| By Jason A. Churchill |  | By 02-26-2009 |
The World Baseball Classic is set for next month’s clash of the almost-titans, and while there are a number of big-league talents on many of the rosters, there are also some recognizable prospects that made the final cut.There are four former Mariners on the Australian club, three of them left-handed pitchers. Travis Blackley, who is now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Damian Moss, Craig Anderson and Chris Snelling, who is a free agent.
Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith withdrew from consideration to focus on convincing the Mariners to just find a way to get rid of Jarrod Washburn. Seriously.
Phillippe Aumont made the final roster for Canada, as did Milwaukee Brewers C/2B Brett Lawrie, whom the Brewers just decided to move to second base full time. Cleveland Indians outfielder Nick Weglarz, who starred alongside Michael Saunders for Team Canada in the Beijing Olympics, made the cut as well.
Pittsburgh outfielder James Romak will also play for Team Canada.
Don’t forget to watch for Yulieski Gourriel, Cuba’s infielder who could crack any lineup in big-league baseball.
Anyone see how stacked the Dominican roster is? Let’s take a look at the names real quick before I get back to the prospect side of the WBC.
Alex Rodriguez, Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Beltre- maybe, Robinson Cano, Jose Reyes, Edinson Volquez, Jonny Cueto, Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz, Juan Cruz, Jose Arredondo, Ubaldo Jimenez, Damaso Marte, Rafael Perez, Willy Aybar, Miguel Olivo, Moises Alou, Nelson Cruz, Jose Guillen, Willy Tavares and Pedro Martinez.
There have been MLB All-star teams less talented.
Back to the non big leaguers…
Seattle’s Alex Liddi and St. Louis right-hander Adam Ottavino made the Italian roster, while Nippon Ham Fighters Yu Darvish headlines the Japanese roster, as far as those not already entrenched on a Major League roster.
Former M’s prospect Shin-soo Choo is lone big leaguer on Korea’s roster, and M’s infielder Anthony Phillips and his brother Jonathan made the South African team. Also making the roster for South Africa is Tacoma Community College outfielder Ashley Scott.
Greg Halman will play for the Netherlands, and the M’s have a player on Panama’s roster, too – Manuel Campos, a 19-year-old right-handed pitcher who spent last season in the Venezuelan Summer League.
Venezuela’s roster is also unreal with talent, starting with M’s pitchers Carlos Silva and Felix Hernandez. Second baseman Jose Lopez is with the club, too, as is outfielder Endy Chavez.
And watch out for Puerto Rico this time around – my dark horse pick to win the tournament – with Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Felipe Lopez, Alex Rios, Yadier Molina, Geovany Soto, Mike Aviles, Ian Snell, Jonathan Sanchez, Javier Lopez and JC Romero reporting for duty.
They are light in starting pitching, but have speed, defense, versatility and good relief options. If they swing the bats well, look out.
The U.S. roster has the best pitching, led by Jake Peavy and Roy Oswalt. They’ll be able to match up out of the pen with hard-throwing right-handers in J.J. Putz, Joe Nathan, Matt Lindstrom, Jonathan Broxton and Scot Shields – all of whom have experience closing in the big leagues, and can come in with lefty-specialists in Matt Thornton, B.J. Ryan, J.P. Howell and Brian Fuentes. Ryan and Fuentes are currently closing in the big leagues.
Brad Ziegler is kind of a right-handed specialist, though he got everyone out in his rookie season of 2008, going 39 straight innings without giving up a run. The sidewinder held RHBs to a .198/.256/.236 line last season.
Jeremy Guthrie and Ted Lilly are the third and fourth starters.
The U.S. has a chance to be very good defensively, too, despite Derek Jeter starting at shortstop. Dustin Pedroia and Mark DeRosa will play second with the reigning AL MVP getting the starting nod, and David Wright and Chipper Jones will share third base duties. Kevin Youkilis is slated to be the main first baseman.
Jimmy Rollins will back up Jeter and Chris Ianetta will back up Brian McCann at catcher.
The outfield could be the key for the U.S. as Grady Sizemore and Curtis Granderson bring speed and defense to the table, as well as good on-base skills and power, especially in Sizemore’s case. Ryan Braun will start in left field and Brad Hawpe is the only natural right fielder on the roster, giving the lineup some balance.
