06.16.2010: Let's Start a Streak!

Media Update: Tomorrow we will have our first player profile with Charlie Henderson!

Yesterday's off day was great. Got some office work done and afterwards took a nap for the first time in forever. I love the long days, don't get me wrong, but the midday rest was great. Got back to the office today ready to go.

Last night featured some putt-putt, pizza, and playoff basketball...the three essential p's to life...right?

Tonight, the Lunkers are going for a third straight overall, and a fourth straight against the Alexandria Beetles who they swept to begin the season. Two straight walk-off wins were certainly exciting for the fans and the team, and hopefully the off-day didn't take away from the momentum.

Nick Anderson is on the mound tonight, pitching, once again, in front of his hometown fans. It must be really cool for Nick, from Brainerd, to play for Brainerd and represent his town. He is a proud alumnus of the Brainerd Warrior baseball program, which is soon to begin its quest for a state championship.

Watched South Africa play its second World Cup game against Uruguay in the clubhouse with assistant coaches Dan Lipari and Jeremy Etchemendy. Come on Bafana Bafana!!!

Juan Padilla is scheduled to join the team today...that leaves only Mick Gaston as the only full-year member not yet here. He has a wedding to attend before he makes his way to Brainerd.


Hot Sports Opinion of the Day: We continue our "Young Core" debate, analyzing the AL East today.

Just a refresher on criteria: I am only analyzing players 27 and younger on each team's 40-man roster based predominantly on their MLB production and what it might project to...

Winners
AL East: Tampa Bay
AL Central: Detroit
AL West: Texas

NL East: ?
NL Central:
NL West:


Atlanta Braves: There are almost no guarantees in the game of baseball, especially when it comes to individual players. Barring injuries, though, Jason Heyward is about as close as they come. Heyward has shown he can cut it at the plate. He has a plus arm and can run a bit. A lot of times you hear people defend young players who struggle by saying they need experience or that it takes time, but if you look hard, the truly great players--and I mean the absolute elite--are successful from the start and don't need that year to adapt. Heyward is one of those guys. The separating factor? He is only 20! Heyward or Strasburg? I can't guarantee I'd take Strasburg over an everyday player as talented as Heyward.

Then there is Tommy Hanson (23), one of the games brightest young pitchers. He, like Heyward, has produced from the start of his career. He strikes out more than a batter an inning and does not have control issues. Is there a team with a better batter-pitcher combo under the age of 25...or, in their case, 23?

At 23, Jordan Schafer has had that "adjustment period." Despite homering in his first ever game, Schafer was sent down in 2009 when he was struggling to hit over .200. In 2010, Schafer is hitting only .235 in the minors, which is definitely a disturbing red flag. What's more? He is without a homer.

Those were the trio of hyped young studs...Two-for-three, so far, isn't bad.

As far as established players, 27 year old and Yunel Escobar highlight this group. Although, its tough to predict the longevity of a catcher as far as offensive production goes, and Yunel Escobar is struggling at the plate, still without a home run in 2010.

Outside of these five, there isn't anything to write home about. Jair Jurrjens is pretty darn good, but has had health issues. Melky Cabrera is solid, but not a star, and Jo-Jo Reyes has never really developed.

In terms of quantity, the Braves are not near the top, but their top-tier quality is incredibly impressive.

Youth Leader: Heyward, no doubt.

New York Mets: The lack of direction this franchise has had of late in showing. David Wright and Jose Reyes, both 27, fit in the discussion, but I don't know if that they are even as promising as they each were once regarded, Reyes, in particular, with his health issues and lack of plate discipline. People certainly envisioned him becoming a .300 hitter one day, and he has not delivered. Wright is still an elite player, as he gives you the total package, but is he one of baseball's very best? Is he a top five player in the game? I don't think so. Top 10? Maybe. Top 15? Certainly. Either way, he isn't good enough to make up for the lack of substance outside of he and Reyes.

