Our featured bloggers that provided us with the in depth Report Card series that has just concluded are back to give everyone an in depth look at what the off season holds for the major league teams they cover.  A look at what each team needs, what each team has already gained and lost, and some of the youth in each team’s system will be examined in these articles.  You can find all of the author’s information at the bottom of the article.

The Diamondbacks should have a quiet off-season – not because they’re hamstrung by bad contracts, ownership changes or small-market dollars, but because they’ve done a good job locking up players and shopping the value section of the free-agent marketplace. They’d love a starting pitcher, some more offense at third base, and possibly a more offensively consistent CF, but if they can’t find it those a reasonable price, they’ve got some decent in-house options with which to try and repeat as NL West champions.

Key Free Agents Leaving The Team
The Diamondbacks rid themselves of most of their free agents long before the 2011 season ended, jettisoning 1B Russell Branyan, RHP Aaron Heilman and 3B Melvin Mora. OF/1B Xavier Nady ended the year on the DL and is unlikely to return. Frequent pinch-hitter Sean Burroughs could leave if another team thinks they could make more use of him, as could Lyle Overbay, who played just 18 games after being released by the Pirates.

Key Areas Needing Improvement
The tattooed Ryan Roberts appears to be the starter at 3B, but his offensive numbers leave a bit to be desired. There’s no questioning his work ethic and energy, but should a better bat come along, the D-backs would be foolish not to consider it.

Likewise, CF Chris Young is under contract through 2013 with a club option in 2014, but given his off-and-on performance, there has to be some speculation how long his offensive inconsistencies will be tolerated, despite being an above average defender.

Pieces That Are In Place
The majority of Arizona’s roster seems set for 2012: RF Justin Upton is locked up through 2015, and could prove to be one of the best bargains in baseball. He’s signed for just under $7MM in 2012, with his salary maxed out at $14.7MM in 2015. LF Gerardo Parra will be around league minimum as he isn’t arbitration eligible until 2013, and could evolve into a solid player when he puts all his tools together. CF Chris Young will also be back, unless the concerns mentioned earlier result in a new player coming in.

Likewise, the majority of the infield from 2011 will return: SS Stephen Drew is locked up at $7.75MM, though he’ll be coming back from surgery on both a broken ankle and a sports hernia. 1B Paul Goldschmidt and 3B Ryan Roberts will be back, while the club resigned UT Willie Bloomquist, 2B Aaron Hill and SS John McDonald.

The starting rotation will have RHPs Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson and Josh Collmenter back for near league minimum, and could end up delivering some of the best bang for the buck. Wade Miley is also under team control, and after seven decent starts in 2011, could be the 5^th starter. Several in-house prospects could also make a case for a starting gig: the potential battle between Jarrod Parker, Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs and Patrick Corbin should make spring training very interesting.

The bullpen has closer J.J. Putz in the second year of his two-year deal, earning $4.5MM with a club option for 2013 or a $1.5MM buyout. Setup man RHP David Hernandez and LHP Joe Paterson are under team control, while Juan Gutierrez missed most of 2011 with a right shoulder injury but could become the 7^th inning guy the D-backs need. RHP Brad Ziegler should also be back, though he struggled at times to be the effective reliever the D-backs expected when they traded for him in 2011. RHP Micah Owings could be the long-man out of the bullpen, as well as a spot starter and pinch-hitter. RHP Sam Demel is questionable after a rough 2011, but will be in the mix. A number of pitchers that split time between Triple-A Reno and Phoenix could make the roster, including Ryan Cook, Bryan Shaw and Zack Kroenke, Each has shown some potential, but if and how they fit into the bullpen will be determined during spring training.

The catchers are also set, with Miguel Montero eligible for arbitration. He wants a long-term deal and the D-backs would like to keep him around, thought there’s been disagreement on terms. Backup Henry Blanco signed a one-year deal for $1.2MM, while Konrad Schmidt waits behind them at Triple-A.

Possible Trade Pieces Within The Organization
LHP Joe Saunders is up for arbitration, and the D-backs are in a dilemma with him – while he’d be welcomed back at a reasonable salary, an arbitration decision could turn him into an overpaid pitcher. The D-backs will likely need a starter; the question is whether they can find a better deal than Saunders on the open market or in-house.

3B/1B Geoff Blum has a $1.35MM deal for 2012, though after an injury-plagued 2011 his outlook is questionable.

The minor league outfielders may have the hardest time cracking the big leagues, given the defensive prowess and youth of Upton, Young and Parra, plus the versatility of Roberts and Bloomquist to backup those spots. If a deal needed to be made, Collin Cowgill, Cole Gillespie and David Winfree could certainly be included without straining the organization.

Any Moves Already Completed
The Diamondbacks inked SS John McDonald to a two-year, $3MM deal on Nov. 2, then utility man Willie Bloomquist accepted his invitation to return the team after some communication problems seemed to indicate he wouldn’t be back. Henry Blanco signed a one-year deal two days after electing free agency, while 2B Aaron Hill cashed in on a offensive resurgence after being traded to Arizona in August, agreeing to a two-year, $11MM deal.

One young player in the minors to see time in 2012.
Jarrod Parker would be the most likely player to see a fair amount of time in a D-backs uniform in 2012. The 23-year-old got one start on Sept. 27 against the Dodgers as a taste of the big leagues to keep him motivated in the off-season. He made a steady progression through the minors, posting an 11-8 mark with a 3.79 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Mobile in 2011, offering a four-pitch mix of low 90s fastballs, curves and sliders around 80 mph and a slow curve that will hover around 70 mph. He’ll have competition from several other minor league pitchers as the D-backs have stocked up on starting pitching, so don’t be surprised to see several fresh faces on the mound in 2012.

Patrick Lagreid
BaseballOnMyBrain.com
@PatLagreid

These report cards were written by twenty nine talented individuals across the internet that keep a close eye on the team they cover.  It was the first of our “Featured Blogger” series.  The second part, an Off-Season Outlook, will be brought to you the remainder of this week.  The same writers will return in the Spring to provide a 2012 Season Preview about the teams.

This year’s Featured Bloggers are listed below along with their website and the link to their Report Card:

American League East
Baltimore Orioles - Austin Gisriel, Seamheads
Boston Red Sox – Michael Lynch, Seamheads
New York Yankees – William Tasker, The Flagrant Fan
Tampa Bay Rays – Yossi Feins, The Rays Rant
Toronto Blue Jays – Peter DeMarco, Some Thoughts On Baseball

American League Central
Chicago White Sox – Terry Keshner, Planet Back
Cleveland Indians – David Henderson, Tribe Cards
Detroit Tigers – Nick Waddell, Seamheads
Kansas City Royals – Todd Fertig, I-70 Baseball
Minnesota Twins – Von Hendry, Seamheads

American League West
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – Bryan Grosnick, Roto Hardball
Oakland As – Jason Leary, Junk Ball
Seattle Mariners – Nick Waddell, Seamheads
Texas Rangers – Dan Edmonson, Chicken Fried Baseball

National League East
Atlanta Braves – Andrew Martin, Baseball Historian
Florida Marlins – Eddie Gilley, Eddie Gilley Blogspot
New York Mets – AC Wayne, Mets Public Record
Philadelphia Phillies – Matthew Buesing, Fire And Ice Sports
Washington Nationals – Aaron Somers , District On Deck

National League Central
Chicago Cubs – Robert Harris, Blue Batting Helmet
Cincinnati Reds – Gary Schatz, Full Of Schatz
Houston Astros – Michael Barr, Fan Graphs
Milwaukee Brewers – Paul Heinz, Paul Heinz.com
Pittsburgh Pirates – Ryan Sendek, Analysis Around The Horn
St. Louis Cardinals – Daniel Shoptaw , C70 At The Bat

National League West
Arizona Diamondbacks – Patrick Lagreid, Baseball On My Brain
Colorado Rockies – Michelle Hoag, Rockies Woman
Los Angeles Dodgers – Paul F Sullivan, Sully Baseball
San Diego Padres – Michael Metzger, Padres Trail
San Francisco Giants – Julian Levine, Giants Nirvana

Bill Ivie is the Assignment Editor for BaseballDigest.com and the founder of i70baseball.com, an official Baseball Digest website covering the Cardinals and Royals.

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BaseballDigest.com aims to keep up that tradition.  This season, we bring you a Report Card on each team in Major League Baseball from writers that cover that team directly.  At the bottom of each write up, you will find the writer’s name, website, and any other pertinent information.  

For a team predicted to finish dead last in the NL West, 2011 was a season of outperforming expectations for the Diamondbacks. They outperformed their Pythagorean expected record (94-68 actual, 88-74 expected) all the way to an NL West championship, before losing in five games to the Brewers in the NLDS. Shedding two strikeout prone corner infielders, upgrading the bullpen, bringing in a new general manager and giving Kirk Gibson the managerial reins paid dividends for the club, who improved from 65 wins in 2010 to 94 wins in 2011, the best improvement in the Majors this season.

Rotation: B
Ian Kennedy pitched himself into the Cy Young Award discussion with an NL-leading 21 wins and 2.88 ERA while matching Daniel Hudson with 222 IP. His 16-12 record gave the rotation its only other winning record. Joe Saunders was frustrating at home but impressive on the road, with his opposing OPS 100 points higher at Chase Field. Rookie Josh Collmenter and his “Iron Mike” delivery produced a .260 BABIP, 10-10 record and 3.38 ERA. Armando Gallaraga and Barry Enright started in the rotation before being sent to Triple-A in May. Zach Duke didn’t debut until the end of May due to injury and struggled before being moved to the bullpen. Trade acquisition Jason Marquis managed three weak starts before a fractured right fibula shut him down. Wade Miley made eight decent starts in August and September, while highly touted prospect Jarrod Parker got one start near the end of the season.

