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There is no reason on earth why a pitcher should ever be intimidated by any batter! I don’t care how good or how great a baseball hitter he is. I totally respect any baseball hitter, whether they are an excellent baseball hitter or a weak hitter. But let’s remember a few things. Even the great baseball hitters make outs more often than they get hits. So if I’m facing a baseball hitter that has an average of .400, that means 6 out of 10 official at bats I will win the battle. If I’m a slightly better than average baseball pitcher, that means that I will probably win the battle 7 out of 10 times or possibly even a little more often. Numbers do not lie.

Several Advantages The Pitcher Has Over The Hitter:

1. The pitcher knows what type of pitch is being thrown and the hitter does not.
2. The pitcher knows the speed of the pitch and the hitter does not.
3. The pitcher knows where he wants to locate the pitch and the batter does not.
4. Last but not least, the pitcher is standing on “the hill” and is throwing a very hard baseball in the batter’s general direction.

As a baseball pitcher, there is no logical reason to feel any intimidation. On the other hand, if a pitcher has a baseball hitter intimidated, part of the job is done before the first pitch is even thrown! One of the better baseball pitching tips is that it is a pitcher’s job to make the batter uncomfortable at the plate. I am not implying that a pitcher should throw at a batter! What I am saying is that I strongly believe there is nothing illegal or immoral about throwing a pitch six inches or so off the inside corner of the plate. The batter’s box is six inches away from the plate, right?

As a baseball pitcher, I have every moral and legal right to throw into what I call that “neutral area.” And if my pitch goes an inch or so beyond that neutral area, believe me, I won’t lose any sleep over it. Once again, I have no intention of hitting the batter with the baseball so if I do “plunk” him, my conscience is very clear.

If I see a great hitter get up to the plate and he is just dying to clobber me, I would not hesitate to work him “low and away” with my pitches and occasionally throw the fastball six inches or so off the inside corner of the plate. Remember, baseball pitching tips are not only about physical fundamentals and baseball pitching tips often require basic thinking and using the mental aspect of the game to your advantage. If I allow a good hitter to keep leaning over the plate to get to my tough low and away strikes, very simply these pitches now become the middle of the plate to him. 
 
The following short story is strictly for your benefit and not mine. Back in the late 1960′s, when I was about 15 years old, I used to occasionally pitch against a fabulous baseball hitter named Jimmy. Jimmy was a feared hitter, strong as an ox, and it was only fitting that he was a catcher. I swear that when he came up to bat I could see smoke coming out of his ears and he was a very aggressive baseball hitter.

Every time we played his team and I was pitching, I would send him my “calling card” by throwing a fast ball inside off the plate, by about six inches or so. Just a friendly reminder to not get too comfortable up there and a reminder that I’m throwing a very hard baseball in his general direction. Once again, I want to emphasize that this is not to be confused with throwing at a batter, which is morally and legally wrong. I had a great deal of success in my showdowns with Jimmy and it was not a coincidence.

If I wasn’t intimidated by Jimmy, a truly great hitter, I don’t want you to ever be intimidated by any baseball hitter either! About eight years ago, arguably the five best pitchers in M.L.B. had one thing in common. None of them were the least bit hesitant to “pitch inside!” Fellows by the name of Randy, Pedro, Curt, Josh and Roger. Think about it. Sure, I admit they had great stuff but it goes deeper than that. Hitters were never comfortable facing them!

One of the most important baseball pitching tips is that hitters should never be comfortable facing you when you are on the hill.

About The Author:

You CAN improve and overcome any baseball weaknesses if you are a player, a coach, or a baseball parent and your son is struggling! Larry Cicchiello has hundreds of baseball articles on line and has some FREE baseball tips on hitting and FREE baseball pitching tips available at http://www.LarryBaseball.com.Get ready to be raising a few eyebrows!

Article by Mike Sweeney

Baseball Gloves – “Good Fit” Improves Your Game

The baseball glove is for ballplayers the most important of all professional baseball equipment and accessories. In all walks of life, you perform only as well as the tools you use–the key is comfort, feel, and good fit. Carpenters have their hammers; twirlers have their batons; musicians have their instruments; and dancers have their shoes.

Proper equipment allows us to perform our best, no matter our venue. The same holds true for baseball players and the equipment they use. It has been documented that young baseball players learn the intricacies of catching a baseball if the sports equipment they have includes a new baseball glove that is supple, and a good fit.

Baseball Gloves – Evolution and Bonding

A century ago ballplayers used pieces of rawhide and cowhide sewn together. It is amazing that the forefathers of baseball were able to catch a ball with any degree of regularity. The sports equipment they used in order to catch a baseball was no larger than the winter gloves we wear today.

Today, parents recognize the need for involvement in their childrens activities. For parents, teaching their sons and daughters to play the game of baseball is a great way to develop lasting bonds. Baseball gives players an opportunity to develop social skills with other players and coaches, and to learn valuable lessons regarding teamwork and self-sacrifice. The game of baseball also teaches ballplayers, especially young baseball players, the art of winning and losing graciously.

Parents strive to purchase appropriate clothes, toys and educational tools for their children. When shopping for baseball equipment and baseball accessories for their kids, it’s vital that parents are prudent. During equipment selection for baseball fielding gloves, parents must shop for the “perfect fit” for their athlete.

Baseball Gloves – Factors That Affect Selection

A players age, physical development level, and position on the field determine the type of baseball glove that should be purchased. Todays’ technological advancements make it possible for baseball gloves to be manufactured for every type of player. Appropriate gloves for young baseball players are crucial to their development.

For example, gloves for Little Leaguers should be made of leather because of the speed of the throws. Leather also offers greater hand and finger protection. Generally, a baseball glove with an 11.5 inch span is a good fit for these players.

As players mature and the level of competition increases, ballplayers have a better idea of the positions on the field they regularly play, and they become more involved in their own equipment selection process. Baseball fielding gloves become a personal and integral part of their baseball equipment and accessories.

Baseball Gloves – Akadema Ranks No. 1

Quality gloves that fit correctly and are appropriate for the position played are directly associated with the fielding success of ballplayers, whether they are in Little League or the Major Leagues. Akadema, the leading innovator in baseball equipment today, has a huge selection of baseball gloves tailored to suit the needs of youth, amateur, and professional players.

