Baseball Simulated Online

As was evident in the final series of the season to determine the World Champion, an overpowering offense can prove dominate in postseason play. As such, Outfielders Vlad Guerrero and Johnny Damon are expected to get a lot of attention as the free agent period officially began today. Among other positional players, First baseman Carlos Delgado should garner strong interest from contending teams seeking a big bat at an infield corner position.

On the mound, playoff hero Rich Harden should find big bucks on the open market despite a disappointing regular season performance and the distinction of being a Type A Free Agent. Though the idea of losing multiple draft picks in next year’s amateur draft might seem troubling to some teams, it hasn’t stopped a number of teams from bidding on top talent.

Opposite Harden, Carl Pavano proved once again that he has the ability to anchor a Starting Rotation, posting a 3.03 ERA and a regular season record of 21-5. However, despite his regular season success, Pavano floundered in the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Other notable free agents include Starting Pitchers Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard and Randy Wolf, as well as closers Billy Wagner and Kevin Gregg.

NEW YORK, NY — The 2009 World Series proved beyond any reasonable doubt that despite the league’s best bullpen and a lights out rotation, an overpowering offense and timely pitching can rule the fall classic.

The Chicago Cubs came into the series feeling confident and refreshed after winning three out of five against the Florida Marlins and four of seven from the New York Mets. After having lost the opening two games of each series, Chicago quickly rebounded back to win out each series. The same situation presented itself against the Yankees, only this time Chicago couldn’t out pitch two of the best postseason pitching performances by CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. A complete game seven hitter by Sabathia set up Burnett’s stellar seven inning shutout that was nearly squandered by the Yankee bullpen, leading to a 5-4 win for the Yankees.

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Cubs knew they would need a miracle to have an opportunity at the postseason. Down one game on the last day of the season to the National League Central leading Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs sent maligned Starting Pitcher Rich Harden to the hill against the Arizona Diamondbacks. To the surprise of many Cubs fans, Harden was able to hold off an offense ranked 5th in runs in a 9-5 win at home.

Nearly 250 miles away, the Brewers and the Cardinals squared off in St. Louis. Milwaukee sent Ben Sheets, having pitched just eight games this season after coming back from elbow surgery that many thought ended his career. In the game, Sheets dominated St. Louis, giving up just two earned runs that allowed the team to push into extra innings. Sheet’s performance was for not though, as Yadier Molina would double home the game winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning to secure a win for St. Louis.

A one game playoff will be held in Chicago to determine the National League Central Champion.

Leading up to the June 15th Amateur Draft, the Associated Press will spotlight various players ready to make the next step into Professional Baseball. Today, we’ll examine pitching.

Among collegiate level prospects, Aaron Cannon has statistically outperformed every Division I hurler during his four year span while attending the University of North Carolina. This accomplishment has established the Tar Heel as not only the top pitching prospect in this June’s draft, but likely the consensus top choice among all players.

Cannon has a dominating fastball that can at times reach 95 MPH and a debilitating changeup that has been compared to Tim Lincecum’s go-to pitch. Unlike Lineceum, Cannon’s size and weight transition well for a power pitcher, standing at 6′-5″ and weighing 210 lbs. “He’s got the size and athletic ability that can translate to Major League success,” said one American League scout.

Critics have pointed to Cannon’s lack of arm conditioning throughout his college career as a harbinger for injuries and an inability to go deep into games. In this way, some have compared Cannon to Kerry Wood in that he may be best utilized in short outings to limit his pitch count and prevent arm strain. Despite the stamina concerns by some organizations, Cannon projects as a front line Starting Pitcher and will likely go within the first three picks of the draft.

Golden Spikes Award winner and Division III super athlete Keith Porter left a strong impression with Major League scouts this past season. The Ithica College graduate was not only the team’s top Starting Pitcher, but also made appearances in the bullpen and left field during the season.

“He’s a natural athlete, much in the same way [Nick] Markakis was coming out of Young Harris [College],” said one National League scout. “He’s pitched in the rotation and in the bullpen, plus hit over .400 with power.” Scouts have indicated Porter will need to develop his change-up further or gain additional muscle mass to improve his power output as he transitions to professional baseball.

Opinions vary on Porter’s chances of turning his raw ability into Major League production. Optimistic scouts have him going as high as the tenth pick at Washington, while other scouts have him going late in the second round.

