I had a whole lot to say about Ian Desmond when he was first called up. I rambled for a few sentences about Bowden on a Segway and how old youngster, Esmailyn Gonzalez really is. He’s a Latin 20-something. He’s also known as Carlos Lugo now. This is brilliant. How cool would it be if at least once a year a retired player tried to make a comeback under an alias? Have you seen this new Dominican prospect for the Braves? His name is Julio Phranco. He looks vaguely familiar. Last September, I said in my never duplicated, always imitated way, “Desmond has a decent blend of speed and power (think The Big FraGu at shortstop). The “at shortstop” thing is the clincher.” It’s all about the clincher, ain’t it? So what can Ian Desmond do for 2010 fantasy baseball is he, dare I say, a sleeper?
Since we’re friends, I’m going to tell you that I’m on the fence with how much I want to push Ian Desmond on you, loyal Razzball reader. On one hand, he can be FraGuish. On the other hand, how much ‘ish is he? Is he 97% FraGuish? Is he 55% FraGuish? So much anGuish! Then when I look at the numbers a different way, I think he might be more FeLopezian. So let’s see what we know. His stealing percentages in the minors were dreadful at times. In Double-A in 2008, he stole 12 bases and was caught 8 times. In 2009, 13 for 17 in Double-A then 8 for 9 in Triple-A. When he reached the Nats, he stole one base in 21 games and the Nats don’t steal that much. So I think Desmond has 25-plus steal speed, but may only steal 15 bases. Now for the power. In his first major league game, he hit a 434 foot bomb. Though its true distance is less. (Still not clear on what true distance is. I like to think it’s measured in unicorns because that would ironic. BTW, if you wanna lose three hours of your life, play around with this site.) So Desmond can generate power, but he’s not a really a power hitter. Ten homers seems like a lot to ask of him, but he could get to 15. Hmm… That brings me back to FraGuish. So I guess we’ll settle on 10/20 for Desmond with the hope of more and the fear of less. Though, because the shortstop position is so shallow, 10/20 is a great sleeper for 2010 fantasy baseball and definitely someone to look at late in drafts.
If you search for fantasy baseball, the first result is Fantasy Baseball ESPN. (We’re first for fantasy baseball blog. Natch! Or natchurally, if you’re a completist.) But this isn’t about fantasy baseball ESPN. When people find us, they are not searching for fantasy baseball ESPN. But what are they searching for when they find us? Since it’s a holiday, I decided to break away from the normal schedule of fantasy baseball rookies and look at exactly that. Here are 20 actual searches for people who find Razzball and my answers to their searches:
Ryan Braun has herpes? – If he open mouth kissed Jose Lima.
How did baseball in the 1960′s change lives? – The 1960s were a decade that opened with hope and optimism with the election of John F. Kennedy. Following his assassination and our eventual involvement in the Vietnam Conflict, the decade quickly turned tumultuous. Baseball, scotch, smoking cigarettes and adultery were all we had left. This is according to Mad Men.
A-Rod nickname? – Um, A-Rod? Also, acceptable answers are A-Fraud, A-Roid and The Uncharismatic Latino.
Need Funny Fantasy Baseball Team Names – Aw, this search sounds desperate. You can try our fantasy baseball team name generator.
Should you call a scout if you can throw 95 MPH? – How’s your breaking stuff? (BTW, I imagine the person who did this search is one of those guys who spends like $140 bucks at the local carnival trying to win an over-sized SpongeBob. *donning bad Jersey accent* Don’t worry, Tina, I’ll get you that motherf**ckin’ SpongeBob!)
A no k pitcher suffers from Scharmandofreude! – I like that.
Rod Stewart Bonifacio – Had one big hit, “Some Guys Have All the Luck to be Playing Professional Baseball.”
What’s the hardest someone’s been pitchslapped? – Robin Ventura by Nolan Ryan… Oh! Pitchslapped. Yeah, I don’t know. Probably involved Micah Owings.
