Links: Youngsters, TV billions, crazy starts
April, 11, 2012
4/11/12
6:30
PM ET
By
David Schoenfield | ESPN.com
Stuff ...
- Baseball America has lists of the 10 youngest players in each full-season league. Mariners pitcher Erasmo Ramirez was the youngest player to make a major league roster, with a May 2, 1990 birthdate. Giancarlo Stanton is still one of the 10 youngest players in the National League.
- Walkoff Woodward looks at what happened to Justin Verlander and the Tigers in Wednesday's ninth inning.
- Neftali Feliz used his changeup a lot in his first start and he was pretty awesome.
- Dodger Thoughts author Jon Weisman has a piece in Variety exploring how TV networks can justify bidding billions to broadcast baseball games.
- Tristan Cockcroft has a fun look at early season paces. Yes, small sample size. It's still a fun to read.
- ESPN Insider Dan Szymborski looks at which closers are used most effectively -- ie, in high-leverage situations -- by their managers. Kudos to Mike Scioscia and Bruce Bochy.
- Franklin Rabon examines Dan Uggla's reverse-platoon split. Since 2009, Uggla is slugging nearly 50 points higher against righties.
- Our new Blue Jays blog looks at J.P. Arencibia's pitch-framing abilities. Pitch-framing is sort of the new trendy thing in defensive analysis, a big reason the Rays signed Jose Molina this offseason. Obviously, baseball people have always talked about this, but pitch f/x data allows catchers to be studied in this skill.
- One scout still believes Daniel Bard belongs in the bullpen.
- The Padres recalled Joe Wieland and Insider Eric Karabell looks at whether he can help the Padres (and fantasy owners).
- The Brewers have broken off talks with Zack Greinke about a contract extension.
- Will Freddy Galvis become a good player for the Phillies? Or is he ultimately just a younger version of Wilson Valdez? Michael Baumann ponders the question.
- Danny Duffy had a nice start for the Royals on Tuesday. OK, it was against the A's, but there many positives signs for the young left-hander.
- Jon Shields thinks the Mariners should start playing John Jaso more instead of Miguel Olivo. Jaso has yet to appear in game. The knocks against Olivo? He has trouble catching the ball and getting on base. Otherwise ... he's awesome!
- Nick Faleris looked at Brian Matusz's first start of the season for the Orioles. Remember, this is a guy everyone was calling a future ace after 2010.
- Baseball Prospectus has a list of 10 players who should receive contract extensions.
- Jorge Posada will throw out the first pitch at the Yankees' homer opener on Friday.
- Finally, Miami columnist Dan LeBetard was on ESPN Radio talking about the Ozzie Guillen situation.
David Schoenfield | email
SweetSpot blogger- Senior writer of SweetSpot baseball blog
- Former deputy editor of Page 2
- Been with ESPN.com since 1995
ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Schoenfield
Schoenfield is a senior writer for ESPN.com and been with ESPN since 1995, having served as baseball editor and Page 2 senior editor. Follow Dave on Twitter: @dschoenfield and the SweetSpot blog on Facebook.
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