My Projected Top 13 MLB Draft Picks for 2012

I wanted to do more pciks but this week is busy, I will do post draft coverage too.

1. HOU- SP Mark Appel
2. MIN- OF Byron Buxton
3. SEA- SP Kevin Gaussman
4. BAL- SP Max Fried
5. KC-C Mike Zuznino
6. CHC- SP Kyle Zimmer
7. SD- SS Carlos Correa
8. PIT- 1B Richie Schafer
9. MIA- OF Albert Almora
10. COL- Lance Mcculers
11. OAK- SP Michael Wacha
12. NYM- SS Gavin Gecchini
13. CHW- Sp Lucas Giotello

BEST POTENTIAL- OF Byron Buxton
BEST PLAYER- SP Mark Appel
BEST HIGH SCHOOL ARM- SP Max Fried

BEST PICK FROM LAST SEASON- SP Trevor Bauer for ARZ

Trade Deadline Winners and Loseres So Far

A look at who won and lost so far and if things can change

WINNER
TIGERS- Disregard Fister’s two middle starts for the Tigers and he’s been really good.  He will show up even more and be a reliable number three on the Tigers staff.  Pauley looks good and should do around as well as he did with the M’s and be one of the top relievers in the division.  Betemit fits right in with he team and will continue too, awesome at the bottom of the line-up, more average and RBIs with some homers sprinkled in.  Delmon Young was a waiver trade that should do some good too.
MARINERS- Casper Wells could very well reach 20-20 if he gets full playing time and is a good option to hit second in that line-up too and him and Carp might cool off a bit there but there both really good and Wells might even be a smidge better.  Carp wasn’t acquired at the deadline but him and Casper have both been awesome for the M’s.  Furbush could be a good option at the end of the rotation or a really good long reliever or middle reliever and should keep it up.  Ruffin and Martinez will show their talents soon, Ruffin sooner and could he could be a setup man real quick.  Robinson is the best player they got and Chiang shows up under any circumstance and could be very good for them soon too.
PHILLIES- Hunter Pence will do even better and thrive in Philly.  He and Victorino are young and explosive and think in 2012 with Brown being added.  He may have made the Phillies pull away from the pack and will continue to do great things and play great defense and great all-around and he could heat up even more
RANGERS- They got Mike Adams, who has had a few struggles since joining the AL but he will give up a few more runs out of San Diego and even with his struggles he’s still a top setup man and pair him with Uehara, who could do even better with his new and team and you have a team that I can’t see NOT making the ALCS at least along with their whole other team.
BRAVES- Bourn is a true leadoff man and that will help them a ton.  He will propel them a ton and this team was already good almost all-around too.  The best part is they didn’t give up anybody who will be more valuable, pretty much ever!  Bourn’s running game will add to the offense too and those stolen bases were needed.  This makes the Braves maybe the most well-rounded team in the MLB.  Aces- Jurrjens, Hudson, Hanson.  Speed: Heyward, Bourn  Defense: Heyward, Bourn, Gonzalez  Relievers: Kimbrel, Venters, O’Flaherty  Power: McCann, Uggla, Freeman  Hitting: Jones, McCann, Bourn.  Bourn adds a ton
INDIANS: The Fukudome deal was dumb because he won;t do anything for them and will stay around the Mendoza Line.  If Jimenez turns out it was worth it.  He can get beat up from time to time but now he’s in a better park and if he gets his delivery fixed up a bit they have a guy who will keep them going and they might not fall out
BLUE JAYS: Rasmus for what they got was a steal and they got some supporting cast members.  Now that the Jays have a five tool, middle of the order center fielder they might be able to sneak in the AL East race real soon.  Rasmus should do even better and continue to develop in Toronto and reach his prime real soon
METS: Beltran wasn’t coming back, so they got a future ace which is good for them because the only current members of the rotation (Or DL) I can see in a Mets uniform in a couple of years is Niese and Santana, so Wheeler could be the co-ace if he reaches his potential.
ATHLETICS: Ziegler may be good but Allen should be a starter who does well and Norberto could do almost as well as Ziegler down the road, possibly.
LOSERS
DODGERS: They gave up a good and explosive center fielder that could be a big player starting next year for two future relievers, one of which seems to be a hit or miss (Rodriguez and a platoon catcher.  The deal was dumb for the Dodgers and it could hurt them a little more than they think.  The Furcal deal was good for them though.
RED SOX: Aviles si a good utility man for them who can fill in for an injured guy and do well and could get even better with the Sox in Fenway but Bedard probably won’t do much and the rotation of their’s might get beat up in the playoffs.  Beckett and Lester are the only guys who could really do well and Bedard could do something but coming off an injury he may not do much.  In the future he could return to doing well, so maybe they can re-sign him.
CARDINALS: The bullpen hasn’t gotten much better because Dotel is nearing the end of his career and behind him their bullpen just isn’t strong enough.  Salas and Rzepcynski are good but now I think they are out of it and they gave up Rasmus and got back a bad return and though Jay won’t be bad he won’t be able to replace him.  Furcal is only a small upgrade over Schumaker/Theroit too.  Castellanos has potential too.
YANKEES: No moves, still problems.  Not enough pitching for them could mean a playoff exit before the ALCS.  The Rangers and Red Sox are better and the Tigers have a better ace at this point and Scherzer and Fister are starting to show up.  No deal could be a huge loss and even Wandy Rodriguez looks good for them now.
WHITE SOX: They got one good future arm who won;t be an ace but good and a veteran reliever and that’s not enough for them to compete I think.
ASTROS: The really didn’t get back a lot of really good prospects but they aren’t complete losers, they just could have gotten more.  Singleton and Zied look good along with Santana and Cossart.  Oberholtzer also a good pickup.
IN BETWEEN
ANGELS: They didn’t need to really make a move but they could have.  They probably won’t the division and some oft he other hitters will heat up down the strecth anyway, so they are fine.  Their biggest problem is figuring out how to get rid of Wells so next year Trout and play with Hunter and Bourjos in the outfield and Abreu will DH.  Something going to have to happen.
GIANTS: Beltran is hurt but he could give them major production is September and even more in the playoffs and Keppinger is a number two guy they needed but not sure why they got Orlando Cabrera, at this point Tejada is better.  So they are winners if Beltran shows up, which is more likely and losers if he doesn’t 
DIAMNDBACKS: Ziegler is another good arm who will have success ad Marquis was good but they may still have enough to beat the Giants anyway and the Goldschmit call-up, could be, well, gold.

