Taking a look at the Cactus League in Arizona and how the teams are doing in Spring Training through week one in 2012. Checking on the team records and who some of the hot and cold players are.
Seattle Mariners 6-2
Hot: Dustin Ackley (5 for 11) .455/.500/1.091 with one home run, three RBI, four runs and one steal in four games.
Charlie Furbush 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, one strikeouts and 1.00 WHIP in 3 innings over two games.
Cold: Chone Figgins (2 for 13) .154/.313/.231 with zero home runs, zero RBI, two runs and zero steals in five games.
Kevin Millwod 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA, six strikeouts and 1.40 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1
Hot: Andre Ethier (5 for 8) .625/.667/1.500 with one home run, four RBI, three runs and zero steals in four games.
Chris Capuano 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 1.00 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Cold:Juan Rivera (1 for 10) .100/.100/.400 with one home run, one RBI, one run and zero steals in four games.
Ted Lilly 0-1 with a 22.50 ERA, one strikeouts and 3.50 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
San Francisco Giants 5-2
Hot: Melky Cabrera (10 for 17) .588/.588/1.294 with three home runs, six RBI, six runs and zero steals in five games.
Matt Cain 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, five strikeouts and 1.20 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Ryan Theriot (2 for 12) .167/.231/.167 with zero home runs, one RBI, two runs and zero steals in four games.
Tim Lincecum 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA, two strikeouts and 3.00 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Oakland Athletics 5-3
Hot: Josh Reddick (7 for 15) .467/.467/.667 with zero home runs, five RBI, four runs and one steal in five games.
Tom Milone 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA, six strikeouts and 0.60 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Kila Ka'aihue (2 for 12) .167/.154/.250 with zero home runs, one RBI, one run and zero steals in six games.
Brad Peacock 0-1 with a 21.60 ERA, one strikeout and 3.60 WHIP in 1.2 innings in one game.
Los Angeles Angels 3-2
Hot: Albert Pujols (5 for 9) .556/.583/.889 with zero home runs, two RBI, two runs and zero steals in four games.
Dan Haren 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 0.50 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Cold: Hank Conger (2 for 11) .182/.250/.273 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Rich Thompson 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA, two strikeouts and 2.00 WHIP in 2 innings over two games.
Milwaukee Brewers 3-2
Hot: Jonathan Lucroy (7 for 11) .636/.636/1.182 with one home run, two RBI, three runs and zero steals in four games.
Marco Estrada 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, one strikeout, 1.33 WHIP in 3 innings over two games.
Cold: Nyjer Morgan (2 for 14) .143/.143/.367 with one home run, one RBI, two runs and zero steals in five games.
Michael Fiers 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA, zero strikeouts and 2.00 WHIP in 2 innings over two games.
Cincinnati Reds 4-3
Hot: Drew Stubbs (4 for 9) .444/.545/.667 with zero home runs, three RBI, three runs and zero steals in five games.
Carlos Fisher 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two strikeouts and 0.75 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Cold: Dioner Navarro (1 for 11) .091/.167/.364 one home run, one RBI, one run and zero steals in six games.
Sam LeCure 0-1 with a 15.75 ERA, one strikeout and 2.75 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Kansas City Royals 4-3
Hot: Lorenzo Cain (6 for 11) .545/.583/.909 with zero home runs, two RBI, two runs and zero steals in five games.
Danny Duffy 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, five strikeouts and 0.00 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Cold: Salvador Perez (0 for 10) .000/.000/.000 and zero across board.
Jonathan Sanchez 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA, one strikeout and 4.00 WHIP in 1 inning in one game.
Chicago Cubs 3-3
Hot: Alfonso Soriano (6 for 11) .545/.545/1.545 with three home runs, four RBI, six runs and zero steals in four games.
Rodrigo Lopez 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 0.00 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Cold: Bryan LaHair (2 for 11) .182/.182/.182 with zero home runs, one RBI, one run and one steal in four games.
Carlos Marmol 0-1 with a 21.60 ERA, three strikeouts and 2.40 WHIP in 1.2 innings over two games.
Arizona Diamondbacks 2-4
Hot: Chris Young (4 for 9) .444/.583/1.222 with two home runs, two RBI, three runs and zero steals in four games.
Trevor Bauer 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA, four strikeouts and 0.80 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: John McDonald (1 for 10) .100/.100/.100 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in four games.
