1 (1) – Carolina Panthers select Cam Newton, quarterback, Auburn: He’s not necessarily the best player available – or even close – but the Panthers need impact, and nothing screams impact more than a huge quarterback with a big arm and scary mobility like Cam Newton.

1 (2) – Denver Broncos select Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle, Alabama: The best pure player in the draft, Dareus jumps out when you watch him play. He’s this year’s Ndamukong Suh – maybe not that good, but he appears to be a safe pick.

1 (3) – Buffalo Bills select Von Miller, linebacker, Texas A & M: In a 3-4 system, Miller fits the Bills perfectly. The Bills need a guy to get after the passer. In the last two years, Miller played well in the always tough Big 12, with 116 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 27 ½ sacks.

1 (4) – Cincinnati Bengals select A.J. Green, wide receiver, Georgia: Who ever the Bengals end up having at quarterback doesn’t matter – they need help at receiver. Having a player like Green makes any quarterbacks’ job easier.

1 (5) – Arizona Cardinals select Patrick Peterson, cornerback, LSU: Blaine Gabbert is a thought here, but superstar receiver Larry Fitzgerald said he doesn’t want the team to draft a quarterback; no reason to defy him. Also, having Peterson gives the Cards one of the best secondaries in football.

1 (6) – Cleveland Browns select Robert Quinn, defensive end, UNC: Browns president Mike Holmgren coached Reggie White in Green Bay, so he knows how important it is to have a pass rusher. Quinn is the best one available.

1 (7) – San Francisco 49ers select Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, Missouri: The 49ers have the potential to be a good offense with better play calling and quarterbacking. They need to solve the latter part of that equation on draft day by picking the best quarterback available.

1 (8) – Tennessee Titans select Nick Fairley, defensive tackle, Auburn: Fairley could be a one-hit wonder. In 2009, as a junior, he had 28 tackles, three and a half for loss, and one and a half sacks. Nothing special. This year, he had 60 tackles, 24 for loss, and 11 sacks. That interesting fact notwithstanding, when you watch him play, you see a dominating presence, something the Titans need, and from a value standpoint, he was once seen as the best player in the draft.

1 (9) – Dallas Cowboys select Tyron Smith, offensive tackle, USC: The Cowboys were disappointing last year, but I think they could be a playoff team soon if their offensive tackle problems get fixed. Tyron could be an excellent right tackle right away. His impact as a rookie could be similar to that of Michael Oher.

1 (10) – Washington Redskins select Julio Jones, wide receiver, Alabama: The Redskins need a playmaker, and Jones has been regarded, at times, as better than A.J. Green. Taking a quarterback wouldn’t make sense here – the next best one available is Ryan Mallett, who is too big a risk. I could see them trading down, but it’s a mock – trading down in a mock is weak. I say they take Julio to make the Redskins 2011 quarterback’s job easier.

1 (11) – Houston Texans select Prince Amukamara, cornerback, Nebraska: Imagine a quarterback playing 16 games, going 354-of-547 with 4,280 yards, 33 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and winning ten games. MVP-worthy, right? That’s what the Houston Texans secondary allowed in 2010. They need secondary help, and Amukamara is by far the best guy here.

1 (12) – Minnesota Vikings select Da’Quan Bowers, defensive end, Clemson: Just imagine Jared Allen opposite a talent like Bowers. Bowers is some what of a risk due to some injury history, but there’s no doubt that at 12, with his talent, it’s a steal. If not, the Vikings can address their most pressing need in the next round and take a Colin Kaepernick, Jake Locker, or Christian Ponder.

1 (13) – Detroit Lions select Anthony Costanzo, offensive tackle, Boston College: While Tyron Smith is probably the more talented offensive tackle, Costanzo is the safer pick, which is what the Lions need.

1 (14) – St. Louis Rams select Aldon Smith, defensive end, Missouri: Rams head coach and former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows how important having a pass rush is, so Smith is the logical pick. They could use a play maker for Sam Bradford, but they can wait and get a guy like Titus Young, Torrey Smith, or Jon Baldwin in the second round.

1 (15) – Miami Dolphins select Mike Pouncey, guard, Florida: Pouncey makes too much sense here. Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano has a background as an offensive line coach, and having Pouncey will help the development of Chad Henne.

1 (16) – Jacksonville Jaguars select Ryan Kerrigan, defensive end, Purdue: The Jaguars could use another corner, but Jimmy Smith is too big of a risk. Kerrigan is a perfect fit as a 4-3 defensive end.

