SB Nation User Blog: Mike McBride

Rangers 3B Chris Davis

Mike McBride — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:45:22 -0000

New to the hot corner this year, Rangers slugger Chris Davis has been tearing up the California League with Bakersfield. I watched Davis last season in the North West League, where he played 1B and RF, and I was very impressed by his slugging abilities. This season he already has 18 HR and is batting .297 with a .914 OPS, he has made quite a few errors at 3B, but that is to be expected in his first season at the position. Davis is only 21 and was drafted in the 7th round last year, and appears to be climbing the pospect ladder with the Rangers. I see him as a future big league slugger capable of hitting 30+ shots a year. What do you all think of Chris Davis?

Eric Hurley

Mike McBride — Thu, 24 May 2007 03:02:18 -0000

Absolutely dominant with the double A Frisco Rough Riders tonight. Complete Game Shut out against Luke Hochevar. Giving up only 5 hits 1 base on balls and 8 K's. His season record is now 6-0 with a 1.83 ERA. Equally impressive is his 51-16 K to BB ratio. His season long dominance begs the question how long will he stay in AA/the minors, with the parent Texas Rangers looking so terrible this year, especially with their pitching rotation. Do you all think he will get a shot at the bigs sooner than later?

Johnny Whittleman and fielding

Mike McBride — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 02:58:30 -0000

I think it's apparent that Rangers 3B prospect and 2005 2nd round draft pick Johnny Whittleman can not field a baseball to save his life. Still young at age 20, but with 2 errors on opening night, he appears to have not improved over the off season. He committed 34 errors in 2006 with Clinton, and it appears more are to come. Should the Rangers keep him at 3rd? Move to an OF position? It's still early (obviously), but I think a change is needed.

Danks named 5th starter

Mike McBride — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 02:27:07 -0000

After an impressive 2007 spring training, 21 year old LHP John Danks has been named the Chicago White Sox number 5 starter. He is scheduled to make his MLB debut April 7th at home against the Minnesota Twins. Good job JD! Any predictions to his season line? How long will he stay in the Majors, the full season?

John Danks 5th starter

Mike McBride — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:56:55 -0000

Out of the three candidates for White Sox 5th starter (Gavin Floyd, Charlie Haeger & John Danks), Danks has looked by far the best thus far in spring training. After another stellar appearance today, Danks has yet to walk a batter, and his gound ball to fly ball ratio is great. What do you guys (and girls) think the chances of "long shot" John Danks has of starting the season in the Major Leagues? GM Ken Williams praises JD every chance he gets, I think odds are good.

Wake up call

Mike McBride — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 04:43:20 -0000

Looks like Oliver Perez might have figured out his problem rather quickly after his recent demotion to AAA. His first start with Indy looked like this 7IP 5H 2ER 2BB 13K's. He took the tough luck loss (nothing new to him), but the 13 strike outs was and Indy stadium record. The 2 runs came on a homer in the 7th by 4A player Ryan Ludwick. Hopefully Oliver's trip to Indy will be short lived, a couple more of these starts and you'll be back to the last place Pirates!

John Danks the Great

Mike McBride — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 03:05:19 -0000

John Danks now playing for the AAA Oklahoma Redhawks as the youngest player in the 16 team Pacific Coast League is simply amazing. Be it a small sample size (2 starts) Danks is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA. With a 1.00 WHIP, and opposing batters hitting at a .150 clip, with lefties hitting an amazing .000 against the 21 year old Danks. As I said earlier it's just 2 starts, but he was dominating the Texas League before the promotion, so this could very well continue. John is a great kid, I met him a few years back when playing for my hometown Spokane Indians, and he's been my favorite ball player since. Do you guys see Danks getting a September call up this year? Or perhaps sooner with the Rangers starting pitching woes.

Spokane Indians 2005 NWL Champs!

Mike McBride — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 04:26:05 -0000

I just wanted to let everyone know, and congratulate my home town Spokane Indians for winning the 2005 NWL Championship. With the 4th rated offense, and the 6th rated pitching, Spokane some how pulled it out. Greg Riddoch managed the club in what will be his final year as a manager. The Rangers single A short season team won it's 2nd NWL crown in 3 years under Texas. With big names like John Mayberry Jr. Taylor Teagarden and K.C. Herren, the Indians were able to beat Oakland affiliate Vancouver Canadians in 5 games. Way to go Indians... now only 9 months until next season!

Francoeur gets walked!

Mike McBride — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 03:20:02 -0000

Tonight in the Braves win over the Padres on ESPN sunday night baseball, the unthinkable happened... Rookie phenom Jeff Francoeur was walked for the first time in 131 plate appearances. Be it an intentional walk, he was walked none the less. He was greeted kindly by the players in the dugout, for this amazing feat. All joking aside, Jeff seems to be on his way to the rookie of the year award, and I think he might bring some needed emotion to the Atlanta Braves in October. Go Jeff, go Braves, 2005 World Series Champs!... I hope.