Bryan Shaw 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA, zero strikeouts and 2.00 WHIP in 2 innings over two games.
Cleveland Indians 2-4
Hot: Michael Brantley (6 for 12) .500/.538/.833 with zero home runs, one RBI, three runs and zero steals in four games.
David Huff 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA, three strikeouts and 1.20 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Travis Hafner (1 for 10) .100/.250/.100 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in four games.
Ubaldo Jimenez 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA, one strikeout and 3.33 WHIP in 3 innings over two games.
Texas Rangers 2-4
Hot: Elvis Andrus (8 for 12) .667/.643/1.000 with zero home runs, two RBI, five runs and zero steals in five games.
Matt Harrison 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, zero strikeouts and 0.50 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Cold: Mitch Moreland (1 for 12) .083/.154/.333 with one home run, two RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Tanner Scheppers 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA, one strikeout and 3.00 WHIP in 2 innings over two games.
San Diego Padres 2-5
Hot: Jeremy Hermida (4 for 10) .400/.500/.700 with one home run, three RBI, three runs and zero steals in five games.
Cory Luebke 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, four strikeouts and 1.00 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Cold: Jesus Guzman (0 for 10) .000/.167/.000 with zeros across board.
Joe Wieland 0-1 with a 18.00 ERA, zero strikeouts and 3.00 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Chicago White Sox 1-4
Hot: Brent Morel (5 for 11) .455/.455/.545 with zero home runs, zero RBI, three runs and zero steals in four games.
Hector Santiago 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 1.25
WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Cold: Paul Konerko (0 for 7) .000/.125/.000 with zeros across board.
John Danks 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA, one strikeout and 3.50 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Colorado Rockies 1-4
Hot: Troy Tulowitzki (4 for 7) .571/.571/.857 with zero home runs, zero RBI, three runs and zero steals in three games.
Drew Pomeranz 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, five strikeouts and 1.00 WHIP in five innings over two games.
Cold: Marco Scutaro (1 for 10) .100/.182/.100 with zeros across board.
Guillermo Moscoso 0-1 with a 18.00 ERA, one strikeout and 3.50 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Grapefruit League week one 031012
Taking a look at the Grapefruit League in Florida and how the teams are doing in Spring Training through week one in 2012. Checking on the team records and who some of the hot and cold players are.
Detroit Tigers 6-1
Hot: Eric Patterson (5 for 8) .625/.667/1.500 with two home runs, four RBI, four runs and zero steals in three games.
Doug Fister 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, zero strikeouts, 0.40 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Brennan Boesch (3 for 16) .188/.188/.438 with one home run, three RBI, two runs and zero steals in five games.
David Pauley 1-1 with a 16.87 ERA, one strikeout and 4.50 WHIP in 2.2 innings over three games.
Toronto Blue Jays 5-2
Hot: Brett Lawrie (8 for 16) .500/.529/.750 with zero home runs, seven RBI, two runs and three steals in six games.
Brett Cecil 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two strikeouts, 0.67 WHIP in 3 innings over two games.
Cold: J.P. Arencibia (1 for 10) .100/.182/.400 with one home runs, two RBI, one run and zero steals in four games.
Rick VandenHurk 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA, one strikeouts and 2.33 WHIP in 3 innings over two games.
Baltimore Orioles 3-2
Hot: Jai Miller (3 for 7) .429/.500/.714 with zero home runs, four RBI, zero runs and zero steals in three games.
Wei-Yin Chen 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 0.50 WHIP in 2 innings over one game.
Cold: Wilson Betemit (1 for 10) .100/.250/.200 with zero home runs, two RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Brian Matusz 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA, three strikeouts and 3.00 WHIP in 2 innings over one game.
Boston Red Sox 3-2
Hot: Pedro Ciriaco (4 for 7) .571/.571/.714 with zero home runs, one RBI, three runs and three steals in five games.
Josh Beckett 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, zero strikeouts, 1.00 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Jason Repko (1 for 10) .100/.182/.100 with zero home runs, one RBI, two runs and one steal in five games.
Vicente Padilla 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA, two strikeouts and 2.00 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Miami Marlins 3-2
Hot: Hanley Ramirez (3 for 7) .429/.500/.857 with one home runs, two RBI, two runs and zero steals in three games.
Wade LeBlanc 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, eight strikeouts and 0.16 WHIP in 6.1 innings over two games.
