Category: MLB (Page 252 of 448)

      2009 MLB Preview: #23 Texas Rangers

      March 19, 2009 /

      Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams

      Offseason Movement: The Rangers signed a bunch of used-to-be’s to minor league contracts, including OF Andruw Jones, SS Omar Vizquel and pitchers Kris Benson, Derrick Turnbow and Brendan Donnelly. Truth be told, all of these players could wind up helping Texas in some way this season save for Jones, who has had a brutal spring and most likely won’t be kept.

      Top Prospect: Derek Holland, LHP
      Neftali Feliz, who the Rangers got from the Braves in the Mark Teixeira trade a couple years ago, deserves mention here as well. But Holland’s dazzling 2008 season in the minors (14-2, 2.05 ERA in 29 starts) gives him the nod over the 19-year old Feliz. Holland, who is Texas’s Nolan Ryan Minor League Pitcher of the Year, probably won’t make the Opening Day roster this season, but he could be called up by mid-summer if he continues to dominate the minor league hitters.

      Continue reading »

      MLB

      2009 MLB Preview: #24 Houston Astros

      March 19, 2009 /

      Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams

      Offseason Movement: The ‘Stros signed Aaron Boone in the offseason, but he recently announced that he’s scheduled to undergo open heart surgery and therefore his season, if not his career, is over. Houston also added pitchers Mike Hampton and Clay Hensley, as well as outfielder Jason Michaels and shortstop Jason Smith.

      Top Prospect: Jason Castro, C
      The 21-year old catcher was the first of five draft selections for Houston in 2008. Castro has flashed good plate discipline and if he develops, could add power to an already above-average bat. He probably won’t blow anyone away defensively, but he’s more than adequate behind the dish and should make a solid overall player in the future.

      Continue reading »

      MLB

      2009 MLB Preview: #25 Kansas City Royals

      March 18, 2009 /

      Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams

      Offseason Movement: The Royals signed free agents 1B Mike Jacobs, 3B Willie Bloomquist and RHP Kyle Farnsworth, while acquiring OF Coco Crisp from the Red Sox in exchange for Ramon Ramirez. The club also signed RHP Kyle Farnsworth, formally of the Tigers.

      Top Prospect: Mike Moustakas, INF
      Moustakas is a high-A prospect selected with the second overall pick in the 2007 draft. Moustakas played shortstop at the collegiate level, but his arm strength will allow him to move over to third base at the next level. He struggled hitting the ball at the start of last season, but finished with a respectable .272 average in 496 minor league at bats. As long as his hitting continues to improve, he should move through the minors this year and get a shot at the big leagues in 2010.

      Continue reading »

      MLB

      2009 MLB Preview: #26 Seattle Mariners

      March 18, 2009 /

      Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams

      Offseason Movement: The M’s will bring back a familiar face this season after signing OF/DH Ken Griffey Jr. The club also made a slew of trades, adding outfielders Franklin Gutierrez (Indians) and Endy Chavez (Mets), as well as pitchers David Aardsma (Red Sox) and Garrett Olson (Cubs). Seattle also signed free agents Tyler Johnson, Tyler Walker and Russell Branyan.

      Top Prospect: Greg Halman, OF
      Some feel as though infielder Carlos Triunfel is the Mariners’ best long-term prospect and that very well might be the case, but Halman is closer to making an impact at the big league level at this point. Halman has flashed an outstanding array of power and speed and with Seattle not expected to contend this year, he could be a late season call up. Along with Halman and Triunfel, pitcher Phillippe Aumont is another prospect worthy of keeping an eye on.

      Continue reading »

      MLB

      2009 MLB Preview: #27 San Diego Padres

      March 18, 2009 /

      Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams

      Offseason Movement: The Padres didn’t make a ton of moves this offseason, but they did add 2B David Eckstein to help mentor a young club and hopefully provide a boost at the top of the lineup. San Diego also signed free agents Cliff Floyd, Henry Blanco, Chris Burke, Kevin Correia and traded for RHP Mark Worrell, formerly of the Cardinals.

      Top Prospect: Matt Antonelli, 2B
      The Padres selected Antonelli with the 17th overall pick in the 2008 draft and while he played third base at Wake Forest, the club envisions him as a second basemen at the next level. Thus far in spring training, Antonelli is hitting .348 in 23 at bats and although the club signed David Eckstein to play second base, they could move him to short to make room for the 23-year old prospect. Antonelli has flashed a decent combination of pop and speed, which is certainly two things the Padres would love to add to their lineup.

      Continue reading »

      MLB

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