BP Blogs
Votto v. Phillips, The People's Case
Is it really fair to compare Joey Votto to Brandon Phillips?
So, about Joey Votto. Cincinnati.com's Paul Daugherty isn't sure he endorses how Joey Votto goes about hitting baseballs:
I was going to write something today for SI.com re Votto. Specifically, that Votto represented one of the clearest cases of Old-v-New schools of thought, re hitting production. The idea was discussed when The Technician was sitting on 4 HR/20 BI. Now, he’s up to 7 and 22. Both #s are subpar for him and, in fact, for a No. 3 hitter. The obvious question being, can a guy who ranks 11th among NL 1Bs in BI be seen as having a typically good year?
Obviously, his new-school metrics are through the roof... OB, OPS, WAR, FBI, CIA, REM, DEA etc. He leads this world — and quite possibly, others — in walks. He’s top three last I checked, in runs.
Before he drove in 2 yesterday, he ranked 87th in MLB in that category. I’m not sure why, exactly, some savants consider RBI to be somewhat irrelevant these days. But, whatever.
The question remains, and it’s getting weaker every day: Do Votto’s new-age numbers so highly overshadow his old-school shortcomings as to make the SI piece irrelevant? I’m guessing you’ll say yes indeedy, OG.
So, the question is if Joey Votto's high FBI and CIA (acronym jokes never go out of style) can be justified in light of his lower RBI total. Is there a counterpoint to Votto's high-walk, low-RBI ways? There is, and Daugherty says you don't have to look far to find him!
INTERESTING HOW SAVANTS also so easily dismiss BP as team MVP after six weeks. They live in the world of numbers. What number measures the runs he saves? The hits he takes away, practically nightly? The outs he creates? Is there a SABRE-fact for that?
What’s the number for his versatility as a hitter? We know he’s money in the clutch. There is a number for that. What about his ability to bat anywhere in the top six in the lineup? Would Choo be Choo if he had to hit cleanup? Maybe. We don’t know. He hasnt been asked. Phillips has. He has aaved this team’s rear, the way he has hit. He has us asking Ryan Who?
If you’re going to laud the ability of Choo and Votto to score runs and get on base, why no love for BP’s ability to drive them in? Votto’s had as many chances to drive in Choo as Phillips has. More, in fact, given that he hits ahead of Phillips. Doesnt BP’s RBI prowess make Votto and Choo look good, same as their ability to get aboard makes BP’s RBI total look impressive?
Okay, let's talk about this.
Brandon Phillips has had 38 RBI batting immediately after Joey Votto in an inning (his other two RBIs were home runs to lead off an inning). This is what Joey Votto did in the previous at-bat:
| Event |
Num |
RBI |
| NIBB |
7 |
10 |
| Out |
7 |
8 |
| 1B |
6 |
7 |
| IBB |
5 |
6 |
| 2B |
3 |
4 |
| K |
2 |
3 |
| Total |
30 |
38 |
More Colin Wyers
May 24, 2013 6:11 PM
4 Comments
Weekly #streameroftheday Update
Bret takes a look through this past week's streamer picks and looks at where he went right (and wrong).
For those of you unfamiliar with the #streameroftheday process, I recommend one starting pitcher per day who is owned in fewer than 10% of leagues (lower than your typical standards) and post it on Twitter at @dynastyguru. And this Friday post is where I stand in front of the firing squad, fully accountable for these recommendations. I ran a longer introduction in my first post of the season, explaining why my ownership limit is much lower than most others out there, but essentially it's to be helpful in deeper mixed leagues. If you want to read the whole thing, the link is here. With the pleasantries out of the way, let's jump into the action.
Here were the details for the last seven days:
More Bret Sayre
May 24, 2013 2:00 PM
1 Comment
Justin Grimm Steals an Out
A 3-6-3 double play that wasn't.
With the Mariners rallying against Rangers starter Justin Grimm in the second inning on Friday night, catcher Jesus Sucre stepped into the box for his first major-league plate appearance. Sucre, a career .255/.292/.338 hitter over eight minor-league seasons, bounced into a 3-6-3 double play.
More Jason Cole
May 24, 2013 11:48 AM
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Effectively Wild Episode 210: Revisiting the Montero-Pineda Trade/Your Ticket Refund/Giveaway Ideas
Ben and Sam discuss how the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda trade has turned out so far, then talk about your ticket refund/giveaway ideas.
Ben and Sam discuss how the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda trade has turned out so far, then talk about your ticket refund/giveaway ideas.
