MLB Mid-Season Awards

It's hard to believe we are actually at the half-way point of the 2010 baseball season. This has been a first half unlike any other, featuring an unprecedented two perfect games and two no hitters. Pitching in baseball is back, and unlike in past years where we have lacked 20 game winners throughout the league, by the September we might have five already. That's not all though: we have a player who has a legit shot for the first triple crown since Carl Yastrzemski, and a rookie that got almost as much hype as LeBron James's free agency period. Anyway, without further ado here are our Mid-Season MLB awards at NextGen Sports.

John's Mid-Season Awards

American League MVP: Miguel Cabrera. Though Josh Hamilton, Vlad Guerrero, Justin Morneau, and Robinson Cano are all having monster years, Miggy gets the slight edge. He is tied for the AL's highest batting average (.346), second in homers (22) and the leader in RBI (77). Also if the season ended today, he would also be pacing the league in slugging percentage and OPS. Cabrera is a real threat for the triple crown, and invaluable to the Tigers' lineup.

National League MVP: Joey Votto. Yes, I know it might be blasphemous to put a NL Central first baseman not named Pujols here, but Votto deserves it. The soft spoken Reds slugger is changing Cincinnati's recent baseball losing culture and one of the main reasons why his team is leading the division. He is tied for first in the Senior Circuit with 22 dingers and sixth in RBI with 60. Votto is also sporting a very respectable .314 batting average and leading the league in on base percentage.

American League Cy Young: Jon Lester. Lester has been the constant on a Red Sox team that has struggled with injury and inconsistency throughout the year. The hard throwing lefty is on pace for a career year, with 11 wins, 124 strikeouts, and a 2.78 ERA. Though he doesn't lead the American League in any specific pitching category, he is in the top six in almost every one. 

National League Cy Young: Adam Wainwright. This pick might be a mild surprise to some people, considering Josh Johnson and Ubaldo Jimenez are getting most of the hype for this award. Wainwright, though, has been quietly one of the best pitchers in baseball all season with his 13 wins and miniscule 2.11 ERA. Looking at statistics specifically, he is in the top 3 in almost every major pitching category, except strikeouts where he ranks fourth with 127. 

American League Rookie of the Year: Brennan Boesch. Boesch has just been on fire since he was called up in April by the Tigers. The 25 year old is batting .345 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI. You would be hard pressed to find many other outfielders, especially rookies, who are outputting that type of production.

National League Rookie of the Year: Jason Heyward. J Hey has exceeded the hype he had coming into the season. With 11 homers and 45 RBI before he went on the 15 day Disable List, Heyward was on pace to duplicate numbers that we saw Albert Pujols put up in his rookie year. Coming of his injury stint after the All Star Break, expect him to be well rested and just as productive as before with his first place Braves team.

American League Manager of the Year: Ron Washington. Coming off a very tough offseason where he failed a drug test that showed cocaine in his system, Washington has bounced back in a big way, leading his team to first place in the AL West. With the Rangers finally having quality pitchers, and Josh Hamilton's and Vlad Guerrero's offensive resurgences, credit must be given to Washington

National League Manager of the Year: Bud Black. Black might have one of the lesser talented teams in the National League, but that doesn't make much of a difference to him, as he's lead the San Diego Padres to first place in the NL West and one of the best records in baseball. Despite having Adrian Gonzalez, Black literally has no offense to post runs nightly, and a largely unproven yet talented pitching staff (Featuring Mat Latos, Jon Garland, and Clayton Richard). Black has created a winning environment in San Diego, a town that has never had one in baseball.

Daniel's Mid-Season Awards

American League MVP: Miguel Cabrera. Maybe he should speak to children about the negative effects of alcohol. Since he went through a rehabilitation program last off season, Cabrera has evolved into the American League's best hitter. It is a fallacy that the first baseman will not start in the All-Star Game. Cabrera has literally dragged the Tigers into contention for the AL Central, and he looks to be Triple Crown contender, a feat not achieved since 1967.

National League MVP: Joey Votto. His statistics are ridiculous. Votto ranks among the top 6 National League players in every relevant offensive category. Most impressive, the Canadian first baseman has an OPS over 1.000, which sits in the baseball stratosphere alongside Babe Ruth's career mark of 1.164. Votto, furthermore, plays Gold Glove-caliber defense. I know this award has become synonymous with Albert Pujols, but Votto is the sole reason why Cincinnati remains in first place in the NL Central.
  

American League Cy Young: David Price. Drafted first overall in 2008, he has skyrocketed from heralded rookie to top of the line starter. Price, in my opinion, is the clear cut choice, having the most wins and the lowest ERA in the American League. Expect the former Vanderbilt star to start the All-Star Game for Joe Girardi's squad.

National League Cy Young: Ubaldo Jimenez. To be mentioned in the same sentence as Bob Gibson's mythical 1968 season, you have to pretty special. Jimenez certainly qualifies for the discussion, sporting a 15-1 record with an ERA of just 2.20. Clearly, the 26 year old. has shaken off the label as a talented yet wild hurler in 2010, developing improved mechanics to think around hitters. In all honesty, if Jimenez continues to dominate, more people may compare him to Denny McClain in 1968. The Tigers' star pitcher won 31 games that season.

American League Rookie of the Year: Neftali Feliz. He entered the major leagues with high expectations. To relieve a bit of pressure, manager Ron Washington penciled the organization's top prospect in the closer role. 23 saves later, and the decision looks to be the spot on. All season, Feliz has anchored an inconsistent bullpen, earning himself an All-Star appearance.

National League Rookie of the Year: Mike Leake. Oddly enough, Stephen Strasburg was not the best selection in the 2009 MLB Draft. Leake, who skipped the minor leagues entirely, now fronts the Reds' rotation. To date, he is 6-1 with a 3.53 ERA, while playing in the launching pad of Great American Ballpark. The largest contributor to Leake's success is refined mechanics, which allow the former Arizona State star to pick his spots in the strike zone.

