Blog Archives
Watching Mike Trout Live in Anaheim: Locked On MLB – June 7, 2019
I went to Anaheim and recorded an episode from the stands as I watched Mike Trout play live and in person for the first time in my life.
He did NOT disappoint.
This is the Locked On MLB Podcast hosted by me, Paul Francis Sullivan. Please call me Sully.
Click HERE to hear the episode
Sully Baseball Podcast – Angels flunked one test and are facing another – April 23, 2018

Bob Levey/Getty Images North America
The Angels got clobbered at home by the Red Sox and dropped two more to San Francisco, derailing their momentum. If they want to make a play for the AL West, they need to play the Astros well, head to head. The Angels and Astros series starts tonight.
Seeing the whole season as a series if tests in this episode of Sully Baseball.
While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.
Sully Baseball Podcast – Talking Angels with J. Keith van Straaten – January 20, 2018
The Angels have the best player in baseball and signed one of the biggest stars in the world. There is plenty to get excited about in Anaheim.
I invited comedian, TV host and Angels super fan J. Keith van Straaten to join the podcast. We talked about his fandom, Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Mike Scioscia and what made the 2002 team so special.
Giving Orange County its due on this episode of Sully Baseball.
Visit the website for J. Keith van Straaten by clicking HERE.
Subscribe to the podcast Go Fact Yourself by clicking HERE.
Follow J. Keith van Straaten on Twitter by clicking HERE.
While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.
Sully Baseball Podcast – Talking Braves stadium and Angels team that should have won – April 20, 2017

Scott Cunningham
One of my most devoted listeners asked me a question.
@sullybaseball thoughts on the new braves stadium?
— Christopher a austin (@Christopheraau2) April 17, 2017
The Braves new stadium seems nice but kind of what they already had. Meanwhile I discuss the Angels team that should have won.
Travelling down the state of California on this episode of Sully Baseball.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 28, 2017

Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America
Mike Trout might never be universally recognized and that MAY just be a product of the current way we consume culture. Meanwhile Mike Scioscia might have outstayed his welcome.
Adapt with the times in this episode of Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
The Los Angeles Angels Have Had a Great Offseason
Outside of watching Mike Trout dominate on a nightly basis, there wasn’t much else to be happy about in 2016 with regard to the Los Angeles Angels.
They went a disappointing 74-88 and missed the playoffs for the fourth time since 2012, which was Trout’s rookie season. To make things worse, it’s also been hard to feel optimistic about the organization’s future in recent years.
It’s getting better, though.
ESPN’s Keith Law (subscription required) no longer views them as baseball’s worst farm system, but coming in 27th out of 30 teams isn’t anything to party about. On the big-league level, big contracts to C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver have come off the books, leaving just one more year of paying Josh Hamilton and another five years (womp womp) of Albert Pujols.
Without the financial means to throw money at a free agent or the farm system to offer a boatload of intriguing prospects in a trade, general manager Billy Eppler had to get creative this winter, which is exactly what he’s done.
Are the Angels now playoff contenders? Probably not, but they look better on paper for 2017 than they did in 2016.
Let’s see how much of a lift the roster could have with a series of moves that haven’t grabbed a ton of headlines over the past few months.
Royals Acquire RHP Jared Ruxer From Angels For RHP Brooks Pounders
The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Jared Ruxer from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brooks Pounders.
Ruxer, 24, split the 2016 season between Burlington [Iowa] (A) and Inland Empire (A), posting a combined 3.08 ERA in 29 appearances and 19 starts and a 4-8 record. He opened the season with the Bees, going 3-2 with a 1.44 ERA (10 ER in 62.1 IP) in his first 18 outings, before being promoted to the 66ers on July 8, where he was 1-6 with a 5.18 ERA in his final 11 outings (all starts). Last season marked Ruxer’s second year in professional baseball after being selected by the Angels in the 12th round the of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.
5 Advanced Stats That Show The Best Could Still Be Ahead For Mike Trout
After bringing home the American League Most Valuable Player award for the second time in his young career, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is in elite company. But is there reason to believe the best is yet to come for the 25-year-old?
It doesn’t seem like he could actually get any better at this point, but some advanced statistics show that’s not an entirely crazy statement. Which is pretty crazy in itself.
With five full years in the big leagues under Trout’s belt, he’s already accomplished plenty:
The years he didn’t win the AL MVP? He placed second in the voting, which is the first time any player has done that to start their career. He also joins Barry Bondsas the only players to finish in the top two of voting for five consecutive years…ever.
Trout has played at an elite level since 2012 – the lowest fWAR he’s produced in a full season of play was 7.9 back in 2014. Him getting better sounds preposterous, but that’s exactly what Buster Olney said he’s doing last week on the Baseball Tonight podcast.
After looking at his year-by-year progression in the following five areas, it’s not hard to believe the best is yet to come for Trout.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 20, 2016

