff is certainly there. However, we'll only be able to use the rust as an excuse for so long.
7. SP John Lamb- Another lefty creeping up towards the top 5. The word on Lamb is his pinpoint control. A guy who can locate from the left with stamina is a scary thing. He continues to demolish hitting after his promotion. The more he does it, the higher he goes.
9. SP Dan Duffy- We mentioned his return in a post last Friday. It should be too long until we see this former top pitching prospect make a run at his previous title. Oh ya, he's also a lefty!
10. RP Blaine Hardy- He gets the nod over others because of his assignment to AAA. Nobody could touch him in AA, and he's continuing the trend in Omaha. At 22, and coming from the left side, it's likely he'll make more than a few appearances out of the Royals' bullpen in 2010. Keep an eye out!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
World Cup Preview
For starters, thanks to BB for giving me the opportunity to grace his blog with my 2010 FIFA World Cup: South Africa Outlook.
Now to the good stuff...
USA! USA! USA! (with the BUZZING VUVUZES drowning out my chanting)
Yes, I am chanting for the men representing the Stars and Stripes. And, yes, they are actually at the World Cup with the idea of competing and winning in mind. So long 1990! Here in America, we are no longer happy with just "being there". Every World Cup includes that same scenario; a smaller nation who's ecstatic for simply being involved in the group stages. Now, 20 years further down the road (from 1990), the Americans come to South Africa with serious business to take care of.
The rest of the world now sees the United States as being capable of hanging with the "big boys".
Proof: Confederations Cup last summer in Africa. The US knocked off the world's top team, Spain. They also lead Brazil 2-0 at half in the championship game. Through small-scale, our squad's confidence grew immensely as a result of the time spent in Africa last summer. Additionally, Brazil and Spain are both heavy favorites to win the World Cup in 2010.
The US soccer team is not a team full of players from the MLS anymore; many of our prominent players reign from Europe or bring experience from other international clubs.
I look at Clint Dempsey as the perfect example of this newly-gained experience. Clint is a very skilled and emotional player. His game seemingly elevates every time he plays for his club team, Fulham in the EPL. US soccer fans continually find themselves saying, "wish he'd be spectacular in a US jersey". Okay, I admit it; I'm one of those fans...I hate and hate on Clint (look at it as constructive criticism)--trashing his defense, hustle, and ball-hogging habits. Then, very quickly he shuts us up when he puts one in the back of the net.
As important as Dempsey is to the team, it's actually Landon Donovan who's far more important than any other player.
Landon, unlike the majority of the US World Cup roster, has been to 2 different World Cups. Donovan treated each Cup differently, while taking something new from each. First, he seemed shell-shocked and content with his World Cup debut. Next, he got a bigger taste and had a better idea of what to expect after the US advanced from their group stage. Still though, he didn't seem to have a complete grasp of what it would take to really make a run at the World Cup finals.
FLASHFORWARD! Currently, Landon couldn't be playing better soccer. He's been making a solid impact while on loan to Everton in the EPL, and finally admits to maturing both on and off the field. The US needs Donovan to be on top of his game throughout the 2010 World Cup. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in a precarious situation. I firmly believe Landon is ready to carry the "Yankees" on his back en route to the Promise Land.
This brings me to June 12th, 2010. The journey to this day has been long, but now a new chapter begins. BRING ON ENGLAND!
Here is my outlook for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:
Group A-- France, Mexico, South Africa, and Uruguay
Team to Beat= France. Even though they qualified for the WC on a handball goal, they are still the best team in this group. They will be without striker Benezma, but the French will look to Anelka, Ribery, and Henry for their scoring.
Player to Watch= Steven Pienaar, South Africa. Pienaar has solidified his presence amongst the world stage, and the Everton midfielder should put on quite a show for his home nation.
Sleeper= South Africa. Chew on this for a sec or two...Never in WC history has the host nation not advanced past group play. Just saying...
Top 2 Advancing= South Africa and Uruguay.
Group B-- Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, and South Korea
Team to Beat= Argentina. The Argentinians are definitely one of the favorites to be crowned champion. There is no denying the talent on the pitch, but will their coach (Diego Maradona) hold them back?
Player to Watch= Lionel Messi, Argentina. Enough said.
Sleeper= Nigeria. Skilled EPL strikers Yakubu and Martinis are forces to be reckoned with.
Top 2 Advancing= Argentina and Nigeria
Group C-- Algeria, England, Slovenia, and United States
Team to Beat= England. Obviously, England is a heavy favorite to advance out of group C. The English are a real force to be reckoned with and cannot be taken lightly. The only thing England doesn't have is David Beckham, and that's a good thing. Watch out for the English.
Player to Watch= Wayne Rooney, England. This guy is a beast. Nobody in this group will be able to stop him. Wayne is the real deal.
Sleeper= Slovenia. Don't forget about Slovenia. They made it into the WC by beating an elite Russian squad in a tiebreaker.
Top 2 Advancing= England and United States.
Group D-- Australia, Germany, Ghana, and Serbia
Team to Beat= Germany. The Germans are clearly the front-runners of group D. Germany is poised to advance out of their group, which could draw a match up with the United States in the round of 16.
Player to Watch= Dejean Stankovic, Slovenia. The veteran inter Milan midfielder will be called upon by the Serbs for leadership and scoring. After a poor showing last World Cup in 2006 with only 1 goal scored, Stankovic will be looking to make his mark.
Sleeper= Australia. Led by the EPL midfielder Tim Cahill, the Aussie's are gaining confidence on the world stage. Australia will need to play lights out to advance out of the group, but anything is possible.
Top 2 Advancing= Germany and Serbia
Group E-- Cameroon, Denmark, Netherlands, and Japan
Team to Beat= Netherlands. Holland is absolutely loaded; they come to South Africa with championship aspirations. The Netherlands really doesn't have a weak spot on the roster, making them a very dangerous team.
Player to Watch= Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon. Eto'o is such a joy to watch on the pitch, making defenders look stupid-silly. Eto'o must come to play for Cameroon to have a real shot.
Sleeper= Denmark. The Danes are in South Africa flying under the radar, and they love it. Denmark is relishing the underdog role in their group; with an opening match against the Netherlands, they have a great opportunity to make an early splash.
Top 2 Advancing= Netherlands and Cameroon
Group F-- Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, and Slovakia
Team to Beat= Italy. Oh, those Italians! Yep, they still seem as old as our grandparents, but they are also still legit. Italy is looking to defend their WC title from 2006, but have a large bulls-eye on their back.
Player to Watch= Andrea Pirlo, Italy. His nagging calf injury could be a problem, but the ageless wonder is still looking to make a difference for Italy in group F. It looks like Pirlo is going to be out for the first 2 group matches, but hopes to be back in time for Slovakia.
