Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Rob Neyer

Prospect Rankings Are Out and Its Buyer Beware

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

We’re at the time of year now when the various media outlets and fan blogs start releasing their minor league top prospect lists for 2012. Baseball America is clearly the industry standard leader in this venture, popping out their Top 100 lists every year since 1990. (Their number one Number One? Braves left hander Steve Avery). Whether you […]

Montero Being Manny, Flooded Ballpark, HoJo on Moneyball, A.J. In the Mix

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Excited about Jesus Montero‘s two-home run game? The last player 21-and-under in baseball history to homer twice in one of their first five games was Manny Ramirez, who accomplished the feat at Yankee Stadium on September 3rd, 1993 as a member of the Indians. It was only the second game of Ramirez’s big league career. Sara Rimer […]

Will We Ever See a 100 Stolen Base Player Again?

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Shortstop Billy Hamilton is one of the Reds top prospects. This year he’s starred at the Low-A Dayton affiliate. The offensive numbers don’t jump out at you as he’s struck out 117 times, rarely walks, and has a rather pedestrian .670 OPS. There is, however, one number that is rather impressive. After two stolen bases […]

Beware Verlander, The Future Starting Rotation, Munson and Teixeira HOF Credentials

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

The dog days of August start to build separation in the standings. In the AL Central, both Detroit and Cleveland made deadline deals. Cleveland made the big splash landing Ubaldo Jimenez, who will start Friday versus Texas. It may not be soon enough as the combination of newly acquired Doug Fister, and Jacoby Ellsbury‘s walk off home run […]

Sabermetric Mea Culpa

Sunday, October 31st, 2010

Anyone who knows me understands two things: First, I am very stubborn in trying to prove my point, sometimes going to great length. Perhaps it’s ego, but more likely the rush of competition, any competition, brings that out in me. Second, when I believe I am wrong, I have no problem setting the record straight […]

Neyer on Venditte

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Rob Neyer had some comments about Yankees “switch pitching” prospect Pat Venditte in a Friday mailbag: Is it possible that the scouts do not know how to value the skill of being ambidextrous, especially as he is one of a kind? In other words, is it possible that the lack of a couple of MPH […]

Listen: Grapefruit Round Tonight @7pm

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Howard Megdal of SNY and I talk about the latest from both Port St. Lucie and Tampa. We kick off the show talking about Phil Hughes in the rotation and the future of Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen. I will also ask Howard if a better solution would be to follow Rob Neyer’s column regarding […]

Yanks Should Use the Neyer “Fifth Starter”

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

I am tired of the debate about the Yankees fifth starter. As I predicted, the Yankees fifth starter competition would blow up due to a boring training camp. This is what happens when you spend money, win a championship, and have good soldiers (including A-Rod) on your team. Instead of debating who should get the […]

Neyer: IPK Will Have Better ERA than Yanks #5

Monday, March 8th, 2010

I always enjoy reading Rob Neyer’s Monday Mendozas but this one stood out to me: Ian Kennedy‘s a former first-round pick who throws five pitches and has a 1.95 career ERA in the minor leagues. Here’s a prediction for you: He’ll finish 2009 with a better ERA than whoever winds up being the Yankees’ No. […]

Baseball and Military Service

Friday, February 26th, 2010

The other day Rob Neyer of ESPN discussed a story regarding Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo who is suppose to serve in the Korean military before his thirtieth birthday. This service is for two years and would cut into Choo’s prime. Some pointed out that losing Coo would be a blow to Cleveland, especially since he […]

Should Billy Martin be in the Hall of Fame?

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Everyone is probably exhausted from all the Hall of Fame talk, however, Peter Golenbock joined me on Sunday’s NYBD on WGBB to talk about former Yankees manager Billy Martin. During the conversation we talked about whether Martin deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. For the record, Golenbock believes he does. Martin didn’t come […]

Global Series is Another Selig Blunder

Friday, January 8th, 2010

I have to agree with Rob Neyer of ESPN that a possible “Global Series” between the World Series winner and NPB champion would be a terrible idea. Neyer lays out great reasons such as the players not wanting to participate, union obstacles, and talent disparity. Could you imagine your team going the distance for 162 […]

Rosenthal Sparks the MVP Flame

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Just when you thought it was safe to talk about the MVP Ken Rosenthal weighs in with this piece over at FoxSports.com If you remember, and if you come here frequently how can you forget, we had a spirited discussion about my statement that Mark Teixeira is the league MVP. Rob Neyer, Dayn Perry, and […]

Neyer: Make Hughes a Starter Now

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Great article by Rob Neyer today on how to make the Yankees “perfect” Neyer had the following to say: It might be too late. But I wonder if the Yankees should send Phil Hughes to their secret compound in Tampa and retrain him to throw six innings at a pop. Because lately the Yankees seem […]

Neyer Way off on Mauer vs. Teixeira for MVP

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

Frankly, I’m worried that the baseball writers are already conspiring to rob Joe Mauer — for the third time — of an award that should rightly be his. - Rob Neyer at ESPN on 8/15/2009 I enjoy reading Rob Neyer and respect his work a great deal. He has been great to NYBD as he […]