From "Babe Ruth's Sports Comics", a Golden Age comic book, a look at Babe Ruth's start in the big leagues.
Babe Ruth died in August 1948 at the age of 53. The following spring "Babe Ruth Sports Comics" was released to a nation full of comics-loving children. The magazine promised to to be "an all-sports magazine. ... You might get a little more baseball than other sports in the spring and summer, a little more football in the fall, and a little more basketball and ice hockey in the winter." Of course, with Babe Ruth's name plastered on the cover, the Great Bambino was featured throughout the comics. For the first few issues, for example, Ruth's life story was told and illustrated in a kid-friendly manner. There were also tips about how to swing a bat and throw a pitch and whatnot, mini-biographies of stars like Lou Boudreau and "The Clown Prince of Baseball", and other features kids of the 1940s might like.
But Ruth was the draw, even if kids reading the magazine were all plenty aware that he had died only the year before. So what did kids who read "Babe Ruth Sports Comics" see of their hero? From the magazine's second issue in June 1949, here's a look at "The Life of Babe Ruth: Chapter 2, Babe Enters Professional Baseball".
As free agent pitcher Edwin Jackson closes in on a decision on which team gets to pay him about $13 million per season for the next four years, I'll remind you once again that Javier Vazquez, who decided not to play in 2012, is pitching in Puerto Rico and could announce his return before the season starts. The 36 year-old, who was still a very effective pitcher for the Marlins in 2011, has a 3.71 ERA, 3 walks, and 23 strikeouts (11 on Wednesday) over his first 17 innings for Ponce. Vazquez made about $100 million in his major league career, so I'm not saying the ridiculous amount of money being spent on free agent pitchers this offseason is going to sway him back to the majors. Actually, I am saying that. Since when is $100 million enough money for anyone?
Notable performances from La Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente
Yadiel Rivera, SS, Milwaukee Brewers: 2-for-4, K. It's worth mentioning Rivera whenever he has a solid game at the plate. The 20 year-old, who played in the Lo-A Midwest League in 2012, has raw power (85 extra base hits in 282 minor league games) and solid defensive skills but his career .274 OBP tells us he has a long ways to go.
Henry Ramos, OF, Boston Red Sox: 3-for-3, HR (1), 2B, BB, SB (3). A 5th Round draft pick in 2010, Ramos failed to show significant progress in his second season of Lo-A ball in 2012 (.682 OPS in 2011; .708 OPS in 2012). The switch-hitter is only 20 years-old, however, and spent much of his youth playing soccer so there's hope for him yet. He's also having a terrific season in Puerto Rico.
Josh Romanski, LHP, New York Yankees: 5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 5 K. A former rotation-mate of Brian Matusz with the University of San Diego and 4th Round pick of the Brewers in 2008, Romanski finally got his pro career started with the Yankees in 2010 after Tommy John surgery. His numbers were impressive over three minor league seasons, but the 26 year-old currently finds himself looking to catch on with another organization as a minor league free agent. He has a 2.10 ERA with 8 walks and 34 strikeouts in 40 innings in Puerto Rico.
More notable performances from La Liga de Beisbol Dominicano
Mike McDade, 1B, Cleveland Indians: 2-for-3, K. Four multi-hit games in the last week for the switch-hitting first baseman, who was claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays on November 30th. As of now, he has a small chance at a roster spot although the Indians are looking to add another position player or two this offseason.
Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis Cardinals: 1-for-4, HR (5). Only one hit for the Cardinals' top prospect on Wednesday, although he is 16 for his last 43 to raise his average to .318. I'm pretty sure this guy never slumps.
Daniel Corcino, RHP, Cincinnati Reds: 5 IP, 0 R, H, 2 BB, 4 K. One of the few really good pitching prospects still playing this time of year, the 22 year-old has already thrown 164 innings in 2012 between Double-A Pensacola (3.01 ERA in 26 starts) and Escogido. He should have another full year in the minors, likely with Triple-A Louisville, before he pushes for a spot in 2014.
Juan Cruz, RHP, Free Agent: 2 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 3 K. Released by the Pirates despite posting a 2.78 ERA in 43 relief appearances, the 37 year-old Cruz is off to a solid start for Licey (6.2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 11 K) as he tries to draw up interest from major league teams.
Notable performances from La Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional
Gorkys Hernandez, OF, Marlins: 4-for-4, 2B, BB. The 25 year-old continued his assault on Venezuelan League pitching with four more hits to raise his batting average to .362 in 54 games. Currently penciled in by me as Juan Pierre's platoon partner, the Marlins have to at least be slightly encouraged by Hernandez's performance since he hasn't provided much offense at the major league level.
Kelvim Escobar, RHP, Free Agent: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K. The former 18-game winner, who has been out of baseball due to shoulder injuries since 2009, nailed down his first save with two impressive innings of work. At 36, he's looking to make a comeback and it's certain that teams will pay closer attention after Wednesday's performance.