Every Amateur Draft, one or two players come along that make scouts throw out the standard height and weight constrains scouts typical put on prospects. Grambling State’s Waylon Huber did just that this past Collegiate season, posting incredible numbers has the Tigers closer in 2009.

Standing at 6′-0″ and weighing 200 lbs., Huber proved his curveball was the best in the nation while saving 19 of 20 games and giving up just two runs in 27.2 innings pitched while working against top level Division I teams such as the University of Southern California and the University of South Carolina.

To make it to the next level, scouts believe Huber will need to improve his fastball while developing a change-up and tighten up his control. At the age of 22, some scouts believe Huber will make the leap to the Majors quickly. “He’s a projected reliever, possibly a closer some day,” said one National League Scout. “I could see him breaking camp next season in the Majors.”

Prefered Live Draft Time

• 9PM ET (6PM PT) (60%, 9 Votes)
• 7PM ET (4PM PT) (20%, 3 Votes)
• 5PM ET (2PM PT) (13%, 2 Votes)
• 3PM ET (12PM PT) (7%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 15

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In an effort to accommodate as many people as I can for the live draft, I have provided a league poll. I’m seeking a 30% majority to change the existing live time of 9PM ET (6PM PT) on Saturday, September 5th.

The Amateur Draft will be held live using AIM, which will cover the first five rounds of the Amateur Draft. League Members should send an instant message to AIM user name ‘draft@baseball.simulatedonline.com’ to join the live draft just prior to the beginning of the draft. AIM usernames can be obtained freely and easily.

The simulation schedule will be temporarily modified to accommodate the draft. We will have an extra simulation on Saturday to bring us to June 15th. This simulation will cover the standard three days and will be processed at 11AM ET (8AM PT).

League members who cannot make the live draft should make an extensive list using the game’s ‘Draft List’ function. This function is located under ‘MLB’ > ‘Draft Pool’ > ‘Draft List’. Detailed information on Draft Lists can be reviewed in the OOTPX Manual.

Once we’ve completed the first five rounds live, a new file will be issued. At this time, teams should update Draft Lists for rounds 6-25. These rounds will be held live on Sunday September 6th at 11AM ET (8AM PT). Rounds 26-50 will be completed with Monday’s simulation and will be automated using Draft Lists. Those of you who do not completely fill out Draft Lists will receive automated selections by the OOTPX engine. As some of you know, these picks may not follow organizational needs or logic, so it’s recommended everyone fully review the Draft and make a list using the Draft List function.

Please use the Live Draft Log as a guide to live picks, in addition to the draft order through the first five rounds. All subsequent rounds will follow the order in Round 5.

WASHINGTON, DC — The road to success in the Major Leagues hasn’t come without wrong directions and flat tires for Washington Nationals left handed Starting Pitcher John Lannan. A standout athlete and team captain at Chaminade High School in New York, Lannan was passed over by top Division I schools in his senior season despite outstanding grades and top athletic honors. Known for it’s relatively small student body of just over 3,000, Lannan chose to attend Siena College instead. Considered by many to be the bottom level of Division I teams, Lannan drew praise from coaches and scouts as he entered his senior season with the Saints.

For his hard work, Lannan was selected in the 11th round of the 2005 Major League Amateur Draft. This draft marked the beginning of the Washington Nationals transition from their previous existence as the Expos in Montreal, Canada.

As it turned out, Lannan struggled in the minors his first year and into 2006 as the club switched coaches and assistants in and out at Class A Vermont and Class A Savannah. Lannan was often coached to gain muscle to improve his fastball one week, only to be told to lose weight and work on a sidearm motion the next.

In 2007, Lannan swiftly evolved into pitcher most of us know today when Harrisburg Senators Pitching Coach Randy Tomlin told Lannan to stop thinking and just pitch. “We worked on his curve [ball] a bit, but most of his success has been from winning the mental battle,” Tomlin remarked. “I remember being a young left handed kid trying to make it to the show and just thinking too much.” Within one year, Lannan would rise to Class AAA Columbus and received a call up to Washington in September.

With his fastball topping out at 88 MPH in most starts, Lannan works with a no nonsense style reminiscent of another highly regarded finesse lefty. “It’s like watching [Tom] Glavine in ‘91,” says one longtime National League Scout. “None of it is overpowering, everything is on the corners and everyone is constantly off-balance.”

