Category Archives: Basbeall

Basbeall, MLB

FIVE IMPACT SECOND BASE PROSPECTS FOR 2017

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Yesterday, we began our look at possible impact prospects for the 2017 season with five first baseman poised to bring their talents to The Show. Today, we switch our focus to their neighbor in the infield: the second baseman.

Remember, this isn’t a list of the best second base prospects in baseball. You won’t see names like Forrest Wall or Andy Ibanez (although he is hitting everything thrown his way in the Arizona Fall League right now) on the list with a 2018 full-time debut much more likely. Nor will you see the Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ or Boston Red Sox’s Yoan Moncada (at least not until Sunday).

No matter how young and exciting Happ may be, there simply isn’t any room on the current roster with Ben Zobrist and the red-hot Javier Baez. That could easily change if Theo Epstein goes wheeling and dealing in the offseason as he has become infamously known for, but as it stands, the Cubs have time to allow Happ to mature for a full season at Triple-A. The Red Sox extended Dustin Pedroia until 2021, meaning Moncada is likely the new third baseman of the Red Sox future, which makes him ineligible for this list.

So who’s on tap for 2017?

Keep reading for the next in the series of impact prospects.

Basbeall, MLB

From Ryno to Rizzo: My life as a Cubs fan

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(Note from the editor: Today’s World Series Preview isn’t a prediction special. It is a recollection of what 36 years of being a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan is like in the words of my brother Jonathan. Thank you to my brother, who not only took the time to put his emotions and make his writing debut, but remained loyal to the lovable losers for as long as he has. Go Cubs Go!)

Here we are, on the eve of the first World Series for the Chicago Cubs in 71 years.The Cubs last appearance in the World Series was just two months after the end of World War II for the United States. I, like most baseball fans growing up in my town, idolized No. 23 though I was cheering for Ryne Sandberg and the Chicago Cubs, not Don Mattingly of the Yankees.  People do not realize watching the Yankees dominance the past 15 years how difficult it is to make the playoffs consistently. Don Mattingly never made it to the World Series. Ryno, in his Hall of Fame career, made only two playoff appearances, 1984 and 1989. I was too young to understand the epic collapse of the ’84 team to the Padres or understand the significance of the loss to the Giants in ‘89.  Just imagine this for one second however, if the Cubs win the ‘89 series, Game 3 would have been played in Wrigley, not Candlestick, and thus the earthquake would not have impacted the World Series.  A different history would have been written. 

Continue on for life as a Cubs fan

Basbeall, MLB

Five Impact First Base Prospects for 2017

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The big influx of rookies over the last several seasons has since changed the landscape of Major League Baseball. The aging veterans have become more like dinosaurs on the verge of extinction, while a youth rebellion has taken over the big leagues. Names like Corey Seager, Tyler Naquin, Michael Fulmer and Gary Sanchez were some of this year’s big breakouts.

Who’s on tap for 2017? Let’s take a look at five first baseman who could contribute as early as Opening Day.

Keep reading for more potential 2017 impact prospects.

Basbeall, MLB

The Philadelphia Phillies backstop conundrum

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The Philadelphia Phillies have a good problem on their hands. In an era that elite catchers seem to be wearing thin, the Phillies have two of the premier catching prospects in the game. This past season, they purposely left Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro at two different levels of the minor leagues. Now, both appear ready for big league stardom.

So what’s next for the Phillies behind the plate?

Keep reading for more

Basbeall, MLB

The Atlanta Braves Anfernee Seymour an intriguing prospect

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Anfernee Seymour has had an interesting journey since beginning his professional career. First, he switched positions, converting from a high school center fielder to minor league shortstop. This season, he switched organizations, coming to the Atlanta Braves from the Miami Marlins in an August trade.

So, what do the Braves have in Seymour?

Read more on Seymour.

Basbeall, MLB

Sons of Baseball-archy: Jamie Moyer’s power hitting son?

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So far in our Baseball Bloodlines series, we have looked a how different generations have passed down their Baseball DNA to their youthful counterparts, specifically in what they themselves accomplished. Vladimir Guerrero and Dante Bichette passed down their power bats, Mariano Rivera passed down his abilities at the back of the bullpen, and Carl Crawford seems to have shared his “toolsiness” with his baby cousin.

What happens when your son doesn’t play your position?

Continue on for more on the Moyers!

Basbeall, MLB

Sons of Baseball-archy: Craig Biggio’s youngest etching out his own path

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Being the son of a Hall of Famer isn’t easy. It’s even more difficult when you are trying to etch out your own identity as your own unique ballplayer. Cavan Biggio has quietly been doing that, stepping out of his father’s spotlight.

Keep reading for more on Craig and Cavan Biggio.

Basbeall, MLB

Should Freddie Freeman win the MVP for a last place team?

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I’m sure you have figured out that it has been Atlanta Braves week here at Wayniac Nation. In honor of the Braves moving out of Atlanta we have turned our attention to the oldest franchise in the game, who is once again on the move. Monday we took a look at my final memories from Turner Field and yesterday, we looked at why Brian Snitker should get to keep his job and be the 2017 skipper of the Atlanta Braves.

Today, we look at Freddie Freeman.

The concept of a last place team having the Most Valuable Player in baseball is a silly concept to me. I should say was. I didn’t understand how Andre Dawson took home the award in 1987 for a team that finished in sixth place. Was he the best player in the National League that year? I think so, but just how valuable was he for a last place team?

Enter 2016 and the Year of the Freddie Freeman. I now believe in the last place MVP.

Read on for Freeman’s case at the MVP Award.