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Games of Thursday, May 23
Lefty Daniel Norris is beginning to put together the pieces that could eventually help him make good on the Blue Jays' $2 million investment.
Pitching Prospect of the Day: Daniel Norris, LHP, Blue Jays (Low-A Lansing): 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K. Well, well, well, this is the Daniel Norris we all expected to see after he received a $2 million bonus after the 2011 draft. I saw him for a three-inning miniature stint this spring, the smallest of sample sizes. The fastball can touch plus velocities; curveball flashes plus; changeup can flash plus. The problem was that everything could just leave him in one pitch. He would go from “oh man” (in a good way) to “oh man” (in an awful way) in a spam of three pitches. I am still a believer. The stuff is still there, and I believe he can put it together; 34.1 IP, 41 H, 26 ER, 21 BB, 38 K in 10 outings.
Position Prospect of the Day: Eugenio Suarez, SS, Tigers (Double-A Erie): 4-5, 2 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI, K; potential solid-average hit tool; potential plus glove; solid-average runner; minimal power; wait-and-see type of prospect.
Other notable prospect performances on May 23:
“The Good”
- Albert Almora, CF, Cubs (Low-A Kane County): 4-7, 2 2B, R, RBI; plus hit tool; plus potential power; just returning from injury.
- Charlie Culberson, 2B/SS, Rockies (Triple-A Colorado Springs): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; average power potential; average hit tool; average runner; what does that sound like? You guessed it—utility-man ceiling; .278/.309/.475 with 11 2B, 1 3B, and 6 HR in 158 at-bats.
- Kelly Dugan, OF, Phillies (High-A Clearwater): 4-6, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI; I’ve always liked him. Potential solid-average power; solid-average runner; upper-cut swing; has potential; needs to stay healthy; .333/.394/.535 with 7 2B, 2 3B, and 3 HR in 99 at-bats.
- Zach Eflin, RHP, Padres (Low-A Fort Wayne): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; plus fastball; solid-average changeup; developing curveball; projectable; 32.1 IP, 30 H, 17 ER, 13 BB, 23 K in seven starts.
- Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Pirates (Low-A West Virginia):5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 12 K; plus fastball; easy plus curveball; developing changeup; jump on board before it’s too late; 34.0 IP, 14 H, 8 ER, 21 BB, 50 K in eight starts.
- John Lamb, LHP, Royals (High-A Wilmington): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K; fastball sitting 84-89; lost command at higher velocity; curveball at 66-69 is messy; changeup at 71-72 has parachute action and lacks necessary arm speed.
- Jake Marisnick, CF, Marlins (Double-A Jacksonville): 3-3, HR, R, 2 RBI; flashes all the tools; good bat speed; can make loud contact; I believe in the dream; plenty of risk involved; .300/.378/.525 in last 40 at-bats.
- Carlos Pimentel, RHP, Rangers (Double-A Frisco): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K; heavy fastball can touch 94; slider flashes plus and he has improved his command of it; having a very good season at Double-A thus far; 46.0 IP, 34 H, 15 ER, 12 BB, 57 K in nine outings.
- Victor Roache, OF, Brewers (Low-A Wisconsin): 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 K; plus-plus raw power; hit tool needs development; solid-average arm; a lot of question marks. I’ve never seen him in person, but all the write-ups I’ve read make me just a bit nervous about Roache.
“The Bad”
- Joey Gallo, 3B, Rangers (Low-A Hickory): 0-5, 4 K; Oh, Joey, how you love to swing and miss. Of course, you showed me all I needed to see when you sent that ball sailing out of the ballpark in the final game I attended.
- Brett Marshall, RHP, Yankees (Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre): 4.0 IP, 8 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 2 K; sinkerballer will have to keep the ball down in the zone or else things could get a bit dicey.
- Christian Walker, 1B, Orioles (High-A Frederick): 0-5, 4 K; he must have had the South Carolina loss to Vanderbilt, to knock them out of the SEC tournament, on his mind when he stepped in the box tonight.
Sean Nolin
Desperate for a starter, the Jays call up their no. 2 pitching prospect from Double-A.
The Situation: After an active offseason that included the acquisition of starting pitchers Mark Buehrle, R.A. Dickey, and Josh Johnson, the Blue Jays are now prepared to send their 10th starting pitcher of the season to the mound. In addition to Johnson’s injuries, J.A. Happ has been dealing with injuries of his own and Ricky Romero has been struggling through the first two months of the season. As if that weren’t enough, Kyle Drabek and Drew Hutchison are still several months away from returning to the mound and the club was forced to send Ramon Ortiz to the hill this week. All of that leads to the call-up of left-hander Sean Nolin, the team’s no. 2-rated pitching prospect.