1 (17) – New England Patriots select J.J. Watt, defensive end, Wisconsin: He’s the best player available. Like lots of Patriots players, he doesn’t have a “wow” factor about him, but he’s very dependable and plays the game the right way. He’s not an elite pass rusher, but a relentless player, nonetheless.

1 (18) – San Diego Chargers select Cameron Jordan, defensive end, California: In a 3-4 scheme, Jordan fits perfectly as a 3-4 end. He’s an ideal fit opposite Luis Castillo, and it makes the surprisingly good Chargers defense even better. If there was justice in the NFL world, the Chargers would be able to draft a head coach.

1 (19) – New York Giants select Gabe Carimi, offensive tackle, Wisconsin: The Giants are a team who base their foundation around the draft, and here’s where they find a solid tackle. I could see them selecting Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget, but they just used their second-round pick on a defensive tackle last year (Linval Joseph).

1 (20) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Justin Houston, defensive end, Georgia: The Bucs surprised everybody last year, much thanks to multiple successful recent drafts. They could be a dangerous team in the future once all their guys develop, and adding Houston gives them a pass rushing dynamic.

1 (21) – Kansas City Chiefs select Nate Solder, offensive tackle, Colorado: The Chiefs are in a good spot here. Like many teams in the 20’s, they aren’t particularly weak at any positions, but they could use an offensive tackle, nose tackle, outside linebacker, and a receiver. The best guy available is Muhammad Wilkerson, but he doesn’t fit the Chiefs scheme or needs. Solder has immense raw talent and could be developed in KC.

1 (22) – Indianapolis Colts select Corey Liuget, defensive tackle, Illinois: The Colts have always had a powerful offense and an average defense. It’s time they get a dominant run-stuffing defensive tackle, and Liuget fits that mold.

1 (23) – Philadelphia Eagles select Jimmy Smith, cornerback, Colorado: The Eagles had a great year last year, thanks to Michael Vick, who was the NFL MVP for parts of last year. They need secondary help. Sheldon Brown was traded to Cleveland last offseason. Asante Samuel is a good corner, but plays more of a safety position than corner. Other than that, they’re thin. Smith is an excellent cornerback. His character is concerning, but this is a team that has had Michael Vick and Terrell Owens.

1 (24) – New Orleans Saints select Muhammad Wilkerson, defensive end, Temple: The Saints grab a huge steal here in Wilkerson. The Saints had a disappointing 2011 thanks to horrifying defensive play. Wilkerson is the best small-school player in this draft.

1 (25) – Seattle Seahawks select Ryan Mallett, quarterback, Arkansas: A surprise pick? Absolutely. A sensible one? Yes. The Seahawks need a quarterback, and there’s no doubt Mallett has a great arm. Physical set wise, he’s an elite player. Intangible-wise, he’s an undrafted free agent. But on draft day, Mallett’s arm will get him a first-round selection.

1 (26) – Baltimore Ravens select Brooks Reed, defensive end, Arizona: Perhaps a surprise pick, but not for the Ravens. Reed is an excellent player if you watch him. He reminds you of Clay Matthews, and not just for his hair and number 42 in college. He’s absolutely relentless and always moving around. He’d be plugged in as the Ravens 4-3 defensive end.

1 (27) – Atlanta Falcons select Akeem Ayers, linebacker, UCLA: Ayers is a very solid athlete, and Atlanta could use some pass rushing help. The Falcons were outstanding last year, but their defense still is lagging behind the elites. If they get some more pass rush, they could be even more dangerous.

1 (28) – New England Patriots select Adrian Clayborn, defensive end, Iowa: The Patriots need to build up defensively, so Clayborn is a good fit. The Pats don’t have anything in terms of pass rush. They added J.J. Watt at 17, so adding Clayborn really takes care of their front seven in the draft.

1 (29) – Chicago Bears select Derrek Sherrod, offensive tackle, Mississippi State: The Bears to me, won’t be a very good team in the near future and going forward. In short, their talent level and depth doesn’t match that of other good teams like Green Bay, Pittsburgh, New York, New England, Atlanta, Baltimore, or even Philadelphia. However, they move into the upper echelion of teams with help up front from a tackle like Sherrod.

1 (30) – New York Jets select Cameron Heyward, defensive end, Ohio State: Rex Ryan needs a pass rusher to utilize. Just imagine that sight. Heyward is an outstanding player who could flourish as a 3-4 defensive end – in fact, he suits the role perfectly.