Bullpen: B+
The biggest improvement for the D-backs from 2010, the bullpen benefitted from new closer J.J. Putz who recorded 45 saves – 10 more than the 35 saves the 2010 club collected in total. David Hernandez (acquired via the Mark Reynolds trade from the Orioles) provided an impressive 8^th inning solution and led the team with 74 appearances, while rookie lefty Joe Paterson saw frequent situational work. Micah Owings was given a chance in the rotation, but four starts proved he belonged in the bullpen. The bullpen saw several players come and go, with Aaron Heilman, Juan Gutierrez and Sam Demel all starting the year with the club before being replaced by Brad Ziegler, Bryan Shaw and Alberto Castillo.

BD Report Cards brought to you by Seamheads

Catchers: A-
Miguel Montero posted his 3^rd straight season of an OPS+ over 100, notching a career high 121 mark thanks to career bests of 139 hits, 36 doubles and 18 home runs. He allowed eight passed balls (T-3 MLB), although he had the third fewest wild pitches in MLB with 30. He threw out 32 of 80 base stealers for an NL-leading 40% mark, benefitting from the pitching staff doing a much better job holding runners close to the bag. Backup Henry Blanco made 31 starts, recording a 46% caught stealing percentage, while posting a .250/.330/.540 offensive line, belting eight homeruns in 112 PAs, and 12 of his 25 hits going for extra bases. Collectively the D-backs’ catchers had an NL best 5.4 WAR that trailed only the Rangers at 6.7.

Infield: B-
The D-backs saw the most change in 2011 in the infield – they started with new players at 1B and 3B, and had an almost entirely new infield by August than they started the year with. First base started with a rotation of Juan Miranda, Xavier Nady and Russell Branyan before rookie Paul Goldschmidt debuted on August 1 and hit .250/.333/.474 in 177 PAs with eight home runs, nine doubles and a triple. Kelly Johnson started at 2B before being traded to Toronto on Aug. 23 for Aaron Hill and John McDonald, with the former enjoying an offensive resurgence in the desert and the latter sharing time at SS with Willie Bloomquist, due in part to the broken ankle Stephen Drew sustained on July 20 that limited him to 86 games. Third base was expected to be a platoon of Melvin Mora and Geoff Blum, but injuries to both gave Ryan Roberts the starting job and he responded with a .768 OPS and several game-winning hits.

Outfield: B+
By UZR, the Diamondbacks ranked second in MLB with a 31.1 score, behind only the Yankees at 32.3. While the outfield’s collective arm strength rated below average, their range was by far the best in the big leagues, led by CF Chris Young and LF Gerardo Parra, who flashed a strong arm that recorded a team-best 12 assists. The trio of Young, Parra and RF Justin Upton made the bulk of starts for the D-backs, with backups Willie Bloomquist, Collin Cowgill, Ryan Roberts and Xavier Nady were being utilized more in the infield. Offensively, the 24-year-old Parra had his best year hitting primarily out of the eighth spot, while Upton put up numbers that had him being mentioned as worthy of MVP votes. Young was hampered by a .275 BABIP and an MLB-leading 26% infield fly ratio, both of which dropped his OPS down 42 points from last year and had people wondering if he’ll develop into a consistently productive hitter.

Top Offensive Player
Justin Upton had the season many had been waiting for him to have; the 23-year-old posted a .289/.369/.529 offensive line with a personal best and team-leading 31 HRs and 88 RBIs. He also had his lowest strikeout total in the past three seasons. He led the NL with 19 HBP and swiped 21 bags in 30 tries, and led the club with 39 doubles and 105 runs scored.

Top Pitcher
Ian Kennedy impressed in both traditional (21-4, 2.88, 222 IP) and advanced stats, finishing 4^th in Pitcher WAR in the NL (5.5), 6^th in the NL in WHIP (1.086), 4^th in the NL in WPA (4.3) and 5^th in the NL in ERA+ (137). His fastball was by far his best pitch, with an MLB-best 28.7 wFB and 1.32 wFB/C.

Patrick Lagreid
BaseballOnMyBrain.com
@PatLagreid

Epstein fired manager Mike Quade on Wednesday after just a little over one season in Chicago. The Sun-Times has the story.

Dodgers fans are ecstatic that the McCourts are selling. The LA Times has the full story.

Is there anything that unites our country’s deep political divides more than post-season baseball? The traditional, and ceremonial bunting of red, white and blue stripes that adorn the ballparks of the teams participating in the playoffs serves as a symbolic reminder of our common goals, interests and passion for the game of baseball.

With the arrival of Major League Baseball’s post season, it means that October is here and the imaginative uncertainty of what these games have in store, has fans giddy in anxious anticipation of untold heroics. The saying, turned, cliche, “You can’t script October”, is true but there are certainly things you can expect, such as the certainty that a new set of elite players will have their names forever etched in the history books.

The post-season has been host to some truly memorable events, from Bobby Thompson’s “shot heard round the world” to Reggie Jackson’s 3 consecutive home runs, moments like these are forever immortalized in time. And with the recent remembrance of the 10-year anniversary of the tragedy of 9-11, who can forget former President George W. Bush, throwing out the first pitch of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium? As he took the mound and threw a picture perfect strike that galvanized a packed stadium to a standing ovation, reminded all of us that in the lights of the post season, we aren’t Republican or Democrat, but baseball fans and Americans first and foremost. The iconic images of our country’s leader walking into, what at the time, we all viewed as harms way, was captured atop a cardboard canvas by baseball card manufacturer Topps. Over the summer, the New York based card manufacturer paid tribute to this indelible memory in card #147 of their Allen and Ginter Set. It was easily one of the most poignant baseball cards produced by any company in recent memory. No where was this more evident then the secondary baseball card market. A shortprinted autograph variation of Bush’s 2011 Topps Allen and Ginter card sold on eBay for a whopping $1,393.88.

So, is there really anything more American than baseball? Family, God, love of country and apple pie are all worthy contenders but when it comes to making memories and uniting a country, nothing can compete with the boys of summer playing under the bright lights and the grand stage of the post-season. So let the kids stay up late, pop some popcorn and set the DVR, because unforgettable moments await as we countdown the hours to game time of the 2011 MLB Playoffs.

By Rob Bertrand

On the mound for Milwaukee, first-year Brewers Shawn Marcum may not be a rookie like his Game 3 counterpart Josh Collmenter, but he is pitching in the postseason for the first time.

No problem, says rookie manager Ron Roenicke.

“This is a guy that can stop a big-time offense,” Roenicke said. “He certainly did it a lot of times in the American League East. Those lineups there, with Boston and New York, you don’t get any better than that. I have a lot of confidence in what he does.”

Meantime, the Diamondbacks are doing little to prove they can turn things around in this series, having struck out 23 times in two games.

But some in Arizona, like Dan Bickley of the Arizona Reblic, can’t wait to start blaming it all on the manager:

In a Game 1 loss, he left Ian Kennedy in too long, leaving the decision in his pitcher’s hands. In Game 2, he took out Daniel Hudson too soon, just two batters after taking a chainsaw through the heart of Milwaukee’s lineup. ,,,

Gibson waited too long to remove imploding reliever Brad Ziegler. He waited too long to issue the first intentional walk of the series. Some think he waited too long to put Paul Goldschmidt in the lineup. And the desire to challenge Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun isn’t working out so well, is it?

In any event, it’s do or die for the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Though Cabrera and Fielder, who both had home runs to help their teams to victories, were heroes for their teams, it was Tampa Bay’s Shoppach who overshadowed them all, blasting two over the fence in a 3-hit, 5-RBI performance in Tampa’s game one victory. His Rays teammate Damon also slugged a home run and drove in three runs in the win. Other Franklin stars making significant early contributions include Berkman (game one, 3-run homer) and Theriot (critical game two double, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI) of St. Louis, Ordonez (game two, three hits) and Cabrera (game 2, two-run home run) of Detroit and Moreland (game two, huge eight-inning home run) of Texas.

American Leaguers playing in the first round include: Cabrera (.344 avg., 30 home runs, 105 RBI), Brandon Inge (.197, 3, 23), Ordonez (.255, 5, 32), Jhonny Peralta (.299, 21. 86), Ryan Raburn (.256, 14, 49), Donny Kelly (.245, 7, 28), Omir Santos (.227, 0, 0) and Wilson Betemit (.285, 8, 46) of Detroit; Hamilton (.298, 25, 94), Moreland (.259, 16, 51), David Murphy (.275, 11, 46), Matt Treanor (.214, 3, 22), Esteban German (.455, 1, 4) and Endy Chavez (.301, 5, 27) of Texas; Damon (.261, 16, 73), B.J. Upton (.243, 23, 81), Shoppach (.176, 11, 22) and Elliott Johnson (.194, 4, 17) of Tampa Bay.