MLB Power Rankings 8/19/11

1. Phillies- The best, no question
2. Red Sox- Really Good, easily better than the Yankees
3. Braves- I can’t find many negatives
4. Yankees- Starters and Injuries a concern but a good team
5. Brewers- Hottest in baseball and Weeks isn’t even back yet
6. Rangers- Ready for another deep postseason run
7. Diamondbacks- Look better than the Giants but not very established yet
8. Giants- Lincecum has been a n ace as has Cain and Vogelsong and Sanchez have been a great supporting cast.  No offense though
9. Tigers- If the starters can come around they are a pretty deep team
10. Rays- The wrong division, one of the most talented teams in the MLB, bright future
11. Cardinals- Berkman, Holliday and Pujols won’t make it easy on Brewers but Garcia struggles are big trouble
12. Indians- Ubaldo will help but just aren’t THAT good
13. Angels- Wells is killing them but Santana is hot and Trumbo is a very talented player
14. White Sox- If Dunn comes around, watch out, Humber being out hurts though
15. Blue Jays- Above average but this isn’t their year to shine
16. Pirates- A .500 team, finally.  If Alvarez comes around and they stay healthy could be much, much more
17. Reds- Could climb up the list and come back very strong
18. Rockies- Another team that had just one bad year and Tulo could light up September
19. Marlins- Should being doing a lot better but dumb moves like demoting Morrison hurt
20. Mets- Not a bad team but not a contender, yet
21. Nationals- Could be next year’s surprise team with Strasburg back, both Zimmerman(n)s and a good year from Werth, don’t forget Harper, at the end of the year, either
22. Twins- Need to come out the gate better but Nishioka is a bust and an easy out, the double play combo needs work
23. Athletics- They look very good and I can’t see them not improving a lot next season
24. Padres- Have some young and promising players but still a few years away
25. Dodgers- Kemp is an MVP candidate and Ethier should come back strong starting this year
26. Mariners- The starters look good and Wells and Carp look like future players but after that it’s hazy
27. Orioles- Not a really good team and still years away from contending
28. Cubs- With Hendry gone it could get better from here
29. Royals- Their outfielders all look good and prospects are bright a better record is ahead
30. Astros- Not much other than Altuve

