Players Drafted in the First Round of the MLB Draft Twice

When Mark Appel was drafted by the Astros with the first overall pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, he became the 17th player taken twice in the first round. Who were the others and how did they fare? Well, to be honest, they're all over the place. Some of them went on to become All Stars, but some of them never even made it to the Big Leagues. Here's the complete rundown:

1. Randy Scarbery - Pitcher (1970, 1973)

Photo Credit: http://dvsportscardsplus.ecrater.com/p/17738006/chicago-white-sox-randy-scarbery-1980

Scarbery was the first player drafted in the first round of multiple drafts going 7th overall to the Houston Astros in 1970 and 23rd overall to the Oakland Athletics in 1973. Scarbery made his Major League debut in 1979, but was out of baseball after 1980 going 3-10 in 60 career appearances with a 4.50 ERA.


2. Mike Miley - Shortstop (1971, 1974)

Photo Credit: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13814735

Miley was drafted 24th overall by the Cincinnati Reds in 1971, but instead opted to be a two-sport star at LSU playing shortstop and quarterback for the Tigers. Miley led LSU to a 9-3 record in 1973 while accounting for 11 touchdowns. Miley was drafted by the California Angels with the 10th overall pick in 1974, but appeared in just 84 games batting .176 over two seasons. Sadly, Miley never had a chance to realize his full potential as he was killed in a car accident at the age of 23 before the start of the 1977 season.


3. Danny Goodwin - First Baseman/Designated Hitter (1971, 1975)

Photo Credit: http://www.amazon.com/1981-Topps-527-Danny-Goodwin/dp/B009856FE8

Goodwin has the distinction of being the only player in Major League Baseball history to be taken with the Number One Overall Draft Pick TWICE. Let that sink in for a moment. Unfortunately, while Goodwin saw action in seven Major League seasons, he never materialized into the player he was projected to be. Goodwin's best season came in 1979 with the Twins when he hit .289 with 5 homers and 27 runs batted in in 58 games. In his career, however, he hit just .236 with 13 career home runs in 252 games. He did own a great mustache though.


4. Mike Sullivan - Pitcher (1976. 1979)

Sullivan posted a 2.89 ERA in four minor league seasons, but despite that, he never played beyond AA and didn't see the field after 1982 thanks to an arm injury.


5. Brad DuVall - Pitcher (1987, 1988)

Photo Credit: http://www.tradingcarddb.com/Gallery.cfm/sid/65923/1989-Best-Springfield-Cardinals

DuVall also didn't reach the big leagues and spent 3 seasons in A-Ball where he posted a 3.35 ERA in 34 starts, but like Sullivan his career was derailed but injury.


6. Alex Fernandez - Pitcher (1988, 1990)

Photo Credit: http://www.amazon.com/Donruss-Fernandez-Chicago-White-Baseball/dp/B000VLCJIY

Fernandez finished his career with a 107-87 record and a 3.74 ERA in 263 games with the White Sox and Marlins. He was an 18-game winner with the Sox in 1993 and won 17 games in 1997 helping lead the Marlins to their first World Series. Fernandez won his 1997 NLDS start against the Giants, but was knocked out in the 3rd inning of his NLCS start against the Braves. Unfortunately a shoulder problem kept him off the World Series roster and caused him to miss the entire 1998 season. He was out of baseball by 2001.


7. Calvin Murray - Centerfielder (1989, 1992)

Photo Credit: http://www.amazon.com/1993-Upper-Deck-Calvin-Murray/dp/B00D1F674O

Murray was part of an epic draft class for Cleveland in 1989 that included Major Leaguers Jerry Dipoto (3), Jesse Levis (4), Alan Embree (5), Curt Leskanic (8), Kelly Stinnett (11), Jim Thome (13), Mike Potts (16), Brian Giles (17), Robert Person (25), Billy Brewer (26), Bill Wertz (31), James Hurst (32) and Andy Sheets (33). Murray opted to attend UT-Austin instead and was re-drafted by the Giants three years later. Murray appeared in just 288 games over five seasons posting an average of .231. His best season came in 2001 when he hit six home runs and knocked in 25 while hitting .245 in 106 games.


