U.S. Olympic Infield and Outfield
-Dexter Sports
2:43 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Lets take a look at this really talented Infield for the U.S. National Team.
First Base:
Mike Hessman, 1B Detroit Tigers - Holy Cow, what a good choice by the national team. Hessman will be a great source of power in the middle of the order and protect guys such as Colby Rasmus and Dexter Fowler in the order. Hessman has already clobbered 30 HRs in the International league and drove in 63. You cannot have a better situation at first base. His defense is a bit shady, but it could be worse. He has worked a lot on his defensive game this season at AAA Toledo.
Second Base/Shortstop:
Jason Donald, SS Philadelphia Philies - Donald looked really good defensively in the futures game, and has been a target of the U.S. team for quite some time. It is not clear if he will play second or short, but he will get a lot of playing time I would imagine. Donald is hitting .301 with 12 dingers for AA Reading.
Brian Barden, IF St. Louis Cardinals - Barden has played shortstop at the major league level, but Davey Johnson could play Barden all over the Infield and that is what is so intriguing. Sure, Barden isn't a Derek Jeter or Jimmy Rollins, but he is a real spark plug that could help the offense generate against the great pitching of the international competition.
Third Base:
Terry Tiffee, 3B Los Angeles Dodgers - Tiffee has had a spectacular season in AAA Las Vegas and even got the call to the majors when Andruw Jones originally went down to injury. The most important thing that Tiffee will bring to this roster is his veteran leadership. It will be important for him to lead by example when he is out on the field.
Matt Brown, 3b Los Angeles Angels - Blocked by Chone Figgins and Brandon Wood, Brown has never really gotten his chance to shine at the major league level. But at this stage, his bat could be a huge force in the middle of the order. With 20 homers and 62 RBIs already on the season, it is evident that Brown will take most of the playing time at third base. I imagine him batting 5th behind Matt LaPorta and Mike Hessman.
Catchers:
Lou Marson, C Philadelphia Phillies - Marson struggled to start his professional career, but as of late has really shined both offensively and as a defensive leader on the field. For AA reading Marson is hitting .321 with 4 homers and 45 RBIs respectively. What got Marson on the National team was his play at the futures game. Manager Davey Johnson was impressed with his play calling and connection to young pitchers, because management wasn't even relaying signs to the catcher or pitcher. Look for Marson to take most of the playing time at catcher.
Taylor Teagarden, C Texas Rangers - What helps Teagarden stick out compared to other catchers is his defensive ability. As we saw in the futures game, Teagarden has the ability to throw out hitters off of a breaking ball in any count. He is very smart behind the plate, and that could become effective coming down the stretch. His offense could use a bit of help, but it will be a great addition to this defense when he plays.
Outfielders:
Matt LaPorta, OF Cleveland Indians - Well, if your traded for C.C. Sabathia, you have to be pretty good right? LaPorta will be the savior of this team if his bat can continue to do what it has in the past. LaPorta has already went deep 21 times and he is a slugging machine. Don't be surprised if Davey Johnson plays LaPorta at first and Mike Hessman at third to get the array of great outfielders into the lineup for Team USA. Either way, Laporta will be hitting in the third or fourth spot in the order.
Dexter Fowler, OF Colorado Rockies - Fowler has the best range defensively of any player on this team and his bat is as solid as any of the five toolers for team USA. His 24 doubles and seven triples are key to the top of the order. it will be either him or Colby Rasmus leading it off for team USA. Either way would be a great option for the national team.
Colby Rasmus, OF St Louis Cardinals - Rasmus isn't your prototypical lead off hitter, because of his power, but could still be the option that Davey Johnson goes with. Rasmus had a horrible start of the season, but has picked it up as of late. I really like this addition to the order, It brings pop and consistency and he can play any outfield position.
John Gall, OF Florida Marlins - Gall is a veteran minor league that brings power, average and a decent glove to the team. Gall replaced Larry Walker in St. Louis for a while, but since then has been stuck in the minor leagues. So far he is hitting .321 with 11 Hrs and 71 RBIs. It will be interesting if his play sparks him back into the majors someday soon .
