The Phillies are ahead of the Nationals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have major writers block, so I'm not going actually say anything meaningful. But I am leaving for vacation tomorrow and not coming back until early August, so no blog posts for the next two weeks. I will try to keep G+ updated as we move closer to the trade deadline.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
The Next Face of Baseball
So the other day, I was going to look at the KLaw chat transcript and noticed that ESPN had a poll as to who was the next face of baseball. So decided to complete it because I thought it would make for a good blog post. Just FYI, these were the ten names they gave you, so all I did was put them in order. Don't blame me if your fav didn't make the cut!
My Ranking:
1. Mike Trout
Like DUH! I mean honestly, who else is young, is a five tool player, and Rookie of the Year? Well, Bryce Harper, but Trout plays in the American League, which is usually the league which generates the most media buzz, and plays in a huge market in LA (Anahiem). Need anther reason? His rookie season was among the best of all time in Wins Above Replacement. So HA!
2. Bryce Harper
I guess that there's no clear number one between him and Trout. He is definitely the face of the National League, and he and Trout will be co-faces of the game for a while...The way he plays, its hard not to stare...
3. Yu Darvish
I know that most people wouldn't put a pitcher in their top three, but if you think, there has always been at least one pitcher has been at least co-face of the game. Of the pitchers listed, I think that Darvish is the only one who has the X-factor needed to standout. Don't get me wrong their are some other great names, but none of them scream "look at me" like Darvish. That and a super awesome and memorable name helps his case.
4. Buster Posey
As much as I love Posey, and believe you me I do, I really don't think he attracts enough attention to be the face of baseball, especially for non-baseball fans. He is the only candidate with an MVP under his belt though, so credit him for that.
5. Yasiel Puig
Don't get me wrong, Puig's start is incredible, but it is only a little more than a month. He won't keep this level of production up, but even at 80% of this, he's still a superstar. Playing in LA could also help him gain more name recognition.
6. Manny Machado
Machado's problem is that he plays the same position as the current face of the game, Miguel Cabrera. Machado is likely to be over-shadowed by Cabrera for a couple more years, and by that time, it is almost inevitable that someone else will have a stranglehold on the title of "the face of baseball"
7. Matt Harvey
As good as Harvey has been, I don't think he has the extra little something in that will make him the face of baseball. That doesn't mean he isn't special though. I guess he's like the J-Zimm to Darvish's Strasburg or Gio, he does what he does quietly.
8. Giancarlo Stanton
A year ago, Stanton would have been top 4 on this list, but with the emergence of so many new faces and Stanton recent injury tendency, he has been knocked down to 8. Playing with one of the worst teams in the majors hurts his visibility as well.
9. Chris Sale
To be honest, I was impressed by Sale last year, but I haven't heard much about him this year, so I wasn't expecting to see him on this list. That is reason enough for me to rank him this low.
10. Aroldis Chapman
The only reliever on this list check into last place because relievers hardly get any visibility outside of their respective teams. If one could define the game of baseball, Chapman is the one, but it's just not happening, sorry.
Okay so here is the total rankings of all counted votes when I voted, just for comparison
1.Trout
2.Harper
3.Posey
4.Puig
5. Machado
6. Harvey
7. Darvish
8. Stanton
9. Chapman
10. Sale
Comment and let me know who you think will be the next face of baseball!
~TBC
My Ranking:
1. Mike Trout
Like DUH! I mean honestly, who else is young, is a five tool player, and Rookie of the Year? Well, Bryce Harper, but Trout plays in the American League, which is usually the league which generates the most media buzz, and plays in a huge market in LA (Anahiem). Need anther reason? His rookie season was among the best of all time in Wins Above Replacement. So HA!
2. Bryce Harper
I guess that there's no clear number one between him and Trout. He is definitely the face of the National League, and he and Trout will be co-faces of the game for a while...The way he plays, its hard not to stare...