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America – Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images North America
You know the adage that even the best players in baseball fail 70% of the time? That isn’t always true.
Joey Votto and Mike Trout succeed almost 50% of the time. So why aren’t they batting lead off?
It is a by the numbers episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Marco Estrada, Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman, Elvis Andrus, Jharel Cotton, Madison Bumgarner, Jose Abreu and James Loney all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – August 24, 2016
Believe it or not, the Angels have one of the oldest stadiums in baseball. And maybe they will find reason to leave Anaheim behind them.
It is a Heavenly episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Gregory Polanco, Victor Martinez, Jake Arrieta, Sean Manaea, Nolan Arenado, Nick Buss and Jon Grayall added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
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What Is Taking So Long With The Angels And Tim Lincecum Deal?

Matt York – AP
Trey Rose (Featured BBBA Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com)
Follow @dynasty_digest Follow @mlbreports
Which team will sign former Cy Young Award winner, Tim Lincecum? It is a question many baseball fans have been pondering for weeks. It looks like we could have an answer very soon.
It was reported a few days ago that Lincecum signed with the Los Angeles Angels, but there is no finalized answer quite yet. The deal is pending a physical, but it has been nearly three days since hearing any verdict of the final decision.
To view the rest of the article, click the link below:
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 18, 2016

Matt York – AP
Fredi Gonzalez gets fired because evidently he was supposed to take a stripped down team to the promised land.
Meanwhile Tim Lincecum got a job because Arte Moreno thinks it is 2011.
It is an “Update Your Resume” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Chase Anderson, Joc Pederson, Danny Salazar, Khris Davis, Max Scherzer, Mallex Smith, Phil Hughes and Travis Shaw all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 12, 2016

AP.
Should the Angels deal Mike Trout?
Of course not. They should trade everyone NOT named Mike Trout!
It is a “rebuild around the Greek God” Episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Max Scherzer earned a WOB as a pitcher and Noah Syndergaard owned baseball as a hitter.
Jackie Bradley Jr., Doug Fister, John Lackey, Chris Herrmann, Jordan Zimmermann and Jason Kipnis also added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Trade Rumor: Will The Los Angeles Angels Flip Mike Trout?
Trey Rose (Featured BBBA Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com)
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As of right now, the Angels only have 3 starting pitchers listed on their depth chart (Jared Weaver, Hector Santiago, and Nick Tropeano).
This team is falling apart and it could be time to make a drastic move.
They are currently 13 – 18, but they are expected to continue to drop in the standings considering their team can’t stay healthy. Just to make matters worse, their farm system is widely considered to be the worst minor league system in baseball.
With that said, is it time for the Angels to consider trading Mike Trout to restock their farm system and focus on building their team for the future?
To read the rest of the article, click the link below:
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Tim Lincecum Could Be A Difference Maker For A Rotation In 2016
Trey Rose (Featured BBBA Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com)
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Tim Lincecum will pitch in front of upwards of 15 to 20 teams on Friday. He has been sidelined since last season due to arthroscopic hip surgery. He has been rehabbing for the last few months, and it looks as if he is finally ready to showcase his talents in front of scouts.
There are reports that he is already throwing in the low 90’s, which is great news for the right-handed pitcher.
As of right now, some of the reported teams who will be in attendance on Friday include the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, and the Baltimore Orioles.
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Bryce Harper And Mike Trout Get All The Attention That Manny Machado Deserves Some Of Too
Trey Rose (Featured BBBA Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com)
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It is no secret that Bryce Harper and Mike Trout are considered the two best players in fantasy baseball, but Manny Machado deserves to be in that discussion.
One of the most discussed questions in fantasy baseball is, “which player is the best?” Prior to 2015, an overwhelming majority would have given that honor to Mike Trout.
After a history-making season in 2015, Bryce Harper broke onto the scene and people started to question whether or not he should be considered the best in the business. While Harper and Trout were getting the spotlight, I’m sure Manny Machado was thinking, “well, what about me?”
Machado deserves to be in the discussion for one of the best fantasy baseball players after his breakout 2015 season, and his torrid start to 2016. Before discussing Machado, lets take a look at Harper and Trout.
To read the rest of the article, click the link below:
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Archives Dec.1, 2012 – Dec.31, 2012 (Lost Eps 39 – 69)
Paul Francis Sullivan (please call him Sully) does a podcast 365 days a year – unless it is a leap year – then he will do another 1. He has done a show everyday since Oct.24/2012. This to date represents a streak of 1215 days consecutively!
Past the CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY are episodes 39 – 69 of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully starting posting his daily podcasts at the mlbreports.com on Feb.6, 2013. So we will add the dates between Oct.24, 2012 and Feb.6, 2013 in case you missed any of his awesome 1st 105 episodes.
But we will also archive all of his podcasts to date (in coming weeks) – so they are easily accessible for all his fans.
Our website followers have grown larger each year for his podcast.
Follow Sully Baseball On Twitter Follow @sullybaseball
To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.
To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE. Read the rest of this entry
Top 5 Projected MLB Holds Leaders (AL + NL) In 2016

