Season 8 in NCAA could be referred to as the year of the International’s. The market was abundant with talent for those teams looking to land a big player, which many teams took advantage of. Only time will tell how good the signings were but one thing was sure, a lot of money was paid out to get players into the United States to play ball.
Arizona landed SP Rafael Guerrero with a signing bonus of $10.7M. He projects to have outstanding control, 4 solid pitches and will be tough against lefties. Guerrero started 13 games in rookie ball with an era 4.08, 60 hits, 56 K’s and 18 walks. They also grabbed SS #p3165578Jose Samuel#p for $6.4M, who projects to be more of a 3B player then SS with great speed with below avg. splits. Samuel got in 4 games at the Low A level, managing 3 hits and 2 stolen bases with a .200 batting avg.
Buffalo’s scouts were fortunate enough to grab Orlando Galvez while they soaked up sun and drinks in Aruba for a price of $6.8M. Galvez projects to be a great closer, having the durability/stamina to be ready when called upon, great control and vR to go along with 3 very solid pitches. He spent his time in Rookie ball where he saw 3.1 innings allowing 4 hits, 3 strike outs and a 0.00 era.
Charleston Cougar’s found their player, Odalis Velazquez , overseas in the Dominican Republic for a price of $8.4M. A projected SS who will probably see more time at 3B, Velazquez looks to help out the Cougars with his dangerous bat. He spent 27 games in High A, knocking out 35 H, 16 2B, 5 HR, 23 RBIs with a batting avg. of .330.
Charlotte hopped on the plane with Charleston to the Dominican, grabbing Erubiel Ordaz on their trip for a price of $15.6M. The Tar Heels plan on Ordaz helping out in their future starting rotation where his pinpoint control will dominate the lefties and he projects to be solid against righties as well. Ordaz started 12 games for the Heels in Rookie ball, recording 57.2 innings where he gave up 51 hits, 69 K’s, 11 BB for a 3.43 era.
Cincinnati kept the Dominican pipe way open, landing Omar Andujar for a price tag of $15.6M. Omar looks to be an outstanding C that has the arm and accuracy to keep runners honest along with a pitch call rating that his pitchers will benefit from. His bat will also help the Bearcats out as he projects to be an elite hitter across the board, however his durability looks to only allow him to play in half of the games. Andujar spent S8 in Low A ball where he spent 76 games with a5.33 era pitching staff and his bat produced 93 hits, 28 doubles, 17 dingers, 65 rbi’s, and a solid .309 batting avg.
Detroit had no problem handing out money in the international market as they to found their two signings in the Dominican. Eliezer Arrojo signed the largest international contract this season at a price of $17.5M where the speedy LF will give the Wolverines exactly the large bat they were looking for in the offseason. Arrojo signed early, getting 96 games in at AA where he recorded 126 hits, 40 doubles, 23 homers, 86 rbis, with a solid .293 batting avg. Detroit however wasn’t done in the Dominican with just Arrojo, they managed to find Edgardo Renteria there as well for $9.0M. The sun may have gotten to the Wolverines scouts with this signing as Renteria projects to be a solid long relief pitcher although his durability is very weak. Edgardo got himself into 12 Low A games this season for 16.1 innings of ball with a 2.76 era. He should produce to a nice pitcher, however there were plenty of players that project to be better players after Renteria was signed.
Fargo sent their scouts away from the masses and ended up finding Mark Glover in Australia for a price of $11.5M. Glover will be dominate against lefties as a starting pitcher and with his control and 3 outstanding pitches, along with a 4th solid pitch, will be a force against righties as well. He only managed to get into 2 rookie league games for 8 innings of ball, scattering 5 hits, 11 K’s to 2 walks, and a 1.13 era.
Helena didn’t want to miss out on all the Dominican fun, landing Victor Valdes to help out their bullpen for $13.5M. Valdes follows the trend of beign dominant against lefties while solid against right-handed batters with great control, 2 outstanding and 2 solid pitches. He managed to start 11 games in rookie league, giving up 27 hits, 25/15 SO/BB, with an era of 3.91 in 25.1 innings.
Kansas City sent their scouts to Cuba, finding Tomas Olmedo and luring him into the states for $15.9M. Olmedo looks like he’ll lock down LF for the Wildcats and give them an outstanding bat and speed on the bases. Olmedo saw 53 games of action in rookie league this season, managing 87 hits, 23 doubles, 15 home runs, 74 rbi’s with a “double take” batting avg. of .390.
Little Rock found their international signing in Venezuela, C Jumbo Tejera for $7.5M. He’ll be able to throw potential stealers out on the bases although his pitch calling projects rather low. His bat should get him on the bases himself, solid numbers across except for power. Tejera spent 66 games behind the plate in rookie ball to manage a 4.53 era pitching staff. He battled Kansas City’s Olmedo for a batting avg. of .386!, swinging out 107 hits, 11 doubles, 5 home runs and 56 rbis.
Memphis wasn’t scared of all the scouts in the Dominican and followed the masses to find Harry Piedra for $7.3M. Piedra looks to be a solid starting pitcher for the Tigers with stamina, control and his splits all projecting nicely. He grabbed 2 start in AA ball for 9 innings of work and a 4.00 era before the Tigers called him up to the big leagues. He started 4 games in the majors where he gave the Tigers 21 innings, 12 hits, 17 K’s, 6 walks and an era of 5.57.
