Revisit - Hatt best prospects (1B)

Amazing, that for such an easy position to find good hitters, that Hatt only hit on one good prospect. All the others were either decent (Norman) or just not good enough to stick at the ML level (Morales and Atkins). Bonilla is a HOFer though.

AAA – Al Bonilla (22) San Diego Padres

$12.3 million seemed outrageous for the first true international GAP prospect, but spending has increased over the first couple seasons, and it looks like right about where he would have landed for today. Bonilla was immediately thrown into the fire at AAA, and has flourished since day one. Al has been a terror at the plate, holding a career OPS of 1.127 and smacking 88 homers in only 221 career games. Season 3 looks to really be his breakout year, as he has already compiled a .385 avg with 18 HR and 48 RBI thus far.

Hitting: 1532G, 1007R, 1631H, 441HR, 1170RBI, 1-32 SB/CS, .285/.378/.575 Ave/OBP/Slg

AA – Joey Norman (22) Chicago Cubs

Norman, a Season 1 first rounder out of Central City, IA, was one of Vancouver’s prized prospects for the first couple seasons, but ended up in Chicago during the Season 2 playoffs in a blockbuster deal. Norman has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the minors, and should be hitting the majors by next season. He holds a career OPS of 1.065 and is hitting .348 so far between High A and AA in Season 3.

Hitting: 954G, 573R, 1044H, 152HR, 615RBI, 70-55 SB/CS, .285/.348/.487

HiA – Don Atkins (20) San Diego Padres

A steal as a 6^th round pick in the Season 2 draft, Atkins has made the most of his time in the Padres system, blasting 37 HR and 145 RBI in only 109 career games. Atkins is still 2 or 3 years off from seeing the big club, but he should be an impressive cleanup hitter when his time comes.

Hitting: Played 30 games and hit .189. Thats all you need to know

LowA – Damaso Morales (20) St. Louis Cardinals

Admittedly, Cubs management didn’t quite know what they were giving up when they traded Morales during the 2^nd GAP playoffs. An early international prospect who was paid only a $2.1 million bonus, Morales has been nothing short of spectacular when given the opportunity. Through the same amount of games as Atkins, Morales holds a career average of .365 with 38 HR and 146 RBI. Even more impressive is his career OBP of .459 and OPS of 1.211. Oh yeah, he’s only 20 years old...

Played in 4 games in the big leagues.

Revisit - Hatt best prospects (C)

I decided to take a look back at the Hatt prospect review section. Mostly just a comparison of stats.

Not much separation of the catching bunch so far other than number of games played. Juarez is the best hitter of the best and Baez has probably been the most reliable from a defensive and number of games he can play every year - though he is no Joe Mauer. Would love some comments.

AAA - Torey Camacho (24) Arizona Diamondbacks

(Hatt)One more year should be all it takes before “Macho” Camacho finally hits the big show. He has decent power for a gap hitter, but his real strength lies in his pitch calling. D-Back’s management has never seen a youngster call a game quite like Camacho, and that could be the edge Arizonaneeds in a crowded NL West.

Hitting: 797G, 279R, 635H, 83HR, 314RBI, 0-4 SB/CS, .274/.332/.434 Ave/OBP/Slg

Fielding: 710G, 5320 innings, 52PB, 369SB - 69CS, .998 field%, 4.48ERA

AA - Max Baez (20) Cleveland Indians

You won’t find a better pure Catcher in the entire GAP than Baez.Comparisons to Joe Mauer might not even do him justice, as Baez has earned his nickname of “The Natural” in just a few short years. He’s only 20 years old, but could see the majors as soon as next year.

Hitting: 1422G, 636R, 1493H, 129HR, 588RBI, 0-3 SB/CS, .288/.349/.399 Ave/OBP/Slg

Fielding: 1405G, 11860 innings, 73PB, 634SB - 285CS, .997 field%, 4.39ERA

HiA – Bobby Ray Dixon (21) Oakland Athletics

For a signal caller, Dixon is merely average, but as a power hitter, he is well above that. Bobby Ray has a knack for crushing RHP, and it all stems from his presence in the batter’s box. A’s scout Ralph O’Connor put it best, “He may not be too physically imposing, but Bobby Ray doesn’t back down to anyone.” His most famous moment came in Season 2, when he was plunked in the head in a game against Seattle and went on to hit 2 HR’s in his next two AB’s.

