MLB Reports

Tuesday May 1, 2012

Ryan Ritchey: Are the Texas Rangers the best team in baseball? In my eyes they are. They are the most balanced team I have seen in this short period of the season. Going out and getting Yu Darvish was a huge part of the winter for the Rangers. Darvish a Japanese phenom, has come over the United States and gone 4-0 in 5 starts. He has changed his windup 4 times since the first pitch on opening day. Starting with his hands going over his head, to now just pitching from the stretch the whole game.

Darvish isn’t the only stud pitcher on this team. Derek Holland can also throw over 200 innings for this Rangers team. With a team focused around pitching, they sure do get the job done. Add Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan watching every pitch from the first row the pitchers have to succeed. Rangers starters have combined for a 13-4 record, with Darvish and Colby Lewis going 7-0. The Rangers starting pitching is in my opinion what is going to get them a World Series championship this season. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in MLB Teams: Articles and Analysis

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Tags: adrian beltre, AL West, baseball, elvis andrus, ian kinsler, joe nathan, josh hamilton, michael young, mike napoli, mlb, neftali feliz, nelson cruz, Ron Washington, texas rangers, yu darvish

Ask the Reports: ATR Answers Your Baseball Questions – April 29th, 2012

Apr 29

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

Sunday April 29th, 2012

Jonathan Hacohen: Posted every Weekend: Your top baseball questions from the past week are answered. E-mail all questions to mlbreports@me.com, message us on Twitter and post on our Facebook Wall!

Let’s get to your top questions of the week (LOTS of Expansion talk this week):

Q: Where will the WBC games be played in March Chris

Q: Does anyone know what the dates are for the 2013 World Baseball Classic and how it will affect the schedule for Spring Training? Steve

JH: Hello Chris and Steve. Yes, we love talking WBC on MLB reports. So much so, that we have a page dedicated exclusively to the greatest international baseball tournament of all time! Please click on wbcreports.com to find out all the latest World Baseball Classic news and reports. With the WBC qualifiers still coming up, we are still far away from the tournament itself- coming up in March 2013. The qualifiers will be played in Florida, Panama, Germany and Taiwan. Each site will host 4 countries- with 1 winner advancing to the WBC tournament from each pool. For the 1st two tournaments, the finals were held in Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium). As to which cities will be lucky to host the 2013 WBC- stay tuned. I expect the announcement to come sometime between the end of the World Series and New Years. But as soon as we have the info- we will announce it! The WBC will have the effect of extending the spring schedule to some degree. It is a never-ending battle for Major League Baseball, to accommodate spring training while still keeping the WBC schedule on track. It’s not a perfect system, so certainly expect baseball officials to continue to tweak the schedule every tournament until they find the best possible schedule. Read the rest of this entry →

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Tags: ask the reports, atr, baseball, baseball questions, Bobby Abreu, brandon inge, charlotte, durham, jurickson profar, mlb, mlb expansion, mlb reports, north carolina, texas rangers, wbc, wbc 2013, world baseball classic

AL West: Value Picks, Up-and-Coming Players and Red Flags in Fantasy Baseball

Mar 9

Posted by pwstein87

Friday March 9th, 2012

Peter Stein (Fantasy Baseball Analyst – MLB reports): While the Angels and Rangers should battle for first place and eclipse 90 wins each, the Mariners and Athletics will most likely lose ninety games apiece. Despite this dichotomy, from a fantasy perspective, the American League West might the most intriguing division in MLB. The Angels and Rangers are loaded with fantasy studs, although many come at a risk, while there a number of undervalued and up and coming players on M’s and A’s roster that need to be targeted in fantasy leagues in 2012.

VALUE PICKS:

Colby Lewis is easily one of the most undervalued pitchers in baseball. Most people are quick to credit his 2010 return to the major leagues as a fluke. Although a slight drop in velocity last year, his 2011 numbers were very similar to 2010. He is a safe bet for a dozen wins an ERA around 4 and strikeout rate around 8K/9. He is not going to blow hitters away, but he is an attractive start against division foes Oakland and Seattle and should be available for a relatively cheap price. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in MLB Teams: Articles and Analysis

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Tags: AL West, anaheim angels, bartolo colon, baseball, brandon mccarthy, chris iannetta, cliff pennington, colby lewis, fantasy baseball, felix hernandez, grant balfour, hanley ramirez, ichiro suzuki, jesus montero, joe nathan, josh hamilton, kendrys morales, mike napoli, mlb, nelson cruz, oakland athletics, seattle mariners, texas rangers

Vlad Guerrero is one of the Most Exciting Players Ever to Watch Live

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Friday March 5, 2012

Douglas ‘Chuck’ Booth (Baseball Writer)- I love watching Vladimir Guerrero play baseball live in person. I first saw him play in 1996 at the Big ‘O’ in Montreal. I think he swung at 9 balls in a row. I am lucky enough to have seen him play about 20 games live since then. Perhaps no other Major League Player has ever liked to swing the bat as much as Vlad (with a heavy apology here to Randall Simon, who swung his bat at one of the Sausages during a Miller Park race.) Believe me, the television set does not do this man enough justice.

In 2005, I saw my first game at Angel Stadium. It was Vladdy’s first year in with the Angels. They were playing the Texas Rangers. I think Kenny Rogers was pitching back with his original club. He threw 3 intentional balls way outside to Guerrero in the bottom of the 1st. On a 3-0 count, he bounced one to the plate. Wouldn’t you know Vladdy was swinging on a 3-0 count? He smashed a ball off of the fence in left with a line drive about six feet off the ground! I swear that Vlad would have been one of the best cricket players in the world had he played. I am sure he has hundreds of hits similar to this in his career.

Vladimir was also an incredible fielder in his early years with the Expos. He could throw a guy out from the wall in right field all the way to home plate. It was unbelievable to witness such an amazing arm like this. He was an all-round player with 5-tools. He will be regarded more for his offense as some baseball historians say he is the best bad ball hitter since Roberto Clemente. This is heavy praise for the future Hall of Famer. While you never really think of Vladdy as lightning fast, he did steal 40 bases in 2002 for the Expos during his 2^nd straight 30-30 campaign. He only missed the 40-40 club by one home run. (more…)

Posted on March 5, 2012 | Image

The Angels Got C.J. Wilson For a Bargain

Feb 26

Posted by samevans87

Sunday February 26th, 2012

Sam Evans: The Angels 2011 offseason was the most surprising and significant winter in team history. They signed the best player of the last ten years, and brought in the best available free-agent starter. After a seemingly dormant start to the 2011 offseason, the Angels and new General Manager Jerry DiPoto made a phenomenal splash heading into the new season. This offseason will affect the Angels (and their payroll) for years to come. The rest of the AL West better watch out! Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in MLB Player Profiles

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Tags: 2011 offseason, albert pujols, c.j. wilson, free agency, los angeles angels, mlb, texas rangers

Ben Henry Interview: Representin’ the Hickory Crawdads Bullpen

Monday February 6th 2012

MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: Featured today on MLB reports, we bring you our conversation with pitching prospect Ben Henry. Drafted by the Rangers in 2007, Ben is best known for being a member of the feared Hickory Crawdads Bullpen. Heck, this guy cannot walk down the street of Hickory, North Carolina without getting mobbed for an autograph or photograph. Can you blame the fans? The man known in those parts as the “Mayor of Hickory” certainly laid down a deep hurt on the South Atlantic League hitters last season. Ben finished with a 6-3 record, 2.38 ERA and 1.166 WHIP. Breaking out at the tender age of 22, Ben Henry put himself on the baseball map and the road to the show. Standing 6’4″, the right-handed Henry is a reliever/spot starter. Pitching in a pitching-rich organization like the Rangers, I could certainly see Ben working well with Ryan and Maddux in perfecting his craft.

