Now we move on to the Position Players where there are a few studs, who baring being resigned, could draw some supersized contracts.
Wade Lincoln, Montreal - A former cf who now plays 3b for the Royals has a career 197 Home Runs and 574 RBI with 4 different teams.
Ted Wilson, Iowa City - Ted Wilson, former Season 1 NL MVP who plays lf for the I Wanna Score More's has many tools at his dispense. He has a career 700 hits (.312), 179 Home Runs, 511 RBI and 112 stolen bases.
Felipe Moreno, Iowa City - Moreno is one of a few good ss's potentially on the market. He has a career obp of .332 to gowith 195 stolen bases, 82 HRs and 359 RBI.
Charlie Quinn, Montreal - Quinn who plays RF for the Royals currently has never had a great average (career .268) but he makes up for that with his power (201 HRs) and run production (506).
Che Kim, Philadelphia - Kim is the other top ss on the market next season. Kim has been the leadoff hitter in Philly since joining the club in season 2 and has career numbers of .306 ba, 134 HRs, 99 sb, 440 RBI and 153 doubles.
Phil Kobayashi, Houston - Houston's Home Run King's 5 year, $74.5 million deal ends at the end of the season and don't expect Houston to keep him if he doesn't lower his price tag. Kobayashi has a career 145 HRs and 452 RBI and a nice .303 average.
Vic Torres, Nashville - 3b / untility player, Vic Torres could be on the market next season. He has a career .273 average with 225 RBI.
Tony Cueto, Little Rock - Cueto is a serviceable left hand bat who still has some pop in his bat and knows how to knock runners home (380 career RBI).
Monday, July 6, 2009
Potential Free Agent Market (Pitchers)
It's never to early to take a look into the future and today the Ripken Jr Blog Team will take a look at what could be next years Free Agent Crop so sit back and take a look at the players that you could be spending your money on next season! (or even trading for this year?)
First off we will start by looking at the Pitchers. There are a few solid starters and a few good relievers but none should receive the deals that Joe Cohen or Jarrod Collins received from Philly.
Relief Pitchers:
Frank Liang, Jacksonville - The aging (36 years old) setup man still might have a few years left in his tank and could even be a closer for some teams.
Gene Butler, Hartford - Butler is another solid setup man and could potentially be a closer in the right situation.
Sean Powell, Philadelphia - Once signed to be a starter for the Black Lightning, Powell's 4 year, $17.2 million deal ends this year. So far he is having his best season at 4-1 with a 4.97 era in 10 apperances.
Chun-Lim Wang, Charlotte - A top setup man for a serious playoff contendor, if Wang decides to test the market he could also potenially close out games.
Starting Pitchers
Zack Schalk, Boston - Boston's #1 starter is potentially free agent eligable. The aging starter (career 34-48, 4.61 era) still might have a few years left.
Ronald Douglas, Helena - The 31 year old relief pitcher converted starter (43 starts out of 165 apperances) is only in his first full season as a starter (2-3, 4.75 era).
Angel Cedeno, Tacoma - Potentially the best starter on the market this offseason, Cedeno is a career 57-41 with a sparkling 3.76 era. Including a career best 2.98 last season in over 200 innings.
P.T. Abbott, Helena - With his third team just this season (Florida, Salem and Helena) Abbott could wind up being a long reliever next year as his stamina, which was never great to begin with, continues to deplete with age (currently 36).
Clayton Rocker, Tampa Bay - Rocker is another name that could be moving next year. He has pitched over 900 innings in his 4+ years with Tampa Bay and has complied a dazzling 2.77 career ERA to go with 62 wins, while striking out 667 batters to 276 walks.
First off we will start by looking at the Pitchers. There are a few solid starters and a few good relievers but none should receive the deals that Joe Cohen or Jarrod Collins received from Philly.
Relief Pitchers:
Frank Liang, Jacksonville - The aging (36 years old) setup man still might have a few years left in his tank and could even be a closer for some teams.
Gene Butler, Hartford - Butler is another solid setup man and could potentially be a closer in the right situation.
Sean Powell, Philadelphia - Once signed to be a starter for the Black Lightning, Powell's 4 year, $17.2 million deal ends this year. So far he is having his best season at 4-1 with a 4.97 era in 10 apperances.