1 (31) – Pittsburgh Steelers select Aaron Williams, cornerback, Texas: The Steelers don’t have many holes. Offensively, they’re set. Defensively, their only hole is at cornerback. They tend to pick best player available, but the best guy at this point is Mark Ingram, a running back, a position which would do them no service. Williams is a good player, a respected leader, and a good fit.

1 (32) – Green Bay Packers select Danny Watkins, guard, Baylor: The Packers struggle at times due to struggles up front. Watkins is the best interior lineman available.

The hometown Cleveland Cavaliers had the first pick, and didn’t hesitate to select him. As a rookie, he averaged 21 points, six assists, and six rebounds a game. Those numbers are a far cry from the numbers we see him posting today on a nightly basis, but it was obvious that LeBron James was on the fast track to being a special player. In 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, he led the Cavaliers to the playoffs, and won two MVP awards.

Year after year, LeBron would dominate the regular season – as well as the postseason – but not quite enough to win a championship. His 2009 season was particularly…intriguing. Of course, LeBron was excellent during the regular season, winning his second MVP award, and in the playoffs, the Cavaliers beat Chicago, but in the next round, lost to the Celtics. The way they lost was uglier than losing itself. In game five, the Celtics won by a 120-88 score, and LeBron was 3-of-14 from the field with 15 points. He appeared to have quit on his team. The normal hustle and tenacity and fire that we as fans love about LeBron…it was somewhere else.

In game six, he was better, with 27 points and 19 rebounds, but you could tell he was too tentative and not willing or wanting to take the game into his own hands, when as a leader, he knew that was his job. After losing to Boston, he didn’t look particularly upset. In fact, he ran out of Boston Garden in a very upbeat matter, shaking hands with Celtics players and smiling. You can tell he wasn’t taking it too hard if he was willing to meet the guys who defeated him seconds after the game. And then came the offseason. The dramatic, ugly offseason. For about a month, he disappeared from the public eye, giving no indication as to where he would be next year – if he was even leaving.

On July 1^st, 2010, he became a free agent. He received interest from Cleveland, the Clippers, Miami, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, and Dallas. A week later, on an ESPN special called “The Decision” aired for the sole purpose of LeBron saying where he would be next year, LeBron said he would ‘take his talents to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat’. Obviously, I’m not going to get too much into that spectacle, because it was a long time ago. My main issue is the issue everyone has – the way it was handled. People who say LeBron isn’t a competitor because he ‘teamed up’ with friends and fellow NBA superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh also have a valid point.

Think about it – if Michael Jordan had a chance to team up with Charles Barkley and John Stockton, do you think he would have done it? Absolutely not, Michael was too loyal. If anything, he would’ve persuaded one or both of those guys to play in Chicago, and would’ve left it at that. He would never leave his team. Also, Michael has said when asked about LeBron’s situation that he wouldn’t team up because he ‘wanted to beat those guys’. And to think LeBron calls himself ‘King James’. If he was really a ‘King’, he would’ve recruited Bosh and Wade to Cleveland, and if they didn’t want to play with him, he would’ve been hungrier to beat them in the 2010 season.

In the interview, which was truly a sickening display, he talked about how he can’t get into how he’d address Cleveland fans. On ESPN, literally 30 minutes after the announcement, ESPN’s Michael Wilbon showed LeBron video of Cavaliers fans burning the ‘King’s’ jersey. He said he gave seven great years to Cleveland – an undeniable fact. And he said he allowed Cleveland fans to see LeBron grow from ‘an 18-year-old kid to a 25-year-old man’. Not so fast.

LeBron, for the first six years of his career, was a likeable human being. Sore loser? Sure. But Michael Jordan was, too. And he was referred to as a fierce competitor, shouldn’t LBJ get the same label? However, from 2009 onward, LeBron has turned into a well-respected basketball God to a despicable follower.

LeBron is a fantastic player. Let’s not kid ourselves.

However, I think, after the 2008 season, something changed. It’s hard to put my finger on it. I think it’s very possible LeBron got tired of subpar supporting casts – understandable enough, but he still has a commitment to his team. Game five of the 2009 series against Boston was, in a word, pathetic. Not even the biggest LeBron apologist who blames the Cavaliers management and the city for him leaving, or still insists he’s a ‘King’ can say he gave all he could in that game. It appeared that everything fans loved about LeBron was left in Boston Garden in game three, where he had 22 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists – an efficient game, at least.

