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Nolesmarlin's First Power Rankings of 2008

Ok all you faithful MarlinsNation readers, your patience will finally be rewarded... presenting the first edition of Nolesmarlins' Power Rankings of 2008! Sorry about the delay, a simple password SNAFU was to blame. Fortunately, these rankings come out right in time; about 1/4 of the season has passed. And what a quarter it has been... many surprises, many disappointments, many entertaining moments (especially if you're a Marlins fan). I plan on updating the rankings weekly (every Tuesday), but since I am not one of those highly paid idiots-in-disguise working for ESPN or FOX, I do anticipate that at multiple points during this long season the ranking updates will come sporadically. As always, feel free to respond to these rankings with your comments, suggestions, praise, constructive criticism, disapproval, complaints, and plain old below-the-belt insults. So, without further ado...

1. Arizona Diamondbacks: Probably the best young lineup in baseball, excellent rotation anchored by the best starter in the National League (Brandon Webb), ROY front runner and future superstar in the outfield (Justin Upton), good bullpen, whoopin' a55 and taking names in the tough NL West... all around best team in baseball. Whats there not to like about these guys?

2. Boston Red Sox: Everyone thought they would be among the best, and they haven't disappointed. Then again, they haven't really exceeded expectations either. Their superior talent is undeniable, Dice K is an absolute beast and worth every penny, but if they want to be considered a true dynasty they need to not just win, but dominate. I don't see any domination here. However, the fact that they have easily survived Big Papi's early season slump speaks volumes.

3. Florida Marlins: Yeah I said it. I say in all seriousness and with a straight face that the Marlins are the third best baseball team on the planet... you can go ahead and label me as biased, but then I'd promptly instruct you to kiss my teal and black derriere. As of this moment, and as we all are aware, the Marlins are tied for the best record in baseball. This is no fluke at all, the numbers speak for themselves. Hanley Ramirez is the best young player in baseball, Uggla is en fuego, and this team is hitting homers like it's their job (umm, maybe because it is their job...). You may hear many of the so called "experts" on TV claiming that the Marlins' recent surge is an aberration because of pitching issues, but what these jabronis don't point out is that the Marlins' recent successes (most notably a 7 game winning streak) were not due to Dan Uggla's power explosion (that sounds almost like a porno... I apologize to the kids and social conservatives who happen to be reading this) but due to multiple successive quality starts from the rotation. This team is for real, and if you don't believe now, trust me, you will soon.

4. Chicago Cubs: Why did I put the Cubs below the Marlins even though they have the same record? Because they're the Cubs, stupid! In all seriousness, the Cubs and Marlins are very close, but I gave the Marlins the edge because I feel that the NL East is a stronger division than the NL Central. The Cubs also have many more intangible advantages that the Marlins do not enjoy (massive payroll, larger market, a stadium, etc...) but still have the same record. That being said, Geovanny Souto (I apologize if I misspelled his name) is one excellent young catcher. Fukudome has been even better than advertised. DLee is also having another monster year, and maybe, just barely maybe, beginning to merit consideration for the HOF once he retires. 100 years after their last title, the Cubs finally may have enough talent to end the longest championship drought in sporting history.

5. Tampa Bay Rays: The future of the American League. They have the young pitching to dominate their division for years. We have seen this happen before... Atlanta about 18 years ago... and right here in South Florida earlier this decade. Tampa's new ownership has certainly been paying attention. It's an exciting time for Florida baseball.

6. St. Louis Cardinals: Next person who calls Tony LaRussa a genius for leading the Cards back to relevance is gonna get slapped. What happened last year was the Cards ran into a little bad luck... this team always had talent. However, when predicting the fortunes of the 2008 Cardinals one must keep in mind the fact that Albert Pujols requires Tommy John surgery and is very likely to spend significant time on the DL because of this in the near future. The Cards can win without him, but losing a player with Pujols' game-changing ability can trip up even the best of teams, even with Ludwick doing what he does. The Cards are good, but probably not good enough without Pujols. As a side note, congrats to Rick Ankiel for his successful return to the major leagues as an outfielder. I must admit that I didn't think he had a snowball's chance in heck at returning to the bigs. Mmmmm, crow tastes good!