Hitting: 987G, 373R, 697H, 102HR, 397RBI, 1-4 SB/CS, .262/.346/.425 Ave/OBP/Slg

Fielding: 845G, 6011 innings, 57PB, 450SB - 113CS, .998 field%, 3.97ERA

LowA – Juan Juarez (19) Toronto Blue Jays

Although he’s only played one game, Juarez could very well be the best Catcher/DH prospect in the entire GAP (yes, even challenging “Mighty” Max Baez). At only 19, this Venezuelen natural is ready to take on the GAP with excellent power to all fields and a batting eye rivaling Barry Bonds. Don’t look for this kid to be at Low A for too long.

Hitting: 849G, 536R, 871H, 192HR, 557RBI, 0-3 SB/CS, .275/.380/.507 Ave/OBP/Slg

Fielding: 698G, 5952 innings, 50PB, 494SB - 120CS, .997 field%, 4.81ERA

Veterans' Committee Nominees

Tony Hudler
http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=437835
9 seasons (age 33-41) RHP
131-69 in 289 G (289 GS) 32 CG
3.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 1826.3 IP, .265 OAV, .709 OPS Against
Won 20 games twice (career best 21), never lost more than 10, had no losing seasons, career high 287.3 IP, career best ERA 3.35, career best WHIP 1.20, went 15-7 at age 40
4-2 in postseason with 3.19 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 53.7 IP in 8 GS
4-time All-Star
Need to project 7 seasons (age 26-32)

Willie Santana
http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=438336

Wolf Morris
http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=437937

LaTroy Franco
http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=437828
7 seasons (age 29-35) LF/1B
.282/.358/.562, 303 HR, 961 RBI, 834 R, 144 SB, played in all but 8 of a possible 1134 games
Two 62-HR seasons, career high of 179 RBI, two 30/30 seasons, career high of 202 hits
708 OPS in 34 career post-season games, 7 HR
2-time AL MVP, 3-time All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger
Need to project 4 seasons (age 25-28)

We're moving to a new blog...

GAP APPRENTICE

Our WorldChat rule going forward is that this place is for the enjoyment of all 32 owners here, and nobody should act in a manner that makes someone else decide to block their messages. Name-calling, excessive posting, baiting and needless repetition are banned and grounds for removal after the season ends.

Season 8 ALDS Game 1

Network Associates Coliseum

330 ft. 362 ft. 400 ft. 362 ft. 330 ft.
-1 -2 -2 -1 -1

TM. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 R H. E
CLE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 2 0 7 15 0
OAK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 2 1 8 12 0

ML Division Series Game
7/9/08 PM

PLAY-BY-PLAY

1 Cleveland Indians
V.Palacios enters the game to pitch.
P.Taylor swings and misses for strike 3.
G.Nelson draws the walk.
J.Ricarrdi grounds it past the mound into CF for a single. G.Nelson is gunned down at 3B by T.Pujols.
J.Ortiz flies out to deep LCF.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 0 0

1 Oakland Athletics
G.Stewart enters the game to pitch.
T.Linebrink grounds out to SS.
A.Villa grounds out to 3B.
C.Hutton flies out to deep CF.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 0 0

2 Cleveland Indians
M.Medrano strikes out swinging.
M.Baez grounds out to 1B.
K.Wagner swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 0 0

2 Oakland Athletics
D.Handworth grounds out to 2B.
E.Roque lines a single to CF.
M.Moore strikes out swinging.
G.Stewart is charged with a balk and all runners advance.
T.Pujols flies out to deep RF.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 1 0

3 Cleveland Indians
R.Carrara swings and misses for strike 3.
P.Iwazaki strikes out swinging.
P.Taylor is plunked in the arm by a pitch.
G.Nelson swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 1 0

3 Oakland Athletics
S.Harper smokes a line drive single to CF.
B.Dixon grounds into a 5-4-3 double play.
T.Linebrink strikes out on a ball out of the zone.