Sleeper= Paraguay. Italy is the talk of this group, and deservedly so. Yet, Paraguay comes to South Africa with a legitimate team and chance to advance form this not-so-tough group. They will be without striker Salvador Cabanas, who was stabbed at a bar in Mexico. You can bet they will be playing with heavy hearts and with a desire to win one for their teammate.
Top 2 Advancing= Italy and Paraguay.
Group G-- Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, and Portugal (The Group of Death)
Team to Beat= Brazil. Okay, so group G is absolutely loaded with talent. Portugal and Ivory Coast are no slouches, but they also aren't on Brazil's level. Like always, Brazil is the team to beat.
Player to Watch= Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast. Drogba is easily one of the most entertaining players in the world, but could be limited this go around. He recently broke his arm. This should not hold him out of play, so look for him to be making plays on the field sporting a cast.
Sleeper= Portugal. Every year you expect more than you get from Portugal. Led by the 2nd best soccer player in the world, Christiano Ronaldo, this could be Portugal's year. I decided to make them my sleeper instead of favorite since they seem to enjoy choking.
Top 2 Advancing= Brazil and Portugal.
Group H-- Chile, Honduras, Spain, and Switzerland.
Team to Beat= Spain. Spain is probably the top favorite to win the WC. Exceptional talent + high expectations = Pressure. The Spanish will handle the pressure fine, breezing through group H.
Player to Watch= Cesc Fabregas, Spain. The Arsenal midfielder is surrounded by veteran talent. He should show his superb skill during group play, helping Spain on its quest for a WC title.
Sleeper= Honduras. What an interesting situation for Honduras! They qualified for the WC last second due to the US scoring an equalizing goal against Costa Rica. If Honduras can take care of Chile and the Swiss, I like the possibilities of them shocking the world and advancing out of group H.
Top 2 Advancing= Spain and Chile.
...............................................................................
The following ROUND OF 16 is a hypothetical scenario based on my predictions of each group:
South Africa DEF Nigeria
England DEF Serbia
Netherlands DEF Paraguay
Brazil DEF Honduras
Argentina DEF Uruguay
United States DEF Germany
Italy DEF Cameroon
Spain DEF Portugal
QUARTER FINALS:
England DEF South Africa
Netherlands DEF Brazil
Argentina DEF United States
Spain DEF Italy
SEMI-FINALS:
Netherlands DEF England
Argentina DEF Spain
THIRD PLACE GAME:
Spain DEF England
FINAL:
Argentina DEF Netherlands
CHAMPION= ARGENTINA
Now to the good stuff...
USA! USA! USA! (with the BUZZING VUVUZES drowning out my chanting)
Yes, I am chanting for the men representing the Stars and Stripes. And, yes, they are actually at the World Cup with the idea of competing and winning in mind. So long 1990! Here in America, we are no longer happy with just "being there". Every World Cup includes that same scenario; a smaller nation who's ecstatic for simply being involved in the group stages. Now, 20 years further down the road (from 1990), the Americans come to South Africa with serious business to take care of.
The rest of the world now sees the United States as being capable of hanging with the "big boys".
Proof: Confederations Cup last summer in Africa. The US knocked off the world's top team, Spain. They also lead Brazil 2-0 at half in the championship game. Through small-scale, our squad's confidence grew immensely as a result of the time spent in Africa last summer. Additionally, Brazil and Spain are both heavy favorites to win the World Cup in 2010.
The US soccer team is not a team full of players from the MLS anymore; many of our prominent players reign from Europe or bring experience from other international clubs.
I look at Clint Dempsey as the perfect example of this newly-gained experience. Clint is a very skilled and emotional player. His game seemingly elevates every time he plays for his club team, Fulham in the EPL. US soccer fans continually find themselves saying, "wish he'd be spectacular in a US jersey". Okay, I admit it; I'm one of those fans...I hate and hate on Clint (look at it as constructive criticism)--trashing his defense, hustle, and ball-hogging habits. Then, very quickly he shuts us up when he puts one in the back of the net.
As important as Dempsey is to the team, it's actually Landon Donovan who's far more important than any other player.
Landon, unlike the majority of the US World Cup roster, has been to 2 different World Cups. Donovan treated each Cup differently, while taking something new from each. First, he seemed shell-shocked and content with his World Cup debut. Next, he got a bigger taste and had a better idea of what to expect after the US advanced from their group stage. Still though, he didn't seem to have a complete grasp of what it would take to really make a run at the World Cup finals.
FLASHFORWARD! Currently, Landon couldn't be playing better soccer. He's been making a solid impact while on loan to Everton in the EPL, and finally admits to maturing both on and off the field. The US needs Donovan to be on top of his game throughout the 2010 World Cup. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in a precarious situation. I firmly believe Landon is ready to carry the "Yankees" on his back en route to the Promise Land.
This brings me to June 12th, 2010. The journey to this day has been long, but now a new chapter begins. BRING ON ENGLAND!
Here is my outlook for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:
Group A-- France, Mexico, South Africa, and Uruguay
Team to Beat= France. Even though they qualified for the WC on a handball goal, they are still the best team in this group. They will be without striker Benezma, but the French will look to Anelka, Ribery, and Henry for their scoring.
Player to Watch= Steven Pienaar, South Africa. Pienaar has solidified his presence amongst the world stage, and the Everton midfielder should put on quite a show for his home nation.
Sleeper= South Africa. Chew on this for a sec or two...Never in WC history has the host nation not advanced past group play. Just saying...
Top 2 Advancing= South Africa and Uruguay.
Group B-- Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, and South Korea
Team to Beat= Argentina. The Argentinians are definitely one of the favorites to be crowned champion. There is no denying the talent on the pitch, but will their coach (Diego Maradona) hold them back?
Player to Watch= Lionel Messi, Argentina. Enough said.
Sleeper= Nigeria. Skilled EPL strikers Yakubu and Martinis are forces to be reckoned with.
Top 2 Advancing= Argentina and Nigeria
Group C-- Algeria, England, Slovenia, and United States
Team to Beat= England. Obviously, England is a heavy favorite to advance out of group C. The English are a real force to be reckoned with and cannot be taken lightly. The only thing England doesn't have is David Beckham, and that's a good thing. Watch out for the English.
Player to Watch= Wayne Rooney, England. This guy is a beast. Nobody in this group will be able to stop him. Wayne is the real deal.
Sleeper= Slovenia. Don't forget about Slovenia. They made it into the WC by beating an elite Russian squad in a tiebreaker.
Top 2 Advancing= England and United States.
Group D-- Australia, Germany, Ghana, and Serbia
Team to Beat= Germany. The Germans are clearly the front-runners of group D. Germany is poised to advance out of their group, which could draw a match up with the United States in the round of 16.
