As I am sure all of you know, the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft is taking place today. Stephen Strasburg, the young pitcher out of San Diego State is almost a for sure first pick for the Washington Nationals. Why wouldn't you be with a line of 13-1 and an ERA of 1.32? I would never in a million years tell the Nationals to not pick Strasburg as he is being touted as the one of the greatest pitching prospects (much like David Price). Yet looking back as some of the early pitchers taken, hype for pitchers does not always equal success.
The following is a list of the pitchers taken first in each draft.
2002 - Bryan Bullington - 1st Pick 1st Round - Pittsburgh Pirates
Bryan Bullington was going to be an amazing pitcher for the Pirates and deserved that number one pick. Yet after Tommy John surgery Bullington took a huge step back. He looked to reemerge in 2006 after putting up great numbers in Triple-A Indianapolis. This was not the case as he went 0-3 with a 5.29 ERA with Pittsburgh. Bullington was shipped off to Cleveland and now resides as a starter in the Blue Jays organization
(Earliest successful pitcher is Zach Greinke of the Kansas City Royals. Obviously, Greinke is successful just having this stellar year.)
2003 - Kyle Sleeth - 3rd Pick 1st Round - Detroit Tigers
Sleeth was one of the highest rated pitching prospects coming up through the Tigers' organization. Sleeth was drafted out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles but did not sign. He optioned to attempt Wake Forest. Yet the high pick did not even reach Triple-A with an injury plagued career. After going through Tommy John surgery Sleeth announced his retirement on March 8, 2008
(Earliest successful 2003 pitcher is Paul Maholm of the Pirates selected ninth)
2004 - Justin Verlander - 2nd Pick 1st Round - Detroit Tigers
Justin Verlander, our first successful one of the list, is a righty out of Old Dominion. Verlander has pitched four years in the majors with three incredible seasons. Those seasons include 2006 when Verlander acheived a 17-9 record along with Rookie of the Year honors. He has also pitched a no-hitter and in two World Series games (although he lost both of them). Verlander is still pitching for the Tigers and has started off the year hot with an incredible 97 strikeouts and a 6-2 record.
2005 - Ricky Romero - 6th Pick 1st Round - Toronto Blue Jays
Romero was another highly touted pitching prospect picked before names such as Andrew McCutchen, Trevor Crowe, Troy Tulowitzki, and Matt Garza. The Blue Jay actually showed much promise in the Minor Leagues including Player of the Week honors at Triple-A Syracuse. However getting there was an injury ridden path. Romero looked to finally be back on track until again the injury bug struck. Romero has not been a total failure, yet has definitely had a rocky road to the majors.
(Mike Pelfrey picked ninth by the New York Mets highest picked prominent pitcher)
2006 - Luke Hochevar - 1st Pick 1st Round - Kansas City Royals
Hochevar has just made it up the the majors in the past year and has had mixed results. For that I will not pass judgment on whether or not the pick was granted or not. Hochevar definitely has a legit shot at being a star but has had flashes of bust. His record with the Royals is 6-14 with a 5.64 ERA.
(Clayton Kershaw was picked 7th overall while Tim Lincecum was picked 10th overall.)
2007 - David Price - 1st Pick 1st Round - Tampa Bay Rays
Obviously, Price is an exception as he has not been a bust. Price's stuff is electric and has already proved he can fight the pressure with post-season appearances. David Price still has alot of future to write but already is one of the few players from the draft class to make his mark in the majors. Price will continue to show flashes of his amazing Vanderbuilt career and lead Tampa Bay's great rotation.
(The Tigers selected Rick Porcello 26th in the draft)
2008 - Brian Matusz - 4th Pick 1st Round - Baltimore Orioles
Matusz has just started his young career in the minors and hopes to follow the same fast track that Matt Weiters excelled in. Yet Matusz was also part of a suprisingly weak pitching class. Matusz has put up incredible numbers in single-A advanced with 75 strike outs to 21 walks. He has also put up an impressive ERA of 2.11. Matusz obviously like Price and Hochevar has alot of future to write. Will he turn out as Bryan Bullington or a Justin Verlander?
I would never suggest that the Nationals not take Strasburg. The kid is a stud! This list just asks some questions about how just not pitching taken early, just pitching in general is a risk. Injuring and even lingering problems can hurt a pitchers development. The 2009 MLB Draft is going to be a very exciting time, look for the Indians to select a pitcher in the first round. Possibilities are Arizona State's Mike Leake and Indiana's Eric Arnett.
