Atlanta Braves Preview/prediction

Now that we got the division predictions done it is time to dig a little bit deeper.  Between now and the opener in Japan each team will get their own prediction/preview.  I am going to go in alphabetical order.

Our next post takes us down to Atlanta, where they are ready to get going after one of the most epic collapses in Major League History.  Let's get to it!

Infield: Brian McCann at catcher, Freddie Freeman at first base, Dan Uggla at second base, Jack Wilson* at shortstop, and Chipper Jones at third base.

Brian McCann is still one of the better hitting catchers in the game, but I worry about the toll it is taking on him.  Maybe not this year but sometime soon he will start to fall out, just like all catchers do.  The right side of the infield is one of the best hitting groups in all of baseball.  I am a huge Freddie Freeman fan and Dan Uggla will get his 30 home runs again.  I am very worried about the left side of the infield because neither Jack Wilson or Chipper Jones can stay healthy.  If they do they will be good defensively and Chipper can hit, but I think both of these guys will spend significant time on the disable list in 2012.    

* Note: Jack Wilson will not be the shortstop for Atlanta. It will be Tyler Pastornicky who they recieved in the Yunel Escobar trade. Better defense than offense but will still hit .280 and steal some bases.

Who will have the best season of these guys? Freddie Freeman.  That kid can flat out hit a baseball and he will continue to improve.  I think he will hit over 300 this season and hit over 25 home runs.  Uggla will have more home runs but hit way less, so I am going with the kid here.

Outfield: Martin Prado in left field, Michael Bourn in center field, and Jason Heyward in right field

Martin Prado is a serviceable but forgettable left fielder but the other 2 are very talented ball players.  Michael Bourn came over in the trade from Houston last year and them having a full season of him batting in the lead off spot all year long will finally settle this spot down.  Jason Heyward is a wild card here.  He has the most talent in the outfield but he needs to stay healthy.  If he stays healthy he will have a good year, but that is a big if.  

Who will have the best season of these guys?  I think it will be Michael Bourn but that is because I don't think that Heyward will stay healthy all year long.  Bourn will steal 50 bases score over 110 runs and will be a menace in that lead off spot.  

Starting Pitching: Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Brandon Beachy, and one of the kids from the minors (Delgado or Teheran)

Tim Hudson is the ultimate major league pitcher.  The man has been good for so long, and when he comes back he will still be a very effective starter.  Tommy Hanson is a talented young man but again he needs to stay healthy all year long.  Jair Jurrjens is a very good pitcher, and despite the trade rumors this year I think he will be ready to go and win more than 15 games.  Brandon Beachy is a decent #4 starter but I am decided for the battle for #5 between these young guys.  It looks like Delgado is the favorite but Teheran got the call up early last year for a couple of starts.  Both kids have electric stuff and whoever doesn't make it will definitely be up in the big leagues at some point this season.

Who will have the best season of these guys?  Jair Jurrjens will have the best season of these five, or six.  Hudson might miss the first month and Hanson is injury proned, and I think Jurrjens will be fine this year and will make Atlanta very happy they didn't trade him this off-season.  

Bullpen: Craig Kimbrel, Johnny Venters, Eric O'Flaherty, Kris Medlan

The first three were all over worked last year but all three are very good relievers.  Once September hit they just ran out of gas and fell apart, and that is a huge reason for that collapse.  They will not be worked as hard this year as they were last year, and they will be much fresher come September.  I do not see a collapse this year, as long as the bullpen is managed correctly.  

Who will have the best season of these guys?  2011 Rookie of the Year Craig Kimbrel had a fantastic season as a closer, but I think Johnny Venters will have a better season.  I think he will have more strike outs, a lower ERA and a lower WHIP. Venters was unhittable the first five months last season and again if the innings are managed it will be another good season for Venters.  

Record Prediction: 92-70 2nd in the National League East.  One of the wild cards

Next up:  Baltimore Orioles

Arizona Diamondbacks preview/prediction

Now that we got the division predictions done it is time to dig a little bit deeper.  Between now and the opener in Japan each team will get their own prediction/preview.  I am going to go in alphabetical order.  

