MARDI GRAS MADNESS: Beer Belly Mashers

Felipe M

I continue to review our league's fantasy baseball team.  Up next is a long time nemesis and the only person I wish "bad luck" for the 2013 season.

But first, take a look at team Texas Sooner's loaded squad if you haven't all ready. 

EAST DIVISION--BEER BELLY MASHERS (out of Kansas City)

BATTING LINEUP

Like: You know your team is in trouble when Dustin Pedroia might be your best power hitter.  No disrespect to Paul Goldschmidt or Andre Ethier, but Pedroia has the track record as a complete hitter, especially with power.  And that’s not saying much.  I’m a fan of Jon Jay’s as his high on-base% makes him useable in fantasy leagues.  I also believe in Eric Hosmer to turn his career around and become the hitter everybody thought he could be, but time is running out for the guy.  Andrelton Simmons is expected to struggle, but if he can streamline the things that made him a successful hitter in the Minors, he can definitely hold his own in the Majors and become a productive player in fantasy leagues.

Dislike: Juan Pierre as a LF is just so wrong.  I’m skeptical of Salvador Perez and I think he could prove to be a bust, but most fantasy “experts” like his prospects for 2013.  I actually liked Matt Carpenter coming into the draft because he would eventually qualify at 2B.  But as a starting 3B?  I’m not buying that.  Dexter Fowler as a DH is giving the frustrating player too much respect.  Even Ethier, as the sole power hitter in the OF is disastrous. 

Look Out For: Wil Myers was picked as the #1 prospect in baseball by many publications.  Whether he plays this season or not is pretty doubtful, but at this point, he’s probably not available in a majority of leagues.  Oscar Taveras finished as the #1 prospect on this site.  Many publications believe he could be the 

1^st prospect to be called up for the Cardinals.

2013 Hitting Projections
Player	Team	Pos	BB/K	AB/K	AB/HR	OBP	SLG	OPS	SB
Salvador Perez	Kansas City	C	0.35	8.58	35.00	0.327	0.435	0.762	0
Eric Hosmer	Kansas City	1B	0.56	6.01	28.87	0.340	0.437	0.777	15
Andrelton Simmons	Atlanta	SS	0.57	8.69	70.27	0.331	0.400	0.731	13
Dexter Fowler	Colorado	CF	0.54	3.69	41.71	0.367	0.445	0.812	15
Paul Goldschmidt	Arizona	1B	0.44	3.59	22.30	0.352	0.482	0.834	13

PITCHING

Like: Unlike their hitting, pitching is where this team will survive in 2013.  Just look at the names: Josh Beckett, Gio Gonzalez, Zack Greinke, Matt Harvey, CC Sabathia, Jeremy Hellickson and even Dan Haren provides the team with a loaded pitching staff.

Dislike: After viewing their lineup, I’m left wondering if it was really necessary to add Jarrod Parker and Wandy Rodriguez to the team.  

Bullpen: Not a good strategy of acquiring shaky closers like Greg Holland, Tom Wilhelmsen, and Jason Grilli when their lineup is so weak and lacking depth.

2013 Pitching Projections
Player	Team	K/BB	K/9	BB/9	H/9	WHIP	HR/A
Jason Grilli	Pittsburgh	2.72	9.87	3.63	6.68	1.15	1.02
Greg Holland	Kansas City	2.60	10.17	3.91	6.52	1.16	0.52
Tom Wilhelmsen	Seattle	2.03	7.73	3.80	7.10	1.21	0.76
Wandy Rodriguez	Pittsburgh	2.47	6.99	2.83	9.64	1.39	0.87
Jarrod Parker	Oakland	2.32	7.73	3.33	8.44	1.31	0.80

Look Out For: I've mentioned Harvey already, but it’s worth noting again that he is definitely a key figure in the Mets’ future and did an admirable job late in 2012.  There’s lots of promise with this kid. 

PREDICTION: Typical Beer Belly team as he’s always a powerhouse in terms of pitching and usually does a great job in complementing that strength with formidable hitters.  Unfortunately, this year, the team is too unbalanced as even this serviceable lineup will not be enough to help this team reach for a championship in 2013.  This team definitely personifies the definition of greed and in the end, it might cost them.

More fantasy baseball is available here.

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #95-91

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.

95. Jurickson Profar--SS--Texas Rangers

• 2012 Outlook: "Great strike zone recognition, but a couple of years away."
• 2012 Achievements: Played 9 games for the Texas Rangers; #1 Prospect in Texas League along with being named Best Defensive SS in TL.
• Conclusion: His great approach at the plate was evident in 2012 along with a high contact rate.  Has shown capable skills when it comes to getting on base.  Once he gets on base, he can be a major threat on the basepaths.  He may need to spend more time at the gym and try to bulk up a little, but Profar is on the right path to becoming a Major League regular.

94. Jonathan Schoop--2B--Baltimore Orioles

• 2012 Outlook: "Decent pop, but long-term player."
• 2012 Achievements: Added to the Orioles' 40 man roster; Played in Arizona Fall League where he posted stats of .270/.446/.429 and showed good approach at the plate; #14 Prospect in Eastern League; Best Power Hitter and Infield Arm in Orioles' system
• Conclusion: At 21, Schoop has a lot of growing up to do.  Since moving up from Rookie Ball, he has shown unimpressive power numbers and posted a pedestrian OBP%, while showing a mediocre approach at the plate.  On top of that, the O's are not sure what position he should ultimately play (has seen action at 2B, SS, 3B, and even LF). Despite all of his deficiencies, scouts are still fascinated by his potential and still believe that Schoop's power potential will eventually come to fruition.