YourBaseballSite.com offers discounted prices on a wide range of Akadema baseball gloves, baseball supplies, and baseball clothing and equipment. This discount baseball website, has experts available to assist you with your Akadema baseball selections on discount baseball equipment and accessories.

Fantasy Baseball 2010 Rankings: Top 50

Albert Pujols- Runs, RBI, Home runs and SBs have all been trending up over the past three years, but don’t expect the same production as last season. A little bit of regression has to be anticipated.
Hanley Ramirez- Still has the wheels, but Marlins aren’t letting him run as much anymore. Still, he has the coveted power/speed combo from a middle infielder. In a league of his own at SS.
Alex Rodriguez- Hate him or love him as a player, A-Rod continues to be a fantasy stud. 3B isn’t as deep as it normally is, and that Yankees lineup should have no trouble scoring runs in bunches.
Chase Utley- Not only one of the best players in baseball, but one of the best fantasy players as well. Consistently puts up numbers in all five categories. Just like Hanley, no other 2B comes close.
Ryan Braun- It’s possible that he puts up the best overall numbers of any hitter this year. He has that kind of talent. The only reason he’s this low is because he plays in the outfield.
Mark Teixeira- Plays in a hitter’s ballpark with a great lineup around him. The power numbers should flow. Don’t look to him for speed, but power is harder to come by then speed later on in the draft this year.
Matt Kemp- Most likely candidate to go 30/30 this year. To me, he feels like more of a .280 hitter then the .300 one he was last year, but don’t let that make you pass on this guy. One of the highest upsides in the game.
Prince Fielder- As I said before, power is harder to come by this year and Fielder should have no trouble producing in that area.
Ryan Howard- It’s a toss up as to who you take first, him or Fielder. Howard should give you slightly better power numbers. If you think you can make up the average later on, go ahead and take Howard.
Miguel Cabrera- Another consistent player who should put up similar numbers to the past couple of years.
Evan Longoria- If he performs like he’s capable of, Longoria can be a top 5 producer. He still strikes out a lot, and that’s not going to stop, so don’t bet on a great average. But the power is here to stay.
Ian Kinsler- I know he has the reputation to be injury prone. But if he stays healthy, he’s a good bet to go 30/30 again. A move to the middle of the lineup should show a spike in the RBI total. The average last year was a fluke, he’s more of a .275 hitter then a .250 one.
Tim Lincecum- I am usually not a big fan of taking any pitcher this early. They tend to be more injury prone and less consistent then hitters. This guy is the exception to the rule. He has given us no reason he can’t have another Cy Young type year.
David Wright- I think the power comes back this year. Even if it doesn’t, you still get 4 above average categories from him. Nothing wrong with that.
Matt Holiday- Hitting behind Pujols for the whole year should spike the RBI totals. A reliable top outfielder.
Grady Sizemore- Injuries ruined his 2009. Not only did he spend much of the year on the DL, but when he played he played through pain. I see a comeback year in the works, and a run at 30/30 is not out of the question.
Troy Tulowitzki- The slow starts are looking like something to worry about. But he puts up the numbers you want by the end of the year, and he plays a thin position.
Jose Reyes- Says that the hamstring feels great, and he doesn’t feel any pain at all when running. He was a top pick last year, and he still has the ability to put up numbers to warrant that. I understand it’s a little risky, but I’m buying.
Joe Mauer- I know he had a great 2009. He was one of the best value picks in the draft. Many people consider him a first round pick. Personally, I’ll take him no earlier then the end of the second round. Don’t underestimate the effect the new outdoor stadium will have on the numbers. I see the homers drop below 20 in 2010.
Jimmy Rollins- His average was miserable last year. But he still went 20/30 and scored 100 runs. The average is bound to come up, he’s too good of a hitter for it to hover around .250 again. Count on a comeback year on top of the strong Phillies lineup.
Roy Halladay- My best bet to win 20 games this year. The most consistent pitcher moves from a bad AL team to a good NL one, so look for even better numbers then 2009.
Felix Hernandez- We have finally seen what everybody knew he could do. Expect more of the same in 2010.
Ryan Zimmerman- Can still put up the numbers you look for in a corner infielder. Don’t let the fact that he plays for the Nationals worry you.
Adrian Gonzalez- The 40 home runs last year was probably the most you’ll get from him, but he can still provide above average production for 1B.
Joey Votto- Last year can be considered the breakout one, and I’m expecting even more this year. I have him ranked pretty high, and I believe he still has enough talent to exceed this draft position.
Carl Crawford- I once thought he could be a perennial first round pick. Not anymore. He is a good source for steals and runs, but pretty average numbers in the other categories.
Justin Upton- High upside, but I would like to see more then one good year before I make him my top pick. Still very young, and is prone to be streaky.
Mark Reynolds- I don’t think there’s any way he approaches the numbers he put up last year. Looks like more of a 30 homer and 20 steal guy to me, and the batting average will stay in the cellar.
Victor Martinez- Boston seems like a good fit for him. Mauer may be in a class by himself, but Martinez isn’t that far behind.
Zack Greinke- The only thing keeping him this low is the team he plays for. The strikeouts and ratios should be there, but the record may not be as pretty and those numbers would suggest.
Jacoby Ellsbury- Steal champ from 2009 should keep running this year. I think this is the first year he goes over 100 runs as well, but doesn’t offer too much more then that.
C.C. Sabathia- Has won at least 17 games the past three years. Plays in maybe the toughest division in baseball is my only worry with him.
Kevin Youkilis- If you’re looking for good, solid, reliable production, look his way.
Robinson Cano- He hit 25 homers last year, great production for a 2B. He is notoriously bad with runners in scoring position, but that has to even out sometime. At least I hope so.
Derek Jeter- Good production in all five categories from a middle infielder. Doesn’t do anything great, but everything good.
Brandon Phillips- Looking like a lock to go 20/20, as he has done just that for the past three years.
Dustin Pedroia- Great contribution in the runs category, but I don’t think he’s going to be running too much this year. 15/15 seems about right for home runs and steals.
Jason Bay- Provides good power outside of the top tier of outfielders. The Mets offense shouldn’t be that terrible either in 2010, providing they are healthy.
Johan Santana- Says that he is feeling fine after throwing off a mound for the first time since he was injured. You can’t afford to pass on him too much, he could end up being in the top three SP.
Ichiro Suzuki- Great player who unfortunately is looking to be on the decline. It’s starting to look like the only category where he stands out anymore is the batting average. Don’t look to him anymore for elite SB numbers.
Adam Wainwright- Some people aren’t believers. I am. He has nasty stuff and is a strong presence on the mound. I look for similar numbers as he put up in 2009.
Justin Morneau- For some reason it seems to me like people have kind of forgotten about him. He is still capable of being an elite player, but does have some back issues.
Dan Haren- Gets a little bit of bad press because of his traditionally weak second halves. Don’t buy into that too much; he is still one of the best pitchers in the game.
Cliff Lee- Don’t worry too much about the switch from the NL to the AL. He can get hitters out no matter where he is pitching.
Aramis Ramirez- He was injured last year, but my bet is he comes back strong. Is still capable of hitting 30 homers and driving in 100.
Aaron Hill- Had the best year he will ever have in 2009, but even with some regression to the mean he will be a solid 2B
Chris Carpenter- He does carry the injury risk, but the reward is too good to pass on. Owners of Carpenter last year know what I’m talking about.
Carlos Lee- Maybe not a lock to hit 30 home runs anymore, but in my mind still a good bet for a .300 average and 100 RBI.
Jayson Werth- Excellent power numbers from the often overlooked member of that stacked Phillies lineup.
Nelson Cruz- He has all the tools in the world to succeed. A little more patience at the plate would help, but he has the potential to break out this year like Matt Kemp did last year.

