Pool A predictions for the WBC - update 2

Wow, I really thought South Korea was going to give Japan a game, and possibly beat them. I would have never thought it would be 14-2 mercy game.

Next up, South Korea vs China. I still have South Korea winning that game. Every team can have a bad game on occasion, and South Korea is a good team. They'll bounce back.

It will then be the winner of this game against Japan, to determine the 'winner' which is crazy, since they'll both be advancing. Oh, the stupidity of double-elimination.

Anyhow, I'll still take Japan over South Korea, which is what the Japanese want. This will save them an extra game (which shouldn't be played regardless) and give their pitchers more rest.

South Korea will play to win, as it's a pride thing. They won't want to lose to Japan twice in the opening round, even if they do advance.

Record so far: 4-0

Top 10 Candadian prospects playing in America

From My World Of Baseball comes another in a series of top 10 prospects from outside the United States. This times its just over the border, and they don't even need visas to play. How about that. Not a lot of great prospects, but some good ones. The Brewers look to capitalize, while the Blue Jays aren't digging out in their backyard.

1. Brett Lawrie C (Brewers) - Brett was the highest drafted position player out of Canada. He represented his country playing in the Olympics in Beijing and now he is getting ready for the WBC. Who would have thought that a player drafted in 2008 would have so many opportunities to participate in international tournaments. There is no questioning his bat, however he is reputed to have very little interest in the defensive side of the game. The Brewers will try him at catcher but he has the bat that you can play him anywhere in the lineup.

2. Nick Weglarz OF (Indians) - He’s another player that has represented Canada in the Olympic qualifying tournament in Taiwan as well as the Olympics. In both competetions he hit well, batting .400 with two homeruns and slugging .720 in the Olympics and he hit .450 with three homeruns in the Olympic qualifier. His below average speed makes him a liability in the outfield and his arm will limit him to left field, if he doesn’t get saddled with first base. No one questions his ability to hit.

3. Phillippe Aumont RHP (Mariners) - The Mariners have been treating Phillippe very carefully, similar to the kid glove treatment they gave Felix Hernandez. He didn’t make his pro debut until 2008 and pitched well, finishing with a 2.75 ERA in eight starts and 15 appearances. They didn’t allow him to pitch for last year’s Olympic team because they wanted to control the number of innings he pitched. He stays comfortably in the 90-95 range but he can hit the high 90s when properly
motivated. Since his high school did not have a baseball team he is still trying to pick up the finer nuances of the game.

4. Cale Iorg SS (Tigers) - Some may remember the name. His father Garth and his uncle Dale played in the major leagues. A two year Mormon mission put a delay in his professional debut so at 23 he was a bit old for High A. The Tigers will try to rush him through their other levels and hope that he is ready to be their shortstop in 2010. He’s a solid defensive player with the tools to survive at short. He needs to improve on making contact and learning a bit of patience. A 35 to 111 walk to K ratio is not good.

5. Kyle Lotzkar RHP (Reds) - Another first round pick, Kyle was selected in 2007 as a supplemental pick. His fastball sits in the low 90s but he can ramp it up to 95-96. He also has a decent curveball and changeup that he can use as an alternative to his fastball. The big thing holding him back is command of his pitches and the inconsistent nature of his curveball and change. He’s only 19 years old and his name was included on the provisional 40 man roster of the Canadian WBC team.

6. Jamie Romak 1B (Pirates) - He was drafted by the Braves but traded to the Pirates as part of the Adam LaRoche trade. Romak is another below average defensive player because he lacks the speed to cover the outfield. He may have to move to first base. Jamie has incredible power but also strikes out a lot. If he makes enough contact he should end up a middle of the order type of hitter.

7. Alexandre Periard RHP (Brewers) - The second Brewer on this list. He tosses in the low 90s and can hit 95. Alex has a slider that he can show as an alternative to his fastball. His change is a rudimentary pitch right now and he needs to show more consistency with the pitch to make it a complement to his fastball. He also has a curveball but that needs a lot more work than his slider and most pitching coaches would prefer that you have one or the other. He still needs to work on his command of his pitches.

8. Chris Leroux RHP (Marlins) - At 6′6″ he is the tallest pitcher here. He fell in love with his curveball in college and many believe that is a reason that he had to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2005. The Marlins still drafted him despite his surgery and he made his debut in mid 2006. He no longer throws a curve ball and throws a slider instead. His fastball is bewteen 92-96.