Player to Watch= Dejean Stankovic, Slovenia. The veteran inter Milan midfielder will be called upon by the Serbs for leadership and scoring. After a poor showing last World Cup in 2006 with only 1 goal scored, Stankovic will be looking to make his mark.
Sleeper= Australia. Led by the EPL midfielder Tim Cahill, the Aussie's are gaining confidence on the world stage. Australia will need to play lights out to advance out of the group, but anything is possible.
Top 2 Advancing= Germany and Serbia
Group E-- Cameroon, Denmark, Netherlands, and Japan
Team to Beat= Netherlands. Holland is absolutely loaded; they come to South Africa with championship aspirations. The Netherlands really doesn't have a weak spot on the roster, making them a very dangerous team.
Player to Watch= Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon. Eto'o is such a joy to watch on the pitch, making defenders look stupid-silly. Eto'o must come to play for Cameroon to have a real shot.
Sleeper= Denmark. The Danes are in South Africa flying under the radar, and they love it. Denmark is relishing the underdog role in their group; with an opening match against the Netherlands, they have a great opportunity to make an early splash.
Top 2 Advancing= Netherlands and Cameroon
Group F-- Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, and Slovakia
Team to Beat= Italy. Oh, those Italians! Yep, they still seem as old as our grandparents, but they are also still legit. Italy is looking to defend their WC title from 2006, but have a large bulls-eye on their back.
Player to Watch= Andrea Pirlo, Italy. His nagging calf injury could be a problem, but the ageless wonder is still looking to make a difference for Italy in group F. It looks like Pirlo is going to be out for the first 2 group matches, but hopes to be back in time for Slovakia.
Sleeper= Paraguay. Italy is the talk of this group, and deservedly so. Yet, Paraguay comes to South Africa with a legitimate team and chance to advance form this not-so-tough group. They will be without striker Salvador Cabanas, who was stabbed at a bar in Mexico. You can bet they will be playing with heavy hearts and with a desire to win one for their teammate.
Top 2 Advancing= Italy and Paraguay.
Group G-- Brazil, Ivory Coast, North Korea, and Portugal (The Group of Death)
Team to Beat= Brazil. Okay, so group G is absolutely loaded with talent. Portugal and Ivory Coast are no slouches, but they also aren't on Brazil's level. Like always, Brazil is the team to beat.
Player to Watch= Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast. Drogba is easily one of the most entertaining players in the world, but could be limited this go around. He recently broke his arm. This should not hold him out of play, so look for him to be making plays on the field sporting a cast.
Sleeper= Portugal. Every year you expect more than you get from Portugal. Led by the 2nd best soccer player in the world, Christiano Ronaldo, this could be Portugal's year. I decided to make them my sleeper instead of favorite since they seem to enjoy choking.
Top 2 Advancing= Brazil and Portugal.
Group H-- Chile, Honduras, Spain, and Switzerland.
Team to Beat= Spain. Spain is probably the top favorite to win the WC. Exceptional talent + high expectations = Pressure. The Spanish will handle the pressure fine, breezing through group H.
Player to Watch= Cesc Fabregas, Spain. The Arsenal midfielder is surrounded by veteran talent. He should show his superb skill during group play, helping Spain on its quest for a WC title.
Sleeper= Honduras. What an interesting situation for Honduras! They qualified for the WC last second due to the US scoring an equalizing goal against Costa Rica. If Honduras can take care of Chile and the Swiss, I like the possibilities of them shocking the world and advancing out of group H.
Top 2 Advancing= Spain and Chile.
...............................................................................
The following ROUND OF 16 is a hypothetical scenario based on my predictions of each group:
South Africa DEF Nigeria
England DEF Serbia
Netherlands DEF Paraguay
Brazil DEF Honduras
Argentina DEF Uruguay
United States DEF Germany
Italy DEF Cameroon
Spain DEF Portugal
QUARTER FINALS:
England DEF South Africa
Netherlands DEF Brazil
Argentina DEF United States
Spain DEF Italy
SEMI-FINALS:
Netherlands DEF England
Argentina DEF Spain
THIRD PLACE GAME:
Spain DEF England
FINAL:
Argentina DEF Netherlands
CHAMPION= ARGENTINA
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
All-Stars Folded Twice
First off, I'd like to apologize for not getting this material up yesterday per the schedule. Unavoidable technical and strategical difficulties prevented updates to the site. On the bright side, this week will be more action packed than the new Karate Kid movie. That's a guarantee. Although, maybe a re-phrase is in order after recently hearing Bill Cowher's take on guarantee's...
"You can put (expletive) in a box and slap a guarantee on it"...
...Maybe that's not an exact quote, but you get the idea. Regardless, we're going to cram this week and bring you four straight days of posts. On top of our usual, but somewhat off-schedule Fantasy Monday, National Interest Wednesday and Farm Report Friday, Beer League will feature it's first guest writer--World Cup enthusiast Isaac Hodges. We're expecting a top-tier write up on Thursday spotlighting this major sports event, so please stop in and enjoy.
Today's write up after the jump.
..............................................................................
Sitting at just over a third of the way through the 2010 Major League Baseball season, it's time to take a look at this year's All-Star forecast. Instead of just purely predicting which player(s) will represent each team, Beer League is going to take a two-fold approach. First, we'll choose each team's biggest fantasy player based on statistical production in the most pronounced fantasy categories. Second, a player will be selected from each team based on his real-life, win-producing impact.
What's the point? Isn't an All-Star an All-Star? And, aren't All-Star's chosen based on fantasy voting?
Slow down. Holster your Nerf guns. Let's just talk it out. The point of this system is to present to you a unique prospective. Frankly, it's somewhat tiring seeing the same guys over and over again, and, all due respect set aside; it's a little boring. Whatever happened to breakout seasons, defense winning championships, and fair and equal representation? Ok, maybe the MLB has addressed that third factor. Heck, maybe they've addressed all three. After all, they do allow the fans to control the rosters.
Here at Beer League, we like having the control. We love calling the shots. And, we thoroughly enjoy long walks on the beach, pina colladas with little umbrellas, pocket-sized puppies and...what? Maybe a "GOTCHA!" would be in order if each one of you didn't just imagine yourselves walking down the shoreline at sunset with a fruity drink in hand while you watch your tiny K-9 frolic in the slightly crashing waves.
Okay. In all seriousness, let's get back to business. We've got baseball to discuss, and without further ado, here is your 2010 Beer League All-Star Team...folded twice, of course.
