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Baseball '00: Midseason Update

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Posted: Monday July 10, 2000 05:05 PM

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.

Atlanta Braves

Prospect Watch George Lombard, OF After two solid years in the Braves' minor-league system --- and stints with Atlanta in '98 and '99 -- Lombard struggled last season at Class AAA Richmond. The 24-year old left fielder battled a groin injury and finished with a .206 batting average. He rebounded late last year, leading the Arizona Fall League in homers (11) and RBIs (37). Though he has had trouble making contact -- he had struck out more than 90 times heading into the break -- Lombard makes up for it with tremendous speed. He ranked first on Atlanta's Class A squad in stolen bases last season; his 21 swipes were the third-most in a single season by a Richmond Brave in the '90s.

Flashback. The Braves quickly rebounded from their World Series loss to the Yankees by jumping out to a 20-6 start, including a 15-game winning streak, and claimed their customary top spot in the NL East. First baseman Andres Galarraga, who returned after being out for all of last year battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma, finished the first half on pace to hit 40 home runs and knock in more than 100 RBIs. Once again, however, the bullpen has emerged as the team's Achilles' heel. Closer John Rocker had trouble with his control and spent a week with Class AAA Richmond. Atlanta has called upon a total of seven pitchers to make relief appearances this year: John Burkett, Kerry Ligtenberg, Jason Marquis, Terry Mulholland, Mike Remlinger, Rocker and Rudy Seanez all have had save opportunities. Injuries to Seanez, Odalis Perez and Greg McMichael haven't helped. While the team's 4.31 ERA is still one of the best in the NL, starters Kevin Millwood (5-8, 5.34 ERA) and Mulholland (9-8, 5.71 ERA) have struggled.

Fast Forward. The Braves' road to an eighth consecutive division title will be a lot rougher in the improved NL East. With Chipper Jones (22 HRs, 68 RBIs) and Andruw Jones (23 HRs, 54 RBIs) on pace to set career highs in home runs and RBIs, for the first time in years Atlanta is concerned more with its starting pitching than its offense. Six games against the Mets during the last two weeks of the season means the fight for the division title should come right down to the wire.

You Oughta Know. Second baseman Quilvio Veras (25) and rookie shortstop Rafael Furcal (12) have a shot at stealing more than 35 bases. The last Atlanta player to have more than 30 steals in a season was Otis Nixon, who had 47 in 1993. In 1991, Nixon set the Braves' single-season mark when he swiped 72.

New York Mets

Prospect Watch Alex Escobar, CF A five-tool player, Escobar is having a solid comeback season at Class AA Binghamton after missing most of 1999 with back and shoulder injuries. The 21-year-old is considered the Mets' center fielder of the future.

Flashback. The Mets struggled at the start, going 5-7 in their first 12 games, but the Amazin's won nine in a row from April 16-25 and haven't fallen below .500 since. In fact, New York played its best baseball in recent years, winning 27 out of its last 42. Catcher Mike Piazza is having an MVP season (.348, 24 HRs, 72 RBIs) while second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo (.318, 13 HRs, 58 RBIs) has emerged as one of the game's best all-around players. Offseason acquisition Mike Hampton lost his first three decisions, but has turned it around, going 9-2 in his last 16 outings. The only significant downers for the Mets were losing shortstop Rey Ordonez for the season May 29 when he broke his left forearm and having to endure the laziness and poor attitude of Rickey Henderson until May 13, when he was released after hitting .219.

Fast Forward. With Hampton and Al Leiter (10-2, 2.99 ERA) anchoring the rotation, and Piazza and Alfonzo carrying the lineup, a postseason berth is very likely for the Mets. This could even be the year New York overtakes the Braves in the division. The archrivals will meet nine times in the second half (six in Atlanta, three in New York). A key stretch will come right after the All-Star break, when they hit the road for 11 games, the final three against Atlanta.

You Oughta Know. Perennial prospect Jay Payton finally has developed into a big-leaguer. Now an everyday center fielder, the 27-year-old has raised his average from .206 on May 24 to .285. Melvin Mora, who can play several positions, also has blossomed thanks to increased playing time and has filled in ably at short for Ordonez.

Florida Marlins

Prospect Watch A.J. Burnett, RHP Burnett came to the Marlins in the deal that sent Al Leiter to the Mets after the '97 season. The 6'5" starter has battled injuries since then, but performed admirably in a late-season call-up last year (4-2, 3.48 ERA). Burnett has been out since the start of the season with a torn ligament in his right thumb, but is expected back in the Marlins' rotation during the second half.