Article by Groshan Fabiola

Sports’ betting has always been popular, and has shot up in popularity with the spread of the Internet. It’s now much easier for individuals to find the information that is needed to place an informed bet on the outcome of a game. Those who like baseball wagering know that baseball is one of those sports where more is needed to place a bet then just looking at the records of a team.

In baseball wagering you’re often dealing with a situation where any team can beat any other team. To make an informed bet you need to look at all of the possible factors that might influence the outcome of the game. These include any injuries to key players, the records of starting pitchers, whether key hitters are in a batting slump, and many other factors. This information used to be primarily available to baseball insiders, but now experts are willing to share the information with anyone that’s into baseball wagering.

There’s no doubt an expert can help. A good baseball sport wagering expert can provide you with the hottest betting trends and keep you up on the latest line so you know who to bet on and how and where to bet. In other words, your odds are greatly increased when you do your baseball wagering with the help of the odds makers themselves. Sports’ betting is fun and exciting and with the right knowledge at your finger tips it can be lucrative. You won’t win all of the time, but by using expert advice you can greatly improve your chances.

If you enjoy football scores sports Wagering you probably know that baseball Wagering is truly an art. You can’t just decide that you like the Yankees and bet on them to win every game. In baseball no team wins all of its games and to engage in informed baseball Wagering there is a lot of research to be done. For example, what do the odds makers say about the line on a game? Is a team favored to win and by how much?

Of course, just knowing the odds may not even be enough. The odds makers involved in baseball Wagering may differ so you’ll want to look deeper for information. For example, what is the team’s overall record and specifically what is its record against the team it’s playing next? Are there injuries to key players on either team and how have the starting pitchers been doing lately? You may even want to dig into information about any batting slumps by key hitters.

You probably won’t find this information in the morning newspaper so if you’re serious about baseball Wagering you may want to consult with an expert. A good expert does all of the work for you and provides you with the information you need to place bets that have a good chance of being successful. You already know that baseball Wagering can be fun and you want to make it profitable, so make sure the odds are in your favor. Get all of the information that used to be only available to baseball insiders by checking with an expert.

Batter up! Well, almost. Spring training for Major League Baseball starts next month, and the season will be here before we know it. Ditto for the 2011 Little League season. That means now is the perfect time to craft the design of your team’s baseball trading pins for the coming season.

Yes, many of you are still shoveling snow as you read this, but it’s never too early to plan ahead for trading pin season. Look at it this way – designing baseball trading pins is a lot more fun than watching the early rounds of American Idol.

No matter whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a promising rookie when it comes to ordering baseball trading pins, you can still hit a home run! It’s easy and fun to design great pins that every other team will want to trade for.

For starters, talk to your players. They will recall the best and worst baseball trading pins from last year. Ask them which pins they really liked and wanted to trade for. Ask which ones didn’t interest them, and why. Discuss the differences to get a feel for what your players like. Chances are good that players on your opposing teams thought exactly the same way. Great baseball trading pins appeal to just about everyone.

How were your own team’s pins last season? Did they trade fast and furiously, or did they strike out? If you had great baseball trading pins last year, it’s great to stick with a winning design. On the other hand, if your team’s baseball trading pins left something to be desired, don’t worry. It just takes a little planning and a little help from a great trading pin supplier to create pins that will be the hit of the tournaments this year.

Consider the size of last season’s pins. Were your team’s pins big enough? That’s a really basic rule of crafting great baseball trading pins – bigger pins ALWAYS trade better than smaller ones. The extra real estate gives you more room to get creative and show off flashy design elements.

The great thing about custom baseball trading pins is that you’re really only limited by your imagination when it comes to design. If you can imagine it, the graphic artists at any good provider of baseball trading pins can turn your design into terrific-looking trading pins.

The best way to make your baseball trading pins more valuable to traders is to add options. A well-designed pin with options that rock will trade for two or sometimes even three more ordinary pins.

Glitter enamel is a great place to start. This easy, economical add-on is a terrific way to add sparkle and a rich presence to your baseball trading pins.  Consider it the most basic option, then get adventurous with others.

Danglers are a great way to specify the year of the tournament your team plays in. They’re also flexible, allowing you to replace them each year without the expense of replacing the entire baseball trading pins.

Blinking LED lights are a fantastic option for baseball trading pins that feature a mascot. You can give that mascot blinking eyes, a terrific eye-catching feature.

If you really want some rockin’ baseball trading pins, add motion. You can choose from spinners, sliders and bobble heads to give your pins an element of play and impossible-to-miss motion. The more they move, the better your baseball trading pins will trade.

Remember, now is the time to get your baseball trading pins designed and approved. Order early to make sure you have your baseball trading pins in time for the big game. A good provider of baseball trading pins can help you craft the pins that everyone else at the ballpark will want.

Baseball betting usually tends to slip under the radar for a month or so when the college football and NFL betting seasons get underway but there is something about the MLB postseason that’s hard to describe.

