Last week, I put together a team made up of players who are all 23 years old or younger. It was an unbelievable team. That got me thinking, would that team be better than a team of players made up of all 30+ year olds? This was far too easy. It was a stacked team. (It had a rotation of Scherzer, Greinke, Hamels, Liriano and Shields.) So I changed the criteria a little bit to make it more challenging. This is a team where everybody is 32 or older. Take a look… Starting Nine: Catcher: Russell Martin, Blue Jays (32) Martin is having a great season in Toronto. Currently sitting at 14 homers, he could pass his career high (21). He is also a solid defensive catcher. He has one Gold Glove but is usually pretty good at gunning guys down on the base paths. First Base: Albert Pujols, Angels (35) Before this year, there is no way Pujols would have been on this team. However, he has turned his career around. After a rough start to his tenure in Los Angeles (or Anaheim), Pujols finally made his first American League All-Star team this year and leads the league with 29 homers. Second Base: Robinson Cano, Mariners (32) Cano got off to a rough start this year. However, he seems to have turned the corner as of late. Over the last month, he has hit .309 with six home runs. While the Mariners are not going anywhere in 2015, they are surely happy to see their $240 million second baseman showing signs of life. Shortstop: Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals (33) Remember when I said the team was too good when 30-year olds were allowed on this team? Yeah, Troy Tulowitzki held this spot at that time. Peralta, though, has had a great season. The 33-year old is hitting .296 with 14 home runs and 48 RBI on the best team in baseball. Third Base: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (32) He’s played third base in the past and I had to get Pujols on this team, so Cabrera is going to make the change back to third. Yes, he is currently on the disabled list, but does that matter? He’s a machine. In what has been somewhat of a quiet year, and by that I just mean not as much media attention as some other players (**looks at Bryce Harper**), he is hitting .350 (leads the league) with 15 homers and 54 RBI…and he’s been out since July 4. Left Field: Nelson Cruz, Mariners (35) May as well keep you updated on who occupied this position when it was 30+ so you understand why I moved it to 32. Hanley Ramirez was the left fielder. (Ignore his defense and focus on offense.) Cruz has been one of the most powerful hitters in baseball the last few years. Last year, he led the league with 40 homers and has 24 this season. He is a solid power bat to have in the middle of the lineup. Centerfield: Torri Hunter, Twins (40) (Was Ryan Braun, 31) He may not be the Gold Glove winner that he was in his prime, but he is still a solid player to have patrolling centerfield, and can still poke the ball out of the park (14 home runs on the year). Right Field: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (34) Like Cruz, Bautista is the power bat that we want in the middle of the lineup. Bautista’s average has dropped below his career average as he is hitting only .237, but the power is still there as he has 20 diners and a league-leading 65 RBI. Designated Hitter: Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays (32) Bautista’s buddy will follow him from Toronto to…wherever this team is located. Like Bautista, his average is lower than normal (.232), but the power is still very much there (19 homers). Starting Rotation: James Shields, Padres (33) While he may not be a number one, Shields is a solid guy to lead this rotation. He has pitched in the big game before and is a big time strikeout pitcher; he is third in the league in strikeouts. AJ Burnett, Pirates, (38) Burnett has turned back the clock and is having one of his best seasons as a pro. He has a 2.44 ERA, far and away the best of his career if he keeps it that low, and just made his first All-Star team this year. John Lackey, Cardinals (36) Since getting healthy at the end of his time in Boston, Lackey has pitched like the Red Sox paid him to. He also has an ERA under 3.00 and is pitching for the best team in baseball. He could very well win his third ring this season. Jason Hammel, Cubs (32) If Hammel pitched his entire career with the Cubs he would be a Hall of Famer. Everywhere else, Hammel has been mediocre AT BEST. In Chicago, he has a .591 win percentage and an ERA under 3.00. Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays (36) Yup, he’s still around. Yup, he still works fast. Yup, he still finishes games. Buehrle has been the Blue Jays’ best pitcher this season and leads the league with four complete games. The guy just doesn’t age. Bullpen: CJ Wilson, Angels (34) You need long relief in the bullpen and Wilson is our guy. Koji Uehara, Red Sox (40) Koji has been one of the best closers in baseball over the past few years. He started to show his age at the end of last season, but if he is used properly and not overworked, he could very easily serve as this team’s closer. Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies (34) Papelbon has been one of the best closers in baseball despite losing some velocity and pitching on the worst team in baseball. Pat Neshek, Astros (34) Neshek is the one non-closer (other than Wilson) to make it into the bullpen. He has been very good in middle relief, and has a killer signature. Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers (33) Remember this guy? Yup, K-Rod has turned his career around in Milwaukee over the last few years. He notched 44 saves last year and has 21 this year. He is also back to double-digit K/9 this season. Glen Perkins, Twins (32) This would be my choice for closer, but there are really so many options you can’t go wrong with anybody. Bench: C Yadier Molina, Cardinals (33) Martin is a good offensive catcher. Molina is a spectacular defensive catcher. I see this as a platoon with Martin and Molina. 