The Senior Circuit of Franklin players includes: Carlos Ruiz (.283, 6, 40), Chase Utley (.259, 11, 44) and Ross Gload (.257, 0, 8 ) of Philadelphia; Fielder (.299, 38, 120), Casey McGehee (.223, 13, 67), Josh Wilson (.227, 2, 4) and Rickie Weeks (.269, 20, 49) of Milwaukee; Aaron Hill (.246, 8, 61), Justin Upton (.289, 31, 88), Paul Goldschmidt (.250, 8, 26), Willie Bloomquist (.266, 4, 26), Geoff Blum (.224, 2, 10), Lyle Overbay (.234, 9, 37) and Ryan Roberts (.249, 19, 65) of Arizona; Berkman (.301, 31, 94), Skip Schumaker (.283, 2, 38), Daniel Descalso (.264, 1, 28), Theriot (.271, 1, 47), Tony Cruz (.262, 0, 6) and Yadier Molina (.305, 14, 65) of St. Louis.

It’s even more familiar for the Game 2 starter, Zach Greinke, weho is 11-0 with a 3.13 ERA in 15 starts at Miller Park this year, and Milwaukee is 15-0 in those games.

From Stats Inc.:

Greinke (16-6, 3.83 ERA) allowed two runs and threw 74 pitches in six innings of a 7-3 win at Pittsburgh on Wednesday, helping Milwaukee secure homefield advantage in its NLDS. The right-hander was kept on a limited pitch count with the intent of him throwing at home in Game 2 on short rest, ideally with a chance to take a huge advantage in the series.

Making his first playoff appearance after enjoying only individual success during seven seasons with Kansas City, the former AL Cy Young award could not be more excited about the opportunity regardless of how rested he is.

“Plenty comfortable,” Greinke said. “I didn’t throw that many pitches last time because we planned on it possibly happening. “It’s still just getting ready for a game and just try to make your pitches and things should work good if you just do that.”

For the Diamondbacks, Game 2 represents a likely last chance to win this series.  

Arizona manager Kirk Gibson also has faith his club can bounce back.

“We’ve got a good guy (Daniel Hudson) pitching, and we’ve been down before and we’ve been resilient,” he said. “We’ll come back with a good attitude and believe we can win (Sunday).”

Ryan Roberts(notes) homered in the eighth inning of Game 1 and Willie Bloomquist(notes) had two of the four hits for the Diamondbacks, who are making their first postseason appearance since 2007, when they defeated the Chicago Cubs in a division series but got swept by Colorado in the NL championship series.

All-Stars Upton and Montero went a combined 1 for 8 on Saturday, but are a combined 7 for 13 off Greinke with the two homers and two doubles.

The Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander was the most dominant pitcher in the game en route to 24 wins. Jose Bautista didn’t match his 54 home runs of a year ago, but had another 40+ home run season. Lance Berkman looked like his career was done in 2010, but he hit 30 home runs this season and is an NL MVP candidate. Jacoby Ellsbury was the king of the AL DL a year ago, but this season was a candidate for both the comeback player of the year and AL MVP awards.

Curtis Granderson had a bust out season, topping 40 home runs for the first time in his career. Teammate Derek Jeter picked up his 3,000th hit, while another, Mariano Rivera, broke the all-time record for career saves. Across town, Jose Reyes won his first batting title in what might be his last year as a Met.  Albert Pujols had an “off” year and still hit 35 dingers and Matt Kemp met and exceeded all expectations.  With all of that in mind, the finalists for the individual awards in each league should look something like this…

AL MVP – Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano (NY), Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS), Jose Bautista (TOR), Justin Verlander (DET)

AL Cy Young – Justin Verlander (Det)

AL Rookie of the Year – Jeremy Hellickson (TB), Ivan Nova (NY), Eric Hosmer (KC), Mark Trumbo (LA), J.P. Arencibia (TOR)

AL Manager of the Year – Manny Acta (CLE), Jim Leyland (DET), Ron Washington (TEX), Joe Girardi (NY)

AL Comeback Player of the Year – Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS), Melky Cabrera (KC)

NL MVP – Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder (MIL), Matt Kemp (LA), Lance Berkman (STL), Justin Upton (AZ)

NL Cy Young – Ian Kennedy (AZ), Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee (PHI), Clayton Kershaw (LA)

NL Manager of the Year – Kirk Gibson (AZ), Ron Roenicke (MIL), Clint Hurdle (PIT), Charlie Manuel (PHI)

NL Rookie of the Year – Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel (ATL), Danny Espinosa (WAS), Javy Guerra (LA)

NL Comeback Player of the Year – Carlos Beltran (NY,SF), Lance Berkman (STL)

But baseball isn’t about the individual, it’s about the teams.

Early on the Indians, Royals, and Pirates played beyond expectation. In fact the Indians held first place in the AL Central for 85 days. The three teams would eventually fade, but the Arizona Diamondbacks did just the opposite. They were six games under .500 in mid-May, but played at a torrid pace the rest of the season to win the division title. Meanwhile Boston and Atlanta entered the final month of the season as virtual locks to make the post-season only to be eliminated on the final night of the season.

The LA Dodgers and the Mets had ownership and money issues, the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds were huge disappointments, and the Baltimore Orioles, despite much promise, finished last in the AL East for the fourth straight year. In the end the Yankees, Tigers, Rangers, Phillies, Brewers, and Diamondbacks captured their divisions while the Rays and Cardinals entered the playoffs as wild card entries.

What’s that? How did the Baseball Digest team do at predicting the post-season teams? Let’s take a look.

Well it appears, ahem, one person knew what they were talking about with the AL East. Yes, that would be me. Michael Maher, likewise, was the only one of our bunch who had the insight to pick the Tigers in the AL Central. He was also the only one to pick the Rays to win the AL wild card. Four out of seven dentist, er writers, chose the Rangers correctly in the AL West, while none of us had the Diamondbacks sniffing a title in the NL West.

Bill Ivie stuck his neck out picking the Braves to win the NL East, while everyone else selected the Phillies. Needless to say, his neck hurts. Bill’s beloved Cardinals didn’t win the NL Central as he had selected, but he was brought joy on the night of Game 162 when they made the post-season. Meanwhile Simon Sharkey-Gottlieb, Kirk Verner, and Matt Wilson all correctly chose the Brewers for the Central crown, but just like the NL West, no one got the NL wild card correct either. So the finally tally of correct predictions..drum roll please…four writers with 3 right each. Meanwhile Josh Landsburg, Mark Healey, and Bill Ivie…um, better luck next year. (In fairness, Bill did get 2 playoff teams correct, just in the wrong spots)

Michael Maher 3
Drew Sarver 3
Simon Sharkey-Gottlieb 3
Matt Wilson 3
Shai Kushner 2
Kirk Verner 2
Josh Landsburg 1
Mark Healey 1
Bill Ivie 0

Please check back after the league championship series for updated standings, and be sure to bookmark Baseball Digest to view all of our post-season coverage.

Drew Sarver is a senior writer  for BaseballDigest.com.  You can also read his work at his blog, My Pinstripes. He can be contacted at mypinstripes@gmail.com and can be followed on Twitter at @BD_Sarver and @MyPinstripes.

“When I look at it you can’t script it,” said Gibson, whose team will open the National League Divisional Series at Miller Park on Saturday.

“We had the Navy Seals come in during spring training and they gave us a presentation showing us a lot of the things they do and we were like ‘wow how to you do it’ they said you just deal with it so whatever comes your way you just have to understand it.”

Every GM in baseball whose team failed to make the playoffs is hearing how the Diamondbacks, after back-to-back 90-loss seasons, turned things around in a hurry, so why can’t they do the same? Well, first of all it’s not that easy. It helps to have developed some of the best young talent in the game.

From the Associated Press:

The Diamondbacks’ biggest star is Justin Upton — and even he feels as if he and his teammates get lost in the shuffle.
“We’re just a bunch of guys nobody ever heard about,” Upton said. “In Arizona, still, nobody’s heard about us.”

Upton is just one of the D’Backs young talents, as are Game 1 starter Ian Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA), and All-Star catcher Miguel Montero.

ESPN’s Sweei Spot conributor Tyler Emerick thinks that Arizona might use that general public’s lack of respect might play a role in this series.

Nobody thinks they can: Out of the eight teams in the MLB playoffs, the D-backs are the biggest surprise. The Rays are a close second, just because they are in the AL East but no one saw Arizona coming. It’s been a magical season in the desert and every time the odds are stacked up against the team, they always seem to find a way to win. This club is set up for the future, but with the way 2011 has played out so far, making a run in the playoffs doesn’t seem so far-fetched with this balanced squad.

To make that run, the D’Backs will have to find a way to get past what some think is the most exciting team in baseball.

The rotation: Yovani Gallardo, Zach Greinke and Shawn Marcum, Francisco Rodriguez and John Axford in the bullpen, and a lineup boasting two potential MVP candidates in Ryan Braun and and the soon-to-be ex-Brewer, Prince Fielder.

“They’ve had great years,” Gibson said. “I’ve known Fielder since he was a very young kid when I played for the Tigers with his father. He used to come in and hit balls in the upper deck. I have a ton of respect for this team, their manager and what they’ve done.”

This should prove to be an exciting series, and will display some of the best young talent in the game.

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/09/30/nlds-preview-diamondbacks-at-brewers/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/09/30/postseason-2011/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/09/30/postseason-2011/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:45:41 +0000 Bill Ivie http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=10455 The crisp autumn air cuts through you like a knife when the wind blows.  There are parades, street fairs, carnivals and harvest festivals around the country.  Leaves are changing colors and falling, children pick out their costumes for halloween and retail stores have open aisles for the Christmas shopping season.