9. Scott Richmond RHP (Blue Jays) - He made Canada’s provisional roster. He is another player whose high school did not play baseball. He’ll turn 30 years old this year but that is more because he played a lot of Independent ball before being discovered by Rob Ducey in 2007. He did make his major league debut in 2008, getting five starts and finishing with an ERA of 4.00. He is not overpowering, with a sinker that travels in the low 90s and a slider that hits the mid 80s. He shows excellent command of his pitches, walking only two hitters in 27 innings. Because he lacks overpowering stuff and is always around the plate, he is prone to the long ball, seeing 22 balls disappear into the seats.

10. Terrell Alliman Of (Angels) - He was drafted in the 43rd round in 2007. Normally, those type of players do not make an impact in the major leagues. But his first year with the Angels he hit .339 and slugged .506. He’s a good athlete with decent speed and a solid arm that right field would not be out of the question.

And definitely a familiar name in Cale Iorg, as his Uncle Dane had the single greatest at bat in Royal history.

Pool A predictions for the WBC - update 1

So Pool A is in full-swing. South Korea trounced Chinese Taipei, and looked impressive doing it. I screwed up with the brackets. It's actually a double-elimination, and not a round robin, as I thought. Guess I should have read more, instead of just assuming it.

That's actually something I'm against. It should be a round robin, with each team playing the other team, and not double-elimination. As much as it is about winning for some countries and players, it's also about showcasing the game on an international scale.

Each team should be playing each other team. Even if China or Chinese Taipei lose both of their first two games, they should still have to play it out. If Japan or South Korea had to play either team, it provides some interesting strategy. If either team has won 2 games, then do they try, and use a pitcher. Or do they coast, possibly have the other team win, and save wear and tear on the players.

And Japan and South Korea will each have at least one loss going into the third game. Imagine the excitement if China or Chinese Taipei played well, and scared them. How will affect the pitching, and the second round. The players. Or what if they won.

Double-elimination only makes sense if one team advances to the next round. But what is going to happen here is, Japan or South Korea will win their game. Obviously. And then they will play a second time, or possible a third time, if they split the first two, to determine who is eliminated. And then they both advance to the next round. That means some teams go home after 2 games, and never plays the third at all. How does that help the exposure around the world? Each team should play each of the other teams one time, and the top two advance. It's the only thing that makes sense.

Anyhow, I will have to update my predictions as it goes along. I'm not changing the picks, but I will have to look at the matchups differently now, so that might change a few things.

I'll post them all in advance, so no one can accuse me of cheating on the picks. Not like I have money on it, or anything.

So, on to the next games:

Japan vs South Korea - still have Japan, but man, did South Korea look good. Japan had some good pitching in their game, but didn't hit at all.

China vs Chinese Taipei - still staying with China. They didn't look great, but Chinese Taipei is on a down turn (as I noted originally) and they look like a train wreck waiting to happen.

The loser of the Japan/South Korea game will play the winner of China/Chinese Taipei. I'll take the big dog (whoever it is) over the little dog in that game, and still stick with Japan to be the winner. Even though they won't actually win anything, just eliminate the others.

But watch out for South Korea.

Bud is 'hooching the pooch'

Softball has given baseball the figurative kick in the balls. The International Federation of Softball has told baseball they will not be joining them in a combined bid to get back into the Olympics. They will be going their own way. Here is the letter from Dr. Schiller to the IBF:

February 27, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

As most of you know, I met with Don Porter, president of the International Softball Federation on Thursday night in Orlando, Florida to lay out a plan whereby softball and baseball could combine efforts for the Olympics only and present a joint bid to the IOC for inclusion in the 2016 games. We met for over two hours, and I addressed the concerns on their side and made it clear that the IBAF was not interested in combining Federations with softball on a global scale.

The idea was to work together for just the Olympic bid. We left with the thought to continue to talk and see if there was a way to work things out to show solidarity and come up with a solution that benefits all involved.

Early this morning, Friday, I received an email from Mr. Porter thanking me for the meeting and saying that he has spoken to his board members and that softball does not wish to work with baseball on the joint bid.

Although I am surprised by the quickness of the response and am disappointed in the answer, I feel it does not deter us in our efforts to continue to move forward to get baseball back in the Olympics for 2016. The support we have continues to grow on all levels, and with this now behind us, we can focus on a baseball-only bid.

Thank you for your time on this issue and let me know any additional thoughts you may have on how we can continue to improve our standing in getting baseball back in the Olympics and growing the sport globally.

