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Archives for 2021
2022 Amateur Draft Order Established
The first round of the 2022 amateur draft has been set, with Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo breaking down the order and various tiebreakers involved. In fact, a tiebreaker was necessary to determine that the Orioles will receive the first overall pick. The O’s and Diamondbacks both finished 52-110 this season, plus each went 25-35 in 2020.
Because the Orioles had the worse record of the two clubs in 2019, however, Baltimore will now get the 1-1 selection for the third time in franchise history. (The Orioles took Ben McDonald with the top pick of the 1989 draft, and selected star catching prospect Adley Rutschman just back in 2019.) This tiebreak advantage could be seen as another benefit of the long-term rebuild the Orioles have been undertaking for years now, though Baltimore fans might see this as something of a backhanded accomplishment.
Of course, it remains to be seen if the draft process will remain the same going forward. As Collazo notes, it is possible MLB and the players union could make changes to the draft as part of negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement. The players (and agents) will quite likely push to alter how draft pick penalties are tied to the free agent market and the luxury tax system, not to mention how the draft pool process that puts significant limitations on what clubs can spend on amateur talent contracts.
There has also been some suggestion that the league could change the usual practice of establishing the draft order strictly by team record, to keep teams (like the Orioles) from tanking in order to stock up on as much young talent as possible at the top of the draft board. As well, there has long been speculation that the league could look into allowing all draft picks to be eligible to be traded. Right now, only the picks in the two Competitive Balance Rounds can be moved as part of trades, and it isn’t out of the question that the CBR criteria is itself changed in some way.
Here is the first-round draft order as it stands just after the end of the regular season. The order of picks beyond the first round won’t be officially known until any compensatory picks and the Competitive Balance Rounds have been decided.
- Orioles (52-110)
- Diamondbacks (52-110)
- Rangers (60-102)
- Pirates (61-101)
- Nationals (65-97)
- Marlins (67-95)
- Cubs (71-91)
- Twins (73-89)
- Royals (74-88)
- Rockies (74-87)
- Mets (compensatory pick for not signing Kumar Rocker, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft)
- Tigers (77-85)
- Angels (77-85)
- Mets (77-85)
- Padres (79-83)
- Indians (80-82)
- Phillies (82-80)
- Reds (83-79)
- Athletics (86-76)
- Braves (88-73)
- Mariners (90-72)
- Cardinals (90-72)
- Blue Jays (91-71)
- Red Sox (92-70)
- Yankees (92-70)
- White Sox (93-69)
- Brewers (95-67)
- Astros (95-67)
- Rays (100-62)
- Dodgers (106-56)
- Giants (107-55)
Poll: Who’s Going To Win The World Series?
It took 162 games to decide things, but given all of the uncertainty heading into the final day of the regular season, it is perhaps an upset that a 163rd game (or even a 164th) wasn’t required. However, the field for the 2021 postseason has now been decided.
The Giants outpaced the Dodgers in a stunning NL West pennant race. San Francisco shocked the baseball world by winning 107 games, the most victories in the franchise’s 139 seasons. As a reward, the Giants will get a few days to rest and prepare for the NL Division Series opener on Friday, while Los Angeles (with a whopping 106 wins) will now have to sweat out a single-game eliminator against the hottest team in the sport.
The Cardinals roared into the NL wild card game thanks to a 35-16 record over their last 51 games, including a franchise-record 17-game winning streak. The Dodgers will host the Cards on Wednesday, and while the two clubs are postseason regulars, this will be their first meeting in the playoffs since 2014.
After a season of tributes to the late Henry Aaron, perhaps it was destiny that Milwaukee and Atlanta would do battle in the postseason for the very first time. The 95-67 Brewers will host the 88-73 Braves in Game One of their NLDS meeting, which begins on Friday.
The Brewers caught fire in midseason and ran away with the NL Central, topping St. Louis by five games even despite the Cards’ late surge. Despite a few shaky moments along the way, the Braves nonetheless overcame the loss of injured superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. to capture their fourth straight NL East title.
