The 2010 Westport Stingers

I created my Fantasy League, Royals Nation Fantasy Baseball, in 2007, to shed light on some active posters on my now essentially defunct (though still oddly viewable) message board/blog Royals Nation. Although my team has tanked for three consecutive years (that's embellishing a bit, admittedly, but I've yet to finish .500), it's been a sight to see how the league has morphed over the few years. It began - and remains - as a head-to-head fantasy league where 15-17 statistics or categories are judged. I hand out several trophies for deserving winners on months and weeks end.

Either way, here is my Fantasy Team, the Westport Stingers, for 2010. (Keep in mind that the starting lineup is set for Monday, so it might not mirror a "typical" starting nine). It might give you some perspective to note that this is a 20-team deep mixed league with 25-man rosters (and up to 4 DL spots).

C - Jeff Clement
1B - Nick Johnson
2B - Kelly Johnson
3B - Kevin Youkilis
SS - Troy Tulowitzki
OF - Justin Upton
OF - Matt Kemp
OF - Jay Bruce
UT - Melky Cabrera
Ben - Jason Bartlett
Ben - Brendan Ryan
Ben - Justin Smoak (Inactive)
Ben - Nate Schierholtz
Ben - Nick Punto
Ben - Andruw Jones
Ben - Willie Ballgame Bloomquist
DL - Freddy Sanchez

P - Mike Gonzalez
SP - Adam Wainwright
SP - Tim Lincecum
SP - Shaun Marcum
SP - Nick Blackburn
SP - Anibal Sanchez
RP - Mariano Rivera
RP - Billy Wagner
Ben - Oliver Perez
DL - Erik Bedard
DL - Brad Bergesen
DL - Jeff Francis


I think I finally have some nice balance of speed and power in my starting lineup and I have some nice versatility on the bench. With Bedard on the Disabled List until likely June, I need a third starter to really step up and deliver Fantasy-wise. I have a couple rehabilitation projects that I'm borderline relying on in Anibal Sanchez and Shaun Marcum. I like that I have three closers, one occupying the general pitchers' role.

Anyway, 5-7 fellow RN Fantasyites will probably view this entry sometime within the next few days, so biases or trash talk might follow!

2010 Royals Dempsey Projections

Continuing the my fine recent tradition of predicting things (I'm considering starting a 'Predict the 2012 Miss America Pageant' thread), I've decided to present my basic statistical "projection/predictions" for the 2010 Royals. This has become recent tradition for myself, as well (since 2007, to be specific). I'm going to keep my stats raw, since I don't have a calculator. I might refine these *slightly* at a later time but here goes. (I'll include everyone with at least 100 at-bats).

I'll begin with the position players!

C - Jason Kendall: 496 AB, .244/.315/.319, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 6 SB, 3 CS, -3 (Runs
saved/cost on defense - you don't have to include this)
C - Brayan Pena: 212 AB, .273/.339/.405, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 0 SB, 1 CS, -1
1B - Billy Butler: 567 AB, .285/.342/.466, 21 HR, 79 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, -5
2B - Alberto Callaspo: 478 AB, .286/.354/.412, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 2 SB, 1 CS, -3
2B - Chris Getz: 423 AB, .270/.325/.346, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 27 SB, 7 CS, +2
2B - Willie Bloomquist: 396 AB, .263/.325/.329, 0 HR, 22 RBI, 18 SB, 7 CS, -6
SS - Yuniesky Betancourt: 415 AB, .270/.292/.366, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 10 SB, 7 CS,
-12
SS - Mike Aviles: 294 AB, .262/.315/.407, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 6 SB, 3 CS, -1
3B - Alex Gordon: 438 AB, .256/.344/.435, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 5 SB, 2 CS, +4
3B - Josh Fields: 122 AB, .240/.282/.397, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 0
LF - Scott Podsednik: 482 AB, .256/.315/.358, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 36 SB, 14 CS, -2
CF - Rick Ankiel: 426 AB, .256/.298/.405, 13 HR, 44 RBI, 1 SB, 0 CS, -4
CF - Mitch Maier: 284 AB, .277/.325/.387, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 9 SB, 3 CS, +2
RF - David DeJesus: 562 AB, .278/.359/.410, 9 HR, 52 RBI, 7 SB, 6 CS, +5
DH - Jose Guillen: 379 AB, .266/.302/.394, 11 HR, 43 RBI, 0 SB, 1 CS, -1
DH - Kila Ka'aihue: 156 AB, .254/.342/.425, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 0

As far as players with fewer than 100 ABs, I think players like Betemit,
Thorman, Pina, Clark, and Lough (and others I'm probably omitting) can possibly
fall on that list.