By the way, I was the number one fan of the Bryan Bullington Fan Club. Can't always be right, eh? Julian out.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Julian.O
In response to tosh.0, a show featuring the funniest viral videos, I decided to post my top five funny videos. Here they are!
5. Bubb Rubb
4. Chad Vader : Day Shift Manager
3. The Real Pokemon (VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!)
2. A Very Perry Christmas
1. Super Mario Frustration (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED)
HONOROABLE MENTION
MEGA 64 Resident Evil 4
Planet Unicorn
5. Bubb Rubb
4. Chad Vader : Day Shift Manager
3. The Real Pokemon (VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!)
2. A Very Perry Christmas
1. Super Mario Frustration (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED)
HONOROABLE MENTION
MEGA 64 Resident Evil 4
Planet Unicorn
Friday, June 5, 2009
Lake Erie Crushers (Stadium Review and Experience)
I had the privilege to go check out the Lake Erie Crushers game on Thursday (THIRSTY THURSDAY DOLLAR BEER AND BEVERAGE NIGHT!). The Lake Erie Crushers are based out of the Avon area and are part of the Frontier League. This entry is to review the experience by Accessibility, Stadium, Concessions, Value, and Fun Factor. Go visit their website at http://www.avonprobaseball.com/.
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Stadium Accessibility - A : Driving to the stadium was very simple and actually really non congested. They have their own separate roads that lead from the main roads to the baseball stadium. Traffic was really easy to get through and the parking exception. Not only was it easy to find a spot but it was very cheap at three dollars (compare that to ten dollars in downtown Cleveland). They even had a big light up sign to tell me where to turn. The reason that the Crushers did not get the A+ was there were no signs getting off the highway. That can lead to many people without GPS or map quest getting lost by merely turning off the highway the wrong way (or is that just me?).
Stadium - A- : The Crushers reside in All-Pro Freight Stadium (I know does not really roll off the tongue well). The Stadium looks beautiful from the outside and even better from the inside. The overall feel gives you a mix between the big leagues and a small town team. The seating is perfect for a Frontier League team and all seats seem to have perfect view lines (no I did not sit in every seat in the Stadium). The walkways although contained because of the small stadium feel did not get congested in the least bit. My ONE complaint with the stadium was THERE WAS NO DIRT! It made it feel kind of like a knock off stadium without the standard dirt infield. I know that you save on grounds crew but to have synthetic grass with rubber as your infield, it just seems weird. Grounders also took different bounces on the surface so that effects the game. Yet, over all All-Pro Freight Stadium is a beautiful and a diamond for the Frontier League.
Concessions - A : Standard ballpark concessions at a cheaper price. They have Miller, Bud, and Labatt on tap so standard beers. The only thing to look for is the difference between Supreme Nachos and just Nachos. Nachos are three dollars while Supreme Nachos are four dollars and fifty cents. The only difference: with regular nachos you only get cheese. With the Supreme Nachos offer salsa. You decide. Otherwise they have a couple of big concession stores with a bunch of smaller stands. Accessible, affordable, and standard are all attribute that make their concession program great.
Price - A+ : The standard ticket price will run nine dollars a ticket and with the stadium no matter what those nine dollars are worth it. With only three dollars for parking a family of four (without taking advantage of a promotion) can go to the park to see a game for thirty nine dollars. That price is extremely great not to mention the seats on the grass hill in the outfield. It provides a little picnic area and tickets are only six dollars out there. The options are endless and even though it is just Frontier League, the price makes up for it.
Fun Factor - B+ : Watching the game is extremely fun. Obviously the players are at a decent talent level and can play with a lot of effort. Yet it is Frontier League baseball and it is hard to get very emotionally involved. The best part about watching sports is the excitement that emotions take the biggest part of. But at times it can become just watching a pick-up game. Also, there is no screen on the scoreboard which makes it hard to have as good of a time with the in between inning activities. For purists it is a blessing but in this visual entertainment age the sound was not enough for the game. Yet, the Crushers bring true baseball that is very enjoyable for all sports and baseball fans.
Overall - A : The overall experience was extremely fun for a cheap price. I recommend it to all baseball fans and even casual fans due to the minor league feel. It has a couple of let downs but overall the Lake Erie Crushers deliver in a great way that impressed me to the fullest. Go visit http://www.avonprobaseball.com/ or go down to the park! GO CRUSHERS!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stadium Accessibility - A : Driving to the stadium was very simple and actually really non congested. They have their own separate roads that lead from the main roads to the baseball stadium. Traffic was really easy to get through and the parking exception. Not only was it easy to find a spot but it was very cheap at three dollars (compare that to ten dollars in downtown Cleveland). They even had a big light up sign to tell me where to turn. The reason that the Crushers did not get the A+ was there were no signs getting off the highway. That can lead to many people without GPS or map quest getting lost by merely turning off the highway the wrong way (or is that just me?).