7. Oakland Athletics: Every pundit tends to point to the Marlins as the division leader most likely to fall out of first. As you probably can guess, I disrespectfully and emphatically disagree. Not counting the Twins (the AL Central is all sorts of FUBAR right now...) the Oakland A's most likely will succumb to the temptations of mediocrity... and the LA Angels. Why? They just don't do anything that special when taken in context. I'm not saying they aren't good, they are, I believe that they will finish above .500, and that Danny Haren trade was pure genius... but there are better teams out there, even in their division (like LA...). In my pseudo-expert opinion they are a year away from serious contention.

8. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Torii Hunter appears to be an excellent addition to this team. Garland has also turned out to be a decent pickup, bolstering a potentially suspect rotation. No reason why the Angels cannot overtake the A's at some point this year; they have the most talent in this division by far. Kelvim Escobar's injury doesn't help, though.

9. Philadelphia Phillies: BOOOOO!!!! Hehe, just had to get that out, sorry. Clearly the best of the rest in the NL East. But if this team wants to even whiff the playoffs (instead of Utley's BO) Ryan Howard needs to start hitting immediately. Chase Utley: so easy a caveman can do it!

10. Los Angeles Dodgers: Oh what might have been... if they had just kept the Dbacks from virtually wrapping up the division by the end of April. Joe Torre has finally made the correct decision by finding any way he can to put Matt Kemp in the lineup. Another up and coming young team... but unfortunately for them they are overshadowed by the other, better up and coming teams in the National League.

11. Cleveland Indians: Cliff Lee is all that is standing between this team and extreme disappointment. After the first week of the season, and Detroit's hilarious and dramatic stumble out of the gate, Cleveland was poised to take advantage of a huge opportunity. On paper, they were the most complete team in the AL behind Boston, and had the reigning AL Cy Young award winner pitching every fifth day. However, CC has been anything but CY, and the Indians have suffered because of this. But, tribesman can take comfort in the fact that this is a very long season, one that Detroit apparently wants no part of, and that the AL Central is one wacky division where anything can happen. I predict that they will pull it out in the end, they just have too many weapons not to.

12. Minnesota Twins: How is this team leading the division with Liriano in the minors and Santana on the Mets? Because the rest of the division is playing like crap. Like I said, they will eventually fall to Cleveland, but second place and a surprise wild card isn't totally out of the question.

13. Houston Astros: You can thank (or curse) three things for this team's recent success: the weak NL Central, the Marlins sweep of the Brewskis, and Lance Berkman. In case you happen to be wondering, no, there is no way this 9-1 streak will last. Not a fart's chance in a hurricane.

14. New York Mets: Look on the bright side, Mets fans (if any happen to be reading this...), imagine how horrible your team would be if you didn't pick up Johan. And that's not all guys, I have some more silver lining to the dark cloud that 2008 has become for you... believe it or not, the Mets aren't even the most disappointing team in New York! Celebration, bitches!!!

15. Atlanta Braves: I'll try to use small words as a courtesy for our uneducated, toothless friends from Dixie... Not this year, guys. Yes, Larry Jones may be hitting pretty well right now, but seriously folks, who could possibly be afraid of a man named "Chipper"? He is going to make a real run at .400? Please.

16. Baltimore Orioles: I guess this has become a yearly thing with them... start off strong and give their long suffering fans a wee inkling of hope... then they hack out their fanbase's collective hearts with a rusty machete. In douchebag owner terms, Jeff Loria aint got squat on Peter Angelos. That man really ticks me off, and I don't even care about the O's.

17. New York Yankees: Well, if they were going to have an "off year", it was going to be this year. The vets are too old and the kids are too young. Arod is on the DL. Joba is still in the bullpen. Kennedy is back in the minors. And worst of all, Joe Girardi is the manager.