Almost everyone can remember a historical playoff baseball moment. From “The shot heard ’round the world” to Kirk Gibson’s heroic ninth inning home run in Game 1 of the `88 World Series. Or even Joe Carter’s blast that helped the Blue Jays to back-to-back titles.

It makes postseason betting an annual tradition for wagering enthusiasts and this year’s lineup is a dandy, with the sportsbook posting their lines for all the series.

The action begins Wednesday with Tampa Bay’s David Price facing this year’s MLB batting champs, the Texas Rangers (.276).

The Rays (-132), who were 49-32 at home this season are no longer playoff novices.

The books have listed Tampa Bay as -145 favorites to win the best-of-five series and even though Rangers’ Game 1 starter Cliff Lee could become a major factor in this series, the 12-point difference in Game 1-to-series pricing actually presents decent line value on the home side.

Texas is the only Major League franchise never to win a playoff series.

Lee was a playoff star last season with the Philadelphia Phillies, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts, and this year Philly has a new ace heading to the mound in Game 1. Roy Halladay has never pitched in the playoffs through 13 years in the bigs and he is fetching quite a price against Cincinnati Reds.

Oddsmakers want -215 in the first game of the series but we have to expect the “Doc” will be up for this postseason debut. Philadelphia was 12-1 this season on the moneyline when bookmakers had them favored at home by more than -200.

Once again, the series price (Phillies -315) makes the line in the opener look like a steal!

The New York Yankees (-145) and Minnesota Twins also play Wednesday in what will be the first-ever playoff game at Target Field. CC Sabathia starts against Nelson Liriano and even though the Twins have home field advantage, playoff experience and power throughout the lineup have made the Yankees (-190) a huge favorite with the books.

Sportsbetting.com has even listed the Bronx Bombers at 3-to-1 odds to win the World Series, second only to the Phillies (11-to-5).

The fourth series is the Atlanta Braves at San Francisco (-155) where two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum will throw out the first pitch Thursday evening. It’s the last call for Braves skip Bobby Cox and although it’s been a magical season, overcoming the dynamic starting rotation that propelled the Giants down the stretch could be asking too much.

Then again, baseball playoffs have certainly seen their share of miracles…

You can check all the baseball odds

Ken Griffey Jr.

Beautiful Left-Handed Swing

Heroes of Baseball

Ken Griffey Jr. retired from baseball on June 2, 2010 at the age of 40. He ended his career with the same team who drafted him number 1 in the 1987 draft, the Seattle Mariners. Ken Griffey Jr. played with the Mariners from 1989-1999, he went to Cincinnati to play with the Reds from 2000-2008, and he played with the White Sox in 1989, and returned to the Mariners for the 2009/2010 season. Griffey ended his career in the middle of the 2010 season because he did not want to be a distraction.

Ken Griffey Jr. played his career during and through the steroids era. There has never been any mention of him cheating. This is significant because most of the big homerun hitters during the steroid were cheaters. Ken Griffey Jr. was not a cheater and he is one of the all-time greatest homerun hitters. Ken Griffey Jr. hit 630 homeruns in his career. He was the player everybody thought would break Hank Aaron’s homerun record. However, Ken Griffey Jr. had a period in his career when he was busy fighting injuries. Ken Griffey Jr. was bombarded with injuries between the years 2001-2004. These injuries held down his homerun numbers and hurt the rest of his stats. Still, 630 homeruns is an incredible number of homeruns for any major league baseball player.

Ken Griffey Jr. ended his career with a .284 batting average. He had 2781 hits and drove in 1836 runs. His best years were with the Seattle Mariners 1989-1999. This is when Ken Griffey hit .297 with 1752 hits, 398 homeruns, 1152 RBI’s, and 167 stolen bases. Ken Griffey Jr. was selected to the All-Star game 13 times; he won 10 gold gloves, and was named MVP in 1997. Ken Griffey Jr. was the 2005 come-back player of the year.

Ken Griffey Jr. will surely be a first ballot baseball Hall of Famer. Ken Griffey Jr. had the most beautiful left-handed swing in baseball during the 1990′s and into the twenty-first century. He played the game the way it was meant to be. First, he was a happy-go-lucky teenager in 1989. Finally, he was an integrity filled forty year old baseball player retiring from our National Pastime the correct way. Ken Griffey Jr. was and always will be a hero of baseball. Here’s to “the kid” who became a man right before our eyes.

Strike one! Strike two! Strike three!

Baseball! America’s Pastime, and a sport growing in popularity throughout the world, where the Boys of Summer slug it out. A baseball game is the perfect way to spend a lazy summer afternoon, plus it provides opportunities to take photos that last a lifetime.

While many claim the sport of baseball is a slow-paced affair, when action does occur, it can happen very swiftly, almost too fast for an unskilled photographer to shoot the photos they desire. Baseballs fly quickly when hit or thrown, and timing the action for when to take a digital photograph requires split-second reflexes. Thus, before you plan on taking photos at a baseball game, you may wish to read the following advice:

1) First, make sure you are allowed to bring your digital camera to the baseball game. Some ballparks have no restrictions, others on the zoom length, some on using flash, and some may not allow you into the baseball game at all with your camera!

2) Change your camera settings to take the quickest photographs possible while still providing plenty of light for the photograph.

You’ll need to read your camera’s manual on how to change these settings; for example, consider saving photos as JPG instead of RAW to take photos faster.

Just remember that the quicker the shutter speed, the less light enters the camera to take the picture. Thus, you’ll need to compromise picture speed and the amount of light to take great photos. That is why baseball games work well with photography – many games are played on sunny days or in well-lit domes or stadiums that allow you to take crisp, high-action photos.

3) Before going to a big league ballpark, make sure you know the rules and nuances of the game. Practice taking photos at a minor-league, college, or high school baseball game. The stakes aren’t quite as high if you miss a shot, and taking your camera to a game will give you more insight into when action occurs and when players just stand around.

4) Have extra batteries and digital camera memory handy and practice switching both out quickly before the game! A three and a half hour game can put a tremendous strain on even the most power-miserly camera, and more often than not you will have to switch out power or memory in the middle of an inning.

5) Don’t worry if you miss a shot! Unless you have tons of digital camera memory, you may not be able to continuously shoot photograph after photograph. If you miss a key pitch, the swing of a bat, or a forced out, don’t get angry! More often than not, new opportunities will arise for great photographs.