Minnesota shared a flight with Little Rock down to Venezuela and brought back home Davey Albaladejo and $11.0M lighter in their pockets. Davey looks to secure the 2B spot for the Gophers and will bring to the position a solid bat and speed. He put in 67 games at Low A this season where he destroyed pitchers for 104 hits, 31 doubles, 17 home runs, 67 rbis and a best .391 batting avg. A stop in Cuba quick on the way home allowed Jorge Cordero to jump on board for $12.0M. Cordero will take his place behind the plate with avg. pitch calling but a dangerous bat when he gets up to the plate. He spent 67 games in High A where he managed a pitching staff to a 4.45 era. Offensively he recorded 76 hits, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 46 rbis, and a nice .289 batting avg.
New Orleans grabbed #p3165478Miguel Montanez#p out of Cuba for $15.8M. Montanez looks to be the future closer for the Bengals, projecting to outstanding control and solid vR with 2 ace pitches. He spent 16 games in High A where he went 11 for 11 in saves with a 1.72 era before being called up to AA where he continued his success going 18 for 20 in saves with a 3.68 era.
Philadelphia, worried that the Dominican talent was being bought up, spent their time in Cuba and found Fausto Gimenez for $11.6M. Gimenez might be the best pitcher found in the international market this season where he will be dominate against righties and unhittable against lefties. With his control he’ll be able to place the ball wherever he chooses and 3 solid pitches will leave batters wondering what happened. He started in 5 games at the Low A level for a total of 26.2 innings of work, giving up 16 hits, 27 strike outs to 7 walks and an era of 2.36.
Salem went to the western hemisphere to find #p3165443Ramon Higashioka#p in the Republic of Korea for a price of $12.4M. Ramon could be used as a SP or help in the bullpen, having pinpoint control of his pitches and nice splits. He found himself starting 24 games in High A for the Beavers, giving up 124 hits, striking out 135 while walking 45 batters, and an era of 3.53.
Scranton stayed away from the populated areas and went to Honduras where they found Pedro Aviles for $15.0M. Aviles looks to help out the Lion’s bullpen as a long relief pitcher when he gets to the bigs. He started 28 games in Low A for them this season, allowing 112 hits, striking out 103 while only giving up 39 walks with a 4.97 era.
Friday, April 23, 2010
World Series Game 3 Recap
GAME 3 – Anaheim @ Arizona by hurricane 384
This game saw the sixth blown save of the series, and fourth by Arizona’s bullpen as they coughed up a 1-0 lead in the 8th. Arizona started the scoring in the bottom of the 5th when Don Murphy (2-2, R) worked a walk to lead off the inning and Joaquin Nunez (6.0IP, 5H, 0R, 2BB, 6K) laid down his second sacrifice bunt of the game to move Murphy to second. Jung-Lee Koh (1-2, RBI) then hit the offering of Jake Randolph (6.0IP, 2H, 1ER, 4BB, 5K) into right field for an RBI double…which also wrapped up the Sun Devils’ offensive output for the game. Nunez pitched great and Buddy Stoops redeemed himself with an inning of shutout ball after a disastrous game 2 outing. Ivan Duran and Guy McMasters (again) failed to protect the lead as they struggled through the 8th. Duran got back-to-back groundouts to begin, but then gave up a triple to Ben Brown (1-4, R, 3B) and a single to Rex Allen (3-3, R, RBI). McMasters entered, being counted on to get one out, and couldn’t do that without losing the game. A single into center by Larry Sedlacek (2-4, R) put men at the corners for Julian Cortes (1-4, R, RBI), who came through to put the Trojans in the lead for good with a single to right center field. Pablo Tavarez (2-4, R, 3RBI, 2B, HR) cleared the bases with a 3 run shot to left-field to wrap up the scoring. Miguel Sanchez came on in the bottom of the 9th for Anaheim, only to struggle by allowing a single and hitting Koh with a pitch. Bernard Townsend got the final 2 outs for his 6th save of the postse
This game saw the sixth blown save of the series, and fourth by Arizona’s bullpen as they coughed up a 1-0 lead in the 8th. Arizona started the scoring in the bottom of the 5th when Don Murphy (2-2, R) worked a walk to lead off the inning and Joaquin Nunez (6.0IP, 5H, 0R, 2BB, 6K) laid down his second sacrifice bunt of the game to move Murphy to second. Jung-Lee Koh (1-2, RBI) then hit the offering of Jake Randolph (6.0IP, 2H, 1ER, 4BB, 5K) into right field for an RBI double…which also wrapped up the Sun Devils’ offensive output for the game. Nunez pitched great and Buddy Stoops redeemed himself with an inning of shutout ball after a disastrous game 2 outing. Ivan Duran and Guy McMasters (again) failed to protect the lead as they struggled through the 8th. Duran got back-to-back groundouts to begin, but then gave up a triple to Ben Brown (1-4, R, 3B) and a single to Rex Allen (3-3, R, RBI). McMasters entered, being counted on to get one out, and couldn’t do that without losing the game. A single into center by Larry Sedlacek (2-4, R) put men at the corners for Julian Cortes (1-4, R, RBI), who came through to put the Trojans in the lead for good with a single to right center field. Pablo Tavarez (2-4, R, 3RBI, 2B, HR) cleared the bases with a 3 run shot to left-field to wrap up the scoring. Miguel Sanchez came on in the bottom of the 9th for Anaheim, only to struggle by allowing a single and hitting Koh with a pitch. Bernard Townsend got the final 2 outs for his 6th save of the postse
