Prospects Plus: Baltimore Adrian Marin

 
Name: Adrian Marin

Position: shortstop

Team: Delmarva Shorebirds

Prospect Status: 10th ranked prospect in Orioles organization by Baseball America

Friday vs. Lakewood: 1-4 with an RBI

Positives:  Marin has a great feel for the game and you could likely plug his glove anywhere on the field and he would perform well.  He has a highly athletic body, and is very quick in game and very agile.  He is either a shortstop or center fielder down the road. Marin is a plus runner with some quick-twitch actions that suggest he’s got more pop in his bat than his 170-pound frame would otherwise suggest. He’s drawn comparisons to former first-round pick and Florida product Nick Franklin along the way. Marin has a good shot to stick at shortstop and if a club believes he will mature physically and hit enough.

During the game Friday night against Lakewood, Marin showed great bat control in bunting for a hit in his first at bat, also made some good defensive plays but nothing that stands out.

Negatives: Probably won’t hit for much power going forward. Marin is a small-framed, wiry kid. He’ll get a little bit stronger, but doesn’t project as a real physical kid.

Prospects Plus: Phillies JP Crawford

Name: JP Crawford

Position: Shortstop 

Team: Lakewood Blueclaws

Prospect Status: 1st round draft pick in 2013

Friday vs. Delmarva: 1-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in.

Positives: JP Crawford was the 2013 draft’s best shortstop prospect. He is the only player in the entire draft scouts confidently project to stay at the position. He has the athleticism, reactions, and range, to play in the middle of the diamond and arm strength and throwing accuracy to play on the left side of the infield. He has all the raw athleticism, including plus speed and superior fast-twitch muscles, to succeed almost anywhere on the diamond.

During the game on Friday night Crawford showed all of the tools to be a solid player. Crawford made a couple of really good defensive plays including a great diving catch on a line drive in the eighth inning. On his second at bat of the game, Crawford pulled a fastball into the right center field for a double. Despite being a player that just drafted three months ago, Crawford looks like he belongs at this level. He has the swagger of an older player. Through eight games with the Claws, Crawford is hitting .321.

Negatives: His bat is not projected to be any sort of earth-shattering, middle of the order weapon but there are things to like about it. His hands are zippy and quick and the same natural athleticism and coordination that makes him a good shortstop should help him take to mechanical instruction and make necessary adjustments. That instruction is almost inevitable, as Crawford’s swing is a bit of a mess. His hands drift too far (both up and away) from his body, his lower half is quite noisy and his weight transfer can get out of whack, leaving too much weight on his front foot too early in his swing.

One of the best I've played

                                               

On Saturday, I was able to play one of the best courses in America: Trump National in Bedminster, NJ. The club features such members as Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. The club hosted the 2009 Boys and Girls Junior Ams. A friend and I played the old course which was designed by Tom Fazio. The design is classic, Every hole offers something different. Its near the top of the list of courses that I have had the privilege to play. 

Trump National now is now added to the list of course of that I have been able to play that have hosted USGA events. That list includes : Trump National, Echo Lake, Blue Heron, Mountain Ridge, Golden Horseshoe, Pine Needles, and Baltusrol.

The good and bad of the NY Times

While the New York Times hit a home fun with its college football preview stories today, it was not with its issues. The historic paper messed up photos with Heisman Trophy candidates Yeldon, Miller and Boyd. But it did hit a home run with its preview of South Carolina star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and its story about ESPN controlling scheduling. 

The Bad: Messing up photos with Yeldon, Miller, and Boyd

The Good: Awesome graphic 

It's season ticket day

Yesterday was one of my favorite day at the home office. My Rutgers season tickets came in the mail.Can't wait for the season to start. 

Spurs will be better without Bale

As Gareth Bale prepares to walk out on Spurs for Real Madrid the demise of Spurs might be greatly exaggerated. Actually Spurs might have a stronger team without Bale.

Last year with no defined striker the goal scoring fell on Bale, while this year with Spurs have a proven goal scorer in Soldado who will come close to matching Bale's goal output. This years starting 11 for Spurs is deeper and stronger with Bale gone. With the addition, this also allows AVB to change the game when he needs to on the bench.