When he is not breaking bats and getting hitters out, this mustache aficionado is a social media superstar. Teaming up with his good friend Michael Schlact, the duo are well-known Twitter powerhouses. They also enjoy getting fans addicted to the hit iPhone game “Temple Run” (thanks a lot for that guys!) One of the most approachable athletes that I have spoken to, Ben is soft-spoken and lets his pitching do the talking. A true lover of the game, Ben appreciates every day that he gets to go out onto the baseball field. With that being said, we proudly present today our exclusive interview with Rangers pitching prospect, Ben Henry:

(more…)

Posted on February 6, 2012 | Image

Ask the Reports: Your Baseball Questions Answered – Sunday February 5th, 2012

Feb 5

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

Sunday February 5th, 2012

Jonathan Hacohen: Posted every Weekend: Your top baseball questions from the past week are answered. E-mail all questions to mlbreports@gmail.com, message us on Twitter and post on our Facebook Wall!

Let’s get to your top questions of the week:

Q: I know you are a Jays fan. What’s your opinion on Joey Bats? How can he go from 15 HRs to leading the league 2 years in a row? Joe

JH: I am??!! I have been accused of many things, but a Jays supporter is not one of them. Being based in Toronto, many people naturally assume that I am a Jays fan. Plus we have many Jays readers and followers, so their team often comes up in conversation. Here is the scoop on many Jays fandom. If you have to categorize me a particular “team fan”, then the Tigers will be that pick. Only since AA has taken over the team have I been excited about the Jays prospects. JP did a masterful job of destroying the Jays farm system and creating a mediocre Jays squad for years. AA has swooped in and created a team that looks like they are on the verge of contention for years to come. I am a fan of the game overall (obviously). I like what the Jays are doing and see a bright future ahead…and that’s all I have to say about that.

As far as your Jose Bautista question, I see where you are going with it. Here are my thoughts. Back in August 2008, I was horrified when the Jays traded Robinson Diaz for Bautista. A young catcher with upside for a limited utility player? No thanks I said. From there, I was mortified when Bautista proceeded to become the home run king. I have heard the whispers of steroids/HGH/PEDs and how Bautista became a star overnight. I also heard the talk that Cito Gaston fixed his swing and got him to become more aggressive instead of swinging late. I think the latter, rather than the former are true. With drug testing in full swing, I would like to think that Bautista would have been caught had he been “juicing”. Can I guarantee? Absolute not, considering the Braun scandal. Some players do figure it out late in life and Jose Bautista appears to be one of the lucky few. Unfortunately, our cynical society does not allow us to be 100% confident in many of our modern athletes, with the amount of PEDs that have apparently flowed in the game. I would like to believe in Bautista. I really do. Let’s stick with the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ mentality and give him his due. Unless proven otherwise, Jose Bautista figured it out and turned into one of the best all-around players in the game. I am prepared to give credit where credit is due.

Q: Arbitration hearings have started. Is there a count of how many have been heard, how many left to hear and winners/losers? Old Man Mack

JH: A shout-out to the final people over at MLB Trade Rumors, as Tim, Ben and the gang do some fine work in providing the latest transactions in the world of baseball. If you haven’t visited it already, they have a dedicated page called Arbitration Tracker which will answer all your arbitration questions. You will be able to see all the figures submitted by both players and teams, the mid-point and the award amounts. By my count there are still 19 players left with scheduled arbitration cases (who could still settle beforehand). I have seen 2 cases heard and the players are 0-2 (Lannan and Niemann both lost their cases). A fascinating process, in my opinion most of these cases should be settled before arbitration. Likely a lot of hard feelings can be achieved but little else from going through arbitration. But budgets are budgets and money is money. Welcome the business side of baseball.

Q: Is Brett Lawrie in the top 100 (fantasy players)? Forrest

JH: Now that is interesting. Hmmmm….is Brett Lawrie a top-100 fantasy baseball right now? My answer off the cuff is…no. Maybe one day. But not today. Reason? There are thirty MLB teams. I can think of the top of my head at least 3-4 players per team that are better than Lawrie in fantasy terms right now. Don’t get me wrong, Lawrie is a stud. He is good and will get better. But we only have a very small sample size for him thus far in the big leagues. With his blazing start in 2011, you have to expect a bit of regression this year. It’s called the “sophomore jinx”. Will Lawrie fall victim? Maybe. Possibly. It also depends on your league. Lawrie to me is a strong player to have in a keeper league, while being less valuable in a non-keeper league. Right this minute, I would rather have players like Youkilis, Verlander, Fielder, Halladay, Rivera, Strasburg, Cabrera, Avila, Choo, Gallardo, Weaver, Haren, Mauer, Hernandez…and the list goes on. Lawrie is not far off and would make my top 120 or 130. Give him another year and you could be seeing a top 50 player…or higher!

Q: Do you think the Miami Marlins will Contend in the NL East this upcoming Season? Marty

JH: Contend- yes. Win- no. The Marlins are definitely improved, no doubt. But they have not done enough in my mind to take them over the top. The Phillies are still the team to beat, with the Braves being close behind. The Nationals? With their improved rotation, I would be very nervous about them. Reyes will bring excitement and Buehrle/Zambrano will help stabilize the rotation and Bell solid as the closer. But I just see some of the other teams being too strong. At best, I see the Marlins in 2nd place. But at worst? A 4th place finish. They are still missing a big bat and need all their key players to stay healthy. Too many if’s for my liking.

ATR: Who will enjoy being stretched out in 2012: Feliz, Sale, or Chapman? Justin

JH: Looking at the crystal ball, I am seeing clear visions. Neftali Feliz and Chris Sale are both headed back to the bullpens by June at the latest. Both have enjoyed success in the bullpen and I can see each being ok but not great starters. They could develop over time, with the White Sox having more patience than the Rangers. But in a sport with a “win now” mentality, both will be relievers if they cannot succeed early on. Chapman on the other hand, I am seeing a different vision. With Ryan Madson entrenched as the closer, I can see Chapman being needed more in the rotation. With his stuff, he would be a very dangerous starter if he could learn some control. That could come sooner rather than later, as early as 2012. At the very least, Chapman could be a fine 4th or 5th starter. He will go 5-6 innings per start and rack up a ton of K’s. So yes to Chapman, no to Feliz and Sale right now. Especially Feliz- as he will turn one day (if he hasn’t already) into a Papelbon lock-down closer. But if the Rangers aren’t careful, they could be hurting his long-term growth if they continue this see-saw back and forth like the Mariners did with Brandon Morrow some years ago.

Q: Who do you think will be in the World Series? Ethan

JH: I was discussing this with a reader the other day. He predicted the Dbacks and Tigers. I have to like those picks. If I had to look at the top-4 teams, I am seeing the Tigers/Angels in the AL and Reds/Dbacks in the NL. The Yankees, Rays and Rangers will still be strong, as will the Red Sox. The Phillies, Cards, Brewers and Giants will provide a challenge in the NL. But I can’t get over the look to the Angels and I am sensing good things coming out of Anaheim this year. The Dbacks look very powerful and have built a team that will contend for the next several years. But the Reds are a strong force and manager Dusty Baker should be able to get the most out of that squad this year. I would like to say Tigers and Dbacks as well- that would be my heart pick. But looking at the crystal ball, I am seeing Angels and Reds right now. I can’t say why. The crystal ball says what it says. If it changes in picture, I will let you know.

Q: What do the Nats gain from banning Phillies fans??? Tammy

JH: If this is not THE dumbest thing I have ever heard, it definitely comes close. For those that are not familiar, the Nationals are trying to block Philadelphia fans from buying tickets to Phillies/Nats games by curbing where you reside when buying single game seats. Silly. Silly. Silly. Firstly, the Nats have enough of an attendance problem as it is, so they certainly should not be limiting ticket sales. Secondly, by discouraging Phillies fans at the stadium, it will create a hatred type mentality for those fans that do make the games. Baseball is about the love of the game. Rather than discouraging certain fans, the Nats should encourage all fans to buy tickets to their park. This new idea will have the effect of creating a bitter rivalry between the two teams every time they play in Washington, which might actually be a good thing. But the issues and conflict that it could create in the stands between opposing fans is a negative one. Let’s not forget what recently happened between Dodgers and Giants fans when hatred becomes spread. People can become injured or even yet, have a risk of life. Let’s spread baseball love- not hatred people.