6) Study the lineup first. Know who are the key players and those who barely know how to swing a bat. Likewise, learn who has loose hands in the outfield and who is likely to win a Gold Glove. Focus your attention on the stars as they most likely will make the best photographs, but don’t be so drawn to celebrity that you miss a role player making a crucial steal or diving catch that wins the game for their team!

7) When the opening lineup starts, look at the dugout. If you’re rooting for the home team, the beginning of the game is a great time to get player photographs as they are running out onto the field. If not, take photographs during the middle of the inning. If you don’t get the perfect photo, delete bad photographs during lull times and try later during the game.

To take a picture of a swinging batter that will last a lifetime, do the following:

*) Preparation is the key. First, before the game, know how to operate your digital camera. Practice focusing the camera and quickly deleting unused photos – sometimes you can delete an unwanted photo before it is completely saved to the camera’s memory.

*) Before the pitch, focus your viewfinder on the batter’s box and try not to cut out any of the batter’s body. Zoom in as appropriate, but remember the more you zoom in, the slower the potential shutter speed needed to take a clear photo.

*) Anticipate shutter lag. Lock your focus before the pitch; this usually is done by pressing the shutter button down half-way.

*) Time it… time it… then as soon as the ball is about to hit the bat, press down fully on the shutter button.

*) If the pitch is a strike or the swing is not one to be remembered, cancel the save so your picture is not written to memory. This way, you can save room for other photos.

9) Look around for photo opportunities not directly related to the action. Take a photograph of the grounds crew cleaning the bases and raking the dirt between innings. Get a few shots of the crowd. Take a picture of the scoreboard. Look at the surrounding area. If you want to remember the full experience of a baseball game years from now, you should take advantage of one of the best features of a digital camera – the ability to take lots and lots of photographs – and shoot photographs showcasing the FULL baseball experience.

10) Take a break during the game! You came to the baseball game to enjoy the spectacle, not just to take pictures, right? Designate a few innings as photo-free time where you just sit back, munch on a hot dog, drink a soda, and soak in the environment.

Remember to study your digital camera manual first and practice, practice, practice! Follow these ten tips and you’ll be on your way to taking “home run” baseball photographs in no time.

Article by Todd Schryver

Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re a novice when it comes to fantasy baseball. That’s the first step, and we’ll provide you with a foundation, showing you not only how to play the game but also how to succeed.

The basics

Like other fantasy sports, the object of fantasy baseball is simple: Accumulate the most points or win the most games to take home the spoils.

The process begins by selecting a team of players in a draft before the start of the season. Those players contribute to your team’s place in the standings based on how well they perform in specific statistical categories such as home runs, stolen bases, ERA and wins.

There are many different ways you can play fantasy baseball, although you’ll find the rotisserie method, in which stats accumulate throughout the season and count toward your final score, to be most common. Within this method, 5×5 scoring – which counts five hitting (batting average, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases and runs) and pitching categories (wins, saves, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts) – is typical. You’ll also find a fair amount of 4×4 scoring, which removes runs and strikeouts from the 5×5 system and is the original format.

The other primary league type is head-to-head, in which your statistical output rolls back each week as you face a new opponent. At the end of the week, whoever has performed the best in a particular category will get a win for it. Let’s say you outscored your opponent in runs, RBIs and steals but were bested in wins and saves. In that case, you’d either earn a win (and your opponent a loss) by the score of 3-2 or be given a record of 3-2 for the week. This continues until a few weeks remain in Major League Baseball’s regular season. The teams with the best records reach the playoffs, which take place during the real season’s final weeks.

Draft styles vary as well. You can fill your roster in a standard serpentine draft, in which owners take turns making selections for as many rounds as necessary to fill each team’s roster. You can also have an auction, in which each player is obtainable and bid on by owners. In auction leagues, owners work within a budget to “purchase” their players.

There are three classifications when it comes to the pool of available talent, also known as the “universe”: AL-only, NL-only and mixed (players from both leagues). AL-only and NL-only leagues require greater depth of knowledge and are not for the faint of heart. The casual player or novice is better off learning in a mixed format, although there isn’t a limit to the intensity of the league just because it’s mixed.

Rosters usually include the usual positions, but some add middle infield, corner infield and utility slots. These are intended to make the league a little deeper.

Of course, there are many ways to play this game, and none of them are necessarily the best way. In fact, this introduction merely scratches the surface of the many ways you can enjoy fantasy baseball.

Be prepared

Imagine you’re back in school, and the teacher says that it’s time for a pop quiz … and you haven’t studied, at all. That’s how a novice fantasy baseball player might feel if he or she walked into a draft without having read an ounce of news or checked out pre-draft rankings.

The draft is truly all about preparation, preparation and preparation.

You need to keep abreast of what’s going on in the world of baseball, and preferably not as part of a pre-draft cram session. It may sound cliche, but it’s true: The minute one season ends, the next one begins – words any aspiring fantasy aficionado would do well to heed.

Start by tracking offseason player movement. Free-agent signings and trades can drastically alter the fantasy landscape, especially when a pitcher goes to a team with a stronger offense or park with pitcher-friendly dimensions. Likewise, a power hitter transitioning to a cozy park might see an increase in his power numbers and a corresponding bump in fantasy value.

Your first priority is to work on your rankings, which is the order in which you value players going into the draft. If you’re incredibly serious about your pursuit, you can develop your own player projections. That’s a tall task, but it’s important to understand, at least, the concepts that go into player valuation. Then you can formulate your opinion when you review someone else’s projections.

Consult the many cheat sheets KFFL furnishes in its preseason draft guide. Give KFFL’s cheat sheet generator a whirl. Review KFFL’s projections and see where you agree – and disagree. Debate gives way to new ideas and improved forecasts.

Identify the signs

Beyond the obvious statistical measures, there are always other factors than can contribute to performance. For instance, keep an eye out for players entering the final year of their contract – those heading toward free agency are ripe targets for selection. In some cases, particularly with batters and much less so with pitchers, they’ll produce better-than-average numbers thanks to the lure of a better contract.

On the flip side, be wary of players who have signed new deals; some of that pressure to produce is off. They won’t necessarily have bad seasons, but you may want to avoid players who parlayed a career year into a fat payday when previous seasons suggest they aren’t as good as their contract-year numbers do.

