MLB Trade Deadline

April 8, 2009

Verducci Effect

Johnny @ 1:35 pm — Filed under: Projections and Predictions, Stats

Tom Verducci at SI.com has his list of pitchers who could fall victim to the “Verducci Effect” this season. The “Verducci Effect” occurs when a pitcher accumulates 40 or more innings pitched in a season than his previous career high. The result can lead to significant time missed in the following season due to injury.

Here is this year’s list:

Player Team Age 2008 Previous High Difference
1. Jon Lester Red Sox 25 237 153.2 +83.1
2. Cole Hamels Phillies 25 262.1 183.1 +79
3. Chad Billingsley Dodgers 24 212.1 160.2 +51.2
4. Tim Lincecum Giants 24 227 177.1 +49.2
5. Clayton Kershaw Dodgers 21 171 122 +49
6. Dana Eveland A’s 25 189 140.2 +48.1
7. Mike Pelfrey Mets 25 200.2 152.2 +48
8. John Danks White Sox 23 201.2 156 +45.2
9. Jair Jurrjens Braves 23 188.1 143.1 +45
10. Jon Niese Mets 22 178 137.1 +40.2

Catcher Prospects and Defense

Johnny @ 9:42 am — Filed under: Stats

Beyond the Boxscore takes a look at the top prospects at catcher and how they compare on defense:


 Org Level Innings SB% ATT/I SB/I PB/I
Matt Wieters BAL A+/AA 742.6 59% 12% 4.6% .004
Carlos Santana CLE A+/AA 850.3 75% 13.6% 10.2% .016
Jesus Montero NYY A 591.7 75.5% 16.6% 12.5% .019
J.P. Arencibia TOR A+/AA 874.3 68.3% 9.4% 6.4% .017
Lou Marson PHI AA 735.7 66.7% 10.2% 6.8% .006
Wilson Ramos MIN A+ 619 58.7% 10.2% 5.9% .008
Taylor Teagarden TEX AA/AAA 575.3 65% 10.4% 6.7% .005
Max Ramirez TEX AA/AAA 409.7 77.6% 15.4% 12.7% .012
Tyler Flowers CWS A+ 721.7 74.8% 18.7% 14% .015
Angel Salome MIL AA 667 76.9% 16.2% 12.4% .019
Bryan Anderson STL AA/AAA 724.3 67% 13.4% 9% .014
Austin Romine NYY A 444 82.4% 20.5% 16.9% .041
Jon Lucroy MIL A/A+ 818 57.7% 13.6% 7.8% .012
Adam Moore SEA AA 898.3 67.2% 12.2% 8.2% .026
Cole Armstrong CWS AA/AAA 780.4 72.5% 8.9% 6.4% .012
Welington Castillo CHC A+/AA 674.3 75% 9.5% 7.1% .030
Michael McKenry COL A+ 801.7 52.6% 9.7% 5.1% .012
Devin Mesoraco CIN A 614.3 82.3% 15.6% 12.9% .023
John Jaso TB AA/AAA 803.6 81.3% 16.3% 12.9% .009
James Skelton AZ A+/AA 646.6 61.4% 8.8% 5.4% .017
Pablo Sandoval SFG A+/AA 681.3 63.8% 8.4% 5.4% .007

Here is what league average catchers look like at each level:

LEV SB CS SB% ATT/I SB/I PB/I
AAA 3090 1327 70.00% 11.50% 8.00% .012
AA 3053 1461 67.60% 11.90% 8.00% .013
A+ 3753 1728 68.50% 14.60% 10.00% .018
A 3993 1761 69.40% 15.40% 10.70% .017

Wieters looks like an outstanding all around player. Santana and Montero? Not so much.

