Bleacher Report - Articles by Bob Hussey

MLB: The Rise of Justin Upton

Bob Hussey — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:03:38 -0400

Perhaps even more surprising than the fast start of the Arizona Diamondbacks this year is the emergence of their 20-year-old right fielder, Justin Upton, as an offensive force.

Through Saturday the first overall pick from the 2005 draft is tied for the National League lead with five home runs and is batting .415.

Given Upton’s performance at the big league level in 2007, his early offensive output is something of a surprise.

Shuttled quickly from A to AA last year and then to the Diamondbacks, Upton looked completely outmatched by big league pitching, batting just .221 with 37 strikeouts in 140 at-bats. He was equally ineffective at the plate during last year’s playoffs.

Upton still has some issues to address if he’s to become the five-tool player that everyone expects. He needs to be more selective at the plate, having drawn only four walks in 41 at-bats while striking out 11 times. Despite possessing blazing speed, he’s only stolen two bases during his brief big league career.

But given his hot start to the 2008 season, there doesn’t seem to be anything to prevent him from developing into a consistent .300 hitter with 30-30 potential.

If he stays healthy, he has the makings of a perennial All-Star for the next two decades.

MLB: Philadelphia Phillies, Amongst Others, Get No Respect from Sports Weekly

Bob Hussey — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:26:41 -0400

This week’s edition of Sports Weekly hit newsstands this morning and contains the 2008 Major League Baseball predictions from their 13 reporters and contributors.

While there were no earth shattering surprises among the prognostications (no one picked the Pirates to win it all), a few teams and players got dissed big time.

First, let's consider the Philadelphia Phillies.

Not one of the 13 predictors chose Philadelphia to win the National League East, though three have last year’s Division Champs winning the Wild Card.

Four writers chose the Phillies as the National League team most likely to disappoint.

Incredibly, the brittle Mets were the choice of 10 of the 13 writers to win the NL East.

The Phillies are arguably the most improved team in the East.

The additions of Pedro Feliz and Geoff Jenkins improved an already formidable line-up, and the acquisition of Brad Lidge allows Brett Myers to return to the starting rotation.

The folks at Sports Weekly must think that Lidge’s knee injury coupled with the merciless fans of Philadelphia will force Myers back to the closer role and permanently sidetrack the Phillies’ efforts to repeat.

The Rockies' late season run in 2007 has already become part of baseball lore, despite falling short in the World Series. The writers at Sports Weekly were apparently unimpressed.

Only one, Heather Tucker, chose the Rockies to win the National League West, with three others predicting a Wild Card berth for Colorado.

10 of the 13 writers chose the Cubs to win the weak National League Central, but alas, none picked the team to even advance to the World Series, let alone end the North Side’s 100-year drought.

Only three writers chose the Yankees to win the American League East, just one more vote than the Blue Jays received.

Four writers think the Yankees will be the most disappointing team in the American League.

Among the dissed players, three writers chose Dontrelle Willis as their American League Underachiever. Others included Erik Bedard (chosen by John Tkach), Robinson Cano (chosen by Paul Williams), and Yankee wunderkind Joba Chamberlain (chosen by Devin Clancy).

In the National League, Andruw Jones took the Oscar in the Underachievement category with three votes. Two writers think Eric Gagne will be a bust in Milwaukee. Perhaps the most surprising pick in this category was Mel Antonen’s prediction that Ryan Braun will suffer the sophomore swoon.

So which team does the cognoscenti at Sports Weekly think will win it all in 2008?

With four votes each, it’s a tie between the Tigers and Red Sox.

The Indians received two votes, while the Mets, Diamondbacks, and Mariners each got one.

Twins Can't Lose With Choosing Carlos Gomez for CF

Bob Hussey — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:32:17 -0400

In the next few days, Ron Gardenhire will choose between Denard Span and Carlos Gomez to be the Twins starting centerfielder on Opening Day. Though he could use another year of seasoning at AAA, Carlos Gomez should get the nod.

Offensively, arguments could be made on behalf of both players. Through March 23rd, Gomez is batting .286 with a homer, six rbi’s and ten steals. Span is batting .282 with no homers and two rbi’s and three steals.

Gomez has more power and is more explosive on the base paths but Span is the much more disciplined hitter at the plate, with a .404 on-base percentage. Span has drawn seven walks in 39 official at-bats, Gomez has only two in 49 trips to the plate. Gomez has 12 runs scored to Span’s six.

In the field, both are above-average defenders with good speed. Gomez is faster and has the stronger arm but is not as polished as Span. Through yesterday, Gomez has made one error in the field and thrown out three runners. Span has no errors but only one assist.

Span had been Tori Hunter’s heir apparent for some years until a disastrous first half of 2007 at AAA gave the Twins pause. Span rebounded, finishing the year with a .267 average and 25 steals.

He was originally drafted by Minnesota and has been groomed in the Twins’ 'small-ball' style of play. If Span had a solid 2007, the Twins might not even have asked for Gomez in the Santana trade and the CF job would be Span's to lose.

But the Twins did get Gomez, a player who struggled to a .232 average in 125 at-bats with the Mets last year. At times, he is brilliant. Other times, he makes mistakes you’d expect to see in A ball.

A recent at-bat against the Phillies in a game played last week illustrates the point. Gomez singles and proceeds to get picked off first but he beats the throw down to second. On the next pitch, Delmon Young hits a little flare just over the second baseman’s head. Gomez speeds around the bases and scores just ahead of Utley’s throw.

If the Twins were legitimate contenders this year, they would probably go with Span and let Gomez work on his game at Rochester. But with a highly suspect starting rotation, they might as well give the job to Gomez and make things exciting.

He might lose them as many games with his head as he wins with his legs but at least it won’t be boring. The fact that the team needs to show fans some immediate dividends from the Johan Santana deal will also be a factor, making Gardenhire’s choice of Gomez over Span an easy one.