18. Chicago White Sox: At least they stumble out of first with flair. What appeared for the shortest of moments to be a golden opportunity for the White Sox to return to the top slipped through their black and white fingertips after they hit their own rough patch... possibly caused by their manager/resident loudmouth's inability to STFU and focus on the game.

19. Milwaukee Brewers: Milwaukee must mean "Overrated" in ancient Native American. Same thing with "Braun" in Yiddish (yes, he is a son of Abraham if you were wondering...).

20. Detroit Tigers: I want to place them lower, but they just have too much talent. I refuse to believe that they will not get hot at one point this season. However, at this point it would take a miracle for them to completely turn it around and live up to their preseason expectations. Call me bitter, but it does make me smile to see Cabrera struggle. Next year they should return to the upper echelon, they just have too much talent, and Dombrowski is too good of an executive to sit on his butt and not improve the team in the offseason.


And I'm tired of writing, so I'm just going to list 21-30. It's not like they deserve to have anything said about them...

21. Toronto Blue Jays

22. Colorado Rockies: Ok, fine, I'll talk about them. They have fallen hard since their surprise, marlinesque run to the NL title last year, but I do see this team turning it around and having a strong finish to the year, perhaps even breaking .500. Don't get me wrong, they aren't making the postseason, but most of their failures this season have been due to simple bad luck. Trust me, it's hard to win when you have to play the Dbacks 19 times.

23. Pittsburgh Pirates

24. Kansas City Royals

25. Texas Rangers

26. Cincinnati Reds

27. Seattle Mariners: A disappointing team in a disappointing division. Why are the A's in first? Because Texas and Seattle SUCK.

28. San Francisco Giants

29. San Diego Padres

30. Washington Nationals

A Deep Fish Fry

Quick, which team in MLB has the best winning percentage? Boston? Arizona? Chicago? Oakland? Minnesota? Any team in New York city?

No, its the Florida Marlins who at 23-14 have a .622 winning percentage. It is the best start in franchise history and they are in the midst of a 7 game winning streak.

And none of the pundits saw this coming. Which begs the question, if you were an unsuccessful GM, why are you the lead analyst for your sport?

Anywho, even good ol' BSPN, er...ESPN...is taking notice. They have acknowledged that perhaps times are changing as the Marlins have signed Hanley Ramirez to a 6 year deal (just wait for the theories to start coming out about how the Marlins are going to shop the young superstar). Even paying great complement to Ramirez calling him one of the 5 best players in baseball.

About time someone noticed, huh?

It's still amazing to me that a sport such as baseball can be overlooked in some places by even their talking heads. Still, the Marlins are getting it done and right now, look unstoppable. Dan Uggla has been red hot hitting 3 home runs in the Nationals series sweep along with 7 RBIs. The starting pitching has been much more consistent and the staff ERA over this streak is a paltry 2.20.

Now they will head into Cincinnati who is nursing a 15-23 record. Seems to be at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Marlins. But they will have their work cut out for them.

The 10 Commandments of Wiley

Let's face it, this is nothing short of biblical.

Right now, the Marlins starting staff is churning out impressive outing after impressive outing. It may not be the kind of starts that will get on ESPN - a rare feat for the Fish to get on ESPN to begin with - but they are the kind of starts a winning ballclub needs.

Who is most responsible? Not to be overlooked should be Mark Wiley, the Marlins pitching guru. He stopped being a coach and went straight to guru status once Andrew Miller started throwing strikes.

Now, let's not downplay the talent on this starting staff. But let's not play it up either. Mark Hendrickson was valued as a middle relief/long relief pitcher and signed with Florida because he had the opportunity to start. He was named their opening day starter and everyone practically laughed. Scott Olsen had a ton of question marks, most notably is he mature enough to play in this league and be a productive professional? Andrew Miller, despite his high draft pick, has been knocked for not having good control. Burke Badenhop was practically a throw-in, the kind though that the Marlins tend to make a killing on with other teams. Ricky Nolasco, in 2006, was looking very promising but until recently hasn't produced much for the Marlins as a starter.

