Hit It Out Of The Byung-Ho Park

Hit It Out Of The Park

I'm back and better then ever. Kidding. I thought I would post an article since I have ample time and have been meaning to post one for quite some time now. This summer was one of the busiest I've had. I've also had a school year with substantial workload so I haven't had a lot of time to post. This article will just be a summary of the last six months and what I'm doing in the next couple of months. I've been playing a lot of baseball and basketball and have started working. I have started making photo edits on GIMP. For all those who don't know what GIMP is: GIMP is a free photo editing program that is similar to Photoshop (but cheaper!!). I will post some of my edits later (and you'll notice a theme). I also will be talking about the  Rule V Draft and how someone I know was drafted in it.

The Twins recently signed Byung Ho Park, the Korean slugging first baseman, who has hit 50+ homers in the past two years.

The main question is: Can he reenact his power to the major league level or will he be the next Tsuyoshi Nishioka? For all those who don't know- Tsuyoshi Nishioka was a heralded shortstop who batted .346 in 2009 and won the 2010 batting title. The Twins won the contract rights to him and paid $5.3M. They later signed a contract with Nishioka for three years, $9M w/a $4M team option or the Twins had the option to buy him out in 2014 for $250,000. The hype was similar to the Park signing- could this be the piece that helps the Twins become one of the top teams again? The 2011 season came and went and Nishioka was, to say the least, disappointing (see here). He batted a dismal .226 and only got 50 hits in 68 games. The Twins thought 2012 would be a bounce back year with higher expectations. It was the polar opposite. In the 6th game of the season versus Cleveland, Nishioka broke his leg- therefore rendering him useless for the rest of the season. After that, the Twins went 66-96 and [Ron] Gardenhire was fired two years later. On September 29th, 2012- Nishioka and management officially parted ways. Looking back on the signing, was it good for the Twins?

Nishioka had a NEGATIVE WAR. N-E-G-A-T-I-V-E. His WAR was -2.4 which is horrible. That signing could go down as one of the worst in Twins history. Byung Ho Park will play a vastly different role on this team. He will either occupy the first base position or play the designated hitter. Assume Mauer plays first base and Park gets some, but not a lot, of playing time at first base. Byung Ho Park will be the power source for this team, as the Twins have been lacking the home run stat for quite some time. Ever since Joe Mauer's knee injury, he has hit for less and less home runs each year. And to think we paid about $184M for him .....

 Anyway, Park should be a valuable asset if he turns out and produces like he did in South Korea. I'm predicting Park's stat line will be:

.287 AVG, 24 HR, 76 RBI

That would be an ideal stat line for Park, since Japan baseball varies significantly from the MLB. Park's stats (click here) were astronomical in Japan and he proved to be purely dominant. Park also brings to the table a series of eccentric bat flips (here and here) (he says he'll leave those back in South Korea). It will be interesting to see the learning curve on Byung-Ho Park. Safe to say, this has made a lot of fans excited this perspective season.

GIMP

I've started making photo edits. I varied the opacity on each and tried the blend tool. GIMP is a free photo editing software that you can download onto your computer. I also learned that Microsoft Word can help eliminate the background. Here are some of my edits below:

Jose Berrios

Garin Cecchini

Ervin Santana

Cecchini #2

Byung Ho Park

Ho Park #2

John Ryan Murphy

Nick Gordon

Ervin "May the Force Be With You" Santana

Trevor May

Hope you guys enjoy these edits! Now I'm going to talk about something that some of you may remember. A part of my blog has been interviews (click here for the complete list) and I've interviewed a player named Maxx Tissenbaum (My interviews with him are here and here). We have been in close contact and he recently informed me that he was eligible for the Rule V Draft. The Rule V Draft is a draft for the teams who don't have 40 men on the roster, to draft prospects and to have them on their 40 man roster for the upcoming season. There is also the AAA phase and the AA phase. I was watching anxiously because Maxx was sleeping. Huh? Why would he be sleeping? He is playing for the Brisbane Bandits, an Australian Fall Baseball League. So it was 16 hour time difference. I saw his name pop up and immediately texted him. He was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the AAA phase. The AAA affiliate for the Marlins is the New Orleans Zephyrs. Tissenbaum has been stuck in High-A for the past two years and has clearly shown that he has been ready for the AA level and beyond. I'm glad he can finally get that opportunity. Anyway, I'm wrapping this blog up. I'm glad to be back blogging and glad to update content for you guys. 

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!

My Interview with Donald Lutz- the first German developed player to play in the MLB

Donald Lutz

My interview with Donald Lutz went awesome. I interviewed him as a member of the Triple AAA Louisville Bats. Unfortunately, he was released about a week after this interview was taken place. Lutz is the first German developed player to play in the MLB.

Lutz played for the Cincinnati Reds. Lutz had a .211 career average over two years and had a .987% career fielding percentage with a -0.5 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). Here's the rest of the interview- it was conducted over email (this is a direct transcript).