Braves Acquire Michael Bourn

The Braves have acquired Michael Bourn for Jordan Schafer, Paul Clemens, Brett Oberholtzer, and Juan Abreu.  Bourn will hit leadoff in Atlanta and should keep producing like he did in Houston.  He gives the Braves speed and defense and a good center fielder, which is what they need, so the Braves did a good job here,  Bourn will make the outfield better on defense along with Heyward and will steal another 20 bases at least this season.  Him hitting leadoff bumps Prado to the two hole which is good too because that’s where Prado needs to hit.  Bourn will play great for the Braves this year and beyond.  The Astros got Jordan Schafer to take over center field duties and he looks good and could very well breakout and show us all of his tools in Houston and in that park he will show a ton of power and just play really well.  The Astros also got Oberholtzer who looks like he will be a good pitcher but nothing really special.  The Astros also got Paul Clemens, who looks really good and could rocket through the system and have some good years in Houston and Juan Abreu who will be decent and has major league potential, it’s a good haul for the Astros.  Bourn should always have higher stock than Schafer and do some great stuff in Atalanta.  His speed will solve a lot of problems.  EDGE: Braves

Phillies Acquire Hunter Pence

This will put the Phillies over the top, there batting order should now be

1. SS Jimmy Rollins
2. 3B Placido Polanco
3. 2B Chase Utley
4. 1B Ryan Howard
5. RF Hunter Pence
6. CF Shane Victorino
7. RF Raul Ibanez/Ben Francisco
8. C Carlos Ruiz

That is a winning  line-up and Pence will play a great right field in Philly, will be a bit more productive than Werth was there.  He will hit better and could really just rake in that ballpark the rest of the year.  He will get more homers and RBIs too.  He plays good defense and is just a great player, even better than Beltran at this point.  Pence will do great in Philly for many years but he could be their best offensive player for the rest of this year for sure.  He’s just so good and now that he’s on the best MLB team it will be very special.  Expect huge numbers and everything from Pence.
PROSPECTS THE ASTROS GET
JOSH ZEID: He isn’t a top prospect yet but he looks like he could sneak up and rank high on the Astros list.  He’s more of a reliever right now but could even be a good starter and is a good pitcher.  He isn’t quite ready yet but he will have a good career and should just be a real good pitcher.
JONATHAN SINGELTON: He will be a good bat who will be in the middle of the order and could be the Astros top power hitters for years to come.  I do think he is a bit overrated but he’s still a top prospect who will be a special player, but not as productive as Pence.  The best prospect in the deal.
JARRED COSART: A future middle of the rotation starter who will do everything pretty good and have good numbers has a chance to be a future all-star and will do pretty good, needs to lower his ERA though

EDGE: Phillies

Power Rankings

1. Indinas
2. Phillies
3. Rays
4. Yankees
5. Giants
6. Cardinals
7. Marlins
8. Reds
9. Rangers
10. Red Sox
11. Braves
12. Rockies
13. Tigers
14. Brewers
15. Blue Jays
16. Angels
17. Atheltics
18. Royals
19. White Sox
20. Pirates
21. Diamondbacks
22. Mets
23. Nationals
24. Dodgers
25. Orioles
26. Marienrs
27. Cubs
28. Padres
29. Astros
30. Twins

