Bill Parker at The Mothership proclaims Todd Frazier's no-hands home run was this season's best accomplishment that had previously seemed impossible
It includes a nice quote from a real actual scientist who explains why exactly it isn't impossible. It's worth a click just to watch the gif over and over and over again, but if you are anything like me, a good explanation from a scientist really gets your sugars all up, too.
Bullpen Banter ranks the league's 3Bs in terms of fantasy value
Fantasy rankings aren't to be taken with much credulity, but we are deep in the bowels of the off-season and there really ain't much else out there to talk about. Given, Todd Frazier comes in at a respectable #10 on the list behind such luminaries as Cabrera, Longoria, Wright, Zimmerman, Headley, Beltre, Ramirezes Hanley and Aramis, and Sandoval. I'm pretty comfortable with that.
Frazier is tabbed as "a player to grab", with this said:
"There were a grand total of six first basemen that possessed a higher wOBA and OPS than Todd Frazier in the 2012 season (minimum 450 PA’s). Of those six players, Frazier had a higher ISO than half of them and a higher slugging percentage than two, and tied a third. If you’re looking for under-the-radar power at third base, Frazier is your guy. Don’t be fooled by his relatively low counting statistics as Frazier was jostled in and out of the lineup all season. He only appeared in 128 games and didn’t qualify for the batting title. Despite this limited role, Frazier shined when he did get an opportunity to play.
The Reds third base job is his; Frazier should be drafted no questions asked. As for where he should be taken, I ranked him aggressively due to his extreme fly ball tendencies combined with his home park. Anything less than 25 home runs would be a considerable disappointment. My sole reservation is his SwStr% and thus his corresponding strikeout rate. If he starts slow, Frazier may over compensate and really begin to hack. Concerns aside, I’ll be targeting Frazier in all of my drafts."
The Reds will be using new batting practice caps for the 2013 season
And look! It's Mr. Redlegs! And look! That ridiculous white piping is gone! And look! All the black stupids are gone! Whoopie! This hat looks neat! Oh, wait. They have a black version for the road. Blech.
RedsZone is organizing a fundraiser for suicide prevention in honor of Ryan Freel
All proceeds will be donated to the Cincinnati branch of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Sheldon sat down with Sam LeCure for a #beeasy Christmas Q&A
The whole thing is worth a read, but here's a taste:
MLB.com: Did you have a favorite Christmas gift above all others when you were a kid?
LeCure: Oh yeah, big time. When we first moved into the house that I grew up in, I was 4. The first Christmas there, I got the Huey stuffed animal from "Ducktales." I still have it. It's sitting on my bed right now. I take it everywhere -- like on road trips -- and I know it sounds weird, but I treat it like a person or almost like a pet. It sits in the front seat with me. You know how they ask you, 'If your house caught fire, what are the five things you'd take with you?' I would get that.
Grant Brisbee at BBN is showing off his favorite gifs of the year
The whole series is well-worth the click, but my favorite is Joe Cool Mauer in part I.