But late in games, Granderson and Sizemore should both be in the outfield, preferably with Granderson in right for Hawpe. Rollins should regularly replace Jeter late in games, where his above-average defense is best used. Rollins should be starting, but…
It’s not the best roster the U.S. could have put together, but you can say that for a lot of countries, particularly Puerto Rico where Albert Pujols is not playing and Venezuela where Johan Santana is sitting it out.
In a perfect world, perhaps the best U.S. Roster is as follows?
Rotation: Peavy, Webb, Lincecum, Sabathia, Lester
RHR: Nathan, Putz, Lidge, Wood, Jenks, Papelbon
LHR: Fuentes, Sherrill, Ryan
1B: Mark Teixeira
2B: Chase Utley
3B: David Wright, Evan Longoria
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Jimmy Rollins
C: Joe Mauer, Brian McCann
OF: Ryan Braun, B.J. Upton, Grady Sizemore, Josh Hamilton, Curtis Granderson
Power, speed, defense, power pitching, lefty specialists, premium ace relievers, good balance of lefty-righty bats and arms... The worst defender above is Ryan Braun, and after that it's a bunch of gold glover-silver slugger level players.
wbc-rosters,-m\'s-\'spects,-
Comments
The following 55 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: ThePaul on 02-26-2009 17:15:22 It'd be kinda cool to see Aumont pitch an inning on Wednesday since it's televised. I hope he's not going to be overused. On a side note - Anyone see Tommy Hanson pitch on ESPN today? His curve looked sick. |
| 2. By: rocketdawg31 on 02-26-2009 19:46:28 I've seen Darvish pitch, it makes me wish that he had any interest in a major-league career- the guy would be in the top 20 starting pitchers in the game, stuff-wise. I've never seen Hanson myself, I'll try to catch him on a re-broadcast...but I've heard he's got one heckuva yakker, all right. I'm anxiously waiting for the WBC. Japan is going to go in there, and they're angry about the Olympics. Not a team to underestimate. Cuba is...well, always Cuba and the Dominicans are just ri-sick-ulously loaded. On a lighter note, everybody...wish Jason A. Churchill a Happy Birthday today!!! |
| 3. By: CrustyJuggler on 02-26-2009 19:49:37 Re: Hanson That guy has some ridiculous stuff. I feel for Miggy after Hanson put that 96mph heater in his hip pocket (ouch). Hanson does look like a future stud. |
| 4. By: SMariners11 on 02-26-2009 20:25:53 off topic here, but is anyone else trying to watch the live blog and nothing is there? |
| 5. By: rocketdawg31 on 02-26-2009 20:28:04 Yup, right here with ya on that one. |
| 6. By: SMariners11 on 02-26-2009 20:34:08 So are we just waiting on Jason now than? |
| 7. By: BrettJMiller on 02-26-2009 22:53:06 Jason-- Albert Pujols couldn't play for Puerto Rico, his nationality lies with the Dominican Republic. He played for them in 2006's WBC. |
| 8. By: k0o56 on 02-26-2009 23:05:17 #2 Really? If so, Jason and I have that in common. I just celebrated mine today, too. |
| 9. By: Jason A. Churchill on 02-26-2009 23:53:03 I suppose he could play for whoever he wants, AROD's a traitor, so... But yeah, you're right, I originally typed PR, I meant DR and when i typed it out, I typed out the full Puerto Rico... incorrect. Thanks. |
| 10. By: skoorbo on 02-27-2009 02:58:37 You forgot Roy Halladay, I would take him over Lester and Webb. |
| 11. By: Jason A. Churchill on 02-27-2009 11:22:05 I would not take Halladay over Lester or Webb. Lester adds a high-quality left-hander to the mix, and one that is on the upswing, too. Webb>Halladay. Not by much, but it's clear for me. Halladay pitches in front of one of the best defenses in baseball, and has for a couple years. Webb, on the other hand, has pitched in front of a mediocre defense - well below average on the infield, especially during all the time Hudson missed over the past two years. Drew is a center fielder posing as a SS, Reynolds is a DH or left fielder. Young is good in the outfield, but the corners have not been good, sans the short stints Upton was in right. I'll take Webb every time. |
| 12. By: Gustafson on 02-27-2009 11:58:24 People need to join me in commenting on Jason's latest in the MLB Draft Blog on the Four Letter.... Are you surprised Grant Green is off to a slow start Jason? Or am I just being paranoid in putting any stock into such an early part of the season? |
| 13. By: BrettJMiller on 02-27-2009 15:55:17 I hope Green has a mediocre season (by his standards) so that he slips far enough for us to take him with our second pick. But that's probably unrealistic and extremely wishful thinking. |
