SB Nation - Ian Kinsler

Fantasy Baseball: Raygu's MDC Mock Draft Results

raygu — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:00:28 -0000

by Mark J. Terrill - AP

29 days ago: FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2009, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols hits a single during the sixth inning of Game 2 of the National League division baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in Los Angeles. Pujols was unanimously voted National League MVP on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, becoming the baseball first player to repeat since Barry Bonds won four in a row from 2001-04. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

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I participated, I use that term loosely, in a 12 Team Mixed League mock draft over at Mock Draft Central on Monday night. I missed alot of my picks because I was busy following the Roy Halladay trade rumors. But I made sure I made my fist three picks, as I was picking from the first position.

Here is how the first two rounds went:

R1 P1 Albert Pujols

R1 P2 Hanley Ramirez

R1 P3 Chase Utley

R1 P4 Alex Rodriguez

R1 P5 Ryan Braun

R1 P6 Mark Teixeira

R1 P7 Tim Lincecum

R1 P8 Matt Kemp

R1 P9 Prince Fielder

R1 P10 Miguel Cabrera

R1 P11 Evan Longoria

R1 P12 David Wright

The second round is after the jump:

R2 P1 Ian Kinsler

R2 P2 Justin Morneau

R2 P3 Ryan Howard

R2 P4 Joe Mauer

R2 P5 Carl Crawford

R2 P6 Grady Sizemore

R2 P7 Jacoby Ellsbury

R2 P8 Mark Reynolds

R2 P9 Jason Bay

R2 P10 Troy Tulowitzki

R2 P11 Zack Greinke

R2 P12 Justin Upton

With the first pick in round 3 I selected Matt Holliday.

I was surprised Upton and Holliday were still available that late in round 2.

Poll

What is more shcoking about Raygu's mock draft?

Fantasy Baseball: Early Mock Draft-Round 2, Pick 9.

Ian, yo — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:26:35 -0000

More photos » by LM Otero - AP

8 months ago: Texas Rangers Ian Kinsler, left, waves and is met at the dugout by teammate Elvis Andrus, center, and manager Ron Washington after Kinsler's triple during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Kinsler hit for the cycle. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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Sorry for the delay guys, I've been swamped and Ray's been pluggin' along with rumors during the Winter Meetings.

Ian Kinsler. 2B, Texas.

My love for power/speed guys is not something I will hide. In his first season playing in more than 130 games, Ian Kinsler posted a 31/31 HR/SB line, while hitting only .253. Kinsler had a bit of an unlucky season with a BABIP of .245 when his career is .293, so one can expect an improvement with his batting average in 2010. The fact that Kinsler's average was pretty bad makes him an undervalued player coming into the 2010 season.

In 2009, Kinsler was probably draft near the back end of the second round and that was coming off an injury plagued season where he hit .319. If Kinsler does in fact improve his BABIP, he could be a steal at the end of the second round, when you'll be getting someone like Carl Crawford who does not have the power or 5 category ability that Kinsler does. Not that Crawford is overrated, I'm just saying, I'd like getting a guy who can nearly produce in five categories at a premium position over a pure speed outfielder. .

Raygu's MDC Mock Draft Results

raygu — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:30:11 -0000

I participated in a mock draft over at Mock Draft Central today and here is how the first two rounds went:

Round 1

5. Matt Kemp

6. Ryan Braun

7. Chase Utley

8. Miguel Cabrera

9. Prince Fielder

10. Ryan Howard

11. Evan Longoria

12. David Wright

Round 2 after the jump:

Round 2

1. Joe Mauer

5. Ian Kinsler

10, Jason Bay

11. Victor Martinez

12. Zack Greinke

This draft definitely didn't go as I expected, and I don't think there were alot of "autopicks", but I could be wrong.

Poll

Which pick was more surprising?

Teixeira at 4

42 votes

Wright at 12

27 votes

Rollins at 21

22 votes

91 votes | Poll has closed

Random Weekend Question: Favorite/Least Favorite Non-O

Stacey — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:00:14 -0000

I saw this question posed as a FanPost on another site and thought it was a pretty good idea for a slow, pre-Thanskgiving weekend. So who's your favorite baseball player that's not an Oriole? Least favorite non-O? Why?

Some of my favorites:

Matt Garza - He seems a little bit insane, and I feel like he's going to be crazy good.
Roy Halladay - I just love everything about him. I saw a rumor the Dodgers are trying to trade for him. That'd be nice because, you know.
Joe Nathan - Once when the Orioles were playing the Twins, Nathan wasn't available because his wife was having a baby. He got to the stadium just as the game was ending and while the Twins were shaking hands on the field he was out on the field in his street clothes handing out cigars and I thought it was the best.
Curtis Granderson - Probably my favorite non-Oriole. I love the way he plays CF, I love how involved he is in the community, I love that he writes a column on Yahoo sports, I love his tall socks, I love it all.

