The Thunderchickens held their own for the March weekend going .500. The sad part for us was that we hadn’t gotten around to playing the Champions yet. A week later, we played them over Skype and fell to them 1-5. For the weekend, we were 13-17.
Our highlights:
Jason Varitek is fourth on the team in rbis and only two behind team leader Albert Pujols with 12. The kicker is that Tek only played 22 games and didn’t start all of them.
Despite hitting .217, Troy Tulowitzki is tied with Albert Pujols in team homeruns with six.
Our pitchers are striking batters out. We’re doing it at a pace close to 7 per nine innings (6.91). That’s over a strikeout better than last year. Big guys in that category so far are: Mark Hendrickson (11 Ks in 11 IP), Chris Perez (15 Ks in 10 1/3 innings), Homer Bailey (20 Ks in 25 innings) and K leader John Lackey (29 Ks in 38 innings).
Speaking of Lackey, he’s off to an unlucky start. He’s striking out batters and has a decent ERA of 4.26. Unfortunately, he’s also 0-4 for the season.
And while we’re talking about slow starts, anyone want Casey McGehee? He is still looking for his first hit in 21 at-bats. Rookie of the Year Geovony Soto looks even worse. He started the season in a 0 for 32 slump until he pounded a double in his last at-bat of March. Ouch.
Three rookie pitchers look real good so far. Bullpen ace Jose Mijares has yet to allow a run in nine innings and has collected five saves and one win. Jeff Niemann is 1-1 with a 2.32 ERA in 31 IP. Our #1 pick Tommy Hanson won his first two games of the year. He’s 2-1 with a nice 3.30 ERA.
Repeating is never easy, but the Champions have gotten out of the gate quickly, going for their 12th World Series Championship, and their 3rd straight first place finish. It won’t be easy, despite their 23-7 record, this team has its work cut out for them. Last year’s World Series opposition retooled in the offseason, bringing in Adam Wainwright, Aaron Hill, Mariano Rivera, J.D. Drew, & J.A. Happ. That doesn’t mean the Champions are conceding anything to the Rising Bamm Beanos, or anyone else for that matter.
The Champions have retooled a little bit themselves, although the team’s core is still the same & pretty solid. Gone from last year’s championship squad are future HOF’er Greg Maddux, Postseason MVP Ryan Doumit, starting outfielder B.J. Upton, strike throwing reliever Matt Capps, hard hitting outfielder Matt Joyce, backup shortstop Bobby Crosby, and bullpen aces Joey Devine & Cory Wade. A new face in the rotation will be Jason Marquis, who attempts to do the impossible, replace Greg Maddux. Jeff Francoeur will see plenty of action. Hideki Okajima & his fellow Japanese countryman Daisuke Matsuzaka in the Champs bullpen. Daisuke provides some insurance, if Marquis should falter. There are four rookies on this year’s team. Power hitting infielder Gordon Beckham & hitting machine Alcides Escobar will be groomed as the DP combo of the future. Hardthrowing Ryan Perry & handlebar mustached Clay Zavada will provide bullpen depth.
Nick Swisher & Victor Martinez return to the starting lineup. They will be joined by Carlos Lee, Alex Rodriguez, Jimmy Rollins, Felipe Lopez, Justin Morneau, & Grady Sizemore. Miguel Olivo & Ian Stewart are slated to see alot more action off the bench. Pinch hitter deluxe, Jose Guillen, brings his magic wand.
Four fifths of the rotation returns, Tim Lincecum, Josh Beckett, Matt Cain, & Mark Buehrle are as good as they get. Brett Myers was brilliant as a long reliever last year, and returns to that role again this season. Jose Valverde moves from setup to closer, he’s done it before, he’ll do it again.