American League Manager of the Year: Terry Francona. Perhaps the choice is quite obvious. The Red Sox have the 3rd best record in the American League. Yet, Francona has managed to win without 7 of 9 opening day starters. He has helped mature Clay Buchholz into a star pitcher, and his laid-back atmosphere allows young players to thrive in fill-in situations. I predict that once Beckett, Pedroia, Youkillis, and Victor Martinez return to the team, Boston looks to contend for the AL East crown.

National League Manager of the Year: Bobby Cox. In his last season as a professional manager, he leads a first place Atlanta Braves team. Cox brought Jason Heyward along nicely, and his presence clearly factored into the right fielder's great first half. Additional credit should be relayed for the rebirth of Troy Glaus at the plate, and the breakout performance by second baseman Martin Prado. Nevertheless, Cox's biggest strength is managing pitching rotations. 2010 is no different, as the Braves look dangerous come playoff time, armed with a talented trio of Tommy Hanson, Tim Hudson, and Derek Lowe.


-John Stoller, Daniel Radov 

Zoning On In

Sean Miller (left) made it work at Xavier. In five years, he lead the Musketeers to three A-10 regular season championships and one A-10 tournament championship. He also took Xavier to the NCAA tournament four times, including an elite eight appearance as the three seed. Following the 2009 season, Miller emerged as a candidate to replace coach Russ Pennell at Arizona. He initially declined when offered the position but eventually changed his mind, having never set foot on the Wildcats' school campus.

For decades, coach Lute Olson embodied the entire University of Arizona basketball program. He had entered in 1983 from the University of Iowa, and the Wilcats were among the nation's worst basketball programs. In just three seasons, Olson led Arizona to prominence, winning the Pac-10 Regular Season Championship in 1986. The Wildcats, two years later, spent much of the season ranked number one in the country, and in the NCAA Tournament, Olson navigated through his old foe the Iowa Hawkeyes to earn the University its first ever Final Four appearance.

Success became expected in Tucson over Olson's tenure. They continued to dominate Pac-10 play, and Arizona returned to the Final Four in 1994. The Wilcats, however, returned home without a national championship. In 1997, Arizona entered the NCAA Tournament seeded fourth. Olson & Company overcame double digit deficits in opening round matchups against both 13th seeded South Alabama and 12th seed College of Charleston. Led by future NBA All-Star point guard Mike Bibby, the Wildcats then proceeded to beat three number one seeds, an NCAA Tournament record, and coupled with fellow guard Miles Simon, Arizona trounced the University of Kentucky to capture their first national title. Simon was later named the Final Four's Most Oustanding Player.

The program returned to the Final Four in 2001. The Wildcats eventualy lost in the national championship game to Duke, 82-72. Prior to Olson's unexpected retirement before 2008 season, he had reached the NCAA Tournament 28 times in total, in which 25 appearances were part of a then-active consecutive streak. Known as one of college basketball's most adept minds at developing young talent, Arizona became known as "Point Guard University," and notable basketball alumni include Bibby, maligned Wizards star Gilbert Arenas, Suns shooting guard Jason Richardson, and perennial NBA 6th Man of the Year Jason Terry.

Prior to Miller, the head coaching position was in flux. Initially tapped to succeed Olson, Kevin O'Neil struggled in the midst of elite talent. The team was incredibly inconsistent, losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In the subsequent season, Russ Pennell managed to squeak into the NCAA Tournament, in which the Wildcats ultimately fell to Louisville in the Sweet 16.

With 11 underclassmen, Miller's first season in Tucson was tumultuous, to say the least. Arizona finished the season 16-15, and 10-8 in the Pac-10. Nevertheless, the future shines bright in 2010-11. Leading scorer and leading rebounder sophomore Derrick Williams returns, in which he looks to build on solid freshman campaign. Furthermore, sharp shooting junior Jamelle Horne should provide another consistent scoring option for the Wildcats. He averaged 9.4 points-per-game.  
Expect Arizona to return to the NCAA Tournament in under Miller this season. With a weak Pac-10 Conference, crippled by Tim Floyd's departure at USC and Quincy Pondexter's graduation from the University of Washington, the Wildcats look to be a major player alongside the California Golden Bears to win the entire conference.


-Josh Neighbors

Anaheim Soon-To-Be Mighty Ducks?

Each June, the most inept NHL teams gather to select hockey's next superstars. It is often a time of hope, where a team can be elevated to greatness following a successful draft. Perhaps, the best example of such a building blueprint is the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks. Chicago selected current team captain Jonathan Toews third overall in 2006 and star winger Patrick Kane first overall in the the following draft.

Beyond Edmonton's selection of Taylor Hall, which looks to be an almost guaranteed success, Anaheim emerged from the NHL draft as a significantly improved hockey team. The Ducks found Canadian defensemen Cam Fowler (right) sitting in their laps at number 12 overall. The former OHL star's demeanor both on and off the ice is reminiscent of former Duck captain Scott Niedermeyer. In my opinion, it seems to be only a question of time before Fowler assumes the duty of team captain, hopefully leading Anaheim back to the playoffs.

With the 29th overall selection, Anaheim then took Emerson Etem, an American. He will provide added depth to a seasonded group of Ducks' right wingers. Currently, Etem projects as a possible third liner behind stars Corey Perry and savvy veteran Teemu Selanne. Look for the American to drastically improve in his rookie season, especially under the tutelage of Selanne. Both right wingers have similar builds at 6 feet and approximately 195 pounds.

The Florida Panthers also really excelled in this draft. I loved the selection of Erik Gudbranson at number three overall. The Canadian defenseman possesses the innate body coupled with a unique tandem of physicality and speed on the ice to contribute immediately in the NHL. Gudbranson is not as skilled offensively, so do not expect the next Mike Green in a Panthers uniform.

Remember, Florida picked up Nick Bjugstad and Quinton Howden in the first round, as well. Selected 16th overall, Bjudgstad is the the nephew of former NHL player Scott Bjugstad, and the University of Minnesota star looks to be a dangerous power forward for years to come. Howden, on the other hand, is not as innately skilled. Nicknamed the "energizer bunny," his scrappy playing style likens him to Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm.

