Streaky Champs Continue Trend

The Chicago Champions were pitted against the Kentucky Kernels in May.  Chicago sleepwalked through the first three games, losing all three by a combined score of 14 to 3.  After dropping the first two contests, the Champions decided to shake things up by playing their kids versus Hiroki Kuroda.  Kuroda threw a three hit shutout and it was time for the regulars to step back in.

Madison Bumgarner returned the favor by firing a six hit shutout at the Kernels, while striking out ten against no walks.  Then Kosuke Fukudome’s two run blast provided some 9^th inning heroics off of previously unscathed closer Sergio Romo, who stayed in the game to work three innings and pick up the win when Buckeye Nick Swisher took rookie reliever Greg Holland yard in the 11^th.  The Freak, Tim Lincecum bested Jered Weaver 5-3, with some help from relievers Papa Grande & Sergio Romo.  Kuroda didn’t fare as well in Crackerjack Park as he had in Kentucky versus the Champs.  Matt “Raisin” Cain was the winner 4-2.

Unfortunately the Twin K’s bats came to life in the last two games, the Kernels winning 6-1 & 7-3.

Dexter “Flyer” Fowler was the hitting star for the Chicago Champions.  All he did was go 11 for 26, for a .423 batting average, with eight extra basehits, 4 doubles, 3 triples, and a homer.  He also drew three bases on balls and was hit by a pitch.  Flyer scored eleven runs, not bad for seven games, and he also drove in two, for good measure.

Manager Mallasch was quoted as saying, “Without Dex we would’ve really been in trouble.  We only hit four homers to their ten and were outscored 35-23, and to think DF scored 11 times himself.  He had an amazing series”.

So far this year Chicago has already had a nine game winning streak & a nine game losing streak and a four game winning streak & a four game losing streak.  The team will be looking for more consistency in June when we travel to Champaign for 30 games against the IAL western foes.

AROD Belts Number 600

Alex Rodriguez ended last season sitting at 599.  So it was only a matter of time for the slugger to belt number 600. That time came in the 7^th inning of game #2, facing Rising Bamm Beanos rookie righthander Ivan Nova.  It was a solo shot, which put the Chicago Champions up 3-0, in a game they’d hold on to win by the same final score, behind Matt Cain.

Alex is all about winning.  He has been a part of IAL Playoff ball in 13 of 16 seasons.  His team finished in first place in eight of those years, five times with 100+ wins.  AROD’s teams have won five championships.  Remarkably he’s only won one MVP Award, despite hitting 50 or more homers four different seasons, driving in over 100 runs in ten years, and nine times he scored 100 or more.

Rodriguez played his first nine seasons playing shortstop for the Northside Hitmen.  Then Alex moved over to the hot corner after he was dealt to the Chicago Champions in exchange for Miguel Cabrera.  314 of his homers were hit while playing for the Hitmen and to date 290 have been hit with the Champs.

Congrats to AROD on joining the 600 club, with many more to come!  I can still remember seeing him play with the Class A Appleton Foxes of the Midwest League way back in 1994.  It was Alex Rodriguez poster night, I still have the poster, and we even got a baseball card signed by the 19 year old.  Who knew he’d be playing for the Champions, I could only hope.  Way to go AROD!!!

2012 IAL DRAFT & TRADE REVIEW

2012 IAL ROOKIE DRAFT REVIEW

1)  TWIN CITY THUNDERCHICKENS: Jeremy Hellickson P: This young righthander throws four pitches for strikes.  He is a pitcher, in every sense of the word.  Posting numbers that resulted in a B-Z grade.  His best pitch is his changeup.  Still I am not a fan.  I tend to shy away from righties without strikeout letters, ever since I was burned when I chose Dave Rozema over Ron Guidry, Oops!

2)  THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: Michael Pineda P: This big kid gets the strikeouts that Hellickson doesn’t.  So you’d think I’d be all over this guy with a major man crush, but an early season trip to the DL has me concerned.  Yet you have to love this guy’s stuff.  When healthy he can dominate, also should get lots of run support pitching for the Yankees.

3)  CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS: Brett Lawrie 3B: Lawrie is a righthanded hitting version of Larry Walker.  Brett playing thirdbase makes him even more valuable than Walker.  This Canadian can flat out rake!  Best hitter in the draft & he can steal bases too.

4)  KENTUCKY KERNELS: Greg Holland P*: The Kernels are competing and getting this filthy reliever might be the missing piece to get Keith another ring.  Holland has it all!  With Andrew Bailey hurting, Greg might be Kentucky’s closer of the future.

5)  CHICAGO CHAMPIONS: Eric Hosmer 1B: Going into the draft, Lawrie was the #1 hitter available, with Hosmer being #1A.  Eric has a great makeup!  He reminds me of Joey Votto.  With Morneau still battling post concussion symptoms & El Caballo getting a little long in the tooth, Hosmer shows up just in the nick of time.

6)  RISING BAMM BEANOS: Ivan Nova P: They wanted Lawrie, but when he was gone, they decided to retool to compete for a playoff slot, anything can happen.  Nova is a big guy, who throws hard, being supported by the Yankees bats can’t hurt.  Ivan is a nice piece to round out a rotation.

7)  GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: Danny Espinosa 2B: Espinosa is a power hitting switch hitter, who plays 2B.  He also steals bases.  Due to his obscene strikeout rate, he’ll never hit for average, although he does draw some walks.  Also Danny is a converted SS, who can really field.

8)  MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Vance Worley P: Other than his grade of B, I see nothing impressive about this guy.  His fastball tops out in the low 90s & he throws an average slider.  Worley is not a top ten pick, IMHO.

9)  NORTHSIDE HITMEN: Jemile Weeks 2B: Rickie’s little brother, yet his game is a lot different than his big bro.  He’s a switch hitter, with good speed, and very little power.  I thought he was a good fielder, but he was only rated a 6.  Jemile has had trouble staying healthy.  Dustin Ackley would have been a much better choice!

10)         MOLINE UPPERDECKERS: J.P. Arencibia C: This kid has raw power!  He strikes out a lot & will never hit for average.  Arencibia will also never be better than a 7 on defense.  Wilson Ramos is head & shoulders above this guy.  Still J.P.’s pick makes some sense, as a backup to Mauer, he provides a power stick off the bench.

11)         TWIN CITY THUNDERCHICKENS: Jason Kipnis 2B: Kipnis is a converted outfielder, learning secondbase in the bigs.  That being said, this kid can hit!  I was surprised by Tom’s pick of Jason, thought he’d end up being a Champ.

12)         THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: Aroldis Chapman P*: The absolute steal of the draft!  It’s a head scratcher that rebuilding teams would leave this Cuban out there to be gobbled up by a contender.  You can’t teach a 100 MPH fastball!  The best pitcher in the draft, period!

13)         CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS: Brandon Beachy P: Brandon has the stuff, knows how to pitch, and competes.  Beachy is a member of the Atlanta Braves rotation, which is always a plus.  He mixes his good change with his good fastball, and the results are good.