World Series Game 1 and 2 Recaps
WORLD SERIES RECAPS by hurricane384
GAME 1 – Arizona @ Anaheim
Game 1 saw a bit of what each of these teams is good at. Offense, defense, pitching, it had it all. Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th on an Ivan Wall (2-4, 2B, RBI, R) RBI single, which followed back-to-back singles and a double play. Despite giving up 3 hits in the fifth, Clinton Carr (6.1IP, 8H, 3ER, 2BB, 2K) managed to escape by giving up a single run. Anaheim went on top in the bottom of the inning with a home run by Larry Selacek (2-4, HR, 2R, RBI), his fifth of the postseason. Pablo Tavarez (3-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI) reached on a bloop single followed by a Justin Boyd (2-5, 2B, RBI) double for Anaheim to take the lead, 2-1. Anaheim took the lead in the top of the seventh inning with an offensive explosion, putting up 6 runs, capped by a Bernie Ortiz (1-5, HR, R, 4RBI) grand slam to take a 7-2 lead. Don Martin (7.2IP, 8H, 5R, 3ER, 3K) began to cough up the lead in the bottom of the 8th by giving up a flyball home run to left field by Tavarez. Boyd singled, which was followed by Rafael Nieves (1-4) grounding into a double play. Dicky Hatcher (0-4, R) reached on a 2 base error when Buddy Buckley (2-5, 2R) dropped a flyball. Lewis Hoyt (1-1, R, RBI) hit an RBI single to score Hatcher and you could close the book on Martin. Buddy Stoops entered and failed to record a single out while giving up two 2-run home runs. The scoring was capped when Ivan Duran (.1, 2H, ER) gave up a single by Julian Cortes (1-4, R) followed by a Tavarez double as Anaheim goes up 9-7. Bernard Townsend made things interesting in the ninth, giving up a walk and a single, but managed to record the save.
ANAHEIM, 9-7. ANAHEIM LEADS THE SERIES 1-0.
GAME 2 – Arizona @ Anaheim
Game 2 was a power filled game that saw 11 home runs hit between these two behemoths. Bernie Ortiz (3-5, 2HR, 2R, 4RBI) cracked the first of his two home runs in the first inning to give Arizona a quick 2-0 lead off of Anaheim’s Dick Bailey (6.0IP, 7H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K), but that lead wouldn’t last long. Dicky Hatcher (3-4, 2HR, 3R, 5RBI) hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first and then a 3-run bomb in the 3rd off of Ebenezer Woodson (5.0IP, 7H, 7ER, 3BB, 5K) to take a 4-2 lead over the Sun Devils. The scoring remained quiet until the 5th when Hatcher walked, and Larry Sedlacek (2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2RBI) cracked a 2-run home run to left field, and Lewis Hoyt (1-5, HR, R, RBI) followed that up with a wall-scraper to right-center to push the Trojans’ lead to 7-2. Jake Peterson (2-5, 2HR, 2R, 2RBI) led off the 6th with the first of his 2 solo homers to make the score 7-3. With a lead that would not survive the inning, Turner Evans (0.1IP, 3H, 3ER) entered and exited after 4 batters with the score 7-6 after giving up back to back home runs to Ortiz and David Sierra (1-4, HR, R, RBI). Enter Felix Seung who managed to enter and exit having given up the lead, but did not record an out after giving up 4 hits and 2 runs, including Jake Peterson’s second solo shot of the night as Arizona takes an 8-7 lead. The story in this game was that no member of either bullpen really cared to hold a lead as Guy McMasters (0.2IP, 2H, ER, 2BB) blew the save in the bottom of the 8th on back to back run scoring singles, but did manage to escape a bases loaded situation to end in the inning. Anaheim reclaimed the lead 9-8. Anaheim brought in closer Bernard Townsend (1.0IP, H, 2ER, BB) looking to shut the door on game 2…that was not to happen as Townsend did something he only did 6 times during the regular season and blew the save. He walked Buddy Buckley (2-4, 2B, 2R) to lead the inning off before recording a pop-out and a fly-out. Just as it looked like he was going to escape with a save, pinch-hitter Julian Green had other things in mind, and showed it to everyone with a 2-run home run to left-field to give Arizona the 10-9 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. Enter Fireman of the Year Justin Ward to shut the door. He enticed a pop-out, gave up an infield single, and then struck out Game 1 hero Tavarez for the second out. Up comes Rafael Nieves (2-3, HR, 3R, 2RBI, 2BB) and he took Ward deep to right field to end Game 2 with a walk-off home run in yet another epic confrontation between these two titans.
ANAHEIM WINS, 11-10. ANAHEIM LEADS THE SERIES 2-0.
