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Baseball '00: Midseason Update

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Posted: Monday July 10, 2000 02:56 PM

CNNSI's midseason baseball reports are designed to update you in a flash. Find out what you missed in the first half of the season, what to look for down the stretch and who the top prospects are for each team. Select a division from the menus below and get in the game.

Plus, we have second-half predictions and storylines to follow from Sports Illustrated's baseball writers, and Jeff Pearlman's Hot List. And don't miss "Who Would You Choose?", a photo gallery with polls allowing you to vote on everything from the biggest surprise of the season to the best player never to make an All-Star team.

Toronto Blue Jays

Prospect Watch Vernon Wells OF Wells is not only the Blue Jays' most promising young player, but he also may very well be the best prospect in baseball. He was named top prospect at three different minor-league levels last year before finding his way into the Toronto lineup at the end of '99. A five-tool talent, the 21-year-old hit a combined .334 in the minors last season.

Flashback. Since the AL East is home to the Red Sox and Yankees, the Blue Jays were overlooked by many when the season began. But no one's looking past them anymore. Led by first baseman Carlos Delgado (.363, 28 HRs, 80 RBIs), Toronto took advantage of sub-par first-half performances by New York and Boston to capture a share of the division's top spot heading into the break. During a 36-game span, Delgado hit .403 with a .760 slugging percentage, helping the Jays take five consecutive games from Boston and climb from third to first place. Delgado has been helped by third baseman Tony Batista (.289, 24 HRs, 72 RBIs) and DH Brad Fullmer (.305, 14 HRs, 53 RBIs). Veteran left-hander David Wells is having the finest season of his career with an AL-high 15 victories.

Fast Forward. Lack of depth might be all that could keep the Blue Jays from winning the pennant. After Wells the staff is thin; Chris Carpenter (7-7, 6.13 ERA), Kelvim Escobar (6-9, 5.26 ERA) and Roy Halladay (3-5, 11.68 ERA) all struggled during the first half. Unless Wells wins 30 games, the Blue Jays will need another starter to step up. The offense also needs a boost. Outfielders Jose Cruz Jr. and Raul Mondesi -- as well as second baseman Homer Bush -- have all been inconsistent this year.

You Oughta Know. When Wells won his 14th game July 3, he broke the franchise record for most victories before the All-Star break set by Roger Clemens in 1997. The 37-year-old starter won 17 games for Toronto last season and had his best year with the Yankees in 1998, going 18-4.

New York Yankees

Prospect Watch Alfonso Soriano, SS He's had two stints with the big club already this season, but struggled both times playing out of position at third base. His name is mentioned often as trade bait, so his days in the organization could be numbered. Being blocked by superstar Derek Jeter doesn't help.

Flashback. It was business as usual for the two-time defending champions at the start of the year. The Yankees hit their first-half high of 13 games over .500 (22-9) on May 9, but since then it's been one problem after another. New York went 6-11 the rest of the month, and just 10-15 in June. The rotation was a disaster, as David Cone (1-7, 6.40 ERA) had just one victory in the first half, and Roger Clemens, Orlando Hernandez and Ramiro Mendoza went down with injuries. Catcher Jorge Posada (.309, 14 HRs, 41 RBIs) and center fielder Bernie Williams (.329, 19 HRs, 80 RBIs) provided power while veterans Paul O'Neill (.291, 10 HRs, 53 RBIs) and Tino Martinez (.261, 8 HRs, 49 RBIs) , started to show signs of age. And then there was the problem of Chuck Knoblauch, the second baseman who mysteriously forgot how to throw to first. After an uncharacteristic cold start, shortstop Derek Jeter has raised his batting average from .266 to .322 since coming off the 15-day DL on May 27 (strained left abdominal muscle). Trade rumors involving big names like Juan Gonzalez and Sammy Sosa swirled around the clubhouse for most of June, but the Yanks surprised everyone at the end of the month by shipping Ricky Ledee and two players to be named to Cleveland in exchange for David Justice .

Fast Forward. No matter what else happens on the trade front, New York's postseason chances hinge on starting pitching. Clemens, Hernandez and Mendoza have to get healthy, Andy Pettitte (9-5, 4.38 ERA) must find consistency and Cone needs to do a 180 from his first-half performance. The Yankees may not be done wheeling and dealing; a trade for a starter before the July 31 deadline is very possible. The Yanks will get a chance to rack up some victories right after the All-Star break, when they play 11 consecutive home games against mediocre-to-weak competition (Florida, Philadelphia, Detroit and Tampa Bay).

You Oughta Know. Although the starting rotation is in shambles, the bullpen has been a huge strength. Jeff Nelson (6-2, 1.69 ERA) has been brilliant while Jason Grimsley (3-2, 4.09 ERA) and Mariano Rivera (2-3, 2.95 ERA, 21 saves) have not been as sharp.

Boston Red Sox

Prospect Watch Tomokazu Ohka, RHP Ohka threw a perfect game earlier in the year for Class AAA Pawtucket. The Japanese-born right-hander has amazing control, issuing just 19 walks so far this season. Last year Ohka went 7-0 in Class AAA -- striking out 63 while walking just 11. Ohka made eight appearances with the Red Sox last season, going 1-2 with a 6.23 ERA. With a questionable bottom of the rotation, Boston may recall Ohka before the end of the year.