Our first team post today takes us down to Arizona, where the Diamondbacks are looking to repeat as National League West Champions.

Infield: Miguel Montero at catcher, Paul Goldschmidt at first base, Aaron Hill at second base, Stephen Drew at shortstop, and Geoff Blum at third base.

The infield is a decent hitting infield if Aaron Hill can continue to hit in the National League and if Stephen Drew can stay healthy (that is a big if).  Paul Goldschmidt can hit the ball a long way and Geoff Blum is an average third baseman, nothing too spectacular about him.  Miguel Montero is an above average catcher with good feet and a good bat, I would say he is a top three catcher in the National League.  

Who will have the best season of these guys?  I am going to say Aaron Hill, because Drew will not stay healthy and people are starting to get the book on Goldschmidt.  Montero is second but I think Hill is going to have a big year with not as much pressure on him as up in Toronto the last couple years.  He will hit 20+ home runs and at the second base position that is a good year. 

Outfield: Jason Kubel left field, Chris Young center field, and Justin Upton right field.

Jason Kubel will be an underrated addition to this team.  I think he will start right away, and he will produce.  Chris Young will drive fantasy owners insane with a low batting average and a lot of strike outs, but he will hit 25 home runs and will play a great center field.  As for Justin Upton if you read my National League West Predictions you will know that I think he is my MVP guy.  This is a five tool player who finally got his head right last year, a very fun person to watch and will only continue to get better.

Who will have the best season of these guys?  Justin Upton.  He will have a great season this year.

Starting Pitching: Trevor Cahill, Daniel Hudson, Ian Kennedy, Joe Saunders, and Josh Collmenter.

Ian Kennedy had a great year last year winning 21 games and had an ERA under 3.  He is the #1 guy for the Diamondbacks this year, and will have another good year.  Cahill was a good pick up in the trade with Oakland and Daniel Hudson came out of nowhere to have a very good year last year.  I have no idea how Joe Saunders does what he does, but he is simple and effective, even if he throws only faster than Jamie Moyer and Livan Hernandez.  Collmenter is a good #5 starter and will have another decent year.

Who will have the best season of these guys?  Ian Kennedy.  He will make the all-star team this year and will win at least 17 games and be in the running for the cy-young.  I don't think he will win it  but he will at least be in the conversation.  

Bullpen: J.J Putz, Craig  Breslow, Brad Ziegler, and Takashi Saito

These are going to be the main relievers for the Diamondbacks this year.  All four guys are good relievers, and Breslow will be the main lefty.  Putz is the closer and will have 40 saves this year, Both Ziegler and Breslow came over from Oakland and both will love the fact that they went from the cellar dweller Athletics to the 2011 National League West champion Diamondbacks.  Saito has had a good career for a few teams, never having a full season ERA over 3.

Who will have the best season of these guys?  Putz was nasty last year and he stayed healthy.  I think he will be nasty this year and will stay healthy.  I like J.J to be an all-star along with Kennedy on the pitching staff.

Record Prediction: 94-68 1st in the National League West.

Next up:  Atlanta Braves

 

National League West Predictions

10 Predictions for the National League West

Once again, I will make 10 predictions that I think will happen in the 2012 Major League Baseball season.  At the end of the year we will come back, look at the predictions and see how well I do.  Here are my predictions for the National League East.

