David, Author at Baseball Roundtable

Youth Baseball – A Championship Sunday

July 16, 2017 by David

The players gave it their all – and so did the coaches, umpires and fans. (Oh yes, and the concessions crew.)

Okay, I love writing (made a career of it). Now that I’m retired, I love writing about baseball. Even more I love watching baseball – at any level. So, I took a break from a blog post I’m working on – focused on all the MLB rookies who have hit for the cycle – to take in a game between the Red Sox and Angels. They were playing for all the marbles – the Roseville (MN) Youth Baseball League Championship in their classification. (I have a nearby neighbor who coaches and whose son plays – and made the league All Star Team. The AS Game, by the way is next week.)

Let me say, this game was all that the national pastime is about. Those youngsters were intense and competitive, yet still having fun (and enthusiastically encouraged by their coaches and fans). Not only that, they were on the field – together – playing and supporting each other as a team; no matter what the skill level. (And, of course, they were out in the sunshine – not on their computers or smartphones.)

It was, as the photo of the scoreboard indicates, a see-saw battle, with plenty of tension to go around. We saw a couple of nice running catches in the outfield, some well-handled grounders, some very well-hit balls, a few walks and strikeouts and, yes, a few misplays. We also saw a group of youngsters giving 110 percent all the way – with neither side giving in. The Red Sox (my neighbor’s team) prevailed 16-12. And, for those who like to know such things, the game ended on a legitimate triple play! Top of the last inning, Red Sox up 16-12 and the Angels get the first two players on base (first and second). The next batter hit a hard – HARD – line drive that everyone (myself included) thought was headed for right-center. Somehow the pitcher leapt and captured the liner in the webbing of his glove. The runners were moving and a quick toss to first and relay to second and 1-3-4 (maybe 1-3-6) – Triple Play – Game Over – Championship Secured. If you want to really see the joy of the game, watch a group of grade school youth baseball players celebrate a champinship clinched with a triple play.

Playing for the love of the game – and these, of course.

Oh yes, admission was (of course) free and the concessions (profits supporting youth baseball) were great. I managed to get by on a hot dog, chips and two Diet Cokes ($5.00 total). The Shaved Ice – blueberry, lime and cherry – was (from my observation) the crowd favorite.

All I can say is, if you ever get a chance to take in some youth baseball – TAKE IT. It was a wonderful, uplifting way to spend an afternoon. And, it will make you feel even better about this great game of ours. I want to thank all the players, coaches, umpires and fans who made BBRT’s summer Sunday a special one.

The fans took their shade where they could find it.

Coming up: Posts on MLB rookies who hit for the cycle and The Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals induction ceremonies (which took place today).

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; and Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Julio Franco – The Definition of “Oldest To …”

July 11, 2017 by David

SPOILER ALERT – A HINT AS TO WHAT THIS BLOG POST is ALL ABOUT

On July 29, 2006, the Mets’ Julio Franco became the oldest player ever put into an MLB game as a pinch runner (47 years, 340 days). In that contest, the Mets’ first baseman and cleanup hitter Carlos Delgado was hit by a pitch in the top of the third inning in the New Yorkers’ 11-3 win at Atlanta. Franco came in as a pinch runner (stayed in at first base, going two-for-three) and promptly stole second base, going to third on an errant throw.

Four days ago (July 7), my home town Minnesota Twins signed 44-year-old RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract with hopes that he could work his way into the Minnesota rotation. That is not as “long” a shot as one might think. While Colon was just 2-8 (8.14 ERA) with the Braves this season, from 2013 (his age-40 season) to 2016, the big right-hander was 62-40, 3.59 and twice an All Star (2013 and 2016).

Julio Franco – Old Guys rule and he is their king!

As happens so often (even more now that I am approaching another “landmark” birthday), this piece of current baseball news led me to reflect on a past baseball occurrence. In this case, it was balloting for the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame class – in which no players were elected – and, in which, Julio Franco (a 23-season major leaguer, with 2,586 hits and a .298 career average) got only six (1.1 percent) votes. That made Franco a “one-and-done” HOF candidate (at least until his name comes up for Era Committee consideration).

In the meantime, BBRT would like to make a blatant pitch – Julio Franco for the Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals. For those of you not familiar with The Baseball Reliquary – a unique, fan-focused, baseball organization – click here for information on the Reliquary, its Shrine of the Eternals and the upcoming 2017 “enshrinement” ceremonies (2:00 p.m., July 17 at the Pasadena (CA) Central Library). Note: If you are a baseball fan and not a Baseball Reliquary member, I highly recommend joining.

Now, for that blatant pitch. Just what is it that makes Julio Franco so special? For one thing, when he was Bartolo Colon’s age (44), Franco still had five major league seasons left in his bat and glove. By virtue of that longevity – and his status as a truly professional hitter – Franco holds a host of MLB “oldest to” offensive marks. For another, Franco’s professional (not just major league) playing career stretches from his teens into his mid-50s. Finally, he took his steady bat around the world – playing in the U.S., Japan, Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Korea. Side thought: If you were an MLB general manager and someone brought you a player guaranteed to deliver a .298 average over 23-seasons, how quickly would you sign him?

TWENTY FOR TWENTY-FIVE … NOT TOO BAD

Only 25 Major League home runs have been hit by players who have passed their 45^th birthday – and Julio Franco hit 20 of them. Cap Anson had three (all in 1897 – the year of his 45^th birthday); Jack Quinn had one (in 1930, just shy of his 47^th birthday); and Carlton Fisk had one (in 1993 at 45-years, 102-days old).

Consider the long -ball records held by the ageless Franco:

The oldest player to homer in a MLB game. Franco went deep at age 48 years, 254 days, hitting a two-run shot off Arizona’s Randy Johnson as Franco’s Mets topped the Diamondbacks 5-3 on April 26, 2006). In that same game Franco also became the second-oldest MLB player to steal base – and, thus, the oldest player to homer and steal a base in the same game.
The oldest player to hit a grand slam (46 years, 308 days) – connecting as a pinch hitter for the Atlanta Braves in a 7-2 win over the Marlins on June 27, 2005.
The oldest player to record a multi-homer game, belting a pair of homers on June 18, 2005 (age 46 years, 299 days), as his Atlanta Braves topped the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Franco started at first base and went two-for-four with two homers and three RBI.
The oldest player to hit a pinch-hit home run, in the eighth inning of a Mets’ 7-2 win over the Padres at San Diego (April 20, 2006 – 47 years, 240 days).

A NOD TO TODAY’S 2017 ALL STAR GAME

Cal Ripken Jr. holds one of the “oldest to” records to elude Julio Franco. Ripken is the oldest player to homer in an All Star Game. It came in 2001, -hen Ripken – at 400 years, 320-days of age – not only homered, but also took home the game’s MVP Award. Ripken’s blast came leading off the bottom of the third against the Dodgers’ Chan Ho Park. It was Ripken’s 19^th All Star Game and the Iron Man’s final MLB season.

Julio Franco not only holds a host of “oldest” marks for power, he also proved that you can run right past age 40. On June 16, 2005 – at age 46 years, 297 days – Franco became the oldest player to have a multi-stolen base (2) game, as his Braves topped the Reds 5-2; as well as the oldest player to steal two bases in an inning. Franco singled to lead off the seventh inning, and stole second and third (around an Andruw Jones groundout) before scoring on a Johnny Estrada double.

A COUPLE OF OTHER OLDIES, BUT GOODIES

Charlie O’Leary of the St. Louis Browns – on September 30, 1934 … at 58-years, 350-days of age – rapped a pinch-hit single and scored a run, as the St. Louis Browns lost to the Detroit Tigers 6-2 in the last game of the regular season. The feat made O’Leary the oldest MLB player to record a hit and the oldest to score a run. Side note: O’Leary’s last at bat (and last MLB hit) before that day came on October 5, 1913 – a 21-season gap.

In a bit of irony, the oldest major leaguer to record an RBI was a pitcher – the Rockies’ Jamie Moyer, who, on May 16, 2012 – at the age of 49 years, 180 days – drove in two runs in a 6-1 Rockies’ win over the Diamondbacks. Moyer also went 6 1/3 innings in picking up his second win of the 2012 season. Moyer is also the oldest pitcher to notch a major league victory – at 49-years, 150-days old).

Need more convincing as to Franco’s “Shrine-worthiness?” Let’s look at his career in a bit more depth. Franco (full name Julio Cesar Franco Robles) started his professional career in 1978 at the age of 19 – hitting .305 with the Butte Copper Kings of the Pioneer League (Rookie level). A Phillies’ farm hand, the young Dominican infielder hit .300 or better each minor league season (A, AA. AAA) until making his major league debut in 1982.

JULIO FRANCO – FOR BASEBALL RELIQUARY SHRINE OF THE ETERNALS

If you believe “Old Guys Rule” – Julio Franco should be your king.

From 1982 to 1994, Franco played primarily as a middle infielder and DH for the Phillies, Indians, Rangers and White Sox – making three All Star teams (MVP of the 1990 All Star Game), earning five Silver Slugger Awards and leading the American League in hitting at .341 for the Rangers in 1991. In that 1991 campaign, Franco collected 201 hits, 15 homers, 78 RBI, 108 runs scored and 36 steals in 45 attempts. At season’s end, he had hit .300+ in five of the past six seasons – the lone exception being .296 in 1990. In that six-year span, Franco hit .313, with 67 home runs and 155 stolen bases.

In 1994, when the remainder of the MLB season was lost to a strike, Franco was in the midst of possibly his best campaign. After 112 games, he was hitting .319, with 138 hits, 20 home runs, 98 RBI, 72 runs scored, and eight steals.

JULIO FRANCO MISSED THIS ONE

Jason Giambi is the oldest player to hit a walk-off, game-winning home run (42 years, 202 days), as his Indians topped the White Sox 3-2 on July 29, 2013.

Franco was determined to keep swinging the bat and signed to play in Japan with the Pacific League Chiba Lotte Marines. In the 1995 Japanese season, Franco hit .306 and won the league’s equivalent of the Gold Glove at first base. Franco returned to MLB in 1996, joining the Cleveland Indians, hitting .322-14-76 in 112 games. In August of the following season, the Indians released Franco – who was hitting .284-3-25 at the time. He finished the 1997 campaign with the Brewers, hitting .241 in 14 games with Milwaukee.

In 1998, at age 39, Franco was back in Japan playing for Chiba Lotte; where he hit .290, with 18 home runs and 77 RBI in 131 games. Then in 1999, he celebrated turning 40 (when most ballplayers are retired or coaching) by hitting for a .423 average in the Mexican League and getting one late season MLB at bat with Tampa Bay.

