Last Week The Lions pulled away in the 4th quarter en route to a 27-20 win at the hapless Redskins. The Bears dominated the Steelers 40-23, though it was closer than the score indicated. Bears Run Versus Lions Run Defense Matt Forte finally broke out against the Steelers, sort of. The bulk of his 87 yards came on a 55 …
Cubs Dominate Northwest League Top Prospect List
The first "wave of talent" is almost here, and by that, I mean Baez/Alcantara. The next wave may not be that far afterwards. Baseball America placed 6 Cubs on the list of the Top 20 Prospects of the Northwest League. #1 Kris Bryant #7 Paul Blackburn #9 Yasiel Balaguert #10 Dillon Maples #12 Shawon Dunston, Jr. #17 Kevin Encarnacion I won't …
2013 Cubs Prospects in Review: Arismendy Alcantara
Before this season started, I was about as high on Arismendy Alcantara as anyone. In the Assume the Position on SS, I said that Alcantara would need to increase his walks to elevate his prospect status. I won't ruin the conclusion for you. Alcantara was signed at 17 in 2009. I don't know his signing bonus, so assume it's low. …
2013 Cubs Prospects in Review: Juan Carlos Paniagua
I'm not sure any Cub of the past 10 years is more enigmatic than Juan Carlos Paniagua (JCP for short). He's been "signed" 3 times, and the first 2, questions about his age (questions being used rather euphemistically) resulted in suspensions and deals being rescinded. He was signed the first time by the Dbacks in May 2009 (as Juan Carlos …
2013-14 Week 3 NFL Rankings
Now that we have the bare minimum of games played to derive some meaning to how good football teams are relative to each other (and we really still don't, but here we are anyway), it's time to roll something out that I've been doing for a few years: an objective ranking system for NFL teams (well, 2 rankings). The first …
2013 Cubs Prospects in Review: Jeimer Candelario
In continuing with the theme of Cubs' 3rd basemen, I thought I'd take a look at the crazily young (for his history) Jeimer Candelario. Jeimer has an interesting story. He was originally born in NYC, but was raised in the Dominican Republic. As a 16-year old there, he was signed to a hefty $500,000 dollar contract. From there, he was …
Chicago Bears @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8:30 ET, NBC, 9/22/2013)
Last Week The Bears played like dogshit in many aspects of the game, but ended up pulling a win out of their ass with a touchdown in the waning seconds of the game. Also of note, the opposing team made a critical blunder that sealed the win in the 2nd consecutive game (a squib kick fumble). The Steelers lost to …
2013 Cubs Prospects in Review: Yasiel Balaguert
Yasiel Balaguert was signed 12/30/2011 for the tidy sum of $400,000. Born and raised in Cuba, Ben Badler had this to say about him: Balaguert, who turns 19 on Jan. 9, has modest tools, a strong, thick-bodied frame (6 feet, 190 pounds) that he will have to keep in check and shows occasional average power with a quick bat and good extension. Several scouts have …
2013 Cubs Prospects in Review: Alberto Cabrera
Alberto Cabrera has been on the Cubs for 8 years, and he's been quite the enigma. Brought into the organization in 2005, he spent the first 6 years of his minor league career as a career ~18% strikeout guy, and a a ~11% walk rate. He also had FIPs in the 4s and 5s. Then 2012 happened. His strikeout rate …
2013 Cubs Prospects in Review: Ivan Pineyro
Ivan Pineyro was signed by the Washington Nationals in 2010…for just $16,000. I'm assuming he probably had some instructs before his 2011 FRk debut in the Washington Dominican Summer League. Starting exclusively, Pineyro dominated in his ~70 innings in 2011 as a 19-year old, and was uneven in 2012 (but dealt with a line drive to the jaw in Extended …