Q: Are the Tigers done? And not will they do this or not, but your thoughts on Jeff Francis for Detroit’s lefty problem? J Raddy

JH: They are not done. The Tigers are never done. With the addition of Prince Fielder, the Tigers are even more serious World Series contenders in 2012, despite the loss of V-Mart. When you have Verlander and Fister in the rotation, Avila behind the plate and Cabrera/Prince in the heart of the lineup- you are going to be winning a ton of baseball games. Jeff Francis, or a Francis type pitcher is not the answer. Firstly, he was already signed by the Reds. But secondly, too many question marks surround him. If the Tigers can score a true #3, like Roy Owalt- they will be unstoppable (if they aren’t already). The more likely scenario is the team going with what they have, with a tweak or two. Turner could be the #5 if he has a strong spring, with the club picking up a Fister type pitcher at the deadline. If no Oswalt, the Tigers could sign 1-2 veteran pitchers to minor league contracts and invite them to spring training. Near the end of spring, come cut time, they could then pick someone up to start the year. Dombrowski is a smart guy and knows what he doing. By the time October rolls around, don’t expect the exact same Tigers roster that you see today.

Q: Realignment 2013 Proposal: Dennis

al east nyy, bost , tap b, Miami. and balt

al central detr . min, chic w, torn, and clevel

al west tex, oak, sea, laa, and houst

nl east phil, atl, nym, wash, and pitts

nl central milw, stl, cin, chic c, and kann

nl west arz, sd, sf, col, and lad

play 4 divisional teams 18 games each and other 10 league teams 7 games each and one divisional of the league 4 games each. would only need to play 2, 2 games series in interleague play against the same team home and away all other series would be 3 or 4 games series. Only houst , kann, and miami would change leagues, and only Pittsburgh and Toronto would change divisions.

JH: Very ambitious my friend. Very ambitious indeed. I prepared an article on MLB realignment back in May 2011 that you should check out. I caught a ton of flack for it, but many people have a tough time with change. It is interesting the route that you have gone. Currently, only the Astros are moving (to the AL West), with the rest of the teams staying put. I agree that the current divisional alignments don’t work and need a shakeup. Ultimately, I would like to have 2 more expansions, bringing the total amount of teams to 32. I think only upon expansion will you see a true realignment in baseball. It’s not that I don’t like your plan- it has merits. But I am not sure geographically and with team rivalries why some of the changes would be implemented. KC and St. Louis in the same division is a no-brainer, as is Miami and Tampa Bay. We can definitely agree that more realignment is needed, but perhaps a shift in the number of divisions or the format on playoff seeding needs to shift as well. For now, we will have to live with Houston in the AL West in 2013 with 2 more likely added Wild Card teams for now.

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Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen) Follow @mlbreports

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Tags: arbitration, aroldis chapman, ask the reports, baseball, brett lawrie, bud selig, chris sale, detroit tigers, jeff francis, jose bautista, miami marlins, mlb, mlb reports, neftali feliz, NL east, philadelphia phillies, prince fielder, realignment, robinson diaz, roy oswalt, texas rangers, toronto blue jays, washington nationals, world series

Cade Kreuter “The Crocodile Hunter” Interview: Miami Hurricanes and 3rd Generation Baseball Prospect

Feb 4

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

Saturday February 4, 2012

MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: Talk about keeping it in the family. Cade Kreuter certainly knows how to follow in the baseball footsteps of his family. The 20-year old currently plays infield and outfield for the University of Miami, after spending 2010 as a USC Trojan. Both his grandfather (Mike Gillespie) and father (Chad Kreuter) were head coaches with USC as well. Then to top it all off, all three have worn the #19. Younger brother Cole wears #19 at his high school- so bottom line, if you are a Kreuter: you wear #19. From Chadden (Chad) to sons Cole and Caden (Cade) – the Kreuter family is writing its baseball family legacy. I had the opportunity to watch Cade’s dad on the field and I will tell you, he was as solid as they come. A solid major league catcher for 16 seasons, dad really set the bar high. But Cade is up for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for him.

Cade was drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2009 but opted to go to school instead. Playing the infield and outfield in his career, Cade can also catch if called upon. Just call him Mr. Versatility in Miami. Coming from a strong baseball family background, Cade is definitely learning the family business. Being named this past year to the California Coastal League All-Star Game and top prospect in the CCL shows that the accolades are coming. Standing 6’5″ and 205 lbs, Cade is a beast on the field. As he finishes up school- the next step will be to take his tools into pro ball. Maybe to New York one day? 😉

Today on MLB reports, we introduce a prospect from a different side of the game. If you always wondered what it is like to play university ball for a major institution like Miami- today is your lucky day. Meet the man who helped train the actors you watched in the smash movie Moneyball. Plus after his playing days are done, we could be looking at the next crocodile hunter (trust us, it’s true!) Featured on MLB reports, we bring you our interview with baseball prospect and 3rd generation player, Cade Kreuter:

MLB reports: First question: Favorite team growing up?

Cade Kreuter: My favorite team growing up was always the team my dad was playing for at the time, but with that said, really my favorite team has always been the Yankees. They are the best and everyone knows it. Many of my favorite players have played on the Yankees at some point in time also. It is a dream to be a big leaguer, but it is an entire different dream to be a Yankee. I see it as one of the highest honors in baseball to have an opportunity to be a Yankee.

MLB reports: You were drafted by the Dbacks in 2009 but chose to attend the University of Southern California instead. How close were you to signing with the Dbacks, what were the negotiations like?

Cade Kreuter: Being drafted by the Diamondbacks was a very exciting moment of time in my life, I did not expect to be drafted at all actually. I had missed my entire season senior year after I dislocated my shoulder the first game of the year. So there really were not any negotiations with the Diamondbacks after I was drafted. I was contacted the morning of the draft by the Diamondbacks, about 15 minutes before I was drafted, and I was told to turn on my computer and listen to the draft and for my name to be called out. After I was drafted it was explained to me that I would be a “draft and follow” and I would now be in their system.

MLB reports: How have you enjoyed your time in University so far (what has your experience been like)? Do you feel you made the right choice in picking school over pro ball? (if you could go back in a time machine- would you have still made the same choice?)

Cade Kreuter: No doubt about it that I made the right choice to go to college for a few years before signing professional. I do always think about what if I signed out of high school, I could be three years ahead into pro ball and who knows where I could be. But I really do think I made the right choice by going to school. I have matured in so many different ways, as a ballplayer, and as a person. My shoulder injury was able to heal during my time in college, and now I am healthy and throwing again. I have met so many people who I may have missed out on if I had skipped college. On top of all that I have put at least 3 years of education in my pocket, from 2 of the top Universities in the country.

MLB reports: Number 19- how did you pick that number?

Cade Kreuter: Number 19 has become a family number, and my grandfather, Mike Gillespie, started it all when he was playing at the University of Southern California. My grandfather continued to wear the number while he was coaching at USC and still continues to wear it now at UC Irvine. My dad wore it when he could while he was playing. I have always worn the number 19 when it is available, and my little brother, Cole, who is a sophomore at Columbus High School also wears 19. We are both very proud to keep the number in the family, and hope to pass it on.

MLB reports: At 6’5″ – did you ever consider other sports instead of baseball?

Cade Kreuter: Growing up I played baseball, basketball and football. In high school I played both baseball and football. I only played football my freshman and sophomore year, but I really do regret not playing football the rest of the way through high school. I have not ruled out walking on as a quarterback in football for my senior season at The U if I decide to stay for my senior year.

MLB reports: Did you have a favorite player growing up?

Cade Kreuter: I have had so many different favorite players from Ken Griffey Jr. to Frank Thomas, and to Mike Sweeney. But really my favorite player growing up was Gary Sheffield. I loved everything about Gary, his batting stance, his swing, his cleats. I could go on. But his locker was right next to my dads when they played on the Dodgers together, and I always looked up to him.