After a long, tumultuous and truly memorable season, baseball has reached the playoffs.  The dust has settled and 162 games are in the books, with no need for a 163rd game in either league, and there are eight teams left standing.  After one of the most entertaining days in the history of the game, the smoke cleared and fans and players alike were given a day to catch their breath before the curtain was once again raised and the spotlight was turned back on.

Grounds crews in New York will hang bunting and prepare the ballpark to see the historic franchise from the Bronx take on another hallowed franchise in the Detroit Tigers.  The series will light up the sky like the fourth of July as CC Sabathia and Justin Verlander square off in a game that is already being considered a classic before the first pitch is thrown.

Kate over at Lady Loves Pinstripes takes an in depth look at Game One in New York and how the entire series may hang in the balance of the outcome of this epic pitching battle.  You can read her thoughts by clicking here.

The senior circuit will see it’s most successful franchise, the St. Louis Cardinals, pull into Philadelphia to see if they can overcome the odds and somehow win three games against the most stacked pitching rotation in all of baseball.  A monumental collapse by the Atlanta Braves has breathed life back into the Redbirds’ franchise and have them riding high into Philly to open the playoffs on October 1.

It was a historic end to the season in both leagues as well as in St. Louis specifically.  Bob Netherton’s blog, On The Outside Corner takes an historic and in depth look at how the 162nd games broke down and a look at the past for the Cardinals.  Give it a read by clicking here.

Both American League series will see their first pitch before the calendar turns on September 30.  It will be the beautiful Ballpark In Arlington that will play host to the Rangers and the surging Tampa Bay Rays.  Tampa rode a solid September and an epic Boston Red Sox collapse to the playoffs and will hope they can continue the momentum against a Texas team that some think will end up representing the American League when the dust settles and the World Series begins.

Chicken Fried Baseball takes a look at the Rangers’ choice for a game one starter.  Click here to give it a read.

Before the Cardinals and Phillies can get their first pitch in, the surprisingly dominant Milwaukee Brewers will play host to the young Arizona Diamondbacks inside of Miller Park.  The Brewers seem to be in a win-now mode of operation and have strong pieces in place as October baseball arrives.  Meanwhile, it is never easy to predict what a young team is capable of in a short series and the Diamondbacks are looking to wear a glass slipper when this one is over with.

Nick over at Brewers Bar takes a look ahead at the various possibilities facing the boys from Milwaukee in the next few weeks.  Drop by by clicking here.

Keep your browsers pointed to BaseballDigest.com as our team of writers brings you a look at each series and helps you round up some of the top stories on each game the following day.

Title photo courtesy of Erika Lynn.

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/09/30/postseason-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/09/08/minor-league-baseball-awards-2011-pitcher-hitter-team-blogger-player-twitter-account-and-more/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/09/08/minor-league-baseball-awards-2011-pitcher-hitter-team-blogger-player-twitter-account-and-more/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:11:44 +0000 Jessica Quiroli http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=10259 Minor League Awards 2011

Most Impressive Team - Omaha Storm Chasers  No longer the Omaha Royals, the 2011 innaugual season of the Storm Chasers is a good ‘ol baseball story. Affiliated with the Royals since it’s inception in 1969, the newly named Pacific Coast League team begins a new era on the right foot as they head back to the playoffs after a twelve year absence. While the development of players is the point of it all, there was one really good reason why the Chasers success would be a sweet victory. 2011 marked Mike Jirschele’s 8th season as the Triple-A club’s manager and his 12th in the Royals system. They had never finished higher than third in his entire tenure, including last season, and when he arrived in 2003 they finished in 11th place with. The fact that the team had not been to the playoffs since 1999, gave young players a little something more to play for. With players like Mike Moustakas, Mike Montgomery, and Eric Hosmer on their roster at some point during the season, fans had many great reasons to support the team.

Most Impressive Manager - Andy Haines, Greensboro Grasshoppers – It was down to the wire for the Grasshoppers. They defeated the Kannapolis Indians in extra innings to become second-half champs of the Northern Division. Haine’s knows he has to help the development of players at a low-level. Excellence is not easily achieved. But the Grasshoppers finished with a 79-60 overall record and spent May and June notching victories. They have been a consistent team with excellent offense. Starting pitchers like James Leverton came through in the final stretch . It is not easy to manage at that level. But Haines understands the job and that’s the key. Now after a twelve-year absence, the Grasshoppers are playoffs bound.

Most Impressive Hitter – Paul Goldschmidt, Mobile BayBears, Southern League, Arizona Diamondbacks – Goldschmidt is exactly what the Diamondbacks need. The first-baseman is providing excitement Arizona baseball fans are lacking. Before his call-up, he was putting together a tremendous season for the Double-A BayBears. He led the minors with 30 home runs and 94 RBI. The twenty-three-year-old also worked an astounding 82 walks. His .626 SLG percentage is the league’s best to end the season.

Most Impressive Starting Pitcher -Matt Moore, Durham Bulls, International League, Tampa Rays – Strikeouts. That is the first word you likely think of when reflecting on Moore’s 2011 season with the Bulls and Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. His 210 K’s led all of minor league baseball. 163 of them were in the Southern League before his promotion. He went 4-0 for Durham with a 1.37 ERA in his final ten starts.

 

Most Impressive Reliever – George Kontos, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees, International League – Kontos has been a revelation out of the Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees bullpen. His comeback from Tommy John surgery in 2010 would be complete if he were to get a well-deserved shot to join the big club. Through July and August, Kontos pitched 25 innings and held hitters to just 5 earned runs. His 91 strikeouts are the best he’s put up since 2008. After all he has faced and what he is accomplishing, it seems impossible Kontos does not see major league time in 2011. If not, he might be better served with another team.

Most Impressive Coach – Justin Pope, Trenton Thunder, Eastern League, New York Yankees – Players must rise to the occasion in high pressure situations. Many face having their position switched and are forced to get comfortable with it. Coaches don’t normally have to do a lot of that, but Justin Pope did everything he was asked to do for the Trenton Thunder. Pope began the season as a kind of nondescript coach, but soon had to step in as acting manager when Tony Franklin took a leave of absence for health reasons. When hitting coach Julius Matos was dismissed, he stepped in. Third base coach can be added to the resume, and so can working with the catchers. His resume, like a player’s stats, is nicely padded to begin his post-playing career.

Most Improved Hitter – Richard Jones – Peoria Chiefs, Midwest League, Chicago Cubs – 2010 was a good year for Jones, but with increased at-bats this season he got his numbers up at an impressive rate. He has been solid in many areas, with 98 RBI and 32 walks,  finding ways to get on base all season. He raised his average with each month starting April hitting .234 and ended August hitting .333.

 

Most Improved Pitcher – Taylor Whitenton, Savannah Sand Gnats, South Atlantic League, New York Mets – The twenty-three-year-old has been selected to play in Arizona Fall League allowing him to further prove that he has earned a promotion to the next level to start 2012. The right-hander lowered his ERA from 4.57 in 2010 to finish with a 2.49 ERA and lowered walks allowed from 68 to 48. He’s doing all he can to show he’s ready to move forward.

Best Player Twitter Account – Ryan Westmoreland, Boston Red Sox @RWesty25 – You aren’t just rooting for the player, you’re rooting for the person. His updates on his health and stories discussing his progress show his excitement and hope for the future. He hasn’t chosen to withdraw throughout a very private struggle, when he certainly could have. It is one of baseball’s most emotional and inspiring stories, shared beautifully through social media.

 

Best Team Website – Reading Phillies, Eastern League – The Double-A Phillies needed a website that brought to life the legend of Baseballtown. They have perfectly accomplished that. The site is packed with links that connect fans to their rich history. Their multi-media and social media sections give fans many ways to experience the team’s progress. RTV gives several ways to do that with Features, Gametime, Commercials, R-chives, and Extra Innings.

Best Blog – Mike Ashmore’s Thunder Thoughts (Trenton Thunder) – You won’t find a more thorough minor league blog. The exhaustive effort should be viewed as the template to follow in the social media age.

Best Newspaper Coverage - John Nalbone, The Trenton Times – In 22 years writing for the Trenton Times in some capacity, you could highlight many areas of his work. His Trenton Thunder coverage is sharp because Nalbone never fears writing honestly, emotionally, and at times, with a biting tone. He manages to accomplish the most difficult feat in sports writing: his voice is all his own.

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/09/08/minor-league-baseball-awards-2011-pitcher-hitter-team-blogger-player-twitter-account-and-more/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/31/bedard-and-adams-among-final-day-deals/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/31/bedard-and-adams-among-final-day-deals/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 01:39:20 +0000 Drew Sarver http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=10066 Heath Bell and Wandy Rodriguez stayed put on Sunday, but plenty of other players changed locations.

After a deal for Rich Harden fell through at the last moment, the Boston Red Sox took a risk on another brittle pitcher, the Seattle Mariners Erik Bedard. To land the talented, but often disabled lefty, the Red Sox and Mariners got the Los Angeles Dodgers involved for a three team deal.

In addition to Bedard, Seattle also sent right-hander Josh Fields (the pitcher, not the former White  Sox third baseman) to Boston. The Red Sox dealt catcher Tim Federowicz, and pitchers Juan Rodriguez and Stephen Fifer to the Dodgers for outfielders Trayvon Robinson and Chih-Hsien Chiang, who Boston then spun to the Mariners. Despite some time on the DL, Bedard appeared to return to his old form this season and is a low risk move for Boston. He’ll eventually take the place of Andrew Miller in the rotation, with Clay Buchholz likely out for the season with a back injury, but for now Boston will employ a six man rotation.

