Blog Archives

2 And A Hook Podcast #7: Ranking The 30 Ball Parks In The MLB + Giants And Red Sox Correspondent Interviews

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Friday, June.07/2013

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast.

‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball:  ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)

By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran News and Stats – 1st minute to 7 minute mark, 26 Minute Mark to 36 Minute Mark, and 1 Hour 4 Minute Mark to 1 Hour Minute 8.) 

People in this Podcast:

Jonathan Schifferle (MLB Reports Giants Correspondent – 7 Minutes in and a 18 Minute Segment)

Ryan Dana (MLB Reports Boston Red Sox Correspondent – 36 Minute Mark and a 27 Minute Segment) 

Chuck Booth (MLB Reports Owner and Lead Baseball Analyst – 1 Hour and 10 Minutes In and a 43 Minute Segment) 

On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & yours truly The Bench Warmers, I get into the Alex Rodriguez/Anthony Bosch soap opera very briefly.

I  then interviewed our (MLB Reports) Giants correspondent Jonathan Schifferle to talk about the giants team,”The Peapods” in the stands for Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence also known as “The Killer Peas”. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 6, 2013

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Today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I talk to my dear friend Anna about her trip to Miller Park to see the Brewers play her beloved Oakland A’s.

Listen to the podcast and learn about a unicorn backpack and a certain dish at Miller Park called THE BEAST!

Carlos Gonzalez, R. A. Dickey, Julio Teheran and Kyle Seager (who did something NEVER done before in the history of Major League Baseball!) all owned baseball on June 5, 2013.

To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?,” click HERE.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 6, 2013

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (June 5th) – Updated Yearly “WOB” Standings


 (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

R.A. Dickey let up only 2 hits in 8 1/3 shutout innings and drove in a run to help his cause as Toronto beat the defending champs in San Francisco, 4-0.

Julio Teheran threw a no hitter into the 8th inning and finished with 8 1 hit, shutout innings in the Braves 5-0 victory over the Pirates.

Carlos Gonzalez smashed 3 homers, driving in 6, as the Rockies dismantled the Reds 12-4.

And the Mariners did not win their epic 16 inning marathon against the Chicago White Sox. But don’t blame Kyle Seager! He went 3-5 in the loss, including a 2 out, 2 strike game tying grand slam in the bottom of the 14th. Do you know how many people have hit an extra inning game tying grand slam in the history of baseball? One. Kyle Seager. He did it yesterday.

They all owned baseball on June 5th, 2013. No doubt my choices will cause some controversy today. Hey, it is MY stat!

My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.

At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.

To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click here Read the rest of this entry

MLB Mock Rule4 Draft 2013

a 2013 MLB Draft

MLB Mock Draft 

Before I start I just want to say that baseball is a very tough game so when I say he can be a all star or that he can have a curveball that is just unhittable – it may not happen……. and actually is very doubtful to fully reach the ceiling. Read the rest of this entry

Top Teams In The MLB 1 – 30 + (200 Best Stats For The Last Month)

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Thursday June.06/2013

Chris Davis was the hitter of the month for the MLB Reports.  The guy has 20 HRs and 20 2B on the season - after hitting 11/11 for both columns in the last 30 Days.  The Orioles slugger also hit for a 3 Slash Line of .385/.448/1.256.  Davis also Walked 11 Times, drove in 22 RBI - and collected 40 Hits in just 24 Games Played.  He is on pace for a 50 HR/ 50 Doubles Season.  "Crush" is due for Arbitration after this year - and will garner a considerable payraise from the $3.3 MIL he will earn this season.

Chris Davis was the AL hitter of the month for the MLB Reports. The guy has 20 HRs and 20 2B on the season – after hitting 11/11 for both columns in the last 30 Days. The Orioles slugger also hit for a 3 Slash Line of .385/.448/1.256. Davis also Walked 11 Times, drove in 22 RBI – and collected 40 Hits in just 24 Games Played. He is on pace for a 50 HR/50 Doubles Season. “Crush” is due for Arbitration after this year – and will garner a considerable payraise from the $3.3 MIL he will earn this season.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

The time has come for the June Power Rankings with Stats Edition.  There will be one each for May, June, July, August, September – and then a special playoff edition Power Rankings will be done in October.

I will not do a weekly Power Rankings during this weeks, because in essence, these are the weekly rankings done on a much larger scale.

These Reports are done with a heavy thought to how the teams project by the end of the season – along with how the clubs have fared so far.