All this has changed and the Marlins are on a 7 game winning streak. Their staff ERA, over the last 7 days, is 1.67. That isn't just the starters, but the entire staff. To start the season, it was clear the bullpen was going to do a lot of cleaning up. Yet, the starters had 3 new starters in their rotation (Hendrickson, Vandenhurk, Miller). Vandenhurk was sent down in favor of Badenhop, but all that has happened since is each starter has become more consistent. What is the secret? Wiley's 10 commandments - because although we have joked that on the 7th day God created Mark Wiley, and some have joked the other way around, there is something miraculous going on here.

1. Thou shall poundeth the strike zone
   The starters' strike percentage has risen to 63.2% which means they are less likely to be behind in the count - see commandment #4.
   
2. Thou shall quicken thy pace
   Olsen has been quoted as saying what has helped him has been picking up the pace. Miller did the same once he was struggling at the beginning of the season and it helped him keep his velocity up as well as stay focused.
   
3. Thou shall have great command
   Locating your pitches is more important than the velocity of those pitches according to Wiley. In fact, it is more about having command of your pitches. Just ask any pitcher that has ever been successful like Greg Maddux.
   
4. Thou shall not get behind in the count
   When pitchers fall behind in the count, they become easier for hitters to predict which means more likely to get blasted. Control your pitches, control the count, control the hitters.
   
5. Thou shall trust your defense
   The Marlins defense is not among the best, but they are capable and are improving. One example is their timely double plays, which have saved them in past starts. They are middle of the pack for DPs based on total chances (1368) and the total dps (31) resulting in 2.2 percent (league best is 3.2%).
   
6. Thou shall not walk batters
   Only 20 BBs in 54.0 IP. That is showing a big sign of improvement.
   
7. Thou shall work on you defense
   The starters are also very good athletes and can field the ball. This will help their own cause and something the Marlins starters - and relievers - have become more known for.
   
8. Thou shall trust your pitches
   Andrew Miller had to trust in his changeup. Ricky Nolasco has a nasty curve, but wasn't throwing it for strikes. When both started to trust their pitches, better results came - and it was predicated on having good command, #3 on Wiley's list.
   
9. Thou shall trust in your bullpen
   The bullpen is deep and has been a source of strength dating back to last season. When the starters struggled to start the season, it was the bullpen that bailed them out. And if things get too hectic out there, the bullpen can come in and slam the door. This is an extra source of confidence that should allow the starters to go out and be aggressive as their bullpen will be able to pick them up but so can their offense.
   
10. Thou shall have no other coaches besides Mark Wiley
    This needs no explanation, Marlin fans. Ever since Wiley left, and we were replaced by Kranitz, we had a string of success followed by injury and inconsitency. Dontrelle Willis was vaulted into Cy Young contention under Wiley's tutelage.
    

Marlins Starters Showing Signs of Progress

Prepare to be shocked.

Over the last 5 starts, the Marlins not only have won games but their starting pitching has been phenomenal. In turn, this has enabled the bullpen to solidify and get back to normal. Look at the numbers, it is quite encouraging and if the Marlins staff can keep this up, who knows how far this team can go. It is clear that Mark Wiley's tutelage is paying off, after all he almost single-handedly turned Dontrelle Willis into a Cy Young candidate.

Today Miller will take the mound and go for another quality start and if he can do that we may have more than just an anomaly but an actual trend. Nolasco finally pitched the way we come to expect and this may be a momentum builder for him.

This team's pitching is coming along at just the right time. Look at the following table and be shocked to learn who has the 2nd lowest ERA over this span.

If you wish to see the entire stat page breakdown, click here.

Also notice the strike percentages. The pitchers are all in that 60% range and one of the basic tenants of Wiley's is to throw strikes.

Hanley Ramirez To Get Long Term Deal

Looks like things are going in the right direction for the Florida Marlins.

First they line up a new stadium, which is being designed and in the pre-construction phase at the old Orange Bowl site. Then, with their meager $21M payroll, they are starting to win games and are in sole command of 1st place in the NL East.