MLB reports: Which current MLB star do you most admire and why? Any current players that you pattern your game after?

Cade Kreuter: Right now I look at players in the MLB a little bit differently than I did as a kid growing up. Now I look at guys who have similar size and height to me, and I like to see how they do specific things in their swing and their batting stance. Being so tall it is difficult to keep my swing in tune since I am not fully filled into my body. So I like to look at players like Alex Rodriguez, Josh Hamilton, and Matt Kemp. They’re all such big hitters at the plate I can see how they use their bodies throughout their swing and relate to that.

MLB reports: What are your goals going into the 2012 season?

Cade Kreuter: My biggest goal for this upcoming season is to get to Omaha and win it. There is nothing else on my mind right now, and I know that with a national championship in my sights and putting my team first that my personal statistics will take care of themselves. That is my goal right now.

MLB reports: What has your offseason been like? What are you up to? What are you doing to prepare for the season?

Cade Kreuter: Well I consider my fall semester and winter break my offseason really. Fall semester here at The U consist of a lot of intra-squad games, a lot of weight training, and running. That is all done with the team. During my winter break I go two-a-days with the weight training, once in the morning and once at night. When I was not in the weight room I was in the cages taking as many swings I could. I would long toss 3 times a week and keep my throwing short distance on the other days.

MLB reports: At what age did you know that you would be a baseball player? Do you see yourself long-term as an outfielder or infielder?

Cade Kreuter: I have been playing ball since I can remember. Since I was a little kid I knew that I would be playing baseball as long as it allows me to. Right now I am playing the corners in the outfield and I like it a lot out there, but I can play any position and if somebody moves me back to the infield I would be more than happy and then they can move me back to the outfield if they wanted. As long as I am playing baseball I’m ok. But, long-term I do see myself in the outfield because of my body size, and my tools go well in the outfield. I love to throw people out, so beware.

MLB reports: Ever consider catching (wink)?

Cade Kreuter: I use to catch when I was young! But I guess the last time I caught was when I probably 13 years old, before my freshman year in high school. I did some catching drills at USC for a little too and I had a decent pop time. If I was told to get back behind the plate I wouldn’t argue, I think catching is a great position to play. I might have trouble with the signs. I would for sure need to practice that a lot.

MLB reports: What’s the keys to your game- power, speed, patience- or a combination?

Cade Kreuter: Right now I am focusing on staying aggressive at the plate and letting my natural power take over. So instead of just looking for my pitch to hit I’m starting to drive anything thrown in the zone. My power is a big part of the game, but it is difficult to not get caught up in my power sometimes. So I just need to stay smooth and quick through the zone instead of trying to jack the ball all the time. When I do that, my power really shows. I can turn the running turbo on too, if I think there can be another bag in there for myself I’ll take it.

MLB reports: What facets of your game do you most wish to improve upon?

Cade Kreuter: Right now I strike out a lot, and that is what I want to improve upon the most right now. If you asked me this question a few months ago I would have told you my number thing to do would be get my shoulder healthy and back in game shape. But I know as I continue to learn my body, learn my swing, and become a better hitter mentally at the plate that my strike out numbers will be cut down. That comes with repetition also, I have missed out on a lot of at bats and games since my senior year in high school because of this injury.

MLB reports: Who were the strongest baseball influences growing up? Any particular coaches that had a deep impact on your game?

Cade Kreuter: I have had so many great coaches and I have had a lot of awful coaches. First major influences that I have had in baseball are my dad and grandfather, Mike Gillespie. They both have so much knowledge about the game and understand that even the tiniest of things can make the biggest difference to a baseball player. That is why they have both been so successful in their careers, and they have taught me in very advanced ways that a lot of other coaches and players I have had or played with can’t even comprehend. I have had coaches that thought I was an awful baseball player because I was tall and lanky, and I have had teammates tell me that too. A lot of that is just plain jealousy, but you learn to use that negative stuff as fuel after a while.

MLB reports: Three years of school and then going back to the draft. Is that the plan? Where do you see yourself being drafted the next time around and what do you need to do to get there?

Cade Kreuter: The plan for me right now is to play as hard and as good as I can play for my team every game. My plan is to go to Omaha and win. Whatever happens with the draft happens. The draft is not going to make me a better or worse player in pro ball because I went high or low in the draft. The situation does need to be right for me to sign and there is a lot of different things that go with that. But I know when I play for my team and not for myself is when I will get the best out of me, so everything will fall into place when the draft comes.

MLB reports: Tell us about your dad, Chad Kreuter. What was he like as a dad? What is your relationship like?

Cade Kreuter: My dad is everything to me. When he was playing he brought me to the ballpark with him as much as possible, which is something a lot of players shy away from doing and worry about having their kid there for different reasons. Looking back it seems I spent every minute with him even while he was doing his work at the park. But he has given me the best life that he could ever give me and I couldn’t ask him for anything more.

MLB reports: Any pressure to become a ballplayer? Did you ever consider another career path? Is having a famous baseball dad any hinderance to you?

Cade Kreuter: I don’t feel pressure to be a ballplayer ever, it’s just what I have always done. It’s what I have always been good at. I did feel I needed to prove myself as a player to my teammates at USC when I was playing under my dad there. Really I’ve always wanted to be a Big Leaguer, so I’m just a kid dreaming still. Another career path? No, not really. I guess my backup plan would be something with science and wildlife, which people find shocking and weird. I just know a lot about nature for some reason, probably because I watch more Animal Planet than ESPN.

MLB reports: Favorite baseball movie of all-time and why?

Cade Kreuter: My favorite baseball movie has to be “Moneyball” now since I helped Chris Pratt “Scott Hatteberg” and Stephen Bishop “David Justice” with their hitting and defense for the movie. My dad and grandpa also worked on set while they were filming and they were both actually in the movie. It doesn’t get better than “Sandlot” though.

MLB reports: Final thoughts?

Cade Kreuter: Thank you for the interview! Go Canes! Cade.

***Thank you to Cade Kreuter for taking the time today to speak with us on MLB reports. You can follow Cade on Twitter (@cadeSWAGGstupid). Good luck in school Cade, Go Miami Hurricanes! Study hard and we look forward to seeing you playing pro ball very soon!

Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Posted in Interviews with MLB Stars

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Tags: arizona diamondbacks, baseball, cade kreuter, catcher, chad kreuter, chris pratt, david justice, frank thomas, ken griffey jr, mike gillespie, mlb, moneyball, new york yankees, scott hatteberg, stephen bishop, texas rangers, usc

Ask the Reports: Your Baseball Questions Answered – Sunday January 29th, 2012

Jan 29

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

Sunday January 29th, 2012

Let’s get to your top questions of the week:

Q: Hey guys; How close do y’all think Mr. Selig is to getting his 2nd Wild Card team hooked up to the ’12 season? Old Man Mack

MLB reports: Back again on Ask the Reports. Congrats OMM! Great question as always. This one is one of my favorite topics: the MLB playoffs. Bud Selig wants to a second Wild Card team to each league, starting this season. What Bud wants, Bud usually gets. Given that Selig just signed a contract extension, he is definitely not going anywhere for a long time. With the owners and union recently agreeing to their new agreement, baseball is truly functioning in one of its golden ages. Despite economy issues in the US, baseball popularity has never been higher. To capitalize on that fandom and increase the stakes, Selig should be able to put through the added Wild Cards (I give it a 92% chance of happening). The way it will work is simple. Each league will have two Wild Card teams. To start the playoffs, the Wild Card teams will face-off in a one-game, sudden death elimination game. Winner moves on to the playoffs (same format otherwise), with the loser going home. The Wild Card playoffs will be two of the most exciting games of the year. Yes, it should happen, it will likely happen and I fully expect it to happen. At the very least, it will give two more teams a chance to win the World Series and make August/September that much more interesting for more cities and fans.