San Diego Padres set up man Mike Adams and  closer Heath Bell both heard their names thrown around in numerous rumors all week. As things came down to the wire on Sunday it was first announced that Bell had been dealt to the Texas Rangers, but it turned out it was Adams that was being sent to Texas. He’ll team with another pickup, Koji Uehara, to strengthen the Rangers’ pen. In return the Padres received pitchers Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland.

The Pittsburgh Pirates and their fans are having the time of their lives right now. Normally the Pirates are sending veterans to other teams in July, but after acquiring Derrek Lee from Baltimore on Saturday, the Bucs picked up outfielder Ryan Ludwick from the Padres on Sunday. The Pads will get a player to be named later or cash.

The Dodgers and Cardinals finalized their deal for Rafael Furcal. The shortstop and cash went to Missouri for outfielder Alex Castellanos.

Arizona added to their bullpen by sending slugger Brandon Allen and pitcher Jordan Norberto to Oakland for reliever Brad Ziegler.

Deals can still be made as the calendar turns to August, but players must pass through waivers in order to be moved.

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/31/bedard-and-adams-among-final-day-deals/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/30/rumors-and-deals-with-less-than-24-hrs-to-go/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/30/rumors-and-deals-with-less-than-24-hrs-to-go/#comments Sat, 30 Jul 2011 22:48:33 +0000 Drew Sarver http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=10054 There’s less than 24 hours remaining in the 2011 trade deadline, and Ubaldo Jimenez is still the biggest name being talked about it. However, lesser deals have taken place that could still have some impact for the teams involved.

Done Deals

Boston – Kansas City: The Red Sox have added to their depth by picking up Mike Aviles from the Royals for infielder Yamaico Navarro and pitcher Kendal Vez. In Aviles, the Red Sox get a player who can play 2B, SS, and 3B, all positions that have seen players banged up this season. He also swings a decent stick. Aviles fell victim to the youth movement in KC and was sent to the minors at one point this season. He could face a demotion again when Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie returns from the DL.

Texas – Baltimore: The Rangers spoke with a number of teams about relievers and were hoping to land the Padres’ Heath Bell.  But the asking price was too high for the pitchers that Texas most coveted. So instead, the Rangers went a cheaper route by sending corner infielder Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter to the Orioles for Koji Uehara.

It’s a low risk move for both teams. Uehera is good, but not outstanding. He’s a strikeout pitcher despite not having overpowering stuff, but also can’t be used on back-to-back days due to his tendency to get banged up. Davis has been a productive hitter in the minor leagues, but hasn’t been able to put it together in “The Show”. He strikes out way too much and can’t hit left-handed pitching. Unless the Orioles deal Derrek Lee, Davis will probably only see occassional playing time at DH and 1B.

Hunter is a #4 starter at best. He pitches to contact and isn’t going to blow anyone away.  The Rangers’ number one pick in 2007, Hunter got off to an 8-o, 2.31 start last season, but went 5-4, 5.07 in his final 14 starts plus one relief appearance. Hunter is also an injury risk and missed a good chunk of this season with a groin injury.

Detroit – Seattle: The Tigers wanted to shore up their starting rotation for the stretch run and feel they did so by picking up Doug Fister from the Mariners. Fister can’t be judged by the 3-12 record he amassed with a bad Mariners club. In 21 starts, Fister allowed less than a hit an inning and walked just two hitters per nine innings while he struck out 5.5 batters. He also allowed just four home runs and had a 2.8 WAR with the Mariners.

Reliever David Pauley accompanied Fister to give the Tigers some depth in their bullpen. In return, Seattle received pitcher Charlie Furbush, outfielder Casper Wells, third baseman Francisco Martinez and a player to be named later.

Furbush is a 25-yr old left-handed strikeout pitcher that was used as both a starter and reliever by the Tigers. No word yet if he’ll replace Fister in the rotation or Pauley in the pen. Wells is a fourth outfielder that can play all three outfield spots, but doesn’t hit much.  Martinez is a highly touted third baseman, but only the second best hot corner man in the Tigers organization. The 20-yr old Venezuelan is still developing his power, but had pretty good splits (.282/.319/.405) for Single-A Erie.

Arizona – Washington: The Diamondbacks added to their rotation by sending infielder Zach Walter, a former 9th round draft pick, to the Nationals for veteran starter Jason Marquis. The soon-to-be 33-yr old joins his sixth organization after 1+ seasons in the Nation’s capital. Marquis was 8-5, 3.95 in 20 starts this season and averaged six innings each time out. With a WHIP over 1.4 and 0.8 WAR, Marquis is a shaky back-end-of-the-rotation starter. He missed most of last season with elbow surgery.

Rumors

Ubaldo Jimenez: The Rockies have reportedly lowered their demands since they have yet to make a deal.  The Red Sox, Reds, and Indians are said to be negotiating the most, while the Yankees are still in play.

Hiroku Kuroda: The Dodgers right-hander really doesn’t want to leave LA, but has reportedly told the cash-strapped team that he’d be willing to accept a trade to the Rangers, Red Sox, or Yankees.

Josh Willingham and Ryan Ludwick: The A’s and Padres outfielders are still being talked about and are expected to be moved at some point this weekend. Right now it appears A’s GM Billy Beane is asking too much for Willingham.

Heath Bell: Unless the Padres lower their demands, the team’s closer won’t be going anywhere.

Denard Span: The Nationals have been working for days to try to land the Twins’ outfielder. A rumor spread earlier this afternoon that the Twins were trying to get the Yankees involved in a possible three-team deal.

Rafael Furcal: The shell-of-himself shortstop is close to being sent from the Dodgers to the Cardinals.

 

Update 7:20 PM

Hiroki Kuroda has refused to waive his no-trade clause and will remain an LA Dodger. The ramifications of Kuroda off the market is that the Rockies can now boost their asking price back up for Ubaldo Jimenez.

Drew Sarver is a senior writer  for BaseballDigest.com.  You can also read his work at his blog, My Pinstripes. He can be contacted at mypinstripes@gmail.com and can be followed on Twitter at @BD_Sarver and @MyPinstripes.

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/30/rumors-and-deals-with-less-than-24-hrs-to-go/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/05/bank-of-america-invites-fans-to-%e2%80%98give-like-an-all-star%e2%80%99/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/05/bank-of-america-invites-fans-to-%e2%80%98give-like-an-all-star%e2%80%99/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:43:11 +0000 Jerry Milani http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=9946 As the city of Phoenix prepares to host the 82nd MLB All Star Game, Bank of America is celebrating with the spirit of giving back and teamwork by inviting the community to “Give Like an All-Star” and join the bank in its support for local schoolchildren in need.

Through Monday, July 11, customers, employees and baseball fans, can donate school supplies at 120 Valley Bank of America banking centers and worksites. The campaign supports Back to School Clothing Drive (BTSCD), an Arizona nonprofit that Bank of America has supported for nearly a decade, and provides new school uniforms, outfits, backpacks and school supplies to Title 1 schools and students who truly need assistance. Each participating Bank of America banking center will house a large baseball-themed donation box for the collection of needed supplies. Consumers are invited to donate items such as child-safe plastic or metal scissors, 24-count boxes of crayons, No. 2 pencils, colored pencils, 12-inch wood or plastic rulers, glue sticks, single-subject, spiral-bound notebooks, pencil sharpeners and rubber erasers.

As an added incentive for MLB All-Star Summer heroes, Bank of America, the Official Bank of MLB, will donate $5,000 to Back to School Clothing Drive for every recorded double play in the July 12 MLB All-Star Game, up to a maximum contribution of $25,000. This donation will be combined with a $25,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, for a $50,000 total maximum contribution to Back to School Clothing Drive.

Jennie Finch

“The Midsummer Classic is a positive celebration of baseball, and truly a unique event for the entire community to give back like an All-Star,” said Karl Gentles, executive director, Back to School Clothing Drive. “Through Bank of America’s support, students will be able to start the school year with new school outfits, uniforms, and a backpack full of new supplies, which gives kids a boost of self-esteem and facilitates a positive learning experience right from the start.”

As part of its campaign, Bank of America has enlisted some of the game’s most celebrated athletes to join 300 bank employees during MLB All-Star Summer in delivering more than 1,000 volunteer hours to help collect, package and distribute back–to-school clothing and supplies to more than 10,000 children from 140 area schools. These include: 2010 MLB All-Star Chris Young; five-time MLB All-Star Luis Gonzalez, who helped to bring Arizona its first World Series win in 2001; and Jennie Finch, who led the University of Arizona to the national championship in 2001 and Team USA to a world championship in 2004 in women’s fast-pitch softball.

“Bank of America is a proud supporter of our national pastime and the opportunities it creates to make a difference in our communities,” said Benito Almanza, Bank of America Arizona president. “Together, the school supplies we collect, the funds we raise and the hours we volunteer will help to ensure that vulnerable populations supported by Back to School Clothing Drive have access to the basic services that young people need to enter the school year prepared and confident.”

For nearly a decade, Bank of America has been supporting the Back to School Clothing Drive organization. In the past five years alone, Bank of America estimates that its support has collected nearly $50,000 worth of school supplies, and has donated $100,000 in direct grants from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.

Bank of America will support this year’s baseball-themed Back to School Clothing Drive campaign through a mix of local radio, point of sale advertising and event marketing.

