Derek Byrd

Kris Bryant: The Next Great Hitter?

May 13, 2015 by Derek Byrd

For the longest time, Chicago Cubs fans have wanted Kris Bryant to play on the major league level. As a freshmen in college, Bryant hit .365 with 9 home runs, was a freshmen All-American, was Co-Freshmen of the Year as well as Co-Player of the Year in the West Coast Conference while playing for San Diego. As a sophomore, he was a First Team All-American and was named to the collegiate US National Team after hitting .366 with 14 home runs. His junior season was one to remember. Bryant blasted 31 home runs, an NCAA record. He had more home runs individually than 223 teams within the Division l ranks. He took home the Golden Spikes Award as well as Dick Howser Trophy, both recognizing the best player in college baseball. With all that accomplished, he headed for the MLB Draft.

Bryant, the 2nd overall draft pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft, has absolutely crushed minor league pitching since joining the Cubs farm system. There usually is a learning curve for hitters from college to the minors as the adjust from metal to wood bats but Bryant picked up where he left off. In his first minor league season at Class A level, Bryant hit .336 with 9 home runs and 32 rbi’s in just 128 at-bats. Collectively in the minors over three years, Bryant has hit .327 with 55 home runs and 152 runs batted in.

Bryant started the 2015 season at AAA due in large part because of collective bargaining rules that allow the Cubs to keep Bryant one extra year on a minor league contract instead of paying him major league dollars a year earlier. However, Bryant was called up on April 17th, 2015 and after getting off to a bit of a slow start has picked it up of late. He’s hitting .276 with 3 home runs and 19 runs batted in 87 at-bats. He figures to play third base but can play the outfield as well. He recently just missed hitting for the cycle going 3 for 4 with a single, triple, and home run. Even as a rookie, pitchers do fear Bryant having walked him 20 times already. Bryant sports a .417 on base percentage, which is one of the best in the league. There’s no telling how good of a hitter Bryant can be, but what we do know is that he can certainly hit.

Tiger Woods, the Designer?

April 2, 2015 by Derek Byrd

Maybe Tiger Woods best days are behind him. Maybe he will move onto something else in life, but what? Can he stick around the game he loves even if he can’t play at the level he once had? It looks like Woods has found another way to stick around the golf game. Tiger Woods is redesigning a golf course in Beijing, China.

While he’ll be spending much of his time practicing, he’ll now have another project on his hands. This redesign project in Asia will pay Woods a whopping $16.5 million. The project will be two parts in which there will be a future course that Woods will be required to redesign. Tiger will be working on Beijing Tian’an Holiday Golf Club which when finished in the end will be rebranded as Pacific Links National Golf Club. Pacific Links International, a Canada-based company that markets a global reciprocal membership plan to golfers are the ones in charge and who have hired Woods.

This is not the first time Woods has tried his turn at architecture in golf. In 2006, he announced Tiger Woods Designs. However, he did not fair well with his first three projects in Dubai, Mexico, and North Carolina all stalling due to the economic recession. With that said, he has had some previous successes. In December of 2014, Woods opened his first completed course at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico called El Cardonal. He’s also opening his first course in the United States this fall located outside Houston called Bluejack National.

While golf is not huge in Beijing, it is popular amongst the wealthy. It will be interesting to see if Woods can balance time between practicing and getting this course together. He was not previously playing his best, and such a project could hinder his comeback. For more on this article, check it out here.

Chicago Cubs: How Young Can They Be?

February 22, 2015 by Derek Byrd

Derek Byrd Although they had a down year in 2014, the Chicago Cubs finished strong. While out of playoff contention, they reached into their farm system and brought up guys like Javy Baez, Jorge Soler, and Kyle Hendricks who experienced some great success early on in their MLB careers. Those three intend to be a big part of the Cubs future. Baez, age 22, displayed good pop in his bat for a middle infielder. Jorge Soler, 23, displayed good range in the outfield as well as the ability to hit for power and average. Hendricks, age 25, showed he can win close ball games and give valuable innings when needed every fifth day.

These aren’t the only youngsters on the ball club. The Cubs have 24 year old Starlin Castro who has been with the team for sometime now and has proven the ability to hit, field, and run. Anthony Rizzo, the 25 year old first baseman has displayed pop in his bat hitting 32 home runs last year.