Seemingly, LeBron said to himself before game five: “OK, the series is tied 2-2. If we win tonight, we can get a lead going back to their house with momentum and….oh screw being a leader, I just want to leave this place.” He looked, in game five, like a terrible basketball player. That’s why, I think, supporters of Kobe Bryant have plenty of merit. Kobe would never quit on his team – it doesn’t matter the situation – especially not in the playoffs when you have a chance to go back to the NBA Finals. To me, game five was just as bad as leaving Cleveland itself because that’s when he turned his back on the fans – not just of Cleveland, but of basketball.

Up to that point, everybody who didn’t like LeBron were purely jealous or just thought he was a ‘choker’ in the playoffs – not accurate, but it comes with the territory of being a superstar on a team with no championships. After that game, there was a strong disdain amongst many for LeBron – and it was very much warranted. Leaving for Miami was just the icing on the cake.

Has it gone well for LeBron in Miami? I guess. The Heat are 52-23, and he’s having a normal LeBron year (26.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 6.9 APG), and I’d say the Heat are a pretty average team without him. That’s not the issue with him. To me, the thing with LeBron is, he’s got a lot more growing up to do than he and his friends think.

Of course, no true leader quits on his team in the playoffs against an intense rival. No true leader hangs his team to dry for a whole offseason and smacks his former organization across the face on national television. And the latest debacle – the player introduction incident. On a Tuesday night game against – you guessed it – Cleveland, LeBron and the Heat were coming to town. Can’t imagine LeBron would be getting any hugs from fans or blow-kisses from cheerleaders.

Nobody in America – outside of Miami – wants the Heat to win. During the player introductions, the Cavaliers P.A. announcer was ready to announce LeBron first – might as well get the boos over with – “at 6’8”, the forward from St. Vincent Mary’s High School,  LeBron James.” LeBron was nowhere to be found. What’s more, he wasn’t even present for the singing of the Star Spangled Banner – not that I care, but it is a sign of respect.

So let’s get this straight. LeBron leaves the business that bowed down to him for seven years without consulting them, embarrasses them on national TV, joins forces with a great team to take the easy way out to winning a championship, skips the national anthem and player introductions because you don’t want to take the boos, and quits on his team when they need it most – yet, he’s somehow a King and as he has said in interviews with Kobe Bryant, also an “ultimate competitor”. I think it’s a stretch to even call LeBron admirable.

There’s a saying I live by: “you aren’t what you say you are”. Name the great athletes in sports over the last 10 to 20 years. Well that’s easy. Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. Wayne Gretzky. Alex Ovechkin. Tom Brady. Peyton Manning. Ray Lewis. Roy Halladay. Derek Jeter. Lionel Messi. All great at what they do, all fierce competitors. All are more accomplished and have stuck longer. Between them, there are 28 Championships. However, none of those guys have an overly egotistical name that they refer to themselves by. Michael Jordan is just MJ. Kobe Bryant is just Kobe. Wayne Gretzky is “The Great One”, but he doesn’t relish it.

Alex Ovechkin is also “Alex The Great”, but he comes from a modest background and even with the fame, it remains such. Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, and Peyton Manning don’t even have nicknames, and combine for five Super Bowls. Roy Halladay is nicknamed ‘Doc’ for being a strategical pitcher, but, again, he doesn’t relish it. Jeter and Messi don’t have nicknames either, and Messi is the greatest soccer player in the world at 23, and Jeter is one of the most famous players in the history of his franchise that has 27 World Series Titles.

Those guys are more accomplished than LeBron. Have won in the playoffs – followed through when it was needed, and they are actual team leaders. LeBron, in fact, doesn’t even ride the team bus for Miami. I guess it would be too much of a hassle for him to you know, get to know the guys he hasn’t even been on a team with for a year yet. How could he even bother?

Is LeBron a good person? I never said he wasn’t. Is he a fantastic player? Unquestionably, I could make a valid case he’s a better player than Kobe. There’s no denying LeBron is a special athlete, and we might not see a guy come out for the draft for a long time. However, in some ways, that’d be optimal. LeBron, physically, is probably the best player the NBA has seen since Jordan. Mentally, his makeup could and should be questioned.

Is LeBron a true leader? Nope. Does he quit from time to time? Absolutely. Is he a bit of a whiner? You bet. Does he have some growing up to do? He does. Ironically enough, in researching what LeBron has to say about some things he’s done, he doesn’t appear regretful, remorseful, or even apologetic.

