MLB Opening Day

[Fatphil32]

Let's see, Derrick Turnblow...
In 2008 in 8 games for the Brewers he had a 15.63 ERA, not too shabby.
Then he went to the minors and had a 10.50 ERA.
Now with the Rangers minor league he's got an 8.5 ERA.
From an all-star to that. Wow.

Wow, that's just pathetic...

 

[andy.b]

Huh, he was the first player to be positively tested for a banned steroid in the MLB.

 

[Fatphil32]

Huh, he was the first player to be positively tested for a banned steroid in the MLB.

You sure about that... There have been players who have tested positive since before he even reached AA.

 

[andy.b]

Maybe they weren't banned yet?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1701535

 

[Fatphil32]

Maybe they weren't banned yet?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1701535

Article seems pretty poorly written for ESPN. Because I can find you links of baseball players testing positive for banned substances back in 2000. I think he was the first to receive punishment for testing positive. However, as the article stats, it was an international ban and he received no suspension from the MLB.

 

[andy.b]

Actually, ESPN didn't write it, the Associated Press did. Either way, he still sucks.

 

[Fatphil32]

Actually, ESPN didn't write it, the Associated Press did. Either way, he still sucks.

lol, so blunt, yet so true.

 

[andy.b]

So, what are your views on the DH? I think I would like it better if both leagues had it. I think it would add more excitement with another position player in that would actually try to bat, instead of a pitcher going down on 3 pitches. And you can save up other pitchers energy for when you need them I'm not sure why people don't like it...

 

[Fatphil32]

So, what are your views on the DH? I think I would like it better if both leagues had it. I think it would add more excitement with another position player in that would actually try to bat, instead of a pitcher going down on 3 pitches. And you can save up other pitchers energy for when you need them I'm not sure why people don't like it...

I hate the DH rule. Having the pitchers bat brings a new element to the game. Yeah, a good amount of time they go down in three pitches. But, how often do you see an AL team play small ball and but runners over? I prefer small ball over jacking HR's all the time. That's why I hated Adam Dunn. I'd rather have the pitchers in there and force some new strategy to be used. It's a lot more difficult as a manager to run an offense with the pitcher batting.

Plus, I like to see some of these guys on defense. Joe Mauer's a very good defensive C, but the Twins always use him as a DH. Don't like that part either.

 

[andy.b]

I guess I just like seeing more runs on the board. And you don't have to waste pinch hitters and relievers and eventually get down to nobody left to play. That's just me. Speaking of pitchers hitting, during the game today they put up a graphic of pitchers hitting home runs since 2007 I think. Owings and Gallardo were 2 and 3. Zambano was first.

 

[Fatphil32]

I guess I just like seeing more runs on the board. And you don't have to waste pinch hitters and relievers and eventually get down to nobody left to play. That's just me. Speaking of pitchers hitting, during the game today they put up a graphic of pitchers hitting home runs since 2007 I think. Owings and Gallardo were 2 and 3. Zambano was first.

See, I like low scoring games where you have to fight for every run. DH is all about how you prefer the game, really. I like seeing PH's and relievers wasted and those extra inning games when both teams are killing in both departments.

And I wouldn't be surprised. Owing had a PH HR earlier this year for us. And I've seen Zambrano hit two live against the Reds in the past three or four years.

 

[andy.b]

Haha, a pitcher with a pinch hit homerun. I do like the occasional pitchers duels that end up 0-1 or some low score, or games that go to extra innings. I love walk-offs, those are just so exciting.

 

[Fatphil32]

Walk-off HR's are really the best. Most exciting play in baseball, other than someone stealing home.

 

[andy.b]

Yeah, two of my Brewers favorites are when Bill Hall hit a walk off on mother's day with his pink bat a couple years ago and Braun's walk off grand slam which kept us alive for the playoffs last year.

 

[Fatphil32]

Yeah, two of my Brewers favorites are when Bill Hall hit a walk off on mother's day with his pink bat a couple years ago and Braun's walk off grand slam which kept us alive for the playoffs last year.

Nothing beats for me Joe Randa on Opening Day in 2006 or on Wily Mo Pena's bobble-head night when he hit a walk-off and it almost hit the video board in LF [which is 450+ feet]

 

[andy.b]

Wow, I'm looking at Home Run Derby stats from the past 10 years and every year has had at least 4 Americans except 2005, were all 8 players were from a different country.

 

[Fatphil32]

Wow, I'm looking at Home Run Derby stats from the past 10 years and every year has had at least 4 Americans except 2005, were all 8 players were from a different country.

lol damn Caribbean players. The NBA and NFL are seriously the only sport that's now American-dominant. MLB has so many from Dominican Republic, Venezuela, ect.

 

[andy.b]

Yeah, now the Europeans and Asians are getting onto basketball though. I think the NFL will be American dominated for a looooong time.

 

[crazytp93]

It feels weird to say I've been quite satisfied with the Reds this year. I'm very confident with what they have going for the future. Their projected 2012 lineup right now looks like a World Series team.

C - Devin Mesoraco
1B - Yonder Alonso
2B - Brandon Phillips
SS - Chris Valaika
3B - Todd Frazier/Juan Francisco/Neftali Soto
LF - Joey Votto
CF - Drew Stubbs
RF - Jay Bruce

SP #1 - Edinson Volquez
SP #2 - Johnny Cueto
SP #3 - Aaron Harang
SP #4 - Homer Bailey
SP #5 - N/A
CL - Francisco Cordero

I garuntee that will be the best outfield in the major leagues in 2012, if that lineup comes true. Stubbs is a former-first round pick and is currently batting .295 with a .398 OBP. However, if you take away the first two weeks of the season when he was playing with an injured wrist, he'd be batting over .333 with a .450+ OBP. He's arguably the best defensive CF prospect out there and he has above average speed. You already know the potential that Votto and Bruce carry. And that outfield could have two guys pushing to start in Yorman Rodriguez and Juan Duran. Both are currently under 18 years old and were given the highest signing bonus for a non-American born baseball player ever.

If the Reds are contending this year, then you'll likely see Homer Bailey [top ten prospect, SP] and one of the 3B traded. The rest of the infield is pretty solid. Valaika is nothing great, but Alonso should be a stud. Phillips is a year removed from almost claiming a Silver Slugger award and won the Gold Glove last year. Mesoraco is the best defensive C the Reds have had in their system since Johnny Bench.

And we have a ton of pitching prospects, mostly in the relief area. A few of them may be dealt in the near future.

I'm not worried about this year really. We're not going anywhere. But, be prepared for the 2012 Reds...

They will be great, if the prospects pan out. Some just fade once they get to higher levels on the farm. But I agree, not saying the Big Red Machine is coming back, but they'll win their division I think for years to come.

 

[andy.b]

They will be great, if the prospects pan out. Some just fade once they get to higher levels on the farm. But I agree, not saying the Big Red Machine is coming back, but they'll win their division I think for years to come.

I don't know about that...The Brewers have great young talent now, and if they keep most of the players, they could be the most dominant of the NL. They only need to get their rotation steady.