| 14. By: Jason A. Churchill on 02-27-2009 16:12:20 No, gus, it's early. If he didn't do much in 2008, it might be a concern, but we're not relying on Green necessarily making HUGE strides at the plate to maintain his top 10-12 status. Sidenote on Green: A scout told me last night that some of his scout friends that saw Green extensively over the weekend reported that Green's defense is overrated because he doesn't bring the smooth mechanics and accurate throws to the park everyday. This would explain why I loved what I saw on video from Friday and half of Saturday's games, and the scouts that took them liked his defense during the same timeframe. One of the scouts that remained with USC for Sunday and Wednesday's games, did not speak so glowingly. He didn't say he couldn't play there, but that he wasn't looking like a good bet. So maybe there are more concerns there still than it appeared last weekend. We'll revisit after scouts have seen him extensively - and I want to see him, too so I can relate to what the talent evaluators are saying to me. Green comes to UW first week of May, but I might go to LA or Arizona to see him before then. |
| 15. By: Jason A. Churchill on 02-27-2009 16:15:08 Brett, If Green's stock fades some, for the right reasons anyway, the M's would be better off taking Shields or Jackson with that 27th pick than Green anyway, providing they don't fall. And there's a prep shortstop out there that's interesting, too - Devin Marrero. I've been talking to his coaches to try and crack the code. |
| 16. By: 01v-dubs on 02-27-2009 21:00:46 Jason, Speaking of SS's, I saw that Gabriel Noriega is in the big league camp with the M's, I know all he did was pinch run though. Why is he with them? He only played in the Appy League last year. Is is possible that other prospects are with them as well? |
| 17. By: Jason A. Churchill on 02-27-2009 21:09:25 There's always a young kid or two they bring over for that sort of duty. He's there for the experience. It means nothing, but yes, you'll see a different set of guys come up and be with the big-league team for the Cactus League games. Usually a pitcher or three and a position player or three. Halman and Carp played in the game today, for example. And You could see Triunfel make an appearance or two here and there. |
| 18. By: littlelinny6 on 02-27-2009 23:09:21 Speaking of Carp, I know it is only spring training but Shannon Dryer said in her blog that Carp's HR was the fastest she has ever seen a ball get out to RF (and she has been reporting on the M's for a long time). In the handbook, will you cover Carp extensively? Can you give us a sneak peak or generally what people say about him? Will he be the starting 1B in 2010? |
| 19. By: Jason A. Churchill on 02-27-2009 23:31:49 I won't give anything away, but I'd be willing to bet that Drayer has seen a quicker homer... she's covered the team long enough. This one is just fresh. |
| 20. By: DrNaka on 02-28-2009 06:20:04 >Rotation: Peavy, Webb, Lincecum, Sabathia, Lester Jason-san The WBC roster will have a 3 man SP rotation and not 5 man. Check out the game schedule. |
| 21. By: Jason A. Churchill on 02-28-2009 13:57:10 Actually, they'll use four starters, Naka, at least the US will. And why can't a starter be used in long relief? The point was and is, the best pitchers. Perhaps you need to read through the thread again. |
| 22. By: rjfrik on 02-28-2009 21:17:19 It really bums me out that Green's stock is falling and there isn't a clear cut stud at the top of the draft besides Strasburg. I read your blog on espn about Strasburg and it frustrates me even more. In 2 years he is going to be the second coming of Roger Clemens and he could of been a Mariner. Could you imagine a rotation with Felix, Strasburg, Morrow and possibly Bedard? It would be un fricken real. The M's would be unstoppable. 3 games to go we are locked into the number 1 pick, even if we win one of the games we get the number 1 pick. Instead we sweep. Wow. Jason, why were the M's so short sighted on this? Why didn't they field a AAA team for the last series of the year and start some AA pitchers, to guarantee not sweeping the series against the A's? |
