Minggu, 27 Februari 2011

2011 Texas Rangers Spring Training Season Outlook Surprise Arizona


2011 Texas Rangers 

 I am being a homer and putting out my spin on the Texas Rangers and the 2011 season. Sitting in the stands of the Ballpark in Arlington last season including the final out of the ALCS Championship game made me a HOMER! I still love my Cleveland Indians and wear my wahoo gear on game days in Texas. I am hoping the Rangers as the Indians grow can keep my baseball hunger until we are competitive again. 
 Enough about my beloved Indians. Let's take a look into the prospects of the Rangers a full year under the ownership of Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan.
The boys are in Surprise Az. and are all willing and most are able to get the work in to be ready for another exciting season. The off season had it's drama with the Cliff Lee trade saga and the acquisition of Adrian Beltre at third. It made the start of the year press friendly.

Now to the projected Starting Lineup!

The Infield:

Catcher: Mike Napoli
Projection: 425AB/100H/65R/25HR/65RBI/5SB/40BB/125SO/.250AVG
Chatter: A trade over from the Angels gives Napoli a great park to hit in and a line-up around him that can hit. He will get a significant load at catcher with a sprinkle of DH and a little 1B. Napoli can really slug the ball when he hits it with 137 SO last year we need a little more plate discipline to help set up the long ball! Behind the plate he will really help out the young pitching staff.


First Base: Mitch Moreland
Projection: 460AB/135H/65R/20HR/70RBI/3SB/75BB/100SO/.275AVG.
Chatter: Moreland will need to prove he can hit left handed pitching to get playing time. The defense keeps him at first but a slump out of the gate could really hurt his chance of at bats with Young and Napoli looking for at bats. He could hit the 20 home run club this year with enough at bats. He is a slugger that needs to cut down the strikeouts and stretch the count a little more to get the pitch he can take out of the park. The power is definitely there for him to use on opposing pitchers. Could this be a break out year and the Rangers find the next Mark Teixeira or become the next Chris Davis?
Back Up: Michael Young, Mike Napoli and Chris Davis

Second Base: Ian Kinsler
Projection: 525AB/150H/100R/22HR/80RBI/25SB/50BB/70SO/.275AVG
Chatter: What if Kinsler was healthy a full year could we see a 30/30 guy? The speed and power are both there it's the injuries and lack of at bats that keep haunting Ian from being a perennial all star second baseman. He comes to play baseball every time he straps on the cleats. All out and 100% is all he knows and injuries will happen, but let's hope the 2011 season will be injury free and we get to see his greatness.
Back Up: Michael Young and Andres Blanco


Shortstop: Elvis Andrus
Projection: 550AB/150H/90R/3HR/40RBI/35SB/50BB/85SO/.270AVG
Chatter: Andrus stole more bases than any other shortstop last year. He has the speed with no power an old school shortstop from the Ozzie Smith mold. He also hit .347 with runners in scoring position 7th best in the majors last year. With all the hitting around him batting second his talents of being able to take a walk, bunt or use his speed will help the offense produce much like last year. His price asset is the way he masterly plays defense. A wizard with the glove like the aforementioned Ozzie he makes the impossible look easy. With Derek Jeter staying as a Yankee the all star votes will be watered down but the future is bright for the 22 year old.
Back Up: Michael Young and Andres Blanco

Third Base: Adrian Beltre
Projection: 575AB/175H/85R/25HR/90RBI/10SB/40BB/90SO/.285AVG.
Chatter: One of the top free agents on the market for 2011 and a player with lots of upward mobility at age 31. He has some franchise shoes to fill with the moving again of home town favorite Michael Young. But, he can spray the ball and has a mean glove. Defensively maybe the best third baseman in the major leagues. It will be a win win for the pitching staff a high average hitter and the great glove. Question is, what will he do in the launching pad in Arlington? He is a little banged up with a calf injury at the start of this spring training so we hope that maybe a couple of spring games and slowly get him in the mix early in the season. We do have an all star needing at bats!
Back Up: Michael Young and Andres Blanco
Utility: Michael Young
Projection: 625AB/180H/90R/20HR/75RBI/5SB/50BB/100SO/.300AVG.
Chatter: What team wouldn't love to have this kind of production from the utility spot? Every team at a cheaper price tag. The demands for being traded have been subdued and Young is ready to prove to the MLB brass that he is an all star. Playing for a place on the field in Arlington or on another team Michael will do what he has always done, play professionally. If he does stay the whole year the asset should pay off and get the Rangers deep in the playoffs!
Back Up: Andres Blanco, Mike Napoli and Chris Davis

The Outfield:

Left Field: Josh Hamilton
Projection: 530AB/180H/100R/30HR/100RBI/8SB/40BB/90SO/.330AVG
Chatter: The best athlete on the field. Raw power and plate awareness will have him in the leaders for MVP again in 2011. An astounding .359 batting average last year will be tough to accomplish again. With contrasts looming ahead we should see the best of Josh if the common injury bug stays away. With the addition of another good bat in the mix could we see Josh get 100/30/100 this season. I know he wants the sparkling cider to flow in October this year.

