My Thoughts on the Major League Baseball Season- 1/3 done

As I reflect on the thought that my Twinkies are now above .500, I have some positive, negative and mixed opinions for this season so far. We'll start with some positives (Keep in mind, it's on all the teams in the league. Not just the Twins.)

POSITIVES:

• Brian Dozier is hitting for power! Yes! Big bats in the Twins lineup will help them go far.... kinda.
• Jose Abreu is a shoe in for the AL ROY. As this tremendous pace he is hitting at, he should hit 55 home runs in his rookie year? He will probably make the All Star Team also. Gardy would be crazy not to name this guy to the All-Star team.
• Cole Hamels winning his 100th game as a pitcher. Struck out 10 and only allowed three hits over seven innings. Impressive.
• Nelson Cruz has been surprisingly good for the O's this year. Signed for 1 year and $8 million, I think the O's got a steal and a big bat in the lineup.

NEGATIVES:

• Prince Fielder's iron-man streak ending. Fielder played 547 consecutive games. He has struggled this year with a .247/3/16 statline. Yikes.
• The number of pitchers that need/will have season-ending or Tommy John surgery is insurmountable. The pitchers that will have the surgery are Brandon Beachy (Braves), Patrick Corbin (D-Backs), Luke Hochevar (Royals), Josh Johnson (Padres), Kris Medlen (Braves), Ivan Nova (Yankees), Bobby Parnell (Mets), Jarrod Parker (A's), Jose Fernandez (Marlins), Martin Perez (Rangers), A.J. Griffin (A's), Cory Gearrin (Braves), David Hernandez (D-Backs), Matt Moore (Rays), Cory Luebke (Padres), Brian Moran (Angels), Bruce Rondon (Tigers) and Jameson Tallion (Pirates Top 5 Prospect). WOW.

MIXED: 

• The replay system!! Selig says he wants a replay to last 1 min and 59 seconds. Heh, like thats going to happen. It's sometimes is benefical, but other times it justs extends the game. BOOORING!
• Metal detectors at the stadium. Extends the lines, but helps increase our safety. I'll take safety any day.
• The lowly Cubs. They really need Soler and Baez to hurry up so they can actually be relevant again (Sorry Cubs Fans. It's true).

My NFL Mock Draft- Rounds 1-2

Yes folks, I am back. As the NFL draft is only a week or so away, the draft topics and discussion have been hid by the Donald Sterling problem. I'm unveiling my new NFL Mock Draft Rounds 1-2 that should be very low key and shouldn't have very many surprises. Here we go:

Round 1

1. Texans- Jadevon Clowney- South Carolina DE
2. Rams- Greg Robinson- Auburn OT
3. Jaguars- Khalil Mack- Buffalo LB
4. Browns- Johnny Manziel- Texas A&M QB
5. Raiders- Sammy Watkins- Clemson WR
6. Falcons- Jake Matthews- Texas A&M OT
7. Buccaneers- Mike Evans- Texas A&M WR

It would be very interesting if three Texas A&M players get drafted in the first 7 picks.

8. Vikings- Blake Bortles- University of Central Florida QB
9. Bills- Taylor Lewan- Michigan OT
10. Lions- Anthony Barr- UCLA LB
11. Titans- Justin Gilbert- Oklahoma State CB
12. Giants- Eric Ebron- UNC TE
13. Rams- Ha-Ha Clinton Dix- Alabama CB
14. Bears- Aaron Donald- Pittsburgh DT
15. Steelers- Odell Beckham Jr.- LSU WR
16. Cowboys- RaShede Hageman- Minnesota DE
17. Ravens- Calvin Pryor- Louisville FS
18. Jets- Darqueze Dennard- Michigan State CB
19.  Dolphins- Cyrus Kouandjio- Alabama OT
20. Cardinals- Teddy Bridgewater- Louisville QB
21. Packers- Ryan Shazier- Ohio State LB
22. Eagles- Marquise Lee- USC WR
23. Chiefs- Derek Carr- Fresno State QB
24. Bengals- Bradley Roby- Ohio State CB
25. Chargers- Louis Nix III- Notre Dame DT
26. Browns- Kelvin Benjamin- Florida State WR
27. Saints- Brandin Cooks- Oregon State WR
28. Panthers- Zack Martin- Notre Dame OT
29. Patriots- Kony Ealy- Missouri DE
30. 49ers- Jason Verrett- TCU CB
31. Broncos- Xavier Su-a-Filo- UCLA G
32. Seahawks- Jace Amaro- Texas Tech TE

Comments: Hageman is a beast and would help stabilize the defensive front for Dallas after the depature of Ware to Denver. Lewan at #9 would be a good pick unless Lewan can't control himself off the field (pending an assault case). I'm also amazed how Teddy Bridgewater's stock has dropped in 2 1/2 months after a sub-par pro day. Some experts say he may not even go in the first round.

I feel like this is one of the deepest drafts in a while. You could get a solid quarterback in the 3rd-4th round if you needed one but didn't want to reach for one. Here we go:

Round 2

33. Texans- Zach Mettenberger- LSU QB

34. Redskins- Chris Borland- Wisconsin LB

35. Browns- Cody Latimer- Indiana WR

36. Raiders- Jimmy Garoppolo- Eastern Illinois QB

37. Falcons- Jeremiah Attaochu- Georgia Tech DE/OLB

38. Buccaneers- Dee Ford- Auburn DE

39. Jaguars- AJ McCarron- Alabama QB

40. Vikings- Kyle Van Noy- BYU LB

41. Bills- Austin Seferian-Jenkins- Washington TE

42. Titans- Carlos Hyde- Ohio State HB

43. Giants- Morgan Moses- Virginia T

44. Rams- Allen Robinson- Penn State WR

45. Lions- Deonne Bucannon- Washington St. SS

46. Steelers- Stanley Jean-Baptiste- Nebraska CB

47. Cowboys- Will Sutton- Arizona State DT
48. Ravens- Stephon Tuitt- Notre Dame DE/DT
49. Jets- Joel Bitonio- Nevada G/T
50. Dolphins- Carl Bradford- Arizona State OLB
51. Bears- Pierre Desir- Lindenwood CB
52. Cardinals- Ja'Wuan James- Tennessee T
53. Packers- Troy Niklas- Notre Dame TE
54. Eagles- Terrence Brooks- Florida State FS
55. Bengals- Scott Crichton- Oregon State DE
56. 49ers- Jordan Matthews- Vanderbilt WR
57. Chargers- Marcus Roberson- Florida CB
58. Saints- Trent Murphy- Stanford DE/OLB
59. Colts- Weston Richburg- Colorado State C
60. Panthers- Davante Adams- Fresno State WR
61. 49ers- Dominique Easley- Florida DE/T
62. Patriots- LaMarcus Joyner- Florida State CB
63. Broncos- Jarvis Landry- LSU WR
64. Seahawks- Gabe Jackson- Mississippi State G

Comments: To be honest, I've never even heard of Lindenwood until I came across Pierre Desir's article in the ESPN Mag. Lindenwood is in St. Charles, MO. I would really like to see the Vikings draft Hyde to strengthen the running back position behind Peterson, even though I believe the front office staff thinks the defense is more important.

I believe if Spielman screws up this draft this year and the Vikings don't perform well, he will be fired or given one more year to prove himself. My predraft grade on the Vikings as of my mock:
Vikings: B- to C+
Enjoy my mock and comment! Have a good one!
P.S.- Regarding my giveaway contestants- I haven't forgotten about you, just I've been very busy and have umping and baseball coming up. Will send them out A.S.A.P.