Chun-Lim Wang, Charlotte - A top setup man for a serious playoff contendor, if Wang decides to test the market he could also potenially close out games.
Starting Pitchers
Zack Schalk, Boston - Boston's #1 starter is potentially free agent eligable. The aging starter (career 34-48, 4.61 era) still might have a few years left.
Ronald Douglas, Helena - The 31 year old relief pitcher converted starter (43 starts out of 165 apperances) is only in his first full season as a starter (2-3, 4.75 era).
Angel Cedeno, Tacoma - Potentially the best starter on the market this offseason, Cedeno is a career 57-41 with a sparkling 3.76 era. Including a career best 2.98 last season in over 200 innings.
P.T. Abbott, Helena - With his third team just this season (Florida, Salem and Helena) Abbott could wind up being a long reliever next year as his stamina, which was never great to begin with, continues to deplete with age (currently 36).
Clayton Rocker, Tampa Bay - Rocker is another name that could be moving next year. He has pitched over 900 innings in his 4+ years with Tampa Bay and has complied a dazzling 2.77 career ERA to go with 62 wins, while striking out 667 batters to 276 walks.
Salt Lake City's Streak Ends
Iowa City, Iowa - It's finally over, the Salt Lake City Polygamist eleven game losing streak came to an end today when the team came into Iowa City and won 8 to 4.
Salt Lake City got out to an early start when cf Karl Comer hit a 2 run shot to right field. And they never looked back, adding 3 more runs off a homer from Posiedon Hudson that scored both 3b Ted Lush and dh Robb Strong. 25 year old starter Luis Martin (1-0) was credited with his first win as he went six innings, striking out 7 batters and giving up 3 earned.
Iowa City fought back in the sixth when a poor play by lf Lyle Mathews alowed lf Ted Wilson to reach on a single and two batters later c Justin Price hit a three run shot to pull within two runs at 3-5 but Salt Lake City showed the tanacity they had lacked the past week and a half by responding with a two run seventh inning.
Salt Lake City played in 3 extra inning games and hit .228 over the 11 game losing streak. With an ERA of 5.28.
Salt Lake City got out to an early start when cf Karl Comer hit a 2 run shot to right field. And they never looked back, adding 3 more runs off a homer from Posiedon Hudson that scored both 3b Ted Lush and dh Robb Strong. 25 year old starter Luis Martin (1-0) was credited with his first win as he went six innings, striking out 7 batters and giving up 3 earned.
Iowa City fought back in the sixth when a poor play by lf Lyle Mathews alowed lf Ted Wilson to reach on a single and two batters later c Justin Price hit a three run shot to pull within two runs at 3-5 but Salt Lake City showed the tanacity they had lacked the past week and a half by responding with a two run seventh inning.
Salt Lake City played in 3 extra inning games and hit .228 over the 11 game losing streak. With an ERA of 5.28.
AL South Top Prospects
Time for the AL South Prospect list (we'll get to ya NL, don't worry!). Once again we start off with the position players and count down the top 5!
(Note: Since the list has been complied one player has been traded but will still be shown on the AL South List)
5) Esteban Johnson - Houston
Johnson comes in at the #5 prospect on the list. Johnson currently plays ss for the Double-A affiliate of the Houston texans. Johnson is an excellent fielder, has good contact potential and hits from both sides of the plate. What keeps him from being any higher on this list is his inability to hit from the right side of the plate and neither great power nor great speed. Expect it to be a few seasons before we see Johnson on the ML level.
4) Alex Alvarez - Salem
Coming in as the #4 prospect is another ss and formally mentioned traded player, Alex Alvarez, who was traded from Tampa to Salem just a few days ago. Alvarez is a solid fielder, although not as good Johnson. He has average contact and below average power but is more patient at the plate then his critics give him credit for. Alveraz is still a few years from the Majors and it is unknown what his final position will be.
3) Kenneth Quinn - Jacksonville
#3 on the list is Kenneth Quinn currently playing for the High A affiliate of the Jacksonville Dolphins at cf. He is a power hitter who hits better from the left side of the plate then the right. Quinn also has good speed and has the potential to use his speed to steal quite a few bases once he improves his baserunning. Expect a few years before Quinn is getting his shot at the Major League Level.
