Ball Boy Blog

NL Central Update: Cincy Reds Shoutout: If you need to make some extra cash during Covid-19 try Stash-It The business is like AirBnB but for the self-storage industry. So people can rent out their garage or storage shed, and even their driveway for others to use. If you have space, list it on their website. It’s completely free and they only make money if you do. You set the price! You set the terms! Use the promo code "YOUNG" and use your storage space to make some easy money! Stashitselfstorage.c om Pitching: One of the bigger names floating around already for next year's free-agent targets is Trevor Bauer who, to say the least, did not impress in his Reds debut last season. He pitched to 6.39ERA over 56 1/3IP. Combined stat total for last year was 4.48ERA and across all stat categories, he was very average and nothing special. Hopefully, we can see him turn it around and pitch up to his potential and name value.  Pedro Strop is the next guy who only signed a one...

AL Central Update: KC Royals Shoutout: If you need to make some extra cash during Covid-19 try Stash-It The business is like AirBnB but for the self-storage industry. So people can rent out their garage or storage shed, and even their driveway for others to use. If you have space, list it on their website. It’s completely free and they only make money if you do. You set the price! You set the terms! Use the promo code "YOUNG" and use your storage space to make some easy money! Stashitselfstorage.c om Pitching Former 5th overall pick in 2012 Kyle Zimmer was given another minor-league option by the league which is really uncommon, but common in a case like Zimmer, He has had so many injuries that it's really limited him in-game action.  But he was healthy last year made 15 relief appearances and... had a 10.8 ERA over 18 1/3IP. Now since he got optioned to AAA its worked out well for both sides and hopefully, his long journey can have a happy ending. Mike Mongomery h...

AL Central Team: Kansas City Royals Shoutout: If you need to make some extra cash during Covid-19 try Stash-It The business is like AirBnB but for the self-storage industry. So people can rent out their garage or storage shed, and even their driveway for others to use. If you have space, list it on their website. It’s completely free and they only make money if you do. You set the price! You set the terms! Use the promo code "YOUNG" and use your storage space to make some easy money! Stashitselfstorage.c om Key Arrivals Alex Gordon-Resigned-1.35WAR Maikel Franco(3B)- -0.79WAR Jesse Hahn(RP)- -0.36WAR Chance Adams(P) Key Departures Jorge Bonifacio(OF) Key NRI to watch Trevor Rosenthal(P) Matt Reynolds(IF) Braeden Shipley(RP) Key Up and coming talent to watch-all in camp: Brady Singer(P) Top Pitching Prospect Khalil Lee(OF) top 10 prospect Daniel Lynch(P) #3 prospect Kris Bubic(P), Jackson Kowar(P), Kyle Isbel(OF).MJ Melendez(C) Returning from IL Salvador P...

NL Central Update: Milwaukee Brewers Pitching The Brewers signed RP Freddy Peralta to a 5yr extension this spring which gives them good leverage in the rotation and is able to get the prime years out of him for cheap. Eric Lauer was expected to miss time and be put on IL to start the new season, we may not have to miss him much of the new campaign. But if he does miss time expect to see possibly Freddy Perala, Corbin Burnes and Trey Supak who are all on the 40man to take a rotation spot. Jake Faria and Shelby Miller could also be in line for the spot. Corbin Burns after he was solid in 2018 when he came on as a solid pen arm. He had an awful followup performance of 8.82ERA over 49IP regardless of a 12.86k/9. This guy can miss bats at a ridiculous swinging strike percentage of 17.2 and his K/9 is impressive. So if he can get the rest of his game together. He could become a household name for RP and the 25 could be getting the bag if he can prove it. Corey Knebel, the only real rea...

AL Central Update: Cleveland Indians Hitting: The Indians and Lindor have paused all extension talks as of March 9th. But they could pick up well since they don't have anything better to do and they can figure all this out. Jose Ramirez is coming off a down year after 17/18 being MVP kind of years. With the kind of year, he had to end the season. I don't see any reason we won't see MVP version of him return for the 2020 season we do get. Franmil Reyes is another guy the Indians want to see a bounce-back for them.  The young slugger and when I say young he is 24. He swatted 37HR but he dropped in OBP and his overall line wasn't one to love. Overall, if he can get his avg up from 249 and maybe into the 280 and not have his OBP drop again. We should get another good productive year from the slugger. Oscar Mercade did supper a sprained wrist in ST before it came to an abrupt end. We should see him come out fine from all this. Pitching:  When the Indians got Emmanue...

 AL Central Team: Cleveland Indians Key Arrivals Cesar Hernandez(2B) 1.36WAR Sandy Leon(C)- -.05WAR only over 172PA Career 2.4WAR Delino DeShields(OF)-1.3WAR Domingo Santana(OF)- Key Departures Tyler Clippard(RP)-1.36WAR Yasiel Puig(OF)-0.85 Jason Kipnis(2B)-0.46WAR Danny Salazar(SP)0.08WAR Key NRI to watch Dominic Leone(RP) Beau Taylor(C)-0.04WAR Argenis Angulo(P) Cameron Rupp(C) Key Up and coming talent to watch Tristian McKenzie(5th starter)Beau Taylor(C) Aaron Civale/Zach Plesac(P)-I am putting these players together because they both contributed last season in the rotation and were very impressive in their MLB debuts However, Adam Plutko is out of options and could be given a long relief role or a SP role. Thus would put these two into a stiff competition for the rotation spots Daniel Johnson(OF) Emmanuel Clase(RP)Has a 100+MPH cutter and will get an extended look and see if he is ready for MLB action. Returning from IL Christian Arroyo(3B)-0.2WAR over 50PA...

UPDATE 3/27 In the last couple of days, the MLB and the MLBPA have come to some agreements on such things as roster freezing, the 2020 MLB draft, service time, salaries. I want to touch on each of those and give my take on them. We could see a season that starts in June goes through October and has more doubleheaders. a larger roster and playoffs that could bleed into November. Those games could be played a neutral site(probably in dome stadiums or warm-weather cities. Right now nothing is off the table as far as ideas and changes to the game. Roster Freezin/ Resumption of Play- Basically what this means for teams and that no roster movement can be made until a new Opening day can be set. Both the league and the union do not want to play without fans. So a lift on the ban of large gatherings is needed to set an official date. It could happen to where we see stadiums pushing the limits of the size of crowds they can have. Next, we would need to see how the MLB proceeds with playe...