While the Cubs have a good nucleus of young players who should only get better in time, the real prize is still currently playing in AAA but should be on the major league roster shortly after the season starts. I’m talking about third baseman Kris Bryant. Bryant, just 23 years of age has absolutely torn the cover off the ball in the minors. The 2nd overall selection in the 2013 MLB Draft, Bryant hit .325 with 43 home runs and 110 RBIs between AA and AAA last season. Although he plays third base, the Cubs may want to fit him in the outfield.

Even the coaching staff has received a youth injection. The Cubs hired Joe Maddon, formerly the manager of the Tampa Bay Ray’s this off season. Now Maddon is 61 and does not seem to be a youth injection, but former Red Sox GM and now Cubs President Theo Epstein has brought on two familiar face to the coaching staff. Epstein hired former Red Sox OF Manny Ramirez as a hitting consultant and IF Kevin Youkilis as a scouting and player development consultant. Both are recently removed from their playing careers and figure to be some of the youngest coaches that were former players in the league.

It might be another growing pains year for the Cubs but don’t be surprised if they make a late run for the playoffs this year. If not this year, next year could certainly be the year the Cubs make some noise in the NL Central.

Cal Ripkin Jr, The Iron Man

January 21, 2015 by Derek Byrd

Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony — Cal Ripkin Jr. during his HOF speech

January 9th 2007 was a special day for Calvin Ripkin Jr. Cal was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame receiving appearing on 537 ballots out of a possible 545, good for a 98.53%. Ripkin Jr., known as “The Iron Man” for playing in 2,632 consecutive games over the course of 16 years breaking fellow Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig’s record. A tremendous feat for anyone in all of sports.

Ripkin for much of his career played shortstop before moving to third base late in his career. Some say he pioneered the way for bigger shortstops to play the position. Usually known for their gloves, being small and speedy, Ripkin stood at 6’4 225 lbs during his playing days and hit 431 home runs over the course of his illustrious 21 year career. He is one of 28 members to eclipse 3,000 hits for their career. He has won two gold gloves and was a 19 time all star in his 21 years in the Major Leagues. He won 8 Silver Slugger awards at shortstop, an award to the top hitting positional player for the year. Ripkin won the American League MVP award in 1983 and 1991.

While playing his whole 21 year career for the Baltimore Orioles, Ripkin was able to grab share hold of many club records. These include the following:

– Games Played: 3,001
– Consecutive Games: 2,632
– At Bats: 11,551
– Hits: 3,181
– Runs: 1,647
– RBI: 1,695
– Extra Base Hits: 1,078
– Doubles: 603
– Home Runs: 431
– Total Bases: 5,168
– Walks: 1,129
– Strikeouts: 1,305
– Assists: 8,212
– Double plays: 1,682

Ripkin forever changed the position of shortstop. He paved the way for bigger bodied power hitting shortstops like Alex Rodriguez (now a third baseman), Troy Tulowitzki, Miguel Tejada, and Derek Jeter. For all his time spent with one organization, Ripkin developed his own brand which is now recognized today as the President and CEO of Ripkin Baseball, Inc.

Will the Yankees Spend Big Money this Offseason?

December 22, 2014 by Derek Byrd

Lets face it, year in and year out the New York Yankees have a payroll of over $200 million. Lately, Hal Steinbrenner has vowed to cut the huge spending down. He mentioned that going into last year before eventually pulling the trigger on huge signings like Masahiro Tanaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Brian McCann. With many big name free agents already off the market, the Yankees don’t have many guys left to spend the big bucks on. But there are two names, Max Scherzer and James Shields. Will the Yankees swoop in at the last second? Are they waiting for the price to drop on these guys? Lets take a look at what they have done so far.
P Chris Capuano

The Yankees really wanted to bring back P Brandon McCarthy who was stellar after he was traded from the Arizona Diamonbacks but the Yankees felt his price tag of 4 years $48 million was too steep. The Yankees turned to plan B, Chris Capuano. Capuano, who was also acquired last year mid season by the Yankees re-signed with New York for 1 year $5 million. In 12 starts for the Yankees last year, Capuano finished 2-3 with a 4.25 era. He figures to be the fifth starter in the rotation or even long relief should the Yankees go after Scherzer or Shields.