Arizona Diamondbacks:
Fantasy Impact= 2B, Kelly Johnson- In a usually weak crop of fantasy players, Johnson has used his change of scenery to emerge as one the the (gulp!) leaders of the pack. On pace for over fifty doubles and over thirty homers, we just can't argue with his fantasy success so far. Although, we'd really, really like to.
Winning Impact= SP, Dan Haren- Yes, the numbers are down (or up depending on how you look at it), but they're trending in the right direction. Bottom line here is the six wins. Justin Upton is the other candidate, but with the way he's struggled with the stick, it's not feasible right now to select him to this year's Beer League All-Star Team. Besides, poll the GM's around the league. Dennis-the-Menace's piggy bank says they'd covet the Pepperdine product as their number one on the hill.
Atlanta Braves:
Fantasy Impact= No question here. It's not debateable. It's...It's...a rookie!? Yes. Jason Heyward runs away with this selection. Please try and find an argument to the contrary. We'll be waiting. Ok. We've waited long enough. Next!
Winning Impact= It's a sweep! If the stats don't get the message across, the eye test will. Despite a game every now and then where he must just enjoy hearing the ump call him out on strikes, he's barreling towards exceptional numbers. That's exceptional in general, not just for a rookie. His cannon in right just makes this pick that much easier.
Baltimore Orioles:
Fantasy Impact= Ty Wigginton. Reasoning? Well, there's only one--it's got to be somebody...
Winning Impact= Buehler?...Buehler?...Nope. We refuse.
Boston Red Sox:
Fantasy Impact= Kevin Youkilis. Was it an easy choice? Uh huh. Are there others? Uh huh. Is he skipping down the lilly-laden path towards MVP? Uh huh.
Winning Impact= In the AL East it's all about the runs. The Sox realized this after a change-of-approach toward a not-so-successful-Bill-James- driven shift which netted them a losing record. When did they start to pull it together? It was about the time their bats starting whiffing and grounding out less and their balls started landing in the gaps and over the fence more. Who's been the most successful Bostonian at doing just this? One hint: It's the same guy who's eye-balling a shot at the MVP title.
Chicago Cubs:
Fantasy Impact= Ready to feel slightly sick to your stomach? Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano are blowing the rest of the Cubbies away in the fantasy world. Yuck. However, Beer League rules don't allow players in wheel chairs to participate. So, that leaves Byrd. Congrats Marlon!...We guess.
Winning Impact= It appears a change of scenary has lit a fire under Carlos Silva's... shoulder. He's undefeated and refuses to give out free passes to first. Seriously, we tried. He won't budge. You've got to earn your trip to the basepaths the way your grandpa earned that Caddy--through plenty of hard work and loads of determination. Interesting note; despite swearing we saw him play for the Mariners previously, we can't locate this fact anywhere in his resume. He's seemingly erased those memories from the history books and wants the baseball world to believe he went straight from Minnesota to Chicago. Did he?
Cincinnati Reds:
Fantasy Impact= Leading one of the hottest offenses in the National league is Joey Votto. He may have disapeared from the baseball scene for a while last season. And, he may have disapeared form your Christmas list because of it. However, the one place he hasn't disapeared from is the production line. He continues to churn out a plethora of singles, doubles, homers and clutch rbi's. Check your fantasy roster. If he's not your first baseman, you probably wish he was.
Winning Impact= While Votto would be the easy choice, it's necessary to look at what's producing Cincy's wins. Joey was an emerging monster last year, yet they didn't seem to win at a large rate. What's different this year? The re-emergence of Scott Rolen appears to be the difference that's got the Red's competing for the Central. Thus, the gritty vet is getting the nod here. Nice to see you again, Scott.
Cleveland Indians:
Fantasy Impact= Shin-Soo Choo. He's contributing in five categories. Unfortunately, his teammates may complicate the development of his RBI total.
Winning Impact= Hmmm.
Colorado Rockies:
Fantasy Impact= As much as we'd like to give TT the nod here... As big of fans of his as we are here...Must choose U-B-A-L-D-O J-I-M-E-N-E-Z.
Winning Impact= Eleven wins, sub-one ERA and WHIP totals, two complete games, two shut-outs, AND keeping batters harnessed below a two hundred batting average? Yes. Give him the nod here too.
Chicago White Sox:
Fantasy Impact= Paul Bunyan. Errr. Konerko. The guy just...keeps...jacking. He's already at seventeen homeruns, he's healthy, and he's walking. Wonder if all that walking has kept his blood sugar low...
Winning Impact= What did the White Sox think they were getting in Alex Rios? Don't know. They were probably hoping he could return to his future MVP type numbers of his earlier years with Toronto. Fortunately for them, they found lightning in a bottle. He's doing a bit of everything, and doing it well. No doubt, he's the best all-around player on the South side.
Detroit Tigers:
Fantasy Impact= Miquel Cabrera. He's quite possibly the best offensive fantasy player this year. The best part? He's just now hitting his prime.
Winning Impact= Justin Verlander. He's baaaaaack! After getting roughed up early, the guy just keeps getting stronger.
Florida Marlins:
Fantasy Impact= Normally this would be a no-brainer. Normally, H-Ram would be making you feel fantastic and giddy about taking him early in the first round. Abnormally, he's not producing at that level yet this season. Instead, Josh Johnson says, "not in my house". Nobody is getting the ball over the fence against Johnson. He's building on prior success and is currently one of the better pitching options in fantasy.
Winning Impact= No, the run-producing, power-hitting short stop hasn't been puting up his normal numbers. But, Hanley's got five tools, right? Right. He's still got the glove and range to shut down the middle... Even if he does kick a ball every now and then.
Want more? You do, don't you? Good. Come back tomorrow for the rest of the Beer League All-Star lineup.
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Chime the bells. Blow the whistle. Alert the Media. It's round two of the Beer League All-Star lineup announcements. Instead of the usual anecdote or content-preceding attempt at humor, today it's time to just get down to business. Which reminds me; a quick preview for tomorrow's bonus post is in order. Tune in for a different take on "The Chosen One", Stephen Strasburg's world famous debut and what's around the corner for the real life human torch.
First up, Houston!
Houston Astros:
Fantasy Impact= Due to the ineptly shallow crop of left fielders for fantasy this year, Carlos Lee gets the nod here. Exciting? No. But, you understand what you're getting here. If not, look under "career slugger who's averaged 28 homers, 100 RBI and over 30 doubles over his 11 year career". Then, cross reference that with "how to adjust in your mid 30's". You should find a nice, happy medium.
Winning Impact= Man, so many to choose from. Big Puma. The aforementioned Carlos Lee. Or, the toolsy kid with an awesome name, Hunter Pence. Nah. Let's get creative and select Roy Oswalt. Why? Let's say they are actually able to trade his fatty contract to a desperate contender. Say, the Yankees. If we think really hard and creatively, we can begin to imagine what might happen 3 to 4 years down the road if they get a decent booty. Shucks! It was worth a try. Ok, default to the kid with the cool name. Congrats...Hunter Pence.