Q: Will Tyler Pastornicky‘s solid contact skills and plate discipline shape up enough to secure a lead-off slot? Justin

MLB reports: That is what the Braves are claiming. Their website shows Pastornicky pencilled in as the starting shortstop. Will he? Should he? That is debatable. The 22-year old Pastornicky was acquired by the Braves from the Jays in the 2010 Yunel Escobar swap. A 5th round pick in 2008, Pastornicky was considered a fringe prospect at the time of the trade. A .250-.260 hitter with .330 OBP capabilities was his story. The number that jumps out is the stolen bases. 57 steals in 2009 (in 75 attempts) and 35 steals in 2010 (in 44 attempts). He could steal some bags, but was definitely not a refined baserunner. Somewhat raw, good tools and upside is how he was seen going into 2011. Last year, his first full one in the Braves organization- Tyler broke out. While the steals still needed work (27 in 38 attempts), the rest of his game started to jump. .314 AVG, ..359 OBP and .414 SLG. 32 walks/45 strikeouts in 117 games. While he still was not walking enough, he was clearly starting to hit while keeping the k’s down. With the glove, the number that jumps out is 26 errors last year. I am very nervous about Pastornicky as a starting shortstop in the majors. Spring training will determine if he graduates to the opening day lineup, but my gut is that the Braves will bring in a veteran between now and April to play shortstop. If he regresses back to his .250 AVG ways, with little power, inconsistent base stealing and errors in the field, this could be a recipe for disaster. I think Pastornicky needs time to develop, to play under a veteran that can mentor him and bring up his game. He is still young and clearly has the tools and potential. But if you throw him to the wolves too early, you can shatter his confidence. He may get there, but I don’t think he is ready yet. Especially on a playoff contender like the Braves, that relies on pitching and defense, this is one gamble that they are not likely to make. Great question- thank you for sharing!

Q: How do I get players to sign cards through the mail? Joe

MLB reports: Thanks for the question Joe. Fans love autographs, it is a big part of the game. If you are looking to meet your favorite player, there is a variety of way to get signed items. If you can make it down to spring training, that is an autograph hound’s paradise. Players are very accessible and accommodating in the spring. During the year, hanging out early in batting practice in the outfield, by the lines or near the dugouts are usually great spots. Teams often host autograph events and promotions before and after games, plus around local cities. Be sure to check the website of your favorite team to see their promotion schedule. If mail is your preferred route: here is what you do. Pull off the address for the team stadium that your chosen player plays at. Send that person a letter enclosing the item that you would like signed with a nice personalized letter. Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope inside for the return of your signed item. They may be well paid, but don’t expect the players/teams to pay for your postage- they get too many requests! Some tips: be polite, send a nice letter, be reasonable in your request (what you would like signed and send only 1-2 items) and be patient. Players get hundreds of requests per week and returning mail back to you can take time. Some are more likely to send back than others. My expectation: if you send out 20 requests, you may get 3-4 back. Reading the internet and watching games, you should get an idea on which are the “nice” players and likely to respond back. Good luck and let us know how your autograph hunts go! If any readers have other autograph tips for Joe, please feel free to include them in the comments section below, with your stories.

Q: Wouldn’t landing Oswalt make the Cards rotation even better than the famed Phillie crew? N.P.

MLB reports: When I first read that question, I almost choked on my breakfast. But then the more I thought about it, you are actually not that far off. The “famed” Phillie Fab-Four were Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. Assuming Oswalt lands in St. Louis (which is likely to happen at this point, great fit based on NL Central), Oswalt/Oswalt balance out. That means we are left with the Phillie Three Aces against Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Jaime Garcia. It’s not far off as it may appear, but it involves many “ifs”. Will Carpenter stay healthy? Can Wainwright come back from surgery and a year missed time and re-establish himself as an ace? Will Jamie Garcia continue to evolve into a top starting pitcher and returning to his 2010 form…or his is 2011 regression a sign of things to come? Too many ifs for my liking. At their best, the Cardinals rotation could come close to the Phillies rotation, if all the pitchers pitch to their peak potential and 1-2 of the Phillies pitchers have off-years. Otherwise, the answer is no. Taking them one by one: I take Halladay over Carpenter. I know Carpenter won the famed 1-0 game in the NLDS, but that is one game. Overall, Doc is healthier, more consistent and one of the best of all-time. Cliff Lee is Cliff Lee. He is as solid as them come. Wainwright if he comes back might be close to Lee, but still won’t be Lee in my opinion. Lee is just on another planet and Wainwright just needs to prove health, let alone be an ace. Hamels is due to be a free agent at season’s end. He may end up signing an extension (likely), but regardless of his contract situation- he is far superior to Garcia. The Cards should have a great rotation overall. But the Phillies staff…they still ain’t. But consider Dave Duncan is on a leave of absence and may not be back this season and I give the Phillies advantage in the rotation.

Q: Where do you see Edwin Jackson landing? Sox Wamp

MLB reports: This one is easy. If it boils down to money and years, he will land in Baltimore or a city like Seattle. If he wants to contend, Jackson may have to take a 1-year deal from the Red Sox. I am not an Edwin Jackson guy. Never have been. Never will be. Well…never say never never (hey Justin Bieber). At 28-years of age, Jackson may figure it out. It feels like he has been around forever, considering he has played 9 major league seasons. That shows you how young he was when he came to the bigs. If he was allowed to refine himself in the minors and learn control and the true art of pitching, Jackson could be one of the best on the planet. His stuff is that good. But with a 1.476 lifetime WHIP (1.437 in 2011), he is far from a control ace pitcher. The funny thing is that he doesn’t even strike out enough people. A pitcher who doesn’t strike out many, gives up too many hits and walks????!!!! No thank you. Someone will pay and give him a 3-year, $30 million contract. Or he may go to Boston and try to build up value. Jackson though would be smart to take the guaranteed money. He is a ticking time bomb that could go off at any time. Good luck to the team that signs him, I hope they have a strong pitching coach and lots of video to coach this quasi-project still.

Last Question (this is a biggie): No lefty has hit more than 14 HR at Comerica in one season. If that is the Avg do you see him (Prince Fielder) hitting 24 on the road? Steve Karsay

MLB reports: Yes folks, this is THE Steve Karsay appearing on Ask the Reports. A good friend of ours, we appreciate Steve taking the time to write in with his inquiry. Firstly, thank you Steve for the question. A great one…one that many fans have been asking since the big signing. As you and I have talked before on Prince, you know that I am a believer of the big man. I like the move for the Tigers on many levels (check out my top 10 reasons why the Prince signing will work, my recent feature on the Reports. There are some factors to consider. Carlos Pena back in the day had those 14 bombs. Other than Pena and maybe Granderson, have the Tigers ever had a left-handed power-hitting machine like Prince? I would say no. Maggs? Righty. Juan Gonzalez? Righty. Miggy? Righty. So in fairness to Prince, we don’t have a scale of players to compare him against. Also in 2003, the park dimensions changed and it became easier to hit balls out of Comerica. I have attended many many many games in Comerica in my day. I have seen approximately 2 home runs per game on the average. Now that may not be the biggest sample size (50-75 games), but large enough that I would say that park is far from a pitcher’s haven. I can see Prince hitting 24 home runs on the road, yes. But I see him hitting at least 20 home runs per year at home. Maybe not every year, but it will happen. The great thing about records, is that they are meant to be broken. That is part of Prince’s object to coming to Detroit. To establish new records and become “the man” in Motown. Fans are excited to see what a Prince/Miggy combination can do in Detroit. For your Indians Steve, it means the road to the playoffs just got that much tougher. Thank you for the question and you are welcome anytime back on the Reports!