Flashback. Center fielder Carl Everett, an offseason pickup, proved his offense eruption last year was no fluke. At midseason the former Astro ranked among the league's best in home runs (24) and slugging percentage (.647). Nomar Garciaparra flirted with .400 after returning in May from a strained left hamstring that had him on the disabled list for two weeks. Just like last year the Red Sox relied on pitching, not offense, to compete. Ace Pedro Martinez followed up his Cy Young-winning season with more brilliance on the mound, leading the league in ERA (1.44) and strikeouts (140) in the first half before bowing out of the All-Star Game with a strained muscle on his left side. Derek Lowe (19 saves) emerged as one of the game's top closers. Boston went into the break leading the AL with a 4.19 ERA, but it was near the bottom of the league in virtually every offensive category.

Fast Forward. Everett and Garciaparra might be two of baseball's best hitters, but they can't do it alone. They'll need help from underachievers like Trot Nixon (.292) , Jose Offerman (.258) and Troy O'Leary (.227). Even if the offense improves, Boston is still all about pitching. Reclamation projects Ramon Martinez, Jeff Fassero and Pete Schourek must stay healthy -- and productive -- if the Red Sox are to see the postseason for the third consecutive year.

You Oughta Know. Boston has been involved in 13 shutouts this season -- that ties them for the league lead with Detroit. Pedro Martinez has pitched in seven shutout games, going 5-2, while Schourek has gone 1-2 and Fassero 1-1.

Baltimore Orioles

Prospect Watch Matt Riley, LHP Despite his struggles with injuries and control at Class AAA Rochester, Riley is still the Orioles' top pitching prospect. Baltimore's third-round pick in 1997 made the leap from Class A to the majors last season -- starting three big-league games at the end of the year. Since rebounding from a serious shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for six weeks, Riley has been working to regain his control and is expected in Baltimore later this season.

Flashback. Spurred by catcher Charles Johnson and shortstop Mike Bordick, the underachieving Orioles gave Baltimore fans a reason to be optimistic, going 11-5 to start the season. Unfortunately, it was just a tease as the team abruptly went into a 6-20 slide. Baltimore continued its up-and-down first half, with six- and four-game winning streaks, as well as nine- and five-game losing streaks. More importantly, it became painfully obvious that O's veterans Brady Anderson (.249, 11 HRs, 30 RBIs) Harold Baines (.245, 9 HR, 26 RBIs) and Will Clark (.299, 6 HRs, 20 RBIs) were on their last legs. On the brighter side, slugging outfielder Albert Belle embarked on his annual second-half surge a month early, hitting seven homers with 19 RBIs in six games in mid-June. Second baseman Delino DeShields (.294, 21 stolen bases), re-emerged as a strong leadoff hitter.

Fast Forward. With an $83 million payroll and another sub .500 finish looming, Orioles owner Peter Angelos has many decisions to make about his aging ballclub. Does he take a cue from White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and rebuild? Or does he give his collection of veterans one last shot at competing for a postseason berth? A decision also must be made regarding struggling ace and potential free agent Mike Mussina -- who has yet to sign an extension. With three playoff-caliber teams in the AL East, expect changes soon.

You Oughta Know. Baltimore's lineup is the oldest in the major leagues. Other than Johnson, who turns 29 on July 20, not a single Baltimore regular is under the age of 31. Those over 35 are Baines (41), Cal Ripken Jr. (39), Clark (36), Anderson (36) and B.J. Surhoff (35).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Prospect Watch Aubrey Huff, 3B If Vinny Castilla is moved, Huff could be called up from Class AAA Durham, where he is among the team leaders in batting average (.313), homers (14) and RBIs (54). The 23-year-old batted .301 with 22 homers and 78 RBIs for Class AA Orlando in '99.

Flashback. The Devil Rays' offseason plan to bring in more power -- which they attempted to accomplish by nearly doubling their payroll -- fizzled as the team suffered a dismal first half. After opening the season 2-2, Tampa Bay lost five in a row and has not been near .500 since. Thumpers Jose Canseco (.261, 7 HRs, 20 RBIs), Vinny Castilla (.222, 6 HRs, 34 RBIs) and Greg Vaughn (.294, 13 HRs, 37 RBIs) had disappointing first halves and each landed on the DL, spending time there simultaneously at one point in June. Only first baseman Fred McGriff (.282, 18 HRs, 62 RBIs) has lived up to expectations. Starting pitchers Wilson Alvarez and Juan Guzman were lost for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, depleting an already thin rotation.

Fast Forward. Will manager Larry Rothschild survive the remainder of the season? There was rumbling throughout the first half that his job was in jeopardy. Will Tampa realize its combination of one-dimensional hitters and weak pitching is doomed and move high-priced, underachieving veterans such as Canseco and Castilla, as well as lukewarm pitchers Roberto Hernandez and Steve Trachsel to pennant contenders in exchange for some younger, promising talent?

You Oughta Know. McGriff is nine home runs from becoming the only player in major-league history besides Frank Robinson to hit 200-plus homers in both leagues. What a difference a year has made to Roberto Hernandez. In 1999 he had a career-high 43 saves, blowing just four opportunites and surrendering only one home run. So far this season Hernandez has just 12 saves and he's already blown five saves and given up six homers.

 

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