Kansas City Royals:
Fantasy Impact= What is about to be said may only be read by mature audiences. If you believe yourself to have a weak stomach, please skip to the next paragraph and never come back to or reference this portion of the post. Folks, it's Jose Guillen. You'll now be given a moment to grab some wet napkins, towels or whatever else you may need to clean yourself up a bit before we go on... Ready? Ok. The reasoning here might make you feel slightly better about the selection. The reasoning is that hopefully you traded Guillen when his stat line indicated he was on the verge of a career year. Hopefully you traded him for max value and got a stud like Matt Holliday, Justin Upton, or any number of first or second tier guys that may have been struggling. And, hopefully you weren't the one trading for him.
Winning Impact= It doesn't matter that the Royals players seem to disagree with Beer League's selection here. Facts are Facts. Zack Greinke still gives the boys in blue the best chance at winning every time he steps on the mound. Everyone is freaking out about his lack of "stuff", but remember he is a consummate professional and doesn't enjoy seeing 8 losses in his line. He'll find a way to correct whatever mechanics are slacking, and return to prominence. Ok, maybe that's a stretch. He's still in KC, after all.
LA Angels:
Fantasy Impact= With center field being a premium position, this has to go to Torii Hunter.
Winning Impact= With center field being a premium position, this has to go to Torii Hunter. (No, that was not a typo. He's dominated the position offensively and defensively for years and deserves the utmost respect.)
LA Dodgers:
Fantasy Impact= Dr. Dre. Not the singer/rapper/composer/marketing guru or whatever else he does, but the right fielder. Ethier took the months of April and May, wrapped them up neatly, and launched them into outer space with a note that read, "Who's your daddy?" The finger issue will resolve itself and he'll adjust.
Winning Impact= The entire outfield. It tops the Majors in every way possible. Kemp and Ethier defend the outfield like Rajon Rondo did in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Manny is always being Manny, of course. But, he's allowed that luxury. All three guys know how to control the plate. Yes, it's our first "team" award.
Milwaukee Brewers:
Fantasy Impact= Being part of the Ryan Braun fan club, it's extremely difficult not to choose the "Hammer" here, but we just can't. Second base is historically weak. Therefore, Casey McGehee's emergence is critical. Well, at least this year. The Crew has him on the third bag, which will relieve him of his second base eligibility for next year. However, that doesn't change the fact that he's a top two second base-eligible player this year and doesn't look like he'll fall out of the top three.
Winning Impact= Another guy with a cool name, Yovanni Gallardo. Only, he's not just getting the call here because of his name. Do you know how to spell domination? Gallardo does.
Minnesota Twins:
Fantasy Impact= The lumberjack himself, Justin Morneau. Is anyone else completely and utterly scared when he steps up to the plate?
Winning Impact= The Twins say their prayers daily that Joe Mauer opted not to play quarterback for Florida State. The rest of the league has been hoping the past 6 years have been a bad dream. He is simply the best all-around player in the Majors. And, that's nothing to be taken lightly. (Side note: He too is a bit of a lumberjack)
New York Mets
Fantasy Impact= After a down year last season, David Wright has rebounded and enthused those who took a chance on him in this year's draft. Third base is a bit rocky as far as depth goes, so Wright's projected 40 doubles, 30 homers, 100 RBI and .280 batting average look good on any team.
Winning Impact= In real life, the msot difficult position to come by is a true short stop. Jose Reyes is just that. His power seems to have been somewhat depleted recently, but he still has all 5 of the most important tools in baseball (remember doubles and triples count too!). And, he's oh-so-fun to watch.
More coming after the jump.
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Here we go. Day 3 of the Beer League All-Star lineup announcements. There's quite a bit of information included in this 3 part post so we wanted to make sure you had time to keep up. Today will wrap up the final third of the two teams.
New York Yankees:
Fantasy Impact= Whether you credit his outstanding start to the new ball park, his "baseball prime", or any number of other explanations, Robinson Cano is keeping jaws dropped this season. His current pace for 50 doubles, 33 homers, and 126RBI is only made more impressive by his astonishing .376 batting average clip. Are you a believer?
Winning Impact= The offense is great in New York, but you could put Barney and Friends in pinstripes and they'd slam a few out of the park. Therefore, CC Sabathia is the key to wins. Statistically, Phil Hughes is better, but CC gives these boys a legitimate shot every fifth day.
Oakland A's:
Fantasy Impact= It's a grim outlook. Daric Barton gets the nod as a doubles machine who knows how to take a walk. He's probably not on your team, and for good reason...You probably don't have any A's on your team, and for good reason.
Winning Impact= True team ball. The whole roster gets this selection. Honestly, who will represent their team in the real MLB All-Star game?
Philadelphia Phillies:
Fantasy Impact= R-O-Y H-A-L-L-A-D-A-Y (reference article number one from Beer League)
Winning Impact= Chase Utley has belonged in this category since he broke into the majors. The guy is a true winner, a pure baseball player, and a production machine. He's set the standard for second basemen and will continue to do so until he retires.
Pittsburgh Pirates:
Fantasy Impact= You've seen it before; center field is a premium position. That makes "Cutch" a premium player. He doesn't snag a lot of RBI's, but he'll delve into just about every other category.
Winning Impact= As the most exciting, most prolific and most impactful player on the roster, "Cutch" gets the nod here too. Seriously, have you seen him play?
San Diego Padres:
Fantasy Impact= If you have many Padres on your fantasy team, you're probably not at the top of the standings. The only player really worth holding onto is Adrian Gonzalez. You can always hope he gets traded to a contender at the deadline. We'd all like to see a spike in RBI opportunities, wouldn't we?
Winning Impact= Nobody really knows how San Diego keeps winning, and there's not really a "key". Here's to another team nomination. We're going to need to order a few more Beer League jerseys.
Seattle Mariners:
Fantasy Impact= You waited patiently. You wondered if it'd be worth it. Now, you know. Cliff Lee has come back from injury with a vengeance. Not only is the stuff still there, now he's adding heavily to your strikeout category as well. Stud.
Winning Impact= See "Impact, Fantasy".
San Francisco Giants:
Fantasy Impact= No brainer. Lincecum, right? Wrong. There's a new sheriff in town. His name is Matt Cain, and his hands are the size of a polar bear's...at least according to Lince-chump. He's shown flashes before and it's finally come together. Too bad that Halladay guy is in the NL now.