As he moved into his forties, Franco was far from finished as a player. He played in South Korea in 2000 (age 41), hitting .327-22-110. In 2001, the well-traveled batsman was back in the Mexican League (Mexico City Tigers), where stellar play (a .437 average in 110 games) earned him a spot on the Atlanta Braves’ roster in September. Franco hit .300, with three home runs and 11 RBI over the final 5 ½ weeks of the MLB season.

From 2001 to 2007, the ageless wonder – professional hitter and pretty darn good first sacker – played for the Braves and Mets. From 2001 through 2006 – ages 42 to 47 – Franco averaged .290 over 581 games. He hit .222 in 55 games in his final MLB season – 2007 with the Mets and Braves.

Even at 49, Franco was not done battering baseballs. In 2008, he could be found at first base with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League (where he hit .250 in 36 games). That season, Franco – after 23 Major League seasons and 30 years after his first professional baseball game – announced his retirement as a player.

Oops? Not so fast. In 2014, at the age of 55, he appeared in seven games for the Fort Worth Cats of the independent United League – going six for 27. Then in 2015, Franco was signed as player-manager of the Ishikawa Million Stars of the Japanese independent Baseball Challenge League (identified as a semi-pro league); and he is currently listed as a hitting coach with the KBO (Korea) League Lotte Giants organization. Note: Franco has also managed in the Gulf Coast League (Rookie level), Venezuelan Winter League and Mexican League.

Need more evidence to support Franco’s candidacy for the Shrine of the Eternals? In 23 MLB seasons, Franco hit .298, with 2,586 hits, a .298 average, 173 homers, 1,285 runs, 1,194 RBI and 281 stolen bases. He also collected 618 minor league (U.S) hits, 316 in the Mexican League, 286 in Japan, 267 in the Dominican Winter League and 156 in South Korea and six in independent ball (U.S.).

Clearly, Julio Franco is a player whose skills were evident across time and geography and whose contributions and character deserve Baseball Reliquary consideration.

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

2017 Home Run Derby Brings out the “BIG” Guns

July 4, 2017 by David

Giancarlo Stanton defends his 2016 Home Run Derby Crown – and has home field advantage. Photo by Corn Farmer

The 2017 Home Run Derby participants have been announced, and it’s clearly a “big boys” contest.

The average size of 2017’s All Star Home Run Derby contestants: Just over 6’ 3 ½” tall; and slightly more than 239 pounds.

As we look at this year’s lineup of HR Derby bashers, the Royals’ Mike Moustakas is the “little guy” at a mere 6’, 215 pounds. At the other end of the spectrum is the Yankees’ Aaron Judge at 6’7”, 282-pounds.

Before we look at each contestant separately, here are a few factoids about the field. ALL STATS AS OF JULY 3.

The average age is 26 years (and one month), with the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon the oldest contestant at 31, the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger the youngest at 21.
The field averages just over four MLB seasons each, with the Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton leading the way (in his eighth MLB season at age 27) and Cody Bellinger in just his first MLB season. (Note: The Yankees’ Aaron Judge also qualifies as a rookie, but he did see some MLB time in 2016.)
The eight contestants have 164 home runs this season (as of July 30) – an average of 20.5 each.
Aaron Judge leads the field with 27 home runs as of July 3; his Yankee teammate Gary Sanchez has the fewest at 13.
The eight players have 633 total career home runs (79.1 average), with Giancarlo Stanton leading the way at 229 and Cody Bellinger with the fewest at 24.
The two rookies in the field are also the two MLB league home run leaders – Aaron Judge leading the AL with 27 and Cody Bellinger tied for the NL lead with 24.
Perhaps, surprisingly, the participants include the MLB’s 2017 triples leader – the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon with ten (no other MLBer has more than five).
Three of the contestants have at least five stolen bases this season – Charlie Blackmon and Aaron Judge with six, Cody Bellinger with five.
The field includes the defending HR Derby Champion – Giancarlo Stanton won in 2016.
Giancarlo Stanton leads the field with two previous HR Derby appearances – it is the first appearance for all of the other seven contestants.
Giancarlo Stanton is the only contestant with a 30-home run season and/or a league HR title on his resume (.289-37-105, capturing the 2015 NL HR crown). He also topped thirty in 2011 and 2012.
Charlie Blackmon has more career stolen bases (107) than home runs (92).
All eight participants have played with only one MLB team in their careers.
All the outfield seats should offer fly ball opportunities – four of the hitters swing from the left side, four from the right.

Now, let take a look at each participants (alphabetical order) – all statistics as of July 3.

If BBRT had to pick the top three finishers, I’d go with: 1) Giancarlo Stanton; 2)Miguel Sano; 3) Aaron Judge.

Cody Bellinger, LH, OF/1B, Dodgers – 2017 stats: .260-24-56

The 6’4”, 210-pound Dodgers’ rookie is tied for the NL lead in home runs (24) at just 21-years-old. He also had five homers in 18 Triple A games before being called up. The 2017 HR Derby’s youngest participant, Bellinger already has six multi-homer games under his best, as well as a streak of ten home runs in ten games. Showed his power potential in the minors, with 56 home runs in the 2015-16 seasons.

Charlie Blackmon, LH, OF, Rockies – 2017 stats: .313-18-59

The 6’3”, 210-pound Blackmon – in his seventh MLB season – is the oldest competitor in this year’s HR Derby at 31. Blackmon, who has a total of 92 career home runs, seems to be maturing into his power. His best season was 2016, when he hit .324-29-82, his only season with at least 20 round trippers. Blackmon has 107 career stolen bases – with a high of 43 in 2015. The remaining seven Derby competitors have a total of 63 career steals – and 35 of those belong to Giancarlo Stanton.

Justin Bour, LH, OF, Marlins – 2017 stats: .289-18-54

The 6’3”, 265-pound Bour is in his fourth MLB season. The 29-year-old has 57 career round trippers (329 games) and hit a career-high 23 (.262-23-73) in 2015. Bour is one of five National League Final Vote candidates for an All Star roster spot. Perhaps the home field advantage will work for him in the voting and the HR Derby,

Aaron Judge, RH, OF, Yankees – 2017 stats: .330-27-62

At 6’7”, 282-pounds, the 25-year-old Judge is the “big” gun of this competition. He’s still a rookie, despite playing 27 games for the Yankees (four home runs) in 2016. His 27 homers lead the AL – and he launched the longest Statcast™-measured home run of 2017 – 495-feet on June 12. Judge hit 60 home runs in 372 minor league games. Playing in New York probably prepares you for the pressure of the Derby. Judge has 31 career MLB home runs.

Mike Moustakas, LH, 3B, Royals – 2017 stats: .270-23-56

The 6’, 200-pound Moustakas is in his seventh MLB season – and I’m not sure anyone saw those 23 home runs (by July 3) coming. The 28-year-old has 104 career home runs and this is only the third time he has reached 20 in a season. Only Moustakas and Giancarlo Stanton – among the eight competitors – has at least 100 MLB round trippers. Moustakas’ previous high was 22 (.284-22-82) in 2015. He is showing real “pull” power this season, ripping 21 of his 23 homers to right. (And, there is no shift in the HR Derby.)

Gary Sanchez, RH, C, Yankees – 2017 stats: .294-13-40

A 6’2”, 240-pounds, Sanchez is in the middle of the Derby field when it comes to size. The 24-year-old only has 13 home runs on the season, but don’t let that number fool you. The Yankee backstop has missed 21 games due to injury. In just 107 MLB games over two seasons, Sanchez has 33 career home runs. He can go deep.

Miguel Sano, RH, 3B, Twins – 2017 stats: .278-20-60

The 6’4”, 260-pound Sano – at 24-years-old – continues to mature as a hitter. In his third MLB season, Sano has 63 MLB home runs in 272 games. Last season, he hit .236-25-66 in 116 games and he is sure to pass all those marks this year. Hits them long, high and hard. In 2012-13, he hit 67 home runs and drove in 217 in 274 minor league games.

Giancarlo Stanton, RH, OF, Marlins – 2017 stats: .262-21-50

The 6’6”, 245-pound Stanton – at 27-years-old – is already in his eighth MLB season. He has 229 career round trippers and has topped 20 long balls in each of his MLB campaigns. His best season was 2014, when he hit .288-37-105. He is the defending HR Derby Champion – and also competed in the 2014 HR Derby. He holds the record for the longest home run in the Statcast™ era at 504-feet (August 16, 2016). He also holds the record for home runs in a single Home Run Derby (61 in 2016). Hitting in his home park, Stanton looks like the favorite to me.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

BBRT June Wrap Up – It’s Raining Dingers

July 1, 2017 by David

It’s July 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s June Wrap Up – all you wanted to know about the month of June in MLB (and probalby more.) As usual, the monthly wrap will take a look at the stats and stories that captured BBRT’s attention over the previous month – as well as the standings and batting and pitching leader boards. Full standing at the FAR, FAR end of this post.

On thing for sure about June, it was raining long balls all month. Major League Baseball set a new recrod for home runs in a month, with 1,101 June round trippers. Just a few highlights:

Seven players hit 10 or more home runs in June, led by Dodgers’ rookie Cody Bellinger’s 13 long balls – including four multi-homer games and one streak of ten home runs in ten games;
The Reds’ Scooter Gennett may have hit “only” nine long balls in June, but four of them came on June 6 – making him just the 17th player in MLB history with a four-homer game.
June ended with eleven players already having at least 20 homers on the season – and rookies leading both leagues in long balls (Yankees’ Aaron Judge at 27; Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger at 24).
Albert Pujols hit hjis 600th home run; Adrian Beltre his 450th.
Nolan Arenado topped off a cycle with a walk-off home run.
On June 3, a single-day record seven MLB Grand Slams left the park(s).

Not all the highlights, however, ended up on the other side of the fence.

Royals’ southpaw Jason Vargas started six games – and won them all – giving up just three roundt trippers (1.98 ERA for the month).
The Nationals’ Max Scherzer put up a sparkling 0.99 ERA for the month (in five starts) – yet managed to grab just three wins (versus two losses).
In contrast to Max Scherzer (see above bullet), Gerrit Cole went 4-2 on the month – despite a 6.17 ERA.
Mariners’ catcher Mike Zunino – who came into the month with 139 RBI in 383 MLB games – drove in a MLB June-high 31 runs in 23 games.

THE NOT SO TERRIBLE TWOS

The Royals’ Jason Vargas is leading the AL in wins at 12 and Earned Run Average at 2.22.He was also born on 2-2-1983.

More abut these (and other) stories later – but first the standings and the BBRT Players and Pitchers of the Month.