April 5, 2009

Corner Outfield Prospects and Defense

Johnny @ 9:10 pm — Filed under: Stats

Beyond the Boxsore take a look at the top corner outfield prospects and how the compare on defense:

Org. Age Level Outs Chances Runs Runs/150
Jason Heyward ATL 18 A 203 358 13 19
Matt LaPorta CLE 23 AA 120 258 -14 -28
Mike Stanton FLA 18 A 107 225 4 9
Andrew Lambo LAD 19 A 129 293 -2 -3
Daryl Jones STL 21 A+ 118 236 8 17
Jose Tabata PIT 19 AA 116 214 8 19
Nick Weglarz CLE 20 A+ 111 236 2 4
Michael Burgess WAS 19 A 173 385 1 1
Kellen Kulbacki SDP 22 A+ 148 287 13 24
Nolan Reimold BAL 24 AA 218 430 -4 -5
John Raynor FL 24 AA 136 309 -2 -3
Caleb Gindl MIL 19 A 212 388 13 17
Michael Taylor PHI 22 A 76 170 1 3
Cole Gillespie MIL 24 AA 146 344 2 3
Cody Johnson ATL 19 A 116 320 -9 -14
  • None of the prospects are currently on a major league roster, though Matt LaPorta certainly will be some time this season.

April 4, 2009

First Base Prospects and Defense

Johnny @ 9:20 am — Filed under: Stats

Beyond the Boxscore continues its series by taking a look at the top first base prospects and how they compare on defense:


 Org. Age Level Outs Chances Runs Runs/150
Lars Anderson BOS 20 A+ 102 15 -2 -3
Logan Morrison FL 20 A+ 124 191 -4 -5
Angel Villalona SFG 17 A 121 180 2 3
Kyle Blanks SDP 21 AA 128 175 8 11
Freddie Freeman ATL 18 A 124 198 -3 -4
Gaby Sanchez FL 24 AA 86 117 5 11
Kila Ka’aihue KC 24 AA 59 98 -5 -13
Travis Ishikawa SFG 24 AA 68 91 5 14
Brandon Allen CHW 22 A+ 108 148 7 12
Beau Mills CLE 21 A+ 90 139 -2 -4
Chris Marrero WAS 19 A+ 74 109 1 2
Nick Evans NYM 22 AA 70 98 5 13
Mike Carp SEA 22 AA 69 95 4 11
  • Travis Ishikawa will start the season as the San Francisco Giants starting first baseman.
  • Gaby Sanchez was the pre-spring favorite to be the Florida Marlins opening day first baseman, but he will start the season at Triple-A instead.
  • Nick Evans will start the season on the New York Mets bench until the team needs a fifth starter, at which point he’ll be demoted.

April 3, 2009

Third Base Prospects and Defense

Johnny @ 7:29 am — Filed under: Stats

Beyond the Boxscore takes a look at the top third base prospects and how they compare on defense:

Org. Age Level Outs Chances Runs Runs/150
Mike Moustakas KC 19 A 111 154 11 26
Mat Gamel MIL 22 AA 212 332 -2 -2
Josh Vitters CHC 18 SS 95 140 7 18
Matt Dominguez FL 18 A 125 211 -6 -10
Lonnie Chisenhall CLE 19 SS 112 172 0 0
Danny Valencia MIN 23 A+ 95 129 9 25
Wes Hodges CLE 23 AA 169 277 -5 -7
Neil Walker PIT 22 AAA 178 276 -1 -1
David Freese STL 25 AAA 176 252 8 12
Kevin Ahrens TOR 19 A 176 269 6 8
Juan Francisco CIN 21 A+ 150 221 7 12
Taylor Green MIL 21 A+ 167 262 0 0
Billy Rowell BAL 19 A+ 193 305 1 1
Austin Gallagher LAD 19 A+ 68 125 -7 -20
John Whittleman TEX 21 A+ 161 251 4 6
Allen Craig STL 23 AA 177 274 -2 -3

April 2, 2009

Second Base Prospects and Defense

Johnny @ 11:12 am — Filed under: Stats

Beyond the Boxscore takes a look at the top second base prospects and compares their performance on defense:

Org. Age Level Outs Chances Runs Runs/150
Adrian Cardenas OAK 20 A+ 120 168 0 0
Matt Antonelli SDP 23 AAA 240 345 -6 -8
Chris Coghlan FL 23 AAA 252 338 9 12
Luis Valbuena SEA 22 AA 155 205 7 15
Nick Noonan SFG 19 A 262 382 -3 -4
Shelby Ford PIT 23 AA 155 224 -3 -6
Eric Sogard SDP 22 A+ 286 411 2 2
Eric Young Jr. COL 23 AA 230 305 11 16
Johnny Giavotella KC 20 A 133 186 3 7
Brad Emaus TOR 22 A+ 216 308 -2 -3
Travis Denker SDP 22 AAA 128 166 6 16
Ryan Mount LAA 21 A+ 184 272 -3 -5
Jacob Smolinski WAS 19 A 117 160 3 8
John Tolisano TOR 19 A 234 350 -6 -8
Tony Thomas Jr. CHC 21 A+ 249 317 19 27