Some Least Favorites:

Ian Kinsler - I feel like he steals Brian Roberts' thunder. And his face bugs me.
Khalil Greene - Remember when people would talk periodically about the Orioles trading for this guy? I never understood it at all and I think started to resent him a little because of it. Why would the Orioles want this guy?
Aaron Rowand - He's not even good! He dives all over the place, so what?
Mark Teixeira - You know why.

Fantasy Baseball: Early Mock Draft-Round 1, Pick 2

raygu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:00:39 -0000

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

2 months ago: Los Angeles Dodgers' Matt Kemp (27) watches his solo home run with Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz and umpire Ted Barrett in the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship baseball series Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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After Ian's selection of Hanley Ramirez as the number 1 pick in this mock draft, he leaves me with a very easy decision. So, I am selecting Albert....errr......Matt Kemp. Ian's decision was based on position scarcity at SS, but I will go with Kemp who I think will become a 30-30 hitter in 2010.

I posted several articles on Kemp awhile back, and I am sticking with the Dodgers outfielder who has yet to reach his potential as a hitter. I see more power in him, and can see him becoming the number 1 pick in fantasy drafts come 2011. So, I will be early and take Kemp.

How many 30-30 hitters were there in 2009? One-Ian Kinsler. He went 31-86-31. But, his average was in the low .250's and he drove in only 86 runs. Kemp hit .297 and drove in 101, while hitting 26 HRs and stealing 34 bases.

Should Kemp go 30-100-30 in 2010, he may just be the best player in fantasy baseball.

Poll

Will Kemp go 30-30 in 2010?

Yes, his power is still growing.

62 votes

No, he will come up short in the power department once again.

29 votes

91 votes | Poll has closed

Wednesday a.m. Rangers stuff

Adam J. Morris — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:27:15 -0000

We have some reactions this morning to Clint Hurdle being named the new hitting coach...

Anthony Andro has a story up with some quotes from Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, and Chris Davis. Young says that the offense just needs to improve its execution, and that they need to be an aggressive team without being a hacking team.

Richard Durrett also has quotes from Young and Kinsler, with Young disputing the idea that the Ranger offense needs more of a team-first approach.

Durrett also runs down a plethora of hirings in baseball operations.

Jeff Wilson writes from the GM meetings about how the ownership situation is affecting the Rangers' dealings, and discusses the Rangers' interest in Milton Bradley, Javier Vasquez, and Garrett Atkins (who is likely going to be non-tendered).

Who Would You Rather Have: Alex Rodriguez or Chase Utley?

raygu — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:26 -0000

Time for the World Series edition of Who Would You Rather Have? CBS Sportsline recently completed a 5x5 mixed league mock draft, and Chase Utley was selected 4th overall before Ryan Braun, Joe Mauer and Alex Rodriguez to name a few. After Utley went deep twice on Wednesday night do you select him before ARod? Or is ARod still a more valuable fantasy player?

Let's take a look at their 2009 stats:

Name	AB	H	HR	R	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Chase Utley	571	161	31	112	93	88	110	23	0.282	0.397	0.508	0.905
Alex Rodriguez	444	127	30	78	100	80	97	14	0.286	0.402	0.532	0.934

ARod had better overall numbers across the board in less ABs, but Utley is one of the few stud fantasy players at 2B, and there is more depth at 3B than at 2B, right? I am not so sure.

More after the jump:

Here are the third baseman who hit more than 20 HRs in 2009:

Name	HR
Mark Reynolds	44
Ryan Zimmerman	33
Evan Longoria	33
Alex Rodriguez	30
Kevin Youkilis	27
Brandon Inge	27
Pablo Sandoval	25
Mark DeRosa	23
Michael Young	22

And here the second baseman who hit more than 20 HRs in 2009:

Name	HR
Aaron Hill	36
Chase Utley	31
Ian Kinsler	31
Dan Uggla	31
Ben Zobrist	27
Robinson Cano	25
Jose Lopez	25
Clint Barmes	23
Brandon Phillips	20

One could make the case that third base is a scarce postion in 2010, especially if you think that Mark DeRosa is tailing off as a fantasy player and don't think Brandon Inge can hit 27 HRs again. Of course the Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez should hit 30+ HRs should he stay healthy in 2010, but can one count on Chipper Jones or Scott Rolen to hit 20+ HRs again?

Second base is not as scarce as it used to be with Aaron Hill having a breakout (career?) year in 2009, and Ben Zobrist coming out of nowhere to hit 27 HRs in 2009. I won't count on Clint Barmes hitting 20+ HRs again, especially with the AVG that comes with it. Could the Braves Martin Prado sneak into the 20+ HR range with regular playing time in 2010?