I will admit that in a November ESPN article, he said he would have changed some aspects of how ‘The Decision’ went down. Well, the sky must be blue. “If I had to go back on it, I probably would do it a little bit different. But I’m happy with the decision I made. There’s always going to be a misunderstanding. I don’t know what I would [have done], but I definitely would have changed it,” James said.     Part of me thinks he said this out of peer pressure; he said this to repair his image. If he said no, he’s the most despised player in the NBA by a wide margin – as if he isn’t already. If he says he’s a bit regretful, then maybe some fans will sympathize – not all, but some – and will realize, ‘hey, he made a mistake, he recognizes it, and he’s willing to live with his consequences publicity wise.’

However, not even two months later, he claimed he had no regrets about any event in 2010 – The Decision, slapping Cleveland and Akron in the face, leaving a few organizations in limbo, and of course, quitting.

And of course the player introduction incident. Think about it honestly. What great athlete doesn’t get booed in an opposing stadium? To name a few… Derek Jeter gets booed everywhere he goes. Does he hide? Nope, if anything, he embraces it. He got so famous for embracing the hatred, that he did a commercial and even said, ‘that sounds like victory’. He’s got a point. If you’re getting booed in an opposing team’s stadium, you must be some kind of player. Ray Lewis gets booed everywhere for…being Ray Lewis, for one, and of course, most NFL fans on opposing teams rib him for his murder accusations in 2000. They also refer to him in a racist connotation, which is considered the standard in NFL games. Ray doesn’t hide either. If anything, he feeds off it. It’s a fuel to his fire.

Lastly, what would Michael Jordan… That comparison is almost laughable to me. If Michael got booed, not only would he take it, he would feed off of it, and then drop 40+ points and silence the entire crowd. LeBron? He hid and then let his team lose by 12 to one of the worst basketball teams in recent memory. Pathetic. Just pathetic.

Every indication from teammates say LeBron is a fun guy to be around… hard working, serious, committed to his craft, but a loose, relaxed guy who likes to have fun. That’s nice, but calling him a leader or fierce competitor is like calling the sky pink and a dollar bill blue. It’s just…horribly false.

Let’s not forget his infamous “bumps” with both of his coaches – Mike Brown and Erik Spoelstra. Doing that is just horribly disrespectful. If LeBron wasn’t as great as he is, and if Spoelstra wasn’t a younger coach still trying to make his way in the NBA, I’d bet James would be benched and possibly even fined.

My main question for LeBron is… where are you? Amidst all the criticism he gets, he doesn’t confront it or embrace it. After the infamous ‘quit’ game, all he could talk about was how “inconsistent” the team was playing and how he “wasn’t worried” about the series. Not once did he admit he is the guy for games like that, and when he doesn’t come through, the whole ship sinks.

After the player introduction incident? He said he was ‘in the bathroom’. Now he’s just insulting the fans’ intelligence and compromising their knowledge. Anybody with half a skull knows that the only reason he wasn’t there is because he couldn’t take the heat – no pun intended. And missing the Star Spangled Spanner is just disrespectful. Yet still, there is no word of him apologizing to the team – which is the least he should do. Hell, he let his team lose to the worst team in basketball. If he feels as if he’s the leader and it’s his team, he should feel compelled to apologize or at least take responsibility.

Funny thing is, there have been times where he’s tried – diligently – to act like a leader. Before a stretch of key games for the Heat against 11 teams above .500, LeBron tweeted: ‘I have no friends at war when beside my soldiers’. Before I address what happened after that Tweet, I’d love to know what his ‘soldiers’ in Cleveland think of him now and thought of him after game five.

His exact words were: “20+ games left in phase 2. I’m ReFOCUSED! No prisoners, I have no friends when at WAR besides my Soldiers.” Ah, another athlete who thinks he’s a warrior and takes himself far too seriously.

The funniest part is what ensued – four consecutive losses. On a Sunday loss to the Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose essentially won the MVP with that game, coming up big when the Bulls needed it. LeBron scored 26 points, with eight rebounds and six assists, but it was a shot he missed with six seconds left that all but sealed Miami’s fate for that game.

At 52-23, Miami has an excellent record, and they can’t be expected to be championship-caliber right away. They’ll make the playoffs – probably as the third team in the East – but what are LeBron’s apologists going to say after the next disappointing playoff exit? Are they going to blame it on Miami’s weak bench? Are they going to single out Wade or Bosh, and blame them for their shortcomings, but not dare criticize LeBron… God forbid if someone had anything negative to say about King James.