GAME 1 – Arizona @ Anaheim
Game 1 saw a bit of what each of these teams is good at. Offense, defense, pitching, it had it all. Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th on an Ivan Wall (2-4, 2B, RBI, R) RBI single, which followed back-to-back singles and a double play. Despite giving up 3 hits in the fifth, Clinton Carr (6.1IP, 8H, 3ER, 2BB, 2K) managed to escape by giving up a single run. Anaheim went on top in the bottom of the inning with a home run by Larry Selacek (2-4, HR, 2R, RBI), his fifth of the postseason. Pablo Tavarez (3-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI) reached on a bloop single followed by a Justin Boyd (2-5, 2B, RBI) double for Anaheim to take the lead, 2-1. Anaheim took the lead in the top of the seventh inning with an offensive explosion, putting up 6 runs, capped by a Bernie Ortiz (1-5, HR, R, 4RBI) grand slam to take a 7-2 lead. Don Martin (7.2IP, 8H, 5R, 3ER, 3K) began to cough up the lead in the bottom of the 8th by giving up a flyball home run to left field by Tavarez. Boyd singled, which was followed by Rafael Nieves (1-4) grounding into a double play. Dicky Hatcher (0-4, R) reached on a 2 base error when Buddy Buckley (2-5, 2R) dropped a flyball. Lewis Hoyt (1-1, R, RBI) hit an RBI single to score Hatcher and you could close the book on Martin. Buddy Stoops entered and failed to record a single out while giving up two 2-run home runs. The scoring was capped when Ivan Duran (.1, 2H, ER) gave up a single by Julian Cortes (1-4, R) followed by a Tavarez double as Anaheim goes up 9-7. Bernard Townsend made things interesting in the ninth, giving up a walk and a single, but managed to record the save.
ANAHEIM, 9-7. ANAHEIM LEADS THE SERIES 1-0.
GAME 2 – Arizona @ Anaheim
Game 2 was a power filled game that saw 11 home runs hit between these two behemoths. Bernie Ortiz (3-5, 2HR, 2R, 4RBI) cracked the first of his two home runs in the first inning to give Arizona a quick 2-0 lead off of Anaheim’s Dick Bailey (6.0IP, 7H, 3ER, 2BB, 5K), but that lead wouldn’t last long. Dicky Hatcher (3-4, 2HR, 3R, 5RBI) hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first and then a 3-run bomb in the 3rd off of Ebenezer Woodson (5.0IP, 7H, 7ER, 3BB, 5K) to take a 4-2 lead over the Sun Devils. The scoring remained quiet until the 5th when Hatcher walked, and Larry Sedlacek (2-4, 2B, HR, R, 2RBI) cracked a 2-run home run to left field, and Lewis Hoyt (1-5, HR, R, RBI) followed that up with a wall-scraper to right-center to push the Trojans’ lead to 7-2. Jake Peterson (2-5, 2HR, 2R, 2RBI) led off the 6th with the first of his 2 solo homers to make the score 7-3. With a lead that would not survive the inning, Turner Evans (0.1IP, 3H, 3ER) entered and exited after 4 batters with the score 7-6 after giving up back to back home runs to Ortiz and David Sierra (1-4, HR, R, RBI). Enter Felix Seung who managed to enter and exit having given up the lead, but did not record an out after giving up 4 hits and 2 runs, including Jake Peterson’s second solo shot of the night as Arizona takes an 8-7 lead. The story in this game was that no member of either bullpen really cared to hold a lead as Guy McMasters (0.2IP, 2H, ER, 2BB) blew the save in the bottom of the 8th on back to back run scoring singles, but did manage to escape a bases loaded situation to end in the inning. Anaheim reclaimed the lead 9-8. Anaheim brought in closer Bernard Townsend (1.0IP, H, 2ER, BB) looking to shut the door on game 2…that was not to happen as Townsend did something he only did 6 times during the regular season and blew the save. He walked Buddy Buckley (2-4, 2B, 2R) to lead the inning off before recording a pop-out and a fly-out. Just as it looked like he was going to escape with a save, pinch-hitter Julian Green had other things in mind, and showed it to everyone with a 2-run home run to left-field to give Arizona the 10-9 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. Enter Fireman of the Year Justin Ward to shut the door. He enticed a pop-out, gave up an infield single, and then struck out Game 1 hero Tavarez for the second out. Up comes Rafael Nieves (2-3, HR, 3R, 2RBI, 2BB) and he took Ward deep to right field to end Game 2 with a walk-off home run in yet another epic confrontation between these two titans.
ANAHEIM WINS, 11-10. ANAHEIM LEADS THE SERIES 2-0.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
World Series Preview
WORLD SERIES PREVIEW – SEASON 8 by hurricane384
ANAHEIM TROJANS (AL)
VS.
ARIZONA SUN DEVILS (NL)
RATINGS ADVANTAGES
STARTING LINEUP BENCH
POWER-Anaheim POWER-Anaheim
CONTACT-Arizona CONTACT-Arizona
VS L-Anaheim VS L-Anaheim
VS R-Anaheim VS R-Anaheim
EYE-Anaheim EYE-Arizona
ADV-Anaheim ADV-Anaheim
ROTATION BULLPEN
CONTROL-Anaheim CONTROL-Anaheim
VS L-Arizona VS L-Anaheim
VS R-Arizona VS R-Arizona
VELOCITY-Anaheim VELOCITY-Arizona
STUFF-Anaheim STUFF-Anaheim
ADV-Anaheim ADV-Anaheim
ANAHEIM
Offense: The Trojans are a balanced offense, boasting 7 players who hit 20+ homers during the season and an incredible 9 players who knocked in 90+ throughout the season. They boasted a .269 team batting average which was good for the 6th best batting average in the majors. Their 258 homers lead the majors as well. No MVP candidates on this squad, just a bunch of guys playing together as a team.
Pitching: Boasting 5 pitchers with more than 10 wins a piece including 11-1 rookie Turner Evans, this is a strong team pitching wise as well. Their 3.67 team ERA was good for second in the majors. They also threw the 4th most complete games in the majors. Carr and Bailey were the leaders of this staff, as well as Cy Young candidates.
