This week I made an all-time Rangers team and gave my reasons why.
Outfielder: Juan Gonzalez – I chose Juan because he is the Rangers’ all-time leader in home runs, RBI’s, and slugging percentage. Also, he was a two-time MVP and a two-time All-Star.
Outfielder: Rusty Greer – Rusty is 7th on the Rangers all-time list for games played, 5th for RBI’s, 6th for batting average, 4th for walks, 10th for home runs, and 4th for slugging percentage. Rusty was also a great fielder and a .305 career hitter.
Outfielder: Ruben Sierra – Ruben leads the Rangers in triples with 44 and is 4th in home runs, 4th in RBI’s, and 5th in slugging percentage. He was a three-time All-Star for the Rangers.
1B: Rafael Palmeiro – Raffy leads the Rangers in games played, runs, walks, and at-bats. He is also 2nd in home runs and RBI’s. He was a two-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glove winner for the Rangers.
2B: Julio Franco – Julio has a .307 career batting average with the Rangers, which is 3rd on the all-time list. He is also 5th in stolen bases. He was a three-time All-Star for the Rangers (winning the All-Star game MVP once) and won a batting title.
3B: Buddy Bell – Buddy is 8th on the Rangers’ RBI list, 10th in batting average, 9th in walks, and 8th in triples. He was also a four-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner.
SS: Toby Harrah – Toby is 5th on the Rangers’ all-time list for number of games played, 9th in home runs, 2nd in stolen bases, 6th in RBI’s, 6th in runs, 2nd in walks, 7th in hits, and 4th in OBP. He was a two-time All-Star from the Rangers.
Runner-up: Alex Rodriguez
C: Pudge Rodriguez – Pudge is 3rd on the Rangers’ home run list, 3rd in RBI’s, 5th in batting average, and 3rd in triples. Pudge was a ten-time All-Star and ten-time Gold Glove winner with the Rangers. He won the league MVP in 1999.
Runner-up: Jim Sundberg
Starting Pitcher: Charlie Hough – Charlie leads the Rangers in career wins, innings pitched, games started, complete games, and strikeouts.
Starting Pitcher: Kenny Rogers – Kenny is the Rangers’ career leader in games and pick-offs. He is 2nd in wins, innings pitched, games relieved, and win-loss percentage. He was a three-time All-Star for the Rangers and a four-time Gold Glove winner.
Starting Pitcher: Ferguson Jenkins – Fergie leads the Rangers in career shutouts and is 5th in ERA. He is 5th in strikeouts and 2nd in complete games.
Starting Pitcher: Nolan Ryan – Nolan pitched two no-hitters as a Rangers and got his 5000th strikeout. He also is 4th on the Rangers’ ERA list and 4th in strikeouts. He was a one-time All-Star for the Rangers.
Starting Pitcher: Bobby Witt – Bobby is 3rd on the Rangers’ wins list, 2nd in strikeouts, and 5th in complete games.
Closer: John Wetteland – John is the Rangers’ career leader in saves with 150. He also has a 2.95 ERA and two All-Star appearances as a Ranger.
Runner-up: Jeff Russell
This week, my dad and I are going to St. Louis to see a Cardinals game and will also be seeing minor league games in Tulsa (against the RoughRiders) and Springfield. Come back next week for a recap of my St. Louis road trip.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Players Most Likely to be Called Up
This week I looked through all the Rangers minor league teams and found the players at each position that would be the most likely to be called up to the Rangers if there was an injury.
SS Drew Meyer
Why: I think that Drew has the best chance to be called up of any shortstop in the farm system because this is the player the Rangers chose before and there is a better chance that they’ll stick with the original guy than get a new one.
OF Freddy Guzman
Why: I think that Freddy Guzman has one of the three best chances to be called up of an outfielder because he is a real speedy guy and only one of four outfielders in double-A has a batting average over .250 (so there are no good candidates from double-A).
OF Adam Hyzdu
Why: I think Hyzdu has one of the three best chances to be called up of an outfielder because he has more MLB experience than almost all of the other outfielders in the farm system, he has great defense, and he has been swinging the bat O.K. in Oklahoma.
OF Laynce Nix
Why: I think Nix has one of the three best chances to be called up of an outfielder because he has more major league experience than most. He also has great defense. Also, only one outfielder in double-A has a batting average over .250.
C Jamie Burke
Why: I chose Jamie because he is the only catcher in the farm system that has any major league experience.
1B Nate Gold
Why: I chose Gold because he and Jason Hart are the only two 1st baseman in double-A and triple-A put together. If you compare their stats, Gold has a batting average that is .046 points better than Hart’s and Gold has 2 more homers.
