Tag Archives: MLB

Basbeall, MLB

Go Cubs Go: Fly the W the Cubbies jump the goat

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There’s a lot that can be said about last night’s World Series victory by the Chicago Cubs, some of which will be discussed right here in the upcoming days. We saw Theo Epstein cement his legacy as own of the greatest masterminds in MLB history, and for all those that thought Joe Maddon was the best skipper in baseball, even in a losing effort Terry Francona proved otherwise.

Ben Zobrist showed once again that he may in fact be the most under appreciated hitter of his generation. We saw two dynasties form, as both the Indians and Cubs have even more talent coming up the pipeline that neither should go away. And we saw for all the hype, for all the commotion over service time and Kris Bryant, he was worth the wait and everything advertised. He has surpassed Bryce Harper as the best young player in the National League in my eyes.

Last night wasn’t about Theo showing the world he was right in his rebuild. It wasn’t about the young Cubbies rising victorious. It was about Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo and Ryne Sandberg getting their due. And it was about Cubs fans, finally hearing the call they had long been waiting for from one of the most beloved voices in the history of the game.

Thank you Budweiser and the Cubs and Indians for showing Harper that he’s clueless. Baseball is fun again.

Basbeall, MLB

Cardinals and Padres lead 5 under the radar outfield prospects for 2017

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Wednesday, in continuing our look at potential 2017 impact prospects, we took a look at the big name outfielders ready for their chance in the big leagues. Now, we look at some under-the-radar outfielders who may be ready to make a name for themselves at some point next season.

While Clint Frazier and Jesse Winker may be household names amongst prospect enthusiasts, this next round of guys may not be as well known, whether it be the market in which they play or the level on which they excelled. Still, all of these guys could very well see plenty of playing time in 2017 at the big league level.

Keep reading for more 2017 impact prospects!

Basbeall, MLB

The Phillies Jorge Alfaro highlights 5 catching prospects to impact the 2017 MLB season

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As we continue our look at potential impact prospects for the 2017 season, we turn our attention to the catching position. Catchers tend to take a bit longer to mature because so much more goes into being a “good” catcher than a quick bat and a powerful arm. One needs to command a pitching staff and control the game, all while keeping the ball in front of him and holding the runners at bay. Blasting a few home runs here and there doesn’t hurt either. Today, we look at five who seem ready to contribute in 2016.

If you have been following the series, then you are aware that this is not meant to be a definitive list by any means. It is simply five prospects on the cusp of contributing regularly at the big league level. That being said, you won’t see names like the Indians Francisco Mejia or Yankees Luis Torrens because they are simply a few years away. Nor will you see names of “prospects” who claimed their rightful position, like Gary Sanchez. No, these are five prospects with less than 50 combined games in the big leagues amongst them ready for their turn to shine.

Keep reading for more impact catching prospects!

Basbeall, MLB

Yankees Clint Frazier highlights 5 impact outfield prospects for 2017

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We continue our look around the minor leagues at which prospects could provide an impact to their big league club in the coming season. Today, we focus on Part One of the outfielders. Projecting outfielders by position once they reach the majors proves somewhat difficult as often times, they will fill a hole that wasn’t necessarily where they expected to be. So we will look at the outfield as a collective whole, looking first at the bigger names ready to move and then some under-the-radar guys who may be ready.

Keep reading for more impact prospects in 2017

Basbeall, MLB

Bird is the Word: Yankees first baseman heating up in Arizona

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While Mark Teixeira helped bring a World Series ring back to the Bronx in his first year in pinstripes, there is no denying that his career had seen better days entering 2016. Instead of figuring out how to move Tex and his big contract, he stepped off quietly out of the spotlight and retired, leaving behind an outstanding career.

The timing couldn’t be better for the Yankees, as Greg Bird is back out in the desert and it seems he has found his groove for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Read more on Greg Bird!

Basbeall, MLB

FIVE IMPACT THIRD BASE PROSPECTS FOR 2017

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Now that first and second base are in the books, it is time to turn our attention to the hot corner. We continue our look at possible impact prospects for the 2017 season, with five third basemen who may be ready for The Show in 2017.

Once again, this isn’t a top prospects list. You won’t see names like Rafael Devers, Ke’Bryan Hayes or even Valdimir Guerrero, Jr. because they are far away from their big league promotions. You won’t seem Austin Riley, whose second half surge that led Rome to their SAL title has him fast-rising amongst baseball’s best third base prospects. This is not a rankings of any sorts, it is merely five prospects who could see enough big league time in 2017 that they impact their team’s play.

So, who’s in store for 2017?

Keep reading for the next in my series of impact prospects for 2017.

Basbeall, MLB

FIVE IMPACT SHORTSTOP PROSPECTS FOR 2017

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Today we continue to take a look at some of the minors’ biggest and brightest prospects ready to jump out on the national stage next season. Having already looked at five impact first basemen, second basemen and third basemen, we turn our attention to the shortstops.

There are some big shoes to fill. Shortstop has become one of the more exciting young positions in the game with the emergence of Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor and even the little we saw of Dansby Swanson this season. Who is the next in line?

Remember, this isn’t a ranking or list of best shortstop prospects. You won’t see Brendan Rodgers because as long as Trevor Story is healthy, the Rockies are pretty set up the middle and can allow Rodgers another season of maturity. You also won’t see Amed Rosario, because even if the veterans at the big league level go down with injury, Gavin Cecchini is likely next in line. Nor will you see the New York Yankees dynamic duo of Gleyber Torres or Jorge Mateo, who are both a little bit away, despite Torres absolutely sizzling in the desert out in the Arizona Fall League. And you won’t see the aforementioned Swanson. Yes, by MLB’s statistical standards, he will still be a “rookie” in 2017, but there is no question that Swanson is the everyday shortstop for the Braves and he already showed his impact in their remarkable 20-10 September run.

Keep reading for the next installment of impact prospects for 2017.

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