-Brian Tenerowicz

Utterly Despicable

Tonight, I sit on my couch watching LeBron James. He shuffles in his chair nervously opposite Jim Gray. The self-proclaimed "King" is leaving Cleveland, and James cannot bear to tell his devoted fans in Ohio. Tears seem to be held back when the two-time NBA MVP addresses his seven previous years with the Cavaliers. He loves he thrill in front of his hometown crowd.

Ultimately, James decides to move on to Miami for a better chance at capturing titles alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The choice, for lack of a better word, is unselfish. The notion of a legacy for James is not to be compared to Jordan, Kobe, Magic or Bird. Winning as a team is truly all that matters, yet the Akron native is hammered. 

Among Cleveland fans, I understand their feelings to an extent. Arguably the world's greatest basketball player is leaving, likely forever. Suddenly, a camera flashed to fans burning James' jersey, and I was stunned. A man of such integrity and class, who wanted to return to Cleveland, and he constantly begged Chris Bosh to join him as a Cavalier, but the former Toronto Raptor star did not comply. Eventually, LeBron James was tipped over the edge, forcefully at first. 

I would have gone to sleep on a Friday morning bitter. The fans of Cleveland again responded with such immaturity, revoking memories of beer bottles on the field of Paul Brown Stadium. The clock inches towards midnight when SportsCenter cuts to a letter sent by Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert (above) to the fanbase. 

Just to give the readers some background on Gilbert, here is a man who bowed down almost literally to LeBron. Following the 2nd round loss to Cleveland, he fires coach Mike Brown, hoping to lure Phil Jackson for James. To then show James that he was serious about surrounding him with All-Star talent, Gilbert fires General Manager Danny Ferry. Clearly, this is an owner committed to his superstar capturing a title in Cleveland.

Here is a copy of the letter: Dear Cleveland, all of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers supporters wherever you may be tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several-day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight: "I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA Championship before the self-titled former 'king' wins one."

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our homegrown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland. Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day...

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue...

Dan Gilbert

Could someone please comment on this post, if you are not incredibly angered after reading this letter. Gilbert first proclaims that James is narcissistic and arrogant. By turning down $30 million more to play in Miami, this statement seems to be devoid of any possible logic. Moreover, James exhibits in the move to the Heat that being the alpha-male on a championship team is not essential. In other words, the six time All-Star has an ego problem, but will accept a lesser role just to win. Does that make any sense? 

Gilbert goes on to deny completely that James is truly the 'King?' Fine, except what weight does such a statement carry, knowing a banner that spans an entire city building reads, "Witness," with James' picture. Don't forget, who is in charge of approving this type of marketing campaign frenzy? Yes, that again would be Gilbert. 

His next, most ambitious claim asserts Cleveland will win an NBA Championship before LeBron triumphs in Miami. Well, Gilbert wants to sell tickets, so this statement can be viewed as a marketing ploy. Nevertheless, Mr. Gilbert, I wanted to know who on your roster now allows you to win a championship? James is gone, and your starting lineup is Mo Williams at point guard, Delonte West at shooting guard, Antawn Jamison at small forward, J.J. Hickson at power forward and Anderson Varejao at center. How will you win with this nucleus if your team didn't get the job done with the same unit coupled with the two-time reigning MVP? Boston and Orlando will not suddenly self-destruct at the heels of that Cavaliers' team. 

To this point, the letter illustrates Gilbert as a hypocritical sore loser, but of course the team's majority owner is not finished. He proceeds to blame the failures of the entire franchise and, on a grander scale, of the entire city's championship drought on James. As if the Cleveland Indians's debacle in 1997 was caused by the presence of LeBron, and the entire city was stricken with a disease of failing because of James. 

What I really do not understand is how LeBron James is a loser if he lead the Cavaliers to two consecutive 60 win seasons, and in the prior year, he single handedly dragged Cleveland to the NBA Finals in 2007. Remember, James his team's final 25 points to defeat the Detroit Pistons to advance from the Conference Finals. To this day, not a soul could characterize his performance as belonging to a loser. 

Perhaps the best evidence against Gilbert's most radical statement is  trading for Mo Williams and later Shaquille O'Neal. Both players were brought in to fix problems in previous playoff appearances. Williams was brought in to defend elite point guards, after Tony Parker torched Cleveland in the NBA Finals, and Shaq was obtained to defend Dwight Howard. Of course, Gilbert correctly assessed n 2008 that the Magic center was why the Cavaliers lost in six games. James, on the other hand, played terrificly throughout the entire playoffs. He was consistent, while his teammates faltered. 

Watch out, new coach Byron Scott and current General Manager Chris Grant. Dan Gilbert is on the prowl.

-Daniel Radov

LeBron's Decision?

The LeBron James Carousel

To all sports fans tired of hearing about LeBron James' every last move in free agency, my advice would be enjoy these next three days. In Akron, Ohio, the LeBron James Nike Skills Academy (right) begins today, which has evolved to become an annual NBA showcase for both high school and college players from around the country. Clearly, any announcement from LeBron regarding his possible decision would turn attention away from the prospects, and I at least hope that the two-time NBA MVP's ego is not bigger than the future of the league. 

The camp itself is three days. With the greatest basketball minds on hand, such as Jay Bilas, the instruction is nothing less than top notch. The first day consists of basic drills, and for two hours respectively, the college players work out followed by the top 80 high school players in the nation.  After days of constant travel, day one is designed to help acclimate the prospects for a tough week ahead. 

The subsequent day is not nearly as easy. The first workouts are specialized, where players break up into groups based on position to better grasp certain techniques. Point guards, for example, will practice ball-handling, likely in pick-and-roll situations, while centers learn certain post moves. For the college players, they have the rest of the day to relax until a late night practice before an audience of NBA scouts. High schoolers, on the other hand, review proper floor-spacing and movement within a basic NBA offense and defense. The nuances of defending the pick-and-roll are again stressed. In short, day number two transitions from specialized drills to team workouts, showing evaluators how quickly a player can adapt to four different teammates.