ARCHIVE: Click here for Past Issues of Ask the Reports

Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen) Follow @mlbreports

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Tags: ask the reports, Atlanta Braves, baltimore orioles, baseball, boston red sox, bud selig, detroit tigers, edwin jackson, mlb, mlb reports, philadelphia phillies, prince fielder, roy oswalt, st louis cardinals, texas rangers, toronto blue jays, tyler pastornicky, wild card

Ryan Strausborger Interview: Texas Rangers Prospect

Jan 28

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

Saturday January 28, 2012

MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: Ryan Strausborger is today’s featured interview on MLB reports. A 16th round pick of the Texas Rangers in 2010, Ryan is entering his 3rd professional season. He completed last season with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League (High-A ball). What to expect from this up-and-coming baseball prospect? There are three aspects to his game: speed, getting on base and defense. Ryan stole 21 bases in 25 attempts in his first pro season and followed it up with 31 stolen bases last year. He has shown good doubles power (29 doubles in 126 games) and chipped in 9 triples. It may be difficult to replicate Rickey Henderson, but perhaps we are looking at the next Tim Raines? I’m sure Ryan will take that! He can play all three outfield positions, although center is his primary spot. For a team that plays in a well-known hitters’ park, Ryan Strausborger could be setting the table and scoring many runs for the future Rangers boppers. At 23-years of age, Ryan is still developing and working his way up to the majors. But if his two first pro seasons have shown us anything, the potential and tools are there. Get to know one of the next wave of Texas Rangers players, as we introduce you to Ryan Strausborger, outfield prospect:

MLB reports: First question Ryan: Who was your favorite baseball player growing up, that you most idolized and patterned your game after?

Ryan Strausborger: Growing up I never really tried to be just like anyone, but I was always a fan of the Cubs.

MLB reports: Which current MLB star do you most admire and why?

Ryan Strausborger: Michael Young, just because I have been around him now a couple of times. He is obviously very good, yet he is also one of the most humble and professional guys I have ever seen.

MLB reports: What are your goals going into the 2012 season?

Ryan Strausborger: To win the league championship and to better myself as a hitter and overall player.

MLB reports: Did you play any other sports growing up? Why did you choose baseball as your sport?

Ryan Strausborger: Basketball. It was my goal as soon as I started playing baseball to become a pro someday.

MLB reports: When you first found out you were drafted, what were your reactions? What made you decide to sign with the Rangers?

Ryan Strausborger: They drafted me out of college as a senior and gave me the chance I was looking for.

MLB reports: What do you consider your greatest baseball skill(s)?

Ryan Strausborger: My speed and determination are my two most important skills.

MLB reports: What facets of your game do you most wish to improve upon?

Ryan Strausborger: Just continue to make strides to being a more consistent hitter like I did last year.

MLB reports: How do home runs, stolen bases and walks figure into your game? Are you a speed, power guy or both?

Ryan Strausborger: Home runs are not important, while stolen bases and walks are. I am a speed guy with a little bit of gap to gap power and my job is to get on base and score runs.

MLB reports: I see that you have played all three outfield positions, but mostly center. Where do you think you will ultimately end up?

Ryan Strausborger: I would like to end up in center field. But i am a role player and would play anywhere they need me.

MLB reports: Strausborger: Ever get razzed about the long name on the jersey? Ever get mistaken for a certain pitcher in Washington?

Ryan Strausborger: Always get razzed about the long name, but no, Ii haven’t been mistaken for him. But people do like to make jokes about the names being so similar.

MLB reports: If you had to look into a crystal ball, when do you see your expected time of arrival in the big leagues and what do you think you need to do most to get there?

Ryan Strausborger: I need to just prove that I can be consistent and get the job done. As for the arrival, we will just wait and see what happens.

MLB reports: If you were not playing professional baseball, you would be ____________

Ryan Strausborger: Finishing my college degree.

MLB reports: What do you do for fun away from the ballpark?

Ryan Strausborger: Just hang out with my teammates and try to take advantage of all of the very few off days we get.

MLB reports: Have you ever been to Texas? Is it all cowboy hats and boots?

Ryan Strausborger: Only been there for a short stay a couple of times. No, Ii didn’t see any cowboy hats or boots on anyone.

MLB reports: Final thoughts?

Ryan Strausborger: Appreciate you allowing me to be featured!!

***Thank you to Ryan Strausborger for taking the time today to speak with us on MLB reports. You can follow Ryan on Twitter (@Ryan_Straus). Ryan is working his way up the Rangers ladder. So give him a follow, say hello and watch his baseball journey unfold!

Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Posted in Interviews with MLB Stars

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Tags: baseball, michael young, mlb, outfielder, ryan strausborger, texas rangers

How Jon Daniels Turned the Rangers into a Perennial Playoff Contender

Jan 26

Posted by samevans87

Thursday January 26th, 2012

Sam Evans: As hard as it is to rank GM’s in baseball, Texas General Manager Jon Daniels has to be considered one of the best in the game. Daniels hasn’t been perfect running the Rangers, but he’s been as close as you can get. He has completely turned around the direction of the Rangers franchise and he’s due to receive much of the credit for the recent success of the franchise.

Jon Daniels got his start in baseball as an intern for the Rockies in 2001. In 2004, he was named the Rangers assistant GM. Then, in 2005, Jon Daniels became the youngest General Manager in baseball history. Right after Daniels took over, he made a gutsy trade: moving Alfonso Soriano, the Rangers best player to the Washington Nationals.

In 2005, it had been six years since the Rangers made the playoffs. Now, seven years later, the Rangers have made two straight World Series appearances. Not to mention they have had one of the best farm systems in baseball for the last four years. It seems like every time the Rangers graduate prospects to the majors, there are even more future stars waiting in the wings.

Jon Daniels doesn’t deserve all the credit. His scouting department is the best in the majors (in my opinion). I recently watched a show about Gray wolves. The Gray wolf has evolved over the years and it has learned that hunting with fellow wolves is easier than hunting alone. Jon Daniels and his scouts are very similar to these wolves. The Rangers employ one of the largest scouting department in the majors. So similar to the wolves, the Rangers believe in strength in numbers.

The Rangers have an extremely diverse 40-man roster. Not even in terms of nationalities, but in how the Rangers acquired each of the players. On the Rangers 40-man, 15 of their players were acquired via trade, 1 was acquired through the rule five draft, 7 were international free agents, only 4 were MLB free agents, and 1 was acquired from McDonald’s. Sorry, Mark Hamburger. I couldn’t help it. A large part of the Rangers success is because of the Jon Daniels and the ability of his scouts to recognize and acquire talent through all aspects of the game.

Most of Texas’s new talent is coming from overseas, Latin America in particular. Elvis Andrus, Jurickson Profar, and Ronald Guzman were all signed at a young age by the Rangers scouts. The Rangers haven’t been afraid to hand out large bonuses to get these talented youngsters to sign. Rangers outfielder Leonys Martin, for example, was signed to a record-setting 5-year, $15.5 million contract out of Cuba.

Texas recently signed Daniels through the 2015 season. So Rangers fans won’t have to worry about Daniels going anywhere. Thanks to Daniels and his staff, Texas will be a hard team to beat in 2012. They have depth at every position and more talented players close to the big leagues. At the rate the Rangers are producing talent, they’re not going anywhere. The Rangers are going to be a consistent playoff contender for a long time to come.

***Today’s feature was prepared by our Baseball Writer, Sam Evans. We highly encourage you to leave your comments and feedback at the bottom of the page and share in the discussion with our readers. You can also follow Sam on Twitter***

Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us onTwitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click hereand follow the link at the top of our homepage.

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Tags: AL West, jon daniels, jurickson profar, rangers farm system, texas rangers

Anthony Ranaudo Interview: 2010 1st Round Draft Pick and Red Sox Uber-Prospect

Jan 13

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

Friday January 13, 2012

MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: Imagine that you were 6’7″, a chiseled 230 lbs and drafted in the first round (39th overall) in the 2010 MLB draft. Better yet, you were drafted by the Red Sox. This comes after you were drafted by Texas in 2007 but opted to play for a powerhouse school like Louisiana State. To top it all off, you show up to your first professional season of baseball as a 21-year old highly rated pitching prospect and you hold your own against the competition. Impossible dream? Not really…not if your name is Anthony Ranaudo. Going into 2012, Anthony is one of the top rated pitching (and overall) prospects in the game. While he has the resume and strong credentials already, Anthony is not letting anybody hand him anything in baseball. He is working hard to earn his chance and to prove that he belongs in the majors. Red Sox fans are absolutely giddy at the thought of having Anthony in their team’s rotation one day. Can you blame them? There are 29 other major league teams who would grab him for their system in a second. For a kid that grew up a Yankees fan in New Jersey, Anthony’s baseball story certainly took an interesting twist. Now a member of Red Sox nation, Anthony Renaudo is on track to land in Boston in the near future.