2B Aarom Baldiris
Why: I chose Aarom because no 2nd basemen in triple-A or double-A has been more consistent than him. Aarom batted .307 in double-A and .278 in triple-A.
SP Robinson Tejeda
Why: I chose Tejeda because he has some MLB experience and because we know that he can pitch in the majors without struggling because of when he was with the Phillies.
SP Edinson Volquez
Why: I chose Volquez because he is a top prospect. Also, because in 80.1 triple-A innings he has a 3.70 ERA and 85 strike-outs.
SP Thomas Diamond
Why: I chose Thomas because he has pitched very well this year and because spot starts don’t mess him up.
RP Wes Littleton
Why: I chose Wes because he is the reliever that they chose earlier in the year so I have a feeling that they’ll stick with him.
RP Erasmo Ramirez
Why: I chose Ramirez because he has been the lefty pitcher they have called up before, so I think if they need a lefty in the bullpen he would be the go-to guy.
Come back next week for a new entry.
SS Drew Meyer
Why: I think that Drew has the best chance to be called up of any shortstop in the farm system because this is the player the Rangers chose before and there is a better chance that they’ll stick with the original guy than get a new one.
OF Freddy Guzman
Why: I think that Freddy Guzman has one of the three best chances to be called up of an outfielder because he is a real speedy guy and only one of four outfielders in double-A has a batting average over .250 (so there are no good candidates from double-A).
OF Adam Hyzdu
Why: I think Hyzdu has one of the three best chances to be called up of an outfielder because he has more MLB experience than almost all of the other outfielders in the farm system, he has great defense, and he has been swinging the bat O.K. in Oklahoma.
OF Laynce Nix
Why: I think Nix has one of the three best chances to be called up of an outfielder because he has more major league experience than most. He also has great defense. Also, only one outfielder in double-A has a batting average over .250.
C Jamie Burke
Why: I chose Jamie because he is the only catcher in the farm system that has any major league experience.
1B Nate Gold
Why: I chose Gold because he and Jason Hart are the only two 1st baseman in double-A and triple-A put together. If you compare their stats, Gold has a batting average that is .046 points better than Hart’s and Gold has 2 more homers.
2B Aarom Baldiris
Why: I chose Aarom because no 2nd basemen in triple-A or double-A has been more consistent than him. Aarom batted .307 in double-A and .278 in triple-A.
SP Robinson Tejeda
Why: I chose Tejeda because he has some MLB experience and because we know that he can pitch in the majors without struggling because of when he was with the Phillies.
SP Edinson Volquez
Why: I chose Volquez because he is a top prospect. Also, because in 80.1 triple-A innings he has a 3.70 ERA and 85 strike-outs.
SP Thomas Diamond
Why: I chose Thomas because he has pitched very well this year and because spot starts don’t mess him up.
RP Wes Littleton
Why: I chose Wes because he is the reliever that they chose earlier in the year so I have a feeling that they’ll stick with him.
RP Erasmo Ramirez
Why: I chose Ramirez because he has been the lefty pitcher they have called up before, so I think if they need a lefty in the bullpen he would be the go-to guy.
Come back next week for a new entry.
Friday, June 09, 2006
May Awards and Hart Acquired
This week I will give out my May awards. These aren't just awards for the month of May – these are awards for if the season stopped now.
Rangers awards:
MVP: Hank Blalock: 209 AB, 32 R, 64 H, 8 HR, 41 RBI, .306 AVG, .381 OBP, .478 SLG
I chose Hank because he leads the team in RBI, is 3rd in HR and 5th in AVG.
2nd place: Michael Young
Cy Young: Akinori Otsuka: 1-1 W-L, 2.13 ERA, 25.1 IP, 4 BB, 21 SO
I chose Otsuka as my Cy Young because none of the Rangers starters have an ERA below 4.00 and Otsuka has been the most dominant reliever.
2nd place: Kevin Millwood
Rookie of the Year: John Koronka: 4-3 W-L, 4.87 ERA, 64.2 IP, 21 BB, 34 SO
I chose John because the only other choices I have are Ian Kinsler, Jason Botts, John Rheinecker, and Drew Meyer, none of which have played enough games. Plus, he has been a solid fifth starter with only two bad outings.