I will point out who has had great months for the all 30 MLB Teams.  I reward the good performances in these rankings – and leave the poor ones for the Podcasts or future articles. CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON or scroll past the video and picture

Chris Davis 2013 Highlights:

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MLB Team Power Rankings

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Sunday June.02/2013

Miguel Cabrera is absolutely unconscious this season so far;.  He has a 3 Slash Line of .369 (Leads AL)/.445 (Leads AL/1.121 (2ndi n AL), with 17 HRs (2nd AL) and a mind - blowing 65 RBI through 54 Games Played.  He is on pace for 51 HRs. 195 RBI and about 250 Hits.  He keeps getting better every single year if possible. Despite his prominence - and a lineup full of ALL - Star hitters and Pitchers, the Tigers are limping along at just a few games over .500.  It certainly isn't this 30 Year Olds fault.

Miguel Cabrera is absolutely unconscious this season so far; He has a 3 Slash Line of .369 (Leads AL)/.445 (Leads AL/1.121 (2nd in AL), with 17 HRs (2nd AL) and a mind – blowing 65 RBI through 54 Games Played. He is on pace for 51 HRs, 195 RBI and about 250 Hits. He keeps getting better every single year if possible. Despite his prominence – and a lineup full of ALL – Star hitters and Pitchers, the Tigers are limping along at just a few games over .500. It certainly isn’t this 30 Year Old’s fault.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Featuring the Podcasters the Big ticket Show in the Audio Portion

I will be doing a stat fueled rankings list on this Thursday.  These rankings will have some stats and  random thoughts of what I will be talking about in today’s podcast with the Big Ticket Show (AKA, Triple Play Podcast.)

Games Prior to Sunday June.02/2013

Cardinals 2013 30/30 Preview

Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON to continue… or scroll past the Triple Play Podcast. Read the rest of this entry

Five Players The Mariners Could Target In The Upcoming MLB Draft

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Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

D.J. Peterson, a potential Mariners first round selection, is hitting .410 with 18 HR for the University of New Mexico.

D.J. Peterson, a potential Mariners first round selection, is hitting .410 with 18 HR for the University of New Mexico.

Sam Evans ( Baseball Writer and Marlins, Mariners Correspondent):

With the #12 pick in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft, the Seattle Mariners will have numerous future superstars to choose from.

 Whether they decide to go the route of a talented but raw high school athlete or a tested and experienced college player, General Manager Jack Zdurencik will be making a decision that could save his job. J.P. Crawford and Austin Meadows are two very athletic high school players that the Mariners could target.

Or, they could choose to go the route of D.J. Peterson, Hunter Renfroe, or Ryne Stanek, three experienced college players. No matter what route they decide to take, this pick is going to be extremely important for the future of the Seattle Mariners. 

MLB Draft Prospect: Hunter Renfroe

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2 And A Hook Podcast Episode #6: Fantasy, Phillies And Rangers Expert Interviews + Notes

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Friday, May.31/2013

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast.

‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball:  ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)

By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran) 

People in this Podcast:

On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & The Bench Warmers Show (thebenchwarmers.podomatic.com), I started by paying respects to a follower of mine on twitter (the great late Kiley)   who passed away last week…not only she was a great Yankee fan who loved Derek Jeter – but also was the most sweetest giving person ever, R.I.P….

I start to talk about the Subway Series then I interviewed my first guest Derek Jackson (10 Minute Mark  – 20 Minute Segment.   who is a fantasy expert for MLB Reports! We talked about which callups to watch midway through the season,a look at the rookie crop of players & second year players…check out his latest fantasy article here Read the rest of this entry

Opening Day Or First Pitches I Wish I’d Already Seen

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Thursday May.30, 2013

 Mitt Romney Even Practices Throwing the First Pitch in the Spring Training with Snowballs.

Jason Alpert-Wisnia: (MLB Reports Kids Writer – visit his website here )

Baseball’s Opening Day is long gone and passed already and I’m a little bit late, and one of the biggest baseball traditions has already done; The Opening Day Pitch.

This pitch marks the starting of the season, and the beginning of the game for the team, and is always thrown by someone of great importance to the home team.

Also, throughout the year, there still are Pitches later that aren’t as important as the Opening Day Pitch, but are still very inetresting and fun and uplifting.

This Opening Day 2013, people such as Joe Torre for the Cincinnati Reds & (Former Staff Sergeant and Winner of the Medal of Honor Award) Clint Romesh for the Washington Nationals.

But this year, many teams Ceremonial First Pitches let me down, and weren’t as good or funny as I wished. So here are some of the people I wished had thrown Opening Day pitches for certain teams this season.

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Triple Play Podcast #10: An Interview With MLB Reports Cards Correspondent Landen Crouch + Poor Show Of Brett Lawrie!