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers (33). Gonzalez hasn’t driven in less than 100 runs since 2009…when he knocked in 99. And he’s on pace for 100 again this year. 3B Adrian Beltre, Rangers (36) Since Cabrera is not a natural third baseman, Beltre needs to be on his team and can come in as a defensive replacement late in a game. OF Curtis Granderon, Mets (34) There is not much outfield depth when you get to this age. Granderson would be the only left-handed hitting outfielder on the team. 2B/SS/3B/OF Ben Zobrist, Athletics (34) A switch hitter who can play just about any position on the diamond? You better believe he is making this team. 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According to a study done by the Harvard School Analysis Collective, the New England Patriots are not the best team in the AFC. They are not even listed as the best team in the AFC East. The method that was used by Kurt Bullard to come up with these results is below. "The method that I came up with uses Pro Football Reference’s Approximate Value statistic, the site’s best measure of trying to tease out individual talent. Then, using ESPN’s NFL depth charts, I aggregated each team’s per game approximate value of what I considered to be the 'core' makeup of an NFL team: QB, RB, 2 WR, TE, Top 2 OL, the Top-4 'Front Seven' defensive players, and the Top-2 players from the secondary." Youth is dominating baseball. A record 20 players under 25 years old were named to the All-Star rosters. However, it’s the guys who are even younger, barely able to legally drink, who I want to focus on. Yes, 24 is the age that many prospects break into the Major Leagues and then within the next year or so they begin to blossom into stars. However, the talent level of the prospects that are currently breaking into the show is far greater that what we normally see in any given year. When the youth in a sport is at its best, a website will usually make up an “All-25 or younger” team to show the talent. I believe I have actually written that exact article before. However, we are taking it a step further. We are going to make a starting roster for a team that features players who are only 23 or younger. And if this team was real, I would put money on them to win it all… Starting Nine: Catcher: Kyle Schwarber, Cubs (22) Schwarber just got the call to the big leagues to catch; however, he had a short stint earlier in the season in which he served as the designated hitter and did exactly what he was supposed to do: hit. Schwarber hit .364 with a homer and six RBI in six games. While he may not be a catcher for long if the Cubs want to preserve his bat, he is our catcher on this team. First Base: Kris Bryant, Cubs (23) Ok, Bryant is not a first baseman. If I wanted to keep players at their exact position, then I would have Joey Gallo (21) at this spot. However, Bryant is young and athletic (he has played in centerfield for the Cubs), so we are going to move him around a little bit to get the best team on the field. Second Base: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (22) This is not taking a player out of position. Mookie Betts is a natural second baseman. Betts has had a great year in his first full season at the big league level. He has a great combination of speed and power and would provide a bat that few teams have at second base. Again, if you want to go with where they are playing right now, Addison Russell (21) of the Cubs would be in this spot. Shortstop: Carlos Correa, Astros (20) This is a no brainer. At 20 years old, Correa is already arguably a top three shortstop, offensively. He has seven home runs and five steals, and has yet to be caught. One thing he will have to work on is his strikeout to walk ratio. He has struck out 28 times in 134 at bats and walked only seven times. However, he, like Betts, will provide a bat that few teams can replicate in the middle infield. Third Base: Manny Machado, Orioles (23) Now you see why I moved Bryant to first? Machado has already been an All-Star twice and is a Gold Glove winner, so there was no way he was getting moved from the hot corner. In his first full season, he led the league in doubles. Last year, he has good numbers for an injury shortened year. This year, he is having the breakout year that puts him right back into the discussion with young stars. Left Field: Joc Pederson, Dodgers (23) Pederson has shown great power as a rookie. He finished second in the Home Run Derby and had 20 home runs in the first half. He is also a fantastic defensive player. Were it not for Mike Trout, Pederson would be roaming centerfield. Centerfield: Mike Trout, Angels (23) Do I really have to explain why he is on this team? No player should ever be the best player in baseball from the second he steps on the diamond. However, Trout was exactly that. At 23, he already has an MVP and two runner-ups. He has been a Silver Slugger and an All-Star each year. Right field: Bryce Harper, Nationals (22) Harper was considered a disappointment coming into this season. He was hitting around .270 for his career, had never hit more than 22 home runs, had never driven in 60 runs, and was hurt a lot. However, had he not been dubbed “The Chosen One” at 16 years old, people would have been happy with the numbers he was putting up. They were very good, never mind the fact that it was a 20-year old putting them up. This year, however, he has shown that he is in fact the chosen one and is having the breakout year that many believed he needed to have…at 22 years old. He has already set career highs