Chicago, Boston, Orlando, New York, San Antonio, Dallas, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, and Denver. Those are ten teams. Ten teams who can beat the Heat in a playoff situation.

Chicago has owned Miami in head-to-head matchups, and are a better team. They developed talent like Derrick Rose (who had better be NBA MVP) and Joakim Noah, and signed Carlos Boozer after LeBron spurned them. Right now, they are the best team in the East. Boston also has the scheme to beat Miami – pressure, pressure, and more pressure. The Heat have shown they can’t take the…heat. Orlando, thanks to mid-season trades, is stacked with an MVP candidate in Dwight Howard, and are 2-2 against Miami. Outside of their first matchup, which Miami won, Orlando has controlled the games for the most part.

New York isn’t a spectacular team, but respectable, and have dominated matchups with Miami. They proved that, unlike most video games, you can’t add a superstar onto a team and gel immediately. In fact, the Knicks looked awful at times after trading for former Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony. However, you can see they are starting to work together as a team more, and imagine what they could do to Miami with a more comfortable ‘Melo.

San Antonio, Dallas, and the Lakers are all deeper teams, straight up. And in a best of five series, those teams would eat the Heat for lunch. Oklahoma City has the firepower, with Westbrook and Durant, to defeat Miami, and Denver, thanks to great coaching and ball movement, can beat just about anybody in the NBA.

In conclusion – I know, finally – LeBron James is a fantastic player. Perhaps the best basketball player since Michael Jordan. However, mentally, he’s not there. He lacks the leadership Jordan had and that Kobe has, and that’s what’s going to make him just another “wannabe Mike” but never the “next Michael Jordan”.

Bryce Harper first became known nation-wide on June 6th, 2009. Well-respected Sports Illustrated baseball writer Tom Verducci wrote an exhilirating piece about the talent Harper possesses. Harper, at 15, as a high school freshman, was seen hitting 570-foot home runs. As Verducci said: “golf has Tiger Woods, basketball has LeBron James, military history had Alexander The Great, but baseball, like jazz, does not easily engender prodigies.” It’d be hard to refute that. In fact, like Verducci said, only one player has hit a home run before the age of 19 – Robin Yount.

As a high school sophomore, Bryce was compared to Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, and Justin Upton, three incredibly advanced high school prospects in their own right, and three guys who could be considered household names. His parents, Ron, a steelworker, and Sherri, a paralegal, recognized Harper’s unprecedented talent, and did something that could be seen as controversial. They took him out of high school early, at the age of 17, and had him earn his GED. That way, he’d be eligible for the 2010 MLB Draft.

It’s definitely a controversial decision they made, but what else could they have done? For one, Bryce has gone on record to say that it was his decision. Also, if you think about it, statistically, kids who learn at home with their parents get more out of a learning environment and become more well-rounded kids. Just ask Tim Tebow. In a baseball aspect, if Bryce were to play any more high school baseball, nobody can figure he’d actually get any pitches to hit. All that can do is hurt his draft stock. While what he and his family did is perceived as controversial, it was smart and the right thing to do for Bryce, which is all that matters.

Harper enrolled at local Southern Nevada Junior College for the 2010 season, and didn’t miss a beat. In 66 games, he hit 31 home runs, drove in 98 runs, and hit .443 with a .556 on base percentage and .987 slugging clip. To put it in perspective: in a 160 game season, he would have had 75 home runs, 238 runs driven in, and a .443 average. The previous Southern Nevada home run record? Well first of all, it goes without saying that he broke the previous mark, which was twelve. He didn’t break it – no, he almost tripled it.

He applied for the 2010 MLB Draft, and the Nationals selected him with the first overall pick. Eventually, they signed him to a five-year, $9.9 million contract, and Nats general manager Mike Rizzo said that, while Bryce was primarily a catcher in high school, they saw his future in right field. The reason for this? Rizzo said that it would accelerate his track to the big leagues and extend his career once he arrives, which is an undeniable fact.

Harper hit .319 with a .407 on base percentage in the Nationals fall instructional league, and then became the second-youngest player to participate in the Arizona Fall League, a league meant exclusively for top prospects. His Scottsdale Scorpions won the league championship. In this year’s Spring Training, Harper would be facing minor league pitching (most of which he hadn’t faced) and major leaguers (all of which he hadn’t faced). How did he fare? Oh, he hit nearly .400 before being optioned to Single-A Harrisburg.