8. John Burke - Pitcher (1991, 1992)

Photo Credit: http://www.tradingcarddb.com/GalleryT.cfm/tid/770/Central-Valley-Rockies

The Astros drafted Burke in 1991, but couldn't sign him so he became the Colorado Rockies' first ever amateur draft pick a year later. Colorado didn't agree with the young righty though as he surrendered 16 home runs in just 74 2/3 innings while finishing his brief career with a 6.75 ERA.


9. Charles Johnson - Catcher - 1989, 1992

Photo Credit: http://www.tradingcarddb.com/Gallery.cfm/sid/56645/

Johnson won four consecutive Gold Gloves between 1995 and 1998, made two All-Star Teams, caught three no-hitters, and helped the Marlins win the 1997 World Series when he hit .357 with a team-leading 10 hits. Johnson stuck around for 12 seasons largely thanks to his defense, but still managed to slug 167 homers including 31 in 2000 while batting .245.


10. Jason Varitek 1993, 1994

Photo Credit: http://paxarcana.wordpress.com/category/baseball/

Varitek was part of one of the most lopsided trades in Major League Baseball history when Seattle shipped him and a young pitcher named Derek Lowe to Boston for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb. Slocumb went 2-9 in 84 games with the Mariners and logged a 4.97 ERA. Varitek and Lowe led Boston to a World Series title in 2004 breaking an 86 year curse. On top of that, Varitek assumed the role of Red Sox captain in 2005, led them to another ring in 2007, and has caught more no-hitters (4) than any other catcher in Major League history. A lifetime .256 hitters with 193 career home runs, Varitek won a gold glove, a silver slugger, and played on three All-Star Teams.


11. J.D. Drew 1997, 1998

Photo Credit: http://boston.sportsthenandnow.com/2011/06/28/

Drew never ever quite materialized into the player everyone thought he was going to be. A career .278 hitter with 242 home runs, Drew slugged more than 30 homers just once in his career (31 in 2004 with the Braves), drove in 100 runs just once in his career (100 in 2006 with the Dodgers), and hit over .300 just twice (.323 in 2001 with St. Louis and .305 in 2004 with Atlanta). Still, he hit a Grand Slam in Game 7 of the 2007 ALCS and helped Boston win their second World Series in four years, he was the MVP of the 2008 All-Star Game, and was generally steady if not spectacular.


12. Jeremy Sowers 2001, 2004

Photo Credit: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2009/06/jeremy_sowers_to_take_mound_as.html

Sowers was Cleveland's 2005 Minor League Player of the Year after going 14-4 with a 2.37 ERA in 27 starts. A year later he went 9-1 with a 1.39 ERA in AAA and made his debut with the Indians in the middle of the 2006 season. His first stint with Cleveland was a successful one as he went 7-4 in 14 starts with a 3.57 ERA. Since then, however, he's gone just 11-26 with an ERA of 5.63. Sowers last appeared in a Major League game in 2009, but last year he made eight starts with the Independent Atlantic League Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.


13. Wade Townsend 2004, 2005

Photo Credit:http://www.pocketfives.com/articles/professional-baseball-poker-588735/

Townsend ended up being a bust never pitching above AA, missing the entered 2006 season, and never posting an ERA below 5.00 at any level. All told, Townsend went 7-21 in 69 minor league appearances with a 5.68 ERA.

14. John Mayberry Jr. 2002, 2005

Photo Credit: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/john_mayberry_jrs_late_heroics.html

Mayberry has spent the last five seasons with the Phillies compiling a .245 batting average and hitting 46 home runs. Mayberry has seen his average, homers and runs batted in decline over his past three seasons going from .273, 15 homers and 49 runs batted in during his first full season in 2011, to .227, 11 homers and 39 runs batted in last season.

15. Aaron Crow 2008, 2009

Photo Credit: http://cjonline.com/sports/2013-07-19/crow-recognizes-role-royals

Crow made the 2011 AL All Star team as a rookie, and has turned in three solid seasons as a set-up man for the Kansas City Royals. Making at least 57 appearances in each of his first three campaigns, Crow has held opposing hitters to a .244 average and has posted a 3.19 ERA in 187 appearances.