So, with all that said, who would you rather have?

Poll

Who would you rather have: Chase Utley or Alex Rodriguez?

ARod-he can hit 40+ in that ballpark

64 votes

Utley-he brings power and more speed.

92 votes

156 votes | Poll has closed

Evan Grant: Rangers should hire two hitting coaches

Adam J. Morris — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:34:42 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

3 months ago: Texas Rangers batter Josh Hamilton tosses his helmet after striking out swinging in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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Evan Grant writes today that the Rangers should go with two hitting coaches -- Rusty Greer and Scott Coolbaugh.

Greer offers the credibility of being a former major leaguer, Coolbaugh is someone who has worked with and had success with several of the Rangers' younger hitters.

I don't really have an opinion on this. I don't know who the best coach would be. I do think that, for the Rangers to contend in 2010, having Josh Hamilton and Chris Davis get back on track, and having Ian Kinsler hit more like he did in 2008 than in 2009, is pretty key.

I don't know what coach is going to have the best results with those guys, though.

Jason Varitek Actually Improved in 2009. Surprised?

Randy Booth — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:21 -0000

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

8 months ago: Boston Red Sox Jason Varitek, right, and New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada watch Varitek's grand slam off starter A.J. Burnett in the fourth inning of their MLB baseball game at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 25, 2009, in Boston.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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There was a point last offseason where the Red Sox had to make a decision about Jason Varitek. After he rejected arbitration and went out on the open market, nobody wanted him -- but suddenly, Varitek and agent Scott Boras wanted the Red Sox.

Funny how those things work.

Once Varitek signed, most of us all though the same thing: Well, he can't possibly play as bad as he did in 2008.

That turned out to be true -- but not by much.

Jason Varitek

#33 / Catcher / Boston Red Sox

Height: 6-2

Weight: 230

Bats: B

Throws: R

Born: Apr 11, 1972

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Jason Varitek	109	364	41	76	24	0	14	51	54	90	0	0	.209	.313	.390

Status for 2010: The Red Sox hold a $5M club option, while Varitek has his own $3M player option. It's unlikely the team will exercise their option. It's unknown if Varitek will exercise his.

Varitek actually had a pretty funny season: he played in 22 less games than in 2008, but he had more home runs (14 in 2009 to 13 in 2008), more runs batted in (51 to 43), and a better OPS (.703 to .672), among other things. His .209 batting average was the only thing that was down this season (he batted a much better .220 in '08).

Taking a deeper look at his stats, he really did become a better player at the plate. His walk percentage went up, he struck out less and his power was better. The one thing that really didn't help him was his batting average with balls in play (BABIP). It was a .238 -- which would have been worst in the major leagues, had he played enough games to qualify (Ian Kinsler had a .245 BABIP, leading qualified players).

This means Varitek was quite unlucky. Although it's rare to see someone with a high batting average have a low BABIP, it definitely was an unlucky road for the Captain.

As far as Varitek in the field, we all know he had problems throwing out baserunners. However, his range factor per game (RF/G) and range factor per nine innings (RF/9), ranked second best in baseball behind the Giants' Bengie Molina:

NAME	TEAM	INNINGS	RF/G	RF/9
Bengie Molina	Giants	1042	8.3	8.8
Jason Varitek	Red Sox	924	8.3	8.7
Russell Martin	Dodgers	1201	8.2	8.4
Brian McCann	Braves	1078.2	7.7	8.2
Rod Barajas	Blue Jays	974.1	7.2	8

Does it say a lot about Varitek's defense? Maybe, but it's also hard to judge a catcher's defense with any form of measurement. Trust your eyes, I say.

This offseason will be interesting for Varitek. I imagine he isn't going to test the free agent waters again, but Scott Boras has done some weird things before. If he does, don't expect to see Varitek back in Boston. But if he exercises his option, I definitely see him at least starting the year as a Red Sox. Could he be cut later? Most definitely. But for the foreseeable future, he's a Sox.

Poll

Grade Jason Varitek's 2009 season

A

5 votes

B

36 votes

C

130 votes

D

158 votes

F

95 votes

424 votes | Poll has closed

Ian Kinsler -- Stay or Go?

Adam J. Morris — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:01:22 -0000

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

3 months ago: Texas Rangers' Ian Kinsler, left, and Elvis Andrus celebrate after the Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 10-0 in a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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Ian Kinsler has become something of a lightning rod for criticism among Rangers fans, in part because of his offensive struggles for much of the season, in part because of comments made to the media.

Which has made me curious...would your preference be to see Ian Kinsler come back next season, or for Kinsler to be moved this offseason?

Cast your vote...

Poll

What do you want to see happen with Ian Kinsler vis-a-vis the Rangers next year?

Stay

865 votes

Go

110 votes

975 votes | Poll has closed