in homers (26), RBI (61), walks (63), and leads the league in OBP and OPS, giving him a staggering 1.168 OPS. Designated Hitter: Joey Gallo, Rangers (21) Gallo has monster power. He may be the most powerful bat in the lineup. However, he will strikeout more than anybody (thought Pederson may do his best to compete for that crown). Gallo, if he can get his strikeouts somewhat under control so he is making more contact, he will be a 40 home run guy, easily. Starting Rotation: Jose Fernandez, Marlins (22) Fernandez was one of the best pitchers in baseball before missing over a year due to Tommy John surgery. However, he is back mowing guys down again. He has started twice so far this season, allowing only three runs and striking out 15 over 13 innings. He is the clear number one starter. Carlos Martinez, Cardinals (23) Of course a Cardinals pitcher is going to make this list. They develop pitchers better than anybody. Martinez has broken out this year and proven that he deserves to be in the discussion for best young pitchers. He has 10 wins, an ERA of 2.52, and is striking out more than a batter an inning. Noah Syndergaard, Mets (22) Do we have some flame throwers in this rotation or what? All of these first three guys have fastballs in the upper-90s. Syndergaard has a 3.11 ERA and, like the first two, is striking out more than a batter an inning. Lance McCullers, Astros (21) Yet another guy with a blow-you-away fastball. McCullers has paired with Dallas Kuechel to form one of the better top two in baseball. He is also another guy with a K/9 ratio over nine. Any rotation that has a number two, or possibly even a number one in the near future, is a rotation that will bring you deep into October. Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox (22) Eddy has been the best pitcher for the Red Sox since being called up in late May. He has had a few bumpy starts, but for the most part has been very good for the Sox. Rodriguez was acquired in the deal that sent Andrew Miller to the Orioles last season, a trade that can already be chalked up as a win for General Manager Ben Cherington. Bullpen: Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks (22) It’s tough to find young relievers so we’re going to transition a few guys into the bullpen…Bradley was pitching like the top prospect he once was before taking a Carlos Gonzalez liner off the face. Carlos Rodon, White Sox (22) Rodon has some experience in the bullpen, so he had to make the team. Taijuan Walker, Mariners (22) If he didn’t have such a horrible start to the season, he would absolutely be in the starting rotation. He could always steal a spot, though. He has the most potential of any of these guys. Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays (23) It is tougher to find young pitching. Sanchez has potential, though, and will start out in the pen. Mike Foltynewicz, Braves (23) Foltynewicz isn’t having a great season with the Braves, but he is actually a relief pitcher. Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays (20) The one true relief pitcher. He will serve as the closer. Bench: C Blake Swihart, Red Sox (23) There are not many young catchers out there. Swihart is one that is excellent defensively and is projected to be a very good bat. SS Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (22) Bogaerts has become one of the best shortstops in the game. His bat is improving, even though the power has yet to truly reveal itself, and he has made tremendous strides defensively. Unfortunately for him, Correa is a step ahead. 3B Maikel Franco, Phillies (22) Franco has been the one bright spot on a terrible Phillies team. OF Christian Yelich, Marlins (23) Yelich is having a down year, but is a guy who can be 20/20 with a pretty good average. OF Byron Buxton, Twins (21) While he has not played much, he is without a doubt going to be one of the best young players in baseball. Just Missed It: 3B Miguel Sano, Twins (22) Sano was barely edged out by Franco due to experience. Sano was just called up and, while I’m sure he will rake, Franco has been raking for most of the year. 2B/SS Addison Russell, Cubs (21) Had I not thought to put Betts at second, Russell would have not only made the team, but been starting at second. OF Jorge Soler, Cubs (23) Off to a rough start in 2015, Soler still has all the skills needed to succeed in the majors. This also shows how well off the Cubs are for the future. SS Francisco Lindor, Indians (21) Unfortunately for Lindor, Correa and Bogaerts are already stars. Any other year he would have probably been the starting shortstop with how weak the position normally is. OF Gregory Polanco, Pirates (22) He is having a rough year, but he has very good speed and if he turns the bat around, could be a very good player. The New England Patriots have quite a bit of roster turnover from their 2014 Super Bowl Championship team. While defensive back, rightfully so, has gotten most of the attention, running back is another position in which we will see a lot of new faces. Yes, the National Football League has become a passing league; however, the Patriots play a much more balanced game and base their game plan on the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. This means that Tom Brady will not be slinging the ball for 450 yards and four scores against a weak front seven like the Indianapolis Colts. Thus, the running game is key for Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Continue reading at CLNS.com Follow @SamPericolo for the latest sports talk and news |
SAMUEL PERICOLOSam is a graduate of Assumption College where he studied History, Marketing, and Political Science and was a Co-Producer on a weekly sports talk television show. Archives
March 2018
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