Mutton Twinkie? – Thanks, but I’m more of a Liverwurst Whoopie Pie man.
Cracker Barrel cheese logs on Steve Balboni Blvd. – Yes, it’s a magical place. There’s cheese logs and bricks of Spam. All spackled together with mayonnaise.
Why didn’t Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger hook up after 9 1/2 Weeks? – They ran out of fruit.
Can Josh Hamilton have Rum Raisin ice cream? – Most store brand Rum Raisin ice creams have rum flavoring, but no actual rum. But he has to eat his dinner first.
Andre Ethier candid shots – Here he is out in Key West.
If ifs and buts were candies and nuts, we’d all have to wear diapers – Can’t argue with that.
Jonesing for poetry by Brett Myers – Ok, fine. I call this, “Brett Myers Goes Wildin.” I don’t use Pomade on my hair like Chase… Bank’s got my money and my honey’s got mace… Just, um, in case.
Poor Man’s Mark Grace? – James Loney… A poor man’s James Loney is Casey Kotchman. A poor man’s Casey Kotchman is someone in the minors.
Bad year to be a Johnson or Wang – With Chien-Ming Wang, Reed and Randy Johnson hurting and Kelly Johnson losing playing time to Martin Prado, it’s true. Wasn’t a great year for Wood either.
Why do my eyes feel heavy when I read Razzball? – That’s the tryptophan, silly. It’s Thanksgiving! Have a good one.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2009 Minor League Review
Overall farm ranking via Baseball America (2009)
2009 (23) | 2008 (6) | 2007 (6) | 2006 (2) | 2005 (2) | 2004 (2)
Record of Major and Minor League Teams
MLB: [95 – 67] NL West – best record in NL
AAA: [80 – 64] Pacific Coast League
AA: [ 65 – 74] Southern League
A+: [59 – 81] California League
A: [81 – 59] Midwest League
R: [24 – 32] Arizona League
R: [42 – 34] Pioneer League
The Run Down
After several years in the top 10, the Dodgers farm ranking fell significantly due to several trades (Manny Ramirez, Ronnie Belliard) and a significant lack of a promising young prospect. In the past, the Dodgers were able to recovery from poor trades (Joel Guzman traded for Julio Lugo) because of a deep pool of talent. With the graduations of Kershaw, Billingsley, Kemp, Ethier, Loney and Russell Martin, the Dodgers farm isn’t quite as bountiful this year. However, they still have a few young power arms that are moving their way through the minors. When the Dodgers acquired George Sherrill for third baseman Josh Bell and pitcher Steve Johnson the Dodgers lost their top third base prospect and a mid-level pitcher who had a fine year. The Dodgers have a couple of top prospects that are nearing the majors, number one ranked Andrew Lambo (Double-A) and fourth ranked Josh Lindblom (Double and Triple-A).
Graduated Prospects
#2 – (P) James McDonald; #5 – (P) Scott Elbert #12 – (RP) Ramon Troncoso; (RP) Ronald Belisario
Arizona Fall League Players – Peoria Javelinas
Pitchers – Javy Guerra, Eric Krebs, Aaron Miller, Travis Schlichting (received September call-up)
Hitters – (C) Lucas May, (C) Jessi Meir, (1B) Russ Mitchell (won AFL Sportsmanship Award), (SS/2B) Justin Setters, (LF) Andrew Lambo, (CF) Trayvon Robinson
Players of Interest Hitters #1 – Andrew Lambo | LF | AA | 20 | .256/.311/.407 | 492 AB | 39 2B | 11 HR | .151 ISO | 95:35 K:BB | .298 BABIP Scouting the Unknown article in September laid him out pretty well. He slashed .330/.365/.484 in the AFL this fall. Overall, it was a pretty underwhelming season for the Dodgers top prospect. Though keep his age in context; he was a couple of years younger than his competition. However, a September call-up looks like the best case scenario for 2010. He should report back to Double-A in 2010 with a potential promotion to Triple-A in mid-June.