3. Yu Darvish
I know that most people wouldn't put a pitcher in their top three, but if you think, there has always been at least one pitcher has been at least co-face of the game. Of the pitchers listed, I think that Darvish is the only one who has the X-factor needed to standout. Don't get me wrong their are some other great names, but none of them scream "look at me" like Darvish. That and a super awesome and memorable name helps his case.
4. Buster Posey
As much as I love Posey, and believe you me I do, I really don't think he attracts enough attention to be the face of baseball, especially for non-baseball fans. He is the only candidate with an MVP under his belt though, so credit him for that.
5. Yasiel Puig
Don't get me wrong, Puig's start is incredible, but it is only a little more than a month. He won't keep this level of production up, but even at 80% of this, he's still a superstar. Playing in LA could also help him gain more name recognition.
6. Manny Machado
Machado's problem is that he plays the same position as the current face of the game, Miguel Cabrera. Machado is likely to be over-shadowed by Cabrera for a couple more years, and by that time, it is almost inevitable that someone else will have a stranglehold on the title of "the face of baseball"
7. Matt Harvey
As good as Harvey has been, I don't think he has the extra little something in that will make him the face of baseball. That doesn't mean he isn't special though. I guess he's like the J-Zimm to Darvish's Strasburg or Gio, he does what he does quietly.
8. Giancarlo Stanton
A year ago, Stanton would have been top 4 on this list, but with the emergence of so many new faces and Stanton recent injury tendency, he has been knocked down to 8. Playing with one of the worst teams in the majors hurts his visibility as well.
9. Chris Sale
To be honest, I was impressed by Sale last year, but I haven't heard much about him this year, so I wasn't expecting to see him on this list. That is reason enough for me to rank him this low.
10. Aroldis Chapman
The only reliever on this list check into last place because relievers hardly get any visibility outside of their respective teams. If one could define the game of baseball, Chapman is the one, but it's just not happening, sorry.
Okay so here is the total rankings of all counted votes when I voted, just for comparison
1.Trout
2.Harper
3.Posey
4.Puig
5. Machado
6. Harvey
7. Darvish
8. Stanton
9. Chapman
10. Sale
Comment and let me know who you think will be the next face of baseball!
~TBC
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
My All-Star Ballot
Pretty self explanatory :)
American League
1B - Davis, Chris
Looking at the top vote getters for first basemen, no one else was even close , vote-wise or stat-wise. I mean look at those home run numbers! Those are Jose Bautista two years ago like numbers!
2B - Pedroia, Dustin
This one was close between Pedroia and Cano. Neither really had a statistical edge so I went with my boy Dustin.
SS - Peralta, Jhonny
Really couldn't care less here. Peralta had the most votes and decent stats so went with him.
3B - Cabrera, Miguel
I actually was debating Cabrera vs Machado until I saw Cabrera's numbers. Just saying, he is a monster! Just because he didn't really deserve the MVP last year doesn't mean he doesn't put up colossal numbers year after year. Most people say that Albert Pujols is the player of the generation. I don't disagree, but Cabrera is closer to that title than most people realize. And he still has at least a couple more years of this in him!
C - Mauer, Joe
Again, couldn't care less...Mauer has had a great career though!
DH - Ortiz, David
I swear he wins this every year. At least it seems like it. More power to him!
OF - Bautista, Jose
Still a huge power threat. Don't underestimate Bautista. Could easily hit 35 homers this year.
OF - Jones, Adam
Great all around player. One of the biggest reasons for the Orioles recent success. My final spot came down to him vs teammate Nick Markakis, but Jones' numbers were much more impressive.
OF - Trout, Mike
He's not MIKE TROUT, at least not this year, but he's still one of the best in the game. Has historic potential!
National League
1B - Goldschmidt, Paul
Because a new face deserves the start! And he's pretty good :) And I'm sick of Votto :P
2B - Utley, Chase
It's called hometown loyalty :P And he actually pretty awesome! Total opinion change since 2010 when he was a failure in the NLCS.
SS - Tulowitzki, Troy
Well, this is embarrassing...meant to vote for Desi...but he wasn't going to make it anyway. Oh well, Tulo is injured...on another note: VOTE FOR DESMOND FOR THE FINAL VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!