14)         CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS: Dee Gordon SS: Everyone seemed to have SS covered, which left him out there for Rob.  Moore’s draft of Lawrie & Gordon, reminds me of his draft of Beltre & Tejada, nice!  Dee is the son of reliever Tom “Flash” Gordon, and he can fly.  Gordon is a tremendous athlete, I see him developing power as he matures, outstanding selection!

15)         CHICAGO CHAMPIONS: Mike Moustakas 3B: Moustakas was rated as a higher prospect than KC teammate Hosmer.  Now both rookies are both on the Champions.  While Eric is a little ahead of Mike right now, both have huge futures in Chicago.  This lefthanded hitter has plus power and makes solid contact.

16)         RISING BAMM BEANOS: Cory Luebke P: Like I said before, John decided to compete.  But getting Luebke might be another case of getting another piece to the rotation.  In today’s game, you can never have too many good arms.  This lefthander knows how to pitch, can strike hitters out, and pitches in a pitcher friendly ballpark.

17)         MOLINE UPPERDECKERS: Kenley Jansen P*: Marc loves hard throwers & Kenley throws hard!  I was looking at Jansen as a possible replacement for Jose Valverde.  This guy is nasty!

18)         MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Wilson Ramos C: For a guy, who doesn’t believe in quality backstops, he has a couple of the best young catchers in the business, in Posey & Ramos.  Wilson will be an 8, hits for average, and will launch 20 homers per year.

19)         NORTHSIDE HITMEN: Paul Goldschmidt 1B: Goldschmidt walks slowly & carries a big stick.  Paul has tremendous power, but will never hit for average.

20)         MOLLINE UPPERDECKERS: Dustin Ackley 2B: Here is another case of overkill.  Marc already has Todd Walker and now he adds Ackley.  Still hard to pass on the best secondbaseman in the draft, was hoping he might slip to me.

21)         TWIN CITY THUNDERCHICKENS: Aaron Crow P*: Crow is a hard throwing reliever in the mold of Jeff Reardon.  Aaron was drafted high as a starter by the Royals, but seems to have found his niche in the pen.

22)         THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: Mike Minor P: Another member of the Atlanta Braves rotation, this lefty looks to be a good one.  Minor pitched for Vanderbilt, the same college that produced lefthanded ace, David Price.

23)         CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS: Jordan Walden P*: Walden has hit triple digits on the radar gun.  Yet his control is poor, as is his slider.  Still you can’t teach speed.  He’ll need to improve his control if he’s going to be successful.

24)         KENTUCKY KERNELS: Hank Conger C: Conger has some skills.  Yet the Angels decided to send him down and pick up a catcher rather than give him a shot.  Maybe he’s not ready or maybe he’s just not that good.

25)         CHICAGO CHAMPIONS: Salvador Perez C: The Kansas City Royals thought so highly of this youngster that they signed him to a long term contract even though he only had 39 big league games under his belt.  Even though Perez suffered a knee injury, he remains a solid choice considering Victor Martinez also hurt his knee.

26)         RISING BAMM BEANOS: Matt Downs BAT: Matt Downs is officially the first whore pick of the draft.  Downs plays a variety of positions, none of them particularly well.  Truth be told, he’s a hitter, who just might help get the Bamm Beanos into the playoffs.

27)         GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: Desmond Jennings OF: Green Rock needed a speedy outfielder after dealing B.J. Upton to his son Marc.  Jennings has some holes in his game, starting off strong, but slumping as weaknesses were exposed.

28)         MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Freddie Freeman 1B: Molly Putts went back to the Atlanta Braves organization for a hitter to go along with last year’s selection of Jason Heyward.  Freeman is a clutch hitter, who is a Gold Glove caliber defender, and he’ll draw a walk.  Although he doesn’t have foot speed, this is a very nice pick, and he should be a starter at 1^st for years to come.

29)         NORTHSIDE HITMEN: J.D. Martinez OF: Martinez is a doubles machine.  While he’ll never be a super star, he’s a solid hitter, who’ll replace retiring Manny Ramirez.

30)         MOLINE UPPERDECKERS: Eduardo Nunez IF: Nunez is a super utility man.  This kid can play, but he’s stuck behind Jeter, AROD, & Cano in the Bronx.  Still there’s no arguing about the value of a versatile player like this saving picks.

31)         TWIN CITY THUNDERCHICKENS: Daniel Descalso IF: Descalso filled in at thirdbase for the Redbirds, but primarily he’s a secondbaseman.  But even if Kipnis pans out, it still might be smart picking Danial, with ODOG getting up there in age.

32)         THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: Vinnie Pestano P*: Vinnie had a nice year, has the same name as Todd’s son, and might help get the Gamblers into the playoffs as the team’s closer.  Can you say, one-year wonder?

33)         GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: Mike McKenry C: A bum, looking for a park bench.  McKenry didn’t even make the top 30 prospects for the Buccos.  He isn’t even a good backup, maybe he won’t get a card.

34)         NORTHSIDE HITMEN: Javy Guerra P*: This reliever has balls, he’s also developed a sinking changeup.  Guerra reminds me of a young Sergio Romo.  He will be a good replacement for Joakim Soria, he’s a lot like him too.

35)         CHICAGO CHAMPIONS: Jose Altuve 2B: This little man got his chance last year and he’s grabbed the starting keystone spot in Houston with both hands.  Altuve is a slick fielder and a sparkplug.  He’s a fan favorite!

36)         RISING BAMM BEANOS: Steve Cishek P*: I propose a rule, if you can’t pronounce his name, you can’t draft him.  He has a sinking fastball & a fading changeup, a nice combination for a relief pitcher.

37)         MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Brent Morel 3B: Morel is a line drive, gap hitter, who is a good defensive thirdbaseman.  DonS used to collect shortstops, now it looks like he’s collecting thirdbasemen, with Hanley moving to the hot corner, joining Kung Fu Panda.

38)         TWIN CITY THUNDERCHICKENS: Danny Duffy P: Another steal, when Tom announced, Duffy, there were a lot of obscenities muttered.  If everybody knew about this lefty, why was he still there at pick #38.  Danny is a lefty with a high 90s fastball, nice!  Sixth Kansas City Royals player taken in the draft.

39)         THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: Josh Collmenter P: Josh got by with a funky motion as a rookie, usually these type of pitchers don’t do it for long.  I’d be surprised if he’s graded again.  Still, he might help get the Gamblers into the playoffs, roll the dice!

40)         CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS: Carlos Carrasco P: He’s out for the year, so he’ll only be around for one year.  Don’t really understand taking a “dead guy” in the draft, but he’ll be a draft pick next year.

41)         MOLINE UPPERDECKERS: Phil Humber P: The Upperdeckers are going for it, so taking Humber makes sense.  Phil is in the White Sox rotation and he has control, smart pick!

42)         MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Zack Britton P: If this guy can just hang on till the IAL gets rid of the pitcher’s hitting card, DonS is smart like a fox!  Zack has good stuff and is a battler, if his arm can stay attached he might be a good one.

43)         TWIN CITY THUNDERCHICKENS: Steven Strasberg P: I’d say protecting Strasberg was a no-brainer, but after not protecting Jacoby Ellsbury last year, I don’t know.  A very nice keep!

