Philippe Montalban - Cobbfather Post Gazette
Today's edition of Stud or Dud focuses on the National League, where stud pitching abounds, and duds live on every corner.
NL North
Minnesota Blue Oxen
Stud: 2B David Vasquez - 328K for an everyday stud hitter, that's a good deal.
Dud: 2B Wilfredo Ordaz - Possibly the teams best prospect, more than likely the teams player most likely to live on the DL.
Rochester Rolling Rocks
Stud: SS Todd Gibbons - Gibbons has got more glove than Isotoner.
Dud: 2B Ben Pillette - Nobody in the Rochester organization could give a good reason why this guy was ever promoted to the big leagues.
Cincinnati Flying Pigs
Stud: C Bill Klaus - He may be from Massachusetts, but he hits the ball like a Panzer tank from Deutschland.
Dud: P Tom Treadway - 1.1 million dollars for a pitcher who can barely hit the broadside of a barn from 2 feet. Nice.
Madison Mucho
Stud: P Pepper Boyer - Hold the salt, Pepper is all the spice you need in a tasty baseball dish.
Dud: 3B Manny Hiro - Umm... Is there any valid reason whatsoever why this old fogey is still cashing a check?
NL East
Dover Monster Milers
Stud: LF Miguel Guererro - Let's face it, this LF can flat out crush the ball. MVP potential here.
Dud: CF Brian Matzuzaka - On the flip side you have a bench rider making 3.4 million for two years.
Tampa Bay Cyclones
Stud: P Wilson Bonds - The bondsman is stingy with his money, he keeps opposing batters on lockdown.
Dud: C Sadie Grissom - This guy would be great, if he could have more than one at bat without a breather.
Pittsburgh KAA-POW
Stud: SS Dan Carter - This young stud has the potential of reaching "uberstud" levels if he plays his cards right.
Dud: 2B Ariel Escobar - At least he is old and might retire soon.
New York Rockefellers
Stud: RF Benito Nieves - Benito is bueno, and will make the citizens of New York happy people.
Dud: P Geoff Flier - The people of New York will not be happy if they see him in the game though.
NL South
Texas Fried Pickles
Stud: C Todd Nicholson - Anytime you have a catcher who can play all 162 games with decent defense, and who can potentially hit above .350, you have a stud.
Dud: RP Paulie Davis - Umm, why is this guy even on the roster? He is hardly capable of throwing BP!
Jacksonville Klines
Stud: LF Buddy Poole - His hitting skills are so sick that any team would want him in their opening day lineup.
Dud: LF Marcus Henderson - At 4.4 million, can you say "overpaid?"
Memphis Goats
Stud: P Kordell Menechino - His pitch selection is like the menu at an italian restaurant, you can't go wrong.
Dud: 2B Candy Reese - There's nothing sweet about his game.
Oklahoma City Fighting Lint
Stud: SS Jack Botallico - He knows Jack about playing the game the right way.
Dud: P Derrick Balboa - Older than Sly Stallone in Rocky VI, and not nearly as talented.
NL West
Sacramento Fighting Cornish Hens
Stud: P Pinky Matheson - Like his relation Richard Matheson, he is hoping to pen "I am Legend."
Dud: RF Todd Cole - Old King Cole wasn't a merry old soul when he saw this guy in the lineup.
Los Angeles Roseboros
Stud: P Louie Grey - California knows how to party when Grey is on the mound.
Dud: CF Felix Brown - But nothing crashes a party like having Felix Brown show up.
Las Vegas Hardways
Stud: C Blake Howell - He's a crusher, and is looking to have his image transferred to a monster truck hood.
Dud: P Mitch Broome - Don't get swept up in the hype, this guy is a dud.
Vancouver Lumberjacks
Stud: P Tony Saunders - Don't be fooled by the long face, he's happy dominating opposing batters.
Dud: P Phil Wynn - At least he's not being paid over a million dollars.