First, no team was hotter in June than the Dodgers – the only team with 20 or more wins (21-7, a .750 percentage). Other teams to win more than 15 games during the month were the Diamondback (17-9) and the Astros (16-11). The Dodgers did a lot of things right in June. Their batters led all of MLB in June home runs and the pitching staff led the NL in strikeouts. Overall, the Dodgers allowed the fewest runs (96, the only MLB team under 100 for the month) and scored the NL’s second-most (157). They also finished in the NL’s top three for the month in stloen bases, earned run average and saves. In the AL, the Astros hit an MLB-high .294 for the month and, offensively, finished in the top three in runs scored and home runs.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Giants continued to fade – and were the only squad not to reach at least ten wins (9-18). The team had the NL’s highest June batting average (.281) and fourth-most June runes scored, but the second-worst June ERA in the league at 5.71. Over in the AL, the Tigers had the worst June record at 10-15. Like the Giants, the Bengals posted an ERA over five (5.12), but they also suffered on offense (tenth-most runs). A telling stat: The Tigers blew five of seven save opportunities.

If the season ended on June 30, the playoff teams would be:

AL: Astros, Red Sox and Indians; Wild Cards: Yankees; Twins or Rays.. Note: In the AL, the Angels, Royals, Mariners and Orioles are all within 1 1/2 games of a Wild Card spot.

NL: Nationals, Brewers, Dodgers; Wild Card: Diamondbacks and Rockies. No other teams are closer than seven games to a Wild Card spot.

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE JUNE 2017 PLAYERS AND PITCHES OF THE MONTH

AL Player of the Month – Mike Zunino, Catcher, Mariners

Photo by Keith Allison

Yankees’ rookie phenom Aaron Judge may have gotten a lot of (well-deserved) publicity as he continued bashing baseball into the stratosphere in June, but the Mariners’ 26-year-old catcher Mike Zunino (somewhat quietly) put up fantastic June numbers. In just 79 at bats, Zunino rapped ten home runs and drove in an MLB June-best 31, while hitting at a .304 clip and scoring 14 times. (His 32 strikeouts are of some concern, but it’s hard to ignore 31 RBI in a month.) How surprising is Zunino’s June outburst? Now in his fifth MLB season, the 2012 first-round draft pick (third overall) has a .201 average and just 61 home runs in 406 MLB games. Still, when playing for the University of Florida, Zunino was the 2011 Southeastersn Conference Player of the Year and, in 2012, won the Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Trophy and Johnny Bench Award. He also put up a .288 average over five minor league seasons. That potential earned Zunino a $4 million signing bonus. Could he be hitting his stride?

BBRT also gave strong consideration to the Yankees’ Aaron Judge (.324-10-25 in June) and the Astros’ George Springer (.337-11-21).

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NL Player of the Month – Cody Bellinger, Outfield/First base, Dodgers

21-year-old Cody Bellinger led MLB with 13 June home runs and tied for the NL RBI lead at 27 – while hitting .288 for the month. Not bad for a rookie. Bellinger had four multi-homer games in June (and has six multi-home games on the year) – and also became the first rookie to hit ten home runs in a ten-game span. Drafted right out of high school, Bellinger is already in his fifth professional season. When called up to the Dodgers in late April, he was hitting .343, with five home runs and 15 RBI, in 18 games at Triple A Oklahoma City. Bellinger, by the way, was drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft and signed for $700,000 – which is looking like quite a bargain. Just think, ten years ago, Bellinger was playing in the Little League World Series.

Also high on BBRT’s list were: the D-backs Paul Goldschmidt (.347-7-27 for the month); the Braves’ Matt Adams (.314-10-25), who plugged the hole left when Freddie Freeman went down; and the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo (.320-6-20), who made a powerful statement when moved into the leadoff spot.

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AL Pitcher of the Month – Jason Vargas, Royal

Royals’ southpaw Jason Vargas started six games in June – and won them all. He was MLB’s only six-game winner in the month. He also pitched to a nifty 1.98 earned run average. He started the month (June 2) with a seven-hit, compelte game shutout of division rival Cleveland and ended it (June 30) with a two-hit, one-run victory over another Central rival (the Twins). Vargas now stands at 12-3, 2.22 on the year. His sterling performance in June helped put the Royals back in the Central Division race – and earned Vargas BBRT Pitcher of the month. Vargas was a second-round pick (our of Long Beach State) of the Marlins in the 2004 MLB Draft and made his MLB debt with Florida in 2005. His career MLB record (12 seasons) is 79-73, 4.03. His best year – until 2017, of course – was 2012 (14-11, 3.85 for Seattle).

BBRT also took a long hard look at Indians’ power right-hander Corey Kluber, who started six games in June and picked up four wins (no losses), fanned an MLB-high 64 batters and had a June ERA of 1.26. In addition, BBRT considered 22-year-old Blue Jays’ closer Roberto Osuna – who notched eight saves in eight opportunities – with 19 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings and a 0.79 ERA for the month. But Vargas’ six-pack of wins was just too much to pass on.

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NL Pitcher of the Month – Tie … Max Scherzer & Clayton Kershaw

Photo by SD Dirk

Wow, two hurlers with five Cy Young Awards between them. No surprise , the Dodgers’ Clayton Kersahw and Nationals’ Max Scherzer are BBRT NL Pitcher(s) of the Month.

Kershaw started six games in June and earned an NL-best five wins. In the process, he fanned 57 batters (another NL-best for the month) in 40 1/3 innings and posted a 2.23 ERA. Kershaw, by the way, was the seventh overall selection in the 2006 MLB Draft (right out of high school) – signing for an estimated $2.3 million. He was starting for the Dodgers by age 20 (2008) and a Cy Young Award winner by 2011.

Photo by Keith Allison

The June BBRT “Co-NL Pitcher of the Month” only went 3-2 over June’s 30 days. The Nationals’ Scherzer, however, got a total of two runs from his teammates in his two losses. In his five June starts, Scherzer pitched 36 1/3 innings, giving up just four earned runs – for an MLB-best 0.99 June ERA. He also gave up just 14 hits and six walks over the course of June – fanning 51 batters. He deserved better than 3-2.

Scherzer, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, was drafted in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Diamondbacks. He could not reach agreement with the club and signed instead with the Fort Worth Cats of the American Association (independent league). After three games with Fort Worth, he signed with the D-backs for $4.3 million.

BBRT also considered Dodgers’ closer Kenley Jansen (a league-topping ten saves in ten opportunities, with a 0.00 ERA in 14 innings pitched).

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BEFORE WE GET INTO THE STATS, LET’S LOOK AT SOME JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

More #WhyIHateTheDH

The month of June started out with another case against the DH. With the Dodgers facing the Cardinals (in St. Louis) on June 1, Adam Wainwright gained his sixth win of the season – shutting out LA over six innings of work (four hits, two walks, six strikeouts). In addition, Wainwright drove in all the runs in the contest, with a two-run home run in the second inning. It was Wainwright’s second home run of the season – and 10th of his 12-season MLB career. (Oh yes, it was also his sixth win.) Wainwright has a .200 career average and, in 2007, hit .290, with one home run and six RBI in 62 at bats.

Get A Whiff of This

On June 2, the Dodgers took on the Brewers at Miller Park, with Clayton Kershaw starting against Jimmy Nelson. It proved a true pitchers’ duel – a 2-1, 12-inning Dodgers’ win in which 58 percent of all the outs were recorded via the strikeout. Kershaw and Nelson set the tone, with Nelson fanning two in the top of the first and 11 in eight innings of work. Kershaw also recorded two strikeouts in the first and 14 in seven innings. Brewer’s batters tied an MLB record with 26 strikeouts in the contest and the two teams’ combined 42 K’s set an NL single-game record.

Scooter Joins the Likes of the Iron Horse, Rocky and the Hammerin’ Hoosier

On June 6, the Reds’ Scooter Gennett joined the likes of Lou Gehrig, Rocky Colavito and Chuck Klein – as one of just 17 MLB player to crank four home runs in a single game. Full story here.

Veteran Savvy

On June 10, 14-year MLB veteran Jose “Joey Bats” Bautista took “taking the extra base” to a new level. With the score Blue Jays 3, Mariners 2, the bases empty and two out, Bautista drew a walk from Mariners’ reliever Tony Zych. As he trotted to first base, the veteran noticed that Zych wasn’t paying w whole lot of attention and neither the second baseman or shortstop was anywhere near the two bag. So, Bautista slowed briefly as he reached first base – as if to stop – and then dashed (safely) to second bases. Kendrys Morales, the next hitter, grounded out to end the inning – but still it was a very cool veteran move. The Blue Jays, by the way, won 4-2.

The Young and Restless

Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ 25-year-old rookie RF, ended June at .326-27-62 leading the AL home runs and RBI and second in average – a rookie Triple Crown contender. And, on June 12, he smashed what both Statcast TM and the ESPN Home Run Tracker have measured as the longest home run in MLB baseball this season. Statcast computed the shot off the Orioles’ Logan Verrett at 495 feet, ESPN at 496 feet. For the game, Judge was four-for-four, with two home runs and a double, four runs scored, three RBI and a walk – as the Yankees tiopped Baltimore 14-3.

Cycle on Outta Here

Photo by jenniferlinneaphotography

On June 18, Rockies’ 3B Nolan Arenado delivered his first-ever cycle (single, double, triple and home run in a single game) – and did it in walk-off (or cycle-away) fashion. Arenado started with a triple in the bottom of the first. He added a single in the fourth and a double in the sixth and a strikeout in the eighth, before coming up in the bottom of the ninth with two on, one out and his Rockies trailing the Giants 5-4. His three-run homer completed the cycle and gave Colorado a 7-5 victory. It was, by the way, Arenado’s 15^th home run of the 2017 season.

More From the “Baseball Keeps Track of Everything” File

The Elias Sports Bureau reports that Nolan Arenado’s cycle-completing home run of June 18 was the first walk-off, cycle-completing home run hit with the batter’s team trailing.

There have been four other cycle-completing, walk-off homers – but all game with the games tied: Cardinals’ Ken Boyer (Sept. 14, 1961); Twins’ Cesar Tovar (Sept. 19, 1972); Red Sox Dwight Evans (June 28, 1984); Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez (July 31, 2010).

Youth Will Be Served

Recently, BBRT unveiled its 2017 Under-25 MLB All Star Lineup – click here for that post. Now, baseball does track pretty much everything, and on June 20 – as the Dodgers pasted the Mets 12-0 – two youngsters in the lineup combined for four home runs. Twenty-three-year old SS Corey Seager poled three out of the park, while 21-year-old LF Cody Bellinger added one. Notably, it was Bellinger’s tenth home over the previous ten games – making him the first MLB rookie (modern era) to hit ten round trippers in a span of ten contests. It was also his 22^nd homer of the year (and career) in just his 52^nd career game – giving him the record for the fewest career games to reach the 22-HR mark. Oh yes, the night before, he set the record for the fewest career games to each the 21-HR mark. (As I‘ve said before, in baseball we do track everything.)