Cold: Terry Tiffee (1 for 10) .100/.100/.100 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games,
Carlos Zambrano 0-0 with a 20.25 ERA, four strikeouts and 4.50 WHIP in 1.1 innings in one game.
Houston Astros 4-3
Hot: Jordan Schafer (5 for 12) .417/.417/.583 with zero home runs, one RBI, four runs and zero steals in four games.
Bud Norris 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, zero strikeouts and 0.33 WHIP in 3 innings in one game.
Cold: Brett Wallace (1 for 9) .111/.273/.111 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Henry Sosa 0-0 with 11.25 ERA, three strikeouts and 3.00 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Philadelphia Phillies 4-3
Hot: Lou Montanez (5 for 9) .556/.500/1.111 with one home runs, five RBI, four runs and zero steals in five games.
Jeremy Horst 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two strikeouts and 1.13 WHIP in 2.2 innings over two games.
Cold: Laynce Nix (1 for 14) .071/.316/.071 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in six games.
Dontrelle Willis 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA, zero strikeouts and 4.80 WHIP in 1.2 innings over two games.
New York Mets 3-3
Hot: Lucas May (4 for 8) .500/.500/.625 with zero home runs, three RBI, one run and zero steals in four games.
Matt Harvey 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two strikeouts and 0.75 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Cold: Vinny Rottino (2 for 10) .200/.200/.300 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Mike Pelfrey 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA, zero strikeouts and 3.00 WHIP in 2.2 innings over in game.
Washington Nationals 3-3
Hot: Ryan Zimmerman (3 for 6) .500/.625/1.000 with one home runs, two RBI, two runs and zero steals in three games.
Edwin Jackson 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 0.83 WHIP in 6 innings over two games.
Cold: Ian Desmond (1 for 14) .071/.071/.143 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Tom Gorzelanny 0-0 with a 31.50 ERA, three strikeouts and 4.00 WHIP in 2 innings over two games.
St Louis Cardinals 2-2
Hot: Daniel Descalso (5 for 10) .500/.583/.800 with one home run, one RBI, three runs and zero steals in four games,
Jaime Garcia 0-0 with a 0-00 ERA, four strikeouts and 0.00 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Cold: Skip Schumaker (1 for 9) .111/.100/.111 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Brandon Dickson 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA, two strikeouts and 2.00 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
New York Yankees 3-4
Hot: Alex Rodriguez (4 for 7) .571/.667/1.143 with one home runs, two RBI, two runs and zero steals in three games.
Manny Banuelos 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 1.25 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Cold: Raul Ibanez (1 for 11) 0.91/.091/.182 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Ivan Nova 0-1 with a 11.57 ERA, two strikeouts and 1.71 WHIP in 4.2 innings over two games.
Pittsburgh Pirates 3-4
Hot: Starling Marte (9 for 13) .692/.692/1.231 with two home runs, three RBI, four runs and one steal in six games,
Jeff Karstens 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, one strikeout and 0.67 WHIP in 3 innings in one game.
Cold: Nick Evans (1 for 13) .077/.077/.308 with zero home runs, one RBI, one run and zero steals in six games.
Brad Lincoln 0-0 with a 18.00 ERA, one strikeout and 4.00 WHIP in 2 innings over two games.
Minnesota Twins 3-5
Hot: Denard Span (5 for 10) .500/.583/.500 with zero home runs, zero RBI, zero runs and two steals in four games.
Francisco Liriano 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, seven strikeouts and 0.60 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Sean Burroughs (1 for 11) 0.91/.286/.182 with zero home runs, zero RBI, two runs and zero steals in five games.
Jason Marquis 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA, two strikeouts and 2.36 WHIP in 4.2 innings over two games.
Tampa Bay Rays 2-5
Hot: Stephen Vogt (6 for 16) .375/.412/.625 with zero home runs, three RBI, two runs and zero steals in seven games.
Bryan Augenstein 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, five strikeouts and 0.43 WHIP in 4.2 innings over two games.
Cold: Brandon Guyer (1 for 13) .077/.077/.077 with zero home runs, zero RBI, zero runs and one steal in six games.
Jeremy Hellickson 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA, two strikeouts and 1.25 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Atlanta Braves 1-7
Hot: Drew Sutton (4 for 10) .400/.500/.600 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Mike Minor 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 1.40 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Freddie Freeman (1 for 11) .091/.167/.091 with zero home runs, zero RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Julio Teheran 0-1 with a 14.40 ERA, four strikeouts and 2.20 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Detroit Tigers 6-1
Hot: Eric Patterson (5 for 8) .625/.667/1.500 with two home runs, four RBI, four runs and zero steals in three games.