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Tuesday, May 28th, 2013

The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month.  Each show will be about 1 hour

The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month. Each show will be about 1 hour.

By The Big Ticket Show ( AKA Triple Play Podcast on http://www.mlbreports.com)

Guests in this Podcast – Landen Crouch (Cardinals Correspondent) of mlbreports.com  (

Landen Crouch of mlbreports.com is our guest on this episode as we discuss the continuous success of the cardinals. We also cover their rich history as Landen gives us his Mt Rushmore of Cards greats. Finally we bat around Brett Lawrie‘s recent run-ins and lack of maturity.

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MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 8

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Monday May.27/2013

The Detroit Tigers were second on the list for moving up rankings with 5 spots.  They have overtaken the Indians - and have 5 players that are hitting north of .300.  Their top 4 Starters may be the best in the game - and they play in an extremely winnable division where teams can`t match them for payroll or talent.

The Detroit Tigers were second on the list for moving up rankings with 5 spots. They have overtaken the Indians in the AL Central  – and have 5 players that are hitting north of .300. Their top 4 Starters may be the best in the game – and they play in an extremely winnable division where teams can`t match them for payroll or talent.  Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter on the planet – and has great support.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

The Oakland Athletics are making another run at the expense of the lesser lites  in the Division.  This team feasts on the Astros and Mariners – and are not half bad at playing the Rangers and Angels either.  The goal for them is to continue to pitch.  They must try to at least take 2 games versus San Francisco in the 4 game set.

The Kansas City Royals may have rolled up snake eyes in gambling on their 2013 season.  Suffering the longest playoff drought in the majors at 28 years, the franchise traded away its best prospect player in Wil Myers for a 2 year pitching solution in James Shields.

The problem is that their nucleus of young talented hitters have failed them.  Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas are being outpowered by some teams Pitching cores in the NL.

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Arroyo’s Last Stand: Revisiting The Trade That Brought Him To Cincy For Wily Mo Pena

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Wily Mo Pena was the classic 'tease' power hitter for several MLB clubs.  The Reds sold high on him - as he only hit 34 HRs and drove in 105 RBI fiun 827 AB for 4 different clubs over 7 seasons.  With Cincy, He hit for  51 HRs and drove in 134 RBI during his 830 AB with them.  I would say that the Trade has worked out well for the Reds - in receiving a top of the Rotation Starter for almost a decade in exchange.

Wily Mo Pena was the classic ‘tease’ power hitter for several MLB clubs. The Reds sold high on him – as he only hit 34 HRs and drove in 105 RBI in his 827 AB for 4 different clubs over 6 seasons after he left Ohio – before packing up for Japan. With Cincy, He hit for 51 HRs and drove in 134 RBI during his 830 AB with them. I would say that the Trade has worked out well for the Reds – in receiving a top of the Rotation Starter for almost a decade in exchange.  Wily Mo Pena was still the best Batting Practice hitter in the Majors.  Clubbing 84 HRs in 1703 Career AB is just a little over 1 HR per 20 AB.  Just not worthy of  a Pitcher like Arroyo.

By Matt Steinmann (Reds Correspondent)

In March of 2006, the Reds completed a deal that sent outfielder Wily Mo Pena to the Boston Red Sox for Starting Pitcher Bronson Arroyo and cash.

Now, in 2013, Bronson Arroyo is in the final year of a contract with the Reds and Wily Mo Pena is in the Japanese League. With all the talk from fans for the team to sign Shin-Soo Choo to a long term deal, the name not being mentioned is Bronson Arroyo.

It almost seems like a foregone conclusion that he will walk at the end of the season, but is that the right move?

Wily Mo Pena Tribute in 2011 – Mature Lyrics So Parental Guidance is Advised

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MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 7

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Monday May.20/2013

The Padres have played great baseball since they plugged Chase Headley back in the lineup.  Players like Yonder Alonso, Will Venable, Everth Cabrera and even Kyle Blanks have bashed the ball around.  Since a lot of the NL West clubs have not run away with the Division, the San Diego club has entered the picture for the Division Race

The Padres have played great baseball since they plugged Chase Headley back in the lineup. Players like Yonder Alonso, Will Venable, Everth Cabrera and even Kyle Blanks have bashed the ball around. Since a lot of the NL West clubs have not run away with the Division, the San Diego club has entered the picture for the Division Race.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

The Rangers are #1 again based on the Division lead they currently possess, plus the fact they play all of these teams a total of 76 Games this year.

The Braves (rose their division lead to 2.5 Games with a 4 – 2 week), and Padres (18 – 13 in their last 31 Games and have been clubbing the ball lateley) were the biggest movers up for the week standings by climbing 6 spots apiece. 