44)         KENTUCKY KERNELS: Mark Trumbo 1B: This big man carries a big bat, and he hits the ball hard.  With Pujols & Morales both on LAA, Trumbo is a man without a position.  Kentucky is going for it, Mark might provide a big bat off the bench at a key time, thinking ahead.

45)         GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: Adam Wainwright P: Here is another no-brainer.  Wainwright is a good one, but how long will it take for him to get his game back?

2012 IAL ROOKIE DRAFT GRADES

A+ HIGHLANDERS: Lawrie, Beachy, Gordon, Walden, Carrasco: Two superstars, Lawrie & Gordon will be lineup fixtures for years to come, Beachy is a solid starter, Walden is suspect unless he can harness control, and Carrasco is gone after this year, dead man walking.

A GAMBLERS: Pineda, Chapman, Minor, Pestano, Collmenter: Chapman is a legitimate ace, Minor is a solid starter, Pineda if healthy will be a good one, and anything beyond this year for Collmenter will be a bonus.

A CHAMPIONS: Hosmer, Moustakas, Perez, Altuve: Hosmer provides insurance in case Morneau can’t bounce back, Moustakas is sizing up AROD’s shoes, Perez looks to be this team’s catcher of the future, and Altuve adds life at secondbase.

B+ UPPERDECKERS: Arencibia, Jansen, Ackley, Nunez, Humber: Ackley is a player, but blocked by Walker, Jansen is another power arm for the pen, Arencibia has power, but little else, Nunez is a super utility man, and Humber rounds out the rotation nicely for now.

B BAMM BEANOS: Nova, Luebke, Downs, Cishek: Nova & Luebke add rotation depth, while Cishek gives them another bullpen arm, and Downs is a bat off the bench.

C+ HITMEN: Weeks, Goldschmidt, Martinez, Guerra: Goldschmidt has big time power, Martinez is a doubles machine, and Guerra will be the closer here.  I’ve drafted Jerry Browne, Bump Wills, & Josh Barfield, glad Weeks was off the board to remove any temptation.

C KERNELS: Holland, Conger, Trumbo: Holland will step into Bailey’s closer’s role, Trumbo has nice power off the bench, and Conger has talent if given a chance to play.

C- THUNDERCHICKENS: Hellickson, Kipnis, Crow, Descalso, Duffy, Strasberg: Duffy is the real deal, Hellickson might be a #4 or #5 starter, Kipnis will be a 7 at best & has a good bat, Crow looks to be a solid reliever, Descalso has no future, and credit was given for Strasberg last year.

D+ MARAUDERS: Worley, Ramos, Freeman, Morel, Britton: Ramos was the best catcher in the draft & has a bright future, Freeman is a piece to build a ballclub around, Morel has a nice glove with doubles power, Britton has a future if healthy, and Worley has reached his peak & it’s all downhill from here.

F BOMBERS: Espinosa, Jennings, McKenry, Wainwright: You get what you see in Espinosa & Jennings, McKenry is a bum, and Wainwright was just a protect.

2012 OVERLOOKED ROOKIES

1: OF Lucas Duda: He may never be more than a 1, but he’ll always have a 1.  This kid can hit!

2: P Henderson Alvarez: The sky’s the limit for Alvarez.  He has pinpoint control, knows how to pitch, and reminds me of Greg Maddux in the way he goes about his business.

3: P Kyle Drabek: Overmatched as a rookie, but will have a very productive major league career.  This is one that got away!

4: 1B Anthony Rizzo: There were enough firstbasemen in this draft that proved it as rookies.  All this kid needs is a little more seasoning in the minors.  Soon his jerseys will be flying off the shelves at Wrigley, just like the balls he’ll hit out onto Sheffield Avenue.

5: 2B Darwin Barney: It was a great year for rookie secondbaseman, with everyone taken being arguably better than Barney.  That said, this kid is not a stiff, and should get better as he matures, love his hustle!

6: OF Eric Thames: Did a solid job as a rookie, look for it to continue throughout his career.

7: P* Tim Collins: A little lefty with a big arm, a poor man’s Billy Wagner.

8: OF John Mayberry, Jr.: A very athletic big man, who can pound the ball.  Not a star, but possibly a 4^th outfielder in our league.

9: OF Allen Craig: Everyone knows this kid can hit, the perfect DH.

10: P* Bryan Shaw: A reliever with good control, balls, and knows how to get batters out.

2012 TRADE REVIEW

BAMM BEANOS send J.A. Happ to the MARAUDERS for Jonathan Herrera.  A 30 year old Northwestern lefthander for a 28 year old utility infielder, hmmm, these two guys aren’t worth a second thought.  It’s kind of a wash, except it seems like a utility infielder might be slightly more valuable than a pitcher looking for the plate.

BAMM BEANOS 6, MARAUDERS 4

KERNELS send #2 DC (Dee Gordon), #5 DC (Carlos Carrasco), & Pineiro to the Highlanders for Michael Young, Brian Sanches, & Jon Garland.  It comes down to Dee Gordon for Michael Young and while I love Dee Gordon, I have to call this trade even because of what this trade does for both teams.  Michael Young will really help the Kernels in their quest for another ring.

KERNELS 5, HIGHLANDERS 5

HIGHLANDERS send Jeff Keppinger & Chris Johnson to the BOMBERS for #4 DC (Mike McKenry) & Jayson Nix.  Keppinger & Johnson provide quality backups & coverage, and allowed the Highlanders flexibility in the draft.  While McKenry & Nix are a couple of bums out wondering if you have any spare change.

HIGHLANDERS 7, BOMBERS 3

KERNELS send Elvis Andrus & #4 DC (Javy Guerra) to the HITMEN for Hiroki Kuroda & Eric Young, Jr.  Here again, even though Andrus is a top flight SS and Kuroda is an aging starting pitcher, I’m going to call this a good trade for both teams.  The Hitmen get a big time player in Andrus & a future closer for 200 B innings and speed off the bench.  GO KEITH GO!!!

KERNELS 5, HITMEN 5

UPPERDECKERS send Jason Varitek to the BAMM BEANOS for #5 DC (Phil Humber).  Varitek provides a good hitting backup at catcher & then he goes away, while Humber helps round out the Upperdeckers rotation.  Slight edge Upperdeckers.

UPPERDECKERS 6, BAMM BEANOS 4

BOMBERS send Buster Posey & Yunel Escobar to the MARAUDERS for Adam Wainwright & Adam LaRoche.  Really Mom, they’re magic beans!  Maybe Mike is trying to collect all the Adams in the league.  Seriously, a starting SS & the best young catcher in baseball for a pitcher coming back from major elbow surgery (although success from Tommy John surgery almost seems to be a given) and a bum firstbaseman.  Even if Wainwright does come back, the Bombers are taking all the risk here.