Defense: Finishing second only to the ridiculously solid fielding Syracuse Orange with a fielding percentage of .988, the Trojans only committed 74 errors, and turned 356 double plays while making 68 plus plays against 15 minus plays. Caught only .238 of base stealers Only one player, Allen, managed to win a Gold Glove for Anaheim this season.
ARIZONA
Offense: While not as balanced as Anaheim, the Sun Devils are no slouch on offense either. They had 4 players with over 30 home runs and 98 or more runs knocked in. In addition to this, they do one thing that plays against Anaheim’s weakness…they steal bases. They had 3 players steal 30+ bases during the season while as a team they were 156/207 on the year. They were only tied for 9th on the year. Led by MVP candidate, Ortiz, this is not an offense to be toyed with.
Pitching: Another team with 5 pitchers recording double digits in the win column, they are led by Cy Young candidates, Nunez and Martin as well as Fireman of the year Ward (45/49 SV). A team ERA of 3.82 was good enough for fifth in the majors, while their strikeout total of 1146 was second to Dover.
Fielding: Finishing smack-dab in the middle of the pack, Arizona was a solid, but unspectacular fielding team this season. Their .983 fielding percentage was right there with the league-average. They recorded 40 plus plays while recording 34 minus, so they are not going to take away a lot of outs from Anaheim.
Prediction: Anaheim in 5.
While Arizona is a good team, Anaheim doesn’t have a major weakness. If Arizona can get on base, they may be able to make something happen on the base paths, but getting on base is going to be tough. Anaheim on the other hand, can take outs away in the field as well as manufacture runs as they led the league in sacrifice flies. Unfortunately, I just don’t see how Arizona can overcome Anaheim’s advantages, both in ratings and results.
ANAHEIM TROJANS (AL)
VS.
ARIZONA SUN DEVILS (NL)
RATINGS ADVANTAGES
STARTING LINEUP BENCH
POWER-Anaheim POWER-Anaheim
CONTACT-Arizona CONTACT-Arizona
VS L-Anaheim VS L-Anaheim
VS R-Anaheim VS R-Anaheim
EYE-Anaheim EYE-Arizona
ADV-Anaheim ADV-Anaheim
ROTATION BULLPEN
CONTROL-Anaheim CONTROL-Anaheim
VS L-Arizona VS L-Anaheim
VS R-Arizona VS R-Arizona
VELOCITY-Anaheim VELOCITY-Arizona
STUFF-Anaheim STUFF-Anaheim
ADV-Anaheim ADV-Anaheim
ANAHEIM
Offense: The Trojans are a balanced offense, boasting 7 players who hit 20+ homers during the season and an incredible 9 players who knocked in 90+ throughout the season. They boasted a .269 team batting average which was good for the 6th best batting average in the majors. Their 258 homers lead the majors as well. No MVP candidates on this squad, just a bunch of guys playing together as a team.
Pitching: Boasting 5 pitchers with more than 10 wins a piece including 11-1 rookie Turner Evans, this is a strong team pitching wise as well. Their 3.67 team ERA was good for second in the majors. They also threw the 4th most complete games in the majors. Carr and Bailey were the leaders of this staff, as well as Cy Young candidates.
Defense: Finishing second only to the ridiculously solid fielding Syracuse Orange with a fielding percentage of .988, the Trojans only committed 74 errors, and turned 356 double plays while making 68 plus plays against 15 minus plays. Caught only .238 of base stealers Only one player, Allen, managed to win a Gold Glove for Anaheim this season.
ARIZONA
Offense: While not as balanced as Anaheim, the Sun Devils are no slouch on offense either. They had 4 players with over 30 home runs and 98 or more runs knocked in. In addition to this, they do one thing that plays against Anaheim’s weakness…they steal bases. They had 3 players steal 30+ bases during the season while as a team they were 156/207 on the year. They were only tied for 9th on the year. Led by MVP candidate, Ortiz, this is not an offense to be toyed with.
Pitching: Another team with 5 pitchers recording double digits in the win column, they are led by Cy Young candidates, Nunez and Martin as well as Fireman of the year Ward (45/49 SV). A team ERA of 3.82 was good enough for fifth in the majors, while their strikeout total of 1146 was second to Dover.
Fielding: Finishing smack-dab in the middle of the pack, Arizona was a solid, but unspectacular fielding team this season. Their .983 fielding percentage was right there with the league-average. They recorded 40 plus plays while recording 34 minus, so they are not going to take away a lot of outs from Anaheim.
Prediction: Anaheim in 5.