Center Field: Julio Borbon
Projection: 450AB/130H/70R/3HR/35RBI/25SB/25BB/65SO/.295AVG.
Chatter: He may not start the season in the lead off spot? What he will do is run, and run every ball down in the outfield and swipe bases on the basepaths. Could we see a breakout year. Maybe a Carl Crawford like year? Julio is only 25 years old and in his third season with the Rangers. Would like to see the batting average climb over the .300 mark and see little more time on the field to give this youngster a chance to shine. The pieces are around him to score a 100 runs but can he get on base? Breakout alert?
Back Up: Craig Gentry

Right Field: Nelson Cruz
Projection: 500AB/150H/80R/30HR/85RBI/15SB/50BB/100SO/.300AVG
Chatter: At age 30 he is in his prime. The average and power he possess really helps the Rangers line up. When the hamstring is healthy so is the bat. Last year was an up and down season for Cruz, luckily for the Rangers the playoffs he shined with some crushing homeruns. Would love an injury free season and at least 500 at bats with an all star bid in his future.
Back Up: Craig Gentry

Staring Pitching:

Ace Pitcher: C.J. Wilson
Projection: 16W/200IP/165H/90BB/165K/3.50ERA
Chatter: Wilson led the league in walks last year a habit that will have to be broken. With Cliff Lee in Philly the "Ace" tag is on him and he will need to throw like one. He did throw 204 innings last year so arm strength seems to be there. Anchoring this young staff will be a tough task. Rangers baseball has in the past lacked great pitching with the bats helping out. This year will be no exception. Look for the three run homers and win 9-7 bottom of the ninth.


Starting Pitcher: Colby Lewis
Projection: 16W/200IP/175H/70BB/190K/3.75ERA
Chatter: Who would have thought Japan would have helped bring back a pitcher that would go on to beat the New York Yankees twice in the playoffs and 3-0 overall last year. Maybe Colby is for real. Like, Wilson threw for over 200 innings and he had 196Ks. Was this a breakout season? Can he repeat?
My thinking is is stuff is for real and look for another great season.

Starting Pitcher: Brandon Webb
Projection: 9W/115IP/115H/40BB/100K/.390ERA
Chatter: Health Risk!! The Rangers took a flier on an ex Cy Young Award winner. The arm through the first few days of spring training has the Rangers staff optimistic in having Webb early in the season. All eyes will be eagerly awaiting the Brandon Webb project to see if this ground baller can be a worthy asset. Keep in mind he is only 31 and two years away from surgery.

Starting Pitcher: Neftali Feliz
Projection: 10W/150IP/110H/38BB/160K/.325ERA
Chatter: Well, this was a tough decision. In spring training so far he has looked great on three pitches and his curve is all the rave. Mike Napoli of last years Angels stated "His arm speed does not change much like last year when it was noticeably slower when throwing the curve". So, maybe a future ace in the midst. It would be nice to have on home grown instead of an over priced free agent. The closer roll is still an option just my observation!

Staring Pitcher: Derek Holland
Projection: 13W/165IP/150H/60BB/150K/.385ERA
Chatter: Upside is the key word for Holland. Will the hype of this 24 year old be ready to put it all together. He pitched well in the bullpen down the stretch after a rough season. Hopefully the off season and spring training help help put the pieces together to set him up for great success this year! This will be a battle in the spring for the number five spot. He could still land in the bullpen.


The Closers:

Closer: Mark Lowe
Projection: He will need 25 saves and help!
Could an oft injured player shine. His back injury may cause some concern. He throws hard when healthy?


Closer: Alexi Ogando
Projection: 10-15 saves?
Closer by committee may be the short term answer in Texas. Ogando throws in the upper 90's and does have a decent changeup and slider! If Feliz stays the closer Ogando could be the next option at starter project from the bullpen?


