In Head in the Game's 2020 MLB Preview, Troy and I took a stab at predicting some major award winners (MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year) and the teams that will meet in the World Series. We also each gave our favorite MLB player name, because we love fun names. Speaking of names, in the wake of the Washington Football Team's overdue name change, we took a shot at renaming the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves. But before we get to all that, we decided to share some tips to help mirror a true ballpark experience at home, since fans can't currently go to games.
Note: This was published before the owners ratified an agreement to expand the postseason to 16 teams for 2020 (the top two in each division and the best two teams in each league who aren't top two in their division).
Best way to Emulate the Ballpark Experience at Home
Troy: I would like to take this opportunity to present my newest product launch that is sure to bring the ballpark experience to your home. Basically I go and buy normally priced hot dogs and popcorn, stand just close enough for you to smell them, and then you pay me at least four times above normal market price for them. For $5 I'll even add in a bottle of water with an amount of condensation that you didn't know was scientifically possible.
Grant: I also have a new product I am launching. I have recorded the dumbest and most annoying fan chants and crowd sounds and put them on one CD, allowing you to have the sounds of a regular baseball game from the comfort of your own home. The CD includes classics like "you suck" and "we want a pitcher, not a belly itcher", a booing section for when pitchers try to pick a runner off more than once in a single at-bat, and even drum sounds for when you're watching an Astros game.
 |
| One thing the absence of fans will take away from us is all the booing when Houston plays on the road |
AL MVP
Troy: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the United States of America of Earth) - I am going bold and controversial right off the bat (pun intended). Trout is the best player in my lifetime and I'm not entirely sure it's close. I think with the season being less than a third of its typical length, Trout's star is just going to shine so much brighter. The biggest thing holding him back is if he decides not to play the entire season.
Grant: Mike Trout (California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels in the Outfield) - I hope Troy was being sarcastic when he said "bold and controversial", because there's nothing bold or controversial about anything he said.This is the safe pick. Mike Trout is clearly the best player in baseball and arguably the greatest player of all time. He has now confirmed that he will play this year, and even if he misses a few games for the birth of he and his wife's first child, he's the odds-on favorite.
 |
| If Mike Trout can wear a mask while playing, you can wear a mask while shopping |
NL MVP
Troy: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) - A shorter season means that everyone has less time to pay attention to the entire league. I think this will benefit Harper if he can manage to put up some impressive power numbers.
Grant: Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves) - One of Major League Baseball's most exciting players and biggest ascending stars, Acuna has the chance to follow up an incredible 2019 with an MVP-winning 2020. It would be his third award in three seasons (he won Rookie of the Year in 2018 and a Silver Slugger in 2019).
 |
| Ronald Acuna Jr. is among a wave of exciting young players taking the league by storm |
AL Cy Young
Troy: Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees) - The report out of summer camp in the Bronx is that in his first simulated game, Cole looked like he was pitching game seven of the World Series. If he can bring that fire throughout the entirety of the season, he's going to be terrifying on the mound.
Grant: Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees) - There's a reason Cole became the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history this past offseason. He's had an ERA (and FIP) under 3.00 each of the last two seasons, and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it a third straight year under three.
 |
| The Yankees were already World Series contenders, and now they have the best pitcher in baseball |
NL Cy Young
Troy: Josh Hader (Milwaukee Brewers) - Finally it's time for me to get controversial. A reliever has only won the Cy Young award NINE times throughout the history of Earth, with the last winner being Eric Gagne in 2003. Yet my pick is based on circumstance. A typical five-man rotation would only see a starter throwing a dozen games this year. The long delay and abbreviated summer camp could make relievers extra valuable this season, and Josh Hader is one of the most dominant bullpen guys in the game.
Grant: Luis Castillo (Cincinnati Reds) - I agree that a 60-game season might increase the possibility of a reliever winning the Cy Young, but I'm sticking with a starter. Castillo isn't even the number one guy in Cincinnati's stacked rotation (that would be Sonny Gray), but the 2019 All-Star has the highest upside and the nastiest changeup.
 |
| More like Josh Hairder... okay, I'll leave |
AL Rookie of the Year
Troy: Luis Robert (Chicago White Sox) - This is going to be a weird year to be a rookie. Obviously it'll be weird for every single player on the field, but rookies won't be allotted the ability to return to the minors if they need some extra at bats. I selected Robert here given his rare talent and due to it looking like he could be an everyday starter.