Of course, because the camp is sponsored by Nike and LeBron James, it receives a ton of exposure. Therefore, interview sessions follow all morning workouts on both the second and third days to prepare basketball prospects for the constant clamoring of NBA media members. The camp stresses that one's behavior off the court is just as important as it is on the court. 

The morning session on day three is divided between individual and team workouts. Players again break into groups for the first hour for positional instruction. The second hour, on the other hand, focuses on the definition of a team. Instructors demand both ball movement and sharing the basketball throughout the games, hoping to eliminate the notion in many players' minds that the NBA is completely 1 on 1. The college players' session is very similar, except, in the afternoon session, ten players play on a team together. The coach gives each player a number from 1 to 10, and five players substitute every couple of minutes. Thus, new teams are constantly on the floor. The games are designed to show evaluators how effective one can be when coming off the bench. 

Thursday hits, and the camp is over. Many players will then travel to Cleveland, OH to play in the King City Classic. The camp, however, is finished, and LeBron can make his decision free from stealing anyone's spotlight. Just remember, the King City Classic was home to former Xavier University star Jordan Crawford's thunderous dunk over "King James" in 2009. For James, impending free agency might be a worthy excuse to avoid such embarrassment again this year. 

-Daniel Radov

The Big St. Louis Freese?

David Freese (below), born April 28, 1983, began his circuitous route to the Major Leagues in the Padres’ organization. He was drafted by San Diego in the 9th round as the 273rd overall pick in 2006. Initially, scouts projected that the 6 foot 2 inch Freese would face an uphill battle to the big leagues.

Some background on Freese: He played at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Missouri. He started for four seasons on the Varsity squad, but clearly his senior year, in which Freese earned All-State honors, was his most productive. After his four years at Lafayette, Freese play baseball in his freshman year at Meramec Community College, hitting a stellar .396 while driving in 41 RBIs to go along with 10 home runs in just 46 games. As a sophomore, he transferred to South Alambama University, and following an entire season in which he was required to sit out, Freese hit .373 average as a junior. In the Padres’ farm system, he excelled, but Freese was traded to the Cardinals in return for former All-Star center fielder Jim Edmonds. The Corpus Christi native immediately found himself with St. Louis’ AAA affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds. Freese’s play earned him countless promotions to the Major Leagues, yet he could not sustain his success on the highest level in both 2008 and 2009. It was not until starting third baseman Troy Glaus departed to Atlanta in 2010 that Freese, then in spring training, looked prime to shine. With a vote of confidence from manager Tony LaRussa, Freese hit over .300 in both April and May of 2010. June, however, did not prove to be as auspicious. Freese hit just .234, before rolling his ankle. He was later placed on the 15 day disabled list, and Freese expects to return to the Cardinals’ starting lineup by the All-Star break.

My take: If the Cardinals look to keep pace with the surging Cincinnati Reds, David Freese must return to the lineup in his April and May form. He has a knack for hitting to the opposite field as well as driving in runs from the bottom of the order. For now, the Cardinals have a quick fix at third base with Felipe Lopez, but Freese’s presence in the batting order relieves much stress off of both Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols.

Down the road, Freese is a solid .300 hitter with average power. He looks to be a run producer for years to come in the Cardinals’ lineup. In comparison to a fellow major leaguer, I liken Freese to former Cardinals third baseman Scott Spiezo. Although Spiezo was a switch hitter, he consistently hit double digit home runs and drove in 60-70 runs each season. Freese, however, looks to have approximately 80-100 RBIs per season. Defensively, he is not a Gold Glover. With above average range and a decent arm, he makes all the necessary plays in the field. Just don’t expect the next Brooks Robinson to roam the hot corner in St. Louis.

-Justin Silberman 

A July Call to the Texas Farm

As we approach the All-Star Break, rounding around the halfway point of the baseball season, organizations will begin to evaluate themselves. General managers will assess whether prospects should be traded for a bona-fide major league commodity to make a playoff push or whether to look towards the future in an already lost year. In the case of the Texas Rangers, general manager John Daniels could choose a combination of the two options. He would love to deal for current Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt to bolster his pitching staff, and he wants to also implement perhaps the league's best farm system into his AL West leading Rangers. Here is who might be the next stars in a Rangers' uniform:

Omar Beltre: The Cuban native, banned from the United States for five years before being granted a visa in February, started Wednesday against the Angels. He allowed a home run on his first pitch, but settled down to allow just three runs in four innings on work. Manager Ron Washington is considering the right-handed Beltre as the starter Monday against Cleveland. He relies heavily on groundouts, often locating the fastball and sinkerball down in the strike zone. Beltre's breaking stuff is quite average, as well. Frankly, his legal issues have left him as old as Rich Harden or Ian Kinsler without any ounce of Major League experience.

Tanner Scheppers: He is certainly on the rise within the Rangers' farm system. With a fastball that can consistently hit between 96-98 miles per hour on the radar gun, Scheppers projects as another top of the rotation starter. The only worry with the 22 year old right-hander is his shoulder. Various problems limited Scheppers his junior year in college, which scared scouts to the extent of the former Fresno State Star to drop to the Supplemental Draft in 2009. With Texas' rotation in complete flux, I would not be surprised to see Scheppers in Arlington within a couple of weeks. If Manager Ron Washington feels that Scheppers is not ready to handle starter duty, he could be a nasty short reliever.

Staying with the Rangers, their recent trade for catcher Bengie Molina could spell the end for highly touted prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Acquired from Atlanta in the Mark Teixeira trade in 2007, he struggled in Arlington. The following year he lost his starting job to Gerald Laird, and the form that he exhibited in Atlanta behind star catcher Brian McCann seemed to be lost. The Rangers called him up late in 2008, yet Saltalamacchia found himself on the disabled list within two weeks.

In 2009, he was again the starting catcher for Texas. Saltalamacchia finally excelled in an everyday role, but he again battled injuries throughout the season. He was lost for the season by the middle of August.