| 23. By: rjfrik on 02-28-2009 21:19:46 It really bums me out that Green's stock is falling and there isn't a clear cut stud at the top of the draft besides Strasburg. I read your blog on espn about Strasburg and it frustrates me even more. In 2 years he is going to be the second coming of Roger Clemens and he could of been a Mariner. Could you imagine a rotation with Felix, Strasburg, Morrow and possibly Bedard? It would be un fricken real. The M's would be unstoppable. 3 games to go we are locked into the number 1 pick, even if we win one of the games we get the number 1 pick. Instead we sweep. Wow. Jason, why were the M's so short sighted on this? Why didn't they field a AAA team for the last series of the year and start some AA pitchers, to guarantee not sweeping the series against the A's? |
| 24. By: Jason A. Churchill on 03-01-2009 00:20:37 They still may have beaten the A's in that series. Oakland's roster was unbelievably bad at that point. Big-league clubs should never try to lose. It's just not a concept you ever want in the clubhouse or in anyone's head from owner to bat boy. Why couldn't Washington have won an extra game or two? Don't fret on Green or any other player right now. We're about 6% into the amateur season. Way too early. |
| 25. By: DRWheelock on 03-01-2009 09:41:00 Jason - Words out that Bowden has now resigned as of this morning!!! Does this mean that our chances of landing Strasburg just went up drastically? If Seattle can somehow land Strasburg...I'm gonna FLIP! I know Boras' signing bonus will be at least $10M (if not more), but with Bowden's departure I'm thinking this really benefits Seattle's changes of landing Stras! Thoughts? |
| 26. By: DRWheelock on 03-01-2009 09:49:58 Jason - Words out that Bowden has now resigned as of this morning!!! Does this mean that our chances of landing Strasburg just went up drastically? If Seattle can somehow land Strasburg...I'm gonna FLIP! I know Boras' signing bonus will be at least $10M (if not more), but with Bowden's departure I'm thinking this really benefits Seattle's changes of landing Stras! Thoughts? |
| 27. By: acqb1424 on 03-01-2009 11:25:55 So I see the Bowden resigns news and I get excited, then on Baker's blog he says he's hearing that Tony LaCava is the front runner for that job. Jason, what do you think of this situation and how will it impact the draft? |
| 28. By: Corey on 03-01-2009 12:22:27 I read that Strasburg's mechanics aren't very good and could be a potential injury risk, although every pitcher is I suppose. What do you think of his mechanics? |
| 29. By: Marlin Man on 03-01-2009 12:32:05 Corey- I agree- I heard that Linicum was to small and had terrible form and wrong prsseures on arm and back-- yeah- he just sucks MM |
| 30. By: Corey on 03-01-2009 13:35:20 Good job not saying anything about STRASBURG'S mechanics, you know, the guy I was talking about. |
| 31. By: Corey on 03-01-2009 13:43:27 Btw, http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/Baseball/Pitching/ProfessionalPitcherAnalyses/StephenStrasburg.html |
| 32. By: The Great Pumpkin on 03-01-2009 14:50:26 I think Marlin Man's comment went over your head. |
| 33. By: Corey on 03-01-2009 15:03:05 It didn't. I know what he was trying to say. |
| 34. By: Marlin Man on 03-01-2009 15:21:31 Yeah I am afraid it DID go right over your head Corey- sorry about that. M.M. |
| 35. By: StandinPat on 03-01-2009 16:08:38 Re: Mechanics/Injury risk, Just because Lincecum hasn't gotten injured yet, doesn't mean that concerns about his violent delivery have somehow disappeared. The concern with Tim is what will happen over time, due to his small frame coupled with his mechanics, and the M's weren't the only team that had that concern, he went 6 spots after we picked. If Strasburg has flaws in his mechanics that COULD lead to injury, then that is certainly something to keep an eye on. It in no way guarantees injury, in the same way Lincecum isn't certain to breakdown either. It is simply a possibility and something that a good team will look at when evaluating risk/reward. |
| 36. By: Corey on 03-01-2009 17:29:38 "M.M." Whatever makes you feel better. |
| 37. By: bikozu on 03-01-2009 17:49:18 Morrow had an awful couple of innings. Any report on his mechanics in those 9 batters that he faced? The reports I've heard just say it's not an injury problem. I really hope he can get a more consistent release, at least with his fastball and change. His change has a pretty decent drop and a really solid fade. And we've all seen how great his curve can be. Is it safe to say that Morrow right now is #4 quality that still has ace upside? I don't expect him to be a worldbeater this year, but I don't think a 4.25 FIP and 160 innings is out of the question. |