16. Gerrit Cole 2008, 2011

Photo Credit: http://prioryhospitalitygroup.blogspot.com/2013/06/

Cole made his debut last June and finished the year having made 19 starts and going 10-7 with a 3.22 ERA. Cole made a pair of starts in the NLDS against St. Louis winning Game 2, but losing the decisive Game 5 despite allowing just two runs in five innings. All told he posted a 2.45 ERA giving up just 5 hits in 11 postseason innings.


17. Mark Appel 2012, 2013

Photo Credit: http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2013/6/6/4404862/

Appel, drafted first overall by the Astros last summer, is getting ready for his first full season in the Astros organization. Appel made 10 appearances in A-Ball in 2013 going 3-1 with a 3.79 ERA.

Sunday Sports from A to Z - 12/22/13 Edition

A is for Andy Dalton. The Red Rocket threw for 366 yards and 4 touchdown passes as the Cincinnati Bengals routed the Minnesota Vikings 42-14 today. The win clinched a playoff berth for Cincinnati and marked the first time in Bengals history that they've clinched a playoff berth in three consecutive seasons.

Photo Credit: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/12/22

B is for Bowl Games. The Bowl Season kicked off on Saturday with four games. Colorado State scored 18 unanswered points in the final 3 minutes of the Gildan New Mexico Bowl as the Rams rallied to shock Washington State 48-45. Sophomore running back Kapri Bibbs ran for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win, while Washington State's Connor Halliday threw for 410 yards and 6 touchdown passes in a losing effort... 25th ranked USC jumped out to a 35-6 halftime lead over Fresno State and cruised to a 45-20 win in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. Quarterback Cody Kessler threw for 344 yards and 4 scores to lead the Trojans... The San Diego State Aztecs routed Buffalo 49-24 behind 229 yards and 3 touchdowns from junior running back Adam Muema in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl... Finally, in an interstate showdown at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, a missed 48 yard field goal with 9 seconds left allowed the University of Louisiana-Lafayette to hang on for a 24-21 win over Tulane. Tulane Senior running back Orleans Darkwa tied a career high with 3 rushing touchdowns in a losing effort.

Photo Credit: http://campusinsiders.com

C is for Champions League Draw. The Champions League draw for the Round of 16 is set with some big-time match-ups now on the slate. Here's a rundown of the eight pairings: Manchester City (England) vs Barcelona (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) vs Paris Saint-Germain (France), AC Milan (Italy) vs Atletico Madrid (Spain), Arsenal (England) vs Bayern Munich (Germany), Zenit St Petersburg (Russia) vs Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Galatasaray (Turkey) vs Chelsea (England), Olympiakos (Greece) vs Manchester United (England), and Schalke 04 (Germany) vs Real Madrid (Spain). Some of the highlights involve Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) taking on his former club Chelsea and German star Mesut Özil (Arsenal) getting matched up with the German Champions Bayern Munich. Bayern Munich knocked out Arsenal in the first round of last year's tournament en route to the title. 

Photo Credit: http://www.eastbengaltherealpower.com

Sunday Sports from A to Z, 12/15/13 Edition

A is for Asiata. With injuries to running backs Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart, the Minnesota Vikings were forced to turn to Matt Asiata in their tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles today. Asiata, undrafted out of Utah, entered the day with 3 carries in his CAREER, and none of those coming in 2013. The result? THIRTY carries for 51 yards (not that impressive), but hold on... THREE touchdowns. He also added 3 catches for 15 yards. I know Asiata isn't going to make anyone forget about Adrian Peterson, but Peterson hasn't rushed for 3 scores in a game since October of 2011.

Photo Credit: http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/12/15

B is for Ballon d'Or. The three finalists for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award have been announced by FIFA: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), France's Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich) and Argentina's Lionel Messi (Barcelona). Messi has won the award every year since its inception in 2010 but, thanks in large part to a torn thigh muscle, is considered to be out of the running meaning Ronaldo and Ribéry are the two front runners. While Ronaldo is no surprise having been the award's runner-up the past two years, the 30 year old Ribéry is a bit of an aberration. A staple with Bayern Munich since 2007, the French winger helped lead Bayern to wins in the Champions League, and DFB Pokal (German Tournament) as well as first place in the Bundesliga this past year. The winner will be announced in January at the Ballon d’Or award ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich.