2) Dion Heathcott - Houston
Coming in at #2 and our second player from the Houston franchise is Dion Heathcott who is currently playing cf at the teams High A affilate. Dion has great contact but doesn't have much
power in his bat. But what he lacks in power he makes up for in speed. Expect a few more seasons before Dion gets a shot at the Majors.
1) Steven Jackson - Houston
And our #1 prospect also hails from the Houston farm system. Jackson is currently playing ss for the teams Triple-A affiliate. He is a solid fielder for his postion and has an all around good bat, average contact and good power. He has good speed and should be able to steal bases once he gets to the majors, which is likely at least a year away.
Next we move on to the Pitcher Prospect Ratings, it is a very deep field in this division and many of these pitchers would be higher ranked or even #1 in other divisions, the pick for #3 was a very tough one.
5) Gorkys Gonzales - Iowa City
Gonzales comes in as our #5 pitching prospect. He really doesn't have any flaws, just doesn't have anything elite either. He pitches to both righties and lefties well has the potential to improve his control with the right coaching and already throws the ball with great velocity. He has 1 + pitch to go with 3 other average to below average pitches. Gonzales is currently pitching at Iowa Cities Double-A affilate and it should be at least two to three seasons before we see him making a push for the major league team.
4) Walter Russell - Tampa Bay
Walter Russell comes in as the #4 prospect and he eaisly could end up being the best of the bunch here. Like Gonzalez, Russell has no glaring weaknesses. He pitchesto righties and lefties well, has good control and velocity, which will continue to develop as he works his way through the minors. Russell has 2 + pitches and can pitch deep into games when needed. Russell is currently pitching for the Low A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Waves and it will be a few years untilhe is ready for the big show.
3) Terry Durham - Jacksonville
The first of two players from the Jacksonville farm system is our #3 pitcher and top relief prospect in the AL South, Terry Durham. Terry is currently playing for the Low A affiliate of the Dolphins. Terry has the potential to have elite velocity behind his pitches and throws great to both righties and lefties, a must for a ML closer. Terry's control canbe a bit erratic at times but as he develops he should grow out of that. Terry's go to pitch is his + four seamer, which he compliments with a good slider. Terry is still a few years away from being ML closer material but he could see the Majors as a setup man sooner then that.
2) Pete Kirk - Jacksonville
Our second Jacksonville player is Pete Krik, who is currently pitching for the teams Low A affilate. Kirk could be a pheominal pitcher at the Major League level, his only question mark is his lack of stamina. Some wonder whether or not he will be able to be an effective starter due to the limited innings he can pitch per apperance. But when you take a look at the rest of his make-up it's hard to predict anything other then stardom. Kirk has 2 + pitches (4-seamer/slider) and he has near elite control/velocity combo which should make him leathal as he develops. He also pitches great to both lefties and righties.
1) Red Hitchcock - Tampa Bay
And our #1 pitcher is from Tampa Bay, where he currently pitches for the teams Double-A affiliate. There is nothing not to like about this kid. The only thing he lacks is a dominant pitch. He has complete control of his pitches, elite velocity and can pitch inning after inning. He is still (most likely) at least a year away from the majors, although he could be an effective starter today if Tampa decided to choose that route.
(Note: Since the list has been complied one player has been traded but will still be shown on the AL South List)
5) Esteban Johnson - Houston
Johnson comes in at the #5 prospect on the list. Johnson currently plays ss for the Double-A affiliate of the Houston texans. Johnson is an excellent fielder, has good contact potential and hits from both sides of the plate. What keeps him from being any higher on this list is his inability to hit from the right side of the plate and neither great power nor great speed. Expect it to be a few seasons before we see Johnson on the ML level.
4) Alex Alvarez - Salem
Coming in as the #4 prospect is another ss and formally mentioned traded player, Alex Alvarez, who was traded from Tampa to Salem just a few days ago. Alvarez is a solid fielder, although not as good Johnson. He has average contact and below average power but is more patient at the plate then his critics give him credit for. Alveraz is still a few years from the Majors and it is unknown what his final position will be.
