I thought we might try to get back to some of the old posts like we used to have before our conversion to the new site...

Not sure if anyone else has noticed yet, but Carlos Gonzalez is currently hitting to the tune of:

He has had 5 multi-hit games in his last 10.  It seems like most high profile hitters (not named Puhols) have suffered from colder weather in the majors so far, especially the recently anemic Oakland outfield.

Everyone knows that CG can hit.  However, (I realize small sample size) perhaps the most promising thing I've noticed from him so far is his desire to finally take some walks.  Last year he had only 38 walks in 500 at-bats.

Given the somewhat lack of conversation on him among a lot of other sites, I am curious as to what our community thinks about him.  Since Oakland isn't going to compete this year, when do you all think we may see CG in center or RF?  Should Beane, in your opinion, even call him up before September?  What should we expect from him when he does get called up early, and what should we expect four years from now?  I have always felt  (although I have no real proof) that you can leave someone in the minors too long, just as you can call someone up too early and ruin a promising career.  Not saying that this is the case with CG, but just throwing out the idea.  Any others care to weigh in?

Question for you all in Motown.  I see that Porcello signed, congrats.  However, I have two intriguing picks that I can't seem to find out much on...Your fifth and sixth rounders, Casey Crosby and Cale Iorg.

Crosby really came on his senior year, sprouting up four inches and adding five mph to his fastball.  I know he was hurt his sophomore year, and he sat out most of his junior year.  BA had him pegged as a possible first round talent, but he fell due to signability (Full ride to Illinois).  How do you project the kid?  I drafted him in my Strat league, knowing he has some upside, but I don't know much more than waht MiLB.com provided in their draft preview.

Cale Iorg played for Bama, and he has MLB bloodlines with both his dad and (I believe) his brother playing in the bigs.  I know he took off a year for a missions trip, and he had an offer to start SS at ASU next season.  How does he project?  Is he a defensive player?  Is he an offensive player?  What are his primary skills?

Any info any of you can provide me would be of great assistance.  Thanks in advance!

Okay, so I won't pretend to be an expert...that's why I have all of you to ask.  In regards to the best player period, I realize it is tough to decide.  However, given all factors (signability, upside, fast track, and projection), whom would you decide to be the best available and why?

I have heard so much rhetoric recently on Weiters, Porcello, and Mous.  However, it seems that Price hasn't been discussed in quite so much detail.  Is this because you see him as the elite number one?

Next question: what makes an elite top pick?  Obviously, Porcello has upside to be a number one.  But can Price not be considered to project the same?  I realize he is older, but he's had a great season against some tough competition that I would equate to roughly low to advanced A ball.  Am I off target with that assumption?  No one doubts Verlander as Ace material, and he made a very quick jump from college to the Tigers rotation.  Is it foolish to think Price might do the same, especially if he goes to rotations in need of pitching (Rays and Royals)?

So in closing, I guess I just want to know who in this draft's top five, three to five years from now, you would expect to be dominating in the majors.  What do you expect potential stat lines to be on guys like Price, Weiters, and Porcello (realizing again, injuries and flameout will probably occur)?

I appreciate all of your insight.

Okay, so the next two months will be the longest of the year, IMO.  After doing some thinking last night, I began to wonder about some of the prospects that I thought would already be having decent careers.  In particular, my personal fav, Zack Greinke.  I can't begin to understand the pressure on him, but I honestly thought he would be a solid performer by this time, and putting aside personal issues, he still has the best pure "stuff" of most prospects (Yes, I am prepared for the bashing to begin).  I know he will be back, as I feel he was rushed at every level going back to Junior High, and I see him as a solid #3, possible #2, but I don't think he will ever equal the ridiculous Saberhagen comps from his earlier days.  Also, keep in mind he just turned 23.

So I pose a question to the forum: What prospects did you think would already be solid ML performers, given previous action in the Bigs?  Another off the top of my head could be King Felix (also severely rushed by the org).  Please explain why you nominated your prospect, and give a brief description as to what you think the problem was, how YOU would resolve it, and how you see that prospect performing in the future.  If you'd like, provide a crystal ball for the next 3-5 years.

Vidro is being dealt to the M's for two minor leaguers: 25 year old oft-injured Chris Snelling and 22 yr old Emiliano Fruto.

It looks like the Nats will pay a small portion of his salary over the next two seasons.  Good move for Washington?  Definitely a high-risk, low reward move for a team that let Sori walk away.  They won't be competitive for the next millenium anyway, so I think it's a decent trade.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121301763.html

I realize we are nowhere near finished with the FA signings, but to date, whom do you feel has been the best FA signing this year?  So far we have listed the bad ones, which seem to be everyone thus far.  Please take into account years, $, park effects, etc...There are too many to list, so I didn't do a poll.

Also, please give your reasoning as to why, and who will make the biggest impact both next season and for the duration of the contract.  Don't include those that resigned with the same team (i.e. Bonds, Ramirez, etc...)  Your thoughts are much appreciated!

Can anyone direct me to a site that lists what type of Free Agent a player is?  For example, we know Soriano is an A list player, but I need a list for everyone.  Due to the new CBA, I under stand that C list players have been eliminated.  Also, is it true that teams no longer have to offer arbitration to FA's that opt not to resign and the team still gets compensatory picks?  Has the MLB even released this infomration yet?

I appreciate the help!

I am so tired of hearing about this guy already!  Frankly, we don't even know for sure if he will be here.  In fact, at this time I see him as no more than another future cheap Japanese import.  Therefore, I have been doing some thinking...my vote is for the Honda.

Please, I am merely trying to add a little humor to the day in John's absense.

I saw Zack Greinke pitch against Springfield last night.  I think he pitched very well, although his stat line is misleading...6IP,6H, 5 Earned, 4K/3BB.  All runs came in the first, and he yielded one hit the following five innings.

I will say that Lubanski misplayed a ball for an E, but Zack didn't allowed a double to the next batter, so it counted against him.  

He looked really shaky in the first, and he threw almost all fastballs.  I assume he just didn't feel comfortable yet.  He definitely settled down.  Example: Against Stavinoha, he threw an 84MPH change for a swinging strike.  Next pitch was a 92MPH 2-seamer up in the zone, brushing him off the plate.  He then threw a 64MPH change for strike two, then finished him off with a 88MPH slider swinging strike three.  He did this consistently for the rest of his outting.  One curve was so slow, it wouldn't register on the radar gun!  I am telling you, this thing looked like a slow pitch softball coming in.  Of course, the Cards swing at that crap, and sure enough, Richardson did!  That looked like the Zack Greinke of old.

What do you guys think?  I really hope the Royals won't call him up and throw him in the starting rotation after Wichita wins the Texas League Championship.  I think he could get some action out of the bullpen, but I don't want to see him rushed at all, especially considering the Royals aren't going anywhere this year.

Oh, and I tried to get his Autograph on my Greinke jersey on Monday night.  I was the only one trying.  He came out of the tunnel, looked up at me, shook his head, and kept walking.  So I waited for him to sit down behind home plate to chart pitches. Just before the game began, my wife asked  him to sign.  HE DID, the bastard, but I still respect the guy.  I am going to shaddow box the thing.

GOOD LUCK ZACK!
~Royals, World Series hopefulls, 2010~A guy can dream.