The biggest drops were the San Francisco Giants (hate their Starting Pitching right now – except for Madison Bumgarner) and the Baltimore Orioles (late inning magic might be dying – and still need a DH + a Veteran Starter or 2).

The Los Angeles teams keep losing ball games – and the Blue Jays lost 2 straight versus the Yankees just when they looked to be on track.

Cleveland is still ranked outside the top ten because I don’t have faith in their strength of schedule in the next month starting May 21st:  2 vs DET, 4 @BOS, 2 vs CIN, 2 @CIN, 2 vs TB, 3 @NYY, 3 @DET, 3 @TEX, 3 vs WSH and finally 3 vs KC.  If they are above .500 after this stretch, I will be impressed.

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Mariners Lose Two Tough Games in a Row To Cleveland: But They Are Still Playing a Good Brand Of Baseball

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Sunday, May 19th, 2013

One bright spot for the Mariners over the past couple of days has been first baseman Justin Smoak, who has reached base eight times in the last three games.

One bright spot for the Mariners over the past couple of days has been first baseman Justin Smoak, who has reached base eight times in the last three games.

Sam Evans ( Baseball Writer and Marlins, Mariners Correspondent):

The last two days have to have been extremely rough for the Seattle Mariners. Coming off a series win in New York, the Mariners were sitting comfortably in second place in the A.L. West. However, after two straight walk-off losses to Cleveland, the Mariners have slipped to third in the West.

Having deserved to win at least one of their last two games, the Mariners have likely just ran into some bad luck and they have a great opportunity to get back on track Sunday, with King Felix on the mound.

Tom Hamilton Calls Jason Kipnis Walk Off Home Run 5/17/13: 

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2 And A Hook Podcast Ep #5: What about WAR? + The Good, The Bad + Downright Underachieving Teams in 2013

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Friday, May.17/2013

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast

MLB reports and The Benchwarmers Show present 2 and A Hook Podcast.

People in this Podcast:

Chuck Booth – (`15 Minutes In – 15 Minute Segment) Guest (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

By James Acevedo – Host (Podcast Veteran) 

‘2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball:  ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)

On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & yours truly  ‘The Bench Warmers Show’, Chuck Booth does his regular segment this time about what’s been going on the MLB Reports website & talking about what to do with the DH position with Adam Dunn, Steve Pearce & Nolan Reimold In the AL.

Plus the Baltimore franchise signing and pitching Freddy Garcia & why the Orioles should have added veteran pitching depth before the season started

Why Raul Ibanez being an underrated player & the horrible starts of their seasons by David Price & Rickie Weeks!

Also I talk to Diamondbacks correspondent for MLB Reports & for Rant Sports (www.rantsports.com)  Chris Lacey 45 Minutes In (10 Minute Segment)  –  as we talk about whats going on with the team.

We also see the return of Yankees correspondent & trade correspondent for MLB Reports Nicholas Rossoletti (1 Hour In – 45 minute Segment)  as we talk about the importance of the WAR stat, sabermetrics, lack of trading & why buying free agents isn’t working for the Angels, Dodgers & Blue Jays!

I also do my stats & notes segment as usual for you baseball nuts out there so go check out the show & SPREAD THE WORD!!! Thanks for all of your continuous support!!!

CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON or scroll down to listen to the episode Read the rest of this entry

Current Top 5 MLB Home Run Leaders in the AL + NL: Home Runs Hit May 15th

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Thursday May.16/2013

Ibanez had 1004 RBI in the last 11 Years and he clubbed  338 of those from 2006-2008 with the Mariners.  He is likely to see around 350-400 AB this year.  Ibanez has hit HRs in consecutive days - hitting 1 HR on Tuesday versus the Yankees - before exploding for a Grand Slam and a 2 run shot yesterday versus his old Yankees Teammates.  He is currently on a 5 Games Hitting Streak ( 8 - 19, .421) with 5 HRs and 12 RBI

Ibanez had 1004 RBI in the last 11 Years and he clubbed 338 of those from 2006-2008 with the Mariners. He is likely to see around 350-400 AB this year. Ibanez has hit HRs in consecutive days – hitting 1 HR on Tuesday versus the Yankees – before exploding for a Grand Slam and a 2 run shot yesterday against his old teammates. He is currently on a 5 Game Hitting Streak ( 8 – 19, .421) – with 5 HRs and 12 RBI.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

DH on our home site pages – Stands for Daily HR Hitters in the Majors.

We are going to run the gauntlet on the previous days HRs for all MLB Players.