Photo Credit: http://www.uefa.org/uefa-best-player-award/news

C is for Club World Cup. We're down to the Final Four in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup: Guangzhou Evergrande (China), Bayern Munich (Germany), Raja Casablanca (Morocco), and Atlético Mineiro (Brazil). Raja Casablanca, the host club for this year's tournament, has pulled off a pair of upsets so far, knocking off OFC Champions Auckland City (New Zealand), and CONCACAF Champions Monterey (Mexico) by identical 2-1 margins. Guangzhou Evergrande punched their ticket to the semis by defeating Egyptian club, and the African champs, Al-Ahly 2-0. Monterey and Al-Ahly will now face one another for 5th place while the semifinal match-ups will feature Bayern Munich and Guangzhou Evergrande, and Atlético Mineiro and Raja Casablanca. Since the rebirth of the Championship back in 2005, only one country from outside of South America or Europe has reached the finals: TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of the Congo back in 2010.

Photo Credit: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/sports/article

Sports From A to Z, 12/8/13

A is for And we're back! After about a year and a half away from the blogging game, the blog is back.  If you know me, you know how it is with me and sports. Just can't stay away. Gonna try and do a piece every Sunday, we'll see how it goes.

B is for the Brooklyn Nets. Thought to be a legitimate challenger to the Miami Heat in the NBA's Eastern Conference with a core of Kevin Garnett (15 All-Star Games, 1 MVP), Joe Johnson (6 All-Star Games), Paul Pierce (10 All-Star Games), Deron Williams (3 All-Star Games), and Brook Lopez (1 All-Star Game), the Nets dealt the Heat their first loss of the season back on November 1st, 101-100. Since that time though? Just 5 wins in 18 games and with a record of 6-14, they sit tied for 12th place in the Eastern Conference. Of their projected starting five, only Johnson has appeared in every game with Williams missing 11, Lopez 7, Pierce 5 and Garnett 2. On top of that Garnett's averaged a career low 6.5 points per game while shooting just 36% from the field. Their only saving grace? The East is so weak this season that the 8th place Bulls are just 8-10, a mere 3 games up on the Nets.

Photo Credit: http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports

C is for Cano. Robinson Cano and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a 10 year, $240M contract as the AL West just keeps loading up on star power. The 31 year old second baseman has enjoyed 4 straight all-star seasons, and in the past five years has never hit less than .302 while adding at least 25 homers, 85 runs batted in, and 41 doubles. Seattle used 5 different second basemen in 2013 (Nick Franklin, Dustin Ackley, Robert Andino, Carlos Triunfel and Brad Miller), but none of them can compete with Cano in terms of numbers. In fact, the five of them combined to hit fewer homers (24) than Cano did last season (27). Still, 10 year contracts are a dangerous thing as evidenced to those previously given to Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols. That said, it's a definite upgrade for the Mariners right now.

Photo Credit: http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb

Smitty's Sunday Mailbag - Jilted Boston Fans Edition

How do you fell about Ray Allen’s decision to go to the Heat?  Disappointing certainly from a Celtic fan’s viewpoint. - Steve S., Scarborough, ME

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

Honestly, I was shocked. If the relationship between Allen and point guard Rajon Rondo had really deteriorated to a point that the two couldn't play together any more, then I can understand him opting to play somewhere else. For me the real shocker is that he opted to go to Miami, who is essentially Boston's biggest rival right now. The Heat eliminated the Celtics from the last two postseasons, and I didn't get the impression that there was any love lost between the two franchises. I guess it just shows how much the culture of the game has changed. Can you imagine Kevin McHale signing on with the Bad Boys Detroit Pistons late in his career? Isaiah Thomas running the point in Chicago? That's basically the equivalent. We're not talking about Steve Nash, who has 0 rings, trying to get one late in his career by joining the Lakers. We're talking about someone who has won a ring, leaving a championship-caliber team (the Celtics were one win away from the NBA Finals) and going to the team that knocked them out of the playoffs. The part that I find funny is that Ray Allen thinks that the Boston fanbase is going to be understanding. Have you met the Boston fanbase, Ray? You're Johnny Damon. Roger Clemens. Eric Mangini. 