Regards,

Dr. Harvey W. SchillerPresident,

International Baseball Federation

This is not Dr. Schiller's fault. He, and the IBF, are doing everything they can to get baseball back into the Olympics. They are running the Baseball World Cup, and have been entirely supportive of the WBC. The IBF is doing a great job of promoting baseball at the international level.

This is Bud's fault. He is doing everything he can to keep baseball off the international stage. He refuses to even consider the idea of baseball in the Olympics, won't do anything to make the WBC a success, and isn't bothered that it will overshadow the World Cup, which is being relegated to secondary status in order to help promote the WBC.

So, in order to distance themselves from Bud and his lack of effort, softball will go their own way, instead of trying to present a unified front. And I respect them for that. Baseball and softball are two different games, and should be treated as such. Softball should have a chance to be back in the Olympics, regardless of whether or not Bud wants baseball in. It shouldn't be a package deal, and softball is doing the right thing.

If Bud won't take the international game seriously, why should softball be dragged down also. I know he has a responsibility to the 30 owners to keep their product viable, but I challenge Bud to show me how growing the game on an international level will hurt Major League baseball in any way.

Softball will be fine, and the game will continue to get bigger on the international level. Meanwhile, Bud is refusing to expand the game beyond Japan and Mexico. Is it because he thinks it will cost them money? I don't get that at all. Of course, Bud doesn't even expect his teams to build their own stadiums. Which is funny, because all over the world, local and national governments are spending tax dollars to build stadiums and fund teams. Maybe someone should tell Bud.

Because in my humble opinion, Bud is just hooching the pooch.

Top 10 Mexican prospects playing in the United States

From My World of Baseball come the top-10 Mexican prospects playing in the Major Leagues. The Yankees and Cardinals, with 5 of the 10, seem to be actively mining Mexico for players. But it doesn't seem like there is as much interest in Mexico as in other countries. That might be becasue of the peculair relationship between our two countries, and the fact that Mexico has a good, viable, professional league that runs concurrently with MLB.

1. Alfredo Aceves RHP (Yankees) - He originally signed with the Blue Jays in 2001 but they sold his contract to the Mexican League, where he toiled for six years. The Yankees found him down there last year and signed him for $450,000. To the Blue Jays all you can say is “Too bad. So sad. Spin the wheel again Vanna.” In his first year in 2008 he started in high A and it took him only 15 starts to get to AAA. While the Yankee staff struggled with injurikes, Aceves was more than happy to take the ball after eight starts in AAA. He finished the season with a 2.40 ERA after four starts. Yankee fans should not get too excited as his stuff is only average, with a fastball that rarely hits the 90s.

2. Jaime Garcia LHP (Cardinals) - He was born in Mexico but he moved to the United States and went to high school in Texas where he was drafted in the 22nd round.

I don't consider him a Mexican prospect. Just my opinion.

3. Manny Banuelos LHP (Yankees) - Manny is nine years younger than Aceves and the Yankees signed the two pitchers last year. Next month he will turn 18. At least the Yankees hope so. He already throws a fastball in the low 90’s and at 5′10″ 155 pounds that could increase in velocity as he gains some strength. His curveball and change are still developing and both pitches are below average at this point. He should start 2009 in Low A.

4. Edgar Osuna LHP (Braves) - In four years in the minors, three of them in Rookie ball, he has an ERA of 2.51. He’s gone from the Dominican League, to the Gulf Coast
League and to the Appalachian League. He should advance a little more quickly now after his success in Low A South Atlantic, where he was voted pitcher of the year. Edgar is not overpowering, with a fastball in the mid 80s, but he sets it up well with an above average curve ball and an excellent changeup.

5. Fernando Salas RHP (Cardianls) - Fernando represented the Cardinals in last
year’s Future’s game, a remarkable achievement when you consider that he had to be sent back to Mexico because his minor leage debut in 2007 was less than stellar (5.26). One of his strengths is the command of his low 90s fastball. He can locate it up or down, in or out of the strikezone. He did give up 12 homeruns in only 74 innings, so if he gets behind in the count and has to throw a strike the hitters have no problem depositing it in the seats.

6. Jorge Vazquez 1B, (Yankees) - He’s 26 years old and with Juan Miranda in their
system it will be interesting if either player gets an opportunity. He’s 6′2″ 230 while the Cuban is 6′0″ 200, both of them perform similar roles. Miranda will start in AAA and Vazquez at 26 should destroy AA. Jorge had some excellent power numbers in the Mexican League where he was an Allstar three straight years from 2005-2007. His 2008 season saw him clout 18 homeruns and hit .339 in only 56 games. He
continued the assault during the winter league, topping the league in homers with 15, and hitting .348. He also had a .416 OBA.