While Arizona is a good team, Anaheim doesn’t have a major weakness. If Arizona can get on base, they may be able to make something happen on the base paths, but getting on base is going to be tough. Anaheim on the other hand, can take outs away in the field as well as manufacture runs as they led the league in sacrifice flies. Unfortunately, I just don’t see how Arizona can overcome Anaheim’s advantages, both in ratings and results.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
LCS Team Profiles
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TEAM PROFILES
AL Preview (W-L, AL runs scored rank, AL ERA rank, AL fielding % rank)
#1 Anaheim Trojans (99-63, 3rd, 1st, 1st)
Owner: ajwalton (0 WS, 843-777)
Team Leaders
Batting
HR: D. Hatcher 35
RBI: R. Allen 101
RUNS: J. Boyd 97
AVG.: J. Boyd .307
OBP: R. Nieves .366
SLG.: R. Allen .559
OPS: D. Hatcher .918
Hit Streak: G. Duncan 16
Pitching
WINS: D. Bailey 20
LOSSES: J. Randolph & 10
G. Field
INNINGS: C. Carr 248.1
ERA: T. Evans 2.13
SO: C. Carr 197
SAVES: B. Townsend 39/45
All-Stars (4) – D. Bailey (P), C. Carr (P), B. Townsend (P), L. Sedlacek (C)
Award Candidates
MVP: None
Cy Young: C. Carr, D. Bailey
ROY: None
FOY: B. Townsend
#3 Florida Gators (92-70, 1st, 7th, 14th)
Owner: robusk (4 WS, 2584-1790)
Team Leaders
Batting
HR: D. Thompson 43
RBI: D. Thompson 115
RUNS: D. Thompson 118
AVG: R. Perry .323
SLG: R. Perry .597
OPS: D. Thompson 1.013
Hit Streak: L. Glynn 16
Pitching
WINS: R. Tyson 15
LOSSES: R. Tyson 12
INNINGS: R. Tyson 214.2
ERA: R. Tyson 3.77
SO: R. Tyson 159
SAVES: A. Kendall 26/34
All-Stars (3) – D. Thompson (1B), R. Perry (SS), H. Minor (RF)
Award Candidates
MVP: D. Thompson
Cy Young: None
ROY: None
FOY: None
NL Preview (W-L, NL runs scored rank, NL ERA rank, NL fielding % rank)
#1 Syracuse Orange (114-48*, 1st, 2nd, 1st)
Owner: Evil Doers (1 WS, 2001-1563)
Team Leaders
Batting
HR: M. Seay 54
RBI: M. Seay 149
RUNS: G. Parris 136
AVG: M. Seay .335
SLG: M. Seay .694
OPS: M. Seay 1.104
Hit Streak: M. Seay 21
Pitching
WINS: C. Carlyle & 19
A. Johnson
LOSSES: J. Jodie 10
INNINGS: A. Johnson 223.2
ERA: L. Villafuerte 2.66
SO: R. Loux 171
SAVES: L. Villafuerte 33/36
All-Stars (3) – C. Carlyle (P), M. Seay (1B), G. Parris (2B)
Award Candidates
MVP: M. Seay, G. Parris
Cy Young: C. Carlyle
ROY: None
FOY: L. Villafuerte
* World record.
#2 Arizona Sun Devils (94-68, 4th, 4th, 7th)
Owner: lpa2a (3 WS, 1200-906)
Team Leaders
Batting
HR: J. Peterson 46
RBI: D. Sierra 129
RUNS: J. Koh 119
AVG: J. Koh .320
SLG: D. Sierra .608
OPS: D. Sierra .991
Hit Streak: J. Koh & 14
B. Ortiz
Pitching
WINS: D. Martin 17
LOSSES: V. Taveras 8
INNINGS: D. Martin 218.2
ERA: J. Ward 2.02
SO: J. Nunez 223
SAVES: J. Ward 45/49
All-Stars (3) – J. Ward (P), J. Nunez (P), J. Koh (CF)
Award Candidates
MVP: B. Ortiz
Cy Young: J. Nunez, D. Martin
ROY: D. Sierra
FOY: J. Ward
AL Preview (W-L, AL runs scored rank, AL ERA rank, AL fielding % rank)
#1 Anaheim Trojans (99-63, 3rd, 1st, 1st)
Owner: ajwalton (0 WS, 843-777)
Team Leaders
Batting
HR: D. Hatcher 35
RBI: R. Allen 101
RUNS: J. Boyd 97
AVG.: J. Boyd .307
OBP: R. Nieves .366
SLG.: R. Allen .559
OPS: D. Hatcher .918
Hit Streak: G. Duncan 16
Pitching
WINS: D. Bailey 20
LOSSES: J. Randolph & 10
G. Field
INNINGS: C. Carr 248.1
ERA: T. Evans 2.13
SO: C. Carr 197
SAVES: B. Townsend 39/45
All-Stars (4) – D. Bailey (P), C. Carr (P), B. Townsend (P), L. Sedlacek (C)
Award Candidates
MVP: None
Cy Young: C. Carr, D. Bailey
ROY: None
FOY: B. Townsend
#3 Florida Gators (92-70, 1st, 7th, 14th)
Owner: robusk (4 WS, 2584-1790)
Team Leaders
Batting
HR: D. Thompson 43
RBI: D. Thompson 115
RUNS: D. Thompson 118
AVG: R. Perry .323
SLG: R. Perry .597
OPS: D. Thompson 1.013
Hit Streak: L. Glynn 16
Pitching
WINS: R. Tyson 15
LOSSES: R. Tyson 12
INNINGS: R. Tyson 214.2
ERA: R. Tyson 3.77
SO: R. Tyson 159
SAVES: A. Kendall 26/34
All-Stars (3) – D. Thompson (1B), R. Perry (SS), H. Minor (RF)
Award Candidates
MVP: D. Thompson
Cy Young: None
ROY: None
FOY: None
NL Preview (W-L, NL runs scored rank, NL ERA rank, NL fielding % rank)
#1 Syracuse Orange (114-48*, 1st, 2nd, 1st)
Owner: Evil Doers (1 WS, 2001-1563)
Team Leaders
Batting
HR: M. Seay 54
RBI: M. Seay 149
RUNS: G. Parris 136
AVG: M. Seay .335
SLG: M. Seay .694
OPS: M. Seay 1.104
Hit Streak: M. Seay 21
Pitching
WINS: C. Carlyle & 19
A. Johnson
LOSSES: J. Jodie 10
INNINGS: A. Johnson 223.2
ERA: L. Villafuerte 2.66
SO: R. Loux 171
SAVES: L. Villafuerte 33/36
All-Stars (3) – C. Carlyle (P), M. Seay (1B), G. Parris (2B)
Award Candidates
MVP: M. Seay, G. Parris
Cy Young: C. Carlyle
ROY: None
FOY: L. Villafuerte
* World record.
