Archive for March 2006

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March 31, 2006

NL Central preview

Posted by Bobo Hilario | 9:00 am | All things Central | Comments: 1

The NL Central may not be the best division in baseball, it may not be the worst division is baseball. But no matter who you root for there is no denying that the NL Central is the biggest division in baseball. That means fundementally the division is more competitive and more interesting that five or […]

March 30, 2006

Mike’s NL Central Standings

Posted by Mike | 7:00 am | All things Central | Comments: 0

The obligatory NL Central Standings picks. Read on and find out why I’m not exactly enthusiastic about half of these:
1st - St. Louis Cardinals (95-67)
2nd - Chicago Cubs (85-77)
3rd - Milwaukee Brewers (84-78)
4th - Houston Astros (79-83)
5th - Cincinnati Reds (72-90)
6th - Pittsburgh Pirates (70-92)
1st - St Louis Cardinals
The first of three gimme picks, the […]

March 28, 2006

Preseason NL Central All-Stars, Part Two

Posted by Mike | 7:00 am | All things Central | Comments: 0

Today concludes the NL Central All-Star predictions. Got picks of your own? Put ‘em in the comments! That is, unless you don’t like being held liable for your wild speculations.
Anyway, on with the picks.
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Left Field
Bobo: Jason Bay
Jason Bay has skills. He is 27 which is a little older than I thought. But even if he […]

March 27, 2006

Preseason NL Central All-Stars, Part One

Posted by Bobo Hilario | 7:00 am | All things Central | Comments: 0

Presenting the NL Central All-Stars, part one. Today we’ll cover the infield positions minus the pitcher, and tomorrow will be the outfield, the starting pitcher, and the closer. Who will we pick? Why are you asking? Just keep reading.
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First Base

Mike: Derrek Lee
Maybe I’m showing my Cub bias here, but picking between Lee and Albert Pujols […]

March 25, 2006

Let’s get some rumors started

Posted by Bobo Hilario | 10:53 am | Cardinals | Comments: 1

“Deivi Cruz for Vlad Guerrero. Seriously, I think they do it” - So many well meaning Cardinals fans that are blinded by their love.
This week everybody in baseball world is talking about Alfonso Soriano and his battle over positioning with the Nationals. Meanwhile, the Cardinals 2nd baseman competition is a very close race. (Unfortunately, its […]

March 24, 2006

Spring Training Prospect Watch - Reds

Posted by Mike | 1:00 pm | Reds | Comments: 0

#3 - Travis Wood
Born: February 6, 1987
Height/Weight: 6′ 0″/165
Bats-Throws: R-L
Position: LHP
2005: 1.82 ERA in 6 games (4 starts) in Rookie-level Billings along with a 22-13 K-BB ratio.
BA on Wood: “Wood’s changeup drops off the table and already rates as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale.”
So far in Spring Training: Still a few years away; […]

Spring Training Prospect Watch - Pirates

Posted by Mike | 7:00 am | Pirates | Comments: 0

#3 - Tom Gorzelanny
Born: July 12, 1982
Height/Weight: 6′ 2″/207
Bats-Throws: L-L
Position: OF
2005: 3.26 ERA in 23 starts and a 124-46 K-BB ratio for AA Altoona. 12.00 ERA over 3 games (1 start), and a 3-3 K-BB ratio for Pittsburgh.
BA on Gorzelanny: “Though he got a major league look, Gorzelanny needs to spend the majority of […]

March 23, 2006

Ponson drinks up the competition

Posted by Bobo Hilario | 9:05 am | Cardinals | Comments: 0

While there are many undecided spots left on the Cardinals roster, perhaps the most important one decided. Sydney Ponson came into spring training as the slight favorite for the fifth spot in the rotation. Now he is a lock barring injury or meltdown. (Or one of his “incidents”.)
Everyone including me was rooting for the up […]

March 22, 2006

Spring Training Prospect Watch - Cubs

Posted by Mike | 2:00 pm | Cubs | Comments: 0

#3 - Ronny Cedeno
Born: February 2, 1983
Height/Weight: 6′ 0″/180
Bats-Throws: R-R
Position: SS
2005: .300/.356/.375 in 80 AB and 41 games in Chicago.
BA on Cedeno: “His strong hands and wrists give him good bat speed that should allow him to hit for average and maybe 15 homers per year.”
So far in Spring Training: .237/.275/.395 in 38 ABs, which […]

Spring Training Prospect Watch - Cardinals

Posted by Mike | 7:00 am | Cardinals | Comments: 0

#3 - Tyler Greene
Born: August 17, 1983
Height/Weight: 6′ 2″/185
Bats-Throws: R-R
Position: SS
2005: .271/.326/.388 AVG/OBP/SLG in high Class A Palm Beach in 85 AB.
BA on Greene: “The Cardinals regard him as a pure shortstop with a plus arm and good range…Greene’s ultimate value will be determined by what he does with the bat. He tends to be […]