2010 seemed to be a potential breakout year for Salty. He had proved last season that hitting was no longer an issue in the big leagues, and the former top prospect's ability to handle a pitching staff was MLB-caliber, as well. A new problem, however, arose. Salty could not consistently throw the ball back to the pitcher. As juvenile as this sounds, he continues to struggle with such a basic part of baseball, and now the Rangers seem to have given up on Salty.

Molina provides the organization with an experienced catcher who still possesses power at the plate. Furthermore, his ability to call games behind the plate should not suffer. He had been playing in the American League for nearly two years, and Molina is well acclimated with many of the hitters in the AL West. In addition, the backup catcher is no slouch himself, Matt Treanor. With a salary bordering on the MLB minimum, he is a cheap option to play every 5th day. Moreover, Texas does not rely on the catching spot for offense, unlike other teams, such as Minnesota and Boston. With Hamilton, Kinsler, Guerrero, and Andrus, the offense in Arlington is just fine.

-Daniel Radov

Believe All the Hype?

The highly anticipated debut of Stephen Strasburg (left) was one that had never been seen before in Major League Baseball history. Perhaps only current Cleveland Indians closer Kerry Wood can relate to the situation of the Washington Nationals' phenom. In 1998 season, Wood, then a rising star for the Chicago Cubs, dealt with unattainable expectations to produce right away as a rookie. Strasburg's life was not always drenched with hype, however. In fact, he was not even drafted coming out of high school.

Strasburg was not picked in the amateur draft as a prep player. As a result, he looked to college, in which decided against prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford, to enroll at San Diego State, the alma mater of both his parents.

Strasburg did not take long to impress, earning 2nd team all Mountain West Conference honors in his freshman year. He averaged well over a strikeout per inning in just 37 innnings pitched. His opponents, meanwhile, hit a weak .141 (18-128) against Strasburg. As a sophomore, he continued to dazzle in front of galleries of major league scouts. Strasburg was a consensus All-American, in which he finished 2nd in stirkeouts, 3rd in ERA, and 3rd in strikeouts per 9 innings. Such dominance qualified Strasburg as a semifinalist for both the Roger Clemens Award and the Dick Howser trophy. Furthermore, he shattered the ERA title for the MWC, previouslyy held by former TCU standout Jake Arrieta. The current starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles posted a 1.12 ERA in 2006, yet Strasburg posted a dazzling 0.63 ERA in 13 starts. In addition, his 90 strikeouts in league contests broke the old mark of 78 strikeouts set by former San Diego State Aztec Marcos Mendoza in 2001.

Following his sophomore campaign, the inevitable had arrived. Strasburg decided to forgo his final 2 years at San Diego State to throw his hat in the Major League Baseball draft. Looking to receive the best contract possible, Strasburg and his family hired renowned agent Scott Boras, who is loved by players yet despised by owners for his stubborn ways.

In Boras's opinion, the Nationals had to sign Strasburg, and, therefore, he told Washington that it would take nearly $50 million dollars to sign the right-handed fireballer. The so-called "super-agent" even threanted to look overseas for the talented Strasburg, a ploy which made the Nationals increasingly desperate. Finally, just 77 seconds before the deadline to sign, Strasburg persuaded Boras to agree to a contract with Washington. The four year $15.1 million dollar contract still became the richest contract ever awarded in baseball amateur draft history, edging Mark Prior's $10.5 million contract in 2001.

Strasburg made his professional debut in the Arizona Fall League on October 16, 2009, starting for the Desert Dogs at Phoneix Municpal Stadium. Asserted Leo Blavin, a personal friend and one of the ballboys for Strasburg, "I knew right away he was something special. I had never seen anything like him. Obviously, he will dominate in the majors for a long time."

Come Spring Training, the Nationals assigned their top overall selection in 2009 to Double A Harrisburg to start the 2010 season. Strasburg tossed 22 innings, striking out 27, walking just 6, and yielding a 1.64 ERA before being promoted to Triple A Syracuse.

If he wasn't good enough in Double A, Strasburg was even better against more seasoned competition in Syracuse. On May 4,2010, Strasburg tossed 6 scoreless innings, striking out six, and allowing just 1 walk and 1 hit. In total, Strasburg went 7-2 in the minor leagues with an ERA of 1.30, posted 65 strikouts, while walking just 13 in 55 1/3 innings.

The date was set for Strasburg-mania to descend upon Washington. It would June 8th, 2010. Although perhaps ready to pitch in the Major Leagues earlier in the season, the Nationals waited to the month of June, ensuring that Strasburg's potential date of salary arbitration was delayed an entire season. Moreover, the organization hope that Strasburg would set the tone for a lengthy homestand.

Of course, the game was blown out of proportion. The game was covered nationally, coast to coast by MLB Network, and the entire ESPN crew watched at Nationals' Park. Luckily, Strasburg did not fail to disappoint, pitching seven innings, allowing just 2 runs, walking no batters, while setting a team record with 14 strikeouts. A late offensive surge by Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham allowed Strasburg to pick up the first win of his career. Four starts later, he sits with a 2.27 ERA with 48 strikeouts. Most impressive, Strasburg has walked just seven batters, yet he is just 2-2.

Oddly enough, people around baseball have begun to actually debate whether Stephen Strasburg is worthy of playing on the National League All- Star team in 2010.

There just has not been enough starts for Strasburg to make a legitimate case. His overall body of work doesn't measure up to the likes of Josh Johnson or Ubaldo Jimenez. Don't worry, Nationals fans. I am confident that Strasburg will be an All-Star in the coming years, joining bonafide All-Star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Obviously, his fastball is Strasburg's most famous pitch, but his movement on both the curveball and change-up are mind bloggling. Said Pirates shortstop Ronny Cedeno when asked to compare Strasburg to another Major League Pitcher, "He reminds me of Ubaldo, the best pitcher in baseball right now. He's that scary." My only critcism of Strasburg right now is the amount of home runs given up. I would like to see the talented right-handed pitcher to play more to his defense, specifically the eight fielders behind him. Strasburg does not need to overwork himself by striking out each batter. I also want to see how he deals with adversity. For years now, he has not dealt with any failure. It will be intersting to see how Strasburg would respond. Knowing his pedigree though, Stephen Strasburg should be just fine.