1.  Justin Upton will win the national League MVP this year.  I'm going to say .310 with 25 Home runs, 100 Runs Batted In, 100 runs scored, and 40 stolen bases.
2.  2011 #3 overall pick Trevor Bauer will make his major league debut this year and spend less than one year in the minors.
3.  Pablo Sandoval will be an all-star this year.
4.  Buster Posey will hit .300 this year, whenever he comes back.  He will also get at least 10 starts at first base so that his legs will get a rest.
5.  The starting pitcher the Rockies get in the Ubaldo Jiminez trade, Drew Pomeranz, will have a better year than Jiminez this year.  The Rockies got the way better end of that trade.
6.  Todd Helton will hit over .300 again this year.  Gotta love Coors Field.
7.  The Dodgers are going to bought this year and they will make a huge splash in free agency next year.  The guess here is Cole Hamels.
8.  Matt Kemp will not get 50-50 like he predicted.  He will get 35-35 though.  That is homers and stolen bases for someone who doesn't know.
9.  The San Diego Padres score the fewest runs in the National League this year.  But the rebuilding process will continue with one of the best farm systems in baseball.
10.  The Arizona Diamondbacks will win the division again, and the Giants will win one of the wild card spots.  The Rockies and Dodgers will be average and once again the Padres will struggle but they will show signs of life.

Predicted Order of Finish.

1.  Diamondbacks
2.  Giants
3.  Rockies
4.  Dodgers
5.  Padres

National League Central Predictions

10 Predictions for the National League Central

Once again, I will make 10 predictions that I think will happen in the 2012 Major League Baseball season.  At the end of the year we will come back, look at the predictions and see how well I do.  Here are my predictions for the National League Central.

1.  St. Louis' Adam Wainwright will come back this year and win 15 games, have an ERA under 3.5 and be named NL comeback player of the year.
2  Carlos Beltran for the Cardinals will be the best free agent signing in the division.  Carlos will hit .280 with 25 home runs and 90 RBI's. Most importantly he will be healthy all season long.
3. The Brewers will be close in the division because of their pitching.  At least 2 of Yovani  Gallardo, Zack Greinke, and Shaun Marcum will be all-stars this year.
4.  The Brewers will lead the league in errors this year.  They will have the worst defense in all of baseball.
5.  In June the most talked about person to be traded will be Joey Votto.  In August Joey Votto will still be wearing a Reds uniform.
6.  Aroldis Chapman will not start a game this year, and will have almost as many walks/hit-batsmen as strikeouts.
7.  This will be the 21st and last year the Pittsburgh Pirates finish under .500.  (I know a 2 year prediction, but hey this is my blog)
8.  The Chicago Cubs will win the contest of "Most players on a team that you have never heard of".
9.  The Houston Astros will have the worst record in baseball again this season, and they don't even have any good trade chips like last year so will not be getting better anytime soon.
10.  St. Louis will win the division, the Brewers and Reds will be close, the Pirates will have some glimpses of hope for the 21st straight year, and the Cubs and Astros will be in a heated battle for last place.

Predicted Order of Finish.

1.  Cardinals
2.  Brewers
3.  Reds
4.  Pirates
5.  Cubs
6.  Astros

National League East Predictions

10 Predictions for the National League East


Just like last week, I will make 10 predictions that I think will happen in the 2012 Major League Baseball season.  At the end of the year we will come back, look at the predictions and see how well I do.  Here are my predictions for the National League East.

1.  The Philadelphia Phillies will not miss Ryan Howard that much.  Jim Thome will do a good job in his absence and will be a great locker room guy for that team.
2.  Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and Cliff Lee will all finish in the top 5 of the Cy Young, and Halladay will win it again.
3.  The best hitter for the Braves will not be Chipper Jones, Jason Heyward, or Brian Mcann.  It will be first baseman Freddie Freeman.
4.  Atlanta will use their starters more this year so they don't the talented bullpen... Again.  This time it will be successful as they make the playoffs.
5.  Steve Strausburg will not go on the disabled list this season, but the Nationals will limit his innings severely.  He will still win 10 games and strike out 150 batters in 150 innings this year.
6.  Bryce Harper will not play a major league game this year.  But he will be the opening day centerfielder next year.
7.  Hanley Ramirez will be in Ozzie Guillen's doghouse at some point this year, and Ozzie will call him out.
8.  The better acquisition for the Marlins will not be Jose Reyes.  It will be Mark Buehrle.
9.  David Wright will be wearing a uniform that is not the New York Mets come August.
10.  The Phillies have too much pitching and will win the division title, and the Braves will capture one of the wildcard spots in Chipper's last hurrah.  Both the Marlins and the Nationals will still be playing meaningful baseball in September and the Mets will get one of the top 5 picks in the 2013 draft.