Background: A sixth-round pick by the Blue Jays in 2010, Nolin has had little trouble motoring through the minor leagues. After a 6.05 ERA in six New York-Penn League starts during his professional debut, Nolin has improved at every stop. With Low-A Lansing in 2011 he posted a 3.49 ERA in 108-1/3 innings, allowing just 102 hits and 31 walks while fanning 113 batters. He followed up that strong performance with a dazzling 2.19 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) for High-A Dunedin in 2012 before being promoted to Double-A New Hampshire. In just three starts with New Hampshire, Nolin notched a 1.20 ERA and better than a strikeout per inning. After some missed time early this season due to a pulled groin, Nolin has continued his Double-A dominance with a 1.17 ERA in three more starts.
Scouting Report: Physically, Nolin fits the bill of a quality major league workhorse. He has a sturdy 6’5” frame with plenty of strength and decent athleticism. He works downhill very well and generates good leverage with his pitches because of the steep angle created by his height. Nolin’s velocity typically sits in the 89-92 mph range, but he can touch the plus range when he needs a little extra. He has some arm-side life on his fastball, and he pounds the strike zone with ease. His best pitch is a plus changeup with excellent deception thanks to very good arm speed and some sink. He is willing to throw his changeup in any count to both left-handed and right-handed hitters.
Nolin features two breaking balls, including both a slider and a curveball that can earn average marks at their best. Nolin’s four-pitch mix allows him to work through lineups multiple times, particularly as he develops his ability to sequence effectively. He has yet to master the art of leading hitters out of the strike zone and he will have to take that step to have sustained success against major league batters. If Nolin’s sequence and location continue to improve, he could max out as a no. 3 starter on a good club. Even without continued progress, Nolin projects as a fourth starter capable of devouring innings.
Immediate Big-League Future: Given the Blue Jays’ rampant rotation injuries and the ineffectiveness of several other starters they have tried, Nolin will have a chance to lock down a rotation spot over the next couple of weeks. Even modest success could represent an upgrade for a club desperate to get back on track, and that type of window could allow Nolin to stick in the big leagues despite having made only starts above High-A. —Mark Anderson
Around the League: May 24, 2013
News and notes from around the league for May 24, 2013.
Thanks to Jason Martinez and Clint Chisam of MLB Depth Charts, we'll now be bringing you daily news, notes, transactions, injury updates, and notable performances from the previous day's games...throughout the entire season! And if you like what you see here, don't forget to check out MLBDC's Insider subscription, which also includes starting pitcher rankings and matchups, top 25 batter vs. pitcher stat rankings, lineup tracker (includes lineups from past seven games), rotation report, stat tracker, and more!
Probable Pitchers for May 24, 2013
PITCHf/x cards of today's probable pitchers can be found here: BrooksBaseball.net Probable Pitchers
Yesterday's Notable Stat Lines:
National League:
(18-28) Cubs - 2 at 4 - Pirates (29-18)
- Cubs SP Edwin Jackson fell to 1-7 on the season giving up four runs and six hits over 3 innings in a rain shortened outing.
- Pirates SP Jeanmar Gomez was doing pitching well but had his start cut short due to rain. Gomez allowed one run and three hits over 3.2 innings.
- Pirates OF Starling Marte continued his breakout season going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base.
- Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen had a big day going 3-for-4 with two RBI, a run scored and two stolen bases.
- Cubs got RBI's from 1B Anthony Rizzo and Pinch Hitter Ryan Sweeney.
- Pirates RP Jason Grilli notched his NL leading 19th save.
(20-27) Angels - 5 at 4 - Royals (21-23)
(27-19) Indians - 12 at 3 - Red Sox (28-20)
- Indians OF Drew Stubbs tripled, doubled twice and drove in three runs.
- Red Sox SP Ryan Dempster was pulled after giving up four runs in three innings.
- Indians OF Michael Bourn went 3-for-6 with a double and two RBI.
- Indians SP Zach McAllister permitted three runs on five hits and three walks over five frames.
- Indians 1B Mark Reynolds went 3-for-4 with a walk, the RBI and a run scored.
- Indians C Carlos Santana went 1-for-2 with four walks.
(18-26) Twins - 6 at 7 - Tigers (26-19)
- Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera's 14th home run & three RBI. Miggy's on pace for 198 RBI, which would set an MLB record.
- Tigers RP Jose Valverde worked a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two and earning his fifth save of the season.
- Tigers SP Rick Porcello was chased for five runs on 10 hits over five innings, but escaped with a no-decision.