Doug Fister 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, zero strikeouts, 0.40 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Brennan Boesch (3 for 16) .188/.188/.438 with one home run, three RBI, two runs and zero steals in five games.
David Pauley 1-1 with a 16.87 ERA, one strikeout and 4.50 WHIP in 2.2 innings over three games.
Toronto Blue Jays 5-2
Hot: Brett Lawrie (8 for 16) .500/.529/.750 with zero home runs, seven RBI, two runs and three steals in six games.
Brett Cecil 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two strikeouts, 0.67 WHIP in 3 innings over two games.
Cold: J.P. Arencibia (1 for 10) .100/.182/.400 with one home runs, two RBI, one run and zero steals in four games.
Rick VandenHurk 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA, one strikeouts and 2.33 WHIP in 3 innings over two games.
Baltimore Orioles 3-2
Hot: Jai Miller (3 for 7) .429/.500/.714 with zero home runs, four RBI, zero runs and zero steals in three games.
Wei-Yin Chen 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 0.50 WHIP in 2 innings over one game.
Cold: Wilson Betemit (1 for 10) .100/.250/.200 with zero home runs, two RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Brian Matusz 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA, three strikeouts and 3.00 WHIP in 2 innings over one game.
Boston Red Sox 3-2
Hot: Pedro Ciriaco (4 for 7) .571/.571/.714 with zero home runs, one RBI, three runs and three steals in five games.
Josh Beckett 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, zero strikeouts, 1.00 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Jason Repko (1 for 10) .100/.182/.100 with zero home runs, one RBI, two runs and one steal in five games.
Vicente Padilla 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA, two strikeouts and 2.00 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Miami Marlins 3-2
Hot: Hanley Ramirez (3 for 7) .429/.500/.857 with one home runs, two RBI, two runs and zero steals in three games.
Wade LeBlanc 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, eight strikeouts and 0.16 WHIP in 6.1 innings over two games.
Cold: Terry Tiffee (1 for 10) .100/.100/.100 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games,
Carlos Zambrano 0-0 with a 20.25 ERA, four strikeouts and 4.50 WHIP in 1.1 innings in one game.
Houston Astros 4-3
Hot: Jordan Schafer (5 for 12) .417/.417/.583 with zero home runs, one RBI, four runs and zero steals in four games.
Bud Norris 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, zero strikeouts and 0.33 WHIP in 3 innings in one game.
Cold: Brett Wallace (1 for 9) .111/.273/.111 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Henry Sosa 0-0 with 11.25 ERA, three strikeouts and 3.00 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Philadelphia Phillies 4-3
Hot: Lou Montanez (5 for 9) .556/.500/1.111 with one home runs, five RBI, four runs and zero steals in five games.
Jeremy Horst 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two strikeouts and 1.13 WHIP in 2.2 innings over two games.
Cold: Laynce Nix (1 for 14) .071/.316/.071 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in six games.
Dontrelle Willis 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA, zero strikeouts and 4.80 WHIP in 1.2 innings over two games.
New York Mets 3-3
Hot: Lucas May (4 for 8) .500/.500/.625 with zero home runs, three RBI, one run and zero steals in four games.
Matt Harvey 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, two strikeouts and 0.75 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Cold: Vinny Rottino (2 for 10) .200/.200/.300 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Mike Pelfrey 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA, zero strikeouts and 3.00 WHIP in 2.2 innings over in game.
Washington Nationals 3-3
Hot: Ryan Zimmerman (3 for 6) .500/.625/1.000 with one home runs, two RBI, two runs and zero steals in three games.
Edwin Jackson 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 0.83 WHIP in 6 innings over two games.
Cold: Ian Desmond (1 for 14) .071/.071/.143 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Tom Gorzelanny 0-0 with a 31.50 ERA, three strikeouts and 4.00 WHIP in 2 innings over two games.
St Louis Cardinals 2-2
Hot: Daniel Descalso (5 for 10) .500/.583/.800 with one home run, one RBI, three runs and zero steals in four games,
Jaime Garcia 0-0 with a 0-00 ERA, four strikeouts and 0.00 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
Cold: Skip Schumaker (1 for 9) .111/.100/.111 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Brandon Dickson 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA, two strikeouts and 2.00 WHIP in 2 innings in one game.
