In this weeks episode, Jason and I talk about why nobody should care about players buying Halo Reach at midnight, how the Mariners have hurt King Felix's Cy Young chances, while also starting our minor league wrap-up with our selection of this year's breakout prospects. Our special guest this week is Jorge Arangure of ESPN who joins us to talk about the book he's writing about Latin American baseball as well as what is wrong (and what might not be so wrong) with the signing processes of various countries. It's a fascinating discussion that we're sure you'll enjoy. Of course at the end, all the usual wackiness you expect with Not Jim Tracy, What Are You Drinking and lots of food talk. As always, we hope you enjoy.
Note: We do alert you to the presence of the occasional adult language. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Up And In Episode 17: "200 Years Of Meat Cutting"
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Email Us: podcast@baseballprospectus.com
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Table Of Contents
00:00 Intro and Agenda review
3:11 Housekeeping (Email us and join the Facebook group)
4:10 Emails: Offseason podcast plans; favorite minor league teams; Strange Brew
10:10 More Emails: Jail/prison and more on Josh Lueke
16:57 Really? People are upset that players are buying video games at midnight?
20:05 The American League Cy Young award and Felix Hernandez' W-L record
25:40 Minor League Wrap Up Part One: Picking six breakout players
- Detailed talks about Hosmer, Moustakas, Banueles, Mesoraco, Engel Beltre and Freddie Freeman
48:22 Plannng future episodes (inside the thought process)
50:45 Special guest Jorge Arangure of ESPN on developments in Latin America
- Update on Jorge's book
- Common misconceptions about the process
- The concept and purpose of an International Draft (hint: follow the money)
- How well (or not) baseball has addressed the identification and drug issues
- Would raising the signing age help?
- The assimilation process for Latin American players
- The role of organized crime and human trafficking
- The uniqueness of Venezuela
- How the Mexican system is responsible for the lack of players in the majors
- Jonron or cuadrangular?
82:12: Not Jim Tracy on the surging Rockies
84:57 Music Guest: Shellac
88:00 Feline update
99:00 What Are You Drinking?
93:51 Cooking with The Professor: Carbonara (or not), cookies, pulled pork, al pastor
108:17 Update on Jason's mental state
111:40 A quick shut-out and wrapping up
Music is by Shellac Of North America, from the album 1000 Hurts, Copyright 2000, Touch And Go records.
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Now that Dianogah and Shellac have made appearances, will SKWM or Bottomless Pit eventually get on the podcast?
As for charities ... given how strongly Kevin feels about Lueke, may I suggest a Rape Crisis Center (seriously).