2:43 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Lets take a look at this really talented Infield for the U.S. National Team.
First Base:
Mike Hessman, 1B Detroit Tigers - Holy Cow, what a good choice by the national team. Hessman will be a great source of power in the middle of the order and protect guys such as Colby Rasmus and Dexter Fowler in the order. Hessman has already clobbered 30 HRs in the International league and drove in 63. You cannot have a better situation at first base. His defense is a bit shady, but it could be worse. He has worked a lot on his defensive game this season at AAA Toledo.
Second Base/Shortstop:
Jason Donald, SS Philadelphia Philies - Donald looked really good defensively in the futures game, and has been a target of the U.S. team for quite some time. It is not clear if he will play second or short, but he will get a lot of playing time I would imagine. Donald is hitting .301 with 12 dingers for AA Reading.
Brian Barden, IF St. Louis Cardinals - Barden has played shortstop at the major league level, but Davey Johnson could play Barden all over the Infield and that is what is so intriguing. Sure, Barden isn't a Derek Jeter or Jimmy Rollins, but he is a real spark plug that could help the offense generate against the great pitching of the international competition.
Third Base:
Terry Tiffee, 3B Los Angeles Dodgers - Tiffee has had a spectacular season in AAA Las Vegas and even got the call to the majors when Andruw Jones originally went down to injury. The most important thing that Tiffee will bring to this roster is his veteran leadership. It will be important for him to lead by example when he is out on the field.
Matt Brown, 3b Los Angeles Angels - Blocked by Chone Figgins and Brandon Wood, Brown has never really gotten his chance to shine at the major league level. But at this stage, his bat could be a huge force in the middle of the order. With 20 homers and 62 RBIs already on the season, it is evident that Brown will take most of the playing time at third base. I imagine him batting 5th behind Matt LaPorta and Mike Hessman.
Catchers:
Lou Marson, C Philadelphia Phillies - Marson struggled to start his professional career, but as of late has really shined both offensively and as a defensive leader on the field. For AA reading Marson is hitting .321 with 4 homers and 45 RBIs respectively. What got Marson on the National team was his play at the futures game. Manager Davey Johnson was impressed with his play calling and connection to young pitchers, because management wasn't even relaying signs to the catcher or pitcher. Look for Marson to take most of the playing time at catcher.
Taylor Teagarden, C Texas Rangers - What helps Teagarden stick out compared to other catchers is his defensive ability. As we saw in the futures game, Teagarden has the ability to throw out hitters off of a breaking ball in any count. He is very smart behind the plate, and that could become effective coming down the stretch. His offense could use a bit of help, but it will be a great addition to this defense when he plays.
Outfielders:
Matt LaPorta, OF Cleveland Indians - Well, if your traded for C.C. Sabathia, you have to be pretty good right? LaPorta will be the savior of this team if his bat can continue to do what it has in the past. LaPorta has already went deep 21 times and he is a slugging machine. Don't be surprised if Davey Johnson plays LaPorta at first and Mike Hessman at third to get the array of great outfielders into the lineup for Team USA. Either way, Laporta will be hitting in the third or fourth spot in the order.
Dexter Fowler, OF Colorado Rockies - Fowler has the best range defensively of any player on this team and his bat is as solid as any of the five toolers for team USA. His 24 doubles and seven triples are key to the top of the order. it will be either him or Colby Rasmus leading it off for team USA. Either way would be a great option for the national team.
Colby Rasmus, OF St Louis Cardinals - Rasmus isn't your prototypical lead off hitter, because of his power, but could still be the option that Davey Johnson goes with. Rasmus had a horrible start of the season, but has picked it up as of late. I really like this addition to the order, It brings pop and consistency and he can play any outfield position.
John Gall, OF Florida Marlins - Gall is a veteran minor league that brings power, average and a decent glove to the team. Gall replaced Larry Walker in St. Louis for a while, but since then has been stuck in the minor leagues. So far he is hitting .321 with 11 Hrs and 71 RBIs. It will be interesting if his play sparks him back into the majors someday soon .