93. Xander Bogaerts--SS--Boston Red Sox

• 2012 Outlook: "Power for SS, but at 19, he's still years away."
• 2012 Achievements: Red Sox announced that Bogaerts will join team in 2013 Spring Training; #1 Prospect, Best Power Hitter, and Best Athlete in Red Sox farm system; #2 Best Prospect in Carolina League.
• Conclusion: OPS keeps increasing as he moves up in class, justifying reports of his immense power potential.  He is tall, but lanky so body is not fully developed.  His approach at the plate is a small flaw. Despite the Red Sox inviting him to Spring Training, they have been adamant in moving Bogaerts very slowly through their system so he remains a long-term project.

92. Mike Olt--3B--Texas Rangers

• 2012 Outlook: "Impressed in [2011] Arizona Fall League, but still needs to work on contact skills."
• 2012 Achievements: Appeared in 16 games for the Rangers; #4 Best Prospect in Texas League as well as the league's Best Power Prospect
• Conclusion: Despite being called up, Olt did very little to impress anybody while with the Rangers. He had a decent 2012 in the Minors, boasting a BB:K of .603 and displaying the power that has scouts chirping. He also played in Dominican League with mediocre results (.256 batting average).  However, probably the biggest news of the off season was probably the Rangers' interest in acquiring Justin Upton from the Diamonbacks. Rumors had Olt being traded to Atltanta for #96 ranked prospect, Andrelton Simmons and in turn, trade Simmons to D'backs for Upton.  Then again, if Arizona wanted Simmons, they would rather just trade for him straight up, no?  Either way, look for Olt to continue to spend a majority of his time in the Minors next season.

91. Delino DeShields Jr.--2B--Houston Astros

• 2012 Outlook: "Very fast, but at 19, long-term prospect."
• 2012 Achievements: #6 Prospect along with being the Houston Astros' Fastest Baserunner; #12 South Atlantic League's Best Prospect as well as being the league's Fastest and Best Baserunner. 
• Conclusion: DeShields reminds me of Dee Gordon as both players' have above-average speed.  Father was former big leaguer, Delino DeShields so pedigree is there. Young Delino also showed a lot more patience at the plate in 2012. He will probably not hit for power, but can certainly get on base.  Baseball America predicts that he will have to eventually move to centerfield.  Wherever he plays, the Astros look to have their leadoff hitter of the future in their system. 

Prospects #100-96 are available here.

Prospects #90-86 are now available. 

2012 MLB PROSPECT REVIEW: #100-96

Felipe M

The following is a review of a list that was compiled way back in March of 2012.  "2012 Outlooks" are based on a summation of scouting reports (entering the 2012 MLB season) of each player condensed into a sentence or two for easier reading.


100. Taylor Jungman--P--Milwaukee Brewers

• 2012 Outlook: "Future #2 in Starting Rotation."
• 2012 Achievements: 0.4 HR/9, along with ability to induce groundball outs, displayed ability to keep ball low in the strike zone.
• Conclusion: Pitched more to contact in Hi-A ball, which resulted in a very disappointing K/9 (5.82). Also, high hit rate shows lack of dominance and command. Clearly, will need more seasoning before the Brewers can consider calling him up.

99. Trevor May--P--Philadelphia Phillies

• 2012 Outlook: "Long-term prospect, led Minors in K/9 innings."
• 2012 Achievements: Was added to Phillies' 40-man roster and will be invited to 2013 Spring Training.
• Conclusion: Issues with control are very transparent, but young enough to fix those issues. Despite posting a respectable K/9, May struggled mightily in Double-A ball, especially with the long ball, despite a history of showing ability to keep the ball in the park. Unless he shows otherwise next season, May might prove to be a fly ball pitcher in the long run, which combined with a newfound struggle to limit home runs allowed, might prove to be fatal in Philly.  Will more than likely be optioned back to the Minors next March.

98. Josh Vitters--3B--Chicago Cubs

• 2012 Outlook: "At 22 now, progress has stalled, but young enough to continue to develop."
• 2012 Achievements: Was called up to the Majors
• Conclusion: Power and production, along with a terrible approach at the plate, has been a disappointment throughout his Minor League career.  So not surprising, he was completely overmatched in call-up to the Cubs last season. He is still young enough to turn things around, bu the Cubs, before Theo Epstein arrived, were not very fond of him to begin with and, just like Vitters' approach at the plate, are growing more impatient with him.

97. C.J. Cron--1B--Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

• 2012 Outlook: "Long-term player with legit power, but has moderate ceiling."
• 2012 Achievements: Rated #9 Prospect and Best Power Prospect in California League
• Conclusion: Cron had surgery to repair a tear in right shoulder, but at 22, he might be 2 years away from making Angels' roster at the soonest. Posted impressive power numbers and contact rate, but still needs to continue on improving plate approach and drawing more walks (.327 OBP% in High-A).

96. Andrelton Simmons--SS--Atlanta Braves

• 2012 Outlook: "Long-term prospect, but has high upside. Lacks power."
• 2012 Achievements: #6 Prospect and Rated Best Infield Arm in Southern League
• Conclusion: Simmons has shown a wonderful approach at the plate.  He's also capable of posting high contact rate despite lacking power, resulting in legit, high batting average. He has speed, but has a lot of learning to do in the art of stealing bases. He's also shown improvement in OBP% in every year in the Minors. All of this resulted in Simmons being able to hold his own in the Majors last year as skills that were developed in Minors, streamlined fairly well in the Big Leagues. 

Players #105-101 are available.

Players #95-91 is also available.