Lannan’s path to the Major Leagues has culminated with a standout 2009 season, as he leads the Major Leagues with an ERA of 1.96 while going 6-3 for the upstart Nationals. Just as Tomlin had found success with precise control and a debilitating curveball in Pittsburgh a decade before, Lannan has found himself in Washington emulating his mentor.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — In a season featuring home run milestones by Gary Sheffield, Vlad Guerrero and Jason Giambi, Randy Johnson’s 300th win may stand as the best landmark career accomplishment of 2009.

In front a hometown crowd of 33,649, Johnson threw seven scoreless innings before giving way to San Francisco’s bullpen, which shut the door decisively on the New York Mets.

Commonly known for his intimating presence on the mound and no nonsense glare, Johnson held his accomplishment in light regard following the milestone victory. “It sounds funny, but I’ve played 21, 22 years, I’m 45 and I’ve come upon 300 wins, and I’m thinking, ‘I only have 211 more to catch Cy Young,’” Johnson said, prompting laughter.

In April, many doubted Johnson would reach his milestone by the All Star break after the Big Unit lost his first two starts to open the season. “He looked like he had lost movement since his [previous season in] Arizona,” said one National League Scout. “As it turned out, he’s only gotten stronger as the season has progress.”

SAN DIEGO, CA — Led by two-time All-Star Starting Pitcher Jake Peavy and rookie sensation Josh Geer, the San Diego Padres Starting Pitching staff have been lights-out thus far in 2009.

A starting staff earned run average of 3.46 through May 10th would place most teams atop the division standings, though a shaking bullpen and early injuries to Adrian Gonzalez, Jody Gerut and Kevin Kouzmanoff have led to five blown saves and a National League worst .346 team slugging percentage.

“Petco [Park] has something to do with that staff’s success and their failures offensively,” said one National League General Manager. “Then again, five of six games started by Geer have been away from San Diego, including trips to Colorado and Houston. They’re almost playing .500 ball on the road.”

San Diego has the returns of Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Kouzmanoff to look forward to this week, in addition to the third overall pick in June’s Amateur Draft. Kouzmanoff, considered by many as a disappointment in 2008, has battled through nagging injuries and a lack of protection to bat .330 with 4 home runs and 24 runs batted in through 25 games played.

“He’s the real deal,” said the unnamed National League Executive. “Kouzmanoff reminds me of [Evan] Longoria without the hype [of being a first round pick].”

BOSTON, MA — Winning just 10 games by April 28th would normally be a cause for alarm for the Boston Red Sox. After all, 2008 saw the team win 95 games in route to the American League Championship series, previously followed by a 2007 in which the team won it’s second World Championship in four years.

Injuries, known to cripple even the deepest of rosters, have hurt the Red Sox more so than any other team thus far in 2009. The team’s saving grace has been consistent pitching coupled with timely hitting, leading to a respectable ten wins to nine losses. “Pitching has carried them,” said one American League General Manager. “Excluding [Josh] Beckett, they’ve all pitched very well. [Jonathan] Papelbon hasn’t given up a run and has had just six base runners in eleven innings.”

With five of their nine starting position players out for at least three weeks, Boston has been hot to find a bat to replace production lost to a shoulder injury to Kevin Youkilis, a back injury to Dustin Pedroia, a hamstring injury to Jason Veritek, a torn rotator cuff to Jed Lowrie and most recently a latissimus dorsi strain to leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury.

“That lineup is in shambles,” remarked one National League Scout. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see them fold it up in May and get healthy for next season rarther than attempt to find a bat this early.” To add insult, Boston has just begun a nine game road trip with stops in Cleveland, Tampa Bay and New York.

OAKLAND, CA — Having played just 17 games in gold and green, the Oakland Athletics wasted no time in locking up free agent to be Matt Holliday for three additional years today.

Baseball insiders report General Manager Robbie Jarrell wasn’t interested in moving the two-time All Star Outfielder before the trading deadline in July or risk losing Holliday in free agency as many thought. Instead, Jarrell chose to deliver a simple message to the media aimed at controversial agent Scott Boras, stating “We’ll be keeping Matt in the family. He’s off the block.” The bold statement meant Jarrell was ready to roll up his sleeves and pay Holliday’s asking price.

While many baseball insiders speculated Holliday would ask for a contract similar to Mark Teixeira’s deal with the New York Yankees, Holliday settled for a three year deal that would allow the slugger to hit free agency again in a few years when the market might be healthier. “He’s got security in Oakland. If he can stay healthy and reach his performance bonuses, he’ll make a few million less than Teixeira per season,” said one National League General Manager. “Chances are, he’ll come back on the market after the 2012 season and net another large deal.”