MLB Season 2006 thread

[betterREDthandead 58]

this is a great addition, and Mr. Illitch will pay him what he wants. I am really surprised he fell to number 6, so I will definitely take him. I have grown up a tigers fan but never followed them close until late 2003. Why is it that our draft prospects never turned out before Verlander? I know Eric Munson turned out to be a bust, but what other blunders did we have? I was just wondering. I am really excited to be a tigers fan these days! It is also a reason why I am excited to be a Wings fan, there is plenty of prospect talent waiting in the ranks. Does Evan McGrath ring a bell????

What other draft blunders? Hell, Munson actually played in the bigs! By the Tigers' standards of the '90s and early '00s, that's a huge pickup. Off the top of my head, there's Cade Gaspar and Mike Drumright, who never made it; Seth Greisinger, who probably would have been decent but blew out his elbow; Kenny Baugh, same, only his shoulder instead; Matt Anderson, who could throw 103 but never over the plate. If you really want a kick in the shins, Mark Mulder was a Tigers pick who never signed. Want more? Richard Greene and Matt Brunson from the early '90s, who never saw the light of day. Matt Wheatland from 2000 never made it to the Show either. Scott Moore from 2002 couldn't even hit A-ball pitching. Kyle Sleeth from '03 could still be a good pitcher, but he's just now coming back from Tommy John surgery, which Greisinger never could recover from.

In 1990 the Tigers picked up Tony Clark. Since then, the Tigers first rounders who have played in the bigs are: Munson, Anderson, Greisinger, Justin Verlander, and Jeff Weaver. That's it. Five in fifteen years. Randy Smith's real legacy wasn't his trades, it was his complete inability to stock a farm system. Only now, with David Chadd running the draft, are the Tigers doing it right.

[yzerman&thewings=CUP 0]

What other draft blunders? Hell, Munson actually played in the bigs! By the Tigers' standards of the '90s and early '00s, that's a huge pickup. Off the top of my head, there's Cade Gaspar and Mike Drumright, who never made it; Seth Greisinger, who probably would have been decent but blew out his elbow; Kenny Baugh, same, only his shoulder instead; Matt Anderson, who could throw 103 but never over the plate. If you really want a kick in the shins, Mark Mulder was a Tigers pick who never signed. Want more? Richard Greene and Matt Brunson from the early '90s, who never saw the light of day. Matt Wheatland from 2000 never made it to the Show either. Scott Moore from 2002 couldn't even hit A-ball pitching. Kyle Sleeth from '03 could still be a good pitcher, but he's just now coming back from Tommy John surgery, which Greisinger never could recover from.

In 1990 the Tigers picked up Tony Clark. Since then, the Tigers first rounders who have played in the bigs are: Munson, Anderson, Greisinger, Justin Verlander, and Jeff Weaver. That's it. Five in fifteen years. Randy Smith's real legacy wasn't his trades, it was his complete inability to stock a farm system. Only now, with David Chadd running the draft, are the Tigers doing it right.

thanks for the info, I was just referring to Munson because he was a former first round pick that, even though he made it to the bigs, he never lived up to his potential (3rd overall pick if I remember correctly). You sure know your tigers history, thanks for the update on that. I hope Miller doesn't go the way that Anderson or Greisinger did. I definitely remember Matt Anderson, but yea, if he can't keep control he can't pitch in the bigs.

[timothy1997 0]

this is a great addition, and Mr. Illitch will pay him what he wants. I am really surprised he fell to number 6, so I will definitely take him. I have grown up a tigers fan but never followed them close until late 2003. Why is it that our draft prospects never turned out before Verlander? I know Eric Munson turned out to be a bust, but what other blunders did we have? I was just wondering. I am really excited to be a tigers fan these days! It is also a reason why I am excited to be a Wings fan, there is plenty of prospect talent waiting in the ranks. Does Evan McGrath ring a bell????

good question. I think Matt Anderson ranks high up on the list of busts. Tigers picked Mr. Anderson (watching the matrix right now so its fitting ) 1st overall, and what did he really do. Fastball pitcher with no control.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Other than Andrew Miller (again: HUGE STEAL, I think) Baseball America had some nice things to say about some of the Tigers' other picks:

Ronnie Bourquin, second round, a 2B from Ohio State: "Might have found another gem" as he hit .416 with 66 RBI for OSU.