Picture of All-Pro Frei
ght Stadium
Stadium - A- : The Crushers reside in All-Pro Freight Stadium (I know does not really roll off the tongue well). The Stadium looks beautiful from the outside and even better from the inside. The overall feel gives you a mix between the big leagues and a small town team. The seating is perfect for a Frontier League team and all seats seem to have perfect view lines (no I did not sit in every seat in the Stadium). The walkways although contained because of the small stadium feel did not get congested in the least bit. My ONE complaint with the stadium was THERE WAS NO DIRT! It made it feel kind of like a knock off stadium without the standard dirt infield. I know that you save on grounds crew but to have synthetic grass with rubber as your infield, it just seems weird. Grounders also took different bounces on the surface so that effects the game. Yet, over all All-Pro Freight Stadium is a beautiful and a diamond for the Frontier League.
Concessions - A : Standard ballpark concessions at a cheaper price. They have Miller, Bud, and Labatt on tap so standard beers. The only thing to look for is the difference between Supreme Nachos and just Nachos. Nachos are three dollars while Supreme Nachos are four dollars and fifty cents. The only difference: with regular nachos you only get cheese. With the Supreme Nachos offer salsa. You decide. Otherwise they have a couple of big concession stores with a bunch of smaller stands. Accessible, affordable, and standard are all attribute that make their concession program great.
Price - A+ : The standard ticket price will run nine dollars a ticket and with the stadium no matter what those nine dollars are worth it. With only three dollars for parking a family of four (without taking advantage of a promotion) can go to the park to see a game for thirty nine dollars. That price is extremely great not to mention the seats on the grass hill in the outfield. It provides a little picnic area and tickets are only six dollars out there. The options are endless and even though it is just Frontier League, the price makes up for it.
Fun Factor - B+ : Watching the game is extremely fun. Obviously the players are at a decent talent level and can play with a lot of effort. Yet it is Frontier League baseball and it is hard to get very emotionally involved. The best part about watching sports is the excitement that emotions take the biggest part of. But at times it can become just watching a pick-up game. Also, there is no screen on the scoreboard which makes it hard to have as good of a time with the in between inning activities. For purists it is a blessing but in this visual entertainment age the sound was not enough for the game. Yet, the Crushers bring true baseball that is very enjoyable for all sports and baseball fans.
Overall - A : The overall experience was extremely fun for a cheap price. I recommend it to all baseball fans and even casual fans due to the minor league feel. It has a couple of let downs but overall the Lake Erie Crushers deliver in a great way that impressed me to the fullest. Go visit http://www.avonprobaseball.com/ or go down to the park! GO CRUSHERS!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
All Cavaliers and Blue Jackets fans are aware of next off-season. Both Rick Nash and Lebron James have expiring contracts in 2010 and are looking to test the free agent market. In addition, both players are being pursued by bottom feeders that have a big payroll in each league (NBA - Knicks and NHL - Maple Leafs). This is a neat little comparison that is pretty interesting.
Rick Nash
Age 24
Drafted 1st Overall (2002)
All-Star 4 Times (04,07,08,09)
Contract Expiration - 2010
Team Captain
International Gold Medal Winner (Canada - 2007)
Rookie Year All-Rookie Team
Rick Nash's Best Play
Lebron James
Rick Nash
Age 24
Drafted 1st Overall (2002)
All-Star 4 Times (04,07,08,09)
Contract Expiration - 2010
Team Captain
International Gold Medal Winner (Canada - 2007)
Rookie Year All-Rookie Team
Rick Nash's Best Play
Lebron James
Age 24
Drafted 1st Overall (2003)
All-Star 5 Times (05,06,07,08,09)
Contract Expiration - 2010
Unofficial Team Captain
Gold Medal Winner (USA - 2008)
Rookie of the Year
Lebron James' Amazing Shots
Those are just some crazy similarities that I found between the two players. Follow me!
Difficulty of Clutch Coaching
Beautiful depiction of "The Shot". Parallels the decisions that Mike Brown made in the Magic series that are being criticized.
Julian out!
Julian out!