And now, they are looking to wrap up their rising star, Hanley Ramirez, to a long term contract. Reports are it is going to be a 6 year deal worth around $70M. This is also a good sign because it means the Marlins would avoid salary arbitration for the first time in a long time with a star player - in fact, it seems to be the first time in a long time the Marlins have committed to keeping a star player in Miami. Ramirez is eligible for arbitration at the end of this season but is now looking to sign the richest deal in franchise history.

The details are not official yet, but it is looking like a lock. Stay tuned.

Marlins Sweep Brewers

No sausage races, just cold cuts. The Marlins are running hot these days and treat their guests rudely with a sweep coming off the heals of a series win against the Padres. They outscore the Brew crew 25-10 in the sweep, and have even won 5 of their last 6 games.

With tonight's win, the Marlins are 6 games over .500 at 20-14 and hold sole command of the top spot in the NL East.

The Marlins young pitching seems to be coming around a bit as Badenhop has served up two quality starts in a row. The offense is clicking even with Josh Willingham on the 15 day DL.

Next up? The Washington Nationals. The Marlins will look to continue to dominate their rivals to the north and build on their first place hold.

The Fish Farm Report: Starting Pitching

At MarlinsNation, we work hard to bring you the latest news on our guys in teal. I wanted to start a weekly report on the minor league prospects that should be on every true MarlinsNation citizen's radar. We are going to start with the "Fish Farm Report" which will discuss players that could help out the big fish.

This week, we are growing concerned over the lack of consistent starting pitching. There is no need to regurgitate the stats as it is clear that after Olsen and Hendrickson, the rotation is - to put it nicely - swimming belly up more times than not. The ERAs are 6.10 (Nolasco), 7.20 (Badenhop) and 9.12 (Miller) and are supposed to anchor the end of the rotation. Right now, it is taxing the bullpen and with Matt Lindstrom going down with back stiffness again, the pitching is thinning when it should be surging.

Badenhop registered a quality start his last time out against the Dodgers, but the Marlins couldn't get the win. Nolasco blew up on the mound yesterday, but in his previous start in Milwaukee he got the win. Miller has been up and down in each start. I like Badenhop to stick as the #5 starter, and perhaps Nolasco can come around - but the Marlins cannot gamble on it for too long if they are to continue to "develop" Miller.

Here are some potential replacements that can be found in the minors. We are focusing on AA Carolina since the Marlins seem to like mainlining from their AA franchise to the bigs. The reason is simple as AAA Albuquerque plays in the Pacific Coast League which is known to be a hitter-friendly league due to the higher elevations.

1. Chris Volstad. A 2.61 ERA in 38.0IP over 6 games started should be attractive enough. Throw in 29 Ks and 10 BBs and a 1.03 WHIP and he is a worthwhile callup. The only question is do the Marlins want him to be arbitration eligible before the stadium is built (in 2011) or after? Expect to see him after the All Star break. Before if we start getting even more desperate.

2. Ryan Tucker. Probably the most impressive overall pitcher right now the Marlins have. He has an insane 1.08 ERA in 33.1 IP for his 6 game started. He also has 34 Ks and 15 BBs over that span with a 1.08 WHIP that mirrors his ERA. He is getting it done.

3. Brett Sinkbeil. Was looking good recently until his latest start - 7 ERs in 6 IP. His ERA is currently at 4.41 and he has given up 17 ERs on the year in his 34.2 IP. He has dropped a bit in consideration at this time mostly because of his latest outing but also he has 14Ks and 13BBs on the year. That doesn't translate so well at the MLB level. If he can right the ship and turn it around, he may indeed prove to be a solid addition - if the Marlins get desperate enough.

4. William Glen. At 30 years of age, he is a veteran still trying to catch on with a big league club. His numbers show his maturity; he has moonlighted back and forth as a starter and a reliever. His numbers as a starter - in 3 games so far - are looking pretty good. He might project as a middle relief guy for the Marlins, but still someone to keep on our radar. 14 Ks in 13 IP and only 7 BBs as a starter with a 2.77 ERA.

