Tagged: Tigers

September 4, 2010

R-Y-A-N K-A-L-I-S-H

He
was born in Northridge, California and raised in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. His
name is probably the second most mispronounced name on the Red Sox behind
Jarrod Slatalamacchia. But, Ryan Kalish (KAY-lish) is making a name for himself
self in Bean town. He may have only eighty-four major league at-bats under his
belt, two home runs (one of which I saw, his first, in New York), a .238
batting average, and just ten RBIs but the outfielder deserves to be starting
in left fielder on Opening in 2011.

First
off, I’m not turning the page for the year the Red Sox can and will make the
playoffs. I’m simply just looking at the potential roster next year. Both J.D.
Drew and Mike Cameron will most likely be gone after the 2011 seasons is over.
So the obvious choice would be to trade one of those two players in the
offseason. It would make more since to trade Cameron as that allows Ellsbury to
move back to center, where he has played most of his career.

While,
Jacoby does not have the best arm for an outfielder his speed would be wasted
were he to play in left with the Green Monster as his backdrop. Which is why he
never should have moved to left in the first place.

Anyway, while Daniel Nava, Darnell
McDonald, and Bill Hall have had nice seasons there simply is not enough room
and are simply not better then Kalish, Cameron, Ellsbury, or Drew.

The point is though someone is
going to get traded. I doubt Ellsbury would get traded partially because I am
not sure there would be an takers till we know he can still play ball. Cameron
would most likely be a one-year rental as I expect him to retire after his
current deal. As for Drew, he is often regarded as one of the most overpaid
players in major league baseball, meaning the Red Sox would most likely have to
toss in some money.

So what can we expect for Mr.
Kalish in the future? Well, in that very bright future I can see him hit .325
with fifteen homeruns, and 100 RBIs. Eventually, I think he’ll be a line drive
machine and hit doubles off the monster every game. However, next year I think
maybe a .290 average with five-ten home runs with any where from 60 to 85 runs
batted in.

He could see time in the two, five,
six, or seven holes depending on injuries. He will most likely play all three-outfielder
spots. But at the end of the day the most important thing is that Kalish is
nearly a five-tool player. He can hit for contact, field (he has one error and
44 put outs), he can throw (he has two outfield assists), he has decent speed
(he’s faster then Big Papi J),
and the power will come as he reaches his prime.

He might turn out to be a six-tool
player, meaning he can hit in the clutch. I have said it before and I will say
it again, some players, like Alex Rodriguez just can’t hit in the clutch and
choke up. And for the record I think A-‘Roid last year in the postseason was a fluke.

Kalish’s first homerun was at Yankee
Stadium and the other was a grand slam. In his first game against the Tigers he
had two hits in four at-bats with an RBI and a run. Is that a sign of greatness
in the clutch or just a fluke? I believe the answer is greatness.

Kalish
was often over shadowed in the minors by prospect Josh Reddick but know with
the opportunity to play full time Kalish is showing he is just as good if not
better then Reddick.

Ryan Kalish (second from left)) is greeted at the plate by teammates J.D. Drew, David Ortiz and Mike Lowell following his fourth inning grand slam. The Boston Red Sox take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Fenway Park.

Photo Credits

1- http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/blog/roto_arcade/post/Opening-Time-Ryan-Kalish-goes-deep-deserves-at?urn=fantasy-260896

2- http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/daily_headlines.html

January 17, 2009

Who Will Start at Shortstop?!?

First- I know I said I would blog about Cole Hamels, but I decided not to.