Featured today on MLB reports, we are proud to present Anthony Renaudo of the Boston Red Sox:

MLB reports: Welcome to MLB reports Anthony. First question: We have to know the truth. We understand that you grew up a Yankees fans. How did it feel to be drafted by the Red Sox? Was it difficult to give up the love for the pinstripes and join Red Sox nation?

Anthony Ranaudo: Haha… that is actually such a common question with all my family members and friends back home in New Jersey. But once I went to college and saw teammates and guys I played with making it to the big leagues, you become more of a fan of the game rather than of one specific team. So by the time the draft came, I was excited to be picked by the Sox and join the tradition and history behind the organization.

MLB reports: You got the call in 2007 that you were drafted by the Rangers. Was there ever a possibility of you signing with Texas or was it Louisiana State the whole way?

Anthony Ranaudo: There was a slight chance if they were willing to pay above slot. But I really had my mind-set on going to college, earning a part of my degree, and competing for a national championship at one of the best college programs in the country.

MLB reports: How did you enjoy your time in University? Do you feel you made the right choice in picking school over pro ball? (if you could go back in a time machine- would you have still made the same choice?)

Anthony Ranaudo: The time I spent at LSU was an amazing three years to say the least. I would not go back and change a thing, if I had the chance a million times over. The people I met, friendships I made, and the baseball experience I gained- is not something that I could ever replace. I am so thankful I was a part of it.

MLB reports: Not an easy subject I’m sure, but I was curious about your injury in 2010. You hurt your elbow prior the draft. How did you get injured and were you afraid that the injury would affect your draft status?

Anthony Ranaudo: It was actually a freak incident and a rare bone injury that no one really knows why it occurred. But it did happen and affected my performance and ultimately the draft. With that being said, during that time I can honestly say that I wasn’t as concerned with my draft status as I was with returning to my team and helping to defend our national championship in 09.

MLB reports: How is your health today? Any lingering issues?

Anthony Ranaudo: I am 100 percent healthy with no lingering issues.

MLB reports: Did you have a favorite player growing up?

Anthony Ranaudo: Even though he was before my time, I always idolized Nolan Ryan because he was the best pitcher of his time and always wanted to be the best. My dad would tell me stories about him and his work ethic and why he was the best. I used to collect his cards and want to be as successful as he was.

MLB reports: Which current MLB star do you most admire and why? Any current players that you pattern your game after?

Anthony Ranaudo: I respect a lot of the players in the major leagues because obviously they have put a lot of time, effort, and energy into their life as a baseball player. Many of them are very intelligent and have learned the game well and that is why they are so successful. I can’t really say there are too many guys that I pattern myself around. But I can say that whenever I am around a major league player, I listen closely and absorb as much as I can about his career and things he has gone through.

MLB reports: What are your goals going into the 2012 season?

Anthony Ranaudo: Personally, my goals for this season are simple. I want to have a focus of getting better each and every day to make myself more of a major league ready pitcher. I think the season will dictate more of my specific goals. But if I work as hard as I can and focus on getting better, I will eventually become the pitcher I know that I can be and hopefully be a major league pitcher helping my team win.

MLB reports: You were a first round pick by the Red Sox in 2010. How did you find out you were drafted? Big party that night?

Anthony Ranaudo: Actually the opposite. The night before the draft, we were eliminated from the postseason at UCLA and had a plane ride that day and night. I found out I was picked by the Sox after we landed back in Baton Rouge.

MLB reports: Did you expect to go to the Red Sox and as high as the 1st round? Your name was discussed for some time in baseball circles as a future 1st round selection- how much of the hype reached you?

Anthony Ranaudo: Well I had heard some rumors about the Sox drafting me, but there are a lot of things your hear all the time. From the time I was a kid it was my dream to play professionally. So just to be drafted was a great honor.

MLB reports: You start off your career as a Greenville Drive and then moved on to the Salem Red Sox last season. Tell us about your first two professional teams…and what the heck is a Greenville Drive?

Anthony Ranaudo: Honestly, I played there for two months and I have no idea. This year was a lot of fun and I really enjoying playing for both teams. I met a lot of good guys and made a ton of new friends that really made this first year of pro ball very memorable.

MLB reports: How did you feel going from school to professional baseball? What was the transition like?

Anthony Ranaudo: Playing at LSU really gave a great start to the transition. There were some minor things to make adjustments to, but overall it was pretty simple.

MLB reports: Do you see yourself long-term as a starter or reliever?

Anthony Ranaudo: I have always seen myself as a starter and I love being on the mound for seven or eight innings. With that being said, I also love having the ball in my hand when the game really matters the most in the late innings. So if it is my job to be a reliever or closer one day, I will really enjoy and embrace that role.

MLB reports: What do you consider your best pitch(es)? Any new ones that you plan to be working on this season?

Anthony Ranaudo: No new additions this year so far. I am trying to really focus on having great control and command of my three or four current pitches. To this day, my fastball and curveball are still my favorite pitches.

MLB reports: Who were the strongest baseball influences growing up? Any particular coaches that had a deep impact on your game?

Anthony Ranaudo: I would have to say my father had the greatest influence on my career. He was the one who taught me the game and was there for every step, even to this day. But without the support of my mother and father and my brothers and sisters, I would never have made it to where I am today.

MLB reports: What facets of your game do you most wish to improve upon?

Anthony Ranaudo: I need to refine my command of the strike zone and throw more quality strikes with greater consistency. Once I do that, I can focus on competing and hopefully moving up the ladder.

MLB reports: If you had to look into a crystal ball, when do you see your expected time of arrival in the big leagues and what do you think you need to do most to get there?

Anthony Ranaudo: I am glad I don’t have a crystal ball because that way I cannot worry about it. And that is the approach I take every day. Like I said earlier, I try to get better each and every day. If I can keep doing that while staying healthy, I think those decisions will be made for me, hopefully sooner rather than later.

MLB reports: Favorite baseball movie of all-time and why?

Anthony Ranaudo: For Love of The Game. No doubt. Literally tear up every time. It is the perfect description of the life of a pitcher, with the ending of a perfect game. Something that every competitive pitcher dreams of.

***Thank you to Anthony Ranaudo for taking the time to join us today on MLB reports! You can follow Anthony on Twitter (@anthony_ranaudo). Anthony enjoys speaking with his fans, so please feel free to send him any questions/comments you have. Or just wish him good luck on the season, as he works his way up to Boston!***

Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Posted in Interviews with MLB Stars

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Tags: anthony ranaudo, baseball, boston red sox, greenville drive, louisiana state, lsu, mlb, nolan ryan, pitcher, prospect, salem red sox, texas rangers

Adrian Beltre is Playing Himself into Hall Of Fame Consideration

Jan 9

Posted by chuckbooth3023

Monday January 9, 2012

Doug Booth- Baseball Writer: With today being the official day the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) to finalize the 2012 Baseball Hall Of Fame inductees, I thought some more about Adrian Beltre as a potential candidate when he is finished playing the game. At first glance, Beltre would not seem like a viable candidate but I intend to plead his case for him. Adrian Beltre was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers while he was playing high school baseball at the age of fifteen. The Los Angeles Dodgers would later be suspended for a year from the Dominican Republic when this was revealed. However, this was a minor price to pay for securing such a great prospect. Beltre played in the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball Academy in his own country before heading to the minor leagues. His minor league career was short-lived as he was called up as a teenager in 1998 at the age of 19. Beltre struggled with Major League pitching that year hitting .215, but showed some power with 7 HRs and 22 RBIs in only 195 AB. Beltre won the third base position out of training camp in 1999 and never looked back. Beltre then enjoyed 5 solid seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing great defense and above average power. It was 2004 that was his breakout year.