Cleveland Indians 0 1 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

4 Cleveland Indians
J.Ricarrdi strikes out swinging.
J.Ortiz takes ball four.
M.Medrano swings and misses for strike 3.
M.Baez grounds it past the mound into CF for a single.
K.Wagner grounds out to 3B.
Cleveland Indians 0 2 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

4 Oakland Athletics
A.Villa fouls out to third.
C.Hutton flies out to CF.
D.Handworth swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 0 2 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

5 Cleveland Indians
R.Carrara grounds out to 1B.
P.Iwazaki grounds out to SS.
P.Taylor hits a shallow flyout to CF.
Cleveland Indians 0 2 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

5 Oakland Athletics
E.Roque swings and misses for strike 3.
M.Moore grounds out to 2B.
T.Pujols grounds out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 0 2 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

6 Cleveland Indians
G.Nelson smokes a line drive single to CF.
J.Ricarrdi grounds to the pitcher. They get the force at 2B, but the batter beats the throw to 1B to avoid the DP.
J.Ortiz hits a groundball single to CF.
M.Medrano grounds it past the mound into CF for a single.
M.Baez pops out to SS.
K.Wagner flies out to deep CF.
Cleveland Indians 0 5 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

6 Oakland Athletics
S.Harper swings and misses for strike 3.
B.Dixon grounds out to SS.
T.Linebrink swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 0 5 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

7 Cleveland Indians
R.Carrara lines out to 3B.
P.Iwazaki flies out to CF.
P.Taylor grounds out to 2B.
Cleveland Indians 0 5 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

7 Oakland Athletics
A.Villa grounds out to SS.
C.Hutton grounds out to SS.
D.Handworth grounds out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 0 5 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

8 Cleveland Indians
G.Nelson pops out to SS.
J.Ricarrdi smokes a line drive single to RF.
D.Cook enters the game as a pinch-runner for J.Ricarrdi.
J.Ortiz takes strike 3 looking.
M.Medrano pops out to 2B.
Cleveland Indians 0 6 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

8 Oakland Athletics
D.Cook remains in the game at DH.
E.Roque takes ball four.
M.Moore grounds to SS. They get the force at 2B, but the batter beats the throw to 1B to avoid the DP.
T.Pujols flies out to deep CF.
S.Harper strikes out on a ball out of the zone.
Cleveland Indians 0 6 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

9 Cleveland Indians
M.Baez grounds out to 1B.
L.Ramirez enters the game as a pinch-hitter for K.Wagner.
L.Ramirez smacks a solo homer to CF that barely clears the wall.
R.Carrara grounds out to 1B.
J.Mercado enters the game to pitch.
P.Iwazaki swings and misses for strike 3.
Cleveland Indians 1 7 0
Oakland Athletics 0 2 0

9 Oakland Athletics
C.Simpson enters the game at LF.
T.Campbell enters the game to pitch.
B.Dixon hits a flyball solo homer to RF.
T.Linebrink grounds out to SS.
A.Villa hits a line drive double to CF.
D.Wanatabe enters the game to pitch.
C.Hutton grounds out to 3B.
D.Handworth flies out to LF.
Cleveland Indians 1 7 0
Oakland Athletics 1 4 0

10 Cleveland Indians
P.Taylor grounds a single to CF.
G.Nelson hits a groundball single to LCF. P.Taylor slides in under the tag and is safe at 3B.
D.Cook hits a groundball single to CF. P.Taylor scores.
A.Thomson enters the game to pitch.
J.Ortiz hits a triple. G.Nelson scores. D.Cook scores.
M.Medrano flies out to CF. J.Ortiz scores on T.Pujols's late throw home.
M.Baez flies out to deep LCF.
C.Simpson grounds out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 5 11 0
Oakland Athletics 1 4 0

10 Oakland Athletics
G.Martin enters the game at CF as a defensive replacement.
E.Roque lines a single to CF.
M.Moore hits into a 4-6 fielder's choice.
T.Pujols smacks a 2-run homer to LCF that barely clears the wall.
D.Nakajima enters the game to pitch.
M.Mercedes enters the game as a pinch-hitter for S.Harper.
M.Mercedes takes ball four.
B.Dixon smacks a 2-run homer to LCF that barely clears the wall.
T.Clifton enters the game to pitch.
T.Linebrink strikes out on a ball out of the zone.
A.Villa grounds out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 5 11 0
Oakland Athletics 5 7 0

11 Cleveland Indians
D.Takada enters the game at RF.
R.Carrara grounds out to 2B.
G.Martin hits a groundball single to CF.
A.Martin enters the game to pitch.
P.Taylor draws the walk.
G.Nelson strikes out swinging.
D.Cook hits into a 4-6 fielder's choice.
Cleveland Indians 5 12 0
Oakland Athletics 5 7 0