I think a consistent inability to stay healthy will rear its ugly head again
this year as Guillen, Gordon, Callaspo, and Ankiel, four "integral" parts of our
offense, will miss time. DeJesus will endure his usual day-to-day injuries and
ample playing time will be given to grizzled veterans. Although the team will
be improved defensively, they will still fall below average in that regard and
well below average in terms of offense. If you "pool" all players with fewer
than 100 AB's together, I think this offense would probably score 680-700 runs.
I like that there appears to be more "versatility" than last year. But we're
likely going to see plenty of games where we score 0-2 runs.

The bad news is that I'm predicting many veterans this organization is stuck
with contractually - to basically fall well below an "optimal" performance level
this season. The organization would benefit, in my opinion, from playing guys
like Ka'aihue, Maier, Aviles, and Pena as often as possible.

I hope I'm wrong on these performances because I believe my outlook is pretty
grim. If this organization shows a full-fledged commitment to youth, then I'll
gladly eat crow but until then I see more of the same.

For pitchers, I'll predict 8 appearances or more (to include Crow)

SP Zack Greinke - 33 GS/G, 15-8, 2.77 ERA, 223 IP, 52 BB, 197 K (All Star)
SP Gil Meche - 23 GS/G, 6-9, 4.88 ERA, 143 IP, 59 BB, 110 K
SP Brian Bannister - 28 GS/G, 7-12, 5.03 ERA, 179 IP, 58 BB, 112 K
SP Luke Hochevar - 26 GS, 31 G, 6-11, 5.17 ERA, 165 IP, 72 BB, 113 K
SP Kyle Davies - 19 GS, 33 G, 6-9, 4.80 ERA, 136 IP, 66 BB, 95 K
SP Aaron Crow - 8 GS/G, 2-4, 5.63 ERA, 35 IP, 14 BB, 23 K (late August callup)
RP Robinson Tejeda - 11 GS, 54 G, 3-5, 4.53 ERA, 97 IP, 65 BB, 92 K
RP Brad Thompson - 5 GS, 21 G, 2-4, 5.60 ERA, 33 IP, 13 BB, 18 K
RP Josh Rupe - 16 G, 0-2, 6.20 ERA, 25 IP, 11 BB, 14 K
RP Blake Wood - 9 G, 1-2, 6.86 ERA, 26 IP, 14 BB, 12 K
RP Phil Humber - 28 G, 1-1, 5.77 ERA, 33 IP, 14 BB, 25 K
RP Anthony Lerew - 4 GS, 24 G, 2-4, 5.76 ERA, 49 IP, 20 BB, 29 K
RP Carlos Rosa - 32 G, 2-2, 4.39 ERA, 39 IP, 18 BB, 29 K
RP Dusty Hughes - 32 G, 1-3, 4.92 ERA, 35 IP, 14 BB, 24 K
RP Kyle Farnsworth - 36 G, 1-3, 5.10 ERA, 44 IP, 25 BB, 38 K
RP Juan Cruz - 53 G, 3-6, 3.85 ERA, 59 IP, 24 BB, 49 K
CP Joakim Soria - 51 G, 5-4, 3.19 ERA, 62 IP, 18 BB, 75 K

This doesn't include a pool of pitchers with minimal plate appearances. (I
also think it's possible a player on waivers or a Free Agent could be
selected). I'll predict 15-Day DL stints for Meche, Bannister, Farnsworth,
Wood, Soria, and possibly Juan Cruz. I think the starting rotation is one of
the strong suits but I think the team ERA this year will be around 4.8 or 4.9.

Feel free to chime in and, if you have time, predict your own!

My 2010 MLB Predictions

On Opening Day eve, below are some rather detailed predictions for the 2010 season in Major League Baseball. In essence, five teams who made the postseason last year remain. As a Royals fan, I will predictably be rooting for the small markets but I do think Philadelphia and New York are probably the best teams in their respective leagues. If anyone has any questions or is appalled by the idea of selecting Arizona to win the NL Wild Card, then leave a comment.

NL West:
1. Colorado: 89-73
2. Arizona (WC): 88-74
3. Los Angeles: 83-79
4. San Francisco: 79-83
5. San Diego: 70-92

NL Central:
1. St. Louis: 92-70
2. Chicago: 84-78
3. Cincinnati: 82-80
4. Milwaukee: 77-85
5. Pittsburgh: 69-93
6. Houston: 64-98

NL East:
1. Philadelphia: 91-71
2. Atlanta: 87-75
3. New York: 83-79
4. Florida: 76-86
5. Washington: 68-94

AL West:
1. Texas: 91-71
2. Seattle: 83-79
3. Los Angeles: 82-80
4. Oakland: 75-87

AL Central:
1. Detroit: 84-78
2. Minnesota: 82-80
3. Chicago: 79-83
4. Cleveland: 70-92
5. Kansas City: 67-95

AL East:
1. New York: 100-62
2. Boston (WC): 91-71
3. Tampa Bay: 86-76
4. Baltimore: 74-88
5. Toronto: 65-97

