The Future of the mrkupe Prospect Smackdown . . .and more

by mrkupe on Aug 16, 2007 10:57 PM EDT

As promised, I finished up a series of three Prospect Smackdowns a couple of days ago. For anybody who missed them before I proceed, links to the material:

Clay Buchholz vs. Joba Chamberlain

Chase Headley vs. Neil Walker

Chris Marrero vs. Travis Snider

Overall, I'd say they were successful, and the Buchholz vs. Chamberlain Smackdown in particular has attracted a lot of attention to the site. I enjoyed writing them, although I will admit that there's a pretty decent amount of work that goes into them. I had a lot of requests for other Smackdowns in the original thread, and there's more than a few that I wouldn't mind addressing. I also had some requests for some other material that I wouldn't mind doing at all.

I decided to take a few days after finishing the last Smackdown to assess where (if anywhere) I wanted to go with future writing projects. I've come to three possible options.

Continue posting features exclusively as diary posts on here, including the Smackdowns but possibly expanding to other things as requested
Begin my own blog featuring my individual content
A split of 1 and 2. Posting certain things on a blog and other things on this site (although they likely would be posted/archived on the blog site as well)

I'm not too big on option 2. I like writing the actual material, but I also like the audience for the material and I like adding content to John's site - even one more visitor to minorleagueball.com as a result of my work makes everything worthwhile to me. At the same time, as it goes for most writers who commit time to their work, I do like appreciation for my efforts. This factor will probably increase in importance in the weeks to come, as I'm about to begin my last semester of undergrad and suddenly my hands are a bit more full than before.

So I thought I'd put it before the community and find out what other folks are thinking. Is there interest in future features? If there is, would you rather see them posted exclusively on here or would you be interested in a split between minorleagueball.com diary posts and my own blog/website?

Personally, it doesn't make much of a difference to me as long the audience is there. I'm basically looking for the best means to circulate my work to the fullest extent. Suggestions are invited and encouraged.

0 recs | Comment 21 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

how about a Carlos Trunifel and Elvis Andrus

one

by Bravesin07 on Aug 16, 2007 10:53 PM EDT 0 recs

would like to see this one too!

whenever you get a chance.

keep up the great work.

by NewKidInTown on Aug 16, 2007 11:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

you rule

I'd start your own blog...your smackdowns were AWESOME.

by doublestix on Aug 16, 2007 11:04 PM EDT 0 recs

+1

i agree, very good job indeed

by phantom on Aug 17, 2007 12:51 AM EDT up 0 recs

I'd say

Go with option #3. I've thoroughly enjoyed the Prospect Smackdowns you've done here, and I truly enjoy catching your opinion on players, I think you're one of the more respected voices here. That being said, I think you have enough insight that you could easily start a blog of your own and create enough content to sustain it. I enjoy your prospect lists, but would honestly like to see you go more in depth with your analysis. A site of your own would allow you to do this.

I would say continue the Prospect Smackdowns here to help maintain/attract attention, and also provide a link to your own blog. I'd cross post the Smackdowns on both sites, adding the link to the post here should drive traffic to your own site as well. At the same time, if you begin to build a base of your own, links to John's site could help the community here grow.

As far as ideas for future Smackdowns, I do like the idea of Triunfel vs. Andrus, if you feel there is enough data to do one. With some recent debate about Ian Kennedy vs. Kevin Slowey, that might be interesting also. Others I can think of are Barton vs. Loney, Salty vs. Clement, Cueto vs. Adenhart, and Troy Patton vs. Gio Gonzalez.

"You remind me of the ESPN commercials that have the guys asses talking for them..."-JT12340 to Bravesin07

by gatling on Aug 16, 2007 11:20 PM EDT 0 recs

Lubanski vs R. Sweeney

:-)

by doublestix on Aug 16, 2007 11:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yep

I can't believe I forgot to put that one on the list. Thanks for reminding me.

"You remind me of the ESPN commercials that have the guys asses talking for them..."-JT12340 to Bravesin07

by gatling on Aug 16, 2007 11:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

audience

There's certainly an audience and I will read you whether it is here or elsewhere.

by mckeeno on Aug 16, 2007 11:30 PM EDT 0 recs

Thank god

for good posters like you. I honestly enjoy reading good diaries more than Sickel's stuff. John, no offense, but you really don't provide much other than the forums...Sickels' grades in the preseason do very little to tell much about prospects other than assign a grade. The crystal balls are completely useless, especially specualting on what teams guys end up with. The prospect retros are nice, but, all in all, the best content comes from the posters, good job guys!

by killa on Aug 16, 2007 11:57 PM EDT 0 recs

Book

killa, since you mention the preseason time frame, do you read the massive annual book John puts together, or are you just going by the website? It's hella harsh to say he "do[es]n't provide much."

by FlipYrWhig on Aug 17, 2007 11:10 AM EDT up 0 recs

Kupe

I would like to see others run with this. I've also tried to get this started.

We have so many knowledgable people here if only we could get others signing up for smack-downs it would be perfect.

by pedrophile on Aug 17, 2007 1:28 AM EDT 0 recs

+1

I think that would grade out nicely and would receive a good amount of opinons.

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on Aug 17, 2007 2:27 AM EDT 0 recs

MOOOOORE

Prospect Smackdowns always kick ass.

I can't wait for the Porcello v. Parker one this offseason.

by SenorGato88 on Aug 17, 2007 2:28 AM EDT 0 recs

+1

Porcello v. Parker will make a good one.

So would Mills v. LaPorta IMO.

by guru4u on Aug 17, 2007 10:41 AM EDT up 0 recs

About your question.

I don't know you life situation at all. But if your looking to turn this into a job, make some money off selling advertising and making some sort of publication then go off on your own. But if this is just fun for you then don't kill yourself over doing a blog and your real life responsibilities. Have fun when you can and post what you want when you want. Having a blog is demanding, as you can see by Killa's post, and on different level my own in a previous thread. To be honest and its only an assumption but I think that my post along others is what sparked John to wake up a little more. Its very demanding so do what you want.

by Metty5 on Aug 17, 2007 8:16 AM EDT 0 recs

#3

Make your own blogs and write them, and then crosspost them here with a link in the Diaries. That way you get the recognition but you also get the readers from here to filter over to your blog as well.

by Kanst42 on Aug 17, 2007 8:22 AM EDT 0 recs

Might be interesting

Cameron Maybin vs. Jay Bruce

Who has the most potential to be a star?

by T for Jose Tabatha on Aug 17, 2007 9:48 AM EDT 0 recs

John already had that smackdown

by Bravesin07 on Aug 17, 2007 10:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

#3

I have opted for that too, cross-posting some lengthy posts from other sports-related websites. Mostly for safe-keeping, but partially to delude myself that I have a future.

Todd Frazier for President

by FrazierFan on Aug 17, 2007 12:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Thanks for the effort

I'd personally prefer that you post here, especially if you don't want to start your own blog. Plus, that way, there's no pressure if you want to stop or miss a few weeks.

Vice-Chairman of the Sonnanstine Underground Railroad

by Brickhaus on Aug 17, 2007 12:47 PM EDT 0 recs