“The community rallying together to generously donate school supplies for deserving Valley children fosters the importance of education in these young lives and encourages teachers, staff, and students alike in the challenging work that they do every day,” added Pearl Chang Esau, executive director, Teach For America Phoenix.

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/07/05/bank-of-america-invites-fans-to-%e2%80%98give-like-an-all-star%e2%80%99/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/04/15/minor-league-report-five-players-to-watch/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/04/15/minor-league-report-five-players-to-watch/#comments Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:12:31 +0000 Jessica Quiroli http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=9421 Every two weeks I’ll feature five prospects that you should be paying close attention to based on their performance.

I’ll also take other factors into consideration. Certain statistics that jump out – good walk percentage for example- will make a difference. If a player hasn’t hit well but has drawn a good number of walks, he could be featured. A pitcher’s W-L pitcher won’t be as important as how the overall performance was. At times the players chosen will be a bit under the radar.

There will also be one player featured that I’ve watched live. I’m not entirely comfortable writing about players I haven’t seen. That assures there will be at least one.

Because it’s early in the season these players were selected with a small sample for the first installment

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Double-A Mobile BayBears, Arizona Diamondbacks, Southern League –  A 2009 Diamondbacks draft pick, he has a ton of power and it’s on display to start 2011. He’s hit five home runs in four games, including two in a game against the Carolina Mudcats. He’s also drawn seven walks in five games and collected ten RBI.

Cody Overbeck, 3B, Double-A Reading Phillies, Eastern League –  In a game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Overbeck went 5-5 with three runs scored, with a home run, and three RBI. He’s hit three home runs in five games.

Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Advanced-A Kinston Indians, Carolina League –  The leading lefty in the Indians pipeline pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out nine in his 2011 debut. In eleven innings he’s allowed just one run on three hits. His curveball topped Baseball America’s list in Indians system rankings.

Bubba Bell,  RF, Triple-A Columbus Clippers, Cleveland Indians, International League- In a game against the Indianapolis Indians he went 4-4 with two RBI . The former Red Sox prospect needs to make his mark in the Indians system and it’s a good start. He’s following up a season at Triple-a Pawtucket in which he had 103 hits and knocked in 49 runs.

Clint Robinson, 1B, Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, Kansas City Royals, Pacific Coast League – He went 2-4 with two home runs to start the season in a game against the Albuquerque Isotopes. Robinson tacked on two more home runs in two more games and has seven RBI already under his belt.

My eye on… Schaeffer Hall, LHP, Double-A Trenton Thunder, New York Yankees, Eastern League- Starter Hall was roughed up in the Thunder’s home opener, but he showed tremendous potential. He mixed speeds effectively and worked quickly, keeping hitters guessing with his sharp curveball. He also fed Harrisburg Senators hitters a healthy diet of fastballs for strikes.

“Hall is cutting his fastball. He’s shown a four-seamer that’s hit 90 at times. And his throwing a tight slider,” said a major league scout in attendance.

He began to labor in the later innings, struggling with control of his fastball and increasing base on balls.

“He sometimes wasn’t getting ahead of hitters [later] and we were able to capitalize on that,” said Senators DH Tyler Moore, who got two hits off of Hall. “His fastball was pretty good and he had good stuff at times, but he started to fall behind with hitters. He was good, but he left some pitches up.”

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/04/15/minor-league-report-five-players-to-watch/feed/ 1 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/03/18/bd-spring-training-report-nl-to-the-dl/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/03/18/bd-spring-training-report-nl-to-the-dl/#comments Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:49:55 +0000 Drew Sarver http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=9172 Yesterday the Spring Training Report took a look at the injury situation in the American League. Today we take a look at who’s hurtin’ for certain in the National League.

NL East

Atlanta: Superstar-in-the-making Jason Heyward returned to the Braves’ lineup yesterday after sitting out the the last four games due to a sore back. Heyward saw a specialist on Wednesday for further evaluation. “He told me it’s bone structure vs. muscle or anything like that, nothing to be torn,” said Heyward, who hasn’t played since his back stiffened Saturday in batting practice, a scheduled day off for him. “If I can’t tear anything or do anything worse, I’ll play, and that’s what I told Fredi (Gonzalez).”

Florida: The Marlins may have a makeshift outfield in their lineup on opening day. Another superstar in the making, Mike Stanton, has yet to play in a spring game after injuring his quad in an exhibition game against the U. of Miami. While he has taken some at-bats in minor league games, he’s been replaced by a pinch-runner each time he gets on base. On Thursday, Chris Coghlan was sidelined with tendinitis in his throwing shoulder. Manager Edwin Rodriguez has not ruled out Coghlan starting the season on the DL.

Free agent pitcher Javier Vazquez was scratched from a Tuesday start due to elbow soreness, but threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and felt fine afterwards. He’s scheduled to start against St. Louis tomorrow. Fellow starter Anibal Sanchez is expected to pitch in Sunday’s game after being out since March 10 after a comebacker bruised his shin. Their potential battery mate, John Baker, is day-to-day with a muscle strain near his right throwing elbow. He can swing the bat, but so far he has been prohibited from throwing.

New York: Things have been rough in Metsville and they may get rougher. Reports surfaced this week that ace Johan Santana was behind schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery. The Mets have denied the report, which specifically stated that Santana’s bullpen sessions were not going as planned. Whatever the case, Santana will be on the DL (as expected) to start the season. Carlos Beltran has been slowed by left knee tendinitis and might start the season on the DL. GM Sandy Alderson is contemplating not having Beltran play any additional spring games so that the DL time can be backdated.

Philadelphia: All-Star 2nd baseman Chase Utley continues to be bothered by patellar tendinitis and chondromalacia in his right knee and sought out assistance from a specialist on Thursday. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is hoping Utley can avoid surgery. “We’re doing everything we possibly can to have him not get into a surgery,” Amaro said. “Until we stop seeing progress, then we’ll continue to exhaust all those possibilities.”

Third baseman Placido Polanco had to leave Wednesday’s game after hyperextending the same elbow he had surgery on in November. He’s expected to be back in the lineup in a few days. Closer Brad Lidge is day-to-day with muscle soreness in his right bicep, but Amaro is not worried since Lidge has already thrown a good number of innings. Finally, prospect Domonic Brown was lost for the season after he broke the hamate bone in his right hand and underwent surgery.

Washington: Chien-Ming Wang continues to try to come back from 2009 shoulder surgery. He’s been limited to a pair of bullpen sessions, including one this past Tuesday, so the Nationals have not been able to set a timetable for his return. 3rd baseman Ryan Zimmerman strained his groin on Monday and has sat out since. He’s expected to return to action next week and said he would have played had it been during the regular season.

NL Central

Chicago: Angel Guzman will miss the start of the season and won’t be back until mid-April at the earliest, as he recovers from a tear in his throwing shoulder.

Cincinnati: Johnny Cueto had to leave his start last Friday with stiffness in his right bicep, but after having a throwing session yesterday, he’s expected to return to the mound on Saturday.

Houston: Earlier this month, the Astros lost their starting catcher, Juan Castro, for the year with torn ligaments in his knee. Infielder Jeff Keppinger is no longer hampered by the walking boot he’s been wearing since he underwent foot surgery to remove the sesamoid bone in his left foot. He’s hoping to be back in the Astros lineup in mid-May. Wandy Rodriguez, who signed a new deal this winter, has been bothered by shoulder tendinitis and was scratched from his last start. But the right-hander threw a side session this morning and is good to go.

Milwaukee: The Brewers were hoping to get off to a good start with their 1-2-3 punch of Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum, and Yovanni Gallardo, but Greinke injured his ribs playing pick up basketball and is out until mid-April. Outfielder Corey Hart may miss opening day due to a strained rib cage. He took swings off a batting tee on Tuesday, but still doesn’t feel right. ”It’s still not coming as fast as I want it to,” Hart said. “It won’t go away. I still can’t go full-speed on anything. Hitting off the tee is fine, but I can’t amp it up the way I know I can. I can throw, but as soon as I have to do a quick move or let it go, it kills.” Catcher Jonathan Lucroy may or may not be ready to catch on opening day. He’ll undergo surgery on Monday to remove pins that were placed in his hand when he broke his pinky finger during a catching drill back in February.

Pittsburgh: Reliever Joe Beimel has been out since early March with pain in his left forearm, but has been cleared to pitch against the Orioles this coming Monday. Catcher Ryan Doumit has missed a week with a strained oblique, but is expected to be back in the lineup today.

St. Louis: Utility infielder Nick Punto underwent surgery in February for a sports hernia and is out until at least mid-April. The Cardinals’ most devastating injury was, of course, losing starter Adam Wainwright to Tommy John surgery.

NL West

Arizona: Infielder Geoff Blum will miss a few days with a swollen right knee that he strained earlier in the week.  Zach Duke, who was competing for the #5 spot in the rotation, is out until May after a line drive broke two bones in his pitching hand.

Colorado: Aaron Cook was already starting the season on the DL due to shoulder inflammation, but then slammed and broke his finger in a car door and is out until May. 3rd baseman Ian Stewart is day-to-day with a sprained right knee. Eric Young Jr. is back competing for the utility position after sitting out all spring with a broken tibia.

Los Angeles: The Dodgers were expected to be competitive  because of their starting pitching, but have suffered two injuries already. Jon Garland is out until mid-April with a strained oblique, and Vicente Padilla is lost until late April/early May with forearm surgery.