BOMBERS 2, MARAUDERS 8

BOMBERS send B.J. Upton & #2 DC (Kenley Jansen) to the UPPERDECKERS for J.J. Hardy & Todd Helton.  Hardy is the best player in this trade, and yet I have to give the advantage to Marc.  Upton gets on base, his card is always gonna be better than what he does in real life baseball because of his combination of speed, power, & walks.  The Upperdeckers needed a leadoff hitter, now the Bombers do.  Jansen gives the Upperdeckers another bullpen arm, while firstbaseman Helton is a stop gap measure at best.  The only plus for the Bombers is now Hardy is batting for him, not hitting against him.

BOMBERS 3, UPPERDECKERS 7

GAMBLERS send Howie Kendrick to the MARAUDERS for Yunel Escobar.  I know I told DonS that I liked Escobar, but I didn’t know that would put him on the “trade immediately” list.  I know Kendrick plays for the Halos, but the Marauders have Uggla at 2B, while they could use Yunel at SS.  With Pedroia at 2B for the Gamblers it makes sense to move Howie for Jeter’s eventual replacement.  Both players are virtually equal with the stick, one plays 2B, the other plays SS.

GAMBLERS 6, MARAUDERS 4  

The Streak is Over!!!

The Champions losing streak reached ten games after losing the 1st game in Kentucky.  Keith’s Kentucky Kernels had to wait in their kar for the Armageddon rain to stop.  Smitty stayed ahead of the storm all the way from St. Charles, but an accident by Kimball enabled the storm to catchup.  The nimble skipper had to dodge raindrops & had to leap over the raging waters which were quickly approaching the curb top.

It was a very hard fought series with Kentucky taking the first game 4-3 in ten.  Game #1: Alfonso Soriano scored from third on a passed ball with two outs in the bottom of the tenth.  Game #2: Three Champ longballs, 2 by Swish & 1 by V-Mart, 3-2 Chicago.  Game #3: Andre Ethier crushes a Papa Grande fastball for a walkoff and another 10 inning Kentucky winner winner chicken dinner.  Game #4: Champs busted out the whopping sticks, scoring 12, 5 homers (including one by Buehrle, gotta love the pitcher’s hitting card), Mark also held the Kernels scoreless till allowing a 4 spot in the 9th.  Game #5: Three Kentucky first inning runs proved to be the difference in a 5-2 win as Joel Pineiro allowed 2 meaningless 9th inning runs.

Then it was time to bring it on home to Crackerjack Park.  Game #6: In a marquee pitching matchup Jered Weaver outdueled Tim Lincecum in the 6th game, 2-1, and Kentucky had a two game lead with three games to play.  It was time to suck it up, regroup, and grind out some wins.  The Champs took a win at all costs mindset to the ballpark.  Game #7: Brett Myers controlled the game for 7 innings, allowing two runs on a 4th inning Soriano big fly, the Champions scored five runs without the benefit of a home run, and won 5-2 (2 RBI’s from Fowler, 2 more from Escobar, & one from pinch-hitter Francoeur).

Game #8: This was a defining game.  Chicago was dead through seven innings, trailing 3-0.  Then Victor nailed a 2 run 8th inning tater off Mike Leake.  Carlos Lee lined a leadoff single to open the 9th, on came Andrew Bailey, with one out Gordon Beckham doubled, sending El Caballo to third base.  Head scratching time, why was Grady Sizemore not brought in to run for Lee with the tying run?  Now Sizemore was called on to run, would it be too little too late?  It was time for the team to pickup their manager and Alicides Escobar came through with a sac fly.  In the 10th, Buckeye Nick Swisher hit a second column walkoff to knot the series at four.  There was a point in this game (bottom of the 5th) when the plug was almost pulled on Matt Cain, in favor of long reliever mopup man, Josh Beckett.

In the series finale Chicago was leading 3-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh, before busting the game wide open off Ryan Madson (a double by Swish, an RBI single by A-Rod, a single by Lee, and a three run bomb by Bombon Olivo, how big was that!?!  Pinch-hitter Ian Stewart tacked on another three run big fly, the Champs were signaled for piling on, and cruised behind rookie lefthander Madison Bumgarner to a 10-2 win, and a series 5-4 win, whew, that was easy!!!

Champs Experience June Swoon

I’m writing this on APBA Day, 6/6/11, Happy APBA Day to you all!  Three times a year the Illowa APBA League gets together, as a whole, twice in Naperville & once in Champaign.  This is when the Chicago teams play the out of Chicago teams.

I needed to get back home because I had a graduation party to attend on Sunday.  So I decided to take Amtrak to Champaign & arrive 10:30 AM.  My Amtrak hit a Metra as it was pulling out of Union Station, so on to Plan B.  Ended up getting a ride with Rob and we arrived at John’s house at 2:30 PM.

Things were going well for the Chicago Champions as we won 13 of our first 21 games.  Our record was 13 games over .500, 41-28.  That’s when the roof collapsed, not literally, but you never know, that might’ve been less painful.

We dropped the next nine straight games, to finish up the weekend with a 13-17 record, 41-37 record on the year.  We were outscored 59-17 and were out homered 18-5.  It’s definitely time to regroup.  This was a reality check and a gut check.

After dropping the last three games versus Molly Putts, things really went south for the Champs when Tim Lincecum stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, nobody out, in the 2nd inning of a 1-1 tie.  I rolled a 55-23 on a squeeze, missed the bunt, two runners tagged out in rundowns, runner on first holds.  We went on to lose that game 9-2, along with the next five games, for a 6-0 Upperdeckers series sweep.

Good news is, it can only get better!

Champions Travel to Pittsburgh in April

Decided to fly to Pittsburgh to take on Todd Ventresca’s Gamblers.  Because Todd couldn’t make it to Chicago for the IAL Playoff & Draft weekend in March, it seemed like the thing to do.  On Friday after Todd picked me up from the airport & I checked into the motel, we headed over to Damon’s for dinner, and to watch hockey at the bar.  On Saturday Todd umpired a doubleheader then headed over to play shum APBA.

Game #1 featured Champs ace(?) Tim Lincecum matched up against C.C. Sabathia for Three Rivers.  Maggs Orodonez hit a one out first inning solo shot to give the Gamblers an early lead.  Matt Wieters for them & Gordon Beckham for us, traded late game 2-run blasts.  C.C. went the distance for the complete game win over The Freak, whose record stands at 0-6.

Chicago scored seven runs, without the benefit of a longball off reliever Nate Robertson (Is that you Nate? That’s the punchline to a joke, but what’s the joke?) in the 10^th inning of a 2-2 game to make a winner out of last year’s Cy Young Award winner Matt Cain.

Brett Myers left game #3 trailing 3-1 after six innings to John Lannon (my favorite Beetle).  Each team added five spots over the last three innings and the Gamblers had the series lead 2-1 at home.

On the bump for the Champs in the fourth game was Mark Buehrle, who threw a 2-hit shutout.  Gamblers rookie Jhoulys Chacin was the tough luck loser.  El Caballo squeezed home the game winner in the 7^th, 1-0 Good Guys.  Tied at two games apiece.