-Justin Silberman (guest writer)

NBA Free Agent Frenzy 2010: Predictions

Right now during a fantastic World Cup and heated baseball season, the NBA is still on everybody's mind. The Lakers are the champs, the draft has been held, and now it is time for the main event: free agency. The summer that will change the landscape of the NBA is finally upon us, and at NextGen Sports, we would like to show you where each marquee free agent will go and why

John's Predictions:

Lebron James: Chicago Bulls. They have enough salary space to sign two max contract free agents and are a young team that will only get better with Derrick Rose at point guard. The Bulls have been to the playoffs already and will give LeBron his best chance to win. Plus it doesn't hurt that Chicago is one of the three biggest sports markets in the United States along with New York and Los Angeles

Dwayne Wade: Miami Heat. Wade is absolutely staying in Miami. The Heat have enough money to sign three max salary free agents, so team president Pat Riley will make sure they resign Wade then go out and get two elite players to help Wade bring another championship to South Beach

Chris Bosh: Miami Heat. Once Wade is resigned, Bosh will be the first player Pat Riley will pursue. He would be a presence in the low post and be a huge upgrade over Udonis Haslem. Bosh is the one free agent that has absolutely no chance of staying on his team (Toronto Raptors) because he wants to win now

Amare Stoudemire: Phoenix Suns. The negotiations between Stoudemire and the Suns front office haven't been pretty. They told him at one point they didn't want to pay him as a max salary free agent, but changed their minds and are offering him three years at max salary. Phoenix is the place which best suits Stoudemire's skills as a big man in their transition offense

Joe Johnson: New York Knicks. The Knicks consider him as a plan B to LeBron, and by the day it is looking more and more likely that King James will not be playing in Madison Square Garden next year. Johnson's the next best scorer available besides Wade and James

Dirk Nowitzki: Dallas Mavericks. Dirk means as much to the Dallas fans as Wade means to Heat fans, and don't expect for owner Mark Cuban to let him go. He really hasn't shown any intentions of going anywhere else

Carlos Boozer: New York Knicks. The Knicks sign Boozer as the second of the two max salary free agents they can afford. Pairing him up with Joe Johnson will be pretty intimidating, but it sure isn't LeBron and Bosh

Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics. The Celtics won't let Pierce leave. He's been there his entire career, and they have been very successful as of late. Ray Allen, who is also a free agent, probably will be resigned as well. The Celtics want to keep their Big 3together and make perhaps one last run at the Finals

David Lee: New Jersey Nets. If the Knicks get Booz, Lee might go to the Nets. They just lost Yi Jianlian at forward, and even though Derrick Favors is a good prospect, the team views him more as a commodity to trade rather than a future face of the franchise.

Rudy Gay: New Jersey Nets. If things turn out as predicted here. the Nets will really not have landed an elite free agent. Rudy Gay is a pretty good consolation prize, and the Nets would probably overpay the young wingman

Daniel's Predictions:
Lebron James: Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron has to stay in Cleveland. He was born in Akron, and his entire marketability is based on the hometown charm. Yes, the 2 time MVP could elevate to the world's most popular athlete in a market such as New York or eventually Brooklyn, but leaving Cleveland will enrage the entire state of Ohio.

Dwayne Wade: Miami Heat. He does not go anywhere. The Heat have enough cap room to sign 2 other maximum contract free agents. Yes, Wadee is a native of Chicago's South Side, but D-Wade is comfortable in South Beach. He is the definite face of the franchise, with Pat Riley waiting in the wings to coach another potential championship team

Chris Bosh: Miami Heat. Here is where it gets interesting. Bosh, in my opinion, is a great player but not a maximum contract guy. Let's look at the history of the "maximum contract guy ?" It was put in place to keep namely Larry Bird in Boston, offering him more money to stay with Celtics. Obviously, Bosh is very talented, but he is clearly not within the stratosphere of Bird. Bottom line: Bosh follows Wade to Miami.

Amar'e Stoudemire: New York Knicks. Injuries are certainly prevalent with Stoudemire. He had microfracture surgery just a couple of years ago, and a detached retina kept him out for most of 2008-09. Doctors say that one more poke in the eye could end Amar'e's career. That being said, he is certainly an elite power forward. I think he ends up in New York with his old, beloved coach, Mike D'Antoni.

Joe Johnson: New York Knicks. He does not deserve a maximum contract, but Atlanta reportedly thinks otherwise. Johnson lacks the maturity to lead a basketball team, and he is tired of playing in the shadows of downtown Atlanta. As a result, I see Johnson returning to Mike D'Antoni, his first NBA coach, in New York. He would love the opportunity to reignite an up tempo, gunning offense with his old teammate, Amar'e Stoudemire

Dirk Nowitzki: Cleveland Cavaliers. This former NBA MVP is probably the most overlooked player in the free agent class. I think the Mavericks have decided Dirk cannot be the leader of an NBA Championship team, evidenced by their collapse in 2006. In short, Nowitzki is a perfect fit for Cleveland. Expect Cavaliers' general manager Chris Grant to seriously pursue him as a running mate to LeBron

Carlos Boozer: Chicago Bulls. Boozer feels disrespected by the Utah Jazz. They refused to sign the former 2nd round pick to a contract extension. Furthermore, the Jazz currently lack the necessary money to resign Boozer. Look for the Chicago Bulls to sign Boozer. They need another inside force to help Joakim Noah. A trio of Rose, Noah and Boozer would be formidable, especially in the weak Eastern Conference

Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics. Doc Rivers is coming back, and, therefore, the Celtics captain will return, as well. Pierce's decision to opt out is a ploy to earn more money and not to leave Boston.

David Lee: New Jersey Nets. Quietly, he is one of the league's best offensive rebounders. I belive New York goes after Amar'e and Joe Johnson, leaving the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets available to sign the former Florida standout.