- Twins OF Josh Willingham blasted two homers and collected four RBI.
- Twins SP Scott Diamond surrendered three runs on nine hits and a walk over 5 2/3 frames in a no-decision loss.
(25-22) Orioles - 6 at 12 - Blue Jays (20-27)
- Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Thursday's 12-6 win over the Orioles.
- Blue Jays SP Brandon Morrow yielded six runs in seven innings and allowed three home runs.
- Making his major league debut, Orioles SP Kevin Gausman yielded four runs in five innings.
- Blue Jays 1B Edwin Encarnacion smacked a grand slam in the sixth inning.
- Orioles 3B Manny Machado went 3-for-4 with three doubles and two RBI.
Inter League:
Player Transactions:
National League:
- Marlins released RHP Jon Rauch.
- Reds signed RHP Trevor Bell to a minor league contract; assigned him to Triple-A Louisville.
- Padres optioned RHP Burch Smith to Triple-A Tucson.
- Phillies recalled RHP Michael Stutes from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
- Phillies purchased the contract of INF/OF Michael Martinez from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
- Phillies placed 2B Chase Utley on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 21, with a mild oblique strain.
American League:
- Mariners optioned C Jesus Montero to Triple-A Tacoma.
- Mariners purchased the contract of C Jesus Sucre from Triple-A Tacoma.
- Athletics activated SS Hiroyuki Nakajima from the 15-day disabled list; optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento.
- Ranges released RHP Derek Lowe.
- Rangers signed INF Mark Teahen to a minor league contract.
- Red Sox signed LHP Rafael Perez to a minor league contract.
- Orioles designated RHP Alex Burnett for assignment.
- Orioles purchased the contract of RHP Kevin Gausman from Double-A Bowie.
- Orioles optioned RHP Jake Arrieta to Triple-A Norfolk.
- Royals recalled RHP Louis Coleman from Triple-A Omaha.
- Royals optioned RHP Kelvin Herrera to Triple-A Omaha.
- Yankees 2B Alberto Gonzalez has accepted an assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
- CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the White Sox have placed infielder Angel Sanchez (back) on waivers.
- Indians recalled LHP Scott Barnes from Triple-A Columbus.
- Indians designated LHP David Huff for assignment.
- Twins purchased the contract of RHP P.J. Walters from Triple-A Rochester.
Injury Updates:
National League:
- Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton took live batting practice Wednesday for the first time since straining his right hamstring.
- Marlins 1B Logan Morrison (knee) will shift his rehab assignment to Double-A Jacksonville on Monday.
- Marlins 1B Joe Mahoney (hamstring) is expected to begin playing in rehab games Sunday at Triple-A New Orleans.
- Phillies RP Mike Adams (back) is scheduled to make an appearance in a minor league rehab game Monday.
- An MRI of Diamondbacks OF Adam Eaton's left elbow revealed no structural damage.
- Mike Puma of the New York Post was told by a high-ranking team official that prospect right-hander Zack Wheeler is expected make 2-3 more starts with Triple-A Las Vegas before joining the Mets.
- Phillies SP Carlos Zambrano allowed one (unearned) run over four innings Thursday at extended spring training.
- Cubs prospect OF Albert Almora went 3-for-4 with a double in his first game Wednesday with Low-A Kane County.
- Nationals RP Christian Garcia (forearm) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend with Double-A Harrisburg.
- Cardinals RP Fernando Salas received a shot Thursday to help the inflammation in his right shoulder.
American League:
- 3B Matt Dominguez (quad) is expected to return to the Astros' starting lineup on Friday evening.
- Orioles prospect SP Brandon Kline (ankle) has been placed on the disabled list with Low-A Delmarva.
- Blue Jays prospect SP Sean Nolin is expected to start Friday against the Orioles.
- Red Sox C David Ross (concussion) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Double-A Portland.
- Yankees SP Ivan Nova (triceps) could be activated from the disabled list early next week.
- Twins OF Darin Mastroianni underwent surgery Thursday to repair bone chips on his left ankle.
- Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira (wrist) could begin a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Trenton.
- Yankees RP Joba Chamberlain (oblique) is scheduled to throw two inning Saturday in extended spring training.
- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that 3B Kevin Youkilis (back) is "maybe a week" away from being activated.
- Tigers OF Austin Jackson (hamstring) is unlikely be activated from the disabled list when he's eligible Monday.
- Yankees SP Michael Pineda (shoulder) threw five innings Thursday in a start at extended spring training.
- Orioles 3B Wilson Betemit (knee) will begin light baseball activities next week.
