Baseball Protypes

Zack Greinke, a pitcher on the Los Angeles Dodgers, is considered by many analysts as the most dominating pitcher in baseball.

Thesis: The Fundamentals of baseball can result in a successful pitcher is proper mechanics, good arm motion to hit your target and lots of flexibility/mobility that can result in high velocity meaning speed.

Kershaw has achieved what many pitchers dream about many times. In 2011, Kershaw produced a appealing record of 21-5 with an Era of 2.28 and 248 strikeouts made it an easy selection to award Kershaw his First Cy Young Award. Kershaw, had achieved a triple crown, leading pitchers in wins, strikeouts and Era in 2011 to go along with a gold glove award. Clayton Kershaw is the youngest, three time CY-Young award winner, and first NL pitcher to win the MVP award since “Bob Gibson” in 68. Kershaw from 2011 to 2014 has had the lowest earned run average in baseball for four straight years. Kershaw is destined for the Hall Of Fame, as a batter, Clayton Kershaw had a higher on-base percentage as a batter [2.35] than opposing hitters against him [.231].Kershaw is a five time all-star from [2011-2015.] Kershaw has thrown two no hitters in his career, but has never made it to the World Series unlike Justin

Leading the SCAC and ranking second in the nation in wins, sophomore Kaleb Kirk (9-4) received First Team All-Conference Starting Pitcher honors. Junior outfielder Michael Schimpf, who ranks third in the conference with a .417 batting average, joins Kirk on the First Team list.

The Chicago Cubs (Arrieta’s team) record is 26-8. Arrieta has pitched in at least 10 of those games, and in each game he’s pitched in, they have won. He pitches more than an average pitcher, and can pitch more innings that an average pitcher. The Los Angeles Dodgers (Kershaw’s team) record is 18-17. Kershaw has pitched in at least 10 of those games, but has not won each game he’s pitched in. This shows that Jake Arrieta holds his opponents to not score, and gives his offense a chance to gain momentum and score and win. “Arrieta didn't say outright that he was worth more than the seven-year, $175 million contract that the Nationals awarded to Stephen Strasburg earlier this week, but he came close. "I'll let you judge that. Just look at the numbers," he said. When asked if he would be giving the Cubs a hometown discount, he said, "No" while shaking his head. This season, the reigning NL Cy Young winner holds a minuscule 0.84 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 37/12 K/BB ratio over 43 innings. As is befitting of those fine numbers, the ace right-hander has jumped out to a 6-0 record. May 11 - 11:53 PM” (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/5017/jake-arrieta). This quote shows that Arrieta has not only the confidence and mental state to be the best pitcher in the league, but that he also has the performance to back it up.

Kershaw will be joining a Dodgers team that has played some of their best baseball this entire year. Since Kershaw’s last start, the Dodgers have gone 35 – 24 and don’t look to slow down anytime soon. With the return of Rich Hill and the great performances from young starting pitchers: Julio Urias, Jose

Julio Teheran anchoring the pitching staff, after a rocky start to the season and then finishing off the season strong look for Teheran to come out firing on April 4th against the Nationals after a strong Spring Training.

Jorge Posada has seen and been through it all, he has seen the best and worst of the team and as well put a career that might not pop out to your face as maybe the others of the Core Four. But if you look deeper, you would realize that Jorge Posada is more than ready to become the first of the Core Four and as well the 18th catcher to be enshrined in Cooperstown, New

Anthony Rizzo is another critical piece to the Chicago Cubs success in the 25 years of age he has become a critical leader for a roster that just keeps getting younger and younger. He is just entering the prime of his career and he is one of the best middle of the order hitters in the game right now. In 2015 he has put it all together with a .294 average with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs.

Chris Owings: Owings is truly a jack of all trades. Wherever the DBacks need him, he is there, whether he plays outfield, shortstop or second base, although his primary role is shortstop. Drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2009 out of high school. He made his major league debut in Sept of 2013. He spent sometime prowling around the Diamondbacks system but it looks like he is here to stay. In 28 games, Owings is batting .311 with 21 RBI's and 5 HR. His salary has gone up in both DK and Fanduel, he is currently sitting at $4200. Scoring in double-digit fantasy points most nights, he is well worth the roster spot.

Votto is now in his 10th full season in the Major Leagues and has literally been through the team’s ups and downs

People were dreaming about Nick Markakis after his strong 2007 and 2008 seasons, but he was unable to remain elite and now should be seen as nothing more than a good but not great player. The Orioles have developed a number of starting pitcher prospects who were legitimately hoped to become aces. Some have been successful starters for a time, like Gausman, Bundy and Tillman, but the one that truly became a top of the rotation pitcher was only successful as a Cub. The Orioles have been waiting a long time for an elite player like Machado.

The same night, another trade was struck between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves. The Braves sent the young stud Shelby Miller, who recorded a 3.02 ERA in 2015, to Arizona in exchange for top D-Backs prospect, Dansby Swanson and two other prospects. This move proved that the Dbacks want to go all in for 2016. There are still many players on the market who have yet to be signed, primarily outfielders. Outfielders such as Jason Heyward, Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Gordon and Justin Upton have yet to reach deals with teams. The Giants, after losing out on the major free agents and trade candidates that they wanted are the frontrunners to sign the 2015 World Champion Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals. The meetings conclude on December 10th, but the offseason won’t stop. Many deals will continue to be made all the way up until January before spring training. The current rumor now is that Jason Heyward will choose between the Cubs, Angels and Cardinals. An outfield consisting of Heyward and Mike Trout would be one of the best defensive outfields in all of baseball because they are both spectacular

Shelby Miller's performance today was what we expected from him after the blockbuster trade brought him over in the off-season. His fastball was explosive, touching 97mph and his curveball had depth, getting a couple swings and misses on the night. The Nationals never truly threatened until the bottom of the 5th, when they

Dating back to the offseason, Washington has been linked to different relievers, such as David Robertson, Kelvin Herrera, and A.J. Ramos. While Herrera seems unlikely to be dealt, due to Kansas City’s resurgence, Robertson and Ramos could be paired with Iglesias to form a dangerous bullpen.