3B - Wright, David
He should definitely play in his hometown. Best third baseman by far.
C - Posey, Buster
Another one of my personal favorites. Will always vote for him!
OF - Brown, Domonic
One of the best stories in Philly this year, and definitely deserving of an All-Star Spot. So glad he made it :)
OF - Gonzalez, Carlos
Never really realized how great of an all around player we was. WOW.
OF - Harper, Bryce
Had to :) Who cares that he missed 30 days. He's still the future of the Nationals!
Well that's that :P
~TBC
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Will be away...
On a camping trip tomorrow through Sunday so no blogs or G+ posts until then! Have a good 4th everyone!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Washington Nationals...This year's Detroit Tigers?
Mediocrity. That's what we have been getting from the Washington Nationals this season. Unbridled, plain-as-day mediocrity. The kind that can kill your Natitude. So there's no chance for a rebound right? Are the Nationals destined for mediocrity and second place? Is there any hope?
Well, if memory serves me well, at this point last season the Detroit Tigers were pretty mediocre as well. We all know that they went on to the American League Pennant. Can the Nationals make a similar comeback?
As of now, exactly halfway through the regular season, the Nationals stand at 41-40, or one game over .500. After a win June 30 last year, the Tigers stood at 38-40. When they had completed 81 games, they stood at 39-42. So at this point, the Nationals have the better record. That's good.
However, when the Tigers were 39-40, the Chicago White Sox were only 3 games ahead of them for first place in the AL Central. This one advantage the Tigers had that the Nationals will not have: An easy division to play in. Right now, the Atlanta Braves are 6.5 games ahead of the Nationals, and are showing no signs of slowing up.
So, can the Nationals repeat the Tigers come-from-behind success story? The pieces are there. While the Nationals may not have Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, they have Bryce Harper, and although it may not seem it, all of the rest of the line-up are viable threats to put up productive numbers.
While the Tigers have the best pitcher in the game in Justin Verlander, and back him up with Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer, the Nationals have three legitimate aces, who are capable of matching the performances of the Tigers top 3. The Nationals also have Ross Detwiler, who, when healthy, is a legitimate #2 being used in as a fourth starter.
So the final verdict is, while it will not be easy, there is still a chance that the Nationals take the division title most predicted them to run away with. A Wild-Card is a better possibility, with the Nationals being 4.5 games out of the second WC. For all the Nationals fans out there's sake, I hope it goes well.
~TBC
Well, if memory serves me well, at this point last season the Detroit Tigers were pretty mediocre as well. We all know that they went on to the American League Pennant. Can the Nationals make a similar comeback?
As of now, exactly halfway through the regular season, the Nationals stand at 41-40, or one game over .500. After a win June 30 last year, the Tigers stood at 38-40. When they had completed 81 games, they stood at 39-42. So at this point, the Nationals have the better record. That's good.
However, when the Tigers were 39-40, the Chicago White Sox were only 3 games ahead of them for first place in the AL Central. This one advantage the Tigers had that the Nationals will not have: An easy division to play in. Right now, the Atlanta Braves are 6.5 games ahead of the Nationals, and are showing no signs of slowing up.
So, can the Nationals repeat the Tigers come-from-behind success story? The pieces are there. While the Nationals may not have Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, they have Bryce Harper, and although it may not seem it, all of the rest of the line-up are viable threats to put up productive numbers.
While the Tigers have the best pitcher in the game in Justin Verlander, and back him up with Anibal Sanchez and Max Scherzer, the Nationals have three legitimate aces, who are capable of matching the performances of the Tigers top 3. The Nationals also have Ross Detwiler, who, when healthy, is a legitimate #2 being used in as a fourth starter.
So the final verdict is, while it will not be easy, there is still a chance that the Nationals take the division title most predicted them to run away with. A Wild-Card is a better possibility, with the Nationals being 4.5 games out of the second WC. For all the Nationals fans out there's sake, I hope it goes well.
~TBC
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)