One, Two, Three and They Are Out (of the park)

On June 24, The Oakland A’s RF Matt Olson, CF Jaycob Brugman and 2B Franklin Barreto all went deep as Oakland bested the White Sox 10-2. Now, three home runs by three teammates isn’t all that rare. However, three home runs in the same game all being the first career round trippers for rookie players on the same squad is. Olson, Brugman and Barreto are only the second trio of rookies from the same team ever to collect their first MLB home runs in the same game. The only other such group is Duke Kenworth, Art Kruger and John Potts of the Federal League Kansas City Packers back on April 26. 1914.

Rizzo Likes It At The Top

Photo by apardavila

Anthony Rizzo (.292-32-109 in 2016) has all the markings of a middle-of-order guy. However, the Cubs have struggled form the lead-off spot this season – using Kyle Schwarber, Ben Zobrist, Jon Jay, Ian Happ and Javier Baez at the top of the order.

On June 13, Manager Joe Maddon decided to think a bit out of the box, moving 1B Anthony Rizzo from the number-three spot in the order to lead off. Thirteen proved to be a pretty lucky number. Here’s how Rizzo first seven games as the Cubs’ first hitter of the contest went:

June 13 – Home Run
June 14 – Home Run
June 16 – Walk
June 17 – Single
June 18 – Double
June 19 – Single
June 20 – Home Run

Finally, on June 21, in his eighth game as the leadoff hitter, Rizzo started the Cubs’ offense with an out – a fly out to right. In his first seven games in the number-one slot in the order, Rizzo went 12-for-28 (.429), with two doubles, one triple four home runs, seven runs scored, 10 RBI, four walks and five strikeouts.

Number One for Number One

Let me say, as a Twins’ fan, I was as surprised as everyone when they made high schooler Royce Lewis the number-one overall pick in the recent MLB Draft. (I expected a less risky college-age pick.) Still, scouts say the 18-year-old is a multi-tool player who has also shown leadership skills. Well, young Mr. Lewis certainly got off to a good start. In his first at bat, in the first inning of his first professional game (for the Gulf Coast League Twins), the first overall pick rapped his first professional home run (also, of course, collecting his first professional run scored and RBI.) I expect the Twins’ brass were all smiles after that beginning.

Big Bang Theory – Make ‘Em Count

On June 27, Rangers’s third baseman Adrian Beltre continued his march toward the Hall of Fame by banging out his 450^th MLB home run – and he made it count. The blast came in the top of the ninth inning, off Indians’ closer Cody Allen, giving the Rangers a 2-1 victory over the Tribe. It was the third consecutive game Beltre had done deep, giving him five on the season. Beltre finished June with a .277-5-22 line on the season – and just 30 hits shy of 3,000 for his 20-year MLB career. One of those true leather and lumber guys, Beltre has four Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Gloves on his resume.

Even More #WhyIHateTheDH

On June 27, Nationals’ ace Max Scherzer picked up his ninth win of the season – as Washington topped the Cubs 2-1 in D.C. During his six frames, Scherzer gave up two hits and one run – and also collected two hits and one RBI of his own. (Note: He also fanned six – versus no walks – in his six-inning stint.) Scherzer ended June 9-5, 2.06 on the year.

A Walk Off Strikeout

We’ve all seen or read about walk-off hits, home runs, walks and even balks, but how about a walk-off whiff? On June 28, the Angels and Dodgers were tied at 2, with the Halos batting in the bottom of the ninth. Here’s how it went down. Pedro Baez came on in relief for the Dodgers and got Angels’ 2B Danny Espinosa and a grounder to first. LF Ben Revere than reached on an error by LAD SS Chris Taylor – and went to second on a wild pitch to CF Cameron Maybin. Maybin later struck out swinging, but Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal couldn’t handle the pitch (passed ball) – with Revere bolting for third. Grandal then compounded his mistake by throwing wildly to first to try to get Maybin. In the meantime, Revere had advanced to third and then came in with the winning run on the throwing error. Basically, a walk-off (really run-off) strikeout.

A Grand Way to Celebrate 600 – and Other Join In

Photo by Keith Allison

One June 3, as the Angels topped the Twins 7-2, Albert Pujols ripped his 600th career round tripper – becoming just the ninth player to reach that number. It was an histsoric feat and Pujols did it in grand style. The home run was a fouth-inning Grand Slam – making Pujols the first player to hit a Grand Slam for number 600 – off the Twins’ ace Erwin Santana. It was also one of seven grand Slams hit that day – a new major-league record for four-run blasts in a single day.

On June 3, a single-day record seven Grand Slams were hit in MLB. The full list of “Grand Slamers:”

Albert Pujols, Angels

Kyle Schwarber, Cubs

Matt Adams, Braves

Ian Desmond, Rockies

Chris Taylor Dodgers

Travis Shaw, Brewers

Mike Zunino, Mariners

A Little Spring(er) at the Top of the Lineup

Photo by Keith Allison

On June 29, Astros’ RF and leadoff hitter George Springer led off Houston’s first inning wth a home run to deep right field. It was his 24th dinger of the season and 11^th of June. It also was the ninth time in 2017 he has homered as the first Astro to go to the plate. Springer’s nine leadoff home runs lead the majors and are an Astro’s single-season record. Alfonso Soriano’s 13 leadoff long balls in 2003 are the MLB record and Springer has more than a half season left to top that mark.

SO MUCH FOR THE STORIES. NOW – FOR DIEHARDS – THE STATS

FIRST FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE

—–TEAM BATTING LEADERS … MONTH OF JUNE—–

Average

NL: Giants .281; Nationals – .280; Rockies – .276

AL: Astros – .294; Mariners – .288; Tigers – .281

Runs Scored

NL: Nationals – 161; Dodgers – 157; D-backs 152

AL: Yankees – 177; Mariners – 160; Astros – 157

Home Runs

NL: Dodgers – 53; Mets – 50; Brewers – 49

AL: Yankees – 47; Rangers – 47; Astros – 46

A SWING AND A MISS

The Brewers struck out an MLB-leading 290 times in June – 29.6 percent of their official at bats. The A’s led the AL in whiffs at 285 – also 29.6 percent of their official at bats.

Stolen Bases

NL: Nationals – 32; Brewers – 26; Dodgers & Marlins – 21

AL: Angels- 31; Rangers – 30; Rays – 19

GOTCHA!

The Orioles swiped the fewest bases in all of MLB last month – just four in five tries. The Braves had the fewest steals in the NL – five in nine tries – for an MLB-low 55.5 percent success rate. The Royals attempted just seven steals – but were successful all seven times.

Walks

NL: Dodgers – 131; Cardinals – 110; Cubs – 100

AL: Yankees – 115; Indians – 102; A’s – 97

CAN’T SEEM TO GET THE DUCKS OFF THE POND

Only two teams scored fewer than 100 runs in June: The Phillies (94) and the Blue Jays (96); Surprisingly, the Rockies tied the Phillies for the fewest home runs for the month (24), but they did play just nine of 27 games at Coors Field.

—–TEAM PITCHING LEADERS … MONTH OF JUNE—–

Earned Run Average (MLB Average – 4.63)

NL: D-backs – 3.04; Dodgers – 3.29; Cubs 3.98

AL: Indians – 3.71; Yankees – 3.85; Red Sox – 3.91

THAT’ S A LOTTA RUNS

Eight teams had ERA’s over 5.00 for June. Topping the AL – the Orioles at 6.27. In the NL – the Reds at 5.97.

Fewest Runs Allowed (MLB Average – 134)

NL: Dodgers – 96; D-backs – 101; Cubs – 113

AL: Indians – 109; Royals – 114; Red Sox – 116

Strikeouts (MLB Average – 225)

NL: Dodgers – 280; Nationals – 263; D-backs – 244

AL: Astros – 293; Indians – 267; Yankees – 258

Fewest Walks Allowed (MLB Average – 86)

NL: Padres – 75; Pirates – 68; – Nationals & Dodgers – 79

AL: Royals – 68; Rays – 71; Red Sox – 73

NOTHING LIKE A FREE PASS

The Orioles gave up an MLB-high 117 walks in June. The Brewers’ staff gave up an NL-highest 102 walks during the month.

Saves (MLB average – 6)

NL: Dodgers – 12; Brewers – 11; Padres & Cubs – 8

AL: Rays – 9; four with eight

BLEW THAT ONE

The Yankees and Marlins each recorded six blown saves in June. However, the worse save percentage went to the Tigers, who had just two saves in seven changes (28.6%).

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—–BATTING LEADERS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE—–

Average (minimum 50 at bats)

NL: Justin Turner, Dodgers – .415; Andrew McCutcheon, Pirates – .411; Denard Span, Giants – .374

AL: Ben Gamel, Mariners – .393; Josh Reddick, Astros – .389; Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians – .373

Home Runs

NL: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers – 13; Matt Adams, Braves – 10; two with nine

AL: George Springer, Astros – 11; four with ten

LET’S GO FOR THREe

The Rockie’s Nolan Arenado hit an NL-leading four triples in June.

RBI

NL: Cody Bellinger, Dodgers – 27; Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs – 27; Nolan Arenado, Rockies – 27

AL: Mike Zunino, Mariners – 31; Gary Sanchez, Yankees – 27; Justin Upton, Tigers – 27

Runs Scored

NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies – 25; three with 23

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees – 30; Joe Ramirez, Indians – 26; three with 24

Stolen Bases

NL: Trea Turner, Nationals – 22; Dee Gordon, Marlins – 13; Chris Taylor, Dodgers 9

AL: Cameron Maybin, Angels – 11; Delino DeShields, Rangers – 10; Elvis Andrus, Rangers – 8

Walks

NL: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals – 22; Anthony Rizzo, Cubs – 19; five with 18

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees – 30; Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers – 19; Carlos Santana, Indians – 18

BELOW THE M-LINE

The lowest average (minimum 50 June at bats) for the month went to Padres’ outfielder Allen Cordoba at .148 (8-for-54). In the AL, the Rangers’ Joey Gallo was in the basement at .162 (11-for-68).

Matt Davidson of the White Sox and Khris Davis of the A’s led all of MLB in June strikeouts with 42. Davidson achieved his whiffs in just 88 at bats (a 47.7 percent K rate. Still, he hit .239-7-13. Remarkably, Davis hit .299 for the month (.299-5-22), despite the 42 strikeouts. Early-season sensation Eric Thames of the Brewers had a rough June – hitting just .163 and leading the NL in strikeouts (39 in 92 at bats.)