Rudy Gay: New Jersey Nets. Gay has really matured since his days at UCONN. After the Nets traded Chris Douglas-Roberts away this offseason, owner Mikhail Prokhorov could pursue Rudy Gay. With a lineup potentially consisting of Devin Harris, Courteney Lee, Rudy Gay, David Lee, and Brook Lopez, the Nets should be a lock for the playoffs

-John Stoller, Daniel Radov

'Nova Nation

We, the staff of NextGenSports, have decided to personalize our blog to the readers. Just last week, I spent some time with the Villanova Basketball team in Philadelphia. Two years removed from a magical run to the Final Four highlighted by point guard Scottie Reynolds's game-winner against Pittsburgh in the Sweet 16, the Wildcats, seeded 2nd, fell unexpectedly to St. Mary's in the Second Round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

With the departure of Reynolds and fellow leading scorer at small forward Reggie Redding, the offense this season looks to revolve around center Mouphtaou Yarou (above). The 6 foot 9 inch center from Montrose Christian has been playing basketball for just three years, but quickly he has established himself alongside Louisville's Samardo Samuels as the two elite post men in the Big East. Last Friday, I sat down with Yarou, the class of 2010's number 10 overall recruit.

Me: Your freshman season was delayed by rumors that you were in fact 25 years of age. How did you overcome these problems?

Yarou: Actually, they weren't much of a factor. I knew from the start they weren't really true, so I did not let it affect me.

Q: How do prepare yourself to be the focal point of this Villanova basketball team?

A: I don't think about it at all. We are different; we don't just throw it down in the post, and let someone score 1 on 1. Coach Wright stresses team basketball, meaning that each person should be involved on each play, obviously, and that each player whether you are a point guard or a center must be able to do certain skills well. A center must be able to shoot it from outside, and the guards need to be able to rebound.

Q: What effect did fellow big man Antonio Pena have on you last season?

A: He did a great job really helping me to adjust to the Big East. I cannot wait to play with Antonio next season. We should be a pretty dangerous 1,2 punch down low.

Q: Describe the significance of Taylor King's departure.

A: He was a big rebounder for this basketball team, who had the knack to shoot the 3 very well. In terms of stretching the defense and really providing mismatches, Taylor was important.

Q: Was there any added significance in the away matchup against Syracuse? The Orangemen had the largest on-hand crowd in NCAA regular season history.

A: I guess we were a little nervous playing in front of everyone, but once the game started not really. Once you are on the court, doing the thing you have done with your teammates for so many months, it just seems like practice again. No question, there was an incredible amount of fans, but basketball stays the same.

Q: Why was Omar Samhan so effective against you guys in the NCAA Tournament?

A: He was just so skilled. He got to the basketball with ease and knew how to finish down low. Our game plan was to eliminate his outside game as well as his ability to get others involved. We clearly did not do such a great job. Samhan played great.

Q: Perhaps most important, why did you chose Villanova?

A: I just love it. I love the campus, the atmosphere, and the environment. I love Scottie (of course referring to former All-American point guard Scottie Reynolds) and definitely Coach Wright. The university just really fit me and my personality. This is an elite basketball program, among the top in the country. I am so impressed with everything, to be honest.

Q: How did you adjust to Coach Wright's dribble drive offense in your freshman year, which centered on Scottie and Cory getting to the basket?

A: If anything, it made my job easier. I got such good looks all year. This season, I expect to be exhibiting my post moves more often.

Q: I see you are wearing an necklace of the continent of Africa, I am sure you are watching the World Cup, how do you like to win it all and why?

A: Holland. Too much offense all over the field. I love Robben, Van Persie and Kuyt up top. They are just so exciting.

As of right now, Yarou's tandem of size and strength projects him as a surefire first round pick. With a bit more seasoning especially on the defensive end, there is no reason why Yarou cannot be this year's version of Baylor's Ekpe Udoh, who went #6 to Golden State. Shotblocking is a skill that comes easily to both West African products.

-DR

New York's Other First Baseman

In the 2010 season many rookies have arrived on the scene with very little or no minor league experience at all many more than in recent memory. Some question the talent in Major League Baseball and if that talent has decreased drastically since the steorid era has seen to come to a crashing halt.With more level playing fields it has made it easier for young talent to quickly work through the minor leagues to get to the Major Leagues. This week we'll be spotlighting rookies in the National League, specifically Ike Davis (above) of the New York Mets, Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals, Mike Leake of the Cincinnati Reds, Colby Rasmus of the St. Louis Cardinals, and David Freese also of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lets start with Ike Davis of the New York Mets, drafted in 2008 with the 18th overall pick out of Arizona State it has took Davis just 1 1/2 years in the minor leagues to be called up to the Big Apple. Davis joins his father Ron, as the 197th father-son combination to have played in the Major Leagues.

In high school, Davis lead his team to three straight Arizona state championships from 2003-2005. Not only did Davis excel with the bat hitting .447 in high school but was even more dominant as a pitcher posting a 23-0 record with a 1.85 ERA and 14 Saves. While he was still in High School Davis pitched for the gold medal winning U.S.A. youth national team in the 2003 world championships. Davis earned honors as MVP of the All American High School Baseball classic in 2004.

After his senior year of high school Davis was drafted in the 19th round by the Tampa Bay Rays but rather than signing a contract with the Rays Davis made a choice to go to college as he chose Arizona State over the baseball powerhouse of Texas. In his three seasons as a Sun Devil Davis batted an impressive .353 with a slugging percentage of .605 which ranks number ten in Sun Devil history. Although Davis was a prototypical power hitter for the Sun Devils and drove in 202 Rbi's which ranks 2nd in Sun Devils history Davis scored a total of 159 runs himself which ranks him 8th all time in team history. His 33 homeruns ranks him 5th all time in team history to go along with his 69 doubles which puts him number two all time behind Red Sox second basemen and former Sun Devil standout Dustin Pedoria. Not only did Davis standout at the plate he was also an exceptional closer posting a 7-5 career record with 4 saves and 78 strikeouts with an ERA under 3.50. With all these accomplishments Davis was inveitably named to the Sun Devils all decade team for the 2000's.