Predicted Order of Finish.

1.  Phillies
2.  Braves
3.  Nationals
4.  Marlins
5.  Mets

American League East Predictions

10 Predictions for the American League East


Just like yesterday, I will make 10 predictions that I think will happen in the 2012 Major League Baseball season.  At the end of the year we will come back, look at the predictions and see how well I do.  Here are my predictions for the American League East.

1.  Michael Pineda will regress this year in that bandbox of a stadium.  He will still win 12-15 games because of that line-up but his ERA will be higher and he will give up more home-runs than last year.
2.  Even though C.C Sabathia will show up in the best 'shape' of his career for the third straight year, that shape will still be round.
3.  A member of the Tampa Bay Rays will win the Rookie of the Year award.. My prediction here is Matt Moore
4.  The Rays will be happy Carlos Pena is back.  As happy as you can be with a .220 hitter who will hit 30 home-runs, and 75% of his at-bats will either be a strike out, walk, or home-run.
5.  The Toronto Blue Jays will finish with a better record than the Boston Red Sox
6.  Jose Bautista will not lead the league in home-runs, but he will still be an MVP candidate for the Blue Jays, who will be playing competitive September baseball for the first time in 20 years.
7.  John Lackey will mercifully be gone by the end of the season for the Red Sox, who won't be able to find a trade partner but will pay him his money to get off their team.
8.  Carl Crawford will come back and play better than last year, but still not worth 144 million dollars.  Prediction is .300 hitter with 10-15 home-runs, 70 RBI's, 100 runs scored, and 40 Stolen Bases.
9.  The Orioles will have at least 10 different starting pitchers this year. And none of them will be very good.
10.  The Yankees will win the division, the Rays will win the 2nd wild card, and the Red Sox will once again not make the playoffs.

Predicted Order of Finish.

1.  Yankees
2.  Rays
3.  Blue Jays
4.  Red Sox
5.  Orioles

American league Central Predictions

10 Predictions for the American League Central

It is now March!! That means by this time next month the baseball regular season will officially be underway.

Woo hoo!!!

Just like yesterday, I will make 10 predictions that I think will happen in the 2012 Major League Baseball season.  At the end of the year we will come back, look at the predictions and see how well I do.  Here are my predictions for the American League Central.

1.  The Cleveland Indians will lead the league with the most amount of defensive double plays.  With ground-ball pitchers Derek Lowe, Ubaldo Jiminez, and Kevin Slowey, there will be no worms left in the Cleveland infield at the end of the year.
2.  Grady Sizemore and Travis hafner will both be doing really well until June, when people are talking about AL Comeback player of the year, and then will combine to play less than 75 games combined in the 2nd half of the season.
3.  The Royals will finish over.500 this year, starting the team on a path to a division crown in 2014.
4.  The best hitting first baseman in the division will be the Kansas City Royals Eric Hosmer
5.  The best hitter on the Tigers will be Miguel Cabrera and not Prince Fielder.  Cabrera will hit more home runs, have more RBI's, and hit for a higher average.
6.  Doug Fister will make the Seattle Mariners regret that trade last August even more, by winning at least 17 games and having an ERA under 4.
7.  Chicago White Sox Adam Dunn and Alex Rios will combine for more than 200 strikeouts in the first half of the season, and one or both will be gone by the All-Star break.
8.  The all star for the White Sox will not be Paul Konerko, but it will be Alexi Ramirez.
9.  Justin Morneau does not make it through the season, and in September Joe Mauer is playing first base.
10.  The Tigers will win the division, and this race will pretty much be over by August.

Predicted Order of Finish.

1.  Tigers
2.  Indians
3.  Royals
4.  White Sox
5.  Twins