2nd place: Ian Kinsler
AL awards:
MVP: Travis Hafner: 192 AB, 49 R, 59 H, 15 HR, 50 RBI, .307 AVG, .409 OBP, .620 SLG
2nd place: Jim Thome
Cy Young: Mike Mussina: 8-1 W-L, 2.67 ERA, 87.2 IP, 15 BB, 78 SO
2nd place: Scott Kazmir
NL awards:
MVP: Albert Pujols: 185 AB, 52 R, 57 H, 25 HR, 65 RBI, .308 AVG, .442 OBP, .751 SLG
2nd place: Alfonso Soriano
Cy Young: Brandon Webb: 8-0 W-L, 2.14 ERA, 96.2 IP, 13 BB, 65 SO
2nd place: Bronson Arroyo
Rangers Minor League Trade
The Rangers traded a player to be named later for minor leaguer Jason Hart of the Rochester Red Wings, a AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. With the Red Wings, Hart struggled, batting .225, with 4 home runs and 8 RBI in 30 games. So far, as a RedHawk, he has batted .333, with 1 home run and 2 RBI in 6 games. Last year, Jason was with the Frisco RoughRiders and made the AA Texas League All-Star team. I cannot evaluate this trade because I do not know who the Rangers will be giving up.
Come back next week for who's next in line in the Rangers system to be called up to the majors.
Rangers awards:
MVP: Hank Blalock: 209 AB, 32 R, 64 H, 8 HR, 41 RBI, .306 AVG, .381 OBP, .478 SLG
I chose Hank because he leads the team in RBI, is 3rd in HR and 5th in AVG.
2nd place: Michael Young
Cy Young: Akinori Otsuka: 1-1 W-L, 2.13 ERA, 25.1 IP, 4 BB, 21 SO
I chose Otsuka as my Cy Young because none of the Rangers starters have an ERA below 4.00 and Otsuka has been the most dominant reliever.
2nd place: Kevin Millwood
Rookie of the Year: John Koronka: 4-3 W-L, 4.87 ERA, 64.2 IP, 21 BB, 34 SO
I chose John because the only other choices I have are Ian Kinsler, Jason Botts, John Rheinecker, and Drew Meyer, none of which have played enough games. Plus, he has been a solid fifth starter with only two bad outings.
2nd place: Ian Kinsler
AL awards:
MVP: Travis Hafner: 192 AB, 49 R, 59 H, 15 HR, 50 RBI, .307 AVG, .409 OBP, .620 SLG
2nd place: Jim Thome
Cy Young: Mike Mussina: 8-1 W-L, 2.67 ERA, 87.2 IP, 15 BB, 78 SO
2nd place: Scott Kazmir
NL awards:
MVP: Albert Pujols: 185 AB, 52 R, 57 H, 25 HR, 65 RBI, .308 AVG, .442 OBP, .751 SLG
2nd place: Alfonso Soriano
Cy Young: Brandon Webb: 8-0 W-L, 2.14 ERA, 96.2 IP, 13 BB, 65 SO
2nd place: Bronson Arroyo
Rangers Minor League Trade
The Rangers traded a player to be named later for minor leaguer Jason Hart of the Rochester Red Wings, a AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. With the Red Wings, Hart struggled, batting .225, with 4 home runs and 8 RBI in 30 games. So far, as a RedHawk, he has batted .333, with 1 home run and 2 RBI in 6 games. Last year, Jason was with the Frisco RoughRiders and made the AA Texas League All-Star team. I cannot evaluate this trade because I do not know who the Rangers will be giving up.
Come back next week for who's next in line in the Rangers system to be called up to the majors.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Nevin and LaMacchia Traded
This week the Rangers made 2 trades. I will analyze them both.
Trade 1 - The Rangers traded Phil Nevin to the Cubs for Jerry Hairston Jr.
Phil Nevin:
Phil has struggled the past 2 seasons, and I don’t see him coming back in Chicago. He hit .182 for Texas in 2005 and has hit .216 in ’06 for the Rangers. He has really been slumping and I think it was a good idea to trade him.
In ’04 with San Diego, he hadn’t started his drought yet, as he hit .289.
San Diego:
147 games, 547 AB, 26 HR, 105 RBI, .289 AVG, .368 OBP, .492 SLG
In ’05, he made an unexpected downfall.
San Diego:
73 games, 281 AB, 9 HR, 47 RBI, .256 AVG, .301 OBP, .399 SLG
Texas:
29 games, 99 AB, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .182 AVG, .250 OBP, .323 SLG
Jerry Hairston Jr.:
Jerry has only played in Baltimore and Chicago, with a career .259 AVG and 30 HR. He has OK speed as he has stolen 105 bases in parts of 8 seasons. Also, his dad, Sam Hairston, was the first African-American player for the Chicago White Sox.
In ’04, Jerry had a career year, playing over half the games. It was his only year with a batting average over .300.
Baltimore:
86 games, 287 AB, 2 HR, 24 RBI, .303 AVG, .378 OBP, .397 SLG
In ’05, Hairston played 114 games, batting just over .260.
Chicago:
114 games, 380 AB, 4 HR, 30 RBI, .261 AVG, .336 OBP, .368 SLG
So far in 2006 Hairston has struggled, batting only .207 in 82 AB.