Be aware of ballpark factors. Power hitters who ply their trade in hitter-friendly parks get a boost – think Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz – while those who find themselves leaving those situations for larger parks should be knocked down a peg.

The same holds true for pitchers. Any pitcher lucky enough to pitch his home games in the San Diego Padres’ PETCO Park could experience a drop in ERA and WHIP and an increase in strikeouts per nine innings, but expect some rough outings from hurlers dealing in Coors Field.

Another phenomenon to be aware of is positional scarcity. Put simply, some positions are thinner in talent than others – catcher springs to mind. In drafts or auctions, there may be “runs” on certain positions, at which expected production drops dramatically after the top handful of players are taken. Be careful not to get caught in these runs; you may well be missing out on better value at other positions.

Draft day should be a blast, and hopefully it goes well, but just because it’s over doesn’t mean your responsibility to your fantasy baseball team is done. On the contrary, the fun is just beginning. You have to manage throughout the season using the roster you selected.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint

By about a quarter of the way into the season, you should have a feel for your team’s strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps your pitchers aren’t registering enough strikeouts, or your power hitters have blown a fuse. What now? Don’t worry. Just because your draft didn’t play out perfectly doesn’t mean you’re dead in the water. There are always options available to right the ship, and one of the best parts about fantasy baseball is that it’s truly a war of attrition.

Fantasy baseball leagues have waiver wires, where owners may make changes to their lineups by adding or dropping players. Some run first-come, first-served waivers on a daily basis, while others have weekly claims, where your desired moves are submitted and then processed based on waiver priority. This is often done in reverse order of the standings, meaning the worst record gets first dibs, or some other determinant.

Still other leagues utilize a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB), where owners bid on free agents but have a limited amount of “money” to acquire players throughout the season.

However, sometimes the solution to what ails your squad cannot be found on the waiver wire. That brings us to trading. Maybe you have an excess of pitching and not enough hitting (or vice versa), or perhaps your star players have taken up residence on the disabled list. This is where wheeling and dealing comes into play. Trades can improve a club immediately or down the road. They may also weaken a club in each of those scenarios, depending on the players traded.

When going the trade route, tread carefully. Odds are that the person you’re trading with won’t have your best interests in mind; instead, he or she may be trying to rob you blind. Of course, most best deals help both sides in theory, with each club dealing from a position of strength to address a perceived weakness. Also, unless you want to receive a series of e-mails mocking your baseball knowledge, try to avoid sending grossly unbalanced trade offers. It’s a good idea to learn essential trade etiquette.

Most leagues have a deadline to prevent trading after a certain date, partially to avoid a non-contending team dumping players to a contender in an effort to influence the race. The fantasy sports community frowns upon collusion. With the waiver wire and trading, chances are good that you will have enough mechanisms to improve your team for the duration of the season.

Know your limitsFantasy Baseball NewsOne often overlooked aspect of fantasy baseball is whether there are playing time requirements in place. Maximums or minimums can be applied to both batters and pitchers.

In shallow (usually mixed) leagues, position players are often limited to a number of games per roster slot, say 162. That prevents owners from plugging reserves into starting roles whenever their regulars have the day off. This ensures that everyone has a more even playing field, as long as managers monitor their rosters fairly regularly.

This is also usually done to prevent one person from using more pitchers in an effort to monopolize the wins, strikeouts and saves categories. It also serves to dissuade owners from shuffling starting pitchers via the waiver wire. The limit forces owners to determine which players are best to start in order to get quality innings from a pitcher, not just quantity.

Many leagues, especially those with an AL-only or NL-only format, employ league minimums instead. They require fantasy teams to reach a minimum number of at-bats, innings pitched or both. This helps to prevent owners from resting on the laurels of a few top players and employing reserves who do little to negatively impact categories like batting average, ERA and WHIP.

Fantasy baseball leagues can employ combinations of these maximums and minimums, too. The goal is to create a competitive league in which no one can gain a clear advantage by manipulating the scoring system.

 

2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide: Outfield (OF) Sleepers. Outfield (OF) Sleeper selections are based on a standard scoring system in mixed AL/NL fantasy baseball leagues for the 2010 season. Scoring system stats include: runs scored, homeruns, rbi, stolen bases, and batting average – (R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG). AB = at bats during the 2009 season.

Outfield (OF) Sleeper selections are based on players who have yet to make a significant statistical impact at the major league level, but offer the potential to accumulate major league playing time and fantasy baseball relevant stats during the 2010 season. Outfield (OF) Sleepers are players to consider drafting late in fantasy baseball drafts or pick up as free agents to begin the 2010 season. Each players 2010 fantasy baseball position eligibility and their age for the 2010 season is provided after their name.

Top 15 – Outfield (OF) Sleepers 2010

#1 – Drew Stubbs – CF – Cincinnati Reds (25)

After a late season call up, and not receiving his first major league at bat until August 19 during the 2009 season, Stubbs went on to finish the 2009 season extremely strong. Showcasing his best offensive asset, Stubbs took over the Reds leadoff spot and displayed his game changing speed, as he tallied 10 stolen bases over just 180 at bats to finish his rookie season in 2009. As a former 1st round pick, 8th overall in the 2006 draft, Stubbs enters the 2010 season ready to claim the starting CF job and contribute immensely to the Reds offensive attack during the 2010 season. If given 500 at bats as the Reds leadoff hitter, Stubbs has the ability to tally 40 stolen bases during the 2010 season.

2009 Minor League Stats: 411 AB, 57 R, 3 HR, 39 RBI, 46 SB, .268 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 180 AB, 27 R, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 10 SB, .267 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 100 R, 10 HR, 70 RBI, 40 SB, .275 AVG

#2 – Julio Borbon – LF – Texas Rangers (24)

Bursting onto the major league scene for the Rangers during the final two months of the 2009 season, Borbon offers incredible speed on the bath paths, as he was able to tally 19 stolen bases over just 157 at bats as a rookie for the Rangers during the 2009 season. With the starting LF job up for grabs to begin the 2010 for the Rangers, there is no doubt that Borbon will be given every opportunity to claim the starting job to begin the 2010 season. As a successful leadoff hitter for the Rangers to close out the 2009 season, Borbon could very easily find himself in that leadoff role during the 2010 season as well. With his outstanding speed, it would not be surprising to see Borbon tally 40 plus stolen bases during the 2010 season.