April 1, 2009

Center Field Prospects and Defense

Johnny @ 8:36 pm — Filed under: Stats

Beyond the Box Score takes a look at how the top center field prospects stack up on defense:

Org. Age Level Outs Chances Runs Runs/150
Colby Rasmus STL 21 AAA 202 368 9 15
Cameron Maybin FLA 21 AA 230 397 2 3
Dexter Fowler COL 22 AA 255 482 1 1
Andrew McCutchen PIT 21 AAA 277 484 6 8
Austin Jackson NYY 21 AA 214 393 -13 -20
Jordan Schafer ATL 21 AA 162 301 -1 -2
Greg Halman SEA 20 AA 137 271 -7 -16
Ben Revere MIN 20 A 150 260 3 7
Gorkys Hernandez ATL 20 A+ 246 378 26 42
Gerardo Parra AZ 21 AA 136 255 -6 -14
Fernando Martinez NYM 19 AA 195 367 -7 -12
Aaron Cunningham OAK 22 AA 115 250 -10 -25
Engel Beltre TEX 18 A 271 498 6 7
Julio Borbon TEX 22 AA 147 236 14 36
Drew Stubbs CIN 23 A+ 179 353 14 24
Greg Golson TEX 22 AA 270 477 -4 -5
Dominic Brown PHI 20 A 119 220 2 6
Jon Jay STL 23 AA 245 395 16 25
Brett Gardner NYY 24 AAA 178 319 0 0
Che-Hsuan Lin BOS 19 A 177 312 2 4

March 31, 2009

Shortstop Prospects and Defense

Johnny @ 1:32 pm — Filed under: Projections and Predictions, Stats

Beyond the Boxscore takes a look at the top minor league shortstop prospects and how the compare on defense:

Org. Age Level Outs Chances Runs Runs/150
Alcides Escobar MIL 21 AA 336 459 22 24
Elvis Andrus TEX 19 AA 295 429 2 2
Jason Donald PHI 23 AA 143 256 -19 -37
Reid Brignac TAM 22 AAA 189 272 6 11
Justin Jackson TOR 19 A 277 242 3 4
Chris Valaika CIN 22 AA 205 310 -3 -5
Yamaico Navarro BOS 20 A 116 175 1 3
Brandon Hicks ATL 22 A+ 193 296 -3 -5
Carlos Rivero CLE 20 A+ 221 329 2 3
Pete Kozma STL 20 A 201 292 11 19
Brent Lillibridge ATL 24 AAA 180 293 -12 -21
Ramiro Pena NYY 23 AA 211 319 1 2
Carlos Triunfel SEA 18 A+ 108 215 -20 -47
  • Alcides Escobar looks like a future gold glover.
  • Carlos Triunfel is no longer thought of as a shortstop by the Mariners, but as a second baseman and rightfully so.
  • The Phillies see Jason Donald as more of a third baseman, though his bat may not be enough to handle the position.
  • Brent Lillibridge does not project as a shortstop defensively, though I’m not sure the White Sox care. Alexei Ramirez is their shortstop after all.

February 26, 2009

Wedge, Sizemore, Batting Average

Johnny @ 7:45 pm — Filed under: Stats

Eric Wedge just became my new favorite manager. Rob Neyer posts an excerpt from an article which details Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge’s understanding of the unimportance of batting average, as well as Grady Sizemore’s outstanding performance on the field.

February 19, 2009

Best Baserunners

Johnny @ 12:43 am — Filed under: Stats

Who were the best baserunners in 2008? Ian Kinsler and Jose Reyes, according to Beyond the Boxscore. Best baserunners:

Player Runs
Ian Kinsler 6.5
Jose Reyes 6.5
Ichiro Suzuki 6.4
Chone Figgins 6.4
Shane Victorino 5.7
Matt Holliday 5.5
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