New York Yankees 3-4
Hot: Alex Rodriguez (4 for 7) .571/.667/1.143 with one home runs, two RBI, two runs and zero steals in three games.
Manny Banuelos 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 1.25 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Cold: Raul Ibanez (1 for 11) 0.91/.091/.182 with zero home runs, one RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Ivan Nova 0-1 with a 11.57 ERA, two strikeouts and 1.71 WHIP in 4.2 innings over two games.
Pittsburgh Pirates 3-4
Hot: Starling Marte (9 for 13) .692/.692/1.231 with two home runs, three RBI, four runs and one steal in six games,
Jeff Karstens 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, one strikeout and 0.67 WHIP in 3 innings in one game.
Cold: Nick Evans (1 for 13) .077/.077/.308 with zero home runs, one RBI, one run and zero steals in six games.
Brad Lincoln 0-0 with a 18.00 ERA, one strikeout and 4.00 WHIP in 2 innings over two games.
Minnesota Twins 3-5
Hot: Denard Span (5 for 10) .500/.583/.500 with zero home runs, zero RBI, zero runs and two steals in four games.
Francisco Liriano 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, seven strikeouts and 0.60 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Sean Burroughs (1 for 11) 0.91/.286/.182 with zero home runs, zero RBI, two runs and zero steals in five games.
Jason Marquis 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA, two strikeouts and 2.36 WHIP in 4.2 innings over two games.
Tampa Bay Rays 2-5
Hot: Stephen Vogt (6 for 16) .375/.412/.625 with zero home runs, three RBI, two runs and zero steals in seven games.
Bryan Augenstein 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, five strikeouts and 0.43 WHIP in 4.2 innings over two games.
Cold: Brandon Guyer (1 for 13) .077/.077/.077 with zero home runs, zero RBI, zero runs and one steal in six games.
Jeremy Hellickson 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA, two strikeouts and 1.25 WHIP in 4 innings over two games.
Atlanta Braves 1-7
Hot: Drew Sutton (4 for 10) .400/.500/.600 with zero home runs, zero RBI, one run and zero steals in five games.
Mike Minor 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, three strikeouts and 1.40 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Cold: Freddie Freeman (1 for 11) .091/.167/.091 with zero home runs, zero RBI, zero runs and zero steals in four games.
Julio Teheran 0-1 with a 14.40 ERA, four strikeouts and 2.20 WHIP in 5 innings over two games.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Ball Four Eight Twelve Sixteen
I was checking through the games today and saw that Jacob Turner of the Tigers struggled a bit by allowing four walks in 1.2 innings. Other than that his line wasn't too bad with two hits and no runs allowed. That got me on a search if any one else had allowed four walks yet this spring. I found a handful plus a few that had worse performances.
One also happened today with Sean West of the Marlins allowing four walks over 1.2 innings. He also gave up four hits and three earned runs to leave his ERA at 16.20. On the plus side he had one strikeout to build off of.
The other five pitchers had implosions of grand proportions. The Nationals Tom Gorzelanny on Sunday allowed four walks, three hits and seven earned runs in one inning for a 63.00 ERA. Jason Bulger of the Twins lasted only 0.1 innings Sunday while giving up four walks, two hits and five earned runs for an eye popping 135.00 ERA. Yet that would be matched twice with Jason Rice of the Braves allowing three walks, three hit and five runs in 0.1 innings for a 135.00 ERA Sunday and Adam Miller of the Yankees allowing three walks, two hits and five runs in 0.1 innings for a 135.00 ERA on Monday.
Not to be out done the Cubs' Jeff Beliveau went where math could not follow in Sunday. Beliveau did not record an out while allowing three walks, one hit and four earned runs. Due to the flaw in the ERA calculation it shows he has a 0.00 ERA because the formula requires at least one out. Those numbers will come back to haunt him once he has future outings under his belt.
For now I'll just chalk these up to individual bad outings for these players. It will take a few more appearances to tell whether they are struggling or not. These are all small sample sizes and spring training stats don't carry over into the season. They are all thankful for that.
One also happened today with Sean West of the Marlins allowing four walks over 1.2 innings. He also gave up four hits and three earned runs to leave his ERA at 16.20. On the plus side he had one strikeout to build off of.