San Diego: Outfielder Kyle Banks returned from a 10-month absence after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and he served as the DH on Monday. He is a certainty to start the season on the DL. Starter Tim Stauffer is still hurting from a strained hip flexor and missed his scheduled start today. He’s listed as day-to- day. Southpaw Joe Thatcher was scheduled to undergo an MRI today on his ailing left shoulder. Thatcher hasn’t appeared in a game this spring and is headed to the DL as well.

San Francisco: Starter Matt Cain returned from a nearly two-week absence caused by elbow inflammation to throw three scoreless innings on Monday. Just like their AL counterparts, the defending NL pennant (and World Series) champions are in good shape to start the season.

 

Drew Sarver is a senior writer  for BaseballDigest.com.  You can also read his work at his blog, My Pinstripes. He can be contacted at mypinstripes@gmail.com and can be followed on Twitter at @BD_Sarver and @MyPinstripes.

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/03/18/bd-spring-training-report-nl-to-the-dl/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/03/03/the-baseball-digest-2011-mlb-preview-the-arizona-diamondbacks/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/03/03/the-baseball-digest-2011-mlb-preview-the-arizona-diamondbacks/#comments Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:51:29 +0000 Drew Sarver http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=8946 When a team finishes in last place in its division for two straight years and averages just 67.5 wins during that time, there is no place to go but up. Such is the case with the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks.

Starting Rotation

Long gone are the days of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. The Diamondbacks’ rotation is leaning heavily on youth, with 29 yr-old Joe Saunders as the lone veteran assured a spot.  Saunders was acquired from the Angels as part of a package that sent Dan Haren to Los Angeles.  Saunders went 34-14 in 2008-2009, but he’s coming off a season in which he lost 17 games and gave up nearly 4.5 runs per game.

Ian Kennedy finally translated some of his success in the minor leagues to the majors, finishing with a 3.80 ERA. His command still needs work though, since he led the league in wild pitches and walked better than three batters per nine innings.

Daniel Hudson was one of the most highly touted pitchers in the Chicago White Sox farm system, and for that reason Arizona demanded his inclusion in a deal for Edwin Jackson. The right-hander was dominant after the deal, going 7-1, 1.69 in 11 starts, and averaging better than seven strikeouts per nine innings.

There are no guarantees for the last two spots in the rotation. One of the candidates is Barry Enright, who virtually came out of nowhere in his rookie season last year to win six of his first eight decisions. Even though he lost his last five starts, he still finished with a 3.91 ERA. Enright doesn’t blow away hitters, so command of the zone is essential for his success.

Armando Galarraga and Zach Duke will also vie for the last two spots. Galarraga was acquired from Detroit following a season in which he lost a perfect game to an erroneous call by 1st base ump Jim Joyce. That was the thing to happen for Galarraga last year, as he has been unable to match his rookie success (13-7, 3.73) of 2008.  Duke was dealt to the Diamondbacks  by the Pittsburgh Pirates after five straight sub-.500 seasons.  Despite a promising 4.06 ERA, he lost 16 games in ’09, and when he gave up nearly six runs per game in ’10, Pittsburgh decided he needed a chance of scenery.

Bullpen

J.J. Putz emerged as a top closer when he saved 76 games in 2006-2007, but a number of injuries derailed his next two seasons. Healthy again, Putz bounced back with the White Sox in ’10 as one of the premier set up men in the game. After signing with AZ as a free agent in December, Putz will get the chance to close once again.

The Dbacks’ bullpen was one of the worst in baseball last season, but a couple of Orioles acquired in the Mark Reynolds deal should help turn things around. David Hernandez was originally a struggling starter in the O’s organization before a move to the bullpen gave him a chance to strut his stuff. The 6’9″ Kam Mickolio has impressed the Diamondbacks so far this spring.

Juan Gutierrez didn’t win a game last year and had an ERA over 5.00, but he saved 15 games and struck out batters at a high rate. He’s the early favorite to be Arizona’s eight inning guy. “I think this is a big year for him,” catcher Miguel Montero told the Arizona Republic. “He knows himself better. He knows the league better. I know the hitters know him, but he’s nasty, man. Mariano (Rivera) throws a cutter and everybody knows it’s coming, and they still can’t hit it. (Gutierrez) has got (good) stuff.”

Sam Demel, Esmerling Vasquez, Aaron Heilman (who may also get a chance to vie for the starting rotation), Mike Hampton, and Micah Owings are among those battling for the final three spots in the pen.

Infield

1st Base – Is a three player battle to replace Adam LaRoche who signed with the Washington Nationals as a free agent. Veteran Russel Branyan, and youngsters Juan Miranda and Brandon Allen are vying for the position. Branyan is an established slugger/whiff artist while Miranda never got enough at-bats in the Major Leagues with the Yankees to establish himself. Allen’s numbers in Triple-A have been solid (.993 OPS, 25 HR , 86 RBI) , but he only has 54 games worth of experience in the majors. The biggest problem is all three hitters are left-handed. Right-handed hitting outfielder Xavier Nady may see some time at 1st base as well.

2nd Base – In his fifth season in the bigs, Kelly Johnson had a bustout season, setting career highs in HR (26), RBI (71), Runs Scored (93) and OPS (.895). The Diamondbacks are counting on similar production this year.

Shortstop - Stephen Drew has been a model of consistency at the shortstop position. A .272-15-62 season is the type of production Drew can be expected to produce. The soon-to-be 28-yr old has shown the same consistency on defense. Last season he made a career-low 10 errors. His double play partner Johnson had this to say about him last season, “I realize it’s also about range and about when you make the plays and what kind of plays you’re making and the stuff you have to see,. But I’ve seen it. I’ve seen him make diving plays, sliding plays, very good plays. I know he’d like to be hitting better, but he still helps this team every day with his defense.”

3rd Base – Melvin Mora (39) will probably get the bulk of the playing time, though switch-hitter Geoff Blum (38 in Apr.) could see a number of at-bats against right-handers. The two won’t be able to replace the home run or RBI production of Mark Reynolds, but more than anything they will be looked at to provide veteran leadership and hold down the fort until one of the Diamondbacks prospects (Matt Davidson or Bobby Borchering) is ready to play in the bigs.

Outfield – Left field should be a platoon situation for manager Kirk Gibson. Xavier Nady will face left-handers if he’s healthy- his twice surgically-repaired right elbow will slow his progress during spring training, so it may mean more at-bats for a Gerardo Parra. In center, the Diamondbacks would like to see Chris Young cut down on his strikeouts and improve his batting average, but the outfielder can be counted on for 20-25 home runs and 85-90 RBI, which could very well lead the team. Right fielder Justin Upton was so highly touted out of high school that he was taken by Arizona with the very first pick of the 2005 amateur draft. A first-time All-Star in 2009, his numbers dropped off a bit last year. The Diamondbacks are counting on him as one of the keys to the future (though there have been trade rumors centering on him as well).

Catcher – Miguel Montero has some good pop in his bat (16 HR in 2009), but played in just 85 games last year due to a knee injury. AZ will be looking for him to pick up where he left off two years ago.

George Vass takes a look at the surprising 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks. The team was just in in its second year of existence and just two years away from a World Series title. Click here to read all about it.

Bench – Henry Blanco will back up Montero at catcher, while Parra will back up all three outfield spots. Infielder Tony Abreu will be the utility infielder with the ability to play all three infield positions. Branyan should fill another bench spot while Cole Gillespie has a good shot at the fifth outfield spot. Journeyman Wily Mo Pena is a long shot to make the team.

Manager Kirk Gibson is in his first full season as skipper of the Diamondbacks. He replaced A.J. Hinch after 79 games last season and is the third Diamondbacks manager in three years. The squad was 34-49 under Gibson, but it was a team that was just beginning its transition to a complete rebuilding phase.

Management hopes that Gibson brings the same leadership and fiery tenacity that he had as a ball player to the role of manager. He has a two-year contract as the team gets set to play with a very veteran team this season in preparation for the movement to youth in 2012. Whether Gibson gets the chance to be a teacher remains to be seen.

Front Office – GM Kevin Towers also has a two-year deal, though he has vesting options for future years. He’s in a tough position – on the one hand he has a team with no expectations of success, but he must pick and chooose his parts to get the team competitive again. Towers won’t add any payroll, and he’ll certainly look to move some of the veterans for youth/less experienced players at the deadline. He could also push the button on a Justin Upton deal if he were to get a suitable package in return.

Drew Sarver is a senior writer  for BaseballDigest.com.  You can also read his work at his blog, My Pinstripes. He can be contacted at mypinstripes@gmail.com and can be followed on Twitter at @BD_Sarver and @MyPinstripes.

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/03/03/the-baseball-digest-2011-mlb-preview-the-arizona-diamondbacks/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/02/27/bike-spokes-and-shoe-boxes-spring-training/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/02/27/bike-spokes-and-shoe-boxes-spring-training/#comments Sun, 27 Feb 2011 06:54:17 +0000 Tim Danielson http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=8965 This past week a very important holiday was celebrated by many a baseball fan,  the start of Spring Training.  Probably the only other holiday more important for a baseball fan is Opening Day.  Ahh yes, somewhere hearts are smiling and somewhere the sun is shining bright.  The buzz of the ball and crack of the bat means winter is drawing to a close and the world is turning right.

For card collectors, Spring Training also means the best time to get autographs.  There are several reasons for this.  Fans have closer and longer access to the players, less time on the road means more time for responding to fan mail and through the mail requests. (TTM) Also players seem more open and accommodating to autograph requests in the spring.  The last reason coming from personal experience.