Ryan Strieby, fourth round, 1B from Kentucky: "one of the draft's most powerful hitters"

Chris Cody, eighth round, LHP from Manhattan: "plus changeup and a very advanced feel for pitching", pitched nine shutouts this season for Manhattan.

Still pretty pleased with the Miller pick. Best pitcher in the draft. Can't wait to see how he looks in spring training.

[BlakChamber 8]

I was pretty excited about the Miller pick up as well. Especially when I read he was the #1 rated player going into the draft

[dallas27 7]

ugh, leaving people on base is really killing them right now. on the bright side we can say that these tigers can play with anyone, they could be well above .500 against the yanks, sox and the chisox with a few good breaks and key hits.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Man, finally got some runners home last night. Fantastic baserunning by Pudge and Guillen to put the pressure on the Sox and win the game.

And by the way, Marcus Thames is going to play Monroe out of a job. He'd better. Thames would hit 30 home runs if given a regular spot in the lineup.

Rough spot, but still in first. Tough series against Toronto coming up, but we dodge Halladay. I'm going to the June 14 game against Tampa Looks like it'll be Bonderman's turn in the rotation for that one, against Mark Hendrickson.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Nice pitching by Miner today - looks like he got the first-game jitters out of the way and will be a solid replacement for Maroth.

I still am rooting for Thames to get into the everyday lineup ahead of Monroe. Nothing against Monroe, but Thames can flat-out hit. 12 HRs in 115 ABs this year. One per 9.5 ABs. That works out to 57 jacks over a full 550 AB season. His .313 BA sure is nice too.

Of course, Leyland seems to want to put that schmo Gomez in sometime around the 6th or 7th. Stop it. Yes, we need a left handed bat - a good left-handed bat.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Im wondering myself why that bum Gomez is the supposed defensive replacement...especially after booting that key ball against the Sox where he wouldve easily gunned someone. Its not like Thames has looked bad out there, unless im just forgetting some stuff i havent seen many bad plays at all out of him. I'm pretty much fed up with Monroe, I agree on giving Thames the regular job, and having Monroe be a spot OF and DH. I do find it kind of odd that Infante is used as DH when he plays, and not at LF with Thames being DH. You'd think a good defensive guy like Omar could just play anywhere, they say he's capable of playing OF but he must not be doing all that well there in practice...or else it just doesnt make much sense.

I like Miner, i think he'll be around a while. Like his changeup! And hey he's played against 2 really tough offenses so far. Watched some of Andrew Miller's game yesterday, that slider is just devastasting. I have no doubt he'll be ready for the majors in '07. That rotation is gonna be killer next season.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Oh....and note to Leyland: Please do not ever play Santiago and Wilson in the same game together. Christ throw Infante in there when Guillen and Polanco need rest, i really dont think it matters that Santiago can hit lefty!!

[betterREDthandead 58]

One guy to keep an eye on at Toledo might be Victor Mendez. Called up from Lakeland a couple weeks ago. He hasn't gotten into many games, but when he has, he's done some good hitting. He's a switch-hitter, so if he starts to earn regular playing time in Toledo and makes the most of it, I say use him to fill Gomez's role.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Another lefty bat i heard they might go after by the deadline is Brewers OF Geoff Jenkins. I do like Jenkins, but i dont wanna see another big strikeout guy in this lineup. If theres a chance we could get a lefty contact hitter with some speed, i think thats a much bigger need than another power hitter. If we could throw that guy at leadoff and move Granderson down in the order to more of a power spot like 6th i'd be all for it. Not that Curtis isnt doing ok at leadoff, but his future isnt batting leadoff anyway its batting 3rd.

Oh, and i dont believe anyone has mentioned it, but DY checked himself into a substance abuse program last week.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Not really much at all going on in terms of hitting prospects down in the minors, Clevlen still playing horrible and batting .203. Maybin is just returning after a finger injury kept him out for a while. One funny stat i found down at Toledo is Mike Hessman. He has 21 hits for the year, and 11 of them are home runs! (batting .130 lol). On the pitching front Humberto Sanchez won his first start at Toledo going 5 2/3 giving up just 1 run and striking out 5. After pitching extremely well at Erie (5-3, 1.74 ERA with more SO than IP) i'd say he'll be the guy to get the call next if Miner were to flop. I would hope so, I dont wanna see Ledezma back unless its in a relief role.

