Knuckle Curve » hanley ramirez

National League MVP Candidates

Stephen Kersey — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:57:52 +0000

As the stretch run of the 2009 baseball season approaches, it’s time to look at the National League MVP candidates. A lot of players are having great seasons this season — especially in the NL.

Here are our top four MVP candidates in the National League for the 2009 season:

1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Is there any question who is at the top of the heap? Pujols has been great all season. Currently he’s hitting .324 with 36 homers, 85 runs and 97 RBIs. If he keeps it up, the NL MVP should be his.

2. Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
Playing with the Marlins, Ramirez will never get a lot of notoriety. But this kid can hit. The native of the Dominican Republic is hitting an NL-leading .344 with 16 homers, 64 runs, 70 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Ramirez has already had some great seasons but this may be the best of the best.

3. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers
Can the Home Run Derby champion add the MVP trophy to his mantle? He has a chance. The 25-year-old has turned into a great hitter — .302 batting average, 26 homers, 67 runs and 95 RBIs. A strong finish to the season could have him jump up the list.

4. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
Pitchers usually don’t enter into MVP talk but Lincecum can’t be ignored. He’s almost single-handedly keeping the Giants in the playoff race. Lincecum has a record of 12-3 to go along with a 2.18 ERA and a WHIP of 1.05.

Can Prince Fielder also win the 2009 NL MVP? (Image: Newscom)

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Hottest Hitters in Baseball – July Edition

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:27:34 +0000

C Russel Martin – Martin playing his best ball of the season.
1B Ryan Howard – Low OBP but producing when he gets contact.
2B Ian Kinsler – Kinsler is the spark of the baseball’s best lineup.
SS Hanley Ramirez – Best shortstop (player?) in the game.
3B Alex Rodriguez – A-Rod is making headlines everywhere.
OF JD Drew – Drew finally living up to the hype.
OF Jermaine Dye – Playing great for White Sox.
OF Grady Sizemore – On pace for career best season.

Is Hanley Ramirez the best player in baseball?

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Marlins Give Hanley Ramirez a $70 Million Extension

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:32:06 +0000

The Florida Marlins run a bargain basement operation. With a total team payroll less than what Alex Rodriguez will make this year with the New York Yankees, it’s a bit surprising to hear the news that the Marlins and Hanley Ramirez have agreed a six-year, $70M extension.

Then again, if there is anyone in the major leagues to bank on, Ramirez might be that player. The 24-year-old shortstop is one of the best players in baseball. He’s currently hitting .338 with eight homers, 21 RBIs, 33 runs scored and an on-base percentage of.429. Last season, Ramirez hit .332 with 29 homers, 81 RBIs and 125 runs scored.

Once Ramirez gets on base, he might be even more dangerous. In the last two seasons, he finished with 51 stolen bases in each season. This season, the Dominican Republic native already has 13 stolen bases.

The Marlins also picked a good time to extend their offer. Florida is leading the NL East with a 22-14 record. Only the 23-14 Arizona Diamondbacks have a better record in all of baseball.

While the Marlins remain a long shot to make the playoffs, the signing of Ramirez to a long-term deal gives Marlins fans hope for the future – all five of them.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Hottest Hitting Shortstops in 2008

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:28:02 +0000

Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
At 24, Hanley Ramirez is already a superstar. He’s off to a fantastic start as he’s hitting .337 with eight homers, 18 RBIs and 22 runs scored. Ramirez also has nine stolen bases and an on-base percentage of over .400.

Miguel Tejada, Houston Astros
While there are controversies surrounding Tejada regarding everything from his age to his name to his steroid use, there’s no denying how well Tejada is swinging the bat this year. He’s hitting .340 with four homers and 20 RBIs.

Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers
The 30-year-old shortstop for the Dodgers is off to an amazing start to his 2008 season. Rafael Furcal is hitting .363, has an on-base percentage of .454 and has scored 22 runs. Furcal had a relatively quiet year in 2007 but this year he is playing better than ever.

Edgar Renteria, Detroit Tigers
Edgar Renteria was acquired by the Detroit Tigers in the offseason and the team has to be happy with its investment. Renteria is hitting .324 and has 16 RBIs and 14 runs.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Hottest Fantasy Baseball Players

Stephen Kersey — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:12:10 +0000

A couple weeks into the baseball season, let’s take a break and check out the hottest fantasy baseball players. In this top five list, there will be a few players who could remain near the top for the duration of the 2008 season.

1) Mark Reynolds, Arizona Diamondbacks
A lot of people liked the Diamondbacks coming into the season. Few thought that they’d be this dominant this early. Mark Reynolds, the 24-year-old third baseman for Arizona, has been a monster in this early season.

2) Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
Lance Berkman has been an enigma in recent years. He has massive potential but for whatever reasons, he hasn’t yet put it all together. However, his start to the 2008 season gives Astros fans hope.

3) Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
Coming into this season, Hanley Ramirez was thought of as a top three fantasy baseball player and he hasn’t disappointed. It’s scary to think how Ramirez is only 24-years-old and hasn’t even scratched his prime yet. This kid is going to be special for a long time.

4) Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians
It’s good to see Cliff Lee off to such a wonderful start. Last year was just a total disaster for the left-hander on the Indians. If he can get back to his 2005 level, Cleveland will be that much better this season.

5) Gabe Kapler, Milwaukee Brewers
Yes, that Gabe Kapler. The body builder turned baseball player turned minor league manager is back to being a baseball player. Right now, it looks like a brilliant decision. The Brewers are certainly glad Kapler decided to put the cleats back on.

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If You’re Going to Be Wrong, It Should Be by Plenty

Geoff Young — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:56:34 +0000

Matt DiFilippo at Seamheads.com re-examines some statements (h/t Baseball Think Factory) made by the writers of Baseball Prospectus over the years that ended up a little wide of the mark. Here are a few of my favorites:

On Hanley Ramirez, before his monster rookie campaign (.292/.353/.480 at age 22) with the Florida Marlins:

There’s no indication that he is ready for the major leagues, but the Marlins are apparently going to let him try.

On Jimmy Rollins, in 2004 (three years before he won the NL MVP):

In any event, his power and speed both appear to be dissipating, and without those he won’t hold a starting job for long.

On Chase Utley, before the 2005 season (in which he hit .291/.376/.540):

Utley is not going to be a star, but second base is a thin position and his extra-base power should provide the Phillies with a competitive advantage.

On the Chicago White Sox, before 2005:

Their opportunity has passed; the constant exodus of talent will relegate this team to second-tier status.

The folks at Prospectus almost nailed this one. They were a year early, and they forgot the part about winning a World Championship. Ah, the devil is in the details…

Fun stuff here. Be sure to read the entire article over at Seamheads.com.

Post from: Knuckle Curve