The other five pitchers had implosions of grand proportions. The Nationals Tom Gorzelanny on Sunday allowed four walks, three hits and seven earned runs in one inning for a 63.00 ERA. Jason Bulger of the Twins lasted only 0.1 innings Sunday while giving up four walks, two hits and five earned runs for an eye popping 135.00 ERA. Yet that would be matched twice with Jason Rice of the Braves allowing three walks, three hit and five runs in 0.1 innings for a 135.00 ERA Sunday and Adam Miller of the Yankees allowing three walks, two hits and five runs in 0.1 innings for a 135.00 ERA on Monday.
Not to be out done the Cubs' Jeff Beliveau went where math could not follow in Sunday. Beliveau did not record an out while allowing three walks, one hit and four earned runs. Due to the flaw in the ERA calculation it shows he has a 0.00 ERA because the formula requires at least one out. Those numbers will come back to haunt him once he has future outings under his belt.
For now I'll just chalk these up to individual bad outings for these players. It will take a few more appearances to tell whether they are struggling or not. These are all small sample sizes and spring training stats don't carry over into the season. They are all thankful for that.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Carlos Guillen retires
Carlos Guillen announced his retirement from playing baseball in March 2012. Guillen originally signed with the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent in 1992 out of Venezuela. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners in July 1998 and played his first Major League game with the Mariners later that season. He played six seasons with the Mariners at second, third and shortstop before being traded to the Detroit Tigers in January 2004. He played with the Tigers at first, second, third, short stop and outfield over eight seasons. He signed again with the Mariners in February 2012 but retired before the season. For his career he hit .285/.355/.443 with 124 home runs, 660 RBI, 733 runs and 74 steals in 1305 games. He made three All Star teams in 2004, 2007 and 2008.
Monday, March 5, 2012
College Spotlight 030512
Here is my week three installment of College Spotlight for 2012. This week I am looking at Mason Katz of LSU and Brett Mooneyham of Stanford.
Junior First baseman Mason Katz of Louisiana State followed up a strong game against McNeese State with a good series against Dartmouth and had three home runs over a three game stretch. For the season he hit hitting .500/.596/.950 with three home runs, 14 RBI, 18 runs and one steal in 12 games. As a sophomore in 2011 he hit .337/.371/.532 with four home runs, 53 RBI, 40 runs and 6 steals in 51 games. LSU is a traditional baseball power that has gotten off to a good 10-2 start with 11 of 12 games at home to start the season.
Junior LHP Brett Mooneyham of Stanford had an impressive seven innings against Fresno State holding them scoreless while striking out 13 and only allowing two hits and two walks. It was his third stellar outing against a traditional power as he also has victories against Vanderbilt and Texas to run his record to 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA, 28 strikeouts and 0.90 WHIP in 21 innings. He is certainly keeping pace with staff ace Mark Appel and should help top ranked Stanford stay on the fast track to the College World Series.
Junior First baseman Mason Katz of Louisiana State followed up a strong game against McNeese State with a good series against Dartmouth and had three home runs over a three game stretch. For the season he hit hitting .500/.596/.950 with three home runs, 14 RBI, 18 runs and one steal in 12 games. As a sophomore in 2011 he hit .337/.371/.532 with four home runs, 53 RBI, 40 runs and 6 steals in 51 games. LSU is a traditional baseball power that has gotten off to a good 10-2 start with 11 of 12 games at home to start the season.
Junior LHP Brett Mooneyham of Stanford had an impressive seven innings against Fresno State holding them scoreless while striking out 13 and only allowing two hits and two walks. It was his third stellar outing against a traditional power as he also has victories against Vanderbilt and Texas to run his record to 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA, 28 strikeouts and 0.90 WHIP in 21 innings. He is certainly keeping pace with staff ace Mark Appel and should help top ranked Stanford stay on the fast track to the College World Series.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Six off Teheran
They say not to read too much into Spring training games. The hitters are working on getting their batting eye back. The pitchers are working on getting the ball over the plate and getting in a rhythm. In the game today between the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers the Braves Julio Teheran did his part to get the Tigers ready. In two innings of work he gave up six hits with all six being home runs. It shows that he is getting the ball over the plate. But you would think that would affect his confidence some what. It's still the first week of the pre-season and he has a month to make adjustments. At least he has one strikeout to build on.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Two More Wild Cards
Major League Baseball opened up the playoffs to two more teams by adding an additional wild card to each league. It is the first change since the original wild cards were added to the play offs in 1994. The new change would have the two wild card teams play in a single game winner-takes-all to determine who plays the division champion with the best record.