2009 Minor League Stats: 407 AB, 71 R, 2 HR, 34 RBI, 25 SB, .307 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 157 AB, 30 R, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 19 SB, .312 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 80 R, 5 HR, 50 RBI, 40 SB, .295 AVG

#3 – Gerardo Parra – LF/CF/RF – Arizona Diamondbacks (23)

Capable of playing all three outfield positions, Parra earned near every day playing time during the 2009 season, and as a rookie last year he was able to put up solid stats across the board including a rock solid .290 batting average over 455 at bats. With experience under his belt and showcasing his ability to hit major league pitching, Parra should enter the 2010 season bidding for everyday playing time in CF and LF. Depending on whether Conor Jackson makes a successful comeback in 2010 after missing the 2009 season with pneumonia, and whether Chris Young can reestablish himself as a major league starter, Parra should see plenty of playing time. Take into consideration the fact that the Diamondbacks released Eric Byrnes, and even more playing time should be in store for Parra during the 2010 season.

2009 Minor League Stats: 108 AB, 23 R, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 7 SB, .361 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 455 AB, 59 R, 5 HR, 60 RBI, 5 SB, .290 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 75 R, 8 HR, 50 RBI, 20 SB, .290 AVG

#4 – Cameron Maybin – CF – Florida Marlins (23)

After a rough start at the plate to begin the 2009 season, and unable to keep the starting CF job for the Marlins, Maybin was sent back to Triple A to try and get back on track offensively. Now entering the 2010 season with the starting CF job in Florida his for the taking, Maybin could finally transform all his potential into stat production during the 2010 season. After having shoulder surgery in November 2009 to repair a partially torn labrum, Maybin may start the 2010 season slowly, but his potential for a breakout year is a very realistic possibility.

2009 Minor League Stats: 298 AB, 44 R, 3 HR, 39 RBI, 8 SB, .319 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 176 AB, 30 R, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB, .250 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 70 R, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 20 SB, .280 AVG

#5 – Jason Heyward – RF – Atlanta Braves (20)

Considered by many to be the best hitting prospect in the minors, Heyward at just age 20, will be given an opportunity to claim the starting RF job for the Braves during spring training. With Matt Diaz and Eric Hinske the main competition for the starting job, Heyward does have a very realistic opportunity to claim the opening day starting RF job to begin the 2010 season. On the other hand, if the Braves do elect to send Heyward to the minors to begin the 2010 season, then expecting a June call up should be nearly guaranteed to happen during the 2010 season. And after the successful June call up of Tommy Hanson for the Braves last season, you can be sure the Braves will likely give that same opportunity to Heyward during the 2010 season.

2009 Minor League Stats: 362 AB, 69 R, 17 HR, 63 RBI, 10 SB, .323 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: Has Not Made Major League Debut

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 70 R, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 10 SB, .290 AVG

#6 – Nate Schierholtz – RF – San Francisco Giants (26)

After three years of getting a taste of major league playing time during the 2007 thru 2009 seasons, Schierholtz enters the 2010 season as the favorite to win the starting RF job for the Giants. As a minor league all-star, Schierholtz is a well polished minor league hitter who has played seven seasons in the minors and has accumulated 84 homeruns, 401 rbi, and an outstanding .308 batting average over his career. While Schierholtz has not shown to be a tremendous power hitter, his career .308 batting average over 2,400 at bats in the minors, should allow Schierholtz to become a productive major league hitter. With a starting job and a full season of playing time during the 2010 season, Schierholtz could easily tally 15 homeruns and 80 rbi with a .300 batting average.

2009 Minor League Stats: 18 AB, 2 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SB, .222 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 285 AB, 33 R, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 3 SB, .267 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 70 R, 15 HR, 80 RBI, 5 SB, .290 AVG

#7 – Michael Brantley – LF/CF – Cleveland Indians (23)

Earning an everyday starting job in CF to finish out the 2009 season after Grady Sizemore went down with injury, Brantley who made his major league debut on September 1, 2009, played extremely well over the final month of the 2009 season as he was able to post 11 rbi, 10 runs scored, 4 stolen bases, and a .313 batting average over just 112 at bats. Offering outstanding speed, Brantley tallied 46 stolen bases while being caught just 5 times during the 2009 season at Triple-A. With the starting LF job open to begin the 2010 season for the Cleveland Indians, Brantley has the potential to claim the everyday starting LF job as well as the leadoff job in the batting order, and he is more than capable of tallying 30 stolen bases during his rookie season in 2010. However on the down side offensively, Brantley offers virtually zero power ability, as just 5-10 homeruns over the course of a full season would be tough for him to accumulate. Speed is the name of the game for Brantley.

2009 Minor League Stats: 457 AB, 80 R, 6 HR, 37 RBI, 46 SB, .267 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 112 AB, 10 R, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 4 SB, .313 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 70 R, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 30 SB, .280 AVG

#8 – Chris Heisey – LF – Cincinnati Reds (25)

Considered to be just a mid level OF prospect for the Reds, Heisey is coming off of a breakout year in 2009. Over 516 at bats between Double A and Triple A during the 2009 season, Heisey tallied an outstanding 22 homeruns, 21 stolen bases, and a superb .314 batting average, while earning honors as the Reds minor league player of the year last season. Combine that with an outstanding showing in the Arizona Fall League to finish out 2009, and Heisey has positioned himself to earn the opening day starting LF job for the Reds to begin the 2010 season. Competing with Chris Dickerson and Wladimir Balentine for the LF job, Heisey who has yet to make his major league debut, has an outstanding opportunity to earn the starting job in LF for the 2010 season and he could very easily put up stats to earn rookie of the year honors in 2010.

2009 Minor League Stats: 516 AB, 91 R, 22 HR, 77 RBI, 21 SB, .314 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: Has Not Made Major League Debut

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 60 R, 12 HR, 70 RBI, 20 SB, .285 AVG

#9 – Austin Jackson – CF – Detroit Tigers (23)

Coming to Detroit in the Curtis Granderson trade, Jackson is one of the top minor league prospects in all of baseball. With the Tigers having no real successful major league proven CF to begin the 2010 season, it appears Jackson will be given every opportunity to claim the starting CF job sooner rather than later. As the CF of the future for the Tigers, Jackson is a solid all around hitter who makes very good contact and has excellent speed. The power and homerun potential likely will not really develop until further into his career, but as a top of the batting order candidate, Jackson could very easily tally 25 stolen bases for the Tigers during the 2010 season if he can receive 500 at bats. If Jackson is sent to Triple A to start the 2010 season, then a June call up is very likely, as he could make an Andrew McCutchen or Dexter Fowler type of impact as a rookie during the 2010 season.

