stephen strasburg | This One's For Nick

May 2, 2012

Fantasy Update: Trading Stephen Strasburg

MILB.com

My fantasy team this season was barely competing. Being in a deep keeper league, my team isn’t at the top and I don’t have the greatest resources at the MLB level. But my minor leagues is pretty deep and continues to grow as I trade away some youthful talent. Over the weekend, I decided to trade Stephen Strasburg to a contender for Shelby Miller, Bubba Starling, Brody Colvin, and Nick Tropeano. Additionally, I received the opposing managers first-round selection in the upcoming first-year player draft. I thought I did very well and these chips are all very useful.

While the stars of the deal are Miller, Starling and the first-round pick, I’m really intrigued with the other arms of Colvin and Tropeano.

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April 27, 2012

Will Mike Rizzo regret calling up Harper?

If you haven’t heard yet, Bryce Harper has been called up from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Ryan Zimmerman on the Nationals roster. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, announced on Friday that the move, “isn’t the coming out party for Bryce that we had in mind.” In light of injuries to Zimmermann and Mike Morse, who hasn’t played all season, the Nationals are desperate for an offensive boast, despite sitting comfortably at the top of the NL East with a record of 14-4.

This move comes as a surprise because Harper wasn’t exactly dominating Triple-A pitching. He is hitting .250 with 1 homerun and 3 RBI, giving him a slash of .250/.333/.375. Whether it was the extremely unpredictable weather of Syracuse or just adjustments, Harper will now see time in left field. Oddly, Harper has not appeared in left-field this season as he’s been the primary centerfield in ‘Cuse.

Mike Rizzo is a hard general manager to understand. He’s crafted this Nationals club thanks to terrible production from the ML squad. Players like Zimmerman, Harper, Strasburg are all results of high draft picks. Even the acquisition of Gio Gonzalez came thanks to the trading of some top tier prospects. I understand moving a player like Tyler Moore up, who hit extremely well in Double-A Harrisburg. Moore is a former 16th round pick who has given a lot more production than you would have thought.

But throwing your top prospect, baseball’s wonderchild into the outfield isn’t exactly the smartest thing either. With your team having the best record in baseball, wouldn’t it make sense to call up a guy like Moore to have play, while have Harper get some more seasoning in Triple-A? Rizzo has stated that Harper is here to play, not sit on the bench. If you remember last season, Mike Trout was called up by the Angels and didn’t see consistant playing time, which hurt him drastically.

I’m all for baseball. I understand it’s a business and in order to strive, you need to win. Whether or not Harper produces, Saturday night in downtown L.A. will not be buzzing around Matt Kemp‘s terrific start. The spotlight will be on Harper. I hope he’s ready for it.

January 12, 2011

Washington Nationals: Top Ten Prospects of 2011

The Washington Nationals have an interested group of prospects coming up. With the injury of star right-hander Stephen Strasburg, the Nats are still a few years away from contending.

1. Bryce Harper, OF – This is a no doubter. Harper has the skills to become a superstar. Will likely start at high A and might move fast.

2. Derek Norris, C – He’s coming around. I think he’s the future catcher, rather than Wilson Ramos. Should be an above-average major leaguer.

3. Daniel Espinosa, 2B – We got to see Espinosa briefly in 2010. He’s going to be the everyday second basemen for the Nationals in 2011, unless shortstop Ian Desmond is dealt. Up the middle, the Nationals are set with Epsinosa and Desmond.

4. A.J. Cole, RHP – Personally, A.J. Cole was my favorite arm out of the 2010 Draft. He’s stock dropped due to concerns about his arm. He was projected a Top 10 selection overall and dropped to the fourth round. The Nationals went over slot for a reason. He’s tall, lanky and super projectable. Future #2 starter.

5. Sammy Solis, LHP – Solis had a very strong showing in the AFL this year. He shouldn’t spend much time in the system.

6. Wilson Ramos, C – I’m pretty high on this kid but I don’t think he’ll stay at catcher. Norris is the future for the Nationals.

7. Michael Burgess, OF – He came around in 2010 and looks to be back on track as a top prospect.

8. Eury Perez, OF – Should be a solid centerfielder in the future.

9. Destin Hood, OF – I have Hood on my list since I have high hopes for him. He hit .280 last season as a 20 year old in A ball.

10. Rich Hague, SS – Fantastic glove. Need pro data.

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This One's For Nick

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