From a mechanics standpoint, Wright spent most of last year trying to push the ball to right field and play to the dimensions at Citi Field. Thinking about the layout of his home ballpark was probably taking more of a toll on him than it should have been; this year it's like he's "mentally free." He's being so aggressive -- instead of looking to push those middle pitches to the opposite field he's turning on them and hitting the ball hard. Last year, the mechanics he was working into his swing seemed to go on the road with him. Now he has the right approach for whatever stadium he plays in, and that's because he's sticking with his strengths - link
Ken Davidoff of Newsday reports that the Mets "like the idea" of acquiring Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly. The Mets are also believed to be in on the Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt sweepstakes, but Lilly would allow them to ship off fewer prospects. The Cubs southpaw has a 3.76 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and a 64/22 K/BB ratio in 14 starts this season and is owed $6 million for the rest of 2010. He's a free agent in 2011. - link
Least Cy Youngesque – AL - Scott Kazmir - Los Angeles Angels - Kazmir is under contract with Angels for 8 million this season, 12 million the next, and then will have his contract bought out for 2.5 million before the 2012 season begins. Kazmir has been good at times throughout his career, but not recently. After seeing him give up seven earned while walking five to the Chicago White Sox yesterday, I realized just how bad Kazmir is. His line... 5.68 FIP… 5.98 k/9… 4.74 bb/9… 1.44 hr/9… 16 starts with 87.1 IP… -.2 WAR… 8 million dollar salary. Kazmir has a lifetime FIP of four & has struck out a batter per inning throughout his career. The Kazmir we are seeing of late isn't the same Kazmir that had some solid seasons while with the Tamp Bay Rays. His strand & babip rates aren't really too far off his career norms, but his K rate is. Currently at 5.98 per 9, he is striking out about a 1/3 less batters than he normally has throughout his career. His K rate has been trending down for a number of seasons, but 5.98 per nine is a far cry from what it could be at. Although Kazmir's HR/FB ratio is currently at 11.9%, up from his career number of 8.9%, he is somehow giving up fewer fly balls & liners than normal, which is scary. Kazmir has been bad, and in my opinion the worst starting pitcher in the AL this season. - link
Well folks, looks as though next years crop of College Baseball Phenoms for the 2005 Draft will be slim pickings. I've seen my share of games where players kick the ball around, however, I've never seen so many mistakes made by supposedly a polished crop of top flight college players. - RHP, Mike Pelfrey, Wichita State, 6'5 200, 2005 prospect, he'll probably go in the first round because of his size, the numbers on the gun and he's coming from a traditional program that turns out a player or two in the bigs. I really question his durability too over the long run. He's a very lean 200 lbs for his size, but he can run up the gun to 97 MPH, but doesn't dominate hitters with the K pitch. His breaking stuff is adequate and should improve up the ladder. Very intriguing to watch. - link
Robbie Aviles:
7-6 from: - link - The Indians signed seventh-round pick Robbie Aviles, a high-school right-hander from Suffern, N.Y., for $150,000, and an additional $200,000 for college. Aviles will undergo Tommy John surgery within the week. Projected to be a compensation pick (between the first and second round), Aviles injured his right elbow a couple of days before the draft. "We're taking a calculated risk," said Brad Grant, Indians director of amateur scouting
Mack: See, these are the kind of risk picks I wish the Mets would take… I guarantee you that this will turn out to be a great investment.
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