11 Oakland Athletics
C.Hutton grounds out to 2B.
D.Handworth strikes out swinging.
E.Roque grounds out to 3B.
Cleveland Indians 5 12 0
Oakland Athletics 5 7 0

12 Cleveland Indians
J.Ortiz strikes out swinging.
M.Medrano grounds out to 2B.
M.Baez pops out to SS.
Cleveland Indians 5 12 0
Oakland Athletics 5 7 0

12 Oakland Athletics
M.Moore grounds out to 2B.
T.Pujols hits a flyball single to RCF.
D.Takada hits a shallow flyout to RCF.
B.Dixon hits into a 4-6 fielder's choice.
Cleveland Indians 5 12 0
Oakland Athletics 5 8 0

13 Cleveland Indians
C.Simpson grounds out to SS.
R.Carrara strikes out swinging.
G.Martin crushes a solo homer to RCF.
A.Wagner enters the game to pitch.
P.Taylor grounds it thru the hole to LF for a single.
P.Taylor steals second base.
G.Nelson is issued the free pass.
D.Cook lines a single to RCF. P.Taylor scores.
E.Michalak enters the game to pitch.
++ J.Ortiz flies out to LCF.
Cleveland Indians 7 15 0
Oakland Athletics 5 8 0

13 Oakland Athletics
T.Linebrink grounds out to SS.
A.Villa hits a shallow flyout to CF.
C.Hutton lines a single to CF.
D.Handworth smokes a line drive to RCF for a double. C.Hutton scores.
J.Sierra enters the game to pitch.
E.Roque hits a Texas League single to RCF. D.Handworth scores.
M.Moore grounds out to 1B.
Cleveland Indians 7 15 0
Oakland Athletics 7 11 0

14 Cleveland Indians
M.Medrano grounds out to 2B.
M.Baez grounds out to 1B.
C.Simpson takes ball four.
R.Carrara takes strike 3 looking.
Cleveland Indians 7 15 0
Oakland Athletics 7 11 0

14 Oakland Athletics
T.Pujols crushes a solo homer to RF.
Cleveland Indians 7 15 0
Oakland Athletics 8 12 0

BOXSCORE

Cleveland Indians

Player Pos % AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Pat Taylor 2B 100 5 2 2 0 1 1 0 .391
Grant Nelson 1B 100 5 1 2 0 2 2 3 .364
Joe Ricarrdi DH 100 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .389
Dan Cook DH 100 3 1 2 2 0 0 2 .333
Joaquin Ortiz 3B 100 6 1 2 2 1 2 4 .364
Miguel Medrano SS 100 6 0 1 1 0 2 2 .300
Max Baez C 100 7 0 1 0 0 0 3 .318
Kevin Wagner LF 100 3 0 0 0 0 1 5 .333
Leonardo Ramirez PH 100 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 .400
Corey Simpson LF 100 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .100
Raul Carrara RF 100 7 0 0 0 0 3 1 .130
Paul Iwazaki CF 100 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 .316
Goose Martin CF 100 2 1 2 1 0 0 0 .375
Game Totals -- 100 55 7 15 7 5 14 .273

Batting
3B: J.Ortiz (1)
HR: L.Ramirez (1), G.Martin (1)
RBI: D.Cook 2 (2), J.Ortiz 2 (4), M.Medrano (1), L.Ramirez (4), G.Martin (2)
2-Out RBI: D.Cook, G.Martin
HBP: P.Taylor
SF: M.Medrano

Baserunning
SB: P.Taylor (1)

Fielding

Player % IP H R ER BB SO HR PC ERA
Greg Stewart 100 8.0 2 0 0 1 7 0 97 0.64
Theodore Campbell, BSV (2) 100 0.1 2 1 1 0 0 1 11 6.75
Del Wanatabe 100 1.0 2 2 2 0 0 1 16 6.75
Del Nakajima, BSV (1) 100 0.0 1 2 2 1 0 1 10 12.27
Tim Clifton 100 3.1 3 2 2 0 2 0 38 4.91
Jesus Sierra, L (0-2), BSV (1) 100 0.1 2 1 1 0 0 1 14 4.91
Game Totals 100 13.0 12 8 8 2 9 4 186