A funny thing happened in the 7^th inning of game five.  With the Champs leading eight to zip, rookie lefthander Madison Bumgarner was due to hit in the top of the 7^th.  Manager Mallasch looked down his bench, looking for a pnch-hitter, one was announced, however Manager Ventresca was good enough to let the clueless Champs skipper know his pitcher had a no-hitter going.  Todd let me call back my pinch-hitter.  Of course Bumgarner gave up a base-knock before retiring another batter and was lifted to get pen workhorse Josh Beckett some work.  Beckett only lasted 2/3 of an inning before giving way to closer Sergio Romo.  Romo pitched the rest of the way and Chicago managed to hang on to an 8-6 victory.

Game #6: A rematch of Sabathia vs Lincecum ended in the bottom of the 12^th when Carlos Lee nailed a three-run bomb off Gamblers lefty Andrew Laffey, for a walk-off dinger.  Big Boy Jose Mijares picked up the win.

Gamblers batters staked Brian Matusz to a first inning four to nothing lead in the 7^th game, tacked on a couple more runs, and Brian went the distance shutting out the Champs 6-0.  Prince Fielder launched two solo drives, Adrian Beltre added one of his own, and Shane Victorino clubbed a 2-run shot to pace the attack.

Howie Kendrick broke a 1-1 tie with a 6^th inning granny off Brett Myers, Chacin was masterful, and the Gamblers evened up the series at four, with a 6-1 win.

Frenchy Francoeur broke game #9 wide open with a three-run 6^th inning longball, putting the Champs up 7-2.  Mark Buehrle went the distance for the victory and series win.

On Sunday we went to PNC to see the Buccos play host to the Colorado Rockies.  Todd rooted for the Pirates, despite the fact that one of his APBA hurlers, Jhoulys Chacin started for the Rox.  Pittsburgh lost a close one to Colorado.  The weather was perfect, 80 degrees in April, can’t beat that!

Todd drove me back to the airport after the game.  Special thanks go out to Todd for everything, it was a great weekend, and I highly recommend a trip to the Burgh, lotsa funn!!!

Champions IAL Playoffs & Draft Weekend

Champions IAL Playoffs & Draft Weekend

Left Orlando on a big jet airliner at 8:00 AM, flying SWA to Midway, arrived at the Naperville Best Western after a couple of stops at 1:00 PM.  Unpacked my APBA stuff & unwound, laid back & relaxed, and waited for my playoff foe to arrive.  After driving up from Champaign John Brandeberry unpacked his team bus, the playoff series between the Rising Bamm Beano’s & the Chicago Champions was ready to roll.

The series was a rematch of last year’s World Series, in which the Champions swept to capture their 11th title.  Even though the Champions won 102 games and the Bamm Beano’s got in the last day of the season & the Champs owned Brando, John’s team was built for the playoffs.  With Adam Wainwright & Jair Jurrjens in the rotation and Mariano Rivera & Jonathan Papelbon in the bullpen, anything could happen in a five game series.

It looked like the Champions were on their way after winning game #1 behind Tim Lincecum, only two more wins to go, and then it would be on to the World Series, where either Chuck Lucas’s Northside Hitmen or Keith Smith’s Kentucky Kernels awaited my arrival.  But then, John got off the mat to take games #2 & #3.  Russell Martin hit three homers in the first three games.  Game #4, with the Champs back to the wall, Jose Valverde emerged as a monster out of the pen, going four innings for the victory, to knot the series at two.

It would all come down to one game, mano y mano, Wainwright vs Lincecum, for all the marbles, the whole ball of wax.  Juan Uribe launched two three run bombs in the series, both after lengthy delays, after momentum changing timeouts.  Both times Brando collected himself, called upon a higher power, maybe he was selling his soul for a quality roll of the bones, whatever it was, it worked.  Bamm, it was over & Uribe was series MVP!  My season was over, “Nice season Tedd”, provided little consolation.

Meanwhile the Kentucky Kernels were showing no mercy in sweeping the Northside Hitmen in three straight.  Before long, Keith Smith was being fitted for his crown, after making quick work of the Bamm Beano’s.  Alfonso Soriano was World Series MVP.  CONGRATS KEITH SMITH!!!

The next morning it was time to draft, very strange that no trades were consummated over the weekend.  Before the draft, I was thinking I’d have to make a tough choice of whether to take Jhoulys Chacin, Neftali Feliz, or Mike Stanton.  Only Chacin was still there when it was my turn to pick, but Madison Bumgarner was still on the board, so it was a no brainer.  Bumgarner would join fellow Giants hurlers Tim Lincecum & Matt Cain in the Champions rotation.  Then we had to wait until the last pick of the extra round before taking Chris Sale over Kenley Jansen.

I was like a deer in the headlights with my new Champs squad, nothing looked right, how would this team fit together?  While we were figuring it out, Marcus Bunch had his Upperdeckers rolling, taking five of six.  Next it was time for some revenge against the now rebuilding Bamm Beano’s, the Champs record was above .500 after a 6-0 sweep.

Next up was Papa Bunch & retooled Green Rock Bombers.  After Mike couldn’t roll any friggin dice & David Price was reduced in both of his starts, it was time for Price to fly, literally!  Price was crumpled into a ball, told he wouldn’t start another game this year, and discarded onto the table.  The Bombers dog house was growing as the series went on, thought the ASPCA would be called in to investigate.  4-2 Champs!  The Thunderchickens bested the Champs in a late night series 4-2.

The weekend finale took place Sunday morning against the ever dangerous Molly Putts Marauders.  The Marauders jumped out, taking the first two games, before the Champs woke up in time to win the last four contests.  17-13 on the weekend, after a 1-5 start, I’ll take it.

Next up, the Three Rivers Gamblers.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to check on flight schedules to Pittsburgh.

2011 IAL Trades & Drops

IAL TRADES

MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS send SS EVERTH CABRERA to the RISING BAMM BEANO’S in exchange for SS RAFAEL FURCAL.  Don’t really like either player.  Cabrera is younger and is likely to get older.  While Furcal is older and might retire sooner.
MARAUDERS 5, BAMM BEANO’S 5 – EVEN

MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS send 2B JEFF KEPPINGER to the GREEN ROCK BOMBERS in exchange for P CARLOS ZAMBRANO.  Keppinger is a utility infielder.  But this year he is a fulltime secondbaseman, the Bombers needed one of those, thus the trade.  Gonna miss Papa Bunch’s swearing @ BIG Z, when Carlos walks the bases loaded.  Zambrano has the talent to be a front-end starter.
MARAUDERS 7, BOMBERS 3 – ADVANTAGE MOLLY PUTTS

CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS send 2B HOWIE KENDRICK & #3DC (P BRIAN MATUSZ) to the THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS in exchange for P* BRIAN SANCHES & P* CRAIG BRESLOW.  Look at what Molly Putts got for a regular secondbaseman and then look at what the Highlanders got for a regular secondbaseman, and Kendrick is better than Keppinger, this one is a real head scratcher!  A couple of journeyman relief pitchers for a starting secondbaseman and a starting pitcher.
HIGHLANDERS 2, GAMBLERS 8 – ADVANTAGE GAMBLERS

TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS send IF JULIO LUGO & P* JOSE MIJARES to the CHICAGO CHAMPIONS in exchange for IF FELIPE LOPEZ & P* HIDEKI OKAJIMA.  Julio Lugo is a better fielder than Felipe Lopez, Lopez is the better hitter of the two & he gives the T*Chix more coverage at 3B.  Okajima is closer to becoming a draft pick, while Mijares, although limited, is the better pitcher.
THUNDERCHICKENS 4, CHAMPIONS 6 – SLIGHT ADVANTAGE CHAMPS

GREEN ROCK BOMBERS send IF RONNIE BELLIARD to the KENTUCKY KERNELS in exchange for P DAVE BUSH.  Both are bums!  This is strictly a coverage trade.
BOMBERS 5, KERNELS 5 – EVEN

MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS send SS JOSE REYES to the RISING BAMM BEANO’S in exchange for P ADAM WAINWRIGHT.  This trade was made after Wainwright hurt his elbow & would miss the upcoming season with Tommy John surgery.  It was also known Reyes was an alcoholic & would be an underperforming shortstop.  Don’t get me wrong, I loved Reyes when he first came up, but that was long before the luster wore off.  Three things I don’t understand about trading Wainwright.  1) He’ll still be a good starting pitcher when returns in a year.  2) Why not shop him around for the best offer (there are six teams competing for four playoff slots), rather than settling?  3) Why not just draft SS Starlin Castro & keeping Wainwright than trading for SS Reyes & drafting P Jaime Garcia?
MARAUDERS 8, BAMM BEANO’S 2 – ADVANTAGE MARAUDERS

COLONA UPPERDECKERS send C JOHN BUCK & P* RAFAEL PEREZ to the TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS in exchange for 3B CASEY McGEHEE & OF MIKE CAMERON.  McGehee was stuck behind Ryan Zimmerman with the T*Chix, while Buck was behind Mauer with the Upperdeckers.  This trade was on the table for a long time, I give both teams credit for doing what was necessary to get this deal done.  Perez was cannon fodder, while Cameron was dropped.  This trade helps both teams.
UPPERDECKERS 5, THUNDERCHICKENS 5 – EVEN

CHICAGO CHAMPIONS send P* RYAN PERRY to the COLONA UPPERDECKERS in exchange for OF DEXTER FOWLER.  Recently the Champions have traded outfielders Shane Victorino, Matt Kemp, B.J. Upton, & Delmon Young, so they needed some outfield help.  Fowler also gives the Champs much needed speed.  Perry throws 100 MPH, so he’ll fit nicely into Colona’s pen.  This trade helps both teams.
CHAMPIONS 5, UPPERDECKERS 5 – EVEN

COLONA UPPERDECKERS send 3B EDWIN ENCARNACION to the NORTHSIDE HITMEN in exchange for P* MATT LINDSTROM.  Lindstrom will replace Perez in the pen for Colona, while Encarnacion provides a nice bat off the bench for the Hitmen.
UPPERDECKERS 5, HITMEN 5 – EVEN

DROPS

OF JACOBY ELLSBURY – TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS: Jacoby stole over 100 bases in two years, scoring over 100 runs & batting over .300 last year, besides that he’s a gold glover.  Some things are a mystery, why wouldn’t you protect this guy?

OF CHRIS COGHLAN – MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Coghlan batted .311 as a rookie & he’s out of Tarpon Springs, FL.  If you don’t want him, why not shop him around?

P BRANDON WEBB – GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: The Bombers protected Webb last year, after trading World Series MVP, Alfonso Soriano to get him, now he’s getting ready to pitch, why not protect him?  Ryan endured his former skipper throwing his card around, he managed a 3.60 ERA over six years, averaging 33 starts & 200+ innings per season, with a disappointing record of 64-78.