Photo Credit: forums.realgm.com

The good news for Celtics fans is that while Ray Allen's perimeter game certainly makes the Heat more formidable, Boston is poised to make a run without him. The addition of Jason Terry gives them a veteran scorer who has embraced his role as super-sub (a la James Harden in Oklahoma City). Terry, who won a ring in Dallas, also has the ability to play both guard positions which is something Allen did not bring to the table. A healthy Avery Bradley gives them a substantial defensive upgrade at shooting guard as well. So Boston's going to be all right, and if they can stay healthy, they may even be better than they were this past season. The only real question that remains is who is going to get booed louder when the Heat come to Boston, LeBron or Ray Allen?

What is with the Sawx and their terrible trades this season? Earlier, Cherington traded for Marlon Byrd who has since been released and now Youk, who may have been slumping but is still Youk, for Lillibridge (batting under .200) and Stewart (ERA over 6.00). AND they paid $5.5M on top! Am I missing something oh swami of the sports world - The Dude, Chesapeake, VA

Let's review some of Red Sox GM Ben Cherington's trades since taking over:

*Traded Josh Reddick, Miles Head and Raul Alcantara to Oakland for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney.

Photo Credit: savannahnow.com

Sweeney hit .373 with 11 doubles in April. Since then he's hitting .224 with 6 doubles and has yet to hit a home run this season. Andrew Bailey has been out the entire injury with a thumb injury. By comparison, Reddick is 10th in the American League with 20 home runs. Meanwhile 21 year old Miles Head (1B) tore through the California League (.382, 18 HRs) and was promoted to AA. On the year he's hitting .362 with 27 doubles, 20 home runs, and 69 runs batted in. At least Alcantara hasn't blossomed yet. He's 5-8 in 17 starts with a 5.38 ERA in A-ball.

*Traded Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland to Houston for Mark Melancon.

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

Melancon managed to get himself demoted to AAA until early June after starting the season by compiling a 49.50 ERA in just 4 appearances; not easy to do. While he's pitched well in his return (1 earned run in 13 2/3 innings) and lowered his ERA to 6.89, he hasn't been pitching in pressure situations which is what Boston brought him in to do. While Lowrie and Weiland are both on the DL in Houston right now, Lowrie has put together a solid campaign for the Astros hitting 14 home runs and leading NL shortstops with a .343 on base percentage.

*Traded Michael Bowden and Hunter Cervenka to the Cubs for Marlon Byrd.

Photo Credit: espn.go.com

Byrd lasted about a month and a half in Boston uniform. The former all star started the year in a 3 for 43 funk with the Cubs before getting traded. While he hit .270 with the Sox he struck out 21 times and walked just twice, he was released on the 12th of June. Bowden has posted a 7.45 with the Cubs since the trade and since been demoted to AAA but has started to find his form down on the farm. In 13 games with the Iowa Cubs Bowden has a 2.12 ERA and is holding opposing hitters to a .180 average while striking out 20 in 17 innings. The 22 year old Cervenka, who was a player to be named later in this deal, has an ERA of 2.00 in 14 minor league relief appearances since joining the Cubs' single-A affiliate Peoria. He's struck out 26 in 27 innings while allowing just 21 hits.

*Traded Kevin Youkilis to the White Sox for Brent Lillibridge and Zach Stewart.

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

In 15 games since the trade, Youk has hit .316 (18/57), is driving in a run a game and has an on base percentage over .400. Typical Youkilis numbers. Lillibridge is 2 for 15 in a Red Sox uniform which has actually lowered his average to .167 from .175 at the time of the deal. Stewart currently isn't on the Sox roster instead heading straight to AAA where he's made 4 starts (1-1 3.74 ERA).

So yeah, in terms of value, I think you could argue the Sox have lost every single one of those trades so far. There's a chance Andrew Bailey could change that, but even if he does, you're looking at a record of 1-3. And that's a stretch to say Bailey will be worth more than Reddick moving forward. I know the issue with Youkilis was driven by clubhouse chemistry (seems to be a common issue in Boston right now), but I'm shocked the Sox couldn't get more than Lillibridge, at best a utility infielder, and Stewart (career ERA 5.92). As for the other deals, I don't know what to tell you. It will be interesting to see what the Sox do at the deadline, and to see what exactly Cherington's plan is. I'll tell you what though, if he keeps making deals like this, he won't be around very long.