3) Kenneth Quinn - Jacksonville
#3 on the list is Kenneth Quinn currently playing for the High A affiliate of the Jacksonville Dolphins at cf. He is a power hitter who hits better from the left side of the plate then the right. Quinn also has good speed and has the potential to use his speed to steal quite a few bases once he improves his baserunning. Expect a few years before Quinn is getting his shot at the Major League Level.
2) Dion Heathcott - Houston
Coming in at #2 and our second player from the Houston franchise is Dion Heathcott who is currently playing cf at the teams High A affilate. Dion has great contact but doesn't have much
power in his bat. But what he lacks in power he makes up for in speed. Expect a few more seasons before Dion gets a shot at the Majors.
1) Steven Jackson - Houston
And our #1 prospect also hails from the Houston farm system. Jackson is currently playing ss for the teams Triple-A affiliate. He is a solid fielder for his postion and has an all around good bat, average contact and good power. He has good speed and should be able to steal bases once he gets to the majors, which is likely at least a year away.
Next we move on to the Pitcher Prospect Ratings, it is a very deep field in this division and many of these pitchers would be higher ranked or even #1 in other divisions, the pick for #3 was a very tough one.
5) Gorkys Gonzales - Iowa City
Gonzales comes in as our #5 pitching prospect. He really doesn't have any flaws, just doesn't have anything elite either. He pitches to both righties and lefties well has the potential to improve his control with the right coaching and already throws the ball with great velocity. He has 1 + pitch to go with 3 other average to below average pitches. Gonzales is currently pitching at Iowa Cities Double-A affilate and it should be at least two to three seasons before we see him making a push for the major league team.
4) Walter Russell - Tampa Bay
Walter Russell comes in as the #4 prospect and he eaisly could end up being the best of the bunch here. Like Gonzalez, Russell has no glaring weaknesses. He pitchesto righties and lefties well, has good control and velocity, which will continue to develop as he works his way through the minors. Russell has 2 + pitches and can pitch deep into games when needed. Russell is currently pitching for the Low A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Waves and it will be a few years untilhe is ready for the big show.
3) Terry Durham - Jacksonville
The first of two players from the Jacksonville farm system is our #3 pitcher and top relief prospect in the AL South, Terry Durham. Terry is currently playing for the Low A affiliate of the Dolphins. Terry has the potential to have elite velocity behind his pitches and throws great to both righties and lefties, a must for a ML closer. Terry's control canbe a bit erratic at times but as he develops he should grow out of that. Terry's go to pitch is his + four seamer, which he compliments with a good slider. Terry is still a few years away from being ML closer material but he could see the Majors as a setup man sooner then that.
2) Pete Kirk - Jacksonville
Our second Jacksonville player is Pete Krik, who is currently pitching for the teams Low A affilate. Kirk could be a pheominal pitcher at the Major League level, his only question mark is his lack of stamina. Some wonder whether or not he will be able to be an effective starter due to the limited innings he can pitch per apperance. But when you take a look at the rest of his make-up it's hard to predict anything other then stardom. Kirk has 2 + pitches (4-seamer/slider) and he has near elite control/velocity combo which should make him leathal as he develops. He also pitches great to both lefties and righties.
1) Red Hitchcock - Tampa Bay
And our #1 pitcher is from Tampa Bay, where he currently pitches for the teams Double-A affiliate. There is nothing not to like about this kid. The only thing he lacks is a dominant pitch. He has complete control of his pitches, elite velocity and can pitch inning after inning. He is still (most likely) at least a year away from the majors, although he could be an effective starter today if Tampa decided to choose that route.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
AL East Top Prospects
Who are the top prospects?
Position Players
1.
Alex Baker is a 19 year old Cf playing in Hi A with the Hartford Yellow Jackets. Although he wont be a CF in the pros something he will be is an elite player. Baker projects to be the best contact hitter in baseball, with 30+ HR talent. Vs righties Baker is one of the best if not the best. But vs lefties he is average. Baker also posses 40+ SB but his lack of BR knowledge could hamper that. all in all Baker is the best position player prospect the AL East has seen this year.
2.
Rickey Basile a 19 year old future gold glove SS is in AA with the BB&B. Along with superb fielding abilities Basile project to be an above average hitter. Good power and good vs lefties Basile looks to have a bright future.