7. Arnold Leon RHP (Athletics) - The A’s discovered him last year, but per an agreement with the Mexican League club, they had to return him towards the end of the 2008 season so he could particpate in the Mexican League playoff run. In 20 relief appearances he finished with an ERA of 2.86. He should have a full season to pitch in 2009 and at 20 years old has some time to develop. He stands only 5′11″ and as a righthander does not get a lot of plane to his pitches. His fastball travels in the low 90s but his curveball is a sloth like 68 miles per hour.

8. Luis Cruz 2B/SS (Pirates) - Cruz turned down an opportunity to play in the WBC. He is a whiz defensively, but a lack of patience and recognition of breaking pitches makes his offense weak. He was signed by the Red Sox, then traded to the Padres for Cesar Crespo. He was signed by the Pirates as a six year minor league free agent December of last year. In 67 at bats with the Pirates he hit .224. As good as his defense is, he only needs to hit a little to make it as a utility player. In the winter league he hit .277. Cruz was a Future Game selection in 2006.

9. Freddy Sandoval 3B (Angels) - The most that can be said about him is that he is still on the Angels 40 man roster. If the Angels had been active on the free agent front he would probably have been one of the first players removed from the roster. He did post solid numbers at AAA Salt Lake, hitting .335 with 15 homeruns, but most hitters should post inflated numbers with the altitude there. This led to his major league debut, a September cup of coffee where he hit .167 in six games and six at bats. He was a 2007 Future Games selection.

10. Walter Silva RHP (Padres) - He’s 32 years old, which normally isn’t the definition of a prospect. But he dominated in the winter league, leading Mazatlan to the Caribbean World Series. His ERA in the winter league was 3.23 in 13 starts and in two starts at the Caribbean World Series he finished at 2.25. His fastball sits in the high 80s and low 90s and he’s got a good cutter. Righthanders in the Caribbean World Series could only manage to hit him at a .105 pace. He made the Mexican League all star team in 2006 and 2008. Pitching in Padres stadium with their lack of depth in the rotation makes him a real sleeper to make an impact on the major league club.

Some more in-depth analysis from the original post. Somehow, this seems like a weak group of prospects. I would have thought their would have been some more upside to prospects from Mexico.

Top 20 sports movies of all time

Fox Sports did their list of the top 20 sports movies of all time. Not just baseball, but other's as well. I don't think it's a very good list. Whoever wrote it is basing more on what it was as a movie, and not how it relates to sports. Which would seem to be the point to me.

20. Million Dollar Baby - good, but not best picture winner.

19. Bloodsport - mandatory viewing for anyone who's ever been in the Army.

18. Best In Show - I liked it, but a 'sports' movie. I love dogs, but a movie about a dog show?

17. Seabiscuit - great movie. How was this not ranked in the top 10?

16. Murder ball - never seen it, but I've heard it's good. I need to find it and watch it.

15. The Bad News Bears - one of the great movies of my childhood. Another top 10 to me.

14. A League Of Their Own - good movie. The only time I've ever like Rosie O'Donnell.

13. Chariots Of Fire - I've seen the first 15 minutes. Don't know if its any good at all.

12. The Karate Kid - bull. This doesn't belong on the list, and not ahead of Seabiscuit.

11. Breaking Away - absolutely fantastic movie.

10. Bull Durham - not top 3? Yeah, who the hell wrote this list? A movie critic or sportswriter?

9. Happy Gilmore - or a college sophomore. I liked this, but over Bull Durham. Please!

8. Hoosiers - not a top 5 movie? Did they pick the names out of a hat?

7. Field Of Dreams - I'm starting to doubt this list.

6. Rudy - good choice for this high. No issues with that.

5. The Natural - what were they thinking? This is one of the hokiest movies ever made.

4. Slap Shot - not #1! They must have let a soccer fan write this column.

3. Caddyshack - sports, not comedies. I'll give it a top 10, but not a top 3.

2. Raging Bull - good choice. Finally got back on track.

1. Rocky - still say Slap Shot, but I'm okay with this.

Some notable omissions:

Bang The Drum Slowly

Brian's Song

Fast Break

North Dallas Forty

The Longest Yard

Tin Cup

Miracle

The Hustler (if a dog show can make, so can pool)

Any others I've missed?

Down, but not out

Due to the need to find a job and some other unforeseen circumstances, probably nothing today again.

But I will be back tomorrow.

Thanks for your patience.