Chase Headley

This signing left a lot of Yankee fans scratching their heads. Back in 2012, Headley finished with a .286 31 home runs and 115 RBIs finishing 5th in the NL MVP voting. He has not been close to those numbers since. Yet the Yankees re-signed Headley to a 4 year $52 million deal after a season that saw him hit .243 13 home runs and 49 RBIs. At 30 years old, he’s nearing the end of his prime, which has not been much. It’s also reported he will be the everyday third baseman over returnee Alex Rodriguez. I understand he had been dealing with a hip injury throughout last year which led to some disappointing numbers but pay him that way. Give him a 1 year deal, a prove it deal, and if he delivers than you can pay him what he currently stands to make over the next 4 years.

The Yankees roster is not as stacked as it has been in the past. Don’t be surprised if the Yankees do go after Max Scherzer. The Yankees have trouble hitting him as an opponent and it would be nice to have him on their side.

Giancarlo Stanton, the New $325 Million Man

November 21, 2014 by Derek Byrd

The Miami Marlins have just agreed to a 13 year $325 million deal with outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. The 25 year old Stanton hit .288 with 37 homeruns and 105 runs batted in. Astonishing numbers for a 25 year old. Many 25 year olds have not even made it out of the minor leagues yet alone put up all star numbers. Did the Marlins make the right move though?

Keith Olbermann thinks the deal is a scam. Stanton stands to make $107 million over the first six years before Stanton enters his option years. Marlins owner essentially has Stanton signed at a bargains rate of $30 million over the first three years. This heavily backloaded contract allows Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria to do one of two things.

First he can attempt to dump Stanton once he gets to those big money years. Don’t think he will? When the Florida Marlins became the Miami Marlins, Loria made a huge splash spending on guys like Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Heath Bell. He spent A LOT of money on these free agents only to ship them off the following year in a salary dump trade. Don’t rule out Giancarlo Stanton being dumped in four years.

Loria can also sell the team. If Loria can’t put a contending team together in the first three years that he was Stanton at essentially a discount with the money he’s saving, look for him to sell the team. The Marlins have been rebranded since moving to Miami. New location, new ballpark, and an OK roster, Loria can definitely cash in on the sale of the Marlins.

For now, Giancarlo Stanton is a $325 million man playing for the Miami Marlins, but I’m not so sure he will be there by the conclusion of this contract in 2027. Either Stanton or Loria will be on the move in 2017.

Braves Move OF Jason Heyward

November 17, 2014 by Derek Byrd

The Atlanta Braves mad a big move today with one of their young promising outfielders, and no, they did not break up the Upton brothers…yet. The Braves traded 25 year old former first round pick Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals. A bit of a shocking move for the Braves who finished just under .500 last season at 79-83.

Heyward in his young career was an All Star in 2010 and won two Gold Gloves in 2012 and 2014. Heyward was packaged with right handed reliever Jordan Walden for 24 year old right handed starting pitcher Shelby Miller who finished 10-9 with a 3.74 ERA and a minor league player. If anyone were to be moved from Atlanta’s outfield, it was thought to be BJ Upton who has been atrocious since signing a 5 year $75 million in 2012. In each of his first two years in Atlanta, Upton has hit an abysmal .184 and .208. Heyward on the other hand has hit .254 and .271 during that same span. Miller figures to step into the rotation right away next year as he seems to be a promising starter in this league.

Heyward figures to be inserted into the Cardinals lineup right away as the everyday starter in right field and should hit in the middle of the lineup. Heyward should bring a bit more punch to a Cardinal lineup that struggled to hit the long ball. It’ll also be a contract year for Heyward meaning if he wants to get paid next off-season he’ll need to have a big year in 2015.

With a very young lineup, it still leaves many scratching their head as to why Heyward was moved. The Braves had a great nucleus of young budding players in Freddie Freeman, Justin Upton, Andrelton Simmons, Tommy La Stella, Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, and Jason Heyward. Maybe the Braves were not ready to give Heyward the big money he is most likely seeking next off season. Either way, looks like the Braves are moving on.