—–INDIVIDUAL PITCHING LEADERS … THE MONTH OF JUNE—–

Wins

NL: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 5-0, 2.23; Josh deGrom, Mets – 4-1, 2.75; Gerrit Cole, Pirates – 4-2, 6.17

AL: Jason Vargas, Royals – 6-0, 1.98; Jordan Montgomery, Yankees – 4-0, 2.59; Jose Berrios, Twins – 4-1, 3.21; Chris Sale, Red Sox – 4-1. 2.78

ERA (Minimum 25 June innings)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals – 0.99; Chase Anderson, Brewers 1.56; Alex Wood, Dodgers – 2.10

AL: Corey Kluber, Indians – 1.26; Jose Quintana, White Sox – 1.78; Jason Vargas, Royals, 1.98

GETTING UP THERE A BIT

The worst ERA among pitchers with at least four starts or 15 innings pitched in June went to the Reds’ Amir Garret, who put up a 12.15 ERA in four June starts (13 1/3 innings). In the AL. given those parameters, We find th Orioles’ Chris Tillman at 9.69.

Strikeouts

NL: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 57 (40 1/3 innings); Max Scherzer – 51 (36 1/3); Jimmy Nelson, Brewers – 50 (40 2/3)

AL: Corey Kluber, Indians – 64 (43 innings); Chris Sale, Red Sox – 45 (35 2/3); Yu Darvish, Rangers – 43 (37 1/3)

I WALK THE LINE

The Marlins’ Edison Volquez gave up the most walks in June (20 in 35 2/3 innings). He also gave up just 20 hits – finishing with a 3-1, 3.28 record for the month.

Saves

NL: Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – 10; Corey Knebel, Brewers – 10; four with seven

AL: Brandon Kintzer, Twins – 8; Roberto Osuma, Blue Jays – 8; Cragi Kimbrel, Red sox – 8.

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NOW THE YEAR-TO-DATE STATS (Still with me?)

—–TEAM BATTING … YEAR-TO-DATE LEADERS—–

Average (MLB Average – .254)

NL: Nationals – .277; Rockies – .268; Braves & D-backs – .264

AL: Astros – .283; Yankees – .270; Red Sox & Mariners – .266

Runs Scored (MLB average – 373)

NL: Nationals – 447; Dodgers – 428; D-backs – 422

AL: Astros – 449; Yankees – 445; Mariners – 398

TIME TO POWER UP

Only the Padres (291) and the Phillies (299) have plated fewer than 300 runs through June. San Diego also has the lowest team batting average at just .227. In the AL, the Royals have put up the fewest tallies at 314, while the Rangers are hitting an AL-low .239.

Home Runs (MLB Average – 101)

NL: Brewers – 123; Nationals – 121; Mets – 118

AL: Astros – 128; Yankees & Rays – 123

A SWING AND A MISS

Tampa Bay hitterS have played a lot of air ball this year, as the Rays are the only team to strike out 800 times (802) through June. The Rays are, however, tied for second in home runs at 123.

Stolen Bases (MLB Average – 41)

NL: Brewers – 69; Reds – 68; Nationals – 62

AL: Angels- 74; Rangers – 73; Mariners – 50

NOT SO FAST!

The Orioles hace MLB’s fewest stolen bases through June and are the only team with under 20 steals (just 16 in 21 tries). From a percentage point of view, the Rockies are the least successful thieves (28 steals in 50 attempts – 56 percent). Compare that to the Royals, with 36 steals in 44 tries (82 percent).

—–TEAM PITCHING LEADERS … YEAR-TO-DATE—–

Earned Run Average (MLB average – 4.34)

NL: Dodgers – 3.24; D-backs – 3.41; Cardinals – 4.04

AL: Indians – 3.83; Yankees – 3.83; Red Sox – 3.86

I’D GIVE IT A FIVE

Only two teams have ERA’s over five through June – The Reds at 5.26 and the Orioles at 5.02. NotablY, the Orioles are just one game under .500, while the are 11 games away from break even.

Fewest Runs Allowed (MLB average – 373)

NL: Dodgers – 281; D-backs – 317; Cardinals – 351

AL: Indians – 315; Astros & Yankees – 333

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED

The Dodgers’ rotation has the best starters’ ERA in the NL at 3.40; while the Astros’ starters top the AL at 3.83. The other end of the spectrum? Reds’ starters at 6.18 and Orioles’ starters at 5.57.

Interested in the end game? The Indians’ pen is best at 2.57, while the Dodgers pen has the NL’s lowest ERA at 2.95. As far as throwing fuel the fire – The Tigers’ and Nationals’ pens are the only relief staffs with ERAs over five (5.15 and 5.07, respectively).

Strikeouts (MLB average – 657)

NL: Dodgers – 783; D-backs – 750; Nationals – 720

AL: Astros – 830; Indians – 771; Red Sox – 742

Fewest Walks Allowed (MLB average – 261)

NL: Dodgers & Pirates – 226; Nationals – 238

AL: Red Sox – 205; Indians – 220; Yankees – 234

Saves (MLB Average – 19)

NL: Rockies – 28; Brewers – 76; Cardinals & Dodgers – 23

AL: Rays – 26; Red Sox – 24; Astros – 23

THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY

The Rangers lead all of MLB in blown saves with 16 – and, in fact, five of the top six teams in blown saves are from the AL. The Nationals lead the NL with 13 miffed save opportunities. Only the Rangers and Phillies have been successful in fewer than half their save opportunities – Rangers 14-for-29/44.8 percent and Phillies 13-for-24/45.8 percent.

—–INDIVIDUAL BATTING LEADERS YEAR TO DATE—-

Average

NL: Buster Posey, Giants – .341; Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals – 339; Daniel Murphy, Nationals – .336

AL: Jose Altuve, Astros – .330; Aaron Judge, Yankees – .326; Corey Dickerson, Rays .326

Home Runs

NL: Cody Bellingers, Dodgers – 24; Joey Votto, Reds – 23; Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins – 21

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees – 27; George Springer, Astros – 24; two with 22

THREE IS NOT A CROWD, BUT IT IS A BUNCH

The Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon has ten triples through June – no other player has more than five.

RBI

NL: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs – 66; Jake Lamb,D-backs – 65; Ryan Zimmeerman, Nati0nals – 62

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees – 62; Nelson Cruz, Mariners – 59; Robinson Cano, Mariners – 57

Runs Scored

NL: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs – 69; Charlie Blackmon, Rockies – 64; Bryce Harper, Nationals – 60

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees – 70; George Springer, Astros – 63; Corey Dickerson, Rays – 60

Stolen Bases

NL: Trea Turner, Nationals – 35; Billy Hamilton, Reds – 33; Dee Gordon, Marlins – 29

AL: Cameron Maybin, Angels – 24; Elvis Andrus, Rangers – 20; Jarrod Dyson, Mariners – 19

Walks

NL: Matt Carpenbter, Cardinals – 56; Joey Votto, Reds – 55; Kris Bryant, Cubs – 53

AL: Aaron Judge, Yankees – 58; Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers 47; Edwin Encarnacion, Indians – 47.

OUCH!

Only four playes have fanned 100+ times through June: Khris Davis, A’s and Joey Gallo, Rangers – 107 each; Miguel Sano, Twins – 106; Keon Broxton, Brewers – 104.

—–PITCHING LEADERS … MONTH OF JUNE—–

Wins

NL: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 12-2, 2.32; five with nine

AL: Jason Vargas, Royals – 12-3, 2.22; Chris Sale, Red Sox – 10-3, 2.77; Ervin Santana, Twins – 10-5, 3.09

ERA (Minimum 25 June innings)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals – 2.06; Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 2.32; Gio Gonzalez, Natonals – 2.87

AL: Jason Vargas, Royals – 2.22; Lance McCullers Jr., Astros – 2.69; Chris Sale, Red Sox – 2.77

NOT EXACTLY THE YEAR OF THE PITCHER

In this year of the home run, five pitchers havce already given up 20 or more long balls: John Lackey, Cubs (24); Bronson Arroyo, Reds (23); Ricky Nolasco, Angels (23); Masahiro Tanaka (21)l Jordan Zimmerman , Tigers (20).

Strikeouts

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals – 151 (113 2/3 innings); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 135 (116 1/3); Robbie Ray, D-backs – 128 (100)

AL; Chris Sale, Red Sox – 155 (113 2/3 innings); Chris Archer, Rays – 131 (110 1/3); Yu Darvish, Rangers – 115 (107)

Saves

NL: Greg Holland Rockies – 26; Fernando Rodney, D-backs – 20; Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – 18

AL: Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox – 23; Brandon Kintzer, Twins – 23; Alex Colome, Rays 21

RESCUE ME

Three pitches have accumulated six blown saves (the MLB high); The Tigers’ Francisco Rodriguez; Marlins’ David Phelps; and Pirates’ Tony Watson. Their saves totals? Watson ten, Rodriguez six, Phelps zer0.

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FINALLY!!! THE STANDINGS

Main Sources for stats in this post: ESPN.com; MLB.com; Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like the Baseball Roundtable Facebook page, here.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Negro Leagues Baseball Museuml Baseball Bloggers Alliance.

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Baseball Roundtable All Star Ballot

June 30, 2017 by David

Check out Baseball Roundtable’s All Star Ballot on the BBRT Facebook page … click here. My votes – and a bit of justification.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Millar Time – The Long and Winding Road

June 26, 2017 by David

Kevin Millar is an independent league baseball success story – going from an undrafted college ball player suiting up with the independent league St. Paul Saints to the starting third baseman for the curse-breaking 2004 World Series Champion Red Sox – and back again (to put a long ball exclamation point on his playing career).

Sasturday night (June 24), the independent American Association St. Paul Saints were celebrating their 25^th anniversary (the franchise began in 1993 as a member of the independent Northern League). That year also marked: the franchise’s first-ever league championship; the beginning of its reputation for box office success (driven by out-of-the-box promotions and positive on-field results); and Kevin Millar’s first professional season.

Saturday evening, many of the same factors that shaped the first Saints’ season again came into play. The Saints were in first place and they were celebrating their 25^th anniversary with a game against the second-place (and defending champion) Winnipeg Goldeyes and a Kevin Millar/Bill Murray (co-owner) bobblehead giveaway. In addition, the 45-yerar-old Millar – perhaps the Saints most visible success story and now co-host of the MLB Network show Intentional Talk – was back in uniform under a one-game contract. As with most Saints promotions, this one went just fine. The salt-and-pepper bearded Millar – facing live pitching for the first time in seven years – smacked a two-run home run to deep left in the bottom of the second inning. Earning a standing ovation in what was most likely his final professional at bat. Unless, of course, the Saints bring him back for their fiftieth anniversary.

The big fly, of course, made big news – from the Twin Cities Media to ESPN. Who am I not to jump on the bandwagon. So, this post will take a look not only at how Millar went from the Saints to the (World) Series and back again – but how he got to the Saints in the first place.

KEVIN MILLAR’S LONG AND WINDING ROAD

So, how did Millar get to last night’s heroics? His road from the Saints to the World Series and back was long and winding highway.