Chicago:
38 games, 82 AB, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .207 AVG, .253 OBP, .244 SLG
Trade Evaluation:
I think this trade works out for both teams because the Cubs need a 1st baseman, which Nevin can be, and the Rangers needed to get Botts and DeRosa more playing time, which they did.
Grade B+
Trade 2 - The Rangers traded Marc LaMacchia to the Marlins for Juan Gonzalez.
Marc LaMacchia:
Marc was drafted by the Rangers in the 21st round of the 2003 draft but had Tommy John surgery and didn’t pitch until 2005.
In 2005, he only pitched 62.2 innings but had a pretty good ERA, record, and hit total. He had only allowed 48 hits. Marc’s record was 4-2 and he had a 3.73 ERA
Clinton:
4-2, 3.73 ERA, 32 games, 0 starts, 62.2 IP, 53 SO
So far in 2006, LaMacchia has struggled with a 6.12 ERA in 32.1 innings.
Bakersfield:
1-3, 6.32 ERA, 12 games, 2 starts, 31.1 IP, 27 SO
Greensboro:
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 game, 0 starts, 1 IP, 0 SO
Juan Gonzalez:
In 2006, Juan has struggled at the plate for the class-A Jupiter Hammerheads, batting .254, with a .333 OBP, a .310 SLG, and one home run. He is a very good defensive player.
Trade Evaluation:
I think this trade was pretty good. I look at it as trading a non-prospect pitcher for a future Adam Hyzdu type player.
Grade B-
Come back next week for my May awards.
Trade 1 - The Rangers traded Phil Nevin to the Cubs for Jerry Hairston Jr.
Phil Nevin:
Phil has struggled the past 2 seasons, and I don’t see him coming back in Chicago. He hit .182 for Texas in 2005 and has hit .216 in ’06 for the Rangers. He has really been slumping and I think it was a good idea to trade him.
In ’04 with San Diego, he hadn’t started his drought yet, as he hit .289.
San Diego:
147 games, 547 AB, 26 HR, 105 RBI, .289 AVG, .368 OBP, .492 SLG
In ’05, he made an unexpected downfall.
San Diego:
73 games, 281 AB, 9 HR, 47 RBI, .256 AVG, .301 OBP, .399 SLG
Texas:
29 games, 99 AB, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .182 AVG, .250 OBP, .323 SLG
Jerry Hairston Jr.:
Jerry has only played in Baltimore and Chicago, with a career .259 AVG and 30 HR. He has OK speed as he has stolen 105 bases in parts of 8 seasons. Also, his dad, Sam Hairston, was the first African-American player for the Chicago White Sox.
In ’04, Jerry had a career year, playing over half the games. It was his only year with a batting average over .300.
Baltimore:
86 games, 287 AB, 2 HR, 24 RBI, .303 AVG, .378 OBP, .397 SLG
In ’05, Hairston played 114 games, batting just over .260.
Chicago:
114 games, 380 AB, 4 HR, 30 RBI, .261 AVG, .336 OBP, .368 SLG
So far in 2006 Hairston has struggled, batting only .207 in 82 AB.
Chicago:
38 games, 82 AB, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .207 AVG, .253 OBP, .244 SLG
Trade Evaluation:
I think this trade works out for both teams because the Cubs need a 1st baseman, which Nevin can be, and the Rangers needed to get Botts and DeRosa more playing time, which they did.
Grade B+
Trade 2 - The Rangers traded Marc LaMacchia to the Marlins for Juan Gonzalez.
Marc LaMacchia:
Marc was drafted by the Rangers in the 21st round of the 2003 draft but had Tommy John surgery and didn’t pitch until 2005.
In 2005, he only pitched 62.2 innings but had a pretty good ERA, record, and hit total. He had only allowed 48 hits. Marc’s record was 4-2 and he had a 3.73 ERA
Clinton:
4-2, 3.73 ERA, 32 games, 0 starts, 62.2 IP, 53 SO
So far in 2006, LaMacchia has struggled with a 6.12 ERA in 32.1 innings.
Bakersfield:
1-3, 6.32 ERA, 12 games, 2 starts, 31.1 IP, 27 SO
Greensboro:
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 game, 0 starts, 1 IP, 0 SO
Juan Gonzalez:
In 2006, Juan has struggled at the plate for the class-A Jupiter Hammerheads, batting .254, with a .333 OBP, a .310 SLG, and one home run. He is a very good defensive player.
Trade Evaluation:
I think this trade was pretty good. I look at it as trading a non-prospect pitcher for a future Adam Hyzdu type player.
Grade B-
Come back next week for my May awards.
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