- Orioles C Taylor Teagarden (thumb) is slated to start catching live batting practice and hitting off coaches Thursday in Sarasota, Florida.
- Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks is considered day-to-day with lower back spasms.
- Blue Jays RP Darren Oliver said Thursday that he's dealing with a sore pitching shoulder for the last 7-10 days.
- Tigers RP Octavio Dotel (elbow) threw a bullpen session Thursday.
- Angels manager Mike Scioscia said RP Kevin Jepsen (triceps) is "close" to rejoining the bullpen.
- Twins SS Pedro Florimon Jr. left Thursday's game against the Tigers with a right index finger sprain.
- Angels manager Mike Scioscia said SP Jered Weaver (elbow) will rejoin the rotation next week as long as his between-starts bullpen session goes well.
- Indians SP Brett Myers (elbow) will make at least one more rehab start.
- Indians RP Josh Tomlin (Tommy John surgery) could return near the end of the season.
Notes and Rumors:
National League:
- Phillies OF Darin Ruf could be called up this weekend.
- A source told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News that the Mets could demote 1B Ike Davis after this weekend's three-game series against the Braves.
- Dodgers RP Ronald Belisario sits on a 3.22 ERA through 23 appearances.
- Brewers C Martin Maldonado has regressed at the plate in 2013, slashing .184/.253/.303 over 83 plate appearances.
- Phillies RP Antonio Bastardo has a 2.35 ERA through 19 appearances despite a mediocre 1.43 WHIP.
- Nationals RP Tyler Clippard hasn't allowed a run in May.
- Giants 3B Joaquin Arias has been one of baseball's worst hitters, slashing .205/.262/.205 through 43 plate appearances.
- Phillies RP Jeremy Horst has not carried over his success from 2012, posting a 5.09 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 17 2/3 innings.
- Rockies RP Adam Ottavino boasts a 2.01 ERA over 22 1/3 relief innings for the Rockies.
American League:
- Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports that left-hander Rafael Perez is expected to sign with the Red Sox.
- Blue Jays manager John Gibbons confirmed Thursday that Sean Nolin will start Friday against the Orioles.
- White Sox C Josh Phegley is batting .333/.400/.651 with 10 home runs and 28 RBI through 34 games at Triple-A Charlotte.
- Over 19 relief appearances, Mariners RP Charlie Furbush owns a 4.42 ERA in 18 1/3 innings.
- RP Jason Frasor has tallied a 3.65 ERA through 17 appearances in his first season for the Rangers.
- Blue Jays RP Aaron Loup has been a bright spot in Toronto's bullpen, tallying a 2.55 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 24 2/3 innings.
Clint Chisam
May 24, 2013 3:33 AM
0 Comments
Scouts to Bring Baseball to Youth in Kenya
Scouts and coaches look to bring baseball to kids in Africa
Chicago White Sox professional scout John Tumminia asked that we share this with our readers. Please consider supporting this good cause.
A group of MLB Scouts, former MLB players and local coaches, along with a support staff, are attempting to bring the gospel of baseball and softball to the youth of the world. This year our mission is bring the game to Kenya in November 2013.
What does this entail?
Very simply, it means bringing gloves, bats, balls, shirts, and hats as free gifts to kids who may or may not know how to play these particular sports. It means teaching, instructing, hitting, catching and having fun!
Our follow up theme is "A take me out to the ballgame" finale. It consists of hot dogs and peanuts for all who attend. There will be free raffle prizes, and the kids get to participate in a sing along!
We are fortunate to have our own photographer who takes photos all day and makes baseball/softball cards for each of the kids!
Our team this year consists of Rob Bell, former pitcher with Reds/Rays/Rangers/Orioles, Daracka Shaheed and John Tumminia, scouts with Chicago White Sox, Chris Mellen, Director of Operations for Sox Prospects and Baseball Prospectus, Sean Kober, local coach in HV and Field Coordinator, and Will Parmeter, our Photographer.
In the past we have traveled to Monte Plata, Dominican Republic and to the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.
We have managed to gather up a large supply of athletic equipment this year, but we need to secure funds for travel and lodging. Last year travel expenses were sponsored by the Chicago White Sox, as a one time gift. Each round trip cost will cost $2,000.
All cash donations are tax deductible, and with 300-500 kids participating, we can always use youth gloves, t-shirts and Whiffle ball bats.
Thank you for your consideration. All inquires should go through John Tumminia at jtumminia@chisox.com.
- John Tumminia
More Joe Hamrahi
May 24, 2013 12:53 AM
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The Call-Up
Surprise Me!