Roy Oswalt and Cardinals

I think Roy Oswalt would do great in St. Louis and they would be tough to beat and if they do make the postseason.  If the Cardinals give up Brendan Ryan it wouldn’t be that bad but if they let go of Jon Jay it might turn out a bit different.  Oswalt would form a big three with Carpenter and Wainwright that would make them front-runners for next years NL Central crown.  This year he would be very reliable and keep his ERA low.  The Astros would make out good if they got out with Ryan, Jay and a top prospect like Daryl Jones or Allen Craig.  I think St. Louis is the best fit for Oswalt.  He would do good with the Twins but would be slightly worse and get a few less wins.  He would do good with Philly too but not any better than he’s doing with Houston.  Whoever gets Oswalt will get an ace for the next two seasons who won’t do worse than he doing now.

Phillies Disscussing Major Trades

• First is the Rays are trying to get Jayson Werth, which isn’t a bad idea.  The Rays need an extra source of power to just get them through this year and Werth seems like the perfect fit and he wouldn’t disappoint.  The Rays shouldn’t give up to many prospects though.  The Phillies would start Domonic Brown which probably wouldn’t work super good but with his tools it would hurt the Phillies.  Werth would be better in the postseason for the Rays too.
• The Phillies want Roy Oswalt, who along Halladay would make a push for the postseason but even with Oswalt I don’t think the Phillies would have enough to make the postseason.  Oswalt would just continue on his great season though and could pay bigger deeds next year.  The Phillies would probably have to give up some prized prospects but I think it would worth it.  Oswalt is the best pitcher on the market for the Phils. 
• The Phillies have a bad chance at the postseason this year but with Oswalt next year and the maturing of Brown they would be a serious contender next year.

Will Lyon do well, keep job?

I think Brandon Lyon will perform well in the closers role only blowing a save every now and then.  Matt Lindstrom should be the one to struggle and Lyon has terrific late inning abilities.  He will just cruise and get outs and it should be that way a lot of games and he should stay away from trouble, but he will get knocked around from time to time.  He could save about 30 games this year and dominate in the eight and ninth inning.  Lyon will be not put a lot of runners on and should get even the toughest saves.  He will have a good year this year and should be a decent closer.  He might slump to start the year though.  He shouldn’t do anything he did in Arizona.
CLOSER:  Lindstrom isn’t a closer and will give up some runs and get a lot of runners on.  Lyon will do his job and if the Astros put Lindstrom in a the closer’s role it will cost them big, he will do just fine as a steup man and Lyon will do just fine as a closer.

Tejada brings big prize

ANALYSIS: Tejada still ahs it in him and he will have an easy transition to third.  Tejada is lacking homers an isn’t a big boost to an offense but he will still do enough to where teams will be happy with his production.  Tejada won’t make a team lose a thing and a team that needs just a bit of offense needs him, he gives any team more options with his great hitting skills.  Tejada has been great with RISP lately and that trend should keep up and it will help his hitting a lot if he does continue.  Tejada will only be good another two years but you can get a lot out of that.

Takers:
CARDINALS: He would be good in this offense though I wouldn’t want to mess with the development of David Freese, but he would put up the same numbers here.
ATHLETICS: Not the best team for him but I don’t see him not putting up even half way decent numbers.
ORIOLES: He was good in this offense and with young good hitters he could make it a lot better.
TWINS: He would beat up on division and would be great with the M and M boys, just putting him in this line-up makes him and them way better
PHILLIES: Insert him in this line-up and watch him, but numbers would fall not playing every day
GIANTS: Need offense, not a terrible fit but tough pitching could stop him in his tracks
RANGERS: Just insert him into a wild offense like this and watch the RBIs and his production sky-rocket
ASTROS: Worked out, would serve as nice filler.