“Champa Bay” has already collected two Stanley Cups and a Super Bowl within the last two years, and the 100-62 Rays will look to add a World Series title to the local trophy case. The Rays will start their journey in the AL Division Series on Thursday, and they’ll be facing off against a familiar AL East opponent, no matter who wins the AL wild card game.
That opponent will be decided on Tuesday, as the Yankees and Red Sox will add another chapter to their rivalry by meeting in the wild card game for the first time. Both New York and Boston won today to clinch their postseason berths, finishing with identical 92-70 records (and holding off the 91-win Blue Jays and the 90-win Mariners). Because the Sox won the season series by a 10-9 margin, Tuesday’s game will take place at Fenway Park.
The Astros and White Sox will square off in the other ALDS matchups, meeting for the first time in the postseason since Chicago defeated Houston in the 2005 World Series. The 95-67 Astros have the homefield advantage over the 93-69 White Sox, and this series will mark the first-ever postseason meeting between veteran managers Dusty Baker and Tony La Russa.
Now that we know which 10 teams will be continuing into October, the question remains….who do you think will be the last team standing at the end of October? (Link to poll for app users)
Max Muncy Leaves Game With Apparent Wrist Injury
6:00PM: It looks “very unlikely” that Muncy will play in Wednesday’s wild card game, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times). Roberts is hopeful that Muncy will be able to return at some point in the postseason if the Dodgers keep advancing.
3:24PM: Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy left today’s game following a collision at first base. After Jace Peterson put the ball into play, Peterson and Muncy collided while Muncy was attempting to catch the throw, with Muncy’s left arm taking the brunt of the contact. Muncy was in obvious pain while holding his wrist, and he was immediately removed from the game.
Losing Muncy just for the remainder of this all-important Game 162 is enough of a blow for the Dodgers, but at least at first glance, it looks like the type of injury that could put Muncy out of action for at least some of the playoffs. If Los Angeles isn’t able to secure the NL West today, the team’s postseason run could potentially end as early as Wednesday, when the Dodgers would face the Cardinals in the NL wild card game.
Beating the red-hot Cards would be even more difficult for the Dodgers if they were missing one of their star sluggers. Muncy is in the midst of another big season, entering today’s action with a .250/.369/.528 slash line and a team-leading 36 home runs.
If Muncy is indeed out of action, the Dodgers have enough depth to fill first base, even if there’s no simply way to replace Muncy. Cody Bellinger is the most obvious fill-in, except Bellinger has been struggling through a rough season. Albert Pujols has seen the second-most action at first base for L.A., though Pujols has mostly been limited to work against left-handed pitching, and veteran righty Adam Wainwright (Pujols’ former Cardinals) is the scheduled starter on Wednesday.
Roster Moves: Contreras, Lopez, Detmers, Guerra, Quintana
Catching on some of the roster moves that took place before today’s slate of games…
- The Cubs placed Willson Contreras on the 10-day injured list due to right hip inflammation, officially ending the veteran catcher’s season. In corresponding moves, Alfonso Rivas was moved from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL, and catcher Tyler Payne made his MLB debut today after his contract selected from Triple-A. One of the few veterans remaining in the wake of the Cubs’ deadline fire sale, Contreras might be either a trade candidate or an extension candidate this winter, depending on the club’s next direction. Contreras finishes the year hitting .237/.340/.438 with 21 home runs over 483 PA.
- The Marlins activated Pablo Lopez from the 60-day injured list, as Lopez tossed 1 2/3 innings in an abbreviated start during Miami’s 5-4 win over the Phillies today. It marked Lopez’s first game since July 11, as a right rotator cuff strain interrupted a very impressive season for the 25-year-old. Lopez posted a 3.03 ERA and above-average strikeout and walk rates over his first 101 innings, setting himself up for 2022 as yet another quality young arm in the Marlins rotation. To make room for Lopez’s return to the roster, Miami placed left-hander Sean Guenther on the 10-day IL and moved first baseman Jesus Aguilar to the 60-day IL.