Oakland Athletics

Player Pos % AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Todd Linebrink SS 100 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 .000
Alberto Villa 2B 100 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 .167
C.C. Hutton 1B 100 6 1 1 0 0 0 1 .167
David Handworth DH 100 6 1 1 1 0 2 1 .167
Enrique Roque LF 100 5 0 3 1 1 1 0 .600
Mark Moore 3B 100 6 1 0 0 0 1 4 .000
Trenidad Pujols CF 100 6 2 3 3 0 0 2 .500
Stan Harper RF 100 3 0 1 0 0 2 1 .333
Miller Mercedes PH 100 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 -
Damian Takada RF 100 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .000
Bobby Ray Dixon C 100 5 2 2 3 0 0 1 .400
Game Totals -- 100 50 8 12 8 2 9 -- .240

Batting
2B: A.Villa (1), D.Handworth (1)
HR: T.Pujols 2 (2), B.Dixon 2 (2)
RBI: D.Handworth (1), E.Roque (1), T.Pujols 3 (3), B.Dixon 3 (3)
2-Out RBI: D.Handworth, E.Roque

Baserunning

Fielding

Player % IP H R ER BB SO HR PC ERA
Victor Palacios 100 8.2 7 1 1 2 9 1 106 1.04
Javier Mercado 100 0.1 3 3 3 0 1 0 18 81.00
Artie Thomson 100 1.1 2 1 1 0 0 0 20 6.75
Antonio Martin 100 2.1 1 1 1 1 3 1 27 3.86
Andruw Wagner 100 0.0 2 1 1 1 0 0 15 -
Eric Michalak, W (1-0) 100 1.1 0 0 0 1 1 0 12 0.00
Game Totals 100 14.0 15 7 7 5 14 2 198

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Trenidad Pujols hits walk-off home run

rowe-speak

Let's deconstruct some of the most recent spewings from our good buddy, rowesings.

(Referring to the real-life Red Sox) "turning the so called 'champs' into Chumps"
Ummm, wow. The Red Sox are not "so-called champs." They actually are the champs. They won the 2007 World Series. "So-called champs" are what the GAP Rays were in S6, taking advantage of a glitch.

(Referring to David Ortiz) "flash in the pan like that Poopie guy again!"
David Ortiz as a flash in the pan. This is a guy who has been a four-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and was in the top five in AL MVP voting five times. His career OPS+ is 138. He has led the AL at least one season in OBP, HR, TB, RBI, BB, XBH, RC, and AB/HR. He has a career post-season OPS of 1005 in 52 games and has won two titles. Compare and contrast with the actual flash in a pan Rays, who are looking to win more than 70 games in one season for the first time ever. The Rays who have finished 5th of 5 in the AL East in 9 of 10 complete seasons. (They were 4th once.) Compare and contrast with the best hitters in Rays' history: Aubrey Huff and Fred McGriff. Huff leads the franchise with 128 career HR. McGriff played 577 games for them and put up an OPS+ of 122 in them. This is the best-ever Ray!

If basketball was a real force in sports, the Rays would have a team.
First, since when does a baseball team have a basketball team? Second, ratings for NBA and MLB games are very similar, and as far as logo merchandise goes, the NBA ranks ahead of the MLB (both trail the NFL). Basketball is also widely believed to be the second-most popular sport worldwide, behind only soccer. As for how the world views baseball? Well, you'd better watch the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. You'll see baseball for the last time. It has been eliminated for the 2012 games in London.

"ask 1000 passer by on the street who the Celtics are. Guarantee you 80 percent or more would say, 'Isn't that those pretty Irish girls that sing?' I guarantee it."
Hmmm. Well, I wasn't on the street and I didn't ask 1000 "passer by", but I did ask 6 people at work. My results:
100% basketball team from Boston
0% pretty Irish girls that sing

"one of those stupid Sox fans living in the Tampa Bay area"
Listen to how the Tampa "faithful" react when Ortiz makes an out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eA8N_a2AA

Now listen to how they react to an Ortiz HR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLeASp5LP6A

Seems there might be more Red Sox fans in Tampa than Rays fans. Embarrassing.

I've been a Rays fan since 1998, have listened to or watched every inning of every game for years. I am also a lifetime Yanks fan, but more interested for the past 10 years in the Rays.
What can I say about a front-runner who roots for two teams in the same division, and jumps to the one performing better? I think everyone reading this can draw their own conclusions.