ESPN's Bold Predictions

[2nd_city_saint787]

TMR: I say the White Sox win at least 90 games and the AL Central.

You: What?!? In that division, with the Twins and Tigers? Are you serious?

TMR: You heard me!

 

Juan Pierre leads the majors in stolen bases with 70. It would be his career high.

 

 

 

pretty fun read http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball...k2k10youheardme

 

 

He says hes high on the white sox this year as am i, i see a lot of gloom around here about our offense but i think we'll do just fine.....as long as mark kotsay isnt out 3 hole hitter.

[daa84]

pretty fun read http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball...k2k10youheardme

 

 

He says hes high on the white sox this year as am i, i see a lot of gloom around here about our offense but i think we'll do just fine.....as long as mark kotsay isnt out 3 hole hitter.

espn had another article with "players I love" by some guy named Jason Grey....he picked beckham #2

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/basebal...10grey10players

 

the list went as follows.....Upton Brothers, Beckham, Billy Butler, Howie Kendrick, Chris Davis, Steven Drew, Brett Anderson, Andrew McCutcheon, Mat Latos, WAde Davis and Brian Matusz

 

he also had a link to a blog he wrote about a month ago saying beckham was the next big thing in fantasy....i somehow missed the article, but i'm sure it was posted or linked on here when it came out....here a few highlights

 

According to Inside Edge, Beckham was in the top quarter of major league hitters in well-hit balls last season. This is a category where Inside Edge rates what percentage of at-bats the batter squares up the ball, regardless of the result. Beckham's .237 average of well-hit balls was almost 30 points above the league average. Not only is it reasonable to expect more hits, but we can expect them to be hit with authority, especially given his bat speed.

 

When he came out of college, the one knock scouts had about Beckham's swing was a hitch at the start (a first move that can cost you time), and one of the dangers of a hitch is that it makes it tougher to adjust to off-speed pitches. Good rookie hitters can usually hit fastballs, but handling big league breaking stuff and changeups is often a problem, especially for a hitter with a hitch. However, Beckham has worked to make his hitch less pronounced, and his strong forearms and wrists, coupled with good pitch recognition, allowed him to thrive against "non-fastballs" last year. Scouts raved about how well he handled off-speed pitches, and that he was not just a fastball hitter. In fact, as the chart to the right shows, Beckham's .700 slugging percentage against changeups last season was the seventh-best mark in the majors.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/basebal...lbdk2k10beckham

[elrockinMT]

It's always nice when folks say positive things about us

[Texsox]

When I read nice things like that I remind myself they are as clueless as the guys that pick us 4th.

[chw42]

espn had another article with "players I love" by some guy named Jason Grey....he picked beckham #2

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/basebal...10grey10players

 

the list went as follows.....Upton Brothers, Beckham, Billy Butler, Howie Kendrick, Chris Davis, Steven Drew, Brett Anderson, Andrew McCutcheon, Mat Latos, WAde Davis and Brian Matusz

 

he also had a link to a blog he wrote about a month ago saying beckham was the next big thing in fantasy....i somehow missed the article, but i'm sure it was posted or linked on here when it came out....here a few highlights

 

 

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/fantasy/basebal...lbdk2k10beckham

 

I swear Inside Edge was something that 2K sports uses in their video games for scouting reports...

 

[Jordan4life_2007]

Beckham slugged .700 against changeups? Man, it amazes me the statistical information that is available today. I'm a little worried about all the national recognition/love Beckham has been getting. I guess I'm just not used to one of our guys getting so much hype.

[Kalapse]

Beckham slugged .700 against changeups? Man, it amazes me the statistical information that is available today. I'm a little worried about all the national recognition/love Beckham has been getting. I guess I'm just not used to one of our guys getting so much hype.

It just lends credence to all the "National Star" talk of the offseason, there's little doubt in my mind that if he does live up to potential he's going to be a pretty big name in the game.

[Jake]

I swear Inside Edge was something that 2K sports uses in their video games for scouting reports...

 

 

Same here, I was on a recruiting visit and the coach was showing me their Inside Edge scouting s*** and it blew my mind, I thought he was messing with me.

[SoxAce]

It just lends credence to all the "National Star" talk of the offseason, there's little doubt in my mind that if he does live up to potential he's going to be a pretty big name in the game.