#7 – Devaris Gordon | SS | A | 21 | .301/.362/.394 | 538 AB | 17 2B | 12 3B | 3 HR | .093 ISO | 73/25 SB/CS | 90:43 K:BB | .357 BABIP
The son of Tom “Flash” Gordon went the route of running as fast as his father could throw. He has been timed running 60 yards in 6.3 seconds. (For reference, Tyson Gillies mentioned in last week’s Seattle Minor League Review, ran 30 yards (from the batter’s box to first) in 3.8 seconds.) Looks like Gordon put his speed to work, stealing 73 bases in 140 games. Baseball America said that the only thing holding him back from being a major league ready shortstop is himself. His defense is immaculate (although he did have 34 errors) and he is able to move to both sides. Reminds me of Elvis Andrus, except faster.
Pitchers #4 – Josh Lindblom | SP (RH) | AA/AAA | 22 | 7.7 K/9 | 2.4 BB/9 | 96 1/3 IP | 3.83 ERA | 1.19 WHIP | 1.04 GO/AO | .306/.295 BABIP (AA/AAA)
Mentioned in a September Scouting the Unknown, Lindblom looked impressive across two levels in 2009. He actually improved his strikeout rate from Double to Triple-A by over 1 K/9 (7.22 to 8.31 K/9). Although he isn’t the top ranked pitching prospect for the Dodgers, he does have the best fastball (as of 2009 rankings) and is the closest top prospect to immediately helping the Dodgers in 2010. Look for him to start in Triple-A with a mid-summer call up, especially if there is an injury.
#3 – Ethan Martin | SP (RH) | A | 20 | 10.8 K/9 | 5.5 BB/9 | 100 IP | 3.87 ERA [3.45 FIP] | 1.46 WHIP | .89 GO/AO | .333 BABIP
Yet another Dodger I mentioned in a September Scouting the Unknown (the same one as Lambo). He needs to harness that power fastball of his (92 to 94 mph with late movement) to become successful. Keep in mind that he was mainly a third baseman in high school and only pitched his senior year, meaning he still has a lot to learn. However, 100 innings in his first year means he probably shouldn’t pitch more than 130 next year.
#9 – Chris Withrow | SP (RH) | A+/AA | 20 | 10.4 K/9 | 4.5 BB/9 | 113 2/3 IP | 4.51 ERA [3.68 FIP] | 1.42 WHIP | 1.14 GO/AO | .301 BABIP
The 2008 top draft pick has started to pick it up. He has a 92 to 94 mph fastball that has topped 98 before. Additionally, he has a power curve and a “clean delivery.”
Honorable Mentions Trayvon Robinson | CF | A+/AA | 21 | .300/.373/.493 | 527 | 29 2B | 11 3B | 17 HR | .193 ISO | 47/20 SB/CS | 143:60 K:BB | .391/.324 BABIP (A+/AA)
Hit .241/.353/.402 in the AFL this fall. He only had 70 AB at Double-A. If he produces at Double-A like he did at High-A, which is highly unlikely as the California League is a hitter’s haven, he’ll have legit major league potential.
Scott Van Slyke | RF | A+ | 22 | .294/.372/.534 | 496 AB | 42 2B | 23 HR | .240 ISO | 128:61 K:BB | .357 BABIP
Like teammate Robinson, Van Slyke hit extremely well in the California League. Matter of fact, this was easily his best year in his entire career. He’ll have to hit like this at Double-A if he wants to be a fourth major league outfielder.