Newcomer Francoeur leads the club with a .348 batting average, 39 hits, 12 doubles, and is 2nd with 21 RBI’s behind Martinez, who leads with 23 knocked in. Victor has a .309 average, 10 doubles, and 20 runs scored. Lopez is hitting .339, leading with 21 runs. In limited action Sizemore leads with 7 homers, followed closely by part-timer Olivo with six. Marquis has been Maddux-like, 6-0, with a 2.38 ERA, 2 shutouts. Cain’s 1.10 ERA leads the way, three shutouts, and a 5-1 record. Lincecum is sporting a nifty 1.48 ERA and a 3-0 mark. Not to be out done, Beckett sports a 2-0 record, 2.84 ERA. Last, but not least, Buehrle is 4-2, two shutouts, and an impressive ERA of 3.24. Romo has yet to be scored on. Rookie flame thrower Perry has a 1.59 ERA. Closer Papa Grande Valverde already has six saves and an ERA of 1.80.
The drought is over, the Champs are once again Champions of the IAL. Chicago had won ten championships in the first twenty two years, then there were a dozen years (six years no playoff berth) with no rings. There were only two other years in team history when the Champs did not qualify for postseason play. Fourteen years the Champions have either finished first or won the World Series. But they have never had a 100 win campaign. It was great to win it all again, in a season in which the franchise achieved it’s 3,000 victory (ending the 2009/10 year with 3,063 total wins. Speaking of milestones, future Hall of Fame hurler Greg Maddux announced he would be hanging it up when postseason play ended, with a league record of 354 career wins.
PLAYOFFS
Game 1: Featured a matchup of aces, C.C. Sabathia for the Three Rivers Gamblers, opposed by Chicago Champions phenom Tim Lincecum. The Gamblers opened the scoring in the 4th when Derek Jeter scored, after reaching base on an error, on a Dustin Pedroia double. Justin Morneau went yard & Ryan Doumit clubbed a two run shot in the bottom of the 4th to put Chicago up two. Another error led to another unearned run off The Freak, a walk & an error put runners at the corners, a doubleplay produced the fifth inning run that cut the lead to 3-2. Rookie Matt Joyce, pinch hitting for B.J. Upton, nailed a two run triple in the bottom of the 7th, then scored on a Jimmy Rollins base knock to put the Champs up four. In the top of the 8th, with runners on 2nd & 3rd and only one out, Lincecum gave way to Joey Devine. Pedroia got one in with a sac fly and Ryan Braun followed with a run driven in on a single & a steal. A double by Felipe Lopez in the bottom of the 8th expanded the lead to three, who knew that one run would prove to be the difference. Cory Wade was called on to close it out after Devine, feeling a little jittery, walked Jason Bay to open the 9th. Big Hurt, Frank Thomas (also a future HOF’er calling it quits at postseason’s end) came through with a two out two run monster blast to cut it to one. But it wasn’t to be, when Jeter bounced out the game was over, 7-6 Champs.
Game 2: Scott Kazmir didn’t have it for the Gamblers as the Champions got to him for five first inning runs. Giving Greg Maddux a five run cushion, is like money in the bank. In the 2nd, after Troy Glaus hit a two out solo blast off the leftfield foul pole, Chicago responded scoring a run to keep the lead at five. A two run shot by Doumit in the 7th, 4 RBI’s on the day, put the game officially on ice, as Maddux allowed only the one run over six innings. Thomas hit another pinch homer in the 8th, but it was much too little, far too late, 8-2 Champs.
Game 3: Rookie Armando Galarraga took the hill for the Gamblers, facing elimination. Chicago took an early 1-0 1st inning lead when an error by Maggs Ordonez, with 2 outs, allowed JRoll to score, it would be a foreshadowing of things to come. With runners on 2nd & 3rd, nobody out, against a tiring Galarraga, pinch hitter Matt Joyce stepped in, team trailing by two. Joyce lined a basehit to left, when Ordonez airmailed his throw plateward, far too late, two runners scored, two tie the game, and the potential winning run moved into scoring position. Armando got back to work, retiring the next three Champ batters in order, and when Prince Fielder’s moonshot came down to earth, far into the night, the Gamblers manager was off the hook for not replacing Maggs with a defensive replacement, 4-3 Gamblers.
Game 4: When Matt Joyce clubbed a two run homer in the 4th, Chicago was in front 3-0, but Three Rivers was not done yet, coming up with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, courtesy of a two run Jason Bay longball & a Prince RBI single. It quickly became a battle of the bullpens, still knotted at three, heading into the 9th. Pinch hitter Miguel Bombon Olivo connected on a high Jensen Lewis fastball & drove it high over the centerfield wall for a two run homer, and when Jose Valverde pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the 9th, it was time to get ready for the World Series, 5-3 Champs.