- The Angels called up left-hander Reid Detmers to start today’s contest with the Mariners, and also activated righty Junior Guerra from the 10-day IL. Outfielder Taylor Ward heads to the 10-day IL with a right adductor strain while southpaw Jhonathan Diaz was optioned to Triple-A.
- Jose Quintana cleared waivers and outrighted to the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate. San Francisco designated Quintana for assignment earlier this week, after the veteran left-hander posted a 4.66 ERA over 9 2/3 innings with the Giants. Quintana was claimed off waivers from the Angels at the end of August, as the Giants looked to add some lefty depth down the stretch.
J.D. Martinez Leaves Game With Left Ankle Sprain
J.D. Martinez left today’s game after suffering what the Red Sox termed as a left ankle sprain. The injury was suffered in bizarre fashion, as Martinez stumbled over second base while making his way out to right field to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. Martinez played the half-inning, but was then replaced by pinch-hitter Jose Iglesias in the top of the sixth.
While normally a DH in the Red Sox lineup, Martinez has continued to see his share of time in the field, with today marking his 36th game of the season as an outfielder. The Sox had no choice but to deploy Martinez in right field considering today’s game is in Washington, and thus the DH spot wasn’t available under National League rules.
The severity of Martinez’s injury remains to be seen, but should the slugger be limited in any way during at least the next few days, it certainly won’t help Boston’s chances of reaching the postseason, pending today’s results (or the results of a potential Game 163 playoff to determine an AL wild card berth). After a rough 2020 season, Martinez has bounced back with a solid performance this year, hitting .286/.349/.518 with 28 homers and a league-best 42 doubles over 632 plate appearances.
Charlie Blackmon Plans To Exercise 2022-23 Player Options
Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon isn’t making any plans to leave Denver, as Blackmon told reporters (including Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post) that he is going to exercise the player options on his contract for both 2022 and 2023. An official decision about Blackmon’s 2022 plans will come soon after the World Series, and Blackmon doesn’t have to make a decision on his 2023 option until after next season, should he change his mind in the next 12 months.
In exercising his 2022 option, Blackmon will earn $21MM next season, and there wasn’t much doubt he would choose to prefer that big guaranteed payday over a visit to the free agent market. Blackmon entered Game 162 hitting .269/.349/.409 with 13 home runs over 581 plate appearances, his least-productive full season by OPS (.759), OPS+ (95) and wRC+ (94) since becoming a regular with Colorado in 2013.
At age 35 and coming off that lackluster platform season, there wasn’t much chance Blackmon could find anything on the open market that would top the minimum $31MM in guaranteed money he has coming his way in 2022-23. Blackmon’s original extension with the Rockies has already earned him $63MM, and after the $21MM salary for 2022, he stands to make at least $10MM via the 2023 player option. That 2023 figure could end up being worth as much as $18MM should Blackmon hit various escalators based on plate appearances and MVP votes.
The Rockies inked Blackmon to that extension in April 2018, keeping Blackmon in the fold before his scheduled trip to free agency in the 2018-19 offseason. Over the extension’s three guaranteed years, Blackmon has contributed a .295/.357/.489 slash line and 51 homers over 1462 PA, but most of that damage came in 2019.
His decline over the last two seasons doesn’t bode well for Colorado’s chances of getting an acceptable return on that $21MM investment for next year. Blackmon’s hard-contact numbers have dropped, and opposing teams have been heavily deploying shifts to neutralize the left-handed hitting Blackmon over the last two seasons.
Phillies Fire Coaches Joe Dillon, Juan Castro
The Phillies fired hitting coach Joe Dillon and infield coach Juan Castro this afternoon. Assistant hitting coach Pedro Guerrero wasn’t let go but was given permission to look for other jobs, as the Phils intend to let their next hitting coach hire his own assistant. The rest of Philadelphia’s coaching staff will return in 2021, according to manager Joe Girardi.