As a teenaged who did not generating interest from MLB or four-year schools after playing for University High School in Los Angeles, Millar started his college career (without a scholarship) at Los Angeles City College (two-year school). While his numbers were solid, they again didn’t generate MLB draft interest – but did earn him a basebalk scholarship to Lamar University, where Millar put up a .306-13-50 line (53 games) in his junior year, earning All Sun Belt Conference recognition. As a senior he hit .324, with five home runs and 54 RBI (62 games).

Still, major league teams did not come calling and – after again going undrafted – Millar signed with the independent St. Paul Saints (Northern League) for the 1993 seasons. In September of that season, Millar’s performance and “never give in” attitude helped earn him a spot in the Florida Marlins’ system. Millar was sold (along with two other Saints players) to the Marlins for $5,000 – and he was one his way. In 1994, Millar put up a .302-19-93 line with the Kane County Cougars of the Class A Midwest League. By 1996, he was with the Double A Eastern League Portland Sea Dogs, where his .318-18-86 line. He was back iu Portland the following season, hitting .342-32-131 and earning him Eastern League Player of the Year honors. And, in 1999, he was in the Pacific Coast League (AAA) with the Calgary Cannons (.301-7-26 in 36 games) – also making a splash in the National League with the Marlins (.285-9-67 in 105 MLB games). Note Millar also made a two-game, two-at bat, one-hit appearance with the Marlines in 1998. Along the way to the big leagues, Millar earned a reputation for steady grit and determination, a positive attitude and a sense of humor. Nothing changed once he put that big league uniform on.

Kevin Millar reached based safely in 71 straight minor league games over the 1997-99 seasons.

Ultimately, Millar played in 1,427 ML games over 12 seasons – hitting .274, with 170 home runs and 699 RBI. His best year was 2003, with the Boston Red Sox, when he went .276-25-96 in 148 games. And, as the starting third baseman for the World Champion Red Sox in 2004, he put up a .297-18-74 line. Not bad for a player who had difficulty garnering a college scholarship and went undrafted by major league teams multiple times. In addition, Millar played in 28 post-season games with the Red Sox, hitting.242, with two home runs, 11 runs scored and ten driven in. Throughout his career, Millar was known as a hard worker with a big personality. He was a fan favorite and a positive off- and on-field influence wherever he played. (Millar is credited with bringing a never give up attitude and the concept of “Cowboy Up” to the Red Sox’ curse-shattering 2004 World Championship team.)

On August 9. 2003, Kevin Millar hit the 10,000th home run in Fenway Park – a two-run shot thats provided the margin in the Red Sox 6-4 win over the Orioles.

After being released by the Cubs in March of 2010, Millar announced his retirement and accepted a position as an analyst with the MLB Network, but he gave on-field action one more shot – returning to the Saint Paul Saints and getting into six games in 2010. He did not take the field professionally again, until Saturday’s now “viral” home run. Note: In interviews after Saturday’s game, Millar said he returned to the Saints in 2010 not just to take one last shot at playing, but to encourage players chasing their dreams in the independent leagues. “Without the Saints, I would have never been a big leaguer. I was just a regular guy – but if you believe in something go for it.”

I was lucky enough to get to meet Millar when I was volunteering at the 2014 All Star Game FanFest and three things were very clear, he loves the game, he is definitely fan-friendly and he continues to appreciate his time with the Saints (and the fact the fans here in the Twin Cities still remembered him fondly).

Kevin Millar clearly was the kind of player who would not be denied – and Saturday night’s long ball is just another example of what you can accomplish if you are willing to “put it all out there.”

Congrats to Millar on a career that saw him reach the World Series – and a Saturday night in Saint Paul that saw him reach the left field seats.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

The Greatest Game Ever Pitched – In Relief

June 23, 2017 by David

Picking the greatest MLB game ever pitched is always sure to spur some debate. You can make a case for such performances as:

The Pirates’ Harvey Haddix’ 12 perfect innings against the powerful Braves on May 26, 1959;
The Robins (Dodgers) versus Braves 1-1, 26-inning tie on May 1, 1920 – when both starting pitchers (Leon Cadore and Joe Oeschger) went the distance;
Max Scherzer’s (Nationals) October 3, 2015, no-hitter (2-0 win over the Mets), when he fanned a no-hitter, record-tying 17 batters and walked none (only an error by third baseman Yunel Escobar stood in the way of a perfect game);
Given the pressure, Yankee Don Larsen’s World Series perfect game (October 8, 1956);
The Cubs’ Kerry Wood‘s May 6, 1998, one-hitter (2-0 win over the Astros) – in which he fanned a nine-inning, record-tying 20 batters (with zero walks); or even the
July 2, 1963 16-inning duel between 25-year-old Juan Marichal and 42-year-old Warren Spahn (won by Marichal’s Giants 1-0 over teh Braves) – with both pitchers exceeding 200 pitches.

BBRT is sure readers can come up with even more candidates for the greatest MLB game ever pitched. The list, however, is considerably smaller when you qualify the question, asking for the greatest MLB game ever pitched in relief.

That honor, BBRT maintains, goes readily to Ernie Shore of the Boston Red Sox, who on this date (June 23) back in 1917 started the game on the bench as Red Sox “ace” southpaw Babe Ruth faced off against the Washington Senators. Ruth – a 23-game winner (with the AL’s lowest ERA at 1.75) the year before – was going for his 13^th win of the 1917 season (versus four losses) and had pitched 14 complete games in 16 starts (2.35 ERA). There would seem to have been little chance that Shore, who had started on the mound (a no decision in a 5-4 loss to the Yankees) on June 21, would be leaving the bench that day.

The baseball fates had other things in mind. Ruth walked Senators’’ second baseman and leadoff hitter Ray Morgan. Ruth was clearly and vocally upset with umpire Brick Owens’ strike zone. A confrontation followed the base on balls, heated words were exchanged, Ruth was ejected (as was Red Sox’ catcher Pinch Thomas). After the ejection, fists were thrown (Ruth reportedly striking Owens) and his Red Sox’ teammates had to drag an irate Ruth from the field. And thus began history. Note: Ruth paid a $100 fine and drew a ten-game suspension for his outburst.

Shore, on just one day of rest and allowed just five warm-up pitches, took the mound. Morgan tried to steal on the very first Shore offering and was thrown out by new Red Sox catcher Sam Agnew. Shore then went on to retire the next 26 senators (two strikeouts) for a 26-up/27 down outing. Shore’s performance did generate notable debate. Some felt he should be credited with a perfect game, others a no-hitter. The debate (kind of) came to an end in 1991, when an MLB committee dedicated to “statistical accuracy” deleted recognition of Shore’s game as a perfect game or individual no-hitter – determining its status to be as a “combined no-hitter.” (Note: Among other actions taken by the Committee was the removal of the asterisk from Roger Maris’ single-season home run record of 61 in 1961.) The perfect game and individual no-hitter may have been erased, but for BBRT, Shore’s performance on June 23, 2017 remains the greatest relief appearance ever.

Now, here are a few other Ernie Shore factoids:

Shore probably could have figured the odds of his coming off the bench that day in 1917. He was a college graduate who taught mathematics at Guilford College (Greensboro, NC) in the off season.
Shore pitched in the 1915 and 1916 World Series for the Red Sox – going 3-1 in four starts, with a 1.82 ERA.
Shore’s best season was 1915 – 19-8, 1.64 ERA. His career record was 65-43 (seven seasons), 2.47 ERA.
Before being part of the Red Sox’ rotation, Shore and Babe Ruth were teammates on the then minor league (International League) Baltimore Orioles. In 1914, Ruth and Shore were sold – together – to the Red Sox for $25,000.
Shore made only two relief appearances in 1917, the game in relief of Ruth and a May 26 game when he gave up one run over six innings as the Red Sox topped the Saint Louis Browns 11-7. (Shore earned a save in that game).
Shore served in the Naval Reserve in World War I (missing the 1918 season) and earned a Navy Commission. He attended Officer’s School at Harvard University.
In 1936, Shore was elected Sherriff of Forsyth County in North Carolina – a position he held until 1970.

Reference sources: Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-reference.com; baseball-almanac.com.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Baseball Roundtable 2017 Under-25 Lineup

June 19, 2017 by David

SOMETHING OLD … NOW SOMETHING NEW

Mike Trout,
Aged out of the Under-25 Lineup
Photo by Keith Allison

In a recent post, I presented “something old” about Major League Baseball 2017 – Baseball Roundtable’s current 35-and-Over Lineup. (Click here for that post). Today, I would like to take a look at the “something new” MLB has to offer, presenting BBRT’s 2017 Under-25 Lineup – partially to prove BBRT is not overwhelmingly “old school” when it come to the national pastime (although I still oppose the DH and the “just wave ‘em to first” intentional walk) and also because I believe today’s new crop of young and talented playes bodes well for the future of “the old ball game.”

By way of background, I began my baseball fan-aticism in the early 1950’s, at a time when a host of very good young players were making their MLB debuts. Between 1950 and 1955 alone, for example, we saw the first MLB appearances of such players as Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Eddie Mathews, Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew, Roberto Clemente, Al Kaline, Sandy Koufax and Brooks Robinson. I’m not sure I’ve seen such an influx of talent in the big leagues in such a short period of time since – until just recently. Today’s game features a wealth of explosive young talent – players who are adding excitement to the game on the mound, in the batter’s box and in the field.

In this column, I would like to present BBRT’s Under-25 Lineup, pitching rotation and key bullpen staffers – based primarily on 2017 performance; but also with an eye to the future. I might note that by choosing Under-25 instead of 25-and-Under, I have made the task a bit harder – aging out a number of key 25-year-olds like: two-time MVP Mike Trout; current MLB home run leader Aaron Judge; 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant; 2017 Rookie of the Year candidate Trey Mancini; Robbie Ray (7-3, 2.87 for the D-backs); 2015 All Star and Cardinals’ ace Carlos Martinez (already in his fifth MLB season); and Brewers’ closer Corey Knebel.

With that background, here’s the Baseball Roundtable Under-25 MLB Lineup. (Stats through June 18, 2017.)

CF/Lead Off – Mookie Betts, Red Sox, 24-years-old, 5’9”, 180-pounds (Fourth MLB season)

Photo by Dennis Heller

Mookie Betts was an All Star (and Gold Glover) in 2016 and is hitting .270, with 12 home runs, 38 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 45 runs scored and an AL-leading 23 doubles as of June 18. His career MLB average (421 games) is an even .300 and he has 66 home runs to go with 65 steals.

Signed right out of high school (fifth round of the 2011 draft), Betts was not only a honorable mention Louisville Slugger High School All-American baseball player in 2011 (hitting .509 in his senior year), but also the 2011 Nashville Class AAA All-City Player of the Year in basketball. Although he was the Red Sox’ starting right fielder last year, he was Boston’s regular center fielder in 2015, so he gets the nod at the center of the Under-25 garden – adding a solid bat, speed and good glove to the lineup. Betts hit .316 over five minor league seasons (299 games).