World Series
Game 1: The Champs would score four runs off Daisuke Matsuzaka in the 2nd thanks to a Ryan Doumit two run longball & a 2-RBI single by Jimmy Rollins, just like that Tim Lincecum was staked to a four to zip lead. Dan Uggla would cut the lead to two in the sixth, when his deep drive landed on the righfield foul line for a 2-RBI triple, moments later scoring an a Brian Giles sac fly to left. Back to back doubles by The Freak & JRoll in the bottom of the 6th, put Chicago up by a couple. The Rising Bamm Beanos, in their 1st World Series appearance, were not done yet, tying the game at 5 in the eighth. In the bottom of the tenth, El Caballo facing a tiring Brad Lidge (entering his 3rd inning of work), and sent the home humans home happy by hitting a walkoff homer, 6-5 Champs (in extras).
Game 2: Jair Jurrjens had a one run lead on Greg Maddux, thanks to a two out RBI double off the bat of senior citizen, Giles. Rookie Ian Stewart tied into one in the bottom of the 5th to tie the ballgame at one. Former Champion outfielder Matt Kemp came up with one out, runners on 2nd & 3rd, & battled Joey Devine for a sac fly as Alex Gordon was able to slide in just ahead of the throw by B.J. Upton, and the Bamm Beanos took that one run lead into the bottom of the 9th. Jonathan Papelbon was trying for a two inning save, Grady Sizemore lined a single to right, followed by a one out single by Carlos Lee (Bobby Crosby was sent in to run for the big man), & Crosby would score on a 2-run game winning double off the bat of ARod, 3-2 Champs.
Game 3: Alex Rodriguez started over where he left off, turning around a 3-0 fastball with two on in the first off rookie starter Chris Volstad (Datslov backwards), staking Josh Beckett to a three run lead. Mark Teixeira lined an RBI single in the 4th to close the gap to two, not long after Beckett was lifted for a pinch hitter and the game was turned over to the bullpen. Champ hitters exploded for 5 runs off Volstad in the 6th, 2-run doubles by Lee & Doumit. They scored another five spot in the 8th, Grady Sizemore with a 3-run bomb, 13-3 Champs.
Game 4: Doumit’s RBI double provided The Freak with a 1-0 2nd inning lead over The Ageless Wonder Jamie Moyer. Garrett Anderson, the Little Dog BEING the Big Dog, lined a homer to right in the 6th to tie it at one. Neither starter would answer the 8th inning bell. Moyer was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 7th. Victor Martinez was called on to bat for Lincecum with the go ahead run on 3rd with one out, but was given an intentional pass, Felipe Lopez went in to run, and up stepped JRoll. Jimmy ripped a single to leftcenter off Lidge, putting the Champs up one, with runners still at the corners. Lidge fanned Sizemore, before Justin Morneau knocked the stuffing out of one, for a three run blast, the game, and the World Series Championship, 5-2 Champs!
Ryan Doumit was the postseason MVP, going 5 for 15, with three doubles & two homers, 7 RBI’s & 4 runs in the playoffs, and 5 for 14, with three doubles & a homer, & five ribbies in the World Series.
KERNELS get Ryan Madson & Jim Johnson HIGHLANDERS get Michael Young & Jayson Nix ANALYSIS I knew the Highlanders would obtain Young from the Kernels, but thought it would be in exchange for Miguel Tejada, because Kentucky needed SS & Moore needed 3B. Madson & Johnson will provide bullpen depth, while Young takes over as the starter at the hot corner for the Highlanders. Nix is a power hitting utility infielder. Very slight advantage Highlanders.
MARAUDERS get Vernon Wells & Jeff Keppinger UPPERDECKERS get Huston Street & Alexei Ramirez (dropped) ANALYSIS The best days of Wells are long gone. Keppinger provides coverage as a utility infielder. Street is a quality reliever. Ramirez, while a shortstop with pop, was just included to make it a 2 for 2 swap. Advantage Upperdeckers, only if Huston’s arm doesn’t fall off.