Excitement froth from my mouth last year when I wrote, “Jason Heyward, besides having the surname of a 1930s matinee idol, has the mitts of a Yeti and the sturdies (<– that’s legs) of Frank Thomas. His man gams are 117% oak. Heyward just saved your life and you didn’t even know you were in danger. Look over your left shoulder — quickly! See that shadow shrinking out of the room? That was Heyward. He’s now going to Ireland to sing harmony with that Once guy. So being a globetrotting, harmonizing, crime fighting love child of a Yeti and Frank Thomas is all well-and-good, but can the the Braves outfield prospect, Jason Heyward, help you in fantasy baseball leagues in 2009? Nope…. He’s my early 2010 NL ROY frontrunner and should be owned in all keeper leagues.” So, see it frotheth over for 2010. If you build the hype, they will come… eventually. (Also, Stephen went over his A ball stats in a July Scouting the Unknown.) So, do I still think Jason Heyward can be someone we can look at for 2010 fantasy baseball leagues?
Um, yeah. Ain’t that what I’ve been saying? Since that Scouting the Unknown, Heyward moved up the Braves minor league ranks. Hitting at a .352/.446/.611 clip at Double-A in 47 games, then .364/.462/.364 in only three games at Triple-A. Sample size be damned! Heyward can hit with power and has speed. He had a leg injury in the AFL, but it shouldn’t hinder him for 2010. He’ll be a first rounder in fantasy at some point in the near future. My guess would be 2012 (assuming the Mayans are wrong). Barring any trades this offseason for outfield pieces, the Braves could use Heyward immediately. Okay, I’ll rephrase. The Braves could use a productive Heyward. As Schafer proved last April, the Braves will give a chance to a rookie, but he must produce. I could see Heyward staying in the minors until June or breaking camp with the team. If Heyward comes out of the gate galloping his pony sticks and mollywhopping with his man hands, he could give you a very cheap 12/20 season. I like him late in mixed leagues if he has a starting gig out of Spring Training. In keepers, he’s a must have and I could see drafting him in one year NL-Only leagues even if he starts the year in the minors. i.e. My love is still strong on Jason Heyward for 2010 fantasy baseball.
In our ongoing 2010 fantasy baseball rookie look, we bring you a name I went over as recently as August in a Neftali Feliz keeper post. Thank you for reading from The Department of Redundancy Department! Because he still falls in the rookie category (under 50 innings pitched), I must, I must increase my Neftali Feliz fuss. Feliz went to the Rangers from the Braves in the trade of Teixeira. (Also included in that trade was Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison and Jarrod Saltymochachino. This was the last major move by Schuerholz. It’s like when your boss at El Pollo Loco tells you in the morning that today is your last day, then you replace the shredded cheese with your pubic hair and rob the cash register, leaving a note that says, “It was the new guy.” Schuerholz left that note for Frank Wren.) Feliz proceeded to cruise through the minors — in 276 innings, he had 325 Ks and a 3.03 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. Then he dominated in the majors — in 31 innings, 39 Ks, 1.74 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP. What’s next? The moon! Gravity’s for junk ball throwers! But, first, let’s look at what we can expect from Neftali Feliz in 2010 fantasy baseball.
10-7/4.42/1.35/102 in 128 and a 1/3 innings. Wow, pretty specific on the predictions, huh? Actually, those are David Price’s numbers in 2009. I tell you that line so you keep expectations in check. Neftali Feliz is going to be a great one. I think there’s a good chance that he can throw 130 innings in 2010 (whether the Rangers start him in the rotation or bullpen or bring him up in June is still unknown). He’s capable of a terrific 130 innings. There’s a chance, at least. Chance being the key word. Rookie pitchers, even ones that have nasty stuff, are a risk. Don’t expect a sub-2 ERA and a sub-1 WHIP over the course of the season. The nice thing is he can strikeout one guy per inning. There will likely be hiccups. There always is. There’s also rumblings that he might get moved to the bullpen to be groomed to be the closer. I doubt it happens, but those are rumblings you should be aware of. To be conservative, I’d say Neftali Feliz’s 2010 is 130 innings with a 3.30 ERA and 120 Ks. Definitely someone that can be a solid number 3 to 4 in fantasy. Upside, I’d say his 2010 looks like Tommy Hanson’s 2009. So if you can get Feliz, you should be happy. (Spanish pun point for Grey.)