In 2008 Davis was drafted 18th overall by the New York Mets a pick which was received by the Mets as compensation from the Atlanta Braves for the signing of former all star and Cy Young winner Tom Glavine. Davis was quoted as saying ""It was a huge thrill. I was excited to be picked by New York." Davis received a $1.575 million contract and was assigned to cyclones of single A. In just 58 games Davis excelled with the glove committing just one error in 492 total chances at first base which accumlated to .998 fielding percentage tops in the league.

By the time the 2009 season rolled around Davis was ready to make an impact. Coming off a less than stellar season with the cyclones at the plate which saw Davis bat a measly .256 with no homeruns, Davis knew it was his time to shine at the plate. In 59 games at single A Port St. Luice Davis began to take charge batting .289 with 7 home runs in 59 games. Then, Davis was promoted to Double A Binghamton where he shined batting .309 with 13 home runs and 41 Rbi's while slugging an impressive .565 in just over a half season. Mako Oliveras the Binghamton Mets manger was quoted as saying ""Very live bat; the ball jumps off his bat when he makes contact.

Davis came into the 2010 season with an upbeat vibe and attitude on his chances of making the opening day roster. Davis' competition in spring training included a medicore cast of first basemen as the Mets signed former Marlin and once perviously high regarded farm hand Mike Jacobs to a 1 year $900,000 contract along with the re-signing of utility man Fernado Tatis. Davis lead the team in Spring training with a .480 average as he belted 3 homers but this was still not enough to land Davis a roster spot on opening day. All star shortsto Jose Reyes praised Davis for his glove work and had this to said "People talk about his hitting, but he is one of the best defensive first basemen you will ever see for a player his age". Davis who was praised by many of his teammates and who was pulled hard for by his fellow teammates was sent to the Minor Leagues the Mets triple A affiliate Buffalo. However, this would not last that long as Davis was called up to the struggling Mets on April 19, where he would make his debut against the Chicago Cubs a debut which saw Davis go 2-4 with 2 singles in Mets win. It took Davis just four major league games to belt his first home run against the Atlanta Braves which was estimated at 450 feet and landed out on the Shea Bridge in deep right center field at CITI field.

Not only has Davis made an impact with the bat but his slick fielding propelled Davis to making 3over the railing catches in his first 21 games. To date Davis is batting .269 with 9 home runs and 33 Rbi's while hitting clean up night in and night out for the New York Mets a tough job for anyone in New York to deal with let alone a rookie. It is still unknown if Davis will remain in the clean up hole when All Star centerfield and multi skilled Carlos Beltran returns, but for Davis a dream has already come true and his impact has been measured greatly both on the field and off the field with his quiet soothing prescence both inside and outside the New York Mets clubhouse.

-Justin Silberman (guest writer)

Wimbledon, So Far?

Andy Roddick was just ousted from the All England Club after losing to Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan, who was ranked 82nd heading into Wimbledon. By all accounts, Roddick was upset, but Lu is not so much of a no name than an underachiever. He has been a regular on the ATP since 2001, and the native of Taipei is currently the #1 Asian professional tennis player. Dont forget, Roddick lost in five sets, including a 5th set that lasted 16 games (9-7). That being said, it wasn't nearly in the stratosphere of Isner-Mahut and their 138 game 5th set.

Clearly, the breakout player of the 2010 Wimbledon Championships is the man who annhilated Isner two days following his 3 day epic. His name is Thiemo De Bakker (left). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and hailing from the Netherlands, De Bakker was quite an accomplished junior player, in the most objective point of view. He won the Boys' Singles title at Wimbledon in 2006, and in just 3 years, he has catapulted to 43rd in the most recent of ATP Rankings.

At age 21, De Bakker is the highest ranked Dutch player in the world. His tall, lanky frame reminds many of Argentine sensation and 2009 U.S. Open Champion, Juan Martin Del Potro. Both use their powerful serves to complement attacking styles of tennis. The key for De Bakker is his prowess at the net. At the ATP level, penetrating ground strokes are a given, but a vintage type of serve-and-volley tennis could perhaps prove troublesome for many opponents. Nowadays, matches are almost always won on the baseline, and De Bakker could force other players to beat him with overhead lobs and passing shots. Granted, this task could prove difficult against the tremendous size of De Bakker. One element of De Bakker has mastered is the ability to win against elite competition. Regardless of how John Isner felt, a 74 minute match is not a viable excuse. Furthermore, De Bakker has handled the likes of France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spanish and former #1 player in the world, as well as G.G. Lopez.

Not as acclaimed yet still promising is Germany's Daniel Brands. He is ranked 77th in the world at only the age of 23. To thus point, his career could be described as lackluster, at best. Nevertheless, he seemed to really embrace the atmosphere at Wimbledon, coming within a victory against Tomas Berdych to reach the quarterfinals. Most impressively, Brands defeated the world's 7th best player in Nikolay Davydenko. The Russian has been recovering from injury, however.

Brands' persistent play brought hopes to a nation lacking an elite tennis player outside of veteran and oft-injured Tommy Haas. Plus, at 6 feet 5 inches, Brands certainly has the weapons to compete regularly on tour. He fits the mold of a modern day tennis player, who is freakishly large with a powerful serve yet possesses the quickness to reach balls all over the court. In fact, Brands is quite similar to De Bakker of the Netherlands. Yes, Thiemo De Bakker is farther along the path of maturity in terms of tennis, but this year has proved that Wimbledon is again the world's fastest surface.

With this in mind, the serve-and-volley players have been able to shine. Master of the style Pete Sampras excelled for years at the All England Club. Fellow Wimbledon all-time champion Roger Federer showed that the grass can be tamed from the baseline, and his 6 titles are a solid reference, yet grass has always been the dwelling for the serve and volley. Remember Mark Philippoussis, the man who lost to Federer in 2003, he was 6 foot 5 inches. Goran Ivaniševic, at 6 foot 6 inches, certainly loved to come to net on his service games, and he was the last champion besides baseline extraordinaires Lleyton Hewitt, Federer or Nadal to win Wimbledon.

-DR