Grant: Luis Robert (Chicago White Sox) - The highly-regarded prospect has impressed in Spring Training/Summer Camp, showing off his five-tool talent. He will be a fixture in Chicago's new-look lineup this season, and he should be really fun to watch.
 |
| Luis Robert's future is so bright, he has to wear shades |
NL Rookie of the Year
Troy: Carter Kieboom (Washington Nationals) - Kieboom has landed into a nice situation here. With Anthony Rendon shifting to the opposite coast and Ryan Zimmerman sitting out the season, third base should be an open position for the young right handed hitter. Add in being on a quality team and he should have plenty of opportunities to display his abilities on the national stage.
Grant: Gavin Lux (Los Angeles Dodgers) - Lux will not start the season in the Majors, so I'm playing from behind here. But the uber-prospect has the skills to make up ground once he's called up, and as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he'll have plenty of opportunities, in the spotlight, too.
 |
| Gavin Lux's future is so bright, he should be wearing shades |
Renaming the Indians and Braves
Troy: Cleveland Spiders and Atlanta Hammers - I've picked two names that I believe evoke some history for both clubs. Beginning with Cleveland, I wanted badly to pick the Cleveland Grovers to pay homage to both our 22nd and 24th president, but instead I settled on the Spiders. Spiders was the original name of the Cleveland baseball team until they folded in 1899 following a 20-134 season. Notably Cy Young once pitched for the franchise. Moving down south, the Hammers would pay solute to Hammering Hank Aaron, the long time, and possibly rightful, all time leader in home runs. Aaron played for nine seasons in Atlanta, even longer with the franchise while they were in Milwaukee, and the Atlanta Hammers would be a nice nod to one of the African-American pioneers of baseball.
Grant: Cleveland Spiders and Atlanta Thrashers - I am fully onboard with renaming Cleveland's baseball team the Spiders. It was the name of the first professional baseball club in Cleveland, so it has history behind it. Plus, spiders can be deadly creatures, killing more people per year than sharks, alligators, and bears combined. As for Atlanta, my first thought was the Thrashers, which was the name of the now-defunct Atlanta NHL team (R.I.P.), but I also considered something bird-related, as it would fit the theme of the city's other major men's sports franchises (the Falcons and Hawks). Then I discovered that Thrashers are birds, and the Brown Thrasher is Georgia's state bird. So not only is it a cool-sounding name, it's also relevant to the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia.
 |
| The 1899 Cleveland Spiders still hold the MLB record for worst single-season win-loss record |
Best Player Name
Troy: Touki Toussaint (Atlanta Hopefully Hammers) - Touki is apparently a combination of his parents' two surnames (Toussaint and Kiti). Touki Toussaint is just a fun name to say and look at. He is currently on Atlanta's 40 man roster, but it isn't clear if he'll be on the Opening Day roster or not.
Grant: Franchy Cordero (Kansas City Royals) - Troy took my top choice, and Jabari Blash is playing overseas, so I'm going with a guy who was just traded from San Diego to Kansas City. I just like the name Franchy.
 |
| The man with arguably the coolest name in baseball |
World Series Pick
Troy: New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers - I think at the end of the day these are just the two most talented teams in baseball. Major League Baseball would be ecstatic if the World Series was played between its two biggest markets and featured several of its biggest stars. P.S. Mookie Betts my Venmo is @t_roystory.
Grant: Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers - I'll go a step further and predict who I think will make the playoffs: Yankees (AL East), Twins (AL Central), Astros (AL West), Rays (Wild Card), Cleveland (Wild Card); Nationals (NL East), Reds (NL Central), Dodgers (NL West), Atlanta (Wild Card), Cubs (Wild Card). If the playoffs are expanded to 16 teams, I'll add the White Sox, Angels, Cardinals, and Mets. At least half of those will probably be incorrect. Speaking of incorrect, let's get to my World Series prediction. Troy is right when he says that the Yankees and Dodgers are the two most talented teams in baseball, but that doesn't mean those two will meet in the Fall Classic. I'll replace the Yankees with another AL East team. The Rays are never the sexiest team, but they are savvy and smart, which is especially important in a unique season like this.
 |
| $$$$$$$$$$$$ |
To stay up to date on the newest Head in the Game articles (and general sports commentary), follow @headingameblog on Twitter. You can also find us on Twitter @T_RoyStory (Troy) and @G_Tingley (Grant)
No comments:
Post a Comment