In baseball, there are many guys who are just genetically superior. Tim Lincecum is blessed with unique athleticism and had the chance to study the mechanics of Sandy Koufax growing up. Stephen Strasburg, who will be a teammate of Harper’s within a year or two, is blessed with a naturally strong arm and smooth delivery. Harper, however, is a different breed.

Of course, I would challenge you to find any high school freshman who can hit 570 feet. There aren’t many in the nation who can hit even three hundred seventy. He’s got the arm strength as well. He can throw runners out from second base from his knees, and when he pitched in high school, he could throw up to 96 miles per hour. He’s big. As a sophomore, he stood 6’3”, 215 pounds, which is adequate size for any major league outfielder, much less an underclassman in high school.

He holds very high expectations for himself – why wouldn’t he? He’s got unheard of natural talent, it’d be weird if he didn’t hold extremely high standards. When asked of his goals, he replies: “be in the Hall of Fame, definitely. Play in Yankee Stadium. Play in the pinstripes. Be considered the greatest baseball player who ever lived. I can’t wait.”

So what’s the slight on Harper? After all, there’s no such thing as a perfect prospect, but on the field, there is nothing you can legitimately gripe about with the kid. Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein wrote an article about Harper’s character. After all, character should not be underrated. In order to be a successful big league hitter, constant adjustments have to be made, you have to be coachable, hard working, and very humble.

Harper doesn’t appear to be snacking on any humble pie.

“The Makeup: This should not be underrated. It’s impossible to find any talent evaluator who isn’t blown away by Harper’s ability on the field, but it’s equally difficult to find one who doesn’t genuinely dislike the kid.”

One scout said that, from a makeup standpoint, he’s never seen a worse prospect. He taunts opponents, has an extremely large sense of self-entitlement, and is just extremely arrogant. “He’s just a bad, bad guy,” said one front-office official. “He’s basically the anti-Joe Mauer.”

To me, that can all be fixed. Harper is 18. You’d be hard pressed to find any man in the history of the world who was done growing up by that age. He’s 18. And he’s in the same boat as LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Dwight Howard, and Kobe Bryant – seen as a kid prodigy and the savior of a franchise. How could he not be cocky? How could he not feel above some guys? It’s the elephant in the room that his natural talent is above almost everybody else’s.

In my opinion, you don’t become a ‘man’ until you reach the ages 25 to 30. By that age, you’re likely as educated as you’ll ever get. You have a job. You (hopefully) drive. You might be married, with or without kids. You have all the things on your shoulders that you’ll have to worry about for the rest of your life. Those experiences make you more masculine. Nobody grows up at 18. Anybody who tells you they are a grown man when they are 18 are only telling you so because they are trying to convince themselves.

Call me back when Bryce Harper is in his mid-20′s, and we’ll see how humble he is then. And while he is certainly cocky – and maybe arrogant – he is mature. At 18, you might not expect him to have a great appreciation for the history of the game, but his goal as a baseball player is to be recognized as an all-time great. And his number, 34? He said he always loved Mickey Mantle, who wore number seven. Harper wears numbers three and four on his jersey. You do the math.

Also, he has a clear passion for baseball that obviously stems back to his childhood. Harper is the best kind of ball player. He’s got natural talent, sure, but he’s also incredibly passionate about baseball and loves the game. And while he hears people in his ear talking about how great he is, he utterly refuses to buy into his own hype.

Power Rankings:

1. Boston Red Sox: Pretty much a no-brainer. Last year, they finished 89-73 despite injuries to pretty much every player on the roster. Now, healthy, they appeared formidable going in. Add in the fact that they signed Carl Crawford, Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler, and traded for Adrian Gonzalez. They have the best lineup in baseball, a top ten rotation, and an excellent bullpen.

2. San Francisco Giants: The defending champions, they won it last year on pitching. This year, it’s virtually the same team despite some injuries. The rotation remains the same – and the offense, as well, outside of an in-shape Pablo Sandoval. Watch out for Sandoval. Everybody knows what he’s capable of when he keeps his weight down.

3. Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies have plenty to worry about (rapidly declining offense, shoddy bullpen), but I think they still have enough to be the most feared team in the NL and have a solid chance at winning a title. Having four of the game’s top 15 pitchers never hurts, nor does having Ryan Howard, who will have to be outstanding this year.