I loved it when MLB XM Radio used to do a running total every night on their Roundtrip with Mike Ferrin (Laser Show).  So I am bringing it every day on this website.  To view every nights big boppers for the whole year (from May 8th on) visit the DH page!

Click beyond the Youtube link or click  the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON to see who hit yesterdays big flies.

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Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May 15th) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Raul Ibanez

Raul Ibanez hit a first inning grand slam and later added a second homer as the Mariners demolished the Yankees, 12-2.

Jon Lester pitched seven strong innings, helping the Red Sox stop a slide and beat the Tampa Bay Rays handily, 9-2.

Shin-Soo Choo homered twice and scored three times after going 4-5 as the Reds shut out the Marlins 4-0.

And Zack Greinke came back from a broken clavicle to throw into the 6th inning for the Dodgers 3-1 win over the Nationals.

They all owned baseball on May 15th, 2013

My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.

At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.

To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – click here Read the rest of this entry

Mark Reynolds And Asdrubal Cabrera: What To Make Of The Club In Cleveland

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Wednesday May 15th, 2013

 was Arbitration Eligible in 2013 and could have been offered it by the Orioles, instead they let him walk, He was great insurance for First and Third Base and they should have kept him for one more year." src="https://mlbreports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/a-a-a-mark-reynolds.jpg" width="604" height="408" /> Mark Reynolds was Arbitration Eligible in 2013 and could have been offered it by the Orioles, instead they let him walk, He was great insurance for First and Third Base and they should have kept him for one more year.  He likely would have made in the 1 YR/$11 MIL Range.  Instead the club opted to try Nolan Reimold and a cast of others for the positions available.  The Orioles DH slot is hitting well under the Mendoza Line at the time of this article.

was Arbitration Eligible in 2013 and could have been offered it by the Orioles, instead they let him walk, He was great insurance for First and Third Base and they should have kept him for one more year.”  Mark Reynolds was Arbitration Eligible in 2013 and could have been offered it by the Orioles, instead they let him walk, He was great insurance for First and Third Base and they should have kept him for one more year. He likely would have made in the 1 YR/$11 MIL Range. Instead the club opted to try Nolan Reimold and a cast of others for the positions available. The Orioles DH slot is hitting well under the Mendoza Line at the time of this article.

Bernie Olshansky (Baseball Writer):

The Cleveland Indians are off to a hot start, sitting just one game back of the Detroit Tigers atop the AL Central. In their last 10 (through Tuesday) they are 7 – 3. Most of this is due to Mark Reynolds.

So far this year, he is hitting .272 with 11 HRs and 32 RBI. This puts him on pace to hit 50 HRs and drive in  close to 15o Runs. Of course, there is no way that he drives in 151 runs, but I think it is possible that he could hit 40+ HRs.

He would have to stay hot the entire season and not get injured, so I would say there is about a three percent chance that he does so. His career highs in HRs and RBI came in 2009 when he hit 44 and drove in 102.

With the Indians lineup the way it is with Jason Kipnis (whom I will talk about later), Asdrubal Cabrera and Nick Swisher hitting in front of him, it seems like Reynolds will have plenty of RBI chances.

Reynolds is also on pace to strike out about 176 times, which is a little bit lower than his career average. Needless to say, if he keeps up his current performance throughout the entire season, he will be the MVP (although I would not count Miguel Cabrera out just yet with the season he is having thus far).

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The Athletics Enter The Quarter Pole At .500: Its Better Than It Looks

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Tuesday May.14/2013

Cespedes has struggled this year - hitting for a 3 Slash Line of .212/.283/.748.  However the team always better when he is in the lineup.  They were 4 - 10 with the big fella out of the Lineup.  Cespedes left last nights game with an illness - after cracking his 7th HR.

Cespedes has struggled this year – hitting for a 3 Slash Line of .212/.283/.748. However the team always better when he is in the lineup. They were 4 – 10 with the big fella out of the Lineup. Cespedes left last nights game with an illness – after cracking his 7th HR.  With the longball Monday night, Cespedes now has hit 31 HRs and driven in 101 RBI in his 1st 155 Games and 586 At-Bats.  Billy Beane signed him as  a Free Agent last winter – prior to the 2012 year.  He finished 2nd in Rookie Of The Year Voting and 10th in AL MVP Voting.  His salary at 4 YRs/$36 MIL deal looks pretty good right now.  He made $6.5 MIL last year, will make $8.5 MIL this year – and will earn $10,5 MIL for both 2014 and 2015.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

The Athletics will enter game #41 at the record of 20 Wins and 20 Losses.  Last nights win was a sigh of relief for the Oakland club and their fans.

