Daily Notes | Hanley Ramirez Returning to Form
Hanley Ramirez was taken by most in the second round of drafts this season despite being a player at 28 years of age that should be in the prime of his career. One bad season and a reputation for not being "Mr. I Care" on the field was enough to scare people away from a guy that has been a top 26 player five consecutive seasons before that injury riddled bad season in 2011. Early in 2012, it appears that Hanley is heading back to the top 26 and maybe the top 10 where he was for three straight years from 2007-2009. He hit a home run for the third straight game yesterday. Forget about the concerns people had about him playing with Jose Reyes. Reyes is going to do for Hanley what he did for David Wright - ensure that he drives in 100 runs by himself.
In terms of where Hanley would go now in a draft, he would have to be taken in the top three or four players. Certainly Matt Kemp is on a planet by himself, but with eligibility at multiple positions and the proven ability to be a top five caliber player you can make a case that Hanley is as valuable as Albert Pujols or Miguel Cabrera. Obviously this requires that he stays healthy, but that's the same with any player. He is clearly healthy right now and has played at least 142 games in every season with the exception of last year. To me, that's a pretty safe player when you factor in the age. I also think getting him out of harm's way on double play balls isn't the worst thing. I would trade Joey Votto straight up for Hanley without any hesitation, and maybe that kind of deal would fly if someone is still obsessing over the draft results.
In terms of where Hanley would go now in a draft, he would have to be taken in the top three or four players. Certainly Matt Kemp is on a planet by himself, but with eligibility at multiple positions and the proven ability to be a top five caliber player you can make a case that Hanley is as valuable as Albert Pujols or Miguel Cabrera. Obviously this requires that he stays healthy, but that's the same with any player. He is clearly healthy right now and has played at least 142 games in every season with the exception of last year. To me, that's a pretty safe player when you factor in the age. I also think getting him out of harm's way on double play balls isn't the worst thing. I would trade Joey Votto straight up for Hanley without any hesitation, and maybe that kind of deal would fly if someone is still obsessing over the draft results.
- Justin Morneau and David Wright are also in a similar category to Hanley. Wright and Morneau haven't been at the top of their games for a few seasons, but both have shown signs of promise this month. Morneau hit two homers last night and has already matched his home run total from a season ago. Wright is currently hitting .500 and excelling despite a broken finger.
- Bartolo Colon is 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA. The year is not 2000-2004. How did the Yankees let him go?
- Blake Tekotte (Padres Triple-A) and Mike Trout (Angels Triple-A) have 12 and 14 game hitting streaks respectively. Both players will get their chance sometime this year.
- Troy Tolowitzki had the night off last night. He has already committed as many errors as he had all last season and hasn't exactly been killing it at the plate either.
- Bobby Abreu hit leadoff last night while Mark Trumbo was feeling under the weather. Mike Scioscia said Trumbo will play three of the next four nights.
- The Red Sox sent down Mark Melancon. The Sox traded away two starting middle infielders in the offseason for two minor league relievers.
- Tim Hudson gave up only an unearned run in a tune up with Triple-A Gwinnett. He will rejoin the Braves rotation on either April 29th or April 30th.
- It sounds as if Lance Berkman will be heading to the disabled list with a calf issue that isn't going away. He was removed from the game last night.
- Since June 20th of last year no player has more steals than Emilio Bonifacio who has stolen 43 bases (the next best player has 37). Bonifacio is on a pace to steal more than 100 this season and claims he always has the green light.