Winning Impact= A little twist here as offense doesn't seem to exist in the Bay Area--Buster Posey. He's provided a much needed spark since getting the call up. He makes constant and solid contact with the stick and looks like he'll be a candidate for 30 doubles this year as a leader of the offense.
St. Louis Cardinals:
Fantasy Impact= He's been the number one pick for a few years now. They call him the "Machine". He could blast a rolling baseball 400 feet. Enough said.
Winning impact= As a converted reliever, it still seems surreal seeing Adam Wainwright get the best of almost every batter he faces. Again, it's just a shame that guy Halladay is in he NL.
Tampa Bay Rays:
Fantasy Impact= In all seriousness, hope you got them all. Really.
Winning impact= It is beautiful to watch this team play. They've got to be the favorite in the AL. Selection goes to their manager, Joe Maddon.
Texas Rangers:
Fantasy Impact= Since Nolan Ryan, it's been about offense in Arlington. With triple eligibility in the outfield, Josh Hamilton is begining to really heat up. As long as those knees hold up, he looks to redeem his slow start by rewarding his owners with 30 homers and 100 RBI. Start looking forward to it.
Winning Impact= As nice as most of the pieces are for the Rangers, if you watch the games, Vlad seems to be the biggest difference-maker at the plate. It doesn't matter what the situation is, he seems to take advantage of it. They took a chance on his health and it's paying dividends.
Toronto Blue Jays:
Fantasy Impact= Vernon Wells is the man. He's also our pick.
Winning Impact= Vernon Wells again. Can he keep it up? Probably not. He's on pace for over 60 doubles and almost 30 homers. However, his re-awakening is prompting the Jays to score some runs. Even if he doesn't stay on his current pace, he will remain their difference-maker.
Washington Nationals:
Fantasy Impact= Tempting to already put Stephen Strasburg here. Well, what the hay? Let's do it! Stephen Strasburg it is. Despite his pitch count and innings limits, he's going to be great. If you didn't catch his first start, make sure to see the next one against Cleveland.
Winning Impact= Maybe as early as next season, this will be Strasburg as well. Unfortunately, the limitations on his counts this year will limit his ability to really impact the win column. Zimmerman is still the man at the hot corner, and he's our man too.
This concludes the 2010 Beer League All-Star Lineups. After 3 days of analyzing and making picks, it's finally over. Why does it seem like everything related to the game of baseball takes forever? Because, it does. If you're not already, get used to it.
"You can put (expletive) in a box and slap a guarantee on it"...
...Maybe that's not an exact quote, but you get the idea. Regardless, we're going to cram this week and bring you four straight days of posts. On top of our usual, but somewhat off-schedule Fantasy Monday, National Interest Wednesday and Farm Report Friday, Beer League will feature it's first guest writer--World Cup enthusiast Isaac Hodges. We're expecting a top-tier write up on Thursday spotlighting this major sports event, so please stop in and enjoy.
Today's write up after the jump.
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Sitting at just over a third of the way through the 2010 Major League Baseball season, it's time to take a look at this year's All-Star forecast. Instead of just purely predicting which player(s) will represent each team, Beer League is going to take a two-fold approach. First, we'll choose each team's biggest fantasy player based on statistical production in the most pronounced fantasy categories. Second, a player will be selected from each team based on his real-life, win-producing impact.
What's the point? Isn't an All-Star an All-Star? And, aren't All-Star's chosen based on fantasy voting?
Slow down. Holster your Nerf guns. Let's just talk it out. The point of this system is to present to you a unique prospective. Frankly, it's somewhat tiring seeing the same guys over and over again, and, all due respect set aside; it's a little boring. Whatever happened to breakout seasons, defense winning championships, and fair and equal representation? Ok, maybe the MLB has addressed that third factor. Heck, maybe they've addressed all three. After all, they do allow the fans to control the rosters.
Here at Beer League, we like having the control. We love calling the shots. And, we thoroughly enjoy long walks on the beach, pina colladas with little umbrellas, pocket-sized puppies and...what? Maybe a "GOTCHA!" would be in order if each one of you didn't just imagine yourselves walking down the shoreline at sunset with a fruity drink in hand while you watch your tiny K-9 frolic in the slightly crashing waves.
Okay. In all seriousness, let's get back to business. We've got baseball to discuss, and without further ado, here is your 2010 Beer League All-Star Team...folded twice, of course.
Arizona Diamondbacks:
Fantasy Impact= 2B, Kelly Johnson- In a usually weak crop of fantasy players, Johnson has used his change of scenery to emerge as one the the (gulp!) leaders of the pack. On pace for over fifty doubles and over thirty homers, we just can't argue with his fantasy success so far. Although, we'd really, really like to.
Winning Impact= SP, Dan Haren- Yes, the numbers are down (or up depending on how you look at it), but they're trending in the right direction. Bottom line here is the six wins. Justin Upton is the other candidate, but with the way he's struggled with the stick, it's not feasible right now to select him to this year's Beer League All-Star Team. Besides, poll the GM's around the league. Dennis-the-Menace's piggy bank says they'd covet the Pepperdine product as their number one on the hill.
Atlanta Braves:
Fantasy Impact= No question here. It's not debateable. It's...It's...a rookie!? Yes. Jason Heyward runs away with this selection. Please try and find an argument to the contrary. We'll be waiting. Ok. We've waited long enough. Next!
Winning Impact= It's a sweep! If the stats don't get the message across, the eye test will. Despite a game every now and then where he must just enjoy hearing the ump call him out on strikes, he's barreling towards exceptional numbers. That's exceptional in general, not just for a rookie. His cannon in right just makes this pick that much easier.
Baltimore Orioles:
Fantasy Impact= Ty Wigginton. Reasoning? Well, there's only one--it's got to be somebody...
Winning Impact= Buehler?...Buehler?...Nope. We refuse.
Boston Red Sox:
Fantasy Impact= Kevin Youkilis. Was it an easy choice? Uh huh. Are there others? Uh huh. Is he skipping down the lilly-laden path towards MVP? Uh huh.
Winning Impact= In the AL East it's all about the runs. The Sox realized this after a change-of-approach toward a not-so-successful-Bill-James- driven shift which netted them a losing record. When did they start to pull it together? It was about the time their bats starting whiffing and grounding out less and their balls started landing in the gaps and over the fence more. Who's been the most successful Bostonian at doing just this? One hint: It's the same guy who's eye-balling a shot at the MVP title.
Chicago Cubs:
Fantasy Impact= Ready to feel slightly sick to your stomach? Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano are blowing the rest of the Cubbies away in the fantasy world. Yuck. However, Beer League rules don't allow players in wheel chairs to participate. So, that leaves Byrd. Congrats Marlon!...We guess.