Just take a look:

Last years Spurs went with a 4-2-3-1 formation: 

Striker: Adebayor/Defoe 
Attacking Midfielder: Dempsey/Sigurdsson
Attacking Midfielder: Bale
Attacking Midfielder: Lennon
Holding Midfielder: Sandro 
Holding Midfielder: Dembele
Defender: Walker
Defender: Dawson 
Defender: Vertonghen
Defender: Assou Ekotto
Goalie: Lloris 


Now look at this years roster for Spurs playing 4-2-3-1, if the rumoured transfer for Willian and Lamala go through:

Striker:  Roberto Soldado
Attacking Midfielders: Lennon /Lamala
Attacking Midfielders: Willian
Attacking Midfielder: Sigurdsson/ Nacer Chadli
Holding Midfielder: Dembele 
Holding Midfielder: Paulinho
Defender: Walker
Defender: Vertonghen 
Defender: Dawson/ Capoue
Defender: Rose/Contrao
Goalie: Lloris

If the rumoured deals for William an Lamala go through, Spurs would have spent 117 million pounds on player this summer. That makes this team deeper, which might allow them to reach their ultimate goal which is Champions League football next year, even without Bale. 

NBCSN already have a big impact on EPL ratings

This past weekend kick off the start of the Premier League on NBCSN and it has been a success at least from a ratings point of view. According to Richard Deitsch, the media reporter for Sports Illustrated, NBCSN saw a 67 percent increase in ratings over last years opening weekend, which was broadcast on ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel. That is an amazing number and shows the continued growth of the sport in this country.

Premier League Coverage is No Longer a Joke

For years American fans of the Premier League have had to deal with low budget Fox Soccer Channel, now that has all changed.  Premier League is making inroads into American culture and that is expected to continue as NBC Sports Network takes over coverage of the League in America.

Prospects Plus: Pirates Dilson Herrera

Name: Dilson Herrera 
Position: Shortstop/second baseman
Team: West Virginia Power
Prospect Status: 20th ranked player in the Pittsburgh Pirates system 
Friday vs. Atlanta Braves: 3 for 4, with a double and a run scored. 

Positive: Most of Herrera value will come with the bat, which has been the story so far. He hits to all fields, and while he wasn’t projected as a guy who could hit for power, his bat speed has produced some impressive power so far in his young career.  According to Baseball America, Herrera has plus speed which makes a base stealing threat. 

During the game on Friday night, Herrera showed some good bat speed pulling the ball to left field on his first two at bats. I think that he is underrated by many scouting reports that I have seen. He could be a solid middle infielder for the next decade if he continues to develop. I've seen him twice this year and each time he has been one of the more impressive members of the prospect loaded Power. 

Negatives: Doesn't have a classic arm, which may force him to move to full to second base full time. He made a couple of really good defensive play but also showed some inconsistency.

Live Blog: FA COMMUNITY SHIELD

David Moyes leads Manchester United in his first trophy against Wigan in the Community Shield, live coverage tomorrow starting at 8:30 a.m.

One of the biggest recruits in program history: Blacknall commits to Rutgers

Rutgers might not be moving the Big 10 till next year, but it appears that its already paying off.

On Saturday Saeed Blacknall, a wr from Manalapan, committed to Rutgers. The best thing is that Rutgers beat national powers like LSU, Alabama, and Ohio State for the explosive four-star pass catcher. Its a great day to be Rutgers season ticket holder.

Greg Schiano had Anthony Davis, Blacknall is Kyle Flood's Davis. A highly recruited instate player that he was able to keep at RU.

I need to stop

I know I go to a lot of sporting events but to be at stadiums three weeks in a row is a little out of control. I think, with a second child on the way, it might be time to slow down.

How United's class of 2013 stacks up to the iconic '92 class

In Manchester United history the Class of '92 holds a special meeting but could this years crop of youngsters measure up to them. This years class has been compared to the historic class.

It's never good being beat

It's never good being beat on a story and when you are ESPN, it hurts more.

Today ESPN had to credit Fox Sports for breaking the story on baseball players ring suspended PEDs.

I bet heads are going to roll at the world wide leader.