5. Rick Vandenhurk. Don't forget about Rick Vandenhurk, the guy pitched very well last season while toiling in AA Carolina and got a call up. He had a solid spring and won a spot in the rotation but was quickly jettisoned after he was shelled and his location was spotty. Sound familiar? Andrew Miller fans should recognize that description, although it is [painfully] obvious that the Marlins are not going to rush to judgement on their big trade acquisition. Vandenhurk currently is on the DL with upper arm tenderness which the Marlins don't feel to be too serious.

Nolasco Still Struggles

According to scouts, Ricky Nolasco is hitting the numbers on the radar gun that are impressive. Several times he hit the 95 mark on the gun with his fastball, and his curve was maintaining good velocity in the mid 80's. Yet in 4.2 innings last night, he gave up 10 hits and 6 earned runs.

The problem is his location. He has the stuff, but he is not making his pitches. One noticeable trait is his curveball which was breaking pretty hard last night, but it wasn't making it for strikes. It broke too much.

Ironically, Nolasco was a bit more wild in his last appearance, his first win of the season, in Milwaukee. He walked 4 batters in 5 innings pitched. Last night, he only walked 2.

Right now, Nolasco is too inconsistent to really be looked at as a starter. Yet, the Marlins have little answers due to all the injuries to the starting rotation over the last season. Unless the Marlins are going to call up Chris Volstad or some other minor league prospect but they face getting more of the same from Andrew Miller or Burke Badenhop. Perhaps sliding Doug Waechter into the rotation may help.

The Marlins are obviously desperate for some quality starts. Nolasco does not seem ready to give them that.

Lineup Shuffle: Hanley Hits Third

Is this a good idea? Well, only if the Marlins are planning to play Alfredo Amezaga everyday at center.

Fredi Gonzalez adapted his lineup to suit his current situation - which is losing Josh Willingham to the 15 day DL (retroactive to Sunday) and nursing along a banged up Mike Jacobs who is having problems with an irritable finger. (Jacobs received cortisone treatment on the finger and is cleared to play, returning last night to the lineup.)

So what did the lineup look like? Amezaga lead off followed by Jeremy Hermida, Hanley Ramirez, Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, Luis Gonzalez, Jorge Cantu and then the pitcher spot.

The Marlins put 6 runs on the board last night, so it seems it shook things up. Four of those runs, however, came from one man - Dan Uggla - who crushed 2 pitches for home runs last night. But here is what does work also - hitting Hermida second.

Hermida is a patient hitter who can work the count. He is also a dynamic enough hitter to be able to do what a #2 needs to do - adapt. He can work the count and get on base if he needs to or he can drive in a run if the lead off hitter gets on. As a lefty, you could also squeeze a runner with a bunt or possibly put a hit and run on as he will be coming out of the left-handed box which can by more time. More importantly, Hermida looked comfortable in the 2nd slot going 3 for 4 last night. He has the ability to drive in runs and put the ball in play, which means more action at the top of the lineup for the Marlins, too.

Uggla also looked like the same hitter in the 6th spot as he was in the 2nd spot. Which he admitted in a post game interview last night. So, if Uggla is going to have the same hitting approach, why put him back at the #2 spot?

This was also a chance for Hanley to become more of a run producer instead of a table setter. Despite his excellent on-base percentage, Ramirez also has excellent numbers that project to good run production. With the Marlins missing Josh Willingham at the moment and testing Mike Jacobs' health, they needed some kind of protection in the middle of the order, something they may have lacked in the Dodgers' series. Although I think Hanley is better suited to hitting first, as he is a potent weapon, we can try (again) to see him at the third spot as long as Willingham is out.

Also, it was interesting to finally see Amezaga lead off. The guy is a scrapper and makes pitchers work. What better person to have lead off than some one like that? The problem is, he is not an everyday player and when he isn't in the lineup, who will lead off?

For now, it seems Fredi is experimenting. It paid off last night against the Dodgers but Hanley still is showing signs of being in a slump (which doesn't matter where he hits right now).