3.
If not for his lack of fielding abilities and batting eye 21 year old Felipe Romero would be the #2 prospect. Romero is fgifted with immense power, and ability to crush lefties or righties. Not to mention the ability to steal upwards of 60 or more SBs. He could very well be a 40-40, or 50-50 canidate.
4.
21 year old Ted Hines from the Hartford YJs is a Ch lacking the CF fielding abilities. But dont let that fool you. Hines has above average contact abilities and average power. He has slightly below average vs lefties and slightly above average vs righties. Expect Hines to be a solid contributer in the pros.
5.
Wallace Rolls is a 19 year old 2B playing in Lo A with Hartford. He has abover average contact, with average power. He also has great splits and a great eye. Rolls could steal 20-40 SB in his career, and throw down many bunt hits.
Pitchers
1.
23 year old Roger Reed os the AAA Boston Puritans has excellent command of his pitches and excellent splits to go along with high velocity and one of the best groundball pitcher in the game. In Rogers arsenal of pitches are one ++ and 1 + pitch then 2 not so much pitches. It remains to be seen if Rogers lack of quality pitches will hurt him, but his minor league is any sign the answer is no. Expect Roger in the majors by the end of this year, early next year.
2.
19 year old Al Alvarado of the HArtford YJs High A Level projects to be able to pitch a 15 inning game if needed. But we doubt that is the case, Al has above above average control and domiates righties, and pitches very well vs the lefties. You can think Of Al as a Jamie Moyer in pitch speed, he also doesnt get many groundball outs. BUt not to fear Al has 1 ++ pitch, and 3 + pitches. It may be awhile before we see Al in the majors expect 2-4 seasons.
3.
Megias is a 19 year old hailing from the Dominican and was wrapped in scandal. He was signed for a whopping 15 million bonus. Turns out he was not 15 years old like the BB&B though but actually 18. So he was shipped to Boston where with his Excellent control combined with his amazing stamina he could be a threat to any team all game long. Tony has average stuff vs lefties and above average vs righties. He throws the ball quite hard and rarely gets groundball outs. He has one ++ pitch and 1 + pitch.
4.
Doic Harris another top prospect you could see by the end of this year in a majors uniform has excellent control of his pitches and average stuff vs lefties while having above average stuff vs righties. Doc throws hard and gets ground ball outs. Doc fetures 1 ++ pitch, 1 + pitch and 1 very poor pitch. Doc also has the rare ability to shoot milk from his eyes.
5.
21 year old Douglas Nielsen of the Philly Black Lightning is the lone reliever on the AA East Top Prospect List. Doug has excellent control but only average stuff vs lefties and above average stuff vs righties. Doug does throw harder than alot of the othe rplayers in baseball and because if this he does get slightly more ground balls. Dog features 2 pitches that actually matter. One being ++ and the other a + pitch. Expect Doug in the majors this season or next season. He is also a big trade canidate.
Position Players
1.
Alex Baker is a 19 year old Cf playing in Hi A with the Hartford Yellow Jackets. Although he wont be a CF in the pros something he will be is an elite player. Baker projects to be the best contact hitter in baseball, with 30+ HR talent. Vs righties Baker is one of the best if not the best. But vs lefties he is average. Baker also posses 40+ SB but his lack of BR knowledge could hamper that. all in all Baker is the best position player prospect the AL East has seen this year.
2.
Rickey Basile a 19 year old future gold glove SS is in AA with the BB&B. Along with superb fielding abilities Basile project to be an above average hitter. Good power and good vs lefties Basile looks to have a bright future.
3.
If not for his lack of fielding abilities and batting eye 21 year old Felipe Romero would be the #2 prospect. Romero is fgifted with immense power, and ability to crush lefties or righties. Not to mention the ability to steal upwards of 60 or more SBs. He could very well be a 40-40, or 50-50 canidate.
4.
21 year old Ted Hines from the Hartford YJs is a Ch lacking the CF fielding abilities. But dont let that fool you. Hines has above average contact abilities and average power. He has slightly below average vs lefties and slightly above average vs righties. Expect Hines to be a solid contributer in the pros.
5.