HIGHLANDERS get Scott Kazmir GAMBLERS get Adrian Beltre ANALYSIS Scott Kazmir is a quality lefthanded starting pitcher, we’ll have to see how he develops. Todd has traded pitching in the past Brandon Webb for Adam Dunn, and C.C. Sabathia was on the block a few years back. Beltre provides the Gamblers with a solid thirdbaseman, nice glove, decent power, nothing to get excited about. Advantage Highlanders, based on potential.
UPPERDECKERS get Daniel Bard & Dexter Fowler GAMBLERS get Matt Wieters & Brian Sanches ANALYSIS Any way you slice it, the Upperdeckers got hosed on this one. Matt Wieters is a switch hitting version of Joe Mauer, one problem – Marc already has Mauer. Still he should’ve gotten way more than a hard throwing reliever in Bard and a fleet footed outfielder in Fowler, that pick was gold. Sanches is a one year A*. BIG advantage Gamblers!
CHAMPIONS get Delmon Young & Clay Zavada HITMEN get Ryan Doumit & Bobby Crosby ANALYSIS Doumit & Crosby return to the franchise that traded them one year ago, in exchange for the Champ coveted Young and mustached reliever Zavada. Slight advantage Hitmen, nothing wrong with Doumit’s bat.
MARAUDERS get Randy Wells & Justin Masterson KERNELS get Rick Porcello & Joba Chamberlain ANALYSIS DonS should never have taken advantage of his little brother like this. Porcello & Chamberlain are better than Wells & Masterson, and I’m not a Joba fan. Only thing is Keith’s defense is he’s going for the playoffs and Randy is a B. Large advantage Marauders.
KERNELS get Brendan Harris BOMBERS get Ronnie Belliard ANALYSIS This was a coverage trade, Bombers needed more at 2B, Kentucky needed more at SS, no advantage.
MARAUDERS get Hanley Ramirez, Chris Coghlan, Dan Uggla, Kevin Jepsen, Everth Cabrera, Daisuke Matsuzaka, & Brad Lidge RISING BAMM BEANOS get Adam Wainwright, Aaron Hill, Mariano Rivera, Mike Lowell, Rafael Furcal, Ken Griffey Jr, & Nomar Garciaparra ANALYSIS BLOCKBUSTER! Marauders gave up a #1 pitcher in Wainwright, a slick fielding great hitting secondbaseman in Hill, and a 42 year old relief pitcher who is still doing it in Mariano for the best young players in baseball, Hanley. Molly Putts also landed high average hitting outfielder Chris Coghlan & a secondbaseman who’s name is Dan Uggla. I give the advantage to the playoff seeking Bamm Beanos, who should win 100+ this year.
BOMBERS get Brandon Webb KERNELS get Alfonso Soriano ANALYSIS If Webb comes back this is a steal, if Bonanza comes back on TV I’ll watch it. Soriano will bring his powerful bat to Kentucky, just a coincidence he’s a Cub. Kernels get the nod here.
HITMEN get Brett Anderson & Colby Rasmus CHAMPIONS get Gordon Beckham & Jeff Francoeur ANALYSIS Anderson is one of four blue chippers in this year’s draft & Rasmus brings a power bat to centerfield. Beckham looks to be the Champions secondbaseman of the future. The shine off Francoeuer’s tout boy status is gone. Nice deal by the Hitmen.
MARAUDERS get Jose Contreras BOMBERS get Daisuke Matsuzaka ANALYSIS I like Dice-K, don’t like Contreras. That said, Contreras might take to the pen in Philly and Matsuzaka might come back from injury, or it might just a be a D for a D. No advantage.
BOMBERS get B.J. Upton, Delmon Young, & Matt Capps CHAMPIONS get Jason Marquis, Hideki Okajima, & Daisuke Matsuzaka ANALYSIS This trade allowed the Champs the flexibility to draft Beckham rather than taking a starting pitcher. Marquis moves into the 5th spot in the rotation in Chicago. While Okajima adds to the relief corps. Dice-K provides insurance if/when Marquis falters. Upton, Young, & Capps are three youngsters, who look to get older. Both B.J. & Delmon have plenty of skills, while Capps brings his elastic arm & pinpoint control to Green Rock’s pen. Bombers get the best of this one.