1. What's an interesting characteristic about you that no one on your team knows?

Haha I I've been around some of these guys for the past 7 years so they kinda know me pretty good!

2.  Who is your favorite German athlete besides yourself (meaning the athlete you admired/revered while you were in Germany)?

My favourite German athlete was always Dirk Nowitzki, not just because of all the success he had but the way he was on and off the field!

3. When was your first professional home run?

My first professional homerun I hit in 2008 I think in the Gulf Coast League against the Twins to complete my first cycle.

4. When was your first hit and who was it off of?

Not sure if you mean professional hit it first hit ever haha

But my first hit ever was an inside the park homerun in Germany

I hit a ball over the center fielders head and ran like crazy lol

5. When did you sign your first autograph?

I signed my first autograph 2007 when I signed my professional contract I also signed my friends reds hat

6.  One state in the U.S. you'd like to visit but haven't yet.... Why?

Hawaii!

Just havnt had time yet or the opportunity to go there but one day I will!

Just heard good things about it and I love traveling the world!

7.  Who's your favorite old-time baseball player?

Funny thing is I don't really have one because I never even watched or heard anything of baseball until I was 15

8. If you had to assemble your starting lineup (all baseball players that have existed), who'd be on the team?

Let’s skip 8!

Lutz w/his awesome mustache

9. The most imposing pitcher you've faced this year is...?

Haven't really faced many guys this year due to injury!

10. Having a short stint in the Majors, how different is AAA life from Major League life?

It's really different in the majors you just get treated like a king everywhere you go!

11.  Who's the funniest guy on your team?

We had a bunch of funny guys on the team so I can't really point one out!

12. What's your favorite visiting ballpark in AAA?

I like Indy the most it's a really nice park and always fun to play!

13. What's the weirdest experience that has happened to you this year?

I had tommy john lol that was pretty weird.

14.  Where do you see yourself after baseball?

I can see myself being a financial advisor or built my own zoo!!

15.  Who's the best player you've seen come through Louisville?

Donald Lutz (myself)

My Interview with Kevin Brown

Kevin Brown

My interview with Kevin Brown was awesome. Kevin Brown is a 24 year old outfielder from Northborough, Massachusetts who plays for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The Pelicans are the Class A advanced affiliate for the Chicago Cubs. Brown went to Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.  An interesting fact about Kevin Brown is that he's played at every minor league level (Rookie Ball, Single A, High A, Double AA & Triple AAA). Here's the rest of the interview!

1. What's an interesting characteristic about you that no one on your team knows?

 That both of my parents contributed to my baseball success. Most of the time, players say that their dad was their primary contributor to their baseball career. My mom was an excellent softball player.

2.  What was it like playing in the Cape Cod League?

It was an unbelievable experience. I played for the Orleans Firebirds. It was an unbelievable experience and a dream of mine because of how close I was to the fields as a kid.

3. When was your first professional home run?

It was in my rookie season in the Arizona League.  I was playing against the Cincinnati Reds in their spring training complex.

4. When was your first hit and who was it off of?

It was again in the Arizona League, but this time it was against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

5. When did you sign your first autograph?

When I signed my first pro contract, some of my buddies asked me for an autograph as a joke. 

6.  One state in the U.S. you'd like to visit but haven't yet?

I'd like to visit to California.

7.  Who's your favorite old-time baseball player?

Ted Williams. He's the greatest hitter that ever lived.

8. If you had to assemble your starting lineup (all baseball players that have existed), who'd be on the team?

C- Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez

1B- Albert Pujols

2B- Roberto Alomar

SS- Derek Jeter

3B- Brooks Robinson

OF- Manny Ramirez

OF- Mickey Mantle

OF- Ted Williams

DH- David Ortiz

P- Pedro Martinez


9. The most opposing pitcher you've faced this year is...?

It was Reynaldo Lopez. 

10.  What was it like playing for Bryant University?

Playing for Bryant University was an unbelievable experience. I'm so thankful for all of the staff who helped me, and it's just a beautiful campus out there in Rhode Island.

11.  Who's the funniest guy on your team?

Without a doubt, Ben Carhart.

12. What's your favorite visiting ballpark?

My favorite visiting ballpark I've played is the Birmingham Barons ballpark, Regions Field.

13. What's the weirdest experience that has happened to you this year?

My weirdest experience has defintely been how my coach told me that I needed to stay in Extended Spring Training, and then the next day I was flown to The Iowa Cubs ,   the Triple-AAA affiliate for the Cubs.

14.  Where do you see yourself after baseball?

I hope to coach collegiately or start my own business.

15.  Who are the best players you've seen come through Myrtle Beach or through any of the levels you’ve played at?

It was Kris Bryant and Addison Russell. They are both really talented.

