Picks To Click, 2008: The Results…
Posted on April 3rd, 2008 – 5:12 PMBy La Velle
Props to all of you for taking part in this year’s Picks To Click poll. I didn’t anticipate so many responses, which was one reason why it took me four days to post the results.
There were a wide range of choices, from Matt Tolbert to Matt Guerrier. In the end, each category came down to a few players.
Your position player to click: Delmon Young……
Many of you expect Young to approach Torii Hunter’s 2007 production. Some of you predict that Young will surpass Hunter’s production.
You are not alone. Scouts of opponents during spring training predict big things from Young soon.
Order of finish:
1. Delmon Young
2. Joe Mauer
3. Carlos Gomezl
4. Jason Kubel
5. Michael Cuddyer
Your pitcher to click: Scott Baker.
Baker stepped up his pitching during the second half of last season and came to camp sounding so confident that it would be tough to pick against him. Now he just needs to drink plenty of OJ and gain back some more of the weight he lost when he caught the flu this spring.
Order of finish:
1. Scott Baker
2. Boof Bonser
3. Kevin Slowey
4. Francisco Liriano
5. Nick Blackburn.
My Picks to Click: Joe Mauer and Nick Blackburn.
It didn’t take long for me to identify Mauer as my Pick To Click. He was healthy throughout camp, his bat looks as fast as ever and I think batting second will help him. He even mentioned all the times last season he seemed to be on the on deck circle with runners on base when the inning would end. That shouldn’t be the case this year. With his hit-it-where-it’s-pitched approach, he should be productive and drive in more runs.
Picking the pitcher wasn’t too hard. I was impressed with Blackburn outings from the start and, after talking to him, I sensed that he really benefitted from being called up last year and learning what happens to pitchers who don’t use all their pitches.
His outing on Wednesday, against a good lineup, offered more proof…..
23 Responses to "Picks To Click, 2008: The Results…"
La Velle,
Thanks for the cool bit. Lets hope we’re all right and everyone clicks at least a little. I think your right though. Mauer is going to have a huge year.
La Velle,
If Mauer is going to have men on base, doesn’t that mean Gogo better click to be that one on base?? Heaven help us if we are relying on Everett to be on base for Mauer to drive him in!!
Both my picks came in 2nd….Hhmmmm….
My “pick to click” for ‘08 is Johan Santana: 21-9; 2.65 ERA; 260 SO’s.
I really Like Blackburn I’m a bit of a stat guy so the Low K’s would normally set off alarm bells but Blackburn has legit ML stuff with his FB Cutter and Curve his command is great and he’s a ground ball machine. If he stays healthy which has been a problem for him with his knees I think he could be a legit #3 starter.
If Blackburn continues to impress, you wonder why the Twins ended up with
3 pitchers in the Santana deal?
Roch won 9-5, Macri hit a triple and scored late in the game. Jones 3-4 double/3R/2RBI/STOLEN BASE ?!?
NB shut out 3-0, Mullins 5 solid shutout innings.Drew Butera 2 hits and a walk. Only 5 hits for the RCats.
FM lost 8-6. Valencia and Ramos HRs, Valencia drove in 4.
Liriano 4 runs 6H in 5 1/3…2 runs scored after he was out of the game(inherited runners)..Devries rough outing.allowed the inherited runners to score, one on a double steal, and 4 more the next inning.
Beloit rained out.
I pick opposing team’s second basemen, catching grouder after grouder and turning(starting) double play after double play
duh grounder
My pick to click…
Joe Vavra getting the major league lead for shutouts by a hitting coach!
He is Dutch Elm Disease for the Twins bats.
The Batting equivalent of Dick Such…
Joe Vavra, you might be a nice guy and if I’m hurting your feelings I’m sorry, but you are upsetting my stomach every time I watch one of your pupils disgrace the art of hitting a baseball! Go sell insurance!
bc-the pupils are the ones swing the bats.
Mauer ought to have a solid year- especially since he is one of our star players, but given his new moniker of “4-3″ he wouldn’t be my choice.
I like Young and Blackburn.
“My “pick to click” for ‘08 is Johan Santana: 21-9; 2.65 ERA; 260 SO’s.”
I don’t think Santana will lose 9 games this year.
I agree with your selection of Blackburn. He looked great on Wednesday. That was a game he definitely could have won if he’d had some backup on offense.
I think your right Shaitan Santana will not lose 9 games all year. Outside shot at winning 25 games this year
interesting take by gleeman on the twins hitting.
If Vavra is such a terrible hitting coach, why don’t the Twins go out and get Gaetti.
whoa, just to a look at the Fort Myers Ramblings blog, surprised to see Toby Gardenhire has a Pitching stats line. Only 1 inning, but I wonder why he is pitching?
it was last year btw
One other thing about Blackburn’s game the other night: he seemed ready to and capable of fielding his position well. I hope he keeps up the good work.
Only 1 inning, but I wonder why he is pitching?
It happens occasionally. NL teams sometimes have to do it, I think it’s happened in the AL a few times.
It’s usually reserved for a blow out win/loss where they just need somebody to put the ball over the plate a few times.
How about
Boof(or Cuddy)+Slowey+Harris+Rincon
for Brian Roberts from Mr.Andy MacPhail?
1. Brian Roberts 08:$6.3M, 09:$8M
2. Gomez
3. Mauer/Morales
4. Young
5. Morneau
6. Kubel
7. Cuddy 08:$5M, 09:$6.75M, 10:$8.5M
8. Lamb/Punto
9. Casilla/Everett
1. Liriano
2. Hernandez
3. Baker
4. Blackburn
5. Humber
Where are the line ups?