RISING BAMM BEANOS get J.D. Drew BOMBERS get Jonathan Broxton ANALYSIS Despite the fact that everybody hates J.D. Drew, the guy can play! Broxton moves from being third man in the Bamm Beanos pen to ace with the Bombers. A fair deal for both ballclubs, both got what they wanted.
1) THUNDERCHICKENS – TOMMY HANSON P: I watched Tommy dominate the AFL a couple of years ago, then he repeated the feat with the Braves in his rookie season, he has a funky delivery, almost like a dart thrower. Looks to be the heir apparent successor to Tom Glavine both with Atlanta and the T*Chix. Far & away the best pitcher in the draft.
2) KERNELS – Andrew Bailey P*: AL ROY was converted to the closer role in Oakland and was lights out. Bailey blows batters away, reminds me very much of Jonathan Papelbon. Kentucky will be in the playoff hunt and Andrew will help them get there, nice pick.
3) GAMBLERS – Matt Wieters C: Only question about Wieters seems to be, is it i-e or e-i, either way, this kid can do it all behind the plate. Looks to be a switch-hitting Joe Mauer, might have even more power, if you can imagine that. Should fit in nicely with Prince Fielder & Ryan Braun.
4) BOMBERS – David Price P: Many had this overpowering lefthander listed as the #1 pick in the draft, surprised to see him fall to #4, although with team needs & a very talented rookie class, it’s understandable. Price has the talent and the desire, the Bombers needed pitching, look like a perfect fit.
5) CHAMPIONS – Gordon Beckham 3B: The Champions already have ARod & Ian Stewart at 3B, so why would they draft another thirdbaseman? It turns out the White Sox are moving this power hitting rookie to second, which makes him very important to Chicago’s future.
6) HIGHLANDERS – Andrew McCutchen OF: I’ve watched this kid’s dreadlocks flying in the breeze in spring training, and admired his hustle. He does everything well. The Highlanders needed help in the outfield and got it in McCutchen.
7) UPPERDECKERS – Daniel Bard P*: I agree that this kid has electric stuff, but the Upperdeckers could have gotten him later in the draft and gotten more to help them now. IMHO, they jumped the gun.
8) KERNELS – Randy Wells P: I know Keith is a Cubs fan, but sometimes he takes team loyalty to an extreme. I’m not a Randy Wells fan, there were plenty of better starting pitchers out there, Brett Anderson, Jeff Niemann, & Rick Porcello, to name three. Wells is a flash in the pan, did it with mirrors in his rookie season, this season the mirrors break.
9) RISING BAMM BEANOS – J.A. Happ P: Was impressed with Happ’s changeup when I saw it last spring in Clearwater. Then this kid showed what he could do in his rookie season, still I believe there were three rookie starters better than J.A., see the law firm of Anderson, Niemann, & Porecello.
10) HITMEN – Brett Anderson – P: Brett Anderson is the best left handed starter in this draft, because he has great command of his stuff, and pounds the strike zone. He may end up being this year’s best pitcher taken, and I may regret taking trading this pick and drafting hitting rather than pitching.
11) THUNDERCHICKENS – Jeff Niemann P: Big Jeff Niemann was dominant in college, but then had arm trouble, now he seems to be fully recovered. People might have shied away from him because of his age & lack of hype, but this guy is the real deal. Still the rebuilding T*Chix would’ve been better off selecting the 3rd member of the law firm, Mr. Porcello.
12) MARUADERS – Rick Porcello P: Rivals Hanson, Price, & Anderson for the best rookie starting pitcher in the draft. Has a terrific fastball, yet pitched to contact to minimize his pitch count, very impressive, throws with a fluid motion, shouldn’t experience arm problems.
13) BOMBERS – Luis Valbuena 2B: Although the Bombers needed a secondbaseman, Valbuena probably would’ve been on the board in a later pick, and if not, Chris Getz is not that bad. That said, Luis has a great glove with good doubles power, wouldn’t surprise me if he hit 20 home runs.