| 38. By: rocketdawg31 on 03-01-2009 19:07:24 Re: Bowden's departure, our chances of getting Strasburg as a result. I am uncertain. Look, here are the things I know about this situation as they stand right now. 1.) Kasten (Nats' owner) is, by nature, cheap. That works in our favor. 2.) Boras is going to be Strasburg's agent- and as Jason has dutifully mentioned several times, Boras likes to use D.C. as a way to ratchet up prices for his clients to go elsewhere, NOT as a destination. Unless there's nowhere else to go. Adam Dunn is the biggest example of this to date. Hardly anyone in the big leagues WANTS to play in D.C.. Boras and Strasburg think Seattle's a lot more palatable for Strasburg to play for than D.C.. You can bank on that. 3.) I don't know who the Nationals GM is going to be, but if I have five bucks it'd be on LaCava (who would've been my pick for OUR general manager, frankly- not that I have anything against Zduriencik, far from it). Who the GM is and what operating philosophy gets put in place will go a long way to determine what the Nats will do. If it's LaCava, Strasburg can start looking for a place to live in Washington, D.C. right now. 4.) The Nationals are a damn hot mess right now, and whoever they pick, they MUST sign. If they don't pick Strasburg, whoever they DO pick (and sign) had better be real, real frickin' good. Franchise player good. These guys threw a serious offer at Mark Teixiera's feet. I look at that as a sign that they're gonna buck their history and pony up for whoever they pick. If they don't pick Strasburg, they have a lot of explaining to do to their fan base- who are pissed off still as we speak about the 2008 draft, and their failure to sign Crow. The fans will want to know where the commitment to winning and gtting better is. Strasburg- right now- is better than any pitcher on their 40-man roster. Bottom line: Just my gut feeling...but they'd have to be going down in flames- with no GM, no plan, no centralized leadership- as a ML baseball club in order to NOT pick Strasburg. |
| 39. By: rocketdawg31 on 03-01-2009 19:21:24 Sorry for the double-post, people...but another thing I forgot to mention... I don't think LaCava- or any other current golden-boy candidate for the role- would TAKE the GM slot unless they heard from Kasten personally that taking Strasburg and signing him quickly was a very high priority for the organization. But if Kasten hires a re-tread (Bavasi!!) sort, just happy for the job and willing to live with penurious habits of ownership, then our odds go way, way up of landing Herr Strasburg. |
| 40. By: Jason A. Churchill on 03-02-2009 12:31:59 The thing you're missing is... If the Nats are willing to spend money, they would have signed Crow a year ago. He wasn't asking for 10 million or anything ridiculous. And Boras is going to use Washington's desperate situation against them. If they pick Strasburg, they have to pony up and sign him, which hands Boras tons more leverage than he already had to begin with. Seriously, he might demand 13-15 million in that scenario. |
| 41. By: rocketdawg31 on 03-02-2009 13:05:28 But do the Nats spend that 13-15 million? Good point, Jason. But, they DID throw some serious coin to Teixiera...and that was after the Crow brouhaha. Could it be possible that after that happened, Kasten unwound his wallet a little bit? Or was what they offered Teixiera a one-time instance only of be willing to spend, ostensibly because he has ties to that area? I don't doubt Strasburg/Boras will think of $12 million as the START of negotiations, and probably get to 13-15 million. But hey, Jason...what I think everyone wants is YOUR thoughts (me included) on Bowden's resignation and our chances at Strasburg, if they've increased at all. I basically say, too early to call. |
| 42. By: rocketdawg31 on 03-02-2009 13:37:32 RE: #38 Sorry, people. On my point #1, I meant to say "LERNER (Nats owner) is, by nature, cheap. And while Kasten (team president) has some pull with Lerner, he won't do much to sway him against that." Had 'em both in my head and somehow interchanged them, didn't catch it. That's what I get for not proof-reading. |