Winning Impact= It appears a change of scenary has lit a fire under Carlos Silva's... shoulder. He's undefeated and refuses to give out free passes to first. Seriously, we tried. He won't budge. You've got to earn your trip to the basepaths the way your grandpa earned that Caddy--through plenty of hard work and loads of determination. Interesting note; despite swearing we saw him play for the Mariners previously, we can't locate this fact anywhere in his resume. He's seemingly erased those memories from the history books and wants the baseball world to believe he went straight from Minnesota to Chicago. Did he?
Cincinnati Reds:
Fantasy Impact= Leading one of the hottest offenses in the National league is Joey Votto. He may have disapeared from the baseball scene for a while last season. And, he may have disapeared form your Christmas list because of it. However, the one place he hasn't disapeared from is the production line. He continues to churn out a plethora of singles, doubles, homers and clutch rbi's. Check your fantasy roster. If he's not your first baseman, you probably wish he was.
Winning Impact= While Votto would be the easy choice, it's necessary to look at what's producing Cincy's wins. Joey was an emerging monster last year, yet they didn't seem to win at a large rate. What's different this year? The re-emergence of Scott Rolen appears to be the difference that's got the Red's competing for the Central. Thus, the gritty vet is getting the nod here. Nice to see you again, Scott.
Cleveland Indians:
Fantasy Impact= Shin-Soo Choo. He's contributing in five categories. Unfortunately, his teammates may complicate the development of his RBI total.
Winning Impact= Hmmm.
Colorado Rockies:
Fantasy Impact= As much as we'd like to give TT the nod here... As big of fans of his as we are here...Must choose U-B-A-L-D-O J-I-M-E-N-E-Z.
Winning Impact= Eleven wins, sub-one ERA and WHIP totals, two complete games, two shut-outs, AND keeping batters harnessed below a two hundred batting average? Yes. Give him the nod here too.
Chicago White Sox:
Fantasy Impact= Paul Bunyan. Errr. Konerko. The guy just...keeps...jacking. He's already at seventeen homeruns, he's healthy, and he's walking. Wonder if all that walking has kept his blood sugar low...
Winning Impact= What did the White Sox think they were getting in Alex Rios? Don't know. They were probably hoping he could return to his future MVP type numbers of his earlier years with Toronto. Fortunately for them, they found lightning in a bottle. He's doing a bit of everything, and doing it well. No doubt, he's the best all-around player on the South side.
Detroit Tigers:
Fantasy Impact= Miquel Cabrera. He's quite possibly the best offensive fantasy player this year. The best part? He's just now hitting his prime.
Winning Impact= Justin Verlander. He's baaaaaack! After getting roughed up early, the guy just keeps getting stronger.
Florida Marlins:
Fantasy Impact= Normally this would be a no-brainer. Normally, H-Ram would be making you feel fantastic and giddy about taking him early in the first round. Abnormally, he's not producing at that level yet this season. Instead, Josh Johnson says, "not in my house". Nobody is getting the ball over the fence against Johnson. He's building on prior success and is currently one of the better pitching options in fantasy.
Winning Impact= No, the run-producing, power-hitting short stop hasn't been puting up his normal numbers. But, Hanley's got five tools, right? Right. He's still got the glove and range to shut down the middle... Even if he does kick a ball every now and then.
Want more? You do, don't you? Good. Come back tomorrow for the rest of the Beer League All-Star lineup.
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Chime the bells. Blow the whistle. Alert the Media. It's round two of the Beer League All-Star lineup announcements. Instead of the usual anecdote or content-preceding attempt at humor, today it's time to just get down to business. Which reminds me; a quick preview for tomorrow's bonus post is in order. Tune in for a different take on "The Chosen One", Stephen Strasburg's world famous debut and what's around the corner for the real life human torch.
First up, Houston!
Houston Astros:
Fantasy Impact= Due to the ineptly shallow crop of left fielders for fantasy this year, Carlos Lee gets the nod here. Exciting? No. But, you understand what you're getting here. If not, look under "career slugger who's averaged 28 homers, 100 RBI and over 30 doubles over his 11 year career". Then, cross reference that with "how to adjust in your mid 30's". You should find a nice, happy medium.
Winning Impact= Man, so many to choose from. Big Puma. The aforementioned Carlos Lee. Or, the toolsy kid with an awesome name, Hunter Pence. Nah. Let's get creative and select Roy Oswalt. Why? Let's say they are actually able to trade his fatty contract to a desperate contender. Say, the Yankees. If we think really hard and creatively, we can begin to imagine what might happen 3 to 4 years down the road if they get a decent booty. Shucks! It was worth a try. Ok, default to the kid with the cool name. Congrats...Hunter Pence.
Kansas City Royals:
Fantasy Impact= What is about to be said may only be read by mature audiences. If you believe yourself to have a weak stomach, please skip to the next paragraph and never come back to or reference this portion of the post. Folks, it's Jose Guillen. You'll now be given a moment to grab some wet napkins, towels or whatever else you may need to clean yourself up a bit before we go on... Ready? Ok. The reasoning here might make you feel slightly better about the selection. The reasoning is that hopefully you traded Guillen when his stat line indicated he was on the verge of a career year. Hopefully you traded him for max value and got a stud like Matt Holliday, Justin Upton, or any number of first or second tier guys that may have been struggling. And, hopefully you weren't the one trading for him.
Winning Impact= It doesn't matter that the Royals players seem to disagree with Beer League's selection here. Facts are Facts. Zack Greinke still gives the boys in blue the best chance at winning every time he steps on the mound. Everyone is freaking out about his lack of "stuff", but remember he is a consummate professional and doesn't enjoy seeing 8 losses in his line. He'll find a way to correct whatever mechanics are slacking, and return to prominence. Ok, maybe that's a stretch. He's still in KC, after all.
LA Angels:
Fantasy Impact= With center field being a premium position, this has to go to Torii Hunter.
Winning Impact= With center field being a premium position, this has to go to Torii Hunter. (No, that was not a typo. He's dominated the position offensively and defensively for years and deserves the utmost respect.)
LA Dodgers:
Fantasy Impact= Dr. Dre. Not the singer/rapper/composer/marketing guru or whatever else he does, but the right fielder. Ethier took the months of April and May, wrapped them up neatly, and launched them into outer space with a note that read, "Who's your daddy?" The finger issue will resolve itself and he'll adjust.
Winning Impact= The entire outfield. It tops the Majors in every way possible. Kemp and Ethier defend the outfield like Rajon Rondo did in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Manny is always being Manny, of course. But, he's allowed that luxury. All three guys know how to control the plate. Yes, it's our first "team" award.