It could be argued that the wild card has been a success since five World Series champions since 1994 were wild cards. The Florida Marlins won twice in 1997 and 2003 while the Anaheim Angels won in 2002, the Boston Red Sox won in 2004 and the St Louis Cardinals won in 2011. Add to that other wild card teams that made it to the World Series in the New York Mets in 2000, the San Francisco Giants in 2002, the Houston Astros in 2005, the Detroit Tigers in 2006 and the Colorado Rockies in 2007.
Make no mistake that the motive behind this is financial. It is likely that the wild card game will be expanded to a series down the road to take advantage of additional television revenue. The issue that makes me cringe about this is the thought of a third place team possibly winning the World Series. To me that cheapens the championship process. While in theory the strongest or teams with better records should come out on top and avoid this the history above shows that a lesser team can make it through. It is just the matter of riding a hot streak and getting some breaks.
Even with the change the MLB playoffs isn't as diluted as the other major sports. With 10 of 30 total teams making the playoffs that means one third of the teams make the post season. The NFL is next with 12 of 32 teams making the playoffs which is 37.5%. The NBA and NHL are equally laughable with 16 of 30 teams making the playoffs which is an outlandish 53%.
While I'm against the change it is here to stay. I only hope it is several years before the first third place team makes it to the World Series let alone win it all. In the mean time may the best team win!!
It could be argued that the wild card has been a success since five World Series champions since 1994 were wild cards. The Florida Marlins won twice in 1997 and 2003 while the Anaheim Angels won in 2002, the Boston Red Sox won in 2004 and the St Louis Cardinals won in 2011. Add to that other wild card teams that made it to the World Series in the New York Mets in 2000, the San Francisco Giants in 2002, the Houston Astros in 2005, the Detroit Tigers in 2006 and the Colorado Rockies in 2007.
Make no mistake that the motive behind this is financial. It is likely that the wild card game will be expanded to a series down the road to take advantage of additional television revenue. The issue that makes me cringe about this is the thought of a third place team possibly winning the World Series. To me that cheapens the championship process. While in theory the strongest or teams with better records should come out on top and avoid this the history above shows that a lesser team can make it through. It is just the matter of riding a hot streak and getting some breaks.
Even with the change the MLB playoffs isn't as diluted as the other major sports. With 10 of 30 total teams making the playoffs that means one third of the teams make the post season. The NFL is next with 12 of 32 teams making the playoffs which is 37.5%. The NBA and NHL are equally laughable with 16 of 30 teams making the playoffs which is an outlandish 53%.
While I'm against the change it is here to stay. I only hope it is several years before the first third place team makes it to the World Series let alone win it all. In the mean time may the best team win!!
Number One to Zero
The tale of a star crashing to Earth is often a sad on. In 1991 the New York Yankees drafted LHP Brien Taylor number one overall out of East Carteret High School in Beaufort, North Carolina. He got off to a very promising start before an off season incident led to an injury that derailed his career. That led his life to spiral out of control and he was arrested this week for selling drugs.
Taylor's career was on the verge of stardom after his 1993 season at Double A while only 21. He was 13-7 with a 3.48 ERA, 150 strikeouts and 1.40 WHIP in 163 innings over 27 games. He was on track to join a Yankees staff that truly needed him after earning the spot to draft Taylor first with a 67-95 record in 1990 and followed that with 71-91 and 76-86. The Yankees did start to right things with off season transactions for Paul O'Neill, Wade Boggs and Jimmy Key that helped them improve to 88-74 in 1993.
Then came that fateful day on December 18, 1993. Taylor's brother Brenden had been injured in a fight so Brien and his cousin went to confront him at his home. In a fight there Taylor ended up with a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum. He had surgery on the shoulder and missed the 1994 season.
He returned in 1995 to pitch Rookie ball but he wasn't the same pitcher and struggled through the three following seasons at Class A before being released by the Yankees after the 1998 season. He tried a comeback with the Cleveland Indians in 2000 but only lasted five games at Class A.
His name stayed out of the headlines for years until this week when he was arrested for cocaine trafficking. It is reported that multiple narcotics agents purchased large amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine over several months in his hometown of Beaufort. A lengthy prison sentence is likely and hopefully this is the low point for him.