After taking 2 out of 3 versus the New York Yankees in the Bronx last week, they were swept in Cleveland in a 4 game series (including that debauchery of a call by Angel Hernandez on the Adam Rosales Game Tying HR) – before losing two of three to the Seattle Mariners.

The A’s have seen their quick start of 12 -4  turn into a barely .500 season thus far at 20 – 20.

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MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 6

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Monday May.13/2013

The Rangers have opened up a 6 game lead over the Athetics - prior to their series with Oakland that kicks off tonight.  They have also only played 15 Home Games - as opposed to 22 Road Games.  Steady veteran hitting - and great Pitching all around has paved the way.  They are the only team in the Division over .500

The Rangers have opened up a 6 game lead over the Athletics – prior to their series with Oakland that kicks off tonight. They have also only played 15 Home Games – as opposed to 22 Road Games. Steady veteran hitting – and great Pitching all around has paved the way. They are the only team in the Division over .500

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

The Rangers are #1 again based on the Division lead they currently possess, plus the fact they play all of these teams a total of 76 Games this year.

St. Louis Cardinals have one hell of a pitching staff – and it is downright scary for the rest of the National League that they have played this well without the offense really clicking.

The Giants continue to streak.  I like their offensive makeup – because players like Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, Marco Scutaro and Hunter Pence all tend to be streaky.

The Boston Red Sox have begun to slow down recently.

The Tampa Bay Rays seem ready to make their charge.

Josh Hamilton and his 1 AB back in Arlington:

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Triple Play Podcast Ep #8 – Bucs And Nats Time In The Around The Horn Feature

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Monday, May  13th, 2013

The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month.  Each show will be about 1 hour

The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month. Each show will be about 1 hour.

By The Big Ticket Show ( AKA Triple Play Podcast on http://www.mlbreports.com)

Guests in this Podcast – MLB Reports Nationals Correspondent David Huzzard of Citizensofnatstown.com ( and MLB Reports Pirates Correspondent Brad Cuprik

On a Mother’s day edition of the triple play podcast we heed the advice of our mother’s and turn the lemon of our original guest being unable to join us into the lemonade of Bard Cuprik of mlbreports.com  (Check out his latest Roster Tree piece – where he goes through the 6 degrees of separation of a how each pitcher arrived in a Bucs uniform here ) – and David Huzzard of the Citizens of Natstown podcast (and Writer) dissects the pitching and the Nationals start to the 2013 Season. Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (May 8th) + Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings

Screen Shot 2013-05-08 at 11.24.45 PM

Paul Goldschmidt was a one man wrecking crew, smacking two homers and driving in all three Arizona runs as the Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers 3-2.

Mike Minor held the Cincinnati Reds to one run over 7 innings and striking out 7 as the Braves were triumphant, winning the series on the road.

Felix Hernandez pitched 8 solid innings letting up only one run and one walk as the Mariners held on to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

And Adam Rosales smashed a clutch 2 out game tying home run in the 9th inning for the A’s. He DID do that. Everyone saw it. Everyone saw the video. Just because Angel Hernandez botched the call doesn’t take away from the FACT that he hit that homer in that situation.

History will not record it as a home run and the A’s game tying rally was squashed even though it actually succeeded. I can not right that wrong and I can not change the past.

But I CAN increase the WOB total for Adam Rosales by one.

Rosales and the others all owned baseball on May 08, 2013

My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.

At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.

To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – click here Read the rest of this entry

MLB Top Teams 1 – 30 + (Best 200 Stats of 2013)

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Monday May.06/2013

Matt Harvey with his stellar outings so far this season may have just become the New York Mets "ace". Harvey is now 4-0 with a 1.66 ERA. Harvey has pitched 40.1 innings - only given up 21 hits, 12 Walks for a League Leading WHIP of .0818  For his awesome 5 weeks we name him the MLB Reports NL Pitcher Of The Month

Matt Harvey with his stellar outings so far this season – may have just become the New York Mets “ace”. Harvey is now 4-0 with a 1.66 ERA. Harvey has pitched 40.1 innings – only given up 21 hits, 12 Walks for a League Leading WHIP of .0818. For his awesome 5 weeks – we name him the MLB Reports NL Pitcher Of The Month

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Stats all Prior to May.06th games. 

The time has come for the 1sy May Power Rankings.  There will be one each for May, June, July, August, September – and then a special playoff edition Power Rankings will be done in October.

I will not do a weekly Power Rankings during this weeks, because in essence, these are the weekly rankings done on a much larger scale.

These Reports are done with a heavy thought to how the teams project by the end of the season – along with how the clubs have fared so far.

