2017 MLB Season

[Leonardfan]

Opening day is fast approaching. I have started to do my fantasy baseball research and should have a rough positional list to post this evening when I have some time.

For all the baseball fans out there - do you think we should do a team preview? Or just stick to this thread like we have been doing for the past few years? I am not sure when the final rosters for opening day are announced.

 

[Leonardfan]

Here's the positional list of players:

Catcher
Blake Swihart Boston
James McCann Detroit
Brian McCann Houston
Evan Gattis Houston
Max Stassi Houston
John Ryan Murphy Minnesota
Stephen Vogt Oakland
Mike Zunino Seattle
Jonathan Lucroy Texas
Chris Herrmann Arizona
Jeff Mathis Arizona
Tyler Flowers Atlanta
Devin Mesoraco Cincinatti
Tucker Barnhart Cincinatti
Tom Murphy Colorado
J.T. Realmuto Miami
Jett Bandy Milwaukee
Cameron Rupp Philadelphia
Austin Hedges San Diego
Buster Posey San Francisco
Matt Wieters Washington

First Base
Paul Goldschmidt Arizona
Freddie Freeman Atlanta
Anthony Rizzo Chicago
Joey Votto Cincinatti
Mark Reynolds Colorado
Justin Bour Miami
Lucas Duda New York Mets
Tommy Joseph Philadelphia
John Jaso Pittsburgh
Wil Myers San Diego
Brandon Belt San Francisco
Matt Carpenter St. Louis
Matt Adams St. Louis
Ryan Zimmerman Washington
Chris Davis Baltimore
Mitch Moreland Boston
CJ Cron LAA
Joe Mauer Min
Matt Hague Min
Greg Bird NYY
Ryon Healy Oak
Logan Morrison TB
Nick Franklin TB
Mike Napoli Tex
Justin Smoak Tor
Steve Pearce Tor

Second Base
Dustin Pedroia Bos
Jason Kipinis Cle
Ian Kinsler Det
Brian Dozier Min
Danny Espinosa LAA
Jed Lowrie OAK
Brad Miller TB
Drew Robinson TEX
Brandon Drury AZ
Jace Peterson ATL
Ben Zobrist CHC
DJ LeMahieu COL
Logan Forsythe LAD
Derek Dietrich MIA
Scooter Gennett MIL
Neil Walker NYM
Ryan Schimpf SD
Cory Spangenberg SD
Joe Panik SF
Kelby Tomlinson SF

Shortstop
Chris Owings AZ
Nick Ahmed AZ
Dansby Swanson ATL
Zack Coxart CIN
Trevor Story COL
Cory Seager LAD
Jordy Mercer PIT
Brandon Crawfod SF
Trea Turner WAS
JJ Hardy BAL
Matt Duffy TB
Troy Tulowitzki TOR

Third Base
Todd Frazier CWS
Nick Castellanos DET
Alex Bregman HOU
Colin Moran HOU
Mike Moustakas KC
Chase Headley NYY
Trevor Plouffe OAK
Kyle Seager SEA
Evan Longoria TB
Josh Donaldson TOR
Jake Lamb ARZ
Kris Bryant CHC
Justin Turner LAA
Travis Shaw MIL
David Wright NYM
Jedd Gyorko STL

Left Field
Jeremy Hazelbaker ARZ
Kyle Schwarber CHC
Adam Duvall CIN
David Dahl COL
Ryan Braun MIL
Adam Frazier PIT
Alex Dickerson SD
Jarret Parker SF
Mac Williamson SF
Randal Grichuk STL
Jayson Werth WAS
Joey Rickard BAL
Andrew Bentintendi BOS
Cody Asche CWS
Alex Gordon KC
Robbie Grossman MIN
Brett Gardner NYY
Colby Rasmus TB
Ryan Rua TEX

Center Field
Charlie Tilson CWS
Peter Bourjos CWS
Tyler Naquin CLE
Tyler Collins DET
Jake Marsinick HOU
Billy Burns KC
Mike Trout LAA
Kevin Kiermaier TB
Kevin Pillar TOR
AJ Pollock AZ
Charlie Blackmon COL
Joc Pederson LAD
Christian Yelich MIA
Kirk Nieuwenhuis MIL
Travis Jankowski SD
Adam Eaton WAS

Right Field
Nick Markakis ATL
Matt Sczur CHC
Scott Schebler CIN
Jordan Patterson COL
Jay Bruce NYM
Michael Saunders PHI
Hunter Renfroe SD
Hunter Pence SF
Stephen Piscotty STL
Bryce Harper WAS
Seth Smith BAL
Lonnie Chisenhall CLE
Josh Reddick HOU
Kole Calhoun LAA
Max Kepler MIN
Matt Joyce OAK
Mitch Haniger SEA
Ben Gamel OAK
Steven Souza TB
Darrell Ceciliani TOR

DH - AL Only
Cory Dickerson TB
Joey Gallo TEX
Matt Holiday NYY
Mark Canha OAK
Brandon Moss KC
Mark Trumbo BAL
Trey Mancini BAL

 

[Carolina Speed]

Opening day is fast approaching. I have started to do my fantasy baseball research and should have a rough positional list to post this evening when I have some time.