2011 IAL Rookie Draft Review

2011 IAL ROOKIE DRAFT

1) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: BUSTER POSEY – C/1B: Buster Posey can do it all!  He hits for power, average, and is a great defensive catcher.
2) MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: JAYSON HEYWARD OF: Heyward is a big, strong, line drive hitter, whose line drives, often times leave the yard.  Jason is an excellent rightfielder.  He is a five-tool player, who can run & will take a walk.  Jason Heyward reminds me of Harold Baines.
3) THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: MIKE STANTON OF: If you lookup POWER in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Mike Stanton.  When he hits it, it leaves the park, any park, including Yellowstone.
4) TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS: STEPHEN STRASBURG P: No offense to the first three players taken, but if Strasburg wasn’t going to miss his sophomore season with Tommy John surgery, he would have been the first player taken.  Pitchers like Stephen don’t come along everyday.  This pitcher is totally dominant!  He has an overpowering fastball, to go along with a nasty breaking ball.
5) COLONA UPPERDECKERS: NEIL WALKER 2B: This was a needs pick.  The Upperdeckers needed a secondbaseman and Walker was the only fulltime keystoner in the draft.  Walker is a line drive hitter.
6) CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS: CARLOS SANTANA C: Carlos Santana came up late and then missed time due to injury, but that couldn’t hide this gem.  Santana doesn’t play a mean guitar, but he does just about everything else.  Carlos is solid behind the plate.  He hits for power & average from both sides of the plate.  He also has an excellent eye and is willing to take a base on balls.
7) RISING BAMM BEANO’S: JAIME GARCIA P: This is the first head-scratcher of the draft.  Jaime missed almost all of 2009 with Tommy John surgery.  In 2010 Garcia pitched more innings, 163, than any other year of his career.  This soft-tossing lefthander, 88-92 MPH, has a put away curveball.  If healthy, he projects as a number three starter.
8) KENTUCKY KERNELS: STARLIN CASTRO SS: Keith Smith likes Cubs and he got a good one!  Starlin Castro has tremendous talent and will define shortstop, the way Derek Jeter defined it before him.  Castro has great range and a big-time arm.  Starlin is a line-drive hitter, who will develop power as he matures.
9) NORTHSIDE HITMEN: NEFTALI FELIZ P*: It wasn’t that long ago that the Hitmen drafted another reliever who was moving to the rotation.  I’m not saying Feliz is the second coming of Pedro Martinez, anything can happen, but he has the talent & the makeup.
10) CHICAGO CHAMPIONS: MADISON BUMGARNER P: The Champions already have two Giants hurlers in their rotation, so why not make it three?  Bumgarner is an ornery competitor in the mold of Kevin Brown.  Madison has good control, a mid-90s fastball, to go along with a slider.  This lefthander will be even better once he masters his slider and perfects his change.  I was surprised he was still there, I had him going no later than #4.
11) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: DANIEL HUDSON P: It was really tough for me to pass on this former White Sox righthander with the 10th pick in the draft.  This would be a nice pick, even if Daniel Hudson is only an A starter this year and never does anything, but that’s not the case.  Although Hudson pitches in a hitter friendly ballpark, he has a put away change & tremendous makeup.
12) THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: JHOULYS CHACIN P: This is not your Dad’s Coors Field.  Some managers still avoid drafting Colorado pitchers, but not to worry.  Chacin is a sinkerballer, who gets batters to swing & miss.  In 2008 in the minors he had 18 wins, Jhoulys reminds me of Orel Hershiser.  This is the guy I thought I’d get at ten.
13) TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS: TYLER COLVIN OF: This was the first “card” taken of the draft and I can’t blame Tom for taking him, before the draft I was tempted myself.  Colvin was drafted out of Clemson in the 1st round of the 2006 MLB draft by the Cubs.  Tyler reinvented himself before his breakout rookie year after four unimpressive years in the minors.  He hit the weights and the results speak for themselves, 4-5-5-1.  He could be this year’s Joe Charboneau.
14) CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS: JUSTIN SMOAK 1B: It’s a wonder Manager Moore couldn’t work his magic to get something for this pick and to move down in the draft.  Maybe the fact that Smoak is a power hitting switch hitter, in the mold of Mark Teixeira, was too much for Rob to pass up.  There were three other very talented firstbaseman in the draft (Ike Davis, Brett Wallace, & Mitch Moreland).  With Michael Young moving from the hot corner to super utility infielder, it wouldn’t have surprised me if the Highlanders would’ve chosen the explosive bat of Pedro Alvarez.  That said, Justin should develop into the middle of the order type of hitters that causes pitchers to lose sleep at night.
15) RISING BAMM BEANO’S: PEDRO ALVAREZ 3B: El Toro!  Pedro was the 1st player taken in the 2008 MLB draft.  In 2009 Alvarez finished his minor league season with 27 homers, before hitting five more for the gold medal winning USA World Cup team.  He is an intelligent player out of Vanderbilt University, with a blue-collar work ethic.  He is willing to take a walk and has tremendous power to all fields.  Ask me about his glove & I’ll tell you about his bat.  If I was able to move Ian Stewart, this was the guy I wanted.  He reminds me of Manny Ramirez, only Pedro bats lefthanded & plays thirdbase.
16) KENTUCKY KERNELS: IAN KENNEDY P: As a rookie, Kennedy started 32 games, pitching 194 innings, allowing fewer hits than punchouts (163-168).  It seems as though this California righthander has been around forever, yet he’s only 26 years old.  He has a mid-90s fastball and was named opening day starter for Arizona.  Pitching in the desert he was tagged for 26 longballs.  I like Brian Matusz better at this pick.
17) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: JONNY VENTERS P*: In 2003 he was drafted in the 30th round, then he missed 2006 with Tommy John surgery, and then elbow tendonitis limited him to 34 innings in 2008.  Jonny has a lifetime minor league ERA above 4.00 and has walked nearly one batter every other inning.  When Venters moved to the pen, he became lights out, he’ll likely never repeat his rookie success.  This season he’ll be a workhorse lefty in the pen for Green Rock.
18) THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: TRAVIS WOOD P: A cutter has transformed this lefthander from suspect to prospect.  Travis also improved his command.  In 2008 he experienced shoulder problems, but has been healthy since then.  I still like Brian Matusz better at this pick.
19) TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS: JOSE TABATA OF: Tabata has a fun sounding name.  Besides that, Jose is a line-drive hitter, with plus speed, and an outstanding glove.  This sparkplug will be a leadoff man for the T*Chix for years to come, but why not just keep Jacoby Ellsbury and just draft Brian Matusz here?
20) THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: BRIAN MATUSZ P: By now you probably got the idea that I like this lefty.  I actually rank Matusz right up there in this draft with Jhoulys Chacin.  In 2008 Brian was drafted in the 1st round out of the University of San Diego.  I saw him in his professional debut in the Arizona Fall League.  He ended 2009 winning five games in the bigs, then finished strong as a rookie.  The O’s improved D will do nothing, but help this future star.  This kid can pitch!
21) RISING BAMM BEANO’S: CRAIG KIMBREL P*: A&B* is a great way to start off a major league career, yet it doesn’t fully illustrate how dominating this kid was as a rookie.  Kimbrel allowed one earned run in 20” innings pitched, striking out 40 batters, with a 4-0 record.  In the minors his ERA was mostly below one, 1.62 at AAA.  His fastball regularly hits 98 on the gun, he has a curveball that looks like a slider, and has been working on a changeup.  He has the stuff & mentality to be a closer.
22) KENTUCKY KERNELS: MIKE LEAKE P: I love this kid’s makeup!  Leake has tons of heart, he might have been rushed to the big leagues, and migh’ve been overworked.  Leake suffered through a tired arm, working over 100 innings in each of his three years at ASU, 16-1 & 1.71 ERA as a senior.  Mike’s only 5’11”, which might be generous.  Even though he allowed twenty more hits than innings worked, he finished 8-4.  I first fell in love with him when I saw him debut against the Cubs, he had a no-hitter for quite a while in that game.
23) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: REID BRIGNAC 2B/SS: Reid Brignac provides coverage at both 2B & SS, but with him being the Rays everyday SS and Jeff Keppinger losing the starting secondbase job in Houston, the Bombers will be looking for a regular secondbaseman again next year.  What you see is what you get with Brignac, a solid fielder, with decent power, a .250 average, with no real base stealing skills.
24) THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: JOHN JASO C: John Jason has a good eye at the plate.  Along with backing up starter Matt Wieters, he will provide a decent bat off the bench.  Nothing flashy, he’s just a solid pick.
25) TWIN CITIES THUNDERCHICKENS: JON NIESE P: Niese is nice, I couldn’t resist.  Jon possesses a 12-6 curveball, a low 90s fastball with cutting action, and a solid change.  I wasn’t impressed with his rookie year, as he allowed about 20 more hits than innings pitched.  The T*Chix would have been much better off had they grabbed Matusz and taken an outfielder here.
26) RISING BAMM BEANO’S: WADE DAVIS P: Wade Davis is a big pitcher, who doesn’t overpower hitters.  He works hitters with his 93-94 MPH fastball and his slow 11-5 curve.  I’ve never liked righthanders that don’t strike batters out, but he does throw a heavy fastball that sinks.  He allowed less hits than innings pitched and had a winning record at 12-10.
27) KENTUCKY KERNELS: JASON CASTRO C: Knee surgery will force this promising rookie to miss all of 2011.  Therefore, there really isn’t any reason to select Castro seeing he batted only .205.  Better picks would have been Cervelli, Thole, or Kottaras.
28) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: AUSTIN JACKSON OF: This kid can cover a lot of ground in the outfield, is lightning quick, and can steal bases.  He strikes out too much and doesn’t draw enough walks.  If he can cut down on his K’s by 20 and increase his walks by ten, his OBP will go up over .360.  AJ is a nice value pick this low in the draft.
29) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: CHRIS JOHNSON 3B: Can you say, he has a nice card?  The last time Johnson put up good numbers was in 2008 when he was in AA.  Chris had a good year as a rookie, cannot field, and is likely to be a one-year wonder.  Danny Valencia was a much better pick, he had similar numbers, can field, and is likely to improve his power.
30) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: DREW STOREN P*: Drew Storen has good stuff and might be the Nats closer, that said, I’m not impressed.  He pounds the strike zone with a 92-94 MPH fastball and hard breaking balls.  Drew can put hitters away, but allows a lot of hits.  I don’t see him being any better than a B*.
31) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: ALEXI OGANDO P*: Ogando has been lights out as a reliever after being brought in to pitch from the outfield.  Alexi has electric stuff, he is not a one-year wonder.
32) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: JOHN AXFORD P*: Axford is a bum, who is looking for a park bench.  He was signed as an undrafted free agent, moved to the bullpen, and did the job as the Brewers closer as a rookie.  John will not be long for this league.  Much better relievers Ryan Webb & Wilton Lopez should have been taken over Storen & Axford.
33) GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: LOGAN MORRISON OF: Logan Morrison can flat out hit!  He’s a hard worker, with a good eye, and gap power.  He’s a natural firstbaseman who has been moved to the outfield.  He should start turning on the ball as he matures, similar to Rafael Palmeiro, maybe not as much power without the roids.
34) MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: JONATHAN HERRERA IF: Herrera is a little guy that’s as tough as nails.  Jonathan has a good eye and uses his shortness to his advantage to draw walks.  He’s a solid fielder who can pick it wherever he plays in the infield.  He’s a real battler at the plate.
35) COLONA UPPERDECKERS: JASON VARITEK C: All of those hours of research down the drain.  The Upperdeckers are going for it and decided to bring in the cagey veteran to backup Mauer, not a bad call, especially if you’re dead set against drafting a New York receiver (Thole or Cervelli).
36) NORTHSIDE HITMEN: ERIC YOUNG, JR. 2B/OF: If nothing else Young will backup Utley at 2B.  He has blazing speed, if given the starting job in Colorado look out!  But like the old saying goes, you can’t steal firstbase, still the upside is worth rolling the dice.
37) CHICAGO CHAMPIONS: CHRIS SALE P*: This tall lefthander was 20-4 in college, made his major league debut the same year he was drafted in the 1st round, and recorded four saves in the show.  He has a good fastball, a deceptive delivery, and a nasty slider.  Although this is saying a lot, he reminds me of Steve Carlton.