“I think they [Dillon and Castro] worked extremely hard, but we just felt at this time it was time to make some changes,” Girardi told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber and other reporters. “We always talk about, at this level, it’s a production-based business. It’s difficult.”
Dillon was in his second season as hitting coach, and across the board, the Phillies’ offensive numbers declined. After hitting a collective .257/.342/.439 (108 wRC+) in 2020, Philadelphia batters took a .240/.318/.408 slash line (93 wRC+) into today’s season finale. Even with Bryce Harper enjoying an all-world season, the Phillies weren’t much beyond middle-of-the-pack in most major offensive categories.
A lack of consistent hitting was far from the only issue that plagued the Phillies this year, as poor defense may have been an even bigger problem for the team. This cost Castro his job, though as Lauber noted, it was perhaps asking a bit much of Castro to improve an infield full of subpar defenders. Castro (a former MLB infielder who spent parts of eight seasons each with the Reds and Dodgers) is also in his second year on Philadelphia’s coaching staff.
Rangers Designate Wes Benjamin For Assignment, Activate Matt Bush
The Rangers have activated right-hander Matt Bush from the 60-day IL, according to John Blake, the team’s executive VP of communications. Fellow righty Glenn Otto was optioned to make room on the active roster while lefty Wes Benjamin was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man.
It’s been quite a journey for Bush, who had his 2019 and 2020 seasons wiped out by Tommy John surgery. This year, he cracked the Rangers’ roster out of spring training but went on the IL April 9th with elbow inflammation and has been there ever since. Prior to that IL placement, he got into three games and logged three innings, with four strikeouts, four hits, a walk and three earned runs. He recently started a rehab assignment and made four appearances in the minors. The club has seemingly decided to reward Bush’s hard work and patience by adding him back to the big league roster on the last day of the season. The 35-year-old can be controlled for three more seasons via arbitration but seems likely to be non-tendered, considering that he’s now three years removed from a meaningful stretch of production at the big league level.
As for Benjamin, he made his Major League debut last year, logging 22 1/3 innings over eight games, including one start. He had an ERA of 4.84 with average-ish strikeout and walk rates of 21.4% and 7.1%. This year, he’s been tossed back and forth between the majors and minors, having been optioned six times. At the big league level in 2021, he got into 22 2/3 innings with an ERA of 8.74, along with a strikeout rate of 17% and walk rate of 15.2%, both of which are worse than league average. The 28-year-old lefty will now presumably go on waivers in the coming days.
Rockies Designate Chi Chi Gonzalez For Assignment
The Rockies announced a few roster moves today, recalling right-handed pitchers Justin Lawrence and Antonio Santos, while optioning infielder Rio Ruiz and designating right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez for assignment.
The Rockies non-tendered Gonzalez in the offseason and then re-signed him on a minor league deal just over a week later. He had his contract at the end of spring training and stayed a part of the staff until the last day of the season. In 24 games this season, 18 of them starts, he has logged 101 2/3 innings with an ERA of 6.46. That may be somewhat inflated by Gonzalez playing his home games in the most hitter-friendly park in the league, but his underlying metrics aren’t much better. His 12.5% strikeout rate is just barely half of the MLB average, which is 23.2%. His 6.3% walk rate is pretty solid though, considering the league average of 8.7%.
Based on that middling production and the fact that he had already been non-tendered by the club once, they were probably heading down the same path this winter. For the club, they decided to just move on now and use the last day of the season to give another look to some younger arms. Lawrence, 26, and Santos, 24, have each logged their fair share of miles shuttling between MLB and Triple-A this season, each one having been optioned six times. Lawrence has a bloated 8.64 ERA over 16 2/3 MLB innings this season, but a much more palatable 4.73 ERA in 32 1/3 Triple-A innings. Santos is somehow the reverse, with an MLB ERA of 4.76 in 11 1.3 innings but a Triple-A ERA of 7.94 in 45 1/3 innings.