 

Especially playing at a position like 2B. Hopefully he hits like I think he will and get the Chase Utley of the AL love. (though of course we all know there is only 1 Chase Utley)

[2nd_city_saint787]

more bold predictions from espn on baseball tonight, I believe it was Buster Onley who said Beckham would lead the Sox in RBI with close to a 100.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Especially playing at a position like 2B. Hopefully he hits like I think he will and get the Chase Utley of the AL love. (though of course we all know there is only 1 Chase Utley)

 

I think Utley is underrated if you ask me. There's still a lot of dopes out there that think Ryan Howard is the Phillies best player. And he doesn't get the recognition Pedroia gets. Other than Pujols, there isn't a better all-around in baseball, IMO.

[SoxAce]

Other than Pujols, there isn't a better all-around in baseball, IMO.

 

I would argue Hanley Ramirez, who is phenomenal, but I get what your saying and agreed.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I would argue Hanley Ramirez, who is phenomenal, but I get what your saying and agreed.

 

Hanley would be the only legitimate argument. But Utley plays a superb 2B, and should have at least 3 GG awards by now (lmao@Hudson getting it last year). That puts him a tick above Hanley in my mind.

[Kalapse]

Except Hanley's only an average defender at this point where there really isn't a single thing that Chase Utley isn't very good at.

 

Utley is one of the best pure baserunners in baseball regardless of speed. Just keeping it real simple: over the past 3 years Chase is 46 for 49 in SB attempts (96%) and has been picked off only once and it was a POCS. He was also #2 in BP's Equivalent Base Running Runs which measures the number of runs contributed by a player's advancement on the bases. Over the last 3 years Chase is actually a 6.0 in speed score where as Hanley is a 6.1.

 

Over the past 3 years Chase Utley leads all players at all positions in UZR/150 at 17.6, #2 is Ryan Zimmerman at 14.6.

 

Over the past 3 years he's 7th in baseball in wOBA behind Pujols, Chipper, a guy who played the majority of his games at Coors, a known roider, Teixeira and Hanley and he's only 0.005 points behind Hanley.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Except Hanley's only an average defender at this point where there really isn't a single thing that Chase Utley isn't very good at.

 

Utley is one of the best pure baserunners in baseball regardless of speed. Just keeping it real simple: over the past 3 years Chase is 46 for 49 in SB attempts (96%) and has been picked off only once and it was a POCS. He was also #2 in BP's Equivalent Base Running Runs which measures the number of runs contributed by a player's advancement on the bases. Over the last 3 years Chase is actually a 6.0 in speed score where as Hanley is a 6.1.

 

Over the past 3 years Chase Utley leads all players at all positions in UZR/150 at 17.6, #2 is Ryan Zimmerman at 14.6.

 

Over the past 3 years he's 7th in baseball in wOBA behind Pujols, Chipper, a guy who played the majority of his games at Coors, a known roider, Teixeira and Hanley and he's only 0.005 points behind Hanley.

 

Holliday and Manny?

[SoxAce]

Holliday and Manny?

 

I was thinking Helton and A-Rod, but your probably right.

[qwerty]

Holliday and Manny?

 

 

I was thinking Helton and A-Rod, but your probably right.

 

 

Manny is 8th with helton coming in at 18.

[Quin]

I think my favorite prediction was Sabathia sucking...

[southsider2k5]

more bold predictions from espn on baseball tonight, I believe it was Buster Onley who said Beckham would lead the Sox in RBI with close to a 100.

 

I don't think that is really bold. The kid has a nose for the big AB already. I don't think his pace last year was too far from 100 RBI if you project him over a full season anyway.

[SoxAce]

I don't think that is really bold. The kid has a nose for the big AB already. I don't think his pace last year was too far from 100 RBI if you project him over a full season anyway.

 

Well he won't get 100 batting 2nd all year. If Ozzie moves him to 3rd, 4th or 5th later in the year, I would believe it. Can't see it hitting behind Pierre and whomever is batting 8th & 9th unless someone has an outstanding year.

[Kalapse]

Only 1 full time 2 hole hitter cracked 100 RBI last year and he was hitting behind Marco Scutaro and his .380 OBP.

[witesoxfan]

Only 1 full time 2 hole hitter cracked 100 RBI last year and he was hitting behind Marco Scutaro and his .380 OBP.

 

and he also hit 36 homers