Daily Notes, Ft. James Shields’ Unbridled Enthusiasm

Table of Contents
Here’s the table of contents for today’s edition of Daily Notes.

1. Very Assorted Headlines
2. Largely Unhelpful Video: Cubs Prospect Nelson Perez, Homering
3. SCOUT Leaderboards: Dominican Winter League

Very Assorted Headlines
Detroit Signs Catcher Brayan Pena
The American League champion Detroit Tigers signed catcher Brayan Pena on Monday to a one-year deal “likely to be worth less than $1 million,” reports Tony Paul of the Detroit News. Pena, who was originally signed by Atlanta in 2000, played for Kansas City over the last four years, posting something like 0.5 WAR in a little over 800 plate appearances.

Gary Sheffield Is Jason Grilli’s Agent, Apparently
Right-handed reliever Jason Grilli, who posted a 2.06 SIERA and 69 xFIP in 58.2 innings with the Pirates this past season, signed a two-year, $6.75 million contract with Pittsburgh on Monday, reports CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. Of greater note, however, is this: Grilli is represented by former major-leaguer, the very intimidating Gary Sheffield. Sheffield, according to MLB Trade Rumors’ agency database, also represents soft-tossing right-hander Josh Banks.

“Kind of Excited,” Gushes Shields After Trade
“I’m kind of excited about it,” replied right-hander James Shields when asked for his feelings on the trade that sent him to Kansas City on Monday, reports the Tampa Tribune’s Roger Mooney. The italics are the author’s — but, also, they’re kinda not the author’s.

Largely Unhelpful Video: Cubs Prospect Perez, Homering
Cubs outfield prospect Nelson Perez currently has the best regressed batting line among all Dominican League batters who are something like prospect-aged.

Here’s some mostly unhelpful video of him hitting a home run in June:

SCOUT Leaderboards: Dominican Winter Baseball League
Below are the current SCOUT leaderboards for the Dominican Winter League. (Ages as of July 1st, 2012. Players listed with most recent team. Click here for more on what is SCOUT.)

SCOUT Leaderboard: Dominican Winter League Hitters
Below is the current SCOUT batting leaderboard for the Dominican Winter League. SCOUT+ is calculated using regressed home-run, walk, and strikeout rates, where 100 is average and above 100 is above average.

Player Team Age Pos PA xHR% xBB% xK% SCOUT+
Hector Luna Phillies 32 3B 175 2.4% 14.2% 14.3% 130
Nelson Perez Cubs 24 OF 93 2.6% 17.1% 23.2% 123
Ricardo Nanita Blue Jays 31 OF 126 1.4% 12.1% 9.0% 121
Jordany Valdespin Mets 24 2B 80 2.4% 11.8% 15.4% 119
Mauro Gomez Red Sox 27 1B 175 2.8% 12.7% 19.4% 119
Donell Linares MEX 28 3B 86 2.3% 8.0% 10.0% 118
Felix Pie Braves 27 OF 154 1.9% 14.2% 16.9% 118
Miguel Tejada Orioles 38 SS 122 2.4% 8.3% 11.5% 117
Todd Linden Giants 32 OF 108 3.5% 13.4% 25.9% 117
Wilin Rosario Rockies 23 C 33 2.7% 11.0% 17.3% 117

SCOUT Leaderboard: Dominican Winter League Hitters (Prospects)
Here is the SCOUT batting leaderboard for the Dominican Winter League, but only populated with players who are 25 or under — i.e. something more like “prospect” age relative to the league.

Player Team Age Pos PA xHR% xBB% xK% SCOUT+
Nelson Perez Cubs 24 OF 93 2.6% 17.1% 23.2% 123
Jordany Valdespin Mets 24 2B 80 2.4% 11.8% 15.4% 119
Wilin Rosario Rockies 23 C 33 2.7% 11.0% 17.3% 117
Miguel Sano Twins 19 3B 44 2.6% 11.5% 18.0% 116
Moises Sierra Blue Jays 23 OF 143 2.6% 10.7% 17.5% 115
Oscar Taveras Cardinals 20 OF 158 2.2% 9.0% 13.3% 113
Carlos Peguero Mariners 25 OF 34 2.7% 11.0% 20.6% 110
Yan Gomes Blue Jays 24 OF 64 2.8% 9.0% 19.5% 108
Kole Calhoun Angels 24 OF 83 2.4% 11.1% 20.4% 107
Juan Francisco Braves 25 3B 119 3.5% 9.4% 24.6% 107

SCOUT Leaderboard: Dominican Winter League Pitchers
Below is the current SCOUT pitching leaderboard for the Dominican Winter League. SCOUT- is calculated using regressed strikeout and walk rates where 100 is average and below 100 is above average.

Player Team Age G GS IP TBF xK% xBB% SCOUT-
Erick Abreu Astros 28 18 0 27.0 100 27.4% 8.9% 74
Kyler Newby Orioles 27 7 7 31.0 128 27.4% 9.2% 75
Johan Yan Rangers 27 18 0 14.0 56 26.8% 9.0% 76
Fabio Castro Athletics 27 10 8 35.0 150 24.7% 8.8% 81
Tony Pena Jr. Red Sox 31 15 0 17.0 69 23.9% 8.9% 84
Dustin Richardson IND 28 16 0 13.0 53 23.2% 9.0% 86
Danny Salazar Indians 22 5 3 14.0 58 22.6% 9.1% 88
Randall Delgado Braves 22 6 5 24.2 103 22.5% 9.3% 88
Kelvin De La Cruz Tigers 23 9 1 14.0 64 22.5% 9.4% 89
Wirfin Obispo Reds 27 13 1 22.2 92 22.5% 9.6% 89

SCOUT Leaderboard: Dominican Winter League Pitchers (Starters)
Here is the SCOUT pitching leaderboard for the Venezuelan Winter League, but only populated with pitchers who’ve made at least half of their appearances as starts.

Player Team Age G GS IP TBF xK% xBB% SCOUT-
Kyler Newby Orioles 27 7 7 31.0 128 27.4% 9.2% 75
Fabio Castro Athletics 27 10 8 35.0 150 24.7% 8.8% 81
Danny Salazar Indians 22 5 3 14.0 58 22.6% 9.1% 88
Randall Delgado Braves 22 6 5 24.2 103 22.5% 9.3% 88
Josh Outman Rockies 27 6 6 25.2 111 22.1% 9.5% 90
Aneury Rodriguez Astros 24 8 8 32.0 135 21.2% 8.5% 90
Samuel Deduno Twins 28 4 3 14.2 60 22.4% 9.8% 90
Stolmy Pimentel Red Sox 22 8 6 23.0 101 21.3% 8.9% 91
Omar Javier IND 24 9 5 24.2 101 21.4% 9.3% 92
Bruce Billings Athletics 26 6 6 21.0 95 20.7% 9.2% 93





Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.

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BrianKelder
11 years ago

That homer might be the highlight of the Cubs season. Wait till 2015! Seriously, actually.