A CHICAGO CHAMPIONS: Bumgarner & Sale: These two lefthanders are for real!
A- THREE RIVERS GAMBLERS: Stanton, Chacin, Wood, Matusz, & Jaso: Stanton, Chacin, & Matusz are great picks, and Wood & Jaso might be okay.
B+ CHICAGO HIGHLANDERS: Santana & Smoak: Santana might be better than Posey and Smoak is a legitimate power hitter.
B MOLLY PUTTS MARAUDERS: Heyward & Herrera: Heyward is as good as it gets and Herrera is a solid utility infielder.
B- NORTHSIDE HITMEN: Feliz & Young: Feliz has a great arm, whether he’s used out of the pen or as a starter.  Young can fly, if given a chance to play.
C GREEN ROCK BOMBERS: Posey, Hudson, Venters, Brignac, Jackson, Johnson, Storen, Ogando, Axford, & Morrison: The good: Posey, Hudson, Jackson, Ogando, & Morrison.  The bad: Venters, Brignac, Johnson & Storen.  And the ugly: Axford.
C- KENTUCKY KERNELS: S. Castro, Kennedy, Leake, & J. Castro: Starlin is a great young SS, but they already have Elvis, must be something in the blood to draft shortstops.  Leake has grit, not really a fan of Kennedy.  Jason is bad & then he’ll go away.
D+ RISING BAMM BEANO’S: Garcia, Alvarez, Kimbrel, & Davis: There were so many better pitchers than Garcia!  I like Alvarez & Kimbrel, but am not a fan of Davis.
D Twin Cities Thunderchickens: Strasburg, Colvin, Tabata, & Niese: Strasburg has a once in a lifetime arm, yet a D grade shows what I thought of the rest of the picks.
F COLONA UPPERDECKERS: Walker & Varitek: The Upperdeckers were locked into selecting a secondbaseman and a backup catcher, they got nothing of value in this draft.

OVERLOOKED ROOKIES

1) 1B BRETT WALLACE: I fell in love with this guy when I saw him in the NCAA tournament a few years back.  He can MASH!
2) 3B DANNY VALENCIA: Danny reminds me of Michael Young, which ain’t bad.
3) OF PETER BOURJOS: Not only did his grandparents bring their poodle to have its hair cut by my Mom, his father Chris played little league at Horner Park, this kid can do it all, he’s a five tool player!
4) P JAKE ARRIETA: Jake & Matusz will be at the front of the O’s rotation for years to come.  Arrieta is a big guy that can dominate.
5) P* KENLEY JANSEN: What’s not to like?  Just like Troy Percival, he’s a converted catcher, with an arm that has plenty of life!
6) SS IAN DESMOND: Desmond put up solid numbers as a rookie and there’s no reason that he won’t continue.
7) P* RYAN WEBB: Ryan is a middle reliever, with control, lotsa B*Z innings is never bad.
8) P* WILTON LOPEZ: This reliever throws strikes, nothing can make late inning leads disappear faster than bases on balls.
9) 1B IKE DAVIS: Ike stepped up & took charge as a rookie.  He can hit & he can field, the only thing he didn’t do was, take the garbage out.
10) P ALEX SANABIA: Don’t know much about this rookie righthander, but what I do know, I like.

2011 IAL Rookie Preview

Even though there are still a couple of weeks before pitchers & catchers report for spring training, and an additional month before my beloved Illowa APBA League kicks off its season with playoffs, the World Series, the rookie draft, & the start of another season, I’ve got baseball on the brain.  So I’ve decided to do a rookie draft preview.  I’ve done many draft reviews, but this is my first shot at a draft preview.  It’s kind of tough to do, without tipping my hand.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on my evaluation.

TOP TEN
C Buster Posey, OF Jason Heyward, P Jaime Garcia, P Daniel Hudson, P Madison Bumgarner, SS Starlin Castro, P Stephen Strasburg, OF Mike Stanton, P Jhoulys Chacin, P* Neftali Feliz

11-20
P Brian Matusz, 3B Pedro Alvarez, P Ian Kennedy, C Carlos Santana, 2B Neil Walker, OF Tyler Colvin, SS Ian Desmond, OF Austin Jackson, P Jonathan Niese, 1B Ike Davis

21-30
3B Danny Valencia, P* Jonny Venters, P* Alexi Ogando, 3B Chris Johnson, OF Jose Tabata, 2B/SS Reid Brignac, P Alex Sanabia, P Mike Leake, P Travis Wood, P Jake Arrieta

31-40
P* Wilton Lopez, C John Jaso, P Wade Davis, OF Logan Morrison, OF Lorenzo Cain, P* Ryan Webb, OF Brandon Boesch, 1B Justin Smoak, 1B Brett Wallace, P* Sergio Santos

41-50
P* John Axford, P Hisanori Takahashi, C Josh Thole, P* Kenley Jansen, P* Craig Kimbrel, P* Chris Sale, P* Zach Braddock, P Jeanmar Gomez, P* Drew Storen, P* Ernesto Frieri

OVERLOOKED ROOKIES
P* Michael Kohn, P* Michael Dunn, P Josh Tomlin, 1B Gaby Sanchez, SS/2B Jason Donald, P Mitch Talbot, P* Fernando Salas, P* Henry Rodriguez, P Jenrry Mejia, P Tyson Ross