The Bullpen:

Projection: 50 Holds
If they do decide to move Feliz into the starting rotation look for the bullpen to hold onto the leads in the 7th and 8th for the closer committee to lock it down




The Manager:

Projection: 90-72
With the talent and a full year under new ownership we should see the Rangers back in the hunt for the World Series. Pitching will be his toughest challenge. Will the ownership go out and pull in another starter before the trade deadline? With the additions and subtractions the Rangers still have a competitive team and should put the exciting runs on the new jumbrotron and watch the fireworks all year long.



Sabtu, 19 Februari 2011

2011 Cleveland Indians Spring Training Look into the Season!


As a Cleveland Indians fan, I wanted to put my spin on what the spring training and preseason looks like for 2011. The team is looking to Get veterans back on te field, start getting the most out of the trades over the last two years and get the prospects turning into the stars projected upon them? So here goes my look and expectations of the 2011 season.

The Hitters
1st Base: Matt Laporta Projected Stats
 530AB/150H/65R/22HR/75RBI/2SB/60BB/100SO/.280 AVG 
A very modest look at a player that really struggled last year to meet the expectations that his great minor league stats showed. Must see the improvement or "Bust" tag will be placed on him!

2nd Base: Orlando Cabrera Projected Stats  600AB/165H/80R/5HR/50RBI/15SB/35BB/65SO/.275AVG
Newly acquired 2nd baseman will get most of the at bats from the two bagger spot. The defense will help the middle infield but, we need his production at the plate to be better than last years numbers that started to decline due mainly to age. He will help the youngsters grow and still get a few steals to help move the runners.

Shortstop: Asdrubal Cabrera Projected Stats  500AB/150H/75R/5HR/75RBI/15SB/45BB/80SO/.285AVG
Let's hope the broken forearm is behind us and we get a full healthy season out of Asdrubal. He is a decent glove for a middle infielder and has a little speed on the basepaths like the other Cabrera hopes to keep the basepaths moving to disrupt the pitchers to allow the best chances for the runs scored. As he will most likely lead off in 2011 staying healthy and getting on base will be his most important contribution to the team.


 
3rd Base: Jayson Nix Projected Stats  400AB/80H/40R/15HR/36RBI/1SB/20BB/85SO/.230AVG
Indians acquired the 3rd baseman mid season last year and had some struggles getting the bat on the ball. His .224 batting average in 2010 will need to improve to be able to stay on the field. He does have a little pop in the bat and may if he stays on the field hit 20 home runs. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we see the ball clear the fence more than hear it pop the glove of the catcher.

Catcher: Carlos Santana Projected Stats  475/AB/125H/75R/20HR/75RBI/5SB/77BB/80SO/.285AVG
Well the injury bug also got to Carlos last year when a knee injury literally took his legs out from under him and the prospects ascension to greatness. We should see a healthy Santana in 2011 and be ready to show his talents behind the plate and in front of it! We should see him in the middle of the line up moving the runners through home plate and getting the occasional bomb to put to rest the prospect tag and make this rising star a bonafide major leaguer and future star.

 
Left Field: Michael Brantley Projected Stats 350AB/85H/40R/5HR/30RBI/18SB/25BB/42SO/.265AVG
Brantley needs to start producing with the bat, toward the end of the season his speed on the base paths are electrifying but, we need him to get there. He will be splitting time with Trevor Crowe and Austin Kearns which both have a little more homerun power.


Center Field: Grady Sizemore Projected  Stats 575AB/150H/100R/20HR/75RBI/30SB/70BB/100SO/.265AVG
Sizemore may not be 100% opening day but soon after we hope to see the resurgence of the franchise player we grew to love in 2008. Grady has possessed all the skills to be an all star. We need to see him rebound into that 100/30/30ish  guy! I am hoping for the upside this year to show the kids on the team what a veteran that can do when healthy. He will probably hit 2nd in the line up this year instead of lead off but don't count out the steals if the knee is healthy! Fantasy Players this could be a steal on draft day!

Right Field: Shin-Soo Choo Projected Stats 570AB/180H/88R/24HR/90R/20SB/80BB/125SO/.305BA
Finally a batter in this line up that can hit for a .300 or better average. Choo is the bright spot of the Cleveland Indians. South Korea won the gold medal in the Asian Games and has allow Choo to stay in the majors and not serve in the military. With a healthy Sizemore and Cabrera getting on the base paths Sanatana and Choo should pick up some healthy RBI's adding to his consistency over the past two years. Look for another all star year and the growing jersey's in the seats at Progressive Field.