2009 Minor League Stats: 504 AB, 67 R, 4 HR, 65 RBI, 24 SB, .300 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: Has Not Made Major League Debut

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 60 R, 8 HR, 55 RBI, 20 SB, .285 AVG

#10 – Desmond Jennings – CF – Tampa Bay Rays (23)

As one of the top OF prospects in all of baseball, Jennings will be lurking in the Rays plans to utilize his talent and ability in the starting lineup during the 2010 season. Depending on whether the Rays want to keep BJ Upton in CF or move him over the RF, a starting spot at one of these OF positions will be up for grabs to begin the 2010 season. After a breakout year in 2009, Jennings offers outstanding speed on the base paths and on defense, and has shown the potential for an increase in power potential as well. If Jennings is unable to claim an opening day roster spot with the Rays, he will be extremely high on the radar to earn a June call up, and he could very easily be inserted into the starting lineup immediately and make an Andrew McCutchen or Dexter Fowler type of rookie impact during the 2010 season.

2009 Minor League Stats: 497 AB, 92 R, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 52 SB, .318 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: Has Not Made Major League Debut

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 60 R, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 25 SB, .285 AVG

#11 – Michael Saunders – LF – Seattle Mariners (23)

As one of the top prospects in the Mariners minor league system, Saunders struggled mightily in the majors when he was given the opportunity to play during the 2009 season. With the acquisition of Milton Bradley, the Mariners will look to start Bradley in LF during the 2010 season, however after Bradley’s meltdown with the Cubs last year, Saunders would be first in line to scoop up the starting job in LF should Bradley falter. As a young player with plenty of speed and developing power, Saunders could make a major league splash during the 2010 season with 10 homeruns and 15 stolen bases if given the opportunity to tally 400 at bats.

2009 Minor League Stats: 248 AB, 58 R, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 6 SB, .310 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 122 AB, 13 R, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 4 SB, .221 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 50 R, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 15 SB, .280 AVG

#12 – John Mayberry – LF/RF – Philadelphia Phillies (26)

As a former 1st round pick in the 2005 draft, Mayberry and his 6-6, 230 frame offers a lot of power potential, as he could one day develop into a 30 homerun hitter in the majors. After receiving some playing time during the 2009 season when Raul Ibanez went down with injury, Mayberry was unable to capitalize on his opportunity. However with Mayberry just sitting behind the aging Raul Ibanez in LF on the depth chart, he could be a valuable LF/RF backup for the Phillies during the 2010 season, as he would likely be the first choice to take over the full time starting job in LF or RF if there was an injury to either Ibanez or Jayson Werth. If given 400 at bats in the majors, Mayberry could easily be a 15 plus homerun hitter during his rookie year in 2010. Overall, Mayberry is your classic homerun hitter who is strikeout prone at this point in his career.

2009 Minor League Stats: 316 AB, 44 R, 13 HR, 43 RBI, 6 SB, .256 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 57 AB, 8 R, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB, .211 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 50 R, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 5 SB, .260 AVG

#13 – Fernando Martinez – LF/CF/RF – New York Mets (21)

With Carlos Beltran likely to miss the beginning of the 2010 season, Martinez who is considered by many to be the Mets top prospect, will be given an opportunity to win an opening day roster spot and receive playing time to begin the 2010 season. However at just age 21, Martinez is extremely young and is still developing as a hitter, so the Mets may decide to keep him in the minors for the 2010 season, or at least the first half of the season. Bring in the addition of Gary Matthews Jr. to the Mets outfield, and Martinez’s playing time really diminishes. Yet there is no doubt that Martinez is the CF of the future for the Mets, and if Beltran continues to experience knee problems or Jeff Francouer struggles in RF, and Martinez excels at Triple A to begin the 2010 season, a quick call up and insertion into the Mets starting lineup is a very realistic possibility.

2009 Minor League Stats: 176 AB, 24 R, 8 HR, 28 RBI, 2 SB, .290 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 91 AB, 11 R, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 2 SB, .176 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 40 R, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 10 SB, .275 AVG

#14 – Tyler Colvin – CF/RF – Chicago Cubs (24)

As a former 1st round pick in the 2006 draft, Colvin has not yet developed into the type of hitter the Cubs hoped for after four minor league seasons. Yet even at that, Colvin who saw his first major league action during the end of the 2009 season, could find himself in a battle for the starting RF job with the underperforming Kosuke Fukudome to begin the 2010 season if he can put together a solid spring training. With the ability to play all three outfield positions, including CF as his primary position, Colvin could be a valuable asset on the Cubs roster during the 2010 season. If Colvin can solve his main problem of a lack of plate disciple, then his offensive potential of 15 homeruns and 10 stolen bases is definitely worth a starting job in the Cubs outfield during the 2010 season.

2009 Minor League Stats: 419 AB, 69 R, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 8 SB, .286 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: 17 AB, 1 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, .176 AVG

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 50 R, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 8 SB, .270 AVG

#15 – Jose Tabata – RF – Pittsburgh Pirates (21)

At just age 21, Tabata enters the 2010 season as a polished minor league hitter who deserves an opportunity to play at the major league level during the 2010 season. While Tabata has not shown much power potential thus far in this career, and he offers just slightly above average speed, his real offensive appeal is that he is just a very good overall hitter. Compiling a .295 batting average in over 1,600 minor league at bats during his career, Tabata rarely strikes outs, as he makes excellent contact and seemingly always puts the ball into play. As a natural RF in the outfield, Tabata will have a hard time earning an opening day roster spot with the Pirates to begin the 2010 season, but if he starts the season hitting well at Triple A, then a June call up would be very likely.

2009 Minor League Stats: 362 AB, 52 R, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 11 SB, .293 AVG

2009 Major League Stats: Has Not Made Major League Debut

2010 Major League Stat Projections: 30 R, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 8 SB, .285 AVG

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