For all the baseball fans out there - do you think we should do a team preview? Or just stick to this thread like we have been doing for the past few years? I am not sure when the final rosters for opening day are announced.

Yes! I would like that. I wish I could say I can help, but I just took a new position at work and between that and the wife and kids it's all I can do to post NBA stats, PGA, etc. and occasionally comment. When baseball season begins, I should post occasionally there also. I think team previews would be great if somehow it could get done. Great post on the position players, Leonardfan!

 

[Leonardfan]

Yes! I would like that. I wish I could say I can help, but I just took a new position at work and between that and the wife and kids it's all I can do to post NBA stats, PGA, etc. and occasionally comment. When baseball season begins, I should post occasionally there also. I think team previews would be great if somehow it could get done. Great post on the position players, Leonardfan!

I will see what I can get done, it may just be a quick review of the weenieworld depth charts this week. That is where I compiled the info for the positional player list. I am glad you will be back and posting in the baseball thread though, I missed your posts last season while you were going through your health issues.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Just looking at some spring training news and New York Yankee 1B Greg Bird is having a huge pre-season. He has hit 7 HR's, .444 BA, and a 1.639 OPS!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Just looking at some spring training news and New York Yankee 1B Greg Bird is having a huge pre-season. He has hit 7 HR's, .444 BA, and a 1.639 OPS!

Bryce Harper went deep twice today, hitting his 7th and 8th HR of spring training! Also, Trea Turner hit 2 HR's for the Nationals today. Washington will be a good team to watch this season!

 

[Leonardfan]

Had my two fantasy drafts - all white rosters for both! I love baseball! Pumped for opening day!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Opening day is here! 3 games today.
Yankees/Rays 1:00
Giants/Diamondbacks 4:00
Cubs/Cardinals 8:30

The best game IMO should be Giants/Diamondbacks with Bumgarner going against Greinke. Bumgarner 27, will be going for win number 101 in his young career!
However, all the games should be interesting.

 

[Leonardfan]

I am curious to see how Greg Bird does for the yankees

 

[Carolina Speed]

I am curious to see how Greg Bird does for the yankees

I agree, although the media/Yankees are really hyping Aaron Judge, I love to see Bird take off, LOL. Also, there's already speculation about Bryce Harper in that Washington won't be able to pay the kind of money he'll command in 2 years and that he could become a Yankee. I hope that doesn't happen, btw.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Bumgarner HR! And he looks sharp on the mound too! Giants 2 Dbacks 0! Top of the 4th.
Season getting off to a great start!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Bumgarner HR! And he looks sharp on the mound too! Giants 2 Dbacks 0! Top of the 4th.
Season getting off to a great start!

Crap! Bumgarner had a no hitter going into the 6th, but AJ Pollock 2 run HR on Bumgarner. Game tied 3-3!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Crap! Bumgarner had a no hitter going into the 6th, but AJ Pollock 2 run HR on Bumgarner. Game tied 3-3!

Oh my goodness! Bumgarner comes back for his 2nd HR! First pitcher in history to hit 2 HR's on opening day!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Today's games starting well. Harper hits a HR; as does Rockies 1b Mark Reynolds. Red Sox youngster Benintendi with a HR as well.

BTW, the entire Washington Nationals starting lineup is WHITE! At least for today. They won 4-2.
Turner, SS
Eaton, CF
Harper, RF
Murphy, 2B
Zimmerman, 1B
Werth, RF
Drew, 3B
Wieters, C
Strasburg, P

This may change if the AA/NAACP here's about it.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Today's games starting well. Harper hits a HR; as does Rockies 1b Mark Reynolds. Red Sox youngster Benintendi with a HR as well.

BTW, the entire Washington Nationals starting lineup is WHITE! At least for today. They won 4-2.
Turner, SS
Eaton, CF
Harper, RF
Murphy, 2B
Zimmerman, 1B
Werth, RF
Drew, 3B
Wieters, C
Strasburg, P

This may change if the AA/NAACP here's about it.

It just keeps getting better. LA Dodger Joc Pedersen CF, Grand Slam!!!!

 

[Carolina Speed]

It just keeps getting better. LA Dodger Joc Pedersen CF, Grand Slam!!!!

Trout hits a 2 run HR!