14) HITMEN – Travis Snider OF: Travis has the best swing of any hitter in the draft, period. As a fielder, this kid can hit! Lil Duke has good power, quick hands, and is will to take a walk.
15) GAMBLERS – Brad Bergesen P: Whore pick! Bergesen has good control, needs to be perfect to be effective, was very good as a rookie, the hitters catch on to him as a sophomore. Reminds me of a poor man’s Dave Rozema.
16) MARAUDERS – Trevor Cahill P: Cahill got a lot of experience as a regular member of Oakland’s rotation as a rookie, yet I’m not a fan. Reminds me of Steve Trachsel. Homer Bailey is much better.
17) MARAUDERS – Chris Coghlan OF/2B: Coghlan, a converted infielder, came out of nowhere to win the NL ROY for the Marlins. This kid takes a disciplined, yet aggressive approach to the plate, he waits for a ball in his zone, and then he whacks it, works for him. He may end up moving back to secondbase, if Florida tires of Dan Uggla. No matter where this Tarpon Springs kid plays, he’ll hit.
18) HITMEN – Colby Rasmus OF: Rasmus can do it all, has tremendous power, plays centerfield, the sky i the limit for Colby, needs to make better contact, and believe in his ability. He’s a brash youngster, who does it his way.
19) THUNDERCHICKENS – Homer Bailey P: I don’t know why it is, but the best arms seem to come out of Texas. Bailey was a phenom in high school. Although Homer has experienced growing pains, he looks ready to step into his greatness. Bailey should be a solid starting pitcher for years to come.
20) KERNELS – Elvis Andrus SS: Pre-draft predictions had Andrus going to the Kernels with the 2nd pick in the draft, yet the Kernels got their man with the 20th selection, good patience by Kentucky. Elvis will only get better, he can field with anyone, fast as the wind, and should develop power as he matures.
21) BOMBERS – Tim Hudson P: If Webb & Hudson can come back, along with Liriano, the Bombers staff is looking good, but if ifs & buts were candy & nuts, every day would be Christmas. Hudson appears to be throwing pain free, looked good at the end of last year, yet is getting long in the tooth, and Green Rock might’ve been better served drafting a youngster.
22) HITMEN – Ron Belisario P*: Here is the classic one year A* reliever, yet the Hitmen might just have enough to get into the playoffs, and if you have a shot then you’ve got to go for it. There have been cases where journeyman relievers carry on, but more often than not, it doesn’t end well.
23) UPPERDECKERS – Dexter Fowler OF: Reminds me of Devon White, which is not necessarily a bad thing, this kid can fly, will play centerfield for years in the bigs, knows how to draw a walk, and is just learning to switch-hit, once he masters that, look out! Pencil him in as the Upperdeckers leadoff man and leave him there, problem solved.
24) MARAUDERS – Matt Palmer P: The only reason this guy was drafted is because he’s an Angel & a B, but on a rebuilding team, that seems to be a waste. Learned a long time ago, if you don’t have something good to say, silence is golden.
25) RISING BAMM BEANOS – Cameron Maybin OF: Maybin is a kid with all the tools, yet somehow the hype seems to have nearly passed him by. Curtis was involved in the trade which sent Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers, Maybin was the gem the Marlins were receiving in return. Believe me mom, they are magic beans.
26) CHAMPIONS – Alcides Escobar SS: This kid can flat out hit! He was born to play shortstop and will be in the running for this year’s NL ROY, great value at the 26th pick in the draft, was sure the Bamm Beanos would take him with the 25th pick.
27) THUNDERCHICKENS – Jose Mijares P*: Never waste a pick on an overweight relief pitcher when you’re rebuilding, even if he is an A*. This guy has struggled in the past, will struggle again, especially with Joe Nathan hurt. It’s tough to lose, but the T*Chix would’ve been smarter loading up on talented starters.
28) KERNELS – Julio Borbon OF: Why take Borbon when you’re going for it? This was the perfect time to whore it out & take Garrett Jones! Borbon doesn’t walk, doesn’t field, can hit, and can run. Will it be enough? Time will tell.
