Coming into the 2011 season, there were 3 sure things: death, taxes and Adam Dunn’s offensive statistics. Dunn was the epitome of a ‘sure thing’. His home run totals from 2005-2010 read like clockwork: 40, 40, 40, 38, 38. Likewise, his RBI totals were also machinelike in their regularity and predictability: 102, 101, 106, 100, 105, 103. Then, came the summer of 2011. Dunn finished with 11 HR and 42 RBI and set a major league record with a .159 BA. He also ended up with 18 more strikeouts than points on his batting average, beating Mark Reynolds mark of 13 more Ks than BA points. Somewhere, Rob Deer is smiling. The lesson to be learned? Never draft a player and consider it money in the bank. - http://baseballreflections.com/2011/10/03/lessons-learned-fantasy-baseball-2011-and-fantasy-baseball-2012
If there is one thing that can be said about Chicago White Sox General Manager Ken Williams it is that he is always bold. Williams has spent a career making bold choices whether it was claiming Alex Rios off of waivers or making a trade for Jake Peavy, Williams is always aggressive. His aggressiveness has led to a .527 winning percentage since 2000, two division titles, and one World Series title. Aggressiveness can equal success, but the downside of having such aggressiveness is the very real possibility of making a big mistake. The 2011 version of Alex Rios was such a mistake. Jake Peavy hasn’t been all that healthy - http://fcpbaseballreport.com/category/newsletter-volume-02-issue-09
It seems that this year’s Baseball World Cup tournament could be the last. I suspect that such a decision by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) would have a lot to do with the recent creation of another competition that brings together many of the best players from around the world: the World Baseball Classic. Cuba has historically dominated the World Cup tournaments, having taken home a total of 25 gold medals, while the United States has trailed closest behind by picking up four. - http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=52853
Yasmani Grandal: (ER) Much like fellow Reds catching prospect Devin Mesoraco last year, Grandal heads to Arizona with a great offensive season under his belt and nagging questions about his defense. Grandal did get solid reviews on his throwing, but had quite a few passed balls and is still honing his game-calling. He did receive a late-season promotion to Triple-A, and if Mesoraco wins at least a part-time job out of spring training as is expected, Grandal will likely begin the year in Louisville. It would be surprising if Grandal struggled much with the bat in a hitter's league like the AFL, so expect most evaluators to be scrutinizing his defense. This may also be as much a showcase for prospective trade partners as it is a developmental assignment. The Reds will have some decisions to make about their most viable chips (Grandal, Alonso) as they determine what pieces they need to contend in 2012. - http://bullpenbanter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=481:arizona-fall-league-who-to-watch-a-what-to-watch-for&catid=18:articles&Itemid=11
However, before anything else, you may ask yourself how to be a baseball catcher. First, you need to know and learn the basic executions as a catcher. Another is that you also need to determine something with regard to handling pitchers. You need to determine your capabilities, as well as what type of disposition you need to have if you want to play this position in baseball. Keep in mind that if the pitcher is a very anxious gamer and prone to pitch too quickly, it will be then up to you to hold the ball longer between pitches and slow down the pitcher. Furthermore, if the pitcher gets daunted fast, you need to talk to him as a catcher and try encouraging him more. Most importantly, you as a catcher may need to determine which pitch is the hurler’s best-is it the rapid ball or the curve. Also, when a new pitcher comes into the field, you need to meet him at eh pile, review all the signs, the present situation, the score and the number of outs, as well as the next hitter. - http://whatisthetrend.net/how-to-be-a-baseball-catcher-effectively-20119325.html
Get Grandal.
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