That does it for this issue. As always a special thanks to everyone who wrote in. And remember, as the great G$ Meyer says Reading is for Winners, especially when you read Smitty's Mailbag.

Got a question for the mailbag? Click on the link at the top of the page or email us directly at smittysports.blogspot@hotmail.com. 

Tuesday-ish Trivia

This week's question:

Photo Credit: latimes.co

Last night's Major League All Star Game featured two pitchers with less than ten wins (Matt Cain and Justin Verlander both have 9) for the first time in a non-shortened season since 1993. Who were the starting pitchers in the 1993 All Star Game?

Last week's question:

The Kentucky Wildcats recently tied a record when they had six players drafted in the 2012 NBA Draft: Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones, Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb and Darius Miller. What other team had six players drafted in an NBA Draft and who were they?

2012 MLB All Star Game Starting Lineups Announced

The starting lineups for the 2012 All Star Game were announced today. Here's a look at how each team will take the field in Kansas City tomorrow night:

NATIONAL LEAGUE

DH Carlos Gonzalez - Colorado Rockies

.330, 17 HRs, 58 RBIs, 11 SBs

1st All Star Appearance

Photo Credit: denverpost.com

CF Melky Cabrera - San Francisco Giants

.353, 8 HRs, 44 RBIs, 10 SBs

1st All Star Appearance

Photo Credit: sfgate.com

LF Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers

.306, 24 HRs, 61 RBIs, 15 SBs

5th All Star Appearance

Photo Credit: usatoday.com

Evaluating the Fantasy Baseball Keepers, Round 3

We're quickly approaching the All Star Break for the 2012 Fantasy Baseball Season and it's time to take another look at the Lushbucket Baseball League's Keepers. A reminder for those of you not in the league, we get three keeper players per year. The round that you originally draft the player is the round you get him if you "keep" him. If you didn't draft him the previous season, but want to keep him, then he slots into your first available draft pick. The round the players went in this year's draft is listed in parentheses. Players who made the All Star team this year have an asterisk by their name.

Flying Cave Donkies (84-38-8):

Photo Credit: blog.pennlive.com

Justin Verlander* (7) - 2.58 ERA, 9-5, 128 K

Stephen Strasburg* (18) - 2.81 ERA, 9-3, 122 K
Bryce Harper (19) - .283, 8 HR, 25 RBI, 8 SB


BJ's Upton Here (76-45-9):

Jacoby Ellsbury (8) - .192, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB (on DL)

Curtis Granderson* (14) - .241, 23 HR, 48 RBI, 6 SB

Adam Wainwright (21) - Cut 5/17

Lonesome Pine (63-60-7):

Photo Credit: halohangout.com

Albert Pujols (1) - .273, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 6 SB

Ricky Romero (16) - Cut 6/27

J.J. Putz (14) - 4.85 ERA, 1-4, 28 K, 14 SV

Diaper Dooty (62-59-9):

Photo Credit: blogs.ajc.com

 Craig Kimbrel* (1) - 1.45 ERA, 0-1, 52 K, 23 SV

Ryan Braun* (2) - .305, 23 HR, 59 RBI, 13 SB

Tim Lincecum (3) - 6.08 ERA, 3-9, 101 K

Los Cuñados (54-68-8):

Photo Credit: countingbaseballs.mlblogs.com

Troy Tulowitzki (1) - .287, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 2 SB (on DL)

Matt Kemp* (4) - .355, 12 HR, 28 RBI, 2 SB (on DL)

Clayton Kershaw* (6) - 2.65 ERA, 6-4, 112 K


Laser Show (51-72-7):

Photo Credit: marauderstigers.blogspot.com

Miguel Cabrera* (1) - .325, 18 HR, 70 RBI, 3 SB

CC Sabathia* (6) - 3.45 ERA, 9-3, 105 K (on DL)

John Axford (14) - 4.86 ERA, 2-5, 47 K, 14 SV

Out of Retirement (49-73-8):

Photo Credit: articles.nydailynews.com

Robinson Cano* (1) - .316, 20 HR, 50 RBI, 1 SB

Cole Hamels* (8) - 3.20 ERA, 10-4, 118 K

Dan Haren (11) - 4.86 ERA, 6-8, 86 K (on DL)

21 Fluffy Bunnies (50-74-6):

Photo Credit: timesunion.com

Nelson Cruz (4) - .257, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 6 SB

Gio González* (14) - 3.01 ERA, 11-3, 112 K

So that's where we are right now. 21 of 23 keepers still on rosters, but 5 of those 21 are on the DL right now. And then surprisingly only 12 of the 23 keepers made an all star team, with none of us getting all our keepers on the squad. But hey, it's our first keeper league, so what do you expect?