(I have no idea if these totals add up or not…hopefully, it comes pretty close)

AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez (21-8, 2.63)
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw (20-7, 2.94)
AL ROY: Justin Smoak (502 AB, .285/.377/.536, 25 HR, 87 RBI, 1 SB, 0 CS)
NL ROY: Alcides Escobar (577 AB, .292/.334/.435, 10 HR, 57 RBI, 46 SB, 15 CS)
AL MVP: Mark Teixeira (615 AB, .297/.392/.588, 43 HR, 115 RBI, 2 SB, 2 CS)
NL MVP: Albert Pujols (602 AB, .338/.442/.613, 40 HR, 119 RBI, 5 SB, 3 CS)
AL Manager: Ron Washington (91-71)
NL Manager: A.J. Hinch (88-74)
AL Fireman: Mariano Rivera (5-4, 2.18 ERA, 42 SV)
NL Fireman: Francisco Rodriguez (6-3, 2.42 ERA, 45 SV)

Postseason:

ALDS: New York over Detroit in 4
ALDS: Texas over Boston in 5
ALCS: New York over Texas in 6

NLDS: Arizona over St. Louis in 5
NLDS: Colorado over Philadelphia in 4
NLDS: Colorado over Arizona in 5

Other Awards:

AL Comeback Player: Shaun Marcum, TOR (11-10, 3.94 ERA, 176 IP)
NL Comeback Player: Tim Hudson, ATL (15-9, 3.82 ERA, 185 IP)

Spam Posts

OK, the numerous spam messages that have appeared on my site over the last month are prompting me to approve all comments before they are posted. Normally, I wouldn't do this but I'm tired of spammers messing up my site.

Thanks,

Jack

My Surprise, AZ Visit

My pictures are now available at http://www.royalsprospects.shutterfly.com/ I'm Jack, in case you don't know, so

http://royalsprospects.shutterfly.com/pictures/1799
http://royalsprospects.shutterfly.com/pictures/1678
http://royalsprospects.shutterfly.com/pictures/2701

So it's a little haphazard, but those are all my pictures. Some 2009 photos were accidentally included in a new set...sorry about that.

While I stayed in Youngtown (immediately outside Surprise) last week, I mostly visited the Minor League camps but attended four Major League games during the day. Here are some random, on-the-whim thoughts from the morning practices and afternoon intersquad games.

- Aaron Crow looks good. He dips his top side of his body when he pitches which is something I have read about. It could be an issue down the road.
- I encountered a Minor League pitching coach (not sure who) working with Mike Montgomery on a regular curveball. Evidently, they want him to veer away from a palm curve he tossed in high school and want him to adapt to their style.
- I spoke briefly with pitching prospect Ryan Morgan, with whom I pitched in college. (He obviously ascended to astronomically higher rankings than yours truly), although I did not see him pitch.
- Eric Hosmer was hitting mostly grounders in the two B.P. sessions I saw. On the contrary, Hilton Richardson was really ranking. Not sure if B.P. is much of an indicator but I hope to see more line-drives and XBH from Hosmer's bat in '10.
- Saw Rowdy Hardy pitch for the first time ever. He struggled quite a bit with command, which is odd for him. He has a 3/4 and submarine delivery.
- Blake Johnson's curveball looked outstanding (take that for what it's worth).
- Salvador Perez and Jose Bonilla really did a good job taking charge of the infield diamond communication-wise. Wil Myers looked a bit lost and out of place behind the dish. He took quite a few instructions from the dugout coaches....a sign of his inexperience.
- A ton of bunting and stealing took place. Not sure if this is uncommon; but I would see several bunt and steal attempts every half inning.
- I'm really excited about Clint Robinson's prospects in NWA this year. He was raking the ball in intersquads; saw him hit a couple XBH and a HR.
- Chris McConnell = quite slick defensively. Johnny Giavotella didn't look too bad, either, and showed range (to my naked non-scouting eye, so again take it for what it's worth).
- It was interesting to see particular "cliques." Many of the Latin players watching the games stood in one group...the American-born players would chatter in another.
- Got autographs from Mike Moustakas and Everett Teaford.
- Select pitchers who did not pitch in intersquads that day kept score, tracking first-pitch strikes and pitch counts (to my knowledge)....and possibly more.
- Speed at the top! The tops of lineups were loaded with speedy-types....Patrick "Roundhouse Kick" Norris, Adrian "The Jet" Ortiz, Derrick "D-Rob" Robinson, and more (lame nicknames...)
- Did not see Dan Duffy or Jeff Bianchi for perhaps obvious reasons. I also did not see Sean McCauley (injured). I did not see several others.
- A center fielder (I believe it was Norris) dropped a routine fly-ball. Granted, it was sunny, but the ball popped in and out of his glove.
- Saw Chris "Disco" Hayes pitch in the bullpen for the first time.

Anyway, I might think of more....