An all-around athlete, Betts was also the Tennessee boys Bowler of the Year in 2010.

DH – Jose Ramirez, Indians, 24-years-old, 5’9”, 165-pounds (Fifth MLB season)

Photo by apardavila

Jose Ramirez, if I need him, can move around this lineup – playing third, short and second. In his fifth MLB season (he signed with the Indians as a free agent in 2009), Ramirez will provide an experienced bat to move Betts into scoring position. Although Ramirez got off to a slow start in the majors (hitting .237 over the 2014-15 seasons), since the start of the 2016 season, he has hit .312 with 22 home runs, 126 runs scored, 110 RBI and 29 steals. This season he is at .313-11-34, with seven steals – a great candidate for the two-spot in the order. Ramirez’ career MLB marks are .282-30-154, with 49 steals, in 398 games.

Ramirez showed his potential in the minor leagues, hitting .304 over five seasons (335 games).

Jose Ramirez can handle the bat. In 2014, he led the AL with 13 sacrifice bunts … a nice skill for the number-two slot in the order.

SS – Carlos Correa, Astros, 22-years-old, 6’4”, 215-pounds (Third MLB season)

Photo by Keith Allison

Competition was rugged for shortstop on the Under-25 squad, but I went with the youngest of the candidates – the Astros’ Carlos Correa. Also in the running were: Indians’ (23-year-old) SS Francisco Lindor; Dodgers (23-year-old) SS Corey Seager; and Red Sox’ (24-year-old) SS Xander Bogaerts – all 2016 All Stars. This position is stacked with young stars.

Correa, the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year, is in his third major league campaign and is hitting .304, with 13 home runs and 43 RBI. A first-round (first overall) pick in the 2012 June Amateur Draft, the native Puerto Rican has an average of .282, with 55 home runs, 207 RBI and 27 steals in 315 MLB games. In four minor league seasons, Correa hit .313 over 282 games.

Correa was just the third Latino player to be the first overall selection in the MLB Draft – following Alex Rodriguez and Adrian Gonzalez.

RF/Cleanup – Bryce Harper, Nationals, 24-years-old, 6’3”, 215-pounds (Sixth MLB season)

Photo by Keith Allison

In his sixth MLB season at just 24-years-old, Bryce Harper is already an NL Rookie of the Year (2012) and MVP Award (2015) winner, as well as a four-time All Star. This season he is hitting .318, with 17 home runs and 51 RBI (62 games). He is, in effect, the “veteran” bat in the middle of the Under-25 order.

Harper graduated early from high school, earning his GED after his sophomore year. In 2010, at just 17-years-old, Harper enrolled at the College of Southern Nevada, where he played catcher and was named 2010 Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

He was selected by the Nationals with the first overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft and, at 17-years-old, hit .343 in the highly touted Arizona Fall League. By age 19, he was an NL All Star.

On May 8, 2016, Bryce Harper tied a MLB record for walks received in a game with six free passes in a 4-3, 13-inning Nationals’ loss to the Cubs. He was also hit by a pitch in the contest, reaching base seven times in one game without an official at bat.

1B – Cody Bellinger, Dodgers, 21-years-old, 6’4”, 210 pounds (First MLB season)

Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann

The youngest (and only rookie) on the BBRT Under 25 squad, Cody Bellinger will give Bryce Harper some protection in the lineup. Talk about power potential. Bellinger (splitting time between outfield and first base for the Dodgers) has put up a .262-19-43 line in his first 50 MLB games – and even tossed in four stolen bases.

Drafted out of high school in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, Bellinger hit .271-65-253 in 361 minor league games (five seasons). In 2015, he hit .264-30-103 at high A – and, in 2016, he bashed .271-26-71 at Double A/Triple A.

Cody Bellinger is the son of Clay Bellinger – a four-season (1999-2002) major league utility player for the Yankees and Angels. Clay Bellinger made his MLB debut at age 30, after a decade in the minors. (Cody Bellinger reached the majors at age 21, in his fifth pro season.) Clay Bellinger hit just .193 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI in 183 career MLB games. He played in 19 post season games with the Yankees, including in the 2000 and 2001 World Series.

C – Gary Sanchez, Yankees, 24-years-old, 6’2”, 230-pounds (Third MLB season)

Photo by apardavila

Casey Stengel (after the expansion draft) once said, “You have to have a catcher, because if you don’t you’re likely to have a lot of passed balls.” Well, the BBRT Under-25 team has a catcher – and he’s a good one.

Dominican Gary Sanchez signed with the Yankees as an international free agent in July of 2009. He is in his third MLB season, although one of those was of the “cup of coffee” variety – just two at bats in 2015. This season, Sanchez is hitting .287, with 11 home runs and 33 RBI in just 40 games (early-season injury). In 95 career MLB contests, Sanchez is hitting .292-31-75 – robust power numbers and a good average out of the backstop slot. Sanchez began his professional career at age 17 and, put up a .275 average, with 100 home runs and 431 RBI in 639 minor league seasons.

In August of 2016, his first full month in the major leagues, Sanchez was named not just the AL Rookie of the Month, but also the AL Player of the Month. He hit .389 (37-for-95), with 11 home runs and 21 RBI that August.

3B – Miguel Sano, Twins, 24-years-old, 6’4”, 260-pounds (Third MLB season)

Photo by Keith Allison

It’s always good to have a big guy over at the hot corner, just in case someone charges the mound. (Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews was famous for protecting his pitchers.) Miguel Sano is that guy on the 2017 Under-25 team. In his third MLB season, Sano – now leading in votes for the 3B American League All Star spot – had found his stroke. As of June 18, he is hitting .286, with 16 home runs and 48 RBI. In his three MLB seasons (259 games), he has averaged .258, with 59 round trippers and 166 RBI. The Twins see the 2017 version of Sano as the player they expect going forward.

Sano signed with the Twins in 2009, after being pursued by several MLB teams – reportedly including the Pirates, Indians, Yankees and Red Sox, His $3.15 million signing bonus was the second-highest ever for a Dominican amateur.

Miguel Sano is one of the key players included in the 2012 documentary film “Ballplayer: Pelotero.”

LF – Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox, 22-years-old, 5’10”, 170-pounds (second MLB season)

Andrew Benintendi brings balance of power and speed to the bottom third of the Under-25 Lineup. This season, he sits at .272-9-39, with eight steals. In 99 MLB games, he has averaged .279, with 11 homers, 53 RBI, 51 runs scored and nine stolen bases.

A first round (seventh overall) 2015 MLB Draft pick, Benintendi played college ball for the University of Arkansas. As a sophomore, he led the Southeastern Conference with a .380 batting average and 19 home runs – earning recognition as the SEC Player of the Year and the Baseball America College Player of the Year, as well as recieving the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award. Benintendi earned his way to the big leagues in a big hurry, hitting .312, with 20 home runs and 26 steals in 151 minor league games (two seasons).

Andrew Benitendi homered in his first-ever MLB post-season at bat, going deep off the Indians’ Trevor Bauer (October 6, 2016) in Game One of the ALDS. (The Red Sox lost 5-4.)

2B – Brandon Drury, Diamondbacks, 24-years-old, 6’2”, 210-pouids (Third MLB season)

Photo by Keith Allison

Brandon Drury, who can play around the infield, provides a steady glove and will give you solid at bats. This season he’s at .300-8-30 in 62 games. In three MLB seasons, he’s played in 216 games (at six different positions) and hit .282, with 26 home runs (16 in 2016) and 91 RBI.

Drury was a 33rd round pick (Braves) in the 2010 MLB Draft – and began his professional career at age 17. In seven minor league seasons, he hit .285 with 60 home runs in 641 games.

Brandon Drury was co-MVP of the Appalachian League in 2011, after hitting .347-8-54 in 63 games for the Danville Braves.

Starting Pitcher, Lance McCullers, Astros, 23-years-old, RHP, 6’1”, 205-pounds (Third MLB season)

McCullers stands at 6-1, 2.58, with 89 strikeouts (and just 23 walks) in 76 2/3 innings pitched in 2017. In three MLB seasons, his line is 18-13, 3.05 – fanning 10.4 batters per nine innings.

McCullers was a first round (41^st overall) selection (Astros) in the 2012 MLB draft – after being named the 2012 Gatorade National (High School) Baseball Player of the Year. In five minor league seasons, he went 12-16, with a 3.67 ERA – striking out 320 batters in 267 2/3 inning pitched.

THE REST OF THE UNDER-25 ROTATION (with 2017 records)

Dylan Bundy, Orioles (7-5, 3.29); Luis Severino, Yankees (5-2, 2.99); Kyle Freeland, Rockies (8-4, 3.42); Michael Fulmer, Tigers (6-5, 3.45).

Closer, Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays, 22-years-old, RHP, 6’2”, 215-pounds (Third MLB season)

Photo by Keith Allison

Robert0 Osuna, apparently, was born to save games. Just 22-years-old, he already has 73 MLB saves (although he did not record a single save in the minor leagues). This season, he is 2-0, 2.67 with 17 saves and 36 strikeouts in 27 innings. In his three MLB seasons, he 7-9, 2.64, with 73 saves and 193 K in 170 2/3 innings pitched. (Osuna saved 36 games in 2016.) The Blue Jays signed Osuna (out of Mexico) in 2011 at age 16.

Roberto Osuna is the youngest pitcher in AL history to record a post-season save – and second youngest in MLB history. Osuna was also the youngest player in MLB history to reach 50 saves.

KEY SET UP MEN IN THE UNDER-25 PEN (with 2017 records)

Edwin Diaz, Mariners (2-2, 3.38, 11 saves, 26 appearances); Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks (3-1, 1.13, 25 appearances); Keone Kela (3-1, one save, 3.16, 25 appearances).

Clearly, there are plenty more young stars that could challenge for a spots in the Under-25 Lineup, I’ve already mentioned shortstops Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox, .318-4-390, 8 steals this season), Francisco Lindor (Indians, 256-13-28) and Corey Seager (Dodgers, .281-9-32). There are also Under-25 players like Mets’ OF Michael Conforto (.289-14-38); Rangers’ OF Nomar Mazara (.278-8-44); and Brewers’ OF Domingo Santana (.270-11-35). Orioles’ third baseman Manny Machado is a proven Under-25 star, but carries just a .213 average (13 home runs) this season and Rangers’ 3B Joey Gallo may develop (he has a .194 average this campaign, but 18 home runs). On the mound, Jose Berrios of the Twins is 6-1, 2.74 in seven starts – and, with a bit more MLB experience, could push his way into the Under-25 rotation listed above – and the Rockies’ Jeff Hoffman is 4-0, 2.25 after six appearances/five starts. And, those are just a few of the name left out of the lineup (What about Kyle Schwarber?, you might inquire). The fact is, there is a lot of good (great) young talent out there – and that promises an exciting future in our nation’s ballparks.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Johnny Vander Meer and that Tough Second (consecutive) No-No.