Cliff Lee Finally Wins

Yesterday Cliff Lee got his first win of the season. Yeah. His FIRST. He's now 1-5 with a 3.98 ERA in 14 starts, a far cry from the 22-3 season he had for Cleveland back in 2008. So in the spirit of our 'Players with More Homers than Albert Pujols' list that we've been generating throughout the season I present to you:

Pitchers with More Wins than Cliff Lee

Photo Credit: redriverpak.wordpress.com

Steve Delabar
Addison Reed
Anthony Swarzak
Antonio Bastardo
Cole De Vries
Chien-Ming Wang
Travis Blackley
Blake Beavan
Logan Ondrusek
Vin Mazzaro







It's probably also worth noting that he has the same number of wins as Orioles first baseman Chris Davis.

And just to keep with tradition


Players with More Home Runs than Albert Pujols (he's up to 13 now)

Photo Credit: winmyfantasyleague.com

Wilin Rosario
Mike Moustaka
Chris Davis
Jed Lowrie
Adrian Beltre
Pedro Alvarez
Colby Rasmus
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Alfonso Soriano
A.J. Pierzynski





Who would have guessed that we'd be up against the All Star Break and Chris Davis would be out-homering Albert Pujols AND have the same amount of wins as Cliff Lee. I wonder what the odds of that happening before the season started were.

Tuesday-ish Trivia

This week's question:

 

The Kentucky Wildcats recently tied a record when they had six players drafted in the 2012 NBA Draft:

What other team had six players drafted in an NBA Draft and who were they?

Last week's question:

Matt Cain struck out 14 Astros in his perfect game last week tying Sandy Koufax's record for most strikeouts in a perfect game. In the 22 perfect games in Major League history dating back to 1880, how many times did the pitcher record double digit strikeouts?

Introducing Your 2012 Home Run Derby Squads

First, from the American League

Team Captain: Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

HRs (2012/Career): 20/164

Best Derby Performance: 2011 (1st Place, 32 HRs)

Photo Credit: janeheller.com

Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers

HRs (2012/Career): 12/242

Best Derby Performance: 2009 (1st Place, 23 HRs)

Photo Credit: blog.thephoenix.com

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

HRs (2012/Career): 27/182

Best Derby Performance: 2011 (6th place, 4 HRs)

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

Mark Trumbo, Los Angeles Angels

HRs (2012/Career): 20/49

Best Derby Performance: 1st Appearance

Photo Credit: faketeams.com

And then from the National League

Team Captain: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

HRs (2012/Career): 12/140

Best Derby Performance: 2011 (8th place, 2 HRs)

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

Carlos Beltan, St. Louis Cardinals

HRs (2012/Career): 20/322

Best Derby Performance: 1st Appearance

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins

HRs (2012/Career): 19/75

Best Derby Performance: 1st Appearance

Photo Credit: bleacherreport.com

Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies

HRs (2012/Career): 17/94

Best Derby Performance: 1st Appearance

Photo Credit: zimbio.com

Robinson Cano is attempting to become the first player to repeat as Derby champion since Ken Griffey Jr. won the title in 1998 and 1999. Cano could also become the fourth Yankee to win the Derby which would also set a new record. The Yankees, Mariners, Cubs and Angels all have 3 wins.

And just for kicks, here's a look at your last ten derby champions:

2011 - Robinson Cano - Yankees

2010 - David Ortiz - Red Sox

2009 - Prince Fielder - Brewers

2008 - Justin Morneau - Twins

2007 - Vladimir Guerrero - Angels

2006 - Ryan Howard - Phillies

2005 - Bobby Abreu - Phillies

2004 - Miguel Tejada - Orioles

2003 - Garret Anderson - Angels

2002 - Jason Giambi - Yankees