At age 25, Adrian Beltre had one of the greatest years of all-time offensively for a third baseman. Included in his numbers were: .334 with 48 HRs and 121 RBIs, 200 hits and 104 runs. Beltre had a slugging percentage that year of .629. Adrian finished second in MVP voting to Barry Bonds. Beltre picked a perfect season to explode considering it was his free agent season. The Seattle Mariners came calling with a 5-year $64 Million deal. The Seattle Mariners had also signed Richie Sexson that year to try and compete in the AL West for 2005.

The move did not pay off at the start, with Beltre struggling in the 1st half of the season. Yet there was a nice second half of the year, as he still managed to put up 19 HR’S and 87 RBI. Beltre was frustrated with his first year although he had optimism towards the future, citing the League switch (as it was hard to have a handle on pitchers you never had faced before). The next three years, Adrian cracked 76 HRs and drove in 265 RBIs. His average fluctuated a little between .260 to .280. Amongst the numbers that favored Beltre was that he hit 109 doubles in those 3 years. This next point is playing in certain ballparks can make a huge difference. As my regional team, I watched Beltre play for his entire Seattle Mariners career. I would say half of his doubles at home were launched off the fences of Safeco Field. Had Beltre played in a ballpark more offensive friendly, we are talking about a player capable of hitting 30-35 HRs every year. When you add up all of the extra base hits for Beltre, he is always in the top 10-15 every year. With 2010 coming, and finishing an injury plagued 2009 campaign for the Mariners, Beltre picked his worst year for a bad season (with him set to become a free agent for the 2nd time in his career). The Boston Red Sox finally came calling with a 1-year $10 Million contract.

Adrian Beltre was an outstanding fit at hitter-friendly Fenway Park, posting remarkable numbers of a .321 AVG with 28 HRs and 103 RBIs. It was another impressive season for doubles with 49 (which led the league). This was the second 80 Extra Base hits season of his career. Some would tell you that Adrian Beltre was the MVP of the Boston Red Sox in 2010, and that his absence from the team in the 2011 year was the main reason why the Red Sox struggled to start the season before missing the playoffs on the final day of the season. Adrian Beltre took his offensive talents to Texas for 2011, signing a 6-year $96 Million Contract.

Beltre tore it up in Arlington last season. Despite missing 38 games, Beltre clubbed 32 HRs and drove in 105 RBIs while carrying an Avg of .296. Beltre continued his torrid offensive pace in the playoffs, where he even had a 3-home run game in the ALDS versus the Tampa Bay Rays! Later in the World Series, Beltre hit a home run where he fell to his knees. At age 32 and with 5 seasons left in his contract with the Texas Rangers, this slugger shows no sign of slowing down. His career numbers are already impressive at .276 with 310 HRs, 1113 RBIs and 430 doubles. If Beltre can amass another 140 HRs, 170 doubles and 390 RBIs during these upcoming years(a yearly average of 28 HRs, 34 doubles and 78 RBIs), then you are talking about a guy that will have career numbers of 450 HRs, 1500 RBIs and 600 doubles. Those statistics would garner the man some serious consideration for the Hall of Fame… and he may not even be done playing after that. Beltre should have about 2800 hits by the time he is done as well. Beltre is also known as being one of the best defensive third baseman of late, which has culminated in 3 gold gloves over the last 5 years. With Beltre’s Gold Glove potential every year, there is no reason to think he will not win a couple more of these awards.

In the end, Beltre could have historical numbers for a third baseman, surpassed by only a select few like Mike Schmidt. I think it is very important for the writers of the BBWAA to talk to all of the announcers/broadcasters of all major league teams about the potential BBHOF candidates out there, as a guy like Adrian Beltre might just slip through the cracks. Ron Santo’s 2012 induction might just be a preview to the kind of third baseman who will one day join the fraternity. If you look up Beltre’s numbers as of today, their career numbers are already eerily similar.

*** Thank you to our Baseball Writer- Doug Booth for preparing today’s feature on MLB reports. To learn more about “The Fastest 30 Ballgames” and Doug Booth, you can follow Doug on Twitter (@ChuckBooth3024) and click here for Doug’s website, fastestthirtyballgames.com***

Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Posted in MLB Player Profiles

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Tags: adrian beltre, baseball, chicago cubs, cooperstown, hall of fame, mlb, ron santo, texas rangers, third base

My Baseball Comeback: The Loren Deans Guest MLB Blog

Dec 4

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

Sunday December 4, 2011

MLB reports: We welcome Loren Deans to MLB reports! Loren was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 37th round of the 2003 draft. Unfortunately, Loren never ended up signing a contract with the Rangers and playing professional baseball. His baseball journey is a tale of fate and twists that led him off the diamond. Now Loren is back and hungrier than ever to jumpstart his career. Joining us today exclusively on MLB reports, we learn about Loren Deans and his journey back into baseball. This is the story of Loren Deans in his own words.

Name : Loren Deans

Height : 6’3″
Weight : 200 lbs
Position : Centerfield/OF/Closer
High School : Capistrano Valley

Loren Deans- Guest MLB Blog: After graduating Capo “Capistrano” Valley High School, I was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 2003 Major League baseball draft. It was supposed to be a draft-and-follow deal (ended in 2007), which allowed me to play another year of college ball. I would then have the opportunity to be re-drafted in a higher round. Back then, based on the draft-and-follow, Texas kept full rights of me for that year in college ball. I was looking forward to having a great year in College and joining the Rangers quickly afterwards

So I went to Irvine Valley College. That ending up being probably one of the roughest years of my life. Looking back,if I could have done things differently, I would have rather signed the contract with the Rangers as a raw 17-year-old out of high school and just developed with Texas. Losing that year in professional baseball ended up setting me back much further then I could have ever imagined.

I definitely did not have the best college experience. I went to Irvine valley college not taking classes too seriously, which led to run-ins with the coach. Once I got my act together and was playing top-notch ball, of course the first injury of my entire life happens! A head-first slide ended my season on my throwing shoulder. Texas was then nowhere to be found that summer. I rehabbed that year (and am now 100% healthy by the way!)

So I moved on to play for Seminole State College in Oklahoma… talk about culture shock HA! Southern California guy going to Oklahoma on a limb was intense. I played my usual centerfield and batted lead off in Oklahoma. I don’t talk about this period in my life much, but truthfully there were many issues facing this team. The coach in Oklahoma had distractions at home and was not all there in the head mentally. So I had enough and left the team in the winter. I went back to California and played a winter at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, where I was tearing it up. I batted cleanup for the first time since my sophomore year in high school. Driving the ball to all field with power playing and I was at the top of my game. Unfortunately, I was not able to play ball that spring due to car problems and living arrangements. Talk about living in the trenches! I was there. Struggling to survive and maintain work and place of home… it was extremely difficult. I found it hard to train and deal with all that was around me. But at the end of the day, I make no excuses.

I recently tried out in May 2011 for the Independent baseball league: NAL “North American (Baseball) League”, in Pasadena, CA. That is where it all currently lays in front of me. My life is in a 180° spin for the better. I have a great job and life at home, although the baseball game continues to burn strongly inside of me. I am 26-years young in my opinion, with plenty of time to succeed in baseball. The passion is inside me. It seems that once you fall out of the baseball loop, it is very hard to get back inside the system. I am currently training and preparing for the upcoming season in a big way. I will NEVER give up! It is my vision that an organization will find this diamond in the rough. A team will view me as a 5-tool utility player. All he needs is to be given a chance. I am training and working towards a comeback because my skill level I believe is high. The fire is there. It is my time!

Loren Deans

You can follow Loren on Twitter (@SwinGzLo) – Please feel free to contact Loren with any questions and comments that you may have!

Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.