SB Nation User Blog: davidsabin

Anybody Thinking About Starlin Castro?

davidsabin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:30:41 -0000

I just came across this guy thanks to a list preparred by Project Prospect of youngest A+ guys. Then I found he has been in AA for about 2 weeks already. The guy is 19, held his own in a tough pitcher's league (FSL), and has a few hits and no k's in AA so far. He is dominican, so maybe he's 21, sh_t who knows. Anyways, his bio says he is 6' to 6'1" (i.e. 5'11"). As a SS for the Cubs, with no insurmountable road blocks at the position, I am wondering who has seen him and what do you guys think.

John had him down as a sleeper with a C+ score.

The cubs sure seem to be fast tracking him.

Trevor Bell, what are we looking at here

davidsabin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:04:15 -0000

Trevor is 22 and has been tough to hit in both AA and AAA. The Texas League is a hitters league from what I gather as well. Ground ball pitcher with a lucky BABIP so far this season. The 2.5 to 3.5 K:BB ratio is not poor, rather its at the minimum of what most of us find acceptable.

So far this season he has been pitching into the 7th + inning; this along with a decline in BB:9 indicate he is becoming more efficient.

Trevor has never really been a touted prospect in recent years, although he was a suppy pick when drafted out of highschool.

K:9 is weak

So are we looking at a solid #4 starter here?

Matt Dominguez pulling out of the nose dive?

davidsabin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:33:07 -0000

Dominguez has to be one of the early dissapointments as far as offensive production in the early going as far as pre-season top 50-ish guys go, but he is hitting .333 in his last 10 games with 2 dingers in the last 4 days.

I am interested to see where this little hot streak ends up. We all remember that he started slow last year, albeit with mono.

has anyone watched him lately, any have any observations?

very worthy research on risky pitchers for 09

davidsabin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:17:36 -0000

http://razzball.com/20-risky-pitchers-for-2009/

Here is a link to Razzball's web site which has some very nice, possibly original, research on injury risk pitchers for 2009.

It should be worth your while as we wait to get the ball rolling on 2009.

Its interesting that the vast majority of guys on this list are flashy up and coming pitchers, most of the veterens on this list have had arm problems

Thoughts on Alexi Casilla

davidsabin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:17:20 -0000

I was interested in Alexi Casilla. Why, you wonder? I am in a 20 team dynasty league, and we all love finding the next bargin.

He had a nice average last year. Not the best at taking a walk, OB% is a little weak, but this was his first regualar season.

From a fantasy perspective, the SB potential is what I am looking for. Nice SB track record in the minors 89 for 116 in 3 seasons, and good success in the bigs 18 for 21.

I don't watch the Twins that much, but I think Guardenhire (SP?) is a very measured manager. Does anyone out there think Guardy will green light him 20-30 times this year?

Bill James has him at 20SB this year.

So, will Casilla develop some value next year from a fantasy standpoint?

Bill James Projections

davidsabin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:05:28 -0000

I have been looking at some of the Bill James projections for 2009; I have never really used them before. It seems like they are a little more on the liberal side as compared to Marcel and Chone. I think I would give him credit for at least trying to incorporate some common sense rather than just spitting out numbers.

What are your opinions on the Bill James projections? Some projections will be off, I realize this, but from past years does he seem excessively optimistic or in the ball park?

John Raynor Anyone?

davidsabin — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:30:53 -0000

Listen,

Ok I know he isn't 18, and I know we all love to talk about top draft picks....but Raynor looks like he is going to be a major leaguer to me, possibly a very exciting one offensively.

No, he isn't going to hit 30, but is there any reason he can't hit .290 95 -13 -50 - 45?

Smells like Victorino/Damon type numbers. At 6'2", he might even top out with more power for a few years.

I read that the Marlins are even going to give him an extra sniff this spring. Florida is one of the few spots where a guy like this can crack the lineup too.

This kind of player is far more interesting to me than a light hitting 18 year old shortstop, or a pitcher who throws 98mph ball 4.

What am I missing? any info would be appreciated.

Tommy Hanson video?!?

davidsabin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:52:51 -0000

Does anyone have a link to some Hanson video? I can't find anything!

much appreciated

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EY Jr.

davidsabin — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:00:07 -0000

I have read that Eric Young Jr. would most likely top out as a utility player. I haven't seen him play, but I was wondering if you guys can shed some more light on why he is not getting more sniffs from the community?

from what I see stat wise, he has produced at every level. He is a little old to make ultra propecters drool, but he has game changing speed, leadoff caliber OBP and walks, and a very respectable BA. He K's a little too much, and the glove needs work. He is capable of hitting a homerun.

From what I read, he has the drive to refine his skills and keep improving on the little things to help the team.

I just get the feeling that he could be an everyday player, which to me would mean that he should be a reasonable prospect (yet he really gets no attention in here).

Fantasy guys should be hoping he gets a shot after some time in AAA.

I think he improved with the glove this year...can someone reference a website where I can check fielding stats please?

Your thoughts?!

Playoff only instant replay

davidsabin — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:50:08 -0000

Maybe this won't be popular, but I am now a believer that instant replay should be used in Playoff games for MLB from now on. I don't think there is enough attention on regular season games to warrant instant replay.

Also, I learned from the broadcast last night that the umpires selected for the game are from a rotational pool of umps, not the best selected.

For the last several years, umpires have been affecting the game with blown calls. With super slow motion replay, the time for baseball to evolve has come. ten years ago, we were sitting on our couch arguing with each other over a questionable call, and because there was no super slow motion replay, nobody won the argument.

today is different, we now know when the umps make the mistake. Beleive me, I am often impressed with how the umpires make the calls on split second plays.

But the last several years have had terrible game changing calls, and I am fed up.

I propose that the instant replay be used on everything besides balls and strikes (although the balls and strikes called lastnight were very biased.

I understand that many will disagree, so I will leave you all with one thought/opinion.

In football instant replay reduces the idea of crooked game calling since the most critical plays are overturnable.

In basketball, replay is not used and the referees are under total scrutiny, not to mention the horrible home court bias which has rendered the NBA playoffs almost unwatchable for me.

With umpires being proven wrong on TV, I believe the league has to make an effort to get the call right. Otherwise the MLB could become the NBA.