That's right.  "Just when I think I'm out...they pull me back in".

The temptation to write a post every time a baseball thoughts passes through my head is very tempting, but for the sake of Baseball Digest Daily and its recent growth, that's not something the front office wishes happen.  So what I thought was, "why not put all these thoughts in one place, so people know what to avoid on the site".  Excellent idea.

Then I thought, "I need to find a name that's original and unique.  Well, let's call it The Roundup!!"

This is how brilliant ideas are born, my friends.  Within the simple, restricted minds of 'person' like me.

What you will find here: quotes, links, stats, analysis, comments.  I might watch a game and drop by to complain or explain something if I'm not doing my Game Notes that day or simply refer a site where I saw a good article or stats.

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- Baseball Prospectus' daily email to me (and just me!!) presented the following PECOTA projection for saves leader among relievers in 2008:

J.J. Putz - 41
Joe Nathan - 41
Jonathan Papelbon - 39
Francisco Rodriguez - 38
Bobby Jenks - 37

- Reading a Baseball America Prospect report, it was mentioned:

Kris Medlen - nasty curve ball

I wanted to know more, so I went looking for answers:

He is a Braves prospect, drafted in the 10th round of the 2006 Amateur draft and ranked 24th in the organization in the latest list by BA.  In three different levels before reaching AA, he never had an ERA higher than 1.13, but never started a game, too.  He has kept his K/9 rate over 10 since he entered pro ball and his BB/9 below 2.63.  Add to that the ability to keep the ball on the ground (55% of all batted balls, on average) and you have an interesting bullpen arm. 

His curve ball, mentioned in the BA report, is a strikeout pitch that he mixes with a low-90s fastball.  He is working on a change-up, but doesn't use it out of the bullpen.  His sore elbow in Hawaii fall ball is not considered a concern, mainly because he has a compact delivery that he repeats well, meaning he is less likely to be injured multiple times, although the baseball Gods have a way to mess with these principles.

Scouts are doubtful he can hold up with a 5'10'', 175 pounds frame, but here again, we shall see what the Gods decide in the future.  They have been proven wrong before.

- The Daily News' John Harper offers an article that asked 6 major league scouts and executives to evaluate the Yankees pitching:

Each of the six polled made a point of saying they were impressed by the way the young trio performed in spring training, yet four of the six said they believe the Yankees indeed will miss the playoffs in 2008, citing the inevitable growing pains as well as questions about the rest of the pitching staff.

"I love their future," was the way one scout put it. "But if you think those young guys aren't going to take their lumps at times this season against American League lineups, you're dreaming."

Of the two evaluators who believe the Yankees will be there in October, meanwhile, both think new manager Joe Girardi will need Chamberlain in the bullpen all season, and as a result, neither thinks the starting pitching would be dominant enough in the postseason to win a championship.

- The great Roger Angell penned a piece for The New Yorker, "Green":

Baseball remains hard to play, at times harshly unforgiving, and players react differently to its onerous day-to-day. DiMaggio fuelled himself with ten to fifteen cups of coffee a day; Roger Maris's hair came out in handfuls when he was pursuing Babe Ruth's home-run record; and Chuck Knoblauch (who is mentioned as a user in the Mitchell Report) had stretches with the Yankees when tension made it impossible for him to deliver the peg reliably to first base from his post near second, seventy or eighty feet away.

Baseball pressure is much, much higher today—because of the fans' and the owners' insistent demand for success, because of the greater competition brought about by the wild card and the inflated postseason and the luxury tax on larger teams, and because of the money.

- The Florida Marlins put LHP Mark Hendrickson on the mound for Opening Day (they lost the game 7-2 against the New York Mets).  What?!

Other than having a reliable arm as far as injury go, this is the only comparison you can make with a 'regular' Opening Day starter.  He can hold his own in the control department, but his big curve ball puts him in trouble sometimes, especially when his high-80s fastball does not feel accountable in the control department.

- Baseball-Reference just got better: they now offer stolen bases and caught stealing percentage for catchers.

- The Texas Rangers acquired OF David Murphy in the Eric Gagne trade last July and I had the following to say in these Game Notes.

The left-handed batter was batting third in this game and he finished 2-for-3 with a double, 3 RBI and a walk.  If you have a chance, look at his pre-swing ritual where he slowly swings the bat like Todd Helton does - on a even plane.  In the first inning, he took an outside pitch and pulled it to right field, giving the runner on second base ample time to score the first run of the game.

He could be a perfect fourth outfielder for an interested team.  With Kevin Mench back in the fold, it will be interesting to see what the Rangers decide.  In just over 100 AB with Texas, he posted a .916 OPS.  He struggles against left-handed pitching.

His stats in Spring Training:  .359/.382/.625.  He was rewarded with a spot on the 25-man roster, as a reserve outfielder.

Here's what LoneStarDugout.com had to say this past offseason:

Batting and Power: It was Murphy's offense that excited Rangers fans late last season, as he batted .340 over 43 games. The former first-round pick has always had plenty of potential offensively, but he has yet to show he can consistently tap into it. Murphy does possess a good-looking swing with an advanced approach, but he is a career .273 minor league hitter with 39 home runs over six seasons. He has yet to show the power the Red Sox hoped he would develop when they drafted him in 2003, but the outfielder did have 15 extra-base hits in 103 at-bats with the Rangers last summer. Predominately a corner outfielder, Murphy will likely have to hit for more consistent power to crack the starting lineup.

Base Running and Speed: Murphy is not one of the faster players in the organization, but his speed does rate as slightly above-average. Though he does have good speed, Murphy has never stolen more than 13 bases in a minor league season. Murphy's speed helps give him solid range at all three outfield positions.

Defense: The outfielder has the ability to play all three outfield positions, but he probably fits in best in left or right field. While Murphy has decent range and a strong arm, he lacks the ideal speed for a centerfielder. Murphy should see the majority of his time in left field this coming season, though he figures to fill in at all three throughout the course of the year.

Close enough....

- Home Run Derby presents Lego baseball stadiums.