29) BOMBERS – Kyle Blanks OF/1B: Big Bad Blanks is a Manster! Maybe he’ll play first, maybe he’ll play outfield, but he has the bat to be the next Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard. Great pick by a team that needs talent!
30) HITMEN – Luke Gregorson P*: Park Ridge’s own Luke Gregorson, the Hitmen play right across the border from where Gregorson grew up. Luke has a nasty strikeout pitch and the same first name as his manager’s nickname.
31) GAMBLERS – Garrett Jones OF/1B: Saw this guy take Sabathia out on a pitch on his hands, but even if he’s only another whore, this organization has done well drafting a nice combination of talent & cards.
32) MARAUDERS – Billy Wagner P*: Lost Tim Hudson by not protecting him, didn’t want the same thing to happen to fan favorite Billy the Kid. It’ll be interesting to see how much he has left in the tank and whether the Marauder rebuilding project will be completed in time to get some use out of Wagner.
33) MAARAUDERS – Kevin Jepsen P*: Throws hard, along the same lines as Daniel Bard & Ryan Perry. Might be some upside, could be a closer, worthwhile gamble on an Angel reliever with heat.
34) CHAMPIONS – Ryan Perry P*: I get nervous just thinking about bringing in a reliever with a W, that said, this kid has some nasty gas! Nervous about the present, excited about the future.
35) THUNDERCHICKENS – Casey McGehee 3B: McGehee is an older rookie, who seems to have learned how to hit. Casey will be the starting thirdbaseman in Milwaukee, but will be buried behind Ryan Zimmerman with the T*Chix. Tom jumped the gun, announcing McGehee before his pick, the Champions negotiated a trade with the Hitmen, which would have sent Casey to the Northside in exchange for Gregorson.
36) HIGHLANDERS – Jayson Nix INF: It’s hard to find good utility infielders, especially ones that can hit, especially ones that can hit for power. Should provide coverage, which will allow the Highlanders to draft talent for years to come.
37) HITMEN – Alexei Ramirez SS: Drafted in the first round one year ago by the Marauders, then dropped by the Upperdeckers, the Hitmen got great value, and just what the doctor ordered in Ramirez. Alexei is flashy in the field at short, has power, and is the Hitmen’s best option at SS.
38) GAMBLERS – Mat Gamel 3B: With whore pick McGehee taken a couple of selections early, the Gamblers took talent in Mat Gamel. Gamel may be Casey’s under study with the Brewers for now, but might be the starter at the hot corner in Milwaukee in the very near future.
39) MARAUDERS – Everth Cabrera SS: Cabrera was a Rule V player who took over as the Padres everyday shortstop. He has a good eye, good speed, and what would an Illowa rookie draft be if Molly Potts didn’t draft a shortstop?
40) BOMBERS – Brandon Webb P: Webb was one of the best pitchers in the game, the key word is was. I thought at the time he was traded from Kentucky in exchange for Alfonso Soriano it was a steal for Green Rock, but healing is taking longer than expected, and now I’m not so sure.
41) CHAMPIONS – Clay Zavada P*: Nice mustache! Hopefully this Streator reliever will be able to handle getting tough lefthanded hitters out for the Champs, Okajima will help bring him along.
EXTRA ROUNDS
42) GAMBLERS – Brian Sanches P*: Another whore pick, in the same vein as Jose Veras. Still with the Gamblers going for it, it makes sense to restock the bullpen. Three Rivers needed a little extra time to make this selection, allowing the Highlanders to pick first, making Sanches the last player taken.
43) HIGHLANDERS – Jeff Fulchino P*: One last whore pick before the dice hit the table. But this one makes sense too, as a playoff contender, it’s always good to grab an extra reliever.
REPORT CARDS
A GAMBLERS: Wieters, Bergesen, Jones, Gamel, Sanches - Todd is the best salesman in the league, I don’t know how he does it, he seems to get the best players in the draft, year after year, and this year was no exception with the selection of Wieters. Then there were three whore picks of Bergesen, Jones, & Sanches. Gamel might turn out to be a player.
A- KERNELS: A. Bailey, Wells, Andrus, Borbon – Two really nice picks in Bailey & Andrus, both will fill glaring holes for the Kernels. Could’ve done better than selecting Wells & Borbon.