Wallace Rolls is a 19 year old 2B playing in Lo A with Hartford. He has abover average contact, with average power. He also has great splits and a great eye. Rolls could steal 20-40 SB in his career, and throw down many bunt hits.
Pitchers
1.
23 year old Roger Reed os the AAA Boston Puritans has excellent command of his pitches and excellent splits to go along with high velocity and one of the best groundball pitcher in the game. In Rogers arsenal of pitches are one ++ and 1 + pitch then 2 not so much pitches. It remains to be seen if Rogers lack of quality pitches will hurt him, but his minor league is any sign the answer is no. Expect Roger in the majors by the end of this year, early next year.
2.
19 year old Al Alvarado of the HArtford YJs High A Level projects to be able to pitch a 15 inning game if needed. But we doubt that is the case, Al has above above average control and domiates righties, and pitches very well vs the lefties. You can think Of Al as a Jamie Moyer in pitch speed, he also doesnt get many groundball outs. BUt not to fear Al has 1 ++ pitch, and 3 + pitches. It may be awhile before we see Al in the majors expect 2-4 seasons.
3.
Megias is a 19 year old hailing from the Dominican and was wrapped in scandal. He was signed for a whopping 15 million bonus. Turns out he was not 15 years old like the BB&B though but actually 18. So he was shipped to Boston where with his Excellent control combined with his amazing stamina he could be a threat to any team all game long. Tony has average stuff vs lefties and above average vs righties. He throws the ball quite hard and rarely gets groundball outs. He has one ++ pitch and 1 + pitch.
4.
Doic Harris another top prospect you could see by the end of this year in a majors uniform has excellent control of his pitches and average stuff vs lefties while having above average stuff vs righties. Doc throws hard and gets ground ball outs. Doc fetures 1 ++ pitch, 1 + pitch and 1 very poor pitch. Doc also has the rare ability to shoot milk from his eyes.
5.
21 year old Douglas Nielsen of the Philly Black Lightning is the lone reliever on the AA East Top Prospect List. Doug has excellent control but only average stuff vs lefties and above average stuff vs righties. Doug does throw harder than alot of the othe rplayers in baseball and because if this he does get slightly more ground balls. Dog features 2 pitches that actually matter. One being ++ and the other a + pitch. Expect Doug in the majors this season or next season. He is also a big trade canidate.
Friday, July 3, 2009
MVP Candidates
Just a few games to play in the first month of the season and a few players have separated themselves in each league as front runners for the MVP.
The AL has a few teams with multiple candidates, so I will break them down by the four teams that are represented.
First we will take a look at Iowa City I Wanna Score More star and Former NL MVP, Ted Wilson. Wilson is currently batting .350 with 10 HRs and 19 RBI to go along with 6 stolen bases.
The Tacoma Amber Flashlongs star, Kirt Purcell has been having an exceptional year to date. The rf is batting .432 with 10 HR and 30 RBI and is making a strong early push to be near the top of voting if he can continue this hot streak.
Next we go to the Montreal Royals where they have 2 players worth consideration. 1b Jason Levine and lf Andy Clayton. Clayton is currently batting .347 with 4 HRs and 19 RBI to go along with a .490 obp, while Levine has been adding the power to the lineup with 10 HRs and 29 RBI to go along with his .316 average. Both have helped Montreal be a serious World Series contendor this season, as in seasons past.
Finally we go to Philly where the offensive juggernaught, the Philadelphia Black Lightning, have three players who have helped contribute to this team averaging 8.59 runs a game. Free Agent aquisition Alex Arnold has been worth the 13 million the club is paying him this season so far leading the AL in Home Runs with 12 and Runs Batted In with 34. He also has a .326 average, .413 obp and 25 runs. Arnold is on pace to hit over 80 HRs this season if he continues his scourching pace. Next is 2b star Ed Donovan who has been in the running for the MVP every season. Donovan is hitting .354 with an amazing .495 obp. Donovan is always a threat on the bases with 8 stolen already this year to go along with 6 HRs and 18 RBI and 29 runs, only 2 behind the league leader. Last is lf Walter Miller, who was a late addition to the list as he has been slowing down as of late but he still deserves consideration with his 9 HRs and second in the league (only behind teammate Alex Arnold) in RBI with 30. Miller is a threat to steal 40+ bases and could join the 40/40 club this year, he was 1 HR shy two seasons ago.