Designated Hitter: Travis Hafner Projected Stats 400AB/108H/50R/15HR/55RBI/0SB/48BB/99SO/.270
How much DH time will we see him in an Indians uniform with the diminishing skills we have seen from "Pronk" over the last three years? Will Austin Kearns get more AB's in 2011 or will the real Travis Hafner show up? Lot's of questions for the Indians in 2011 at DH. With all the young talent getting their looks this year the veteran play of Hafner and Sizemore will need to shine to help get over last years' disappointing year. Stay healthy and swing for the fences!


Starting Pitchers

Starting Pitching: Fausto Carmona Projected Stats 
13Wins/11Losses/ 200IP/200H/75BB/125K/3.82ERA/1.39Whip
Could the offense being better help the pitching? Carmona has been inconsistent something you do not want from your "Ace" but he is the Indian veteran on the staff and with 125 Strikeouts and an era of 3.82 we need more! Hopefully we can see the better side of Carmona like the 2007 season and see the all star emerge in 2011. If we don't the Yankees are looking?



Starting Pitching: Justin Masterson Projected Stats
8Wins/12Losses/180IP/195H/75BB/150K/4.60ERA/1.50Whip
Our number two starter has needed a lot of growing pains. Coming from Boston as a reliever and trying to turn him into a starter has had a few bumps in the mound. He needs to learn how to pitch not throw! Once he learns how to do that, which I hope is sooner than later, we will see some rewards. Would like to see the 159k's this year after throwing 140 last year I think he can do it he just believes in his stuff.


Starting Pitching: Mitch Talbot Projected Stats
10Wins/13Losses/160IP/170H/70BB/85K/4.40ERA/1.50Whip
A reclamation project from Tampa Bay with a full year in Cleveland last year with hopes to getting better this year. He kept the ball in the park last year and needs to watch what happened late in the season to rebound this year. Watch some film and keep the ball away from hitters. Hopefully we will see the improvement!


Starting Pitching: Carlos Carrasco Projected Stats
10Wins/14Losses/170IP/175H/65BB/95K/3.80ERA/1.37Whip
Sleeper? Sleeper? Could the potential start to develop this year? We need to give this kid the opportunity to see what he can do. His strikeout to ball ratio was 7.7K/9 to 2.8BB/9 last year if he can expand those with more starts maybe they will get a front end starter that was projected.


Starting Pitching: Josh Tomlin Projected Stats
8Wins/6Losses/100IP/80H/23BB/52K/4.55ERA/1.25Whip
Mainly a Fastball/Cutter pitcher that lacks a breaking ball the hitters will sit. Last season that is what they did and we saw a lot of balls hit out of the yard. Here is another Indians pitcher that needs to learn how to pitch and not throw. If he can find another pitch or learn location and speed control then we may see him reach potential.

Closer

Closer: Chris Perez Projected Stats
3Wins/37Saves/67IP/40H/30BB/75K/2.95ERA/1.14Whip
The air apparent closer. After last season's brilliant performance he earned the closer job left vacant from Kerry Wood's departure to the Yankees. Chris had an era of 1.71 last season a career number after the previous year of 4.26. If he can as a closer limit the walks given up and not scare us into the save it would be great! Looking forward to a few more save chances if the rest of the team can put a few more runs of support.


Relief Pitching: Rafael Perez Projected Stats
5Wins/2Losses/1Save/16Holds/65IP/75H/25BB/35K/3.50ERA/1.60Whip
Having a left-hander in the bullpen is a must have. Can we expect more from this lefty? Signing a one year contract this year will keep his status on the ball club. Here is an example of a reliever pitching that needs to just throw it, too often he tries to pitch around the batter and not go after the hitter to try get the strike out or ground ball. Which he is an excellent ground ball pitcher!


Relief Pitching: Tony Sipp Projected Stats
4Wins/1Losses/1Save/14Holds/66IP/51H/40BB/73K/4.01ERA/1.35Whip
Another lefty that should contribute greatly in the 2011 season. Having a high strikeout rate will help Sipp keep is setup role in 2011. He must watch his balls given to the spectators in the home runs seats.

So, there is my look into a season that looks in the upward direction. Getting Santana and Sizemore back, adding Cabrara, and another year on the prospects we may see us improve on our 2010 season of 69-93 to get us closer to a winning season. Manny Acta is ready.

Baseball Season and Abbott and Costello's - "Who's on First"?