Flashback. After beginning the 1999 season 6-22, Florida showed marked improvement this year with a .500 record through its first 28 games. Other than a 3-11 slump in May, the Marlins played around .500 during the first half. Center fielder Preston Wilson had a breakout first half and is on pace to hit 40 home runs and knock in 110 runs. Left fielder Cliff Floyd, who has been plagued during his seven-year career with a multitude of injuries, remained healthy long enough to have a shot at his first 30-30 season. In only his second full year, Mike Lowell emerged as one of the more promising third basemen in the league (.254, 12 HRs, 43 RBIs). Second baseman Luis Castillo was one of the NL's biggest surprises, batting .369 with 36 stolen bases.

Fast Forward. The Marlins might not be able to compete with the Braves and Mets down the stretch, but they can build for next season. The key to a strong second half will be solid pitching. Starter Ryan Dempster (9-5, 3.65 ERA) already has surpassed his seven victories from last year, but has yet to prove he is a true ace. Antonio Alfonseca, one of the premier closers in the NL with 28 saves heading into the break, needs to improve on his 4.60 ERA. After he started 4-1, the Marlins had hoped that pitcher Jesús Sánchez would become a full-time member of the rotation. For that to happen, though, the 25-year-old must rebound from a 1-6 record to close the first-half.

You Oughta Know. Last season Alex Gonzalez became the second NL rookie shortstop to play in an All-Star Game, but this year he has struggled to hit .200. The 23-year-old already has 17 errors, to boot.

Montreal Expos

Prospect Watch Tony Armas Jr., RHP The son of former big-leaguer Tony Armas, Junior has moved around during his short career. Originally drafted by the Yankees, Armas was traded to the Red Sox in 1997. So far the 22-year-old is best known as one of the players traded to Montreal in the Pedro Martinez deal. The right-hander is struggling with the Expos; he's 4-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 appearances.

Flashback. New owner Jeff Loria took control of the Expos last offseason and immediately brought a feeling of optimism to this young and talented team. Left fielder Vladimir Guerrero, 24, has led the way (.369, 23 HRs, 76 RBIs), and become one of the top players in the league. Second baseman Jose Vidro remains baseball's best-kept secret, hitting .375 with 62 RBIs. Vidro and Guerrero rank 1-2 in the NL in hits (122 and 116, respectively) and have struck out only 81 times combined. The pitching staff has improved, with Carl Pavano (8-4, 3.06 ERA) and Javier Vazquez (7-4, 4.07 ERA) showing themselves to be solid starters.

Fast Forward. For the Expos to compete with the division's big two, the team will need to remain healthy. That hasn't been the case so far, as pitchers Hideki Irabu, Pavano and Mike Thurman all have spent time on the disabled list; Graeme Lloyd (left shoulder) and Ugueth Urbina (right elbow) have been lost for the year. Urbina, the team's saves leader last season (41), had saved only eight games before going down with the injury. Montreal will need continued contributions from first baseman Lee Stevens (.262, 17 HRs, 56 RBIs) and left fielder Rondell White (.307, 11 HRs, 54 RBIs), who are on pace to post career highs in home runs and RBIs.

You Oughta Know. When 20-year-old rookie reliever Yovanny Lara was called up from Class AA Harrisburg in June, he became the 24th pitcher to put on an Expos uniform this year, tying the team record set in 1990. The Anaheim Angels hold the major-league record with 29 in 1996.

Philadelphia Phillies

Prospect Watch Brad Baisley, RHP With Pat Burrell in the majors, the 6'9" starter becomes the Phillies' top prospect. The 20-year-old went 10-7 with a 2.26 ERA in Class A Piedmont last season, and is currently 3-3 with a 2.85 ERA at Class A Clearwater. Baisley, who weights just 205 pounds, is still physically immature and a few years away from the big leagues.

Flashback. The Phillies, who signed two high-profile free agents and put together a group of excellent young offensive talent during the offseason, had high expectations heading into the 2000 season. Unfortunately, the two free agents -- closer Mike Jackson (who has yet to pitch) and starter Andy Ashby (4-7, 5.68 ERA) -- have not helped Philadelphia's cause. Ace Curt Schilling, third baseman Scott Rolen and first baseman Rico Brogna took their customary spots on the DL during the first half. On a positive note, super rookie first baseman Pat Burrell proved he belongs in the majors while Schilling looked like his former self heading into the break (winning three of his last four starts). Catcher Mike Lieberthal also showed that his output last season was no fluke, belting 13 HRs with 56 RBIs.

Fast Forward. The Phillies have given up hope of a postseason appearance and find themselves 12 games out of first place in the NL East. General manager Ed Wade has said he will trade Ashby, and, with Burrell in the bigs, Brogna might be put on the block. Veteran outfielder Ron Gant, 35, also might be on the move. If starters Schilling, Randy Wolf and Robert Person can give the Phillies some solid innings, the team has enough offense to win games down the stretch. But with such a brittle pitching staff, the chances are slim.

You Oughta Know. The Phillies ended June on a positive note, finishing the month with a 15-11 record. It was Philadelphia's first winning month since July of last year.

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