| 43. By: Jason A. Churchill on 03-02-2009 15:55:16 That's the question, would the Nats spend it? And if they know they wouldn't beforehand, why draft Strasburg? That's the only hope the M's have at getting Stras, and honestly, the Padres or Royals and a few other clubs, ahem, Houston, may not either if they had the top pick. I seriously doubt Washington would spend that much. If Boras thinks he can get that from Seattle, they'll put the word out and scare off Washington. But honestly, I'm not 100 percent sure Seattle would pay $15 mil for Strasburg. I don't think we know enough about the way Chuck and Howard are going to operate at this point. re: Bowden, He's a worm, and deserves everything he gets coming to him, clearly. Kasten and Lerner had no choice but to fire him, and he knew it, so resigning was better for him. It's just too bad that they didn't can him for "baseball reasons." He's terrible. Bowden's tenure as GM in MLB was summed up to me like this in an email with one of Bowden's former scouts with the Reds. "He builds an organization in a way where once every six or eight years you might luck out and get all those athletes to play good enough baseball to win 90-95 games and make the postseason. He's stubborn, unreasonable, unrealistic and I know of at least four GMs who have slammed the phone down during trade negotiations and immediately called off the talks. "A few of them even told their subordinates they were never to field calls from Bowden again." If LaCava is offered and takes that job, I sure hope he's given the necessary freedom and money to do things his way. Otherwise, he'll fail, too. No GM can win if the upper management and ownership aren't willing to spend money, be patient when it's time to be patient and let the baseball guy, the GM you just hired, run the baseball ops 100 percent. Jack is getting that here thus far, and it will work for Seattle. LaCava can do that for Washington if he's given the same tools. The Bowden resignation by itself does nothing toward the status of whether Wash would pick Strasburg in my eyes. But this would be a great year to be able to trade picks. |
| 44. By: rjscotty_22 on 03-02-2009 16:41:18 Hey Jason, What do you think the chances are of the Ms putting together a draft pick package that will swap the 1st pick to us and the 2nd to the Nats, so we dont have to wait until draft day to find out of Stras will be available? |
| 45. By: Jason A. Churchill on 03-02-2009 16:54:38 Umm, zilch? Or a bottle of Irish Rum for Selig? The trading of draft picks is probably something that will eventually happen, but there are going to be a very strict set of rules that come with it. That's years away. |
| 46. By: rocketdawg31 on 03-02-2009 21:31:57 My magic 8-ball just said "No doubt about it" when I asked it if Strasburg would be there at #2 for us to take. |
| 47. By: acqb1424 on 03-02-2009 21:43:57 Jason, Any chance that Katsen just decides to stay on as GM and not hire anyone? |
| 48. By: usabaseballfan on 03-03-2009 03:04:22 As Mariner fans, we are so lucky to have someone of Jason's caliber covering our team at these lengths. Been wanting to say that for a while. I also wanted to talk about about the #2 pick this year. My enthusiasm for this pick has been tempered ever since the M's [most likely] pissed away their chance at getting Stras by sweeping that final series. Nothing we can do about it now, though, so it's now time to make the most out of the #2 pick. When you have the #2 pick in the draft, you crave to be in the position that the Sonics were in a few years ago when there were 2 obvious studs that could have gone either way at 1-2. Or even Lebron's year when you had Lebron, Melo, D-Wade, Bosh, etc. that were out there. This year, however, it seemed pretty apparent to me that the M's wouldn't be as lucky as the Sonics were since there is such a big dropoff after Strass. My feelings (and fears) were confirmed when I read Keith Law's post on ESPN: "This year's draft looks like an unusual one, nearly devoid of top position-player prospects yet flush with high-end college pitchers coupled with a solid class of prep arms. After projected No. 1 pick Stephen Strasburg, who has only to keep all four limbs attached to remain in that position on draft day, there is no consensus No. 2 player in this draft, with as many as 10 players vying for that spot." Is there any chance that a player can increase his stock enough this season to become a consensus #2 overall selection? Ackley, Green, White, etc. don't seem to have the kind of upside to improve their stocks all that much. Are there any prep studs that we could see turn into an Upton or a Longoria or Braun? Or do you think we're more likely to end up with a Bullington or even a Delmon Young? Please deliver me some hope! :) |