B+ HITMEN: Anderson, Snider, Rasmus, Belisario, Gregorson, Ramirez – Anderson, Snider, & Rasmus all have tremendous upside. Belisario & Gregorson provide innings out of the pen & Alexei is a big improvement over Renteria at short.
B THUNDERCHICKENS: Hanson, Niemann, H. Bailey, Mijares, McGehee – Hanson, Niemann, & Bailey were all good picks, although Porcello would’ve been better than Niemann. But taking Mijares & McGehee were wasted picks IMHO.
B- CHAMPIONS: Beckham, Escobar, Perry, Zavada – No argument with the players selected, Escobar & Beckham will be a very good doubleplay combination, but team would’ve been better served taking Anderson, Belisario, Gregorson, Ramirez, (sounds like Chuck’s draft), & Brett Gardner, and trading Marquis for Podsednik. That said, Perry & Zavada look solid in the pen, but not sure if it’s enough for now. Also Beckham & Escobar will not help much now either.
C UPPERDECKERS: Bard, Fowler – Bard has a great arm, could be the best relief pitcher in the draft, but he would’ve been there later in the draft. Fowler is fast, and this team needed outfield help.
C- HIGHLANDERS: McCutchen, Nix, Fulchino – McCutchen is a talented outfielder, who can do it all. Nix & Fulchino fill team needs for a playoff contender.
D+ MARAUDERS: Porcello, Cahill, Coghlan, Palmer, Wagner, Jepsen, Cabrera – Porcello is the real deal & Coghlan can hit, not much other than that. Palmer & Cabrera seem to be wasted picks. Not sure Wagner will be back in time to help the rebuilding Marauders, and while Jepsen has a major league arm, the jury is still out when it comes to his future.
D- BOMBERS: Price, Valbuena, Hudson, Blanks, Webb – The Bombers need pitching, funny how Mr. Pitching, needs pitching. He got some help in Price, and a couple of question marks in Hudson & Webb. Blanks is a masher, but can he pitch. Although Valbuena fills a need, he could’ve been had later.
F RISING BAMM BEANOS: Happ, Maybin – The Bamm Beanos got all they needed from the Marauders, but if they’re going for it, then selecting Niemann & Jones over Happ & Maybin makes more sense. Also could’ve used a little more bullpen help to bridge to Rivera & Papelbon.
OVERLOOKED ROOKIES
1) Mat Latos P: This 6’5" righthander is the real deal and will have a chance to show what he’s got, this season, for the Padres, at the tender young age of 22.
2) Derek Holland P: This young lefthander was rushed to the majors by the Rangers last season and was baptised under fire. He should fair much better in his second season in the bigs.
3) Jordan Zimmermann P: Zimmermann will be the #2 man in Washington behind Strasburg, which isn’t too shabby at all. The only reason he wasn’t taken was because he suffered a season ending injury last year, which will cause him to miss all of 2010, still I like his upside.
4) Matt LaPorta OF/1B: Matt is one of the best young power hitters in the game. LaPorta was traded from the Brewers to the Indians in exchange for C.C. Sabathia.
5) Tyler Clippard P*: The Nats converted this former Yankee farm hand to the bullpen last and he went from a struggling starter to a lights out reliever, I shoulda drafted this guy!
6) Gio Gonzalez P: If this lefty ever learns to control his nasty stuff, look out. The sky’s the limit, although sometimes it’s easier said than done to harness the po.
7) Chris Tillman P: Here is a righthanded starter, who was rushed this past year. Still Chris has a big league arm and will be the #2 man behind Matusz in Baltimore.
8) James McDonald P/P*: McDonald started off last season in the rotation for the Dodgers, but ended up with a lot of success pitching out of the pen. No matter where he ends up, he has a big league arm.
9) Franklin Morales P*: This hard throwing lefty came up to the Rockies with Ubaldo Jimenez, at the time I thought Morales was better, he still has top notch closer stuff.
10) Marc Rzepczynski P: I was practicing saying his last name, thinking there might be a scenario where I might take this lefthander. I fell in love with him after watching one of his late season starts last year.