Handshake or Stanley Cup?
For the last couple of days Lebron not shaking hands with the Orlando Magic after the Cavaliers' defeat has ruled the airwaves. From talk show hosts to writers, just a simple handshake has overshadowed every other newsworthy story.
Yet as the late Chris Farley would say, "Well la de FREAKING da!"
Last time I checked we were almost half way through the baseball season with prospects coming up (Matt Weiters anybody?). Football season is just getting underway with mini-camps. Isn't the French Open happening soon, or now? I thought Federer was going for a Grand Slam. I also heard something about a big hockey game? OH YEAH, the Stanley Cup. Sid the Kid and Malkin's young Penguins face off against the defending champion Detroit Red Wings with the series sitting at 2-1.
The sad fact is that none of this is newsworthy. Roger Federer winning the Grand Slam would get less media attention than Lebron James going to Denny's and ordering a Grand Slam. Let alone Matt Weiters hitting a Grand Slam would maybe just be mentioned. The problem is that Lebron James can somehow be talked and discussed twenty-four hours a day with no one tired of it!
Honestly it was one handshake that is as meaningless as the Cavaliers bench. If I were the Magic I would not even be upset that "King James" did not shake my hand. It would have been meaningless and forced. I have no problem that Lebron did not shake their hand. I have a new glimpse into his personality, but he was being himself. There is no denying that he is one of the greatest young players ever. Also his expiring contract is a very suspenseful situation that people like to speculate. The problem is if you want to talk about how the CAVALIERS played against the Magic or how Lebron had a great series yet couldn't pull it off, fine. The problem is people keep picking away at the fact he did not shake his hand. The only reason people care about it, is because it is Lebron. It sickens me.
So for now, I will just tone out any talk about the "handshake" and how Lebron is "childish". He is only TWENTY FOUR! I will shift my focus to the Stanley Cup. The Penguins can tie up the series on thursday with a win against Detroit. It's going to be a great rematch of last year and the rivalry is starting to heat up.
Yet, the Stanley Cup has gotten no media attention due to people caring more about a handshake. Do you think if Sidney Crosby denies shaking hands with Henrik Zetterberg the media will jump all over it for a week? Well first of all it isn't possible because the NHL forces players to do so. Still the media would not care because Sidney Crosby, despite being arguably the best young hockey player, is not Lebron James.
That's all I have to rant about. Subscribe!
Yet as the late Chris Farley would say, "Well la de FREAKING da!"
Last time I checked we were almost half way through the baseball season with prospects coming up (Matt Weiters anybody?). Football season is just getting underway with mini-camps. Isn't the French Open happening soon, or now? I thought Federer was going for a Grand Slam. I also heard something about a big hockey game? OH YEAH, the Stanley Cup. Sid the Kid and Malkin's young Penguins face off against the defending champion Detroit Red Wings with the series sitting at 2-1.
The sad fact is that none of this is newsworthy. Roger Federer winning the Grand Slam would get less media attention than Lebron James going to Denny's and ordering a Grand Slam. Let alone Matt Weiters hitting a Grand Slam would maybe just be mentioned. The problem is that Lebron James can somehow be talked and discussed twenty-four hours a day with no one tired of it!
Honestly it was one handshake that is as meaningless as the Cavaliers bench. If I were the Magic I would not even be upset that "King James" did not shake my hand. It would have been meaningless and forced. I have no problem that Lebron did not shake their hand. I have a new glimpse into his personality, but he was being himself. There is no denying that he is one of the greatest young players ever. Also his expiring contract is a very suspenseful situation that people like to speculate. The problem is if you want to talk about how the CAVALIERS played against the Magic or how Lebron had a great series yet couldn't pull it off, fine. The problem is people keep picking away at the fact he did not shake his hand. The only reason people care about it, is because it is Lebron. It sickens me.
So for now, I will just tone out any talk about the "handshake" and how Lebron is "childish". He is only TWENTY FOUR! I will shift my focus to the Stanley Cup. The Penguins can tie up the series on thursday with a win against Detroit. It's going to be a great rematch of last year and the rivalry is starting to heat up.
Yet, the Stanley Cup has gotten no media attention due to people caring more about a handshake. Do you think if Sidney Crosby denies shaking hands with Henrik Zetterberg the media will jump all over it for a week? Well first of all it isn't possible because the NHL forces players to do so. Still the media would not care because Sidney Crosby, despite being arguably the best young hockey player, is not Lebron James.
That's all I have to rant about. Subscribe!
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