I will point out who has had great months for the all 30 MLB Teams.  I reward the good performances in these rankings – and leave the poor ones for the Podcasts or future articles. CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON

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MLB Monthly Power Rankings May 2013 (Podcast Version)

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Sunday, May.05/2013

The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month.  Each show will be about 1 hour

The Triple Play Show will have 5 shows per month. Each show will be about 1 hour.

By The Big Ticket Show ( AKA Triple Play Podcast on http://www.mlbreports.com)

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

One month down in the MLB season and that means it’s time for some Power Rankings! Chuck Booth the czar of MLBreports.com joins us in studio to rank every team from worst to first. Where does your team rank? Read the rest of this entry

The Mariners Are Playing Great Baseball In The Last 2 Weeks

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Sunday, May 5th, 2013

Dustin Ackley has been hitting the ball with a lot more frequency during the last 2 weeks of play.  Due partly to bad luck and partly to bad at bat’s, Dustin Ackley got off to a 5-for-49 start in 2013. Fast forward to the present, and Dustin Ackley is hitting .255/.290/.314 with a grand slam off of R.A. Dickey on Saturday.

Dustin Ackley has been hitting the ball with a lot more frequency during the last 2 weeks of play. Due partly to bad luck and partly to bad at bat’s, Ackley got off to a 5-for-49 start in 2013. Fast forward to the present, and the Mariners Second Baseman is hitting .255/.290/.314 with a grand slam off of R.A. Dickey on Saturday.  He has hits in 9 of his last 10 games (13 – 36, .361 Batting Average in that time frame – raising him 55 Points overall in his season BA.)

Sam Evans ( Baseball Writer and Marlins, Mariners Correspondent):

Believe it or not, the Mariners are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now. After an ugly 8-15 start to the season, the Mariners have won six out of their last eight games, and are two games in front of the Angels in the A.L. West.

It’s unclear how long the Mariners will be able to continue to play this brand of baseball, but for the time being, Seattle is one of the most fun teams to watch in the Majors.

Thanks to young players like Dustin Ackley and Michael Saunders heating up and Hisashi Iwakuma and others shutting down other teams, the Mariners have become a much more dangerous team to face.

Iwakuma’s great start:

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Bundy Injury Might Turn Out Okay After A PRP Injection: The O’s May Callup Gausman Instead

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Saturday May 4, 2013

After being picked 4th overall in the 2011 draft, Bundy made his big league debut just over a year later. Even though most people thought it was too soon to call up the 19 year old RHP, he didn't disappoint in his 2 appearances. He only tossed 1.2 innings but did not allow any runs and only 1 hit and one walk.

After being picked 4th overall in the 2011 draft, Bundy made his big league debut just over a year later. Even though most people thought it was too soon to call up the 19 year old RHP, he didn’t disappoint in his 2 Appearances. He only tossed 1.2 Innings, but did not allow any runs – and only 1 hit and one walk.

By Kyle Holland (MLB Reports Writer):

In 2011 the Baltimore Orioles were lucky enough to have the 4th overall pick in the First Year Player Draft after finishing 66-96 in 2010. When their pick came three pitchers were off the board.

Gerrit Cole went to Pittsburgh, Danny Hultzen went to Seattle, and Trevor Bauer went to Arizona in that order. So, why not continue that trend of picking pitchers?

With the 4th pick in the 2011 draft the Orioles took the RHP Dylan Bundy from Owasso High School in Oklahoma.

Bundy had an impressive 4 years at Owasso High School. In his senior season alone he threw 71 Innings, went 11-1 – while tossing 158 Ks, only 5 Walks and posting a 0.30 ERA.

He won the Gatorade State Player of the Year 3 times and in his senior season became the first baseball player to win the Gatorade Athlete of the Year.

Dylan Bundy- 2010-11 Gatorade Player of the Year

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An Update On The Nationals Top 15 Prospects

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Friday, May. 03/2013

Anthony Rendon was selected 6th overall in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft by the Washington Nationals

Anthony Rendon was selected 6th overall in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft by the Washington Nationals.  In his limited time with the big club, he struggled at the plate, (.182/.308/.227 in 26 Plate Appearances) – while he also made 3 Errors in the field in just 22 Chances.  Still the future is bright and Rendon could certainly play his way onto the Roster later in the year.  He is TRENDING STEADY.

By Sean Hogan (Nationals Correspondent via Citizens of Natstown.com – view website here): 

When I put together my top 15 prospect list for the Washington Baseball Annual, I knew it was a bit risky. Only five of the top ten were not injury risks before the season, and out of those five, two have already been injured this year.