Besides resigning Jason Varitex the Red Sox have one more need, figuring out who will play shortstop. the Red Sox have two choices being, Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie. Lugo played 82 games last season, hit .268, with one home run, drove in twenty-two, and stole twelve. Lugo also had a .945 fielding percentage before getting injured. Lowrie was called up after Lugo got hurt and played in 81 games, hit .258, with two home runs, drove in 46, and stole one base. One big difference is their age. Lugo is 33 while Lowrie is only twenty-four. Lowrie made two errors last season at third base which isn’t even his main position. Lowrie can play shortstop, third base, and second base. If you based the choice on stats Jed Lowrie would start. The Red Sox currently don’t have a utility man though. So since Lowrie can play three positions I would trade Lugo for a prospect and a utility man. I could also trade Lugo for a young catcher. The only problem with that is Lugo gets paid $9,250,000 and no team really needs Lugo. Lugo in one word is overpaid. A while a g there was a proposed trade that would have sent Lugo to the Tigers and Dontrelle Willis or Nate Robinson to Boston. Wills, who won the 2003 National League Rookie of the Year Award with the Flordia Marlins got sent to single A ball this season. This season he had a record of zero wins and two loses, had an ERA of 9.38, and had only eighteen strikeouts, in twenty-four innings. He also walked 35. One good thing about Wills, he is a high risk low reward type of guy so he will not becoming to Boston. He also will not come to the Red Sox because we have enough starting pitchers. I would put my money on both to share shortstop with Lugo getting a little more playing time. Also this is kind of random. Jed Lowrie needs a nickname. How about Jed the Jet?

January 11, 2009

Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 7

First- The Marlins aren’t really interested in Pedro after all.

Lee Smith, No, Eventually

Lee Smith is on the ballot for the sixth year. He has a carer record of 71-92, an ERA of 3.03, 1,251 strike outs, and 478 saves. Smith played 18 seasons with the Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals, Yankees, Orioles, Angels, Reds, Expos. Smith will probably go in as a Cub. Closers Bruce Sutter and Goose Gossage waited a while but finally got in. Smith is third on the all time saves list behind Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. Smith will get 50% of the votes and will get in with 78% of the votes.

Alan Trammell No, Never

Alan Trammell is on the ballot for the eighth year. He hit .285, with 185 home runs, drove in 1,003, scored 1,231 times, stole 236 bases, and was caught stealing 109 times. He made 235 errors at shortstop, third, second, and outfield. Trammell played twenty seasons all with the Tigers. Trammell was a six time all-star who also won four golden gloves. Last year Trammell got 18.2% of the vote. This year he will get 20% of the vote and his best will be 40% of the vote.

Greg Vaughn No, Never

Greg Vaughn is on the ballot for the first time. He hit .242, with 355 home runs, drove in 1,072, scored 1,017 times, had 1,475 hits, stole 121, and was caught stealing 59 times. Vaughn played 15 seasons with the Brewers, Padres, Reds, Devil Rays, and Rockies. Vaughn if he does go in will probably go in as a Brewer. In 1998 he hit 50 home runs while the Padres went to the World Series. Vaughn will get 5% of the vote and his best will be 20% of the vote.

January 11, 2009

Hall of Fame Winners and Losers- Part 4

Don Mattingly No, Never

Don Mattingly is on the ballot for the ninth time. He had 222 home runs, had 2153 hits, with a .307 batting average, he drove in 1,099, stole fourteen, and was caught stealing nine times. He made 68 errors at first base and in the outfield. He played fourteen seasons all with the New York Yankees. While Mattingly was good he didn’t have a hall of fame carer. He didn’t hit 500 or get 3,000 hits. Maybe if he played longer he would be in the hall. Mattingly got 15.8% of the vote last year. This year he will get 20% of the vote and at his best 55% of the vote.

Mark McGwire, No, Never

Mark McGwire is on the ballot for his third year. He hit .263, with 583 home runs, drove in 1,414, scored 1,167 times, had 1,626 hit, stole twelve and was caught stealing eight times. McGwire played sixteen seasons with the A’s and Cardinals. While McGwire has great numbers (half of his hits were home runs) his carer will remembered by one word, steroids. This is an important election because Clemens, Bonds, and others don’t stand a chance if McGwire doesn’t get in. It would send a message, if you used steroids you will not get in. McGwire will get 25% of the vote and at his best 35% of the vote.

Jack Morris, No, Never

Jack Morris is up for election for his tenth year. Morris had a carer record of 254-186, an ERA of 3.90, and 2,478 strikeouts. Morris played 18 seasons with the Tigers, Twins, Blue Jays, and Indians. He will probably go in, if he goes in as a Tiger.In 1986 and 1992 he won 21 games. He pitched 28 shutouts and 175 complete games. He made 29 errors with a .965 ERA. Last year he got 42.9% of the vote. This year he will get 50% of the vote and at his best 70% of the vote. He will never get in to the hall because you need 75% to get in.