Milwaukee Brewers:
Fantasy Impact= Being part of the Ryan Braun fan club, it's extremely difficult not to choose the "Hammer" here, but we just can't. Second base is historically weak. Therefore, Casey McGehee's emergence is critical. Well, at least this year. The Crew has him on the third bag, which will relieve him of his second base eligibility for next year. However, that doesn't change the fact that he's a top two second base-eligible player this year and doesn't look like he'll fall out of the top three.
Winning Impact= Another guy with a cool name, Yovanni Gallardo. Only, he's not just getting the call here because of his name. Do you know how to spell domination? Gallardo does.
Minnesota Twins:
Fantasy Impact= The lumberjack himself, Justin Morneau. Is anyone else completely and utterly scared when he steps up to the plate?
Winning Impact= The Twins say their prayers daily that Joe Mauer opted not to play quarterback for Florida State. The rest of the league has been hoping the past 6 years have been a bad dream. He is simply the best all-around player in the Majors. And, that's nothing to be taken lightly. (Side note: He too is a bit of a lumberjack)
New York Mets
Fantasy Impact= After a down year last season, David Wright has rebounded and enthused those who took a chance on him in this year's draft. Third base is a bit rocky as far as depth goes, so Wright's projected 40 doubles, 30 homers, 100 RBI and .280 batting average look good on any team.
Winning Impact= In real life, the msot difficult position to come by is a true short stop. Jose Reyes is just that. His power seems to have been somewhat depleted recently, but he still has all 5 of the most important tools in baseball (remember doubles and triples count too!). And, he's oh-so-fun to watch.
More coming after the jump.
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Here we go. Day 3 of the Beer League All-Star lineup announcements. There's quite a bit of information included in this 3 part post so we wanted to make sure you had time to keep up. Today will wrap up the final third of the two teams.
New York Yankees:
Fantasy Impact= Whether you credit his outstanding start to the new ball park, his "baseball prime", or any number of other explanations, Robinson Cano is keeping jaws dropped this season. His current pace for 50 doubles, 33 homers, and 126RBI is only made more impressive by his astonishing .376 batting average clip. Are you a believer?
Winning Impact= The offense is great in New York, but you could put Barney and Friends in pinstripes and they'd slam a few out of the park. Therefore, CC Sabathia is the key to wins. Statistically, Phil Hughes is better, but CC gives these boys a legitimate shot every fifth day.
Oakland A's:
Fantasy Impact= It's a grim outlook. Daric Barton gets the nod as a doubles machine who knows how to take a walk. He's probably not on your team, and for good reason...You probably don't have any A's on your team, and for good reason.
Winning Impact= True team ball. The whole roster gets this selection. Honestly, who will represent their team in the real MLB All-Star game?
Philadelphia Phillies:
Fantasy Impact= R-O-Y H-A-L-L-A-D-A-Y (reference article number one from Beer League)
Winning Impact= Chase Utley has belonged in this category since he broke into the majors. The guy is a true winner, a pure baseball player, and a production machine. He's set the standard for second basemen and will continue to do so until he retires.
Pittsburgh Pirates:
Fantasy Impact= You've seen it before; center field is a premium position. That makes "Cutch" a premium player. He doesn't snag a lot of RBI's, but he'll delve into just about every other category.
Winning Impact= As the most exciting, most prolific and most impactful player on the roster, "Cutch" gets the nod here too. Seriously, have you seen him play?
San Diego Padres:
Fantasy Impact= If you have many Padres on your fantasy team, you're probably not at the top of the standings. The only player really worth holding onto is Adrian Gonzalez. You can always hope he gets traded to a contender at the deadline. We'd all like to see a spike in RBI opportunities, wouldn't we?
Winning Impact= Nobody really knows how San Diego keeps winning, and there's not really a "key". Here's to another team nomination. We're going to need to order a few more Beer League jerseys.
Seattle Mariners:
Fantasy Impact= You waited patiently. You wondered if it'd be worth it. Now, you know. Cliff Lee has come back from injury with a vengeance. Not only is the stuff still there, now he's adding heavily to your strikeout category as well. Stud.
Winning Impact= See "Impact, Fantasy".
San Francisco Giants:
Fantasy Impact= No brainer. Lincecum, right? Wrong. There's a new sheriff in town. His name is Matt Cain, and his hands are the size of a polar bear's...at least according to Lince-chump. He's shown flashes before and it's finally come together. Too bad that Halladay guy is in the NL now.
Winning Impact= A little twist here as offense doesn't seem to exist in the Bay Area--Buster Posey. He's provided a much needed spark since getting the call up. He makes constant and solid contact with the stick and looks like he'll be a candidate for 30 doubles this year as a leader of the offense.
St. Louis Cardinals:
Fantasy Impact= He's been the number one pick for a few years now. They call him the "Machine". He could blast a rolling baseball 400 feet. Enough said.
Winning impact= As a converted reliever, it still seems surreal seeing Adam Wainwright get the best of almost every batter he faces. Again, it's just a shame that guy Halladay is in he NL.
Tampa Bay Rays:
Fantasy Impact= In all seriousness, hope you got them all. Really.
Winning impact= It is beautiful to watch this team play. They've got to be the favorite in the AL. Selection goes to their manager, Joe Maddon.
Texas Rangers:
Fantasy Impact= Since Nolan Ryan, it's been about offense in Arlington. With triple eligibility in the outfield, Josh Hamilton is begining to really heat up. As long as those knees hold up, he looks to redeem his slow start by rewarding his owners with 30 homers and 100 RBI. Start looking forward to it.
Winning Impact= As nice as most of the pieces are for the Rangers, if you watch the games, Vlad seems to be the biggest difference-maker at the plate. It doesn't matter what the situation is, he seems to take advantage of it. They took a chance on his health and it's paying dividends.
Toronto Blue Jays:
Fantasy Impact= Vernon Wells is the man. He's also our pick.
Winning Impact= Vernon Wells again. Can he keep it up? Probably not. He's on pace for over 60 doubles and almost 30 homers. However, his re-awakening is prompting the Jays to score some runs. Even if he doesn't stay on his current pace, he will remain their difference-maker.
Washington Nationals:
Fantasy Impact= Tempting to already put Stephen Strasburg here. Well, what the hay? Let's do it! Stephen Strasburg it is. Despite his pitch count and innings limits, he's going to be great. If you didn't catch his first start, make sure to see the next one against Cleveland.
Winning Impact= Maybe as early as next season, this will be Strasburg as well. Unfortunately, the limitations on his counts this year will limit his ability to really impact the win column. Zimmerman is still the man at the hot corner, and he's our man too.
This concludes the 2010 Beer League All-Star Lineups. After 3 days of analyzing and making picks, it's finally over. Why does it seem like everything related to the game of baseball takes forever? Because, it does. If you're not already, get used to it.
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