| 49. By: John_S on 03-03-2009 12:12:21 Not trying to advertise another site, but Bleeding Blue & Teal has a nice write up about Stras and his mechanics. Essentially he has mechanics very similar to Mark Prior, John Smoltz, Jeremy Bonderman and a Cards pither I cannot make out. Very nice read. |
| 50. By: FatBat on 03-03-2009 12:37:04 Stras- 10 to 15 mil? I just don't see the M's paying that. When you look at it like this in three of four years from now his making another 7 or 8 mil at the major league level. Thats a crap load of cash invested! I know he is lights out but if Ackley plays well this year and at 2 or 3 mil.signing bonus of for green isnt that smarter. Does any one know where Crow fits in? Jason is there any idea how much Crow might comand? |
| 51. By: Jason A. Churchill on 03-03-2009 14:40:41 Strasburg's mechanics have gotten way too much attention this winter/spring. The subject has been beaten to death. I'm just not interested in it at this stage. What a pitcher's mechanics LOOK like means nothing. It doesn't mean he's going to stave off injury... A player's physiological makeup is the single most important component of staying healthy. Bad mechanics can contribute, but nobody can quantify those contributions to any length at all. Prior's mechanics were flawless and he can't stay healthy in the least. Repeating the mechanics, release point and arm slot is what is most important. The actual points of each aspect is not even critical. Some of the best and healthiest pitchers of all time have the worst mechanics... but they repeat them, leaving the focus of strain and torque in the same places of their body that their body is used to, since they've always thrown that way. Re: usabaseballfan First of all, thanks for the kind words. I just like being a part of the M's blogosphere. It's the best in baseball. Second, and to answer your question, yes. I think Green, White and Ackley have the chance to end the year as a comfortable No. 2. Though none of them are likely to have a been a top 5 pick a year ago, almost no matter what they prove in 2009. |
| 52. By: Blowgun7 on 03-03-2009 18:47:59 Jason, at this moment in time... if Ackley, Green, White, and Strasburg were plucked from the college ranks and put into the crop of minor leaguers, where would they rank in a Top 100? |
| 53. By: Marlin Man on 03-03-2009 19:00:42 Jason- thats what I was trying to say to Corey (as tryinmg to make light of it)-- I too am sick of the talk abouT Stras and his mechanics- JUST like I am/was with Linicum mechanics Would be glad to have either on MY team regardless of what "future injuries" such "poor mechanics open them up to- what a bunch of BS. don't you guys have something else WORTHWHILE to worry about???? MM |
| 54. By: Blowgun7 on 03-03-2009 20:12:18 Jason, sorry if I missed it, as you may have touched on these guys before.. But what do you think of Ryan Jackson (SS from Miami) and Brett Jackson (CF from Cal)(USSM did a writeup on him today).. Could both these players fall into that 25-35 range, and be available with picks 27 and 33? Of course it's early, but would pairing up Strasburg or White, with these two be a good haul for those first three picks? |
| 55. By: rocketdawg31 on 03-03-2009 22:49:10 I basically agree with Marlin Man. We can talk about perfect mechanics of pitchers and potential injuries all we want, but the fact of the matter is: any player can get hurt at ANY time. Gil Meche was lauded for his mechanics as a younger pitcher- he's lost at least three years of his career to injury, to date. Kevin Brown had one of the most cringingly-violent deliveries I've ever seen- and he didn't turn into a known health risk until he was 35-36. I thought David Wells would only last about five years in the league when he first came up- he got 200+ ML victories over fifteen seasons or so, bad body and all. There's just no telling, it's useless to try and speculate on this so much. Strasburg or White would immediately become the top pitching prospect in the system- they would both be assets. Whichever one's available, you pick- if you want to go with an arm, that is. Nothing in either of their mechanics would tell ME to hold up. |
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