Just remember these simple rules when send a TTM request.  Keep your request letter short and simple.  Use “please” and “thank you.”  Only include a maximum of two cards per request to get autographed and ALWAYS include a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope.  (SASE)

Just use these simple rules and you are bound to see autographs filling up your mailbox this spring!  With that in mind I give you the mailing addresses of the Spring Training facilities of all 30 major league teams.

Spring Training Addresses

Arizona Diamondbacks, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Atlanta Braves, Champion Stadium, 700 S. Victory Lane, Lake Buena Vista, FL 34747

Baltimore Orioles, Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237

Boston Red Sox, City of Palms Park, 2201 Edison Ave., Ft. Myers, FL 33901

Chicago Cubs, HoHoKam Park, 1235 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201

Chicago White Sox, Camelback Ranch, 10710 West Camelback Rd., Glendale, AZ 85037

Cincinnati Reds, Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338

Cleveland Indians, Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338

Colorado Rockies, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Detroit Tigers, 2125 North Lake Ave. Lakeland, FL 33805

Florida Marlins, Roger Dean Stadium, 4751 Main St., Jupiter, FL 33458

Houston Astros, Osceola County Stadium, 631 Heritage Park Way, Kissimmee, FL 34744

Kansas City Royals, Surprise Stadium, 15850 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise, AZ 85374

L.A. Angels of Anaheim, Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282

Los Angeles Dodgers, Camelback Ranch, 10710 West Camelback Rd., Glendale, AZ 85037

Milwaukee Brewers, Maryvale Baseball Park, 3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85031

Minnesota Twins, Hammond Stadium, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., Ft. Myers, FL 33912

New York Mets, Digital Domain Park, 525 NW Peacock Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

New York Yankees, George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa, FL 33614

Oakland Athletics, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 5999 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85008

Philadelphia Phillies, Bright House Field, 601 Old Coachman Rd., Clearwater, FL 33765

Pittsburgh Pirates, McKechnie Field, 1611 9th Street W., Bradenton, FL 34205

San Diego Padres, Peoria Stadium, 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85382

San Francisco Giants, Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Seattle Mariners, Peoria Stadium, 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85382

St. Louis Cardinals, Roger Dean Stadium, 4751 Main St., Jupiter, FL 33458

Tampa Bay Rays, Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte, FL 34948

Texas Rangers, Surprise Stadium, 15850 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise, AZ 85374

Toronto Blue Jays, Dunedin Stadium, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, FL 34698

Washington Nationals, Space Coast Stadium, 5800 Stadium Parkway, Melbourne, FL 32940

Here is one of my favorite quotes that is fitting for this time of year.   “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” – Rogers Hornsby

Until next time, keep collecting, collect for the joy of the hobby and collect for the fan in all of us.

The official card trading site of Baseball Digest.com – Sports Card Forum

]]> http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/02/27/bike-spokes-and-shoe-boxes-spring-training/feed/ 0 http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/02/14/bd-spring-training-report-play-ball/ http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/02/14/bd-spring-training-report-play-ball/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:28:57 +0000 Drew Sarver http://www.baseballdigest.com/?p=8874 Sunshine, palm trees or cacti, the smell of freshly cut grass, beer and hot dog vendors peddling their wares. Yes, baseball is back. Catchers and pitchers, as well as some positional players getting an early start, have reported to Florida and Arizona to begin spring training. Arguably, THIS, is the most wonderful time of the year. Especially if you’re like me, living in a colder, northern climate, it means there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

So many questions during this spring training…Will Albert Pujols sign a new deal before his self imposed deadline/scheduled day to report? Will Jesus Montero make the Yankees 25 man squad? Is Josh Beckett healthy? Can Don Mattingly manage a Major League club? Can anyone stop the Phillies starting rotation?

And of course spring training means that while teams may look much better than others on paper, everyone has a clean slate. Everyone can dream of the post-season, of hitting .300, and throwing a perfect game. Of popping champagne corks and hoisting the World Series trophy. There are some that will place too much emphasis on the games themselves- George Steinbrenner was infamous for that- but the most important thing in spring training is to come out of it healthy. The miles per hour on the fastball will come as will the bat speed. But keeping the hamstrings and shoulders and elbows healthy is much better than having the best record in the Grapefruit or Cactus League. That’s why the focus of today’s spring training report is those players we shall dub…

The Comeback Kids

Soon we’ll be getting a chance to see if players that were injured last year or in prior years have what it takes to get back to playing Major League Baseball. Here are some of the stories to follow this spring.

Brandon Webb is being counted on to help replace Cliff Lee in the Texas Rangers starting rotation. Webb averaged 17.5 wins per season from 2005-2008 and 231.2 innings.  Apparently the latter took it’s toll. Webb went on the DL in April, 2009 with what was originally diagnosed as bursitis. After rehabbing it for several months, Webb had to undergo surgery and missed all of the 2010 season.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Webb recently told the Ben and Skin radio show in Dallas that he’s excited about the upcoming season. “I’ve made some dramatic strides. If anybody had been around me for the past month or so since I’ve been throwing, it’s been awesome. I don’t think they have to be too patient. I think I should be totally ready to go in spring training, jumping right in with the guys and just carrying on like a normal spring training for myself.”

In case Webb doesn’t recapture his 2007 NL CY Young form, he does have something to fall back on; he’s begun selling used cars with his brother in-law.

Carlos Santana can play a mean guitar, but baseball’s Carlos Santana can swing a mean bat and call a pretty good game. The Cleveland Indians catcher is hoping to be at full strength for the start of the season as he continues his way back from a torn LCL and surgery. Santana was knocked out for the remainder of the 2010 season when his knee lost a collision with the Red Sox’ Ryan Kalish in early August.

Santana, who hit .300 over his first 20 big league games, recently got word from his doctor that he can resume full baseball activities. That’s good news for the Indians who are in a rebuilding stage and need all the help they can get.

Indians fans are also hoping for a big comeback from Santana’s teammate Grady Sizemore. The one time five tool prospect has suddenly become injury prone and is trying to make his way back from the microfracture knee surgery he had last June. Sizemore was a budding superstar, who from 2005-2008 averaged 27 HR, 29 SB, and 116 runs while playing Gold Glove defense. He once played in 382 consecutive games.  But Sizemore played in groin and elbow pain for all of the 2009 season and it showed in his lackluster offensive production. Finally the Indians shut him down in September and he underwent surgery on both areas.

Last season Sizemore injured his left knee during spring training and then aggravated it in a game against Baltimore in mid-May. When doctors went in they found extensive cartilage damage and opted for the more complex microfracture surgery based on Sizemore’s desires to “…play another 10 years” and “…only have one knee surgery”. Indians GM Chris Antonetti told MLB.com Jordan Bastian that he’s hoping that Sizemore will be ready at the start of the season or “shortly thereafter”.

Chien-Ming Wang was a two time 19-game winner and unlikely ace for the New York Yankees in 2006-2007. But a Lisfranc injury prematurely ended his 2008 season and then shoulder trouble limited him to just 12 games in 2009. Surgery followed, causing Wang to miss all of the 2010 season after signing as a free agent with the Washington Nationals.  GM Mike Rizzo told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson back in January that he was confident that the Taiwanese native would be ready to go when camp broke.

With the retirement of Andy Pettitte and the inability to land Cliff Lee via free agency, the Yankees have brought in a number of pitchers to compete for the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation. One of them is former AL CY Young winner Bartolo Colon, who did not pitch in the Major Leagues in 2010. Colon found some success and some life on his fastball (91 mph) in winter ball recently, so he decided to give “The Show” another shot. Colon has reportedly lost a substantial amount of weight and hopes that his arm and shoulder issues are behind him. He has not been able to reach 100 innings since his 21-win, CY Young season in 2005.

Colon won’t have to look far to see another reclamation case. Suiting up near him will be former top Cubs prospect Mark Prior. The right-hander hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2006 due to an assortment of arm issues. After selecting Prior with the 2nd overall pick in the 2001 draft, the Cubs were salivating at the thought of a 1-2 punch of Kerry Wood and Prior for many years to come. Sometimes life just doesn’t work out the way you planned, in particular for Mark Prior and his pitching career.

It didn’t start out that way though. Prior finished third in the 2003 NL CY Young voting after finishing with an 18-6, 2.43 mark in 30 starts.  Then things started to turn- a line drive off his pitching elbow created a fracture in 2005. An MRI during spring training the following season showed a moderate shoulder strain. Something was clearly still wrong when he returned- teams rocked him to the tune of better than seven earned runs a game. When shoulder tendinitis put him on the DL in August, little did Prior know it would be the last time he would pitch on a major league mound.

After initially ruling it out, Prior had to go under the knife in April, 2007 to have the shoulder cleaned up.  Renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrew was confident Prior would pitch in ’08 following the procedure. But a year later a tear in Prior’s shoulder led to another surgery and another missed season. Prior tried to come back with the Padres in ’09. but was released in August.  Part of  2010 was spent in an independent league and for a short time in the Rangers organization. Which leads us to where Prior is today, having signed a minor league deal with the Yankees in December. One more shot, one more time hoping to recapture something, to come back as a reliever.

Yes, spring training is a time for new hopes, redemption, and a lot of daydreaming.

Drew Sarver is a senior writer  for BaseballDigest.com.  You can also read his work at his blog, My Pinstripes. He can be contacted at mypinstripes@gmail.com and can be followed on Twitter at @BD_Sarver and @MyPinstripes.

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