#2 Arizona Sun Devils (94-68, 4th, 4th, 7th)
Owner: lpa2a (3 WS, 1200-906)
Team Leaders
Batting
HR: J. Peterson 46
RBI: D. Sierra 129
RUNS: J. Koh 119
AVG: J. Koh .320
SLG: D. Sierra .608
OPS: D. Sierra .991
Hit Streak: J. Koh & 14
B. Ortiz
Pitching
WINS: D. Martin 17
LOSSES: V. Taveras 8
INNINGS: D. Martin 218.2
ERA: J. Ward 2.02
SO: J. Nunez 223
SAVES: J. Ward 45/49
All-Stars (3) – J. Ward (P), J. Nunez (P), J. Koh (CF)
Award Candidates
MVP: B. Ortiz
Cy Young: J. Nunez, D. Martin
ROY: D. Sierra
FOY: J. Ward
Friday, April 16, 2010
DCS Game 1 Recaps
AL Divisional Championship Series
Game 1 Recaps
#5 Salem @ #1 Anaheim
Anaheim was no match for Salem in this game 1 snoozefest. Every Salem starter recorded at least a hit and their offense was led by Ivan Martis (3-5, 2B, HR, RBI, 2R) and Joe Campbell (1-3, HR, 2RBI). Diasuke Suzuki recorded the win with 8 innings of 1-hit, 2-walk, 9-strikeout pitching mastery. Yamil Santiago blew the shutout in the ninth when he game up a ninth inning double and a batter later gave up the run scoring single to Anaheim’s Boyd.
• Salem defeats Anaheim, 8-1. Salem leads series, 1-0.
#3 Florida @ #2 Philadelphia
This was a back and forth, tightly contested ball game. Florida’s Chad Selby collected 3 hits, and Juan Feliz went 2 for 3, with a home run and 2 RBI, but Rich Perry was the real hero, hitting a solo homer in the top of the ninth to provide the winning margin for the Gators. Joe Newfield pitched a solid 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, and striking out 5, but picked up the no-decision. Blade Wright and Adrian Kendall combined to pitch 3 perfect innings to pick up the win and save, respectively. Philly’s Stuffy Sabathia and Miller Kotsay each picked up 2 hits, and scored once a piece to provide the scoring for the Owls. The bullpen let Domingo Servet down as he threw 6 innings of masterful ball giving up just 4 hits while striking out 4. Bo Parker blew the save by giving up a walk and back-to-back singles to start the 8th and Vic Redmond picked up the loss by giving up the solo “moon” shot to Perry.
• Florida wins, 3-2. Florida leads the series, 1-0.
NL Division Championship Series
Game 1 Recaps
#4 Austin @ #1 Syracuse
This was a close game for 6 innings, but Austin just couldn’t keep the top-scoring National League Orange down for the entire game. Syracuse’s Jimmie Jodie struck out 7, walked 2, and gave up 3 hits in 7 innings for the win. Charles Carlyle walked 3 in 2 innings of work, but ultimately kept Austin off the board. Garrett Paris was 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, a homer and 3 RBI, while Michael Seay and Frank Jenkins knocked in 2 each. Mel Reed pitched five solid innings (5H, 1ER, 1BB, 6K) but picked up the loss as his offense let him down.
• Syracuse beats Austin, 8-0. Syracuse leads the series, 1-0
#3 Dover @ #2 Arizona
No surprise here as Dover continues to play in low scoring games this playoff season. Arizona’s Bernie Ortiz and David Sierra each had 3 hits and Jake Peterson knocked in 2 while hitting a home run (Ortiz had a homer as well). Joaquin Nunez pitched 7 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, while striking out 7 and walking 5. Buddy Stoops, Ivan Duran, and Guy McMasters wrapped up this extra innings bout with 4 shutout innings as McMasters picked up the win. Dover did not walk a batter all game and Matthew Lennon justified his huge salary again with 6 good innings, scattering 7 hits, and 2 runs while striking out 2. Randy Gabriel got tagged with the loss as he gave up a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 11th to Jake Peterson.
• Arizona beats Dover, 4-2 (11 inn.). Arizona leads series, 1-0.
Game 1 Recaps
#5 Salem @ #1 Anaheim
Anaheim was no match for Salem in this game 1 snoozefest. Every Salem starter recorded at least a hit and their offense was led by Ivan Martis (3-5, 2B, HR, RBI, 2R) and Joe Campbell (1-3, HR, 2RBI). Diasuke Suzuki recorded the win with 8 innings of 1-hit, 2-walk, 9-strikeout pitching mastery. Yamil Santiago blew the shutout in the ninth when he game up a ninth inning double and a batter later gave up the run scoring single to Anaheim’s Boyd.
• Salem defeats Anaheim, 8-1. Salem leads series, 1-0.