Carlos Zambrano, RHP, Free Agent: 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K. What the heck? Since I've mentioned Vazquez, Cruz, and Escobar as free agents looking for work, I might as well finish off the update with a Zambrano mention. He was actually pretty good over his first 11 starts with the Marlins in 2012 (2.81 ERA, 73.2 IP, 53 H, 29 BB, 56 K) before struggles with consistency got him moved to the bullpen. At just 31, he could be a very low-cost innings-eater on a pitching-starved team such as the Astros or Twins.
The rest of this article is restricted to Baseball Prospectus Subscribers.
Not a subscriber?
Click here for more information on Baseball Prospectus subscriptions or use the buttons to the right to subscribe and get access to the best baseball content on the web.
It was an interesting night in the Dominican Winter League. This kid named Miguel Sano went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. He must be terrible, right? Wait a minute. I'll search the internet and find some info on him. Oh, never mind. He hit 28 homers in Lo-A ball as a 19 year-old and those prospect geeks here at Baseball Prospectus are supposedly ranking him in the Top 25 of their upcoming Top 101 Prospects List. Must’ve been an off night. I also noticed that this guy named Manny had four hits in his game. Figured he must be in this top 101, too. He wasn’t. It turns out he's an older guy that debuted in the majors way before the invention of prospect ranking.
More notable performances from La Liga de Beisbol Dominicano
Juan Lagares, OF, New York Mets: 2-for-4, 2B, SB. Has hit in all nine of his starts (12-for-30) since returning from a three-week break.
Marcell Ozuna, OF, Miami Marlins: 1-for-3, HR (9), 3 RBI. Could be the forgotten man in a projected Double-A outfield with top prospects Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick in 2013, but he blasted his 9th homer on Tuesday and has 11 hits in his last 31 at-bats.
Jose De Paula, LHP, San Diego Padres: 5.2 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 7 K. Gearing up for a return after missing 2012 because of visa problems, the 22 year-old has allowed just 2 earned runs (pair of solo homers) in his last 14 innings with 3 walks and 17 strikeouts.
Johan Yan, RHP, Texas Rangers: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, K. Recently re-signed to a minor league deal after struggling in his first stint in Triple-A in 2012; had been very good otherwise as he moved up the ladder.
Notable performances from La Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente
Carlos Correa, SS, Houston Astros: 0-for-3, K. The #1 overall pick in this year's draft is struggling at the plate in Puerto Rico (10-for-46, 2 2B, 0 HR, 2 BB, 13 K) but he did make one heck of a catch recently. Click HERE to see it.
Angelo Gumbs, 2B, New York Yankees: 2-for-4, RBI, K. The top second base prospect in the Yankees' system, Gumbs is off to a 7-for-18 start in Puerto Rico after posting a .752 OPS with 26 stolen bases for Lo-A Charleston in the regular season.
Matt Langwell, RHP, Cleveland Indians: 1.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K. One of several good relief prospects for the Indians, the 26 year-old has allowed just 2 earned runs in 16 innings for Carolina; nice follow-up to a season in which he posted a 2.74 ERA with 27 walks and 81 strikeouts in 69 innings between Triple-A and Double-A.
Notable performances from La Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional
Henry Blanco, C, Free Agent: 2-for-3, HR (4), 2 RBI. 'Hank White' is still plugging away, hoping to land another big league job at age 41. He still can't hit for any batting average whatsoever (.196 BA in 39 games) but he has 921 games of big league experience under his belt and can probably still throw out 40% of attempted base stealers.
Javier Herrera, OF, San Francisco Giants: 2-for-3, HR (8), 2B, RBI, BB. It wasn't that long ago when Herrera was a highly-touted prospect for the A's. In fact, he checked in at #8 on their top prospect list five years ago. His prospect status was already on the decline, although Kevin Goldstein still had some good things to say about him at the time, "Herrera's tools still rank with anyone's in the system when he's 100 percent. He has bat speed, power, speed, good fielding skills, and a strong arm. He's equally effective against both lefties and righties and still shows the occasional ability to take over a game offensively or with his glove." Aside from the Winter Leagues and a few Independent League stints, he's been out of professional baseball since 2009 but the Giants have taken note of his impressive numbers in Venezuela (.415 BA, 8 HR, 19 RBI in 20 games) and signed the 27 year-old to a minor league deal. Have I mentioned I'm a sucker for great comeback story? I'll be keeping an eye on this one.
Luis Avilan, LHP, Atlanta Braves: 2.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, K. If the Braves choose to go with three lefties in their bullpen to go along with Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty, Avilan has proven that he's up to the task. The 23 year-old posted a 2.00 ERA in 36 big league innings after making the jump from Double-A last season and now has a 1.48 ERA in Venezuela while holding opponents to a measly .107 BA in 19 relief appearances.
The rest of this article is restricted to Baseball Prospectus Subscribers.
Not a subscriber?
Click here for more information on Baseball Prospectus subscriptions or use the buttons to the right to subscribe and get access to the best baseball content on the web.
Jason and Paul discuss everything cooking in the hot stove and welcome in Fantasy Editor Derek Carty to discuss the impact of managers on the running game.
Download Here (23 MB; 25:32)
RSS Feed
iTunes Feed
Email Us podcast@baseballprospectus.com
Minor League Update
Surprise Me!