[betterREDthandead 58]

One funny stat i found down at Toledo is Mike Hessman. He has 21 hits for the year, and 11 of them are home runs! (batting .130 lol).

Rob Deer baby! One of my favorite Tigers ever.

Anyway, I think the very point of trying to get another lefty bat is to have a power bat, because the right field fence is very, very reachable, whereas left field obviously is where home runs go to die. But Jenkins wouldn't be the guy I want - as you said, strikes out a ton. He might reach 200 this year.

And if Granderson cuts down on the K's, he's got career leadoff hitter written all over him. A slight boost in batting average would be nice, but he's got the best eye for the strike zone of anyone on the team. On pace for about 90 walks, which is way above the major league average.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Verlander vs. Kazmir tonight. Fun matchup.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Rob Deer baby! One of my favorite Tigers ever.

Anyway, I think the very point of trying to get another lefty bat is to have a power bat, because the right field fence is very, very reachable, whereas left field obviously is where home runs go to die. But Jenkins wouldn't be the guy I want - as you said, strikes out a ton. He might reach 200 this year.

And if Granderson cuts down on the K's, he's got career leadoff hitter written all over him. A slight boost in batting average would be nice, but he's got the best eye for the strike zone of anyone on the team. On pace for about 90 walks, which is way above the major league average.

My thinking with Granderson is that you typically put your best all around hitter at 3rd. I think he'll be a 25-30 homer guy, and those strikeouts probably wont go down, he had them in the minors too. Like I said dont get me wrong he's doing an ok job at leadoff, i'm just wondering if he could produce even more surrounded by some power! Also my thinking is that he could be the lefty power bat that would break up the string of righties. But im sure it'll be harder to acquire a real leadoff type anyway so its a moot point, since guys like Burnitz and Jenkins are players teams actually want to give up.

Kazmir vs Verlander is gonna be sweet as hell, phone definitely wont be answered from 7-10!

Edited June 12, 2006 by Lou_Siffer

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Is Granderson becoming clutch or what?? Once that error happened and Inge was on 2nd, i knew they had it even when Curtis got 2 strikes on him! Even Alexis Gomez had the gum going in like the 10th lol.

I sure hope Rogers is ready to deal 9 innings tonight.

[timothy1997 0]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Arco...ov=ap&type=lgns

Sad to see this happen to DY. Looks like his career in Detroit is over.

[BlakChamber 8]

I sure hope Rogers is ready to deal 9 innings tonight.

One run on 4 hits in 8 innings with 9 K's and only 1 walk. Sounds like he was dealing to me

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Crap I shouldnt have took down my Kenny for Cy Young avatar, oh well, dont wanna jinx him now by bringing it back!!

[BlakChamber 8]

Rollercoaster Jones, strikes again!!!

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Todd "The Demon Drop" Jones...what a way to waste Zumaya's 2 innings.

I hate Craig Monroe, its official.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Lemme start by saying I like Todd Jones, I really do. He seems to be a genuinely good guy who always gives his all, and really cares about his performance. That said, I think it's time for him to hang it up.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Lemme start by saying I like Todd Jones, I really do. He seems to be a genuinely good guy who always gives his all, and really cares about his performance. That said, I think it's time for him to hang it up.

I feel the same about Jones, and I really do root for him and feel happy when he gets a save. Its not really like me at all to genuinely feel for a player when he's down, but i do with Jones. Probably has to do with how he was so emotional when he got traded and then jumped at the oppurtunity to come back here. And he does seem like a good guy as well. I guess i'll give him the benefit of the doubt in that it was his 2nd inning of work...but it is time to swap roles with Rodney. I dont wanna see Zumaya as closer just yet as i see him being extremely valuable in his current role.

Ledezma called up for the pen, which i just mentioned a few days ago thats the only place i wanna see him. Bobby Seay sent down.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Zach Miner gets win #2 as he goes 7 innings and gives up no earned runs. The DRays two unearned runs came in the 1st inning but Miner didnt let it get to him and shut them down. Dombrowski may have found us another good one!