#3 Florida @ #2 Philadelphia
This was a back and forth, tightly contested ball game. Florida’s Chad Selby collected 3 hits, and Juan Feliz went 2 for 3, with a home run and 2 RBI, but Rich Perry was the real hero, hitting a solo homer in the top of the ninth to provide the winning margin for the Gators. Joe Newfield pitched a solid 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, and striking out 5, but picked up the no-decision. Blade Wright and Adrian Kendall combined to pitch 3 perfect innings to pick up the win and save, respectively. Philly’s Stuffy Sabathia and Miller Kotsay each picked up 2 hits, and scored once a piece to provide the scoring for the Owls. The bullpen let Domingo Servet down as he threw 6 innings of masterful ball giving up just 4 hits while striking out 4. Bo Parker blew the save by giving up a walk and back-to-back singles to start the 8th and Vic Redmond picked up the loss by giving up the solo “moon” shot to Perry.
• Florida wins, 3-2. Florida leads the series, 1-0.
NL Division Championship Series
Game 1 Recaps
#4 Austin @ #1 Syracuse
This was a close game for 6 innings, but Austin just couldn’t keep the top-scoring National League Orange down for the entire game. Syracuse’s Jimmie Jodie struck out 7, walked 2, and gave up 3 hits in 7 innings for the win. Charles Carlyle walked 3 in 2 innings of work, but ultimately kept Austin off the board. Garrett Paris was 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, a homer and 3 RBI, while Michael Seay and Frank Jenkins knocked in 2 each. Mel Reed pitched five solid innings (5H, 1ER, 1BB, 6K) but picked up the loss as his offense let him down.
• Syracuse beats Austin, 8-0. Syracuse leads the series, 1-0
#3 Dover @ #2 Arizona
No surprise here as Dover continues to play in low scoring games this playoff season. Arizona’s Bernie Ortiz and David Sierra each had 3 hits and Jake Peterson knocked in 2 while hitting a home run (Ortiz had a homer as well). Joaquin Nunez pitched 7 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, while striking out 7 and walking 5. Buddy Stoops, Ivan Duran, and Guy McMasters wrapped up this extra innings bout with 4 shutout innings as McMasters picked up the win. Dover did not walk a batter all game and Matthew Lennon justified his huge salary again with 6 good innings, scattering 7 hits, and 2 runs while striking out 2. Randy Gabriel got tagged with the loss as he gave up a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 11th to Jake Peterson.
• Arizona beats Dover, 4-2 (11 inn.). Arizona leads series, 1-0.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wild Card Round - Game 5 Recaps
by hurricane384
#5 Scranton @ #4 Austin
Three Austin pitchers combined for a 6-hit shutout of Scranton in Game 5. Jose Javier picked up the “W” going 6.0 giving up 4 hits and striking out 7, followed by Miguel Veras for 2.0, and Mateo Blanco picked up the save, going 1 inning and walking one. Graham Wilson had an RBI triple and Corky Buckley knocked in the game-winning run in the 2nd. Scranton’s Dusty Johnson was good, but not quite good enough, going 7.0 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and striking out 6.
* Austin beats Scranton, 2-0. Austin wins the series 3-2.
#6 Detroit @ #3 Dover
Detroit put up a heck of a fight in trying to pull off the upset, but it was not to be. Scoring twice in the first on a Buster Wiggins (3-4, 2 RBI, 2R, 2HR) home run and an Eddie Sanford single, Detroit took control early. Julio Johnson (6.2IP, 9H, 4ER, 1BB, 1K) was unable to hold Dover at bay and picked up the loss. Dover scored twice in the second, and once each in the fifth and seventh to pick up the victory. Otis Damon pitched 8 innings for the victory, scattering 8 hits, 3 runs, and 6 strikeouts while Nicky Drew struck out the side to pick up his second save of the playoffs. With the exception of 2B Charlie Spencer, every Dover starter had at least a hit, led by Taylor Broussard (3-4, 2R, 1RBI, 2B) and Ed Martin (2-3, 1RBI, 1BB). A seventh inning home run was not enough for Detroit to overcome the deficit.
* Dover beats Detroit, 4-3. Dover wins the series, 3-2.
#5 Scranton @ #4 Austin
Three Austin pitchers combined for a 6-hit shutout of Scranton in Game 5. Jose Javier picked up the “W” going 6.0 giving up 4 hits and striking out 7, followed by Miguel Veras for 2.0, and Mateo Blanco picked up the save, going 1 inning and walking one. Graham Wilson had an RBI triple and Corky Buckley knocked in the game-winning run in the 2nd. Scranton’s Dusty Johnson was good, but not quite good enough, going 7.0 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and striking out 6.
* Austin beats Scranton, 2-0. Austin wins the series 3-2.
#6 Detroit @ #3 Dover
Detroit put up a heck of a fight in trying to pull off the upset, but it was not to be. Scoring twice in the first on a Buster Wiggins (3-4, 2 RBI, 2R, 2HR) home run and an Eddie Sanford single, Detroit took control early. Julio Johnson (6.2IP, 9H, 4ER, 1BB, 1K) was unable to hold Dover at bay and picked up the loss. Dover scored twice in the second, and once each in the fifth and seventh to pick up the victory. Otis Damon pitched 8 innings for the victory, scattering 8 hits, 3 runs, and 6 strikeouts while Nicky Drew struck out the side to pick up his second save of the playoffs. With the exception of 2B Charlie Spencer, every Dover starter had at least a hit, led by Taylor Broussard (3-4, 2R, 1RBI, 2B) and Ed Martin (2-3, 1RBI, 1BB). A seventh inning home run was not enough for Detroit to overcome the deficit.
* Dover beats Detroit, 4-3. Dover wins the series, 3-2.
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