It was much harder selecting candidates in the NL, where one player stood out above the rest. Expect the NL list to change more dramatically then the AL list as the season progresses.
First let's start in Charlotte where the Charlotte Heavy Petting Zoo have two early season candidates, 2b Achilles Cohen and ss Jimmie Pichardo. Pichardo has racked up 34 hits on the season so far to come in with a .395 average and 22 RBI and a .455 obp, while Cohen has hit .338 with 9 HRs and 26 RBI. Charlotte is counting on these two to continue to contribute in big ways to get them into the postseason.
Next we travel to the Boise Spudchuckers clubhouse where rf Chip Morton's 12 game hitting streak has moved him near the top of the early season MVP candiates. Morton is now hitting .352 with 9 HRs and 28 RBI to compile a .761 slugging percentage and is the main reason that many consider Boise to be the best in the National League.
The Fresno Griz have kept themself in early season contention due mainly to the bat of 1b Tim Kinney. Kinney is currently the early favorite with his .400 batting average, 13 HRs and 28 RBI and his dazzling .889 slugging percent and 1.354 OPS.
Last but not least is Louisville Long Balls 1b Edgar Rios. Rios leads the NL in RBI with 30 and has a solid .297 average and 12 HRs.
AL MVP Candidates
The AL has a few teams with multiple candidates, so I will break them down by the four teams that are represented.
First we will take a look at Iowa City I Wanna Score More star and Former NL MVP, Ted Wilson. Wilson is currently batting .350 with 10 HRs and 19 RBI to go along with 6 stolen bases.
The Tacoma Amber Flashlongs star, Kirt Purcell has been having an exceptional year to date. The rf is batting .432 with 10 HR and 30 RBI and is making a strong early push to be near the top of voting if he can continue this hot streak.
Next we go to the Montreal Royals where they have 2 players worth consideration. 1b Jason Levine and lf Andy Clayton. Clayton is currently batting .347 with 4 HRs and 19 RBI to go along with a .490 obp, while Levine has been adding the power to the lineup with 10 HRs and 29 RBI to go along with his .316 average. Both have helped Montreal be a serious World Series contendor this season, as in seasons past.
Finally we go to Philly where the offensive juggernaught, the Philadelphia Black Lightning, have three players who have helped contribute to this team averaging 8.59 runs a game. Free Agent aquisition Alex Arnold has been worth the 13 million the club is paying him this season so far leading the AL in Home Runs with 12 and Runs Batted In with 34. He also has a .326 average, .413 obp and 25 runs. Arnold is on pace to hit over 80 HRs this season if he continues his scourching pace. Next is 2b star Ed Donovan who has been in the running for the MVP every season. Donovan is hitting .354 with an amazing .495 obp. Donovan is always a threat on the bases with 8 stolen already this year to go along with 6 HRs and 18 RBI and 29 runs, only 2 behind the league leader. Last is lf Walter Miller, who was a late addition to the list as he has been slowing down as of late but he still deserves consideration with his 9 HRs and second in the league (only behind teammate Alex Arnold) in RBI with 30. Miller is a threat to steal 40+ bases and could join the 40/40 club this year, he was 1 HR shy two seasons ago.
NL MVP Candidates
It was much harder selecting candidates in the NL, where one player stood out above the rest. Expect the NL list to change more dramatically then the AL list as the season progresses.
First let's start in Charlotte where the Charlotte Heavy Petting Zoo have two early season candidates, 2b Achilles Cohen and ss Jimmie Pichardo. Pichardo has racked up 34 hits on the season so far to come in with a .395 average and 22 RBI and a .455 obp, while Cohen has hit .338 with 9 HRs and 26 RBI. Charlotte is counting on these two to continue to contribute in big ways to get them into the postseason.
Next we travel to the Boise Spudchuckers clubhouse where rf Chip Morton's 12 game hitting streak has moved him near the top of the early season MVP candiates. Morton is now hitting .352 with 9 HRs and 28 RBI to compile a .761 slugging percentage and is the main reason that many consider Boise to be the best in the National League.