With so much uncertainty in the air about Mark Melancon’s fate with the club, I can’t pick Tony Watson to win this category for a 2nd straight year. He was also the runner-up in the 2014 season. I say he is the Closer in the 2nd half of the year. His teammate Jared Hughes will get plenty of opportunities all year in late inning relief.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
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It is time to get our fantasy teams ready in 2016. Because of the long winter year for certain players, the Relievers market has a pile of roster moves to go down before opening weekend in April. There are some guys that could make the list, but I am itching to write my list.
For the reasons I was just talking about, Jeremy Affeldt, Matt Thornton, Casey Janssen, Manny Parra, Eric O’Flaherty, Tommy Hunter, Franklin Morales, Neal Cotts, Nathan Adcock, Wesley Wright, Matt Capps, Sergio Santos, Ryan Webb and Joe Beimel won’t appear – although only a couple of those guys are even relevant to the Holds stat.
The biggest questions to think of include trade possibilities. Will the Pirates trade Mark Melancon? If this happens, NL Leader of Holds last year, Tony Watson, may see some time as the Closer for the Bucs. Read the rest of this entry
Fantasy Baseball King: Harper or Trout?
Trey Rose (Featured Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com) Follow @Dynasty_Digest
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I don’t think any baseball follower would have questioned the fact that Mike Trout was the best player in baseball a year ago. After the 2015 season, there could be a new king of baseball, Bryce Harper.
They are two very different people, but similar players. If you were to ask Bryce Harper who is the best in baseball, he would probably respond with something similar to, “that’s a clown question bro.” Ask the same question to Mike Trout and you would probably get a big grin and a dose of humility.
Either way, they are both great players, but I plan on finding out who is truly the king of dynasty leagues. It’s time to dive in and digest this topic:
The Padres Should Definitely Not Pursue Yoenis Cespedes: But The Angels Should

Yoenis Cespedes led all LF for HRs with 35 on the campaign in 2015. He picked a contract year for his best season to date out of the 4 years he has been in the Major Leagues. Cespedes hit 17 HRs with the Mets in 2 months, after smacking out just 18 in the first four months with Detroit. Cespedes finished in the top 40 for both leagues in respective big fly’s, and was tie for 13th overall with Manny Machado and David Ortiz. The 30 Year Old would not be a good fit in San Diego – where they have a similar player in Matt Kemp already. His presence with Trout and Calhoun in Los Angeles would be the best all around Outfield in the Majors should he sign there.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With Yoenis Cespedes still on the open market a lot of speculation is running rampant on which squads should be in the running for his services.
While I am not sure I buy the theory at all, the Padres have been said to be checking in on the big Cuban star.
This type of signing would be a monumental mistake in my view.
I would hope that A.J. Preller would have learned his lesson by acquiring high strikeout, low OBP players that have power that may not translate to their home park in Petco Park. Read the rest of this entry
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