 

[La France Blanche]

Trump has Made Washington White Again!

 

[Carolina Speed]

Pretty good first couple of days. Here are some stats:
Harper, HR
Kinsler, HR
Pederson, Grand Slam
AJ Pollock, walk off HR
Trout, HR, D, 2 RBI
Trumbo, walk off HR
Kershaw win number 128
Porcello win number 108
Bumgarner, 2 HR's on opening day a MLB record! Although he pitched great, he got the no decision and failed to get win number 101. I probably missed some things, but this is what I can remember.
Bumgarner is leading the league in K's and oh yeah, HR's, BA., SLG%, TB, etc. for two days at least.

 

[Booth]

Tim Tebow homers at first at bat in minors. He plays for the Columbia Fireflies in Columbia,S.C.

 

[Carolina Speed]

I know it's early, but our men better get on it. When looking at league leaders in stats after week 1, the Dominicans are dominating. Don't be surprised if you start hearing about a 22 year old Dominican named Nomar Mazara. He's been killing it in, in the first week.
There are some bright spots. SF first baseman, Brandon Belt leads the league in HR's, 3. Miami's JT Realmuto is batting .583 and leading in several categories. Brian Dozier, Minnesota, 2b is leading in steals. Goldschmidt leading in runs scored.
Trout and Harper have been consistent, but not spectacular, so far, again it's early.
Kris Bryant started out 0-14.
Pre-Season phenom Greg Bird is 1-16.
BTW, Philadelphia scored 12 RUNS in the first inning today!

 

[Booth]

Tebow hits his second hr today. It was a long three run shot. I know it is only single A ball,but it still amazes me.

 

[Shadowlight]

I watched the entire one hour special on Mike Trout on the MLB network last night. I am guessing they will replay it and for you Mike Trout fans out there you should watch it. Like a lot of my all time recent favorite athletes like Roger Federer and Jordy Nelson, Trout is a very down to earth, low key regular kind of guy from a small blue collar town in New Jersey. Two names often pop up when Trout is mentioned and I have never been comfortable with either of them. Sure there are some similarities between Trout and Mickey Mantle but I thought Kirk Gibson was more like Mantle than Trout but Gibson never turned into a great like the Mick and Trout is off to having a great career. Mickey was a partier too, hanging out with Billy Martin and the gang. Derek Jeter is another name that pops up but Jeter's personal life while he was playing was not that different from Tiger Woods except Tiger got married. Jeter was humping every beautiful chick out there. Always gorgeous women. I should be so lucky but the media painted him as some vestibule of virtue and while he behaved 'properly" on the baseball diamond his personal life was the result of a shallow individual.
Mike Trout on the other hand is set to marry his high school sweetheart and unlike the many flashy look at me athletes of today Trout is a nose to the grindstone kind of player. He has a natural affinity to kids and the baseball media to their credit loves him. Much like the tennis media loves Federer. The problem is the general sports media headed by ESPN has relegated special stars like Trout and Federer to the margins in favor of black athletes form other sports. His parents seem like cool people and what was most touching to me is the way Mike still visits his hometown and hangs out there. How can you not be moved when you see him visit his favorite diner and all the regular folk just treat him like good ole Mike as he wolves down six hamburgers. You got to love it.

 

[Carolina Speed]

San Diego 1B Wil Myers goes 4-4 and hits for the cycle! Another young white MLB star is starting well. Hopefully he can remain injury free and have a great season.

 

[celticdb15]

San Diego 1B Wil Myers goes 4-4 and hits for the cycle! Another young white MLB star is starting well. Hopefully he can remain injury free and have a great season.

Awesome accomplishment!

 

[Van_Slyke_CF]

My Pirates are off to a slow start but they do have some talented young starting pitchers.

Jameson Taillon has a power arm with excellent control. Look for him to become the staff ace.

Gerrit Cole appears healthy after an injury-plagued 2016. I expect a solid season from him.

Chad Kuhl is the #4 starter and underrated in my opinion. He will surprise this year, I bet.

#5 starter Tyler Glasnow has a big arm but is struggling with his FB command right now. He might need more time in the minors.

A few other notes:

SS Jordy Mercer will probably be the starter through next season. We don't have to worry about him being replaced by the next overhyped Latin America player, though, because the Pirates #1 pick a couple years ago, Kevin Newman, is the heir apparent.

Newman can really pick it at SS and should have a plus bat, particularly hitting for a high average.

Also, Andrew McCutchen continues to regress quickly, even though he just turned 30. The team has a contract option for him at $14.5 million for 2018, which I doubt they pick up.

Top prospect Austin Meadows, a #1 pick out of HS a few years ago, should be up later this year and in the mix to start in 2018. Meadows can play all three OF spots very well and should be an excellent hitter.