Taylor's career was on the verge of stardom after his 1993 season at Double A while only 21. He was 13-7 with a 3.48 ERA, 150 strikeouts and 1.40 WHIP in 163 innings over 27 games. He was on track to join a Yankees staff that truly needed him after earning the spot to draft Taylor first with a 67-95 record in 1990 and followed that with 71-91 and 76-86. The Yankees did start to right things with off season transactions for Paul O'Neill, Wade Boggs and Jimmy Key that helped them improve to 88-74 in 1993.
Then came that fateful day on December 18, 1993. Taylor's brother Brenden had been injured in a fight so Brien and his cousin went to confront him at his home. In a fight there Taylor ended up with a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum. He had surgery on the shoulder and missed the 1994 season.
He returned in 1995 to pitch Rookie ball but he wasn't the same pitcher and struggled through the three following seasons at Class A before being released by the Yankees after the 1998 season. He tried a comeback with the Cleveland Indians in 2000 but only lasted five games at Class A.
His name stayed out of the headlines for years until this week when he was arrested for cocaine trafficking. It is reported that multiple narcotics agents purchased large amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine over several months in his hometown of Beaufort. A lengthy prison sentence is likely and hopefully this is the low point for him.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Jason Varitek retires
Jason Varitek announced his retirement from playing baseball in March 2012. He holds a unique place in baseball lore due to the accomplishments teams he played on at every level. In 1984 his little league team from Altamonte Springs, Florida played in the Little League World Series championship game losing to South Korea. In 1990 Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs won the state championship his senior year. In 1994 while playing for Georgia Tech his team played in the College World Series Championship game losing to Oklahoma. He played on two World Series championship teams with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and 2007. That allowed Varitek to join Ed Vosberg as the only two players to ever play in the Little League World Series championship game, the College World Series Championship game and the Major League World Series. Add to that Varitek played baseball for the U.S Olympic team in 1992 which finished fourth and played in the World Baseball Classic in 2006.
Varitek was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners with the 14th pick of the first round in 1994. He was traded to the Red Sox in July 1997 and played his first Major League game later that season. The catcher played his entire 15 season MLB career with the Red Sox and served as team captain from 2005 to 2011. For his career he hit .256/.341/.435 with 193 home runs, 757 RBI, 664 runs and 25 steals in 1546 games. He threw out 23% of the runners that attempted to steal. He played on three All Star teams in 2003, 2005 and 2008. Varitek is the only catcher in MLB history to catch four no hitters.
Varitek was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners with the 14th pick of the first round in 1994. He was traded to the Red Sox in July 1997 and played his first Major League game later that season. The catcher played his entire 15 season MLB career with the Red Sox and served as team captain from 2005 to 2011. For his career he hit .256/.341/.435 with 193 home runs, 757 RBI, 664 runs and 25 steals in 1546 games. He threw out 23% of the runners that attempted to steal. He played on three All Star teams in 2003, 2005 and 2008. Varitek is the only catcher in MLB history to catch four no hitters.
Burnett injury
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett has a right eye orbital fracture and is scheduled to have surgery on Friday in Pittsburgh. When I first heard reports yesterday that Burnett was hit in the eye by a batted ball I figured it happened during batting practice with a teammate hitting. It turns out that Burnett was participating in the team's bunting tournament when he fouled a ball from a pitching machine into his own face.
I'm sure Burnett was trying to get used to hitting again after just a handful or 25 plate appearances across six years worth of inter league games. He was last in the National League in 2005 but managed to get an occasional hit in seven seasons with the Marlins including three home runs. But the bunting drill he was injured on would help him sacrifice when necessary. In his last two seasons with the Marlins he managed eight sacrifice hits in 2004 and nine in 2005.
Injuries are part of the game. There is currently no word on how long he will be on the DL after the surgery. Yet when he does make it back there likely will be some clubhouse jokes about keeping his eye on the ball. I wish him a speedy recovery.
I'm sure Burnett was trying to get used to hitting again after just a handful or 25 plate appearances across six years worth of inter league games. He was last in the National League in 2005 but managed to get an occasional hit in seven seasons with the Marlins including three home runs. But the bunting drill he was injured on would help him sacrifice when necessary. In his last two seasons with the Marlins he managed eight sacrifice hits in 2004 and nine in 2005.
Injuries are part of the game. There is currently no word on how long he will be on the DL after the surgery. Yet when he does make it back there likely will be some clubhouse jokes about keeping his eye on the ball. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)