Through the first month of the season, the top part of the Nats’ farm system has been similarly mediocre to the Nats in general.

1)      3B Anthony Rendon – I didn’t think we’d see Rendon in the big leagues this soon, but he was the first call when Ryan Zimmerman went down with a hamstring injury.

Rendon put up a nice .292/.462/.500 triple slash in 65 Harrisburg Plate Appearances.

Anthony Rendon’s Highlight Package:

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MLB Power Rankings – Apr.29/2013

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Monday Apr.29/2013

Papa Grande had led the AL in Games Finished during each of the last 2 seasons (70 in     2011 and 67 Last Year.  he also led the AL in Saves in 2011 with 49.  It was a Sept/Oct swoon   of a 5.02 ERA that started his troubles - before giving up 6 Earned Runs in 1 combined Inning Pitched between the ALCS and the World Series.  He remained unsigned by everyone until the Tigers gave him an incentive laden 1 Year Deal.  Valverde nailed down 2 Saves this week and the Tigers have won 4 out of 5 games - including sweeping the Atlanta Braves

Papa Grande had led the AL in Games Finished during each of the last 2 seasons (70 in 2011 and 67 Last Year.) he also led the AL in Saves in 2011 with 49. It was a Sept/Oct swoon of a 5.02 ERA that started his troubles – before giving up 6 Earned Runs in 1 combined Inning Pitched between the ALCS and the World Series. He remained unsigned by everyone until the Tigers gave him an incentive laden 1 Year Deal. Valverde nailed down 2 Saves this week and the Tigers have won 4 out of 5 games – including sweeping the Atlanta Braves in Detroit this past weekend.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

With it coming up to the 4 week Report, the biggest mover this week where the Detroit Tigers.  Jose Valverde came back to the club, looked trimmed down – and more like his 2011 self compared to when we last saw him.  The Motown Boys pasting the Braves over the weekend speaks volumes about their talent.

The worst week went to the Giants – who plummeted from #1 to #11.  It has to be concerning for the fans that Matt Cain and Ryan Vogelsong do not look right. Decent start by Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito have been wasted.  The club may be lacking the hunger to repeat.  I see the whole team having up and down campaigns.

The Toronto Blue Jays may not have plunged down the rankings that much this week, however they have free fallen the most out of any franchise from the start of the year.  The projected AL favorite – have started 9 – 17 and are looking up at 4 good teams in the AL East now. 

I am predicting they will have a good second half, yet they will not make the playoffs now based on the Jose Reyes injury mostly.  John Gibbons also has to be on the hot seat. 

Papa Grande’s Contract is purchased

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 27, 2013

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On today’s episode The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast , I discuss Marlins’ manager Mike Redmond already being neutered and Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik acquiring too many caterpillars and not enough butterflies. The analogy makes sense.

Jordan Zimmermann, Carlos Beltran, Matt Tuiasosopo and Anibal Sanchez  owned baseball on April 26, 2013.

To see the up to date tally of “Who Owns Baseball?”, click HERE.


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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 27, 2013

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Mid – Week MLB Reports Around The Horn Rant – April.25th/2013

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Thursday Apr.25/2013

Adam Dunn has hit 40+ HRs 6 times in his career and 38+ HRs in 8 of the last 9 years. He is the Classic '3TO' AKA 3 True Outs: HR/BB or SO. At The MLB Reports, we call it a 'Dunn Trick' when he does all 3 in a game. But this year he is hitting a meager .100 - with only 3 HRs.  His time may be up.

Adam Dunn has hit 40+ HRs 6 times in his career and 38+ HRs in 8 of the last 9 years. He is the Classic ‘3TO’ AKA 3 True Outs: HR/BB or SO. At The MLB Reports, we call it a ‘Dunn Trick’ when he does all 3 in a game. But this year he is hitting a meager .100 – with only 3 HRs. His time may be up.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Welcome to the 1st installment of the Mid – Week Around the Horn blog.  This weekly piece will feature random thoughts from the MLB – that I just cant go on without saying something.

Notes:

Will somebody please (for the love of god) remove Adam Dunn from  the #4 slot.  I think he would be best hitting 9th – even 2nd (if he continues to walk).  Hitting a .100 as the cleanup hitter has to have cost the club some games.

Shin-Soo Choo is off to a hot start and we are having an awareness week for him at the MLB Reports.  He has a Career 3 Slash Line of .282/.386/.856 and had 20+ Stolen Bases in 3 out of the last 4 years.  The one year he didn’t achieve 20, he swiped 15 Bags in 85 Games.

Shin-Soo Choo trains with the Reds

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