The Fresno Griz have kept themself in early season contention due mainly to the bat of 1b Tim Kinney. Kinney is currently the early favorite with his .400 batting average, 13 HRs and 28 RBI and his dazzling .889 slugging percent and 1.354 OPS.
Last but not least is Louisville Long Balls 1b Edgar Rios. Rios leads the NL in RBI with 30 and has a solid .297 average and 12 HRs.
Injury Impact
We are nearly a month of the regular season under our belts it's time to take a look at the Injury Impact, where we breakdown the impact of some of the seasons biggest injuries.
First we will start with Steve Cornelius of the Jacksonville Dolphins, who lost a frontline starters and one of baseball's all time leaders in wins when he went down with a sore shoulder against Tampa Bay. Surgery was not necessary but Jacksonville is taking it slow with the 34 year old starter.
Next we will visit the Syracuse SkyRockets clubhouse where just today starting 3b, Ben Maduro went down with a torn hamstring and is likely out for the rest of the regular season, while doubts still remain whether or not he should/could play in the postseason if the SkyRockets do return to defend their crown.
Next we head back to Florida where the Florida FlyTekks lost baseball's all time leading base stealer in Cookie Wilkinson. Cookie tore his hamstring in the season opener. Cookie expects to be back sometime after the All-Star break. Rumors have surfaced that Florida GM, Flytekk, is considering trading the aging vetrean once he returns.
Next we go to Philadelphia where the Philadelphia Black Lightning have had quite a few injuries but none having more impact then recently signed, high priced verteran and #5 starter, Jarrod Collins who was lost for the season in only his fourth inning of work. Luckily Tommy John surgery was avoided but surgery was still needed. It is unsure within the organization if Collins will return to the rotation once he recoveres.
Staying in Philly we take a quick look at both rf Chris Lyons and setup specialist and former Fireman of the Year Winner, Sun Satou, who are both still recovering from injuries from last season. Satou is still an above average reliever who can contribute to the team. He should return to a setup role of some sort when he is healthy. Chris Lyons was last seasons impact trade aquisition for the Black Lightning who tore his ACL in the second half of last year. He is still an impact player, with exceptional speed once he returns and projects to still have great power/contract, the question is where will he play in Philly?
Last but not least is Houston texans starter Keith Street who was one of the teams Free Agent signings this past offseason. Suffering from tendinitis the team decided a 60 day DL assignment was needed to get him healthy.
First we will start with Steve Cornelius of the Jacksonville Dolphins, who lost a frontline starters and one of baseball's all time leaders in wins when he went down with a sore shoulder against Tampa Bay. Surgery was not necessary but Jacksonville is taking it slow with the 34 year old starter.
Next we will visit the Syracuse SkyRockets clubhouse where just today starting 3b, Ben Maduro went down with a torn hamstring and is likely out for the rest of the regular season, while doubts still remain whether or not he should/could play in the postseason if the SkyRockets do return to defend their crown.
Next we head back to Florida where the Florida FlyTekks lost baseball's all time leading base stealer in Cookie Wilkinson. Cookie tore his hamstring in the season opener. Cookie expects to be back sometime after the All-Star break. Rumors have surfaced that Florida GM, Flytekk, is considering trading the aging vetrean once he returns.
Next we go to Philadelphia where the Philadelphia Black Lightning have had quite a few injuries but none having more impact then recently signed, high priced verteran and #5 starter, Jarrod Collins who was lost for the season in only his fourth inning of work. Luckily Tommy John surgery was avoided but surgery was still needed. It is unsure within the organization if Collins will return to the rotation once he recoveres.
Staying in Philly we take a quick look at both rf Chris Lyons and setup specialist and former Fireman of the Year Winner, Sun Satou, who are both still recovering from injuries from last season. Satou is still an above average reliever who can contribute to the team. He should return to a setup role of some sort when he is healthy. Chris Lyons was last seasons impact trade aquisition for the Black Lightning who tore his ACL in the second half of last year. He is still an impact player, with exceptional speed once he returns and projects to still have great power/contract, the question is where will he play in Philly?
Last but not least is Houston texans starter Keith Street who was one of the teams Free Agent signings this past offseason. Suffering from tendinitis the team decided a 60 day DL assignment was needed to get him healthy.
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