Ike Davis is proving he is likely the first baseman of the future and while he does provide some hope on the youth end, he doesn't have much help. While Mike Pelfrey is finally starting to fill his potential, the only other pitching product worth noting is Jonathon Niese. Fernando Martinez is young (21), but struggled his first go-around. Is he another toolsy player with potential that doesn't develop for the Mets (read: Lastings Milledge)? Too early to tell, but certainly not worth discounting. Chris Carter is now 27, and no longer a true prospect. Jeff Francoeur, 26, has tons of potential, its just a matter of finding whatever he needs to find in order to duplicate his promising 2006 and 2007 seasons in Atlanta.

The problem with the Mets is that they have questions, but not a lot of depth as protection. The true pieces are Wright, Reyes, Davis, and Pelfrey. Only Davis is younger than 26 of those pieces. Their farm not a part of the 40-man isn't that strong, either.

Youth Leader: David Wright, although Ike Davis is pretty impressive early on.

Philadelphia Phillies: They are an interesting case. They have good talent in their farm when you look at players four or five years away. Their 40-man, though, is pretty weak. Cole Hamels, 26, is a pretty darn good lefty. Kyle Kendrick, 25, has demonstrated that he is a decent rotation guy, but has not developed into a two or a really good three. J.A. Happ had a great 2009 but he is already 27, and older than Hamels. Other than that? Junior Mayberry? He's been a disappointment. And when I say beyond those four there is no one, I mean it. Antonio Bastardo is good but, once again, he is a reliever that is certainly replaceable and not a piece that makes anyone go crazy.

Give them some credit, though...they were in the World Series last year.

Youth Leader: Hamels? I guess?

Florida Marlins: The youth is there, the question is whether they can keep them. The new stadium should certainly help them move away from being a team that has to go for it once every five years and even in years they don't "go for it" they are always competitive. The strategy has seemed to work: two World Series titles in the last 15 years and they have not lost a playoff series yet.

Their crop begins with Hanley Ramirez who, at 26, is one of the best players in the game And then it continues with 26 year old Josh Johnson, one of the best pitchers in the game.

Mike Stanton, 20, just made his debut so the jury is out on him, but he comes with tons and tons of potential. At 23, Chris Volstad is a guy I think will continue to imrpove. It starts with his improved consistency this season. He has failed to go at least five in only two starts this season and has gone at least six in nine of 13 starts.

The jury is still out on Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. Maybin has all the tools, but still has too many poor at-bats and strikes out way too much for someone with his speed. Andrew Miller, a hard-throwing lefty, came with high hopes but has spent 2010 in the minors with an ERA near 7.00. He has time to turn it around, but it needs to happen quickly.

Their depth separates them from other teams. In addition to those we have just mentioned, they still have 27 year old Ricky Nolasco, who, if he could ever find some consistency, could be a star. Then, there is Gaby Sanchez, who is showing he can cut it at the plate. Anibal Sanchez, also 26, continues to get better and, presently, is a pretty darn good number two.

Youth Leader: Can't go against Hanley, but Josh Johnson does make it tough.

Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper will get consideration, but not a ton. One thing to consider about Harper is that he is so young and has yet to experience failure. One things scouts love to see is how a player responds to failure. Often times, players with huge expectations like Harper have greater trouble responding to failure than others...he has not been challenged yet, so how he does in the minor league ranks will be very telling. Do I think he will be a star? Yes, but that is something to consider.

Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman might be the only batter-pitcher duo 25 and under to challenge Heyward and Hanson. What do you think? Zimmerman is a 1.000+ OPS guy and is a very good fielder. Strasburg, so far, has excelled. You probably know about those two, though, but they are not alone. Drew Storen, 22, is their closer of the future with dynamic stuff. Ian Desmond, 22, is likely their shortstop of the future and is certainly holding his own and then some in his rookie campaign.

Other than that, though, on their forty-man their is not a much else. They do, however, highlighted by Harper, have a very strong farm.

Youth Leader: Strasburg

And the winner is...the Atlanta Braves. Shocking that I didn't pick the Nationals? Yes. Why? I think Heyward is the best overall prospect in baseball, better than Strasburg. And, while Strasburg, according to scouts, has great mechanics, scouts think Hanson has some of the best mechanics in baseball, such that injury concerns should not be an issue.

2. Washington Nationals: They win almost in any other division.
3. Florida Marlins: Check their track record
4. New York Mets: They got some hope...sort of
5. Philadelphia Phillies: They are winning now...