Prospects Plus: Phillies Ethan Martin

Name: Ethan Martin 
Position: Pitcher
Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Prospect Status: 6th ranked prospect in the Phillies system
Friday vs. Atlanta Braves: 4 1/2 innings, 8 hits allowed, 6 runs allowed, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts

Positives:  During the first inning, Martin topped out with his fastball at 97 mph, while showing some toughness. His best showing came in the fourth inning when he got out of a bases loaded one out jam without giving up a run. Martin features three pitches, which all appear to be major league quality. Martin is the key to the trade that sent Shave Victorino to the Dodger last summer. Martin has struggled with control in his time in the minors and that is the main struggle for him. Martin’s stuff remains good with his fastball sitting 92-95 and he can touch 98 when needed. In 2010 Martin scrapped his curveball for a slider that sits in the mid-80s and sits average right now but shows at least plus potential down the road. His change up is slightly below average but has flashed average. Martin is extremely athletic and has been very durable despite his control problems. For Martin his potential will hinge on his command and control. 

I personal liked what I saw from him on Friday night and so did the Philly fans, when being taken out of the game, the crowd gave him a very nice round of applause. 

Weakness: His control is the biggest thing that is going to hold him back. 

Prospects Plus: Larry Greene

NAME: Larry Greene Jr.
POSITION: Outfielder
TEAM: Lakewood BlueClaws
PROSPECT STATUS: 11th ranked prospect in the Phillies system by Baseball America.
FRIDAY VS. GREENVILLE: 0-4 two strikeouts.

POSITIVES: Greene is a huge man and is incredibly athletic for his size. Right now Greene still has the speed and arm to be a good left fielder. Greene has huge raw power but he has yet to show it in games, but he has shown a better ability to hit for average than previously shown, according to Phuture Phillies. He could be a All Star with great power but is limited with his glove. Could be the perfect DH in AL. The Phillies have likened him to former prospect Jonathan Singleton with less hit tool but more power and defensive ability, according to Phuture Phillies.


NEGATIVES:Unlike a lot of high school leagues in Georgia, the one that produced  Greene is considered to be a weak one and that is holding back his development. The four times that I've seen him since the start of the season, he seems to be over matched at every turn. This is not a short term type of prospect, this is a long term guy that could take four to five years to get to the big leagues. Some scouts think that it could take until 2017 or later for Greene to put on a big league uniform.

World's Richest Transfers

If Bale leaves Spurs for Real Madrid, he will then top this list, but before that happens here are the top transfers fee record breakers. A great list and hours of fun.

Eagles Training Camp: 11 vs. 11 Drills

Went to Eagles Training Camp yesterday and it was the first time fans got to the see Chip Kelly's offense. Overall I think that the offense is going to be fun to watch. Based on what we saw yesterday the offense is based on speed and match ups. Its going to be a fun and frustrating year.

First look at this years Eagles

Today we headed up to see Chip Kelly's Eagles first hand and there were a couple of things that stood out.

Here are some quick thoughts:
1. The tempo of training camp is incredible. So fast.
2. It's all about match ups. Shady lining up in the slot. DJ10 in the slot. Both Brown and McCoy in the game at the same time. Flexed out tight ends. You name it Chip is thinking of it.
3. A QB doesn't make a move without Kelly seeing it. Kelly watches the qbs like a hawk.

More to come to tomorrow.

Prospects Plus: Carlos Tocci

NAME: Carlos Tocci
POSITION: Outfielder
TEAM: Lakewood BlueClaws
PROSPECT STATUS: Tenth ranked prospect in Phillies organization.
FRIDAY VS. GREENVILLE: 1 for 4 with a run scored.

POSITIVES:  I've waited for a couple of months before I decided to run the rule over Tocci. I've watched him a bunch of times and have come away impressed each time. Tocci should be either finishing up his junior or senior year of high school right now.  He has more advanced baseball instincts than any high school player in the 2013 draft.  He may not be as physically mature as his counterparts, but he is still younger than most draftees, and with a year of full season ball. Tocci is a plus plus runner, it allows him to cover large amounts of ground in CF. Last year, Tocci signed one of the largest deals the Phillies have ever given to an international player, a reported $750,000. Scouts have projected Tocci as a five-tool player with a real emphasis on his speed. His upside is there and it shows, every time I've seen him he has improved.

NEGATIVES: At times Tocci seems to be a little over matched at the plate, that could be a product of his youth and lack of strength. One of the biggest concerns that I have is does Tocci confidence struggle if he struggles at the plate.