Recently, James Loney was released from the Tampa Bay Rays. He signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres, but was also released. The Mets gave Loney a third chance at the Majors. On Friday, James Loney crushed his 100 career home run. He did against the minors. This poves to not judge a book by its cover.
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Mike Trout
Mike Trout is one of the young phenomes in the game with a great career. We now look into his legacy.
Mike Trout was drafted in 2009 by the Angels. The Angels knew that he would become a five tool superstar. What they didn’t know was how quickly this would come true. In 2012, as 20 year old rookie just turning 21, Mike drew comparisons to the baseball greats. In that season, Trout hit 30 home runs, lead the league in stolen bases with 49 and runs with 129. On top of those stats, he batted .326 with 182 hits and 83 RBIs. Mike also took his magic into the field. He made great plays and picked up 23 defensive runs saved. Mike carried his great 2012 line into 2013. In 2013, Mike lead the American League in walks with 110 and runs with 109. He hit 27 home runs and stole 33 bases. But what would happen in 2014 was considered Trout’s best season.
In 2014, Mike Trout was finally crowned American League Most Valuable Player after finishing behind Miguel Cabrera in 2012 and 2013. He became the youngest unanimous MVP. He hit 36 home runs and led the league in RBIs with 111, runs with 115, and WAR (Wins Above Replacement) with 7.9. Although most analysts agree 2014 was Trout’s worst season, he still deserved that MVP. Mike Trout’s 2015 season was another runner-up MVP season. Mike got 90 RBIs with 104 runs. He also got a career high in home runs with 41 jacks. Mike also picked up five defensive runs saved
Mike has had a great young career. At the age of 24, he has picked up a Rookie of the Year, two All-Star game MVP awards, an MVP award in 2014, becoming the youngest player to hit for the cycle and reach 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases, and much more. Mike is only growing and will get better over time. Thus, Michael Trout is one of the best players in Major League Baseball.
Chris Sale has Nine Wins
Chris Sale has been off to a great start. He has nine wins making him the Major League leader in that category.
Max Scherzer Plays Catch with Young Fan
On May 20, Max Scherzer played catch with a young Mets fan. The boy turned from a Mets fan to a Nationals fan.
Carlos Beltran’s Hot Start
Carlos Beltran has been on a tear this year. He has nine home runs, 25 RBIs, 11 doubles, and 39 hits through 41 games. In the offseason of 2015, Beltran said that 2016 might be his last season.
Reliever Overview
In the game of baseball, many things have changed. One of the most significant things that has changed is now not having the starter pitch the whole game due to injury. They started doing so a long time ago. A while after that, they made a closer role followed by a set-up role.
Buster Posey and Yadier Molina
The two best catchers in the game are Yadier Molina of the Cardinals and Buster Posey of the Giants. Buster Posey has won three World Series in five years and Yadier has eight Gold Gloves through his first 12 seasons in the Major Leagues.
Wave of Young Shortstops
Young shortstops have taken over the game of baseball. The all-around youngsters are leading their respective leagues in many categories. With the shortstop position flourishing with youth, the talent of the position has matched the success of previous groups.
Yankees’ Big Three
It’s the seventh inning. Yankees leading by a run. Joe Girardi makes a call to the bullpen. Out comes Dellin Betances. Betances is just the table setter for what will come next: two dominant lefties.
Dellin Betances
When hitters see Dellin Betances, they already know the drill. Three strikes and go back to the dugout. Standing at 6 foot 8 and 265 pounds, Dellin strikes fear into the hearts of batters.
Dellin Betances comes out of the ‘pen with plus stuff. He brings a fastball that can touch 100 and a wicked breaking ball. In the minor leagues, Dellin was taught to be a starter. In the 2014, Dellin was competing for the fifth starter role. He made the team but got pushed to the bullpen. He would create history that season.
In 2014, Betances created history. He would break a Yankee record previously held by Mariano Rivera. For 20 years, the record for most strikeouts out of the bullpen was 130. Dellin came in and fanned 135 batters, rewriting the record. That would just be the start to more history.
In 2015, after the departure of David Robertson, Andrew Miller came on to the scene. Miller had a historic season to accompany Betances. Dellin, in 84 innings, struck out 131 batters. He would also put up 9 saves and 29 holds. In 2016, Dellin so far has 32 strikeouts from 16 innings of work. He is on track to break his own record!
Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller was acquired by the Yankees in the offseason of 2014. When Miller was with Baltimore in 2014, slugger Chris Davis said he was happy that he didn’t have to face Miller anymore. Standing at an intimidating 6 foot 7 and 205 pounds, Miller gives hitters nightmares from both sides of the plate.
When Andrew Miller first signed with the Yankees, he was their closer. In 61.2 innings of work, Andrew was able to strike out 100 batters and post a 0.86 earned run average. On top of that, he also piled on 36 saves in 38 opportunities. All these incredible statistics led Andrew to the Reliever of the Year Award, also known as the Mariano Rivera award.
In 2016, Andrew Miller will serve as the Yankees set up man. He took over the closer role when Aroldis Chapman got suspended for 30 games. In those 30 games, Andrew got 6 saves.
Despite his move from closer to set up, Andrew Miller stills scares hitters. His wipeout slider breaks away from lefties at the last second. For righties, Miller aims his slider at their knees. In conclusion, Andrew Miller’s devastating pitch selection is scary for all batters.
Aroldis Chapman
The Cuban Missile. Guinness World Record holder. 100 miles per hour. These are all traits that could be used to describe Aroldis Chapman. When the Yankees acquired Chapman, it was like putting icing on top of the icing of the cake known as the bullpen.
Aroldis Chapman spent six years playing for the Cincinnati Reds. For the Reds, he accomplished many feats. For instance, Chapman holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest pitch ever thrown. The pitch was officially clocked at 105.1 mph though the scoreboard at Great American Ballpark read 106 mph.
Aroldis has four consecutive seasons with 30 or more saves and 100 or more strikeouts. He has a career high in strikeouts with 122 in 2012 and a career high in saves in both 2012 and 2013. He looks to repeat these numbers in 2016 with the Yankees.
Aroldis Chapman’s success with the Yankees got cut by 30 games. In the offseason, Chapman faced domestic violence charges and got suspended 30 games. In Chapman’s first three appearances, he has two saves and six strikeouts.
Overview
With the Yankees Big Three, they are sure to succeed. In conclusion, the Big Three bring overpowering stuff to the ballpark every day.
Ripping Records with Cal Ripken Jr.
Cal Ripken, Jr. was a shortstop/ third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles. He is known for breaking Lou Gehrig’s record of 2,130 consecutive games played and replaced it with a un-believable record of 2,632 consecutive games played. Lou Gehrig had the nickname ”Iron Horse”. But what a better nickname then ”Iron Man”? Cal Ripken, Jr. knows how that feels.
Growing as an Oriole Fan.
Cal Ripken Jr. was born on August 24, 1960. His dad, Cal Ripken Sr. was a huge baseball fan. He loved the Baltimore Orioles. Cal Sr. even was a minor league catcher for the O’s. Because his Dad was always practicing, young Cal was always at a ballpark. At a young age, Cal developed a competitive spirit. He loved winning. If he lost a game or something, he would get really mad. That would help him in the future. Later in his young life, Cal would get drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. He was excited. He was an Oriole fan. Cal would later play 2,632 consecutive games for this club.