Analyzing Baseball Prospects

I'm baaack!! I haven't posted in a long time, but here's a couple things I'm looking forward to that I'm doing this summer:

Tonight, I'm going to a Torii Hunter signing and I'm looking forward to it a lot. I'm also enjoying the prospect of going to the National Sports Collector Convention this summer is Chicago. It'd be my first time going to a card show since I started collecting.

Anyway, in this post, I'm going to be covering prospects and the top 5 for each team  for 2015. I will also give an indication on who I think the top prospect will be on each team and who has the highest ceiling/potential as well. I will also give an indication of the "impact prospect" on each team.

Here we go! Enjoy!

* means the top prospect
* means the highest ceiling/potenial on each team.
* impact prospect

Arizona Diamondbacks:

Archie Bradley*

Braden Shipley
 Touki Toussaint*
 Aaron Blair

Brandon Drury*

Atlanta Braves:

 Jose Peraza*

Mike Foltynewicz**

 Lucas Sims

Matt Wisler

 Max Fried

Baltimore Orioles:

 Dylan Bundy*

Hunter Harvey**

 Christian Walker

 Chance Sisco
Tim Berry

Boston Red Sox:

Yoan Moncada*

 Henry Owens

 Blake Swihart

 Manuel Margot*

 Rafael Devers*

Chicago Cubs:

 Kris Bryant*

Addison Russell*

Kyle Schwarber*

Albert Almora

 C.J. Edwards

Chicago White Sox:

 Carlos Rodon*

 Tim Anderson**

 Micah Johnson
 Spencer Adams

Francelis Montas

Cincinnati Reds:

Robert Stephenson*

Jesse Winker*

Michael Lorenzen*

Nick Travieso

Nick Howard

Cleveland Indians:

Francisco Lindor**

Clint Frazier*

James Ramsey

Tyler Naquin

Bradley Zimmer

Colorado Rockies:

Jon Gray*

David Dahl**

Eddie Butler

Ryan McMahon

Kyle Freeland

Detroit Tigers:

Steven Moya**

Derek Hill*

Kevin Ziomek

Austin Kubitza

Buck Farmer

Houston Astros:

Carlos Correa*

Mark Appel*

Colin Moran

Domingo Santana*

Vincent Velasquez

Kansas City Royals:

Raul Mondesi*

Kyle Zimmer

Brandon Finnegan**

Sean Manaea

Hunter Dozier

Los Angeles Angels:

Andrew Heaney*

Sean Newcomb**

Nick Tropeano

Joe Gatto

Roberto Baldoquin

Los Angeles Dodgers:

Joc Pederson**

Corey Seager*

Julio Urias

Grant Holmes

Alex Verdugo

Miami Marlins:

Tyler Kolek*

J.T. Realmuto*

Justin Nicolino

Jose Urena

Trevor Williams*

Milwaukee Brewers:

Orlando Arcia*

Clint Coulter

Kodi Mederios*

Jake Gatewood

Monte Harrison*

Minnesota Twins:

Byron Buxton*

Miguel Sano*

Alex Meyer

Nick Gordon*

Jose Berrios

New York Mets:

Noah Syndergaard*

Kevin Plawecki

Michael Conforto*

Steven Matz*

Brandon Nimmo

New York Yankees:

Aaron Judge*

Luis Severino*

Jorge Mateo

Ian Clarkin*

Eric Jagielo

Oakland Athletics:

Franklin Barreto*

Matt Olson

Matt Chapman*

Renato Nunez

Dillon Overton*

Philadelphia Phillies:

J.P. Crawford**

Aaron Nola

Maikel Franco

Tom Windle

Jesse Biddle*

Pittsburgh Pirates:

Tyler Glasnow*

Jameson Taillon

Austin Meadows*

Nick Kingham*

Josh Bell

San Diego Padres:

Hunter Renfroe*

Trea Turner*

Austin Hedges

Rymer Liriano*

Cory Spangenberg

San Francisco Giants:

Kyle Crick*

Tyler Beede**

Keury Mella

Christian Arroyo

Adalberto Mejia

Seattle Mariners:

Alex Jackson**

D.J. Peterson

Gabriel Guerrero*

Austin Wilson

Patrick Kivlehan

St. Louis Cardinals:

Stephen Piscotty*

Marco Gonzales

Rob Kaminsky**

Alex Reyes

Carson Kelly

Tampa Bay Rays:

Justin O’Conner*

Daniel Robertson

Willy Adames*

Adrian Rondon*

Blake Snell

Texas Rangers:

Joey Gallo**

Jorge Alfaro*

Nomar Mazara

Jake Thompson

Luke Jackson

Toronto Blue Jays:

Devon Travis*

Daniel Norris*

Dalton Pompey

Max Pentecost*

Jeff Hoffman

Washington Nationals:

Lucas Giolito*

A.J. Cole

Michael Taylor**

Erick Fedde

Brian Goodwin