June 15, 2017 by David

On this evening(June 15) in 1938, 38,748 fans gathered to watch the Dodgers take on the Reds in the first-ever night game at Ebbets Field. Cincinnati southpaw Johnny Vander Meer made sure it was a memorable and historic evening in Flatbush – one that would be remembered for far more than the lighting.

On that evening, the 23-year-old Vander Meer – in his first full MLB season – threw a no-hitter, topping the Dodgers 6-0. It was his seventh win of the 1938 campaign (against two losses) and the sixth in a string of nine wins without a loss. But it was much more than that. Just four days earlier (June 11), Vander Meer had thrown a no-hitter in a 3-0 win over the Boston Bees (Braves) in Cincinnati. The no-hitter against the Dodgers made Vander Meer the first MLB pitcher to throw two no-hitters in a season – and he remains the only major league pitcher to throw a no-hitter in two consecutive starts. Note: Since Vander Meer’s feat only four other pitchers have thrown two complete-game no-hitters in a single regular season (no one has tossed three): Allie Reynolds, Yankees (1951); Virgil Trucks (Tigers, 1952); Nolan Ryan (Angels, 1973); Max Scherzer (Nationals, 2015).

Vander Meer, a 6’1”, 190-pound, fastballer not known for his pinpoint control, had to work for the second no-hitter. He walked eight, while striking out seven – and faced maximum pressure in the final inning. He started the bottom of the ninth easily enough, retiring Dodgers’ LF Buddy Hassett on a grounder to the mound. Then things got a bit dicey. Vander Meer walked Dodgers’ catcher Babe Phelps, third baseman Cookie Lavagetto and first baseman Dolph Camilli in order – loading the bases with one out. He then induced a grounder to third by center fielder Ernie Koy (with Reds’ third sacker Lew Riggs throwing home for the force out). With the bases still full, Vander Meer got an easy fly out to center by Dodgers’ shortstop Leo Durocher to end the suspense – and earn his way into the MLB record books. Note: the first of the two consecutive no-hitters was a touch easier – a 3-0 win over Boston with three walks and four strikeouts.

Vander Meer finished the 1938 season 15-10, with a 3.12 ERA. He would go on to a 13-season MLB career (losing two years – 1944 and 1945 – to military service), with a final stat line of 119-121, 3.44. He would be an All Star in 1938, 1939, 1942 and 1943) and lead the NL in strikeouts in 1941, 1942 and 1943. In 1943, he led the NL in both walks (162) and whiffs (174). His best season was 1942, when he went 18-12, with a 2.43 ERA and a league-leading 186 strikeouts.

JOHNNY VANDER MEER – BEFORE AND AFTER

From 1937 through 1943 (before military service), Vander Meer had a 3.11 ERA and a 75-66 won-lost record in 193 appearances. From 1946 through 1951 (his final MLB season), Vander Meer went 44-55, 3.93 in 153 appearances.

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BBRT 35-And-Over 2017 Line Up

June 11, 2017 by David

Tomorrow’s (June 11) sports headlines will likely be dominated by the MLB draft – and filled with names like Hunter Greene, Brendan McKay and Kyle Wright. In short, youth will be served. With that in mind, Baseball Roundtable is going to take a different direction – and present the BBRT 35-and-Over Line Up (drawn from players active this season). I’ll present the lineup first, then we’ll take a little closer look at each selection – as well as some potential “September Call Ups.” Finally, I’ll fill out the pitching rotation and bullpen.

The BBRT 35-and-Over Lineup for 2017

Brandon Phillips … 2B and leadoff

Carlos Beltran … LF

Albert Pujols … 1B

Nelson Cruz … DH and cleanup

Jose Bautista … RF

Adrian Beltre … 3B

Jason Werth … CF

Ryan Hanigan … C

Mike Aviles … SS

C.C. Sabathia … SP

Santiago Casilla … Closer

_____________________________

Now for the details.

2B – Brandon Phillips, age 35, 16^th MLB season, currently with the Braves

Phillips a four-time Gold Glover, brings some speed at the top of the lineup (seven stolen bases in ten attempts this year). His 2017 line – .296-4-18, with 26 runs scored in 54 games. Phillips’ career stat line (through June 10, 2017) is .274-201-907, with 205 steals and 946 runs scored. His bat has been dependable over the past three seasons, with averages of .294, .291, .296.

Brandon Phillips is a member of the 30-30 club (30 HR’s and 30 SB’s in the same season). In 2007, while with the Reds, he his .288, with 30 home runs, 94 RBI and 32 steals.

LF, Carlos Beltran, age 40, 20^th MLB season, currently with Astros

Beltran – a nine-time All Star and three-time Gold Glover – qualified at this position by virtue of having played eight games in left field this season. On the year, Beltran has appeared in 54 games, hitting .243—8-24. His career line is .281-429-1,560. A CF for much of his career (he played about 75 percent of his outfield game there), he may have lost a step, so we’ll move him to left.

Beltran was the AL Rookie of the Year back in 1999, when he hit .293, with 22 home runs, 108 RBI and 27 stolen bases for the Royals.

1B, Albert Pujols, Age 37, 17^th MLB season, currently with the Angels

Pujols will be a key RBI man in the middle of the 35-and-over lineup. This season, in 57 games, he is hitting just .241, but he has nine home runs and 44 RBI (third in the AL). For his career, the 10-time All Star has a .308 batting average, with 600 home runs and 1,861 RBI. He’ll bring some runners home. (Pujols also has two Gold Gloves on his resume.) Pujols started his career with ten consecutive season of a .300+ batting average, 30 or more home runs and 100+ RBI.

Albert Pujols is a three-time NL Most Valuable Player (2005, 2008, 2009) – all with the Cardinals. He is one of just 13 players to capture consecutive MVP Awards.

DH, Nelson Cruz, age 36, 13^th MLB season, currently with the Mariners

Cruz is the big bat at cleanup. So far this season, he is hitting .294, with 14 home runs and an AL-leading (tied) 46 RBI. Cruz has a career .276 average, with 298 home runs and 841 RBI. He’s been consistent in recent seasons – hitting 40 or more home runs in 2014, 2015 and 2016,

Cruz was the 2011 ALCS MVP – hitting .364, with six home runs and 13 RBI in six games for the Rangers. In 41 post-season games, he has averaged .292, with 16 home runs and 34 RBI.

RF, Jose Bautista, age 36, 14^th MLB season, currently wit5h the Blue Jays

A proven power-hitter and six-time All Star, Bautista has rebounded from a poor start this season (.178-1-7 in April) and – as of June 10 – his 2017 stat line reads .232-11-29. His career average is .254, with 319 home runs and 891 RBI.

Jose Bautista – known as Joey Bats – hit a career-high 54 home runs for the Blue Jays in 2010.

3B- Adrian Beltre, age 38, 20^th MLB season, currently with the Rangers

Beltre brings our 35-and-over team the classic combination of leather and lumber – five Gold Gloves and 400+ career home runs. Coming off an ankle injury, Beltre did not play his first 2017 game for the Rangers until May 29. In his first eight games back, he raked at a .379 pace with one long ball and six RBI. What can we expect from Beltre? In 2016, at age 37, he hit .300, with 32 home runs and 104 RBI. Beltre’s career stat line: .286-446-1,577. Side note: With 2,953 hits, we can hope Beltre can add a little historic significant to our 35-and-over squad’s accomplshments.

Adrian Beltre is one of only four MLB players to hit for the cycle three times in their careers.

CF, Jason Werth, age 38, 15^th MLB season, currently with the Nationals

I may be giving up a bit of defense to get Werth’s bat in the lineup. He’s primarily a left fielder, but he did see some action in center field in ten of his 15 MLB season. This campaign, Werth is hitting .262, with eight home runs and 18 RBI (47 games) – and four steals. He should provide a steady bat in the bottom third of the lineup. His career line is .269-227-788, with 132 steals. Werth has topped 20 home runs six times in his career – as recently as last season (21). He has also logged two 20-20 (HR-SB) seasons, 2008 and 2009. Side note: For late inning defensive purposes, our team could have 36-year-old Mets’ CF Curtis Granderson on the bench.

Jason Werth – on May 12, 2009, while with the Phillies – stole second, third and home in a single inning. He is one of just 40 MLB player to accomplish that feat.

C, Ryan Hanigan, age 36, 11^th MLB season, currently with the Rockies

Hanigan is hitting .256-2-8 in 13 games as a Rockies’ back-up at backstop. Given the wear and tear of the position, we seldom see regulars at catcher over 35. For his career, Hanigan is .250-30-210 in 660 games. Our 35-and –over squad does have a potential September call up at catcher – seven time All Star Yadier Molina turns 35 on July 13, 2017.

Ryan Hanigan has caught a pair of MLB no-hitters, both by the Reds’ Homer Baily – September 28, 2012 and July 2, 2013.

SS, Mike Aviles, age 36, 10^th MLB season, currently with the Marlins

Utility player Aviles will have to come off the bench – just five at bats in three games this season. He can pretty much play anywhere and has a career line of .262-59-298 (881 games – 372 at shortstop). As with the catcher position, we can look toward a September call up – two-time All Star and three-time Gold Glover J.J. Hardy turns 35 on August 19.

In his rookie season (2008, Royals), Mike Aviles hit .325, with ten home runs and 51 RBI in 102 games – finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting.

SP, C.C. Sabathia, age 36, 17^th MLB season, currently with the Yankees

Sabathia is 7-2 with a 3.66 ERA in 12 starts this season. He will be out 35-and-over “ace.” The six-time All Star and 2007 Cy Young Award winner (19-7, 3.21 for the Indians) has a career mark of 230-143, with a 3.70 ERA.

Rest of the rotation (2017 record): Adam Wainwright (age 35; 6-4, 4.82); R.A. Dickey (age 42; 4-4, 4.73); Rich Hill (age 37; 3-2, 3.77); John Lackey (age 38; 4-6, 5.12).

In 2008, C.C. Sabathia tied for the league lead in shutouts in BOTH the American (2 shutouts for the Indians) and National (three shutouts for the Brewers) Leagues.

Closer: Santiago Casilla, age 36, 14^th MLB season, currently with the A’s

Casilla has notched 10 saves (4.03 ERA, with 21 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings) this season – and has a career line of 39-28, 3.23 with 137 saves. As a plus, his two best saves seasons are not far off – 38 saves in 2015 and 31 in 2016.

Setup men (2017 record): Koji Uehara (age 42, 3.10 ERA in 23 appearances); Pat Neshek (age 36, 0.82 ERA in 24 appearances).

On May 17, 2015, Santiago Casilla notched an immaculate inning (three strikeouts on nine pitches) in picking up a save as the Giants topped the Reds 9-8.

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