Thursday Trends and Indexes 01/25

[Udog]

Six-Pack for Thursday


Coaching is a crazy life; Houston blew a 24-point lead in second half last week, lost to Rice. Last night, Cougars were down 35-15 at half, came back to beat Central Florida.

All of which goes to show you, if you hang in there, and think positive, good things are going to happen.

Texas Tech just beat Kansas, Texas A&M back/back; this is a very good Tech team with three quality scorers.

Kentucky was up 17 in first half, lost in OT at Georgia. Dawgs have tremendous heart this season.

South Carolina got its first SEC win, upsetting Arkansas team that still hasn't won an SEC road game.

Virginia Commonwealth is 9-0 in the CAA; former Florida assistant Grant is doing fine job with the Rams.

[Udog]

Thursday's List of 13:

Prospects to keep your eyes on, as fantasy baseball drafts approach……


13) Daisuke Matsuzaka, P Red Sox- For the ridiculous amount of money Boston spent on him, he better be more than a prospect; was 108-60, 2.95 in eight years in Japan, yielding career BA of .217. Doesn't appear to be oeverpowering.

12) Philip Hughes, P Bronx-10-3, 2.25 in 21 Eastern League starts LY, striking out 138 in 116 IP, giving up a .179 BA. Being brought along lot slower than most top prospects, not necessarily a bad thing.

11) Philip Humber, P Mets-Was in big leagues briefly LY, after only 29 minor league starts. Was winning pitcher in College World Series clincher for Rice in '03. May still be a year away.

10) Jason Hirsh, P Colorado- 6-8 hurler was 3-4, 6.04 in 45 IP with Astros; now he gets to pitch in Coors Field, which was little more pitcher-friendly last season.

9) Josh Fields, 3B White Sox- Former QB at Oklahoma State tried OF in winter ball, but it didn't go well; hit .305, with 19-70 at AAA LY, then got 20 ABs with Pale Hose.

8.) Jeff Samadzilja, P Cubs-Cubs gave him $10M for five years, but he isn't close to being ready for big leagues yet. Gets ball into upper 90's, though.

7) Homer Bailey, P Reds- Was 7-1, 1.59 in 13 Southern League (AA) starts LY, striking out 77 batters in 68 IP.

6) Kei Igawa, P Bronx-Lefty who brings mixed reviews; Brian Cashman is trying to temper the expectations, but those who have seen him expect big things.

5) Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B, SD-Traded from Indians, has legit shot at 3B job at Petco. Hit .353 at AAA, then had 3 HRs, 11 RBI in 56 AB with the Tribe.

4) Carlos Carrasco, P Phil-Was 12-6, 2.26 in South Atlantic League LY, in 26 starts, allowing only 103 hits in 159 IP.

3) Evan Longoria, 3B, Devil Rays- -Product of Long Beach State baseball factory, he hit six homers in 105 AB in AA, after killing A pitching. D-Rays have lot of guys who can play multiple infield positions, but this is guy is their best IF prospect.

2) Adam Miller, P Clev-Was 15-6, 2.75 in 24 starts LY, as opponents hit .226 against him. Struck out 157 in 154 IP.

1) Alex Gordon, 3B, Royals-Hit 29 homers, knocked in 101 runs in AA last year, with 72 walks; was great college player at Nebraska.