4. New York Yankees: The Yankees are basically polar opposites of Philadelphia. While Philadelphia has an outstanding rotation, mediocre offense and below-average bullpen, the Yankees have an outstanding lineup and good bullpen, but have an average rotation. Led by CC Sabathia, there isn’t much behind him. Philip Hughes was a good surprise last year, but he struggled down the stretch. I think, like Philadelphia, the Yankees problems are overblown. The back of their rotation is very underrated too – Ivan Nova is one of the best young guns in the game, and having a top three offense as well as not one but two dominant closers always aids mediocre pitching.

5. Atlanta Braves: The Braves are a massively underrated team, thanks to the Phillies. They have a solid rotation up-and-down, a dangerous lineup, and good bullpen. In fact, if you were to tell me in October that the Braves upset the Phillies to win the National League East, I wouldn’t be incredibly surprised. Expect Jason Heyward to have an MVP-worthy campaign.

6. Texas Rangers: Just like the Yankees. The Rangers have an unbelievable offense, good team defense and speed, but their pitching is mediocre. The insecurity of not knowing where Cliff Lee would be pitching in 2011 didn’t help. The way I see it, they could’ve disregarded Cliff and told Neftali to train as a starter – alas, they didn’t, and now, they’ll throw out a subpar rotation. Fortunately, there is some intrigue (Tommy Hunter and Derek Holland have potential), and the bullpen is relatively deep. Also, the 1-2 punch of C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis is solid.

7. Minnesota Twins: After finishing the 2010 season atop the AL Central again, the Twins wisely didn’t change much. A lot of folks buy into the White Sox hype – not me. Their pitching isn’t as steady as Minnesota’s, and their bullpen isn’t as good as Minnesota’s. Also, while Chicago might have more power, Minnesota’s lineup is deeper. If that’s not enough, Minnesota will get Justin Morneau back, who is always an MVP candidate, and Joe Nathan, who, when healthy, is a top five closer.

8. Los Angeles Angels: Loaded with a deep rotation, 2011 will be an exciting year for Los Angeles. They might not even be a playoff team, but I think they’ll be the best team to miss the postseason. Their rotation is headed by Jered Weaver, who surprisingly enough led the majors in strikeouts in 2010, with 233, and just 54 walks. Behind him are solid guys like Dan Haren, Ervin Santana, and Scott Kazmir. The offense has declined, but is still good, led by an outstanding outfield. Look for them to be neck-and-neck with Texas all year.

9. Cincinnati Reds: Like the Braves, whose fate lies in the hands of young guys learning curves (Jason Heyward, Brandon Beachy, Freddie Freeman, Kris Medlen, Mike Minor), the Reds have insane young talent, and the hope is that they continue to grow. If Aroldis Chapman can be a consistent arm out of the bullpen and eventually work his way into the rotation, watch out. If Travis Wood and Mike Leake expand on rookie success, and if Drew Stubbs continues to develop, this team won’t be a tough out.

10. Oakland Athletics: Oakland’s face has always been pitching and small ball. No different this year. But this year, I believe they possess the most underrated rotation in baseball. Brett Anderson was excellent when healthy, Trevor Cahill was an All Star, Dallas Braden is a confident pitcher who continues to improve, and Gio Gonzalez, on a stuff meter, is off the charts. The offense will always be a concern, but they have enough pitching to legitimately challenge Texas for the AL West crown.

11. Chicago White Sox: Chicago is unquestionably a good team, but for a contender, there are far too many ‘what if’s. They’ll win the AL Central if and only if – Gordon Beckham bounces back, Edwin Jackson expands on late 2010 success, Jake Peavy returns to his San Diego self, Gavin Floyd returns to his 2008 self, and if the bullpen surprises some. After getting Adam Dunn, they’re certainly a popular pick for the division, but they’re too instable – management wise and on the field – to win the division.

12. Colorado Rockies: The Rockies have a big three – Troy Tulowitzki, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Carlos Gonzalez. Three immensely talented young baseball players who are slated to be in Rockies uniforms for a long time to come – good to see for baseball. It’d be better, however, if they got more support around them. For now, they have enough to hang with the big boys of the NL West, as in, the Giants. But they clearly don’t have enough to dethrone the champs.

13. Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays are going to have to develop some serious offensive talent quickly. They have excellent pitching, led by David Price. They are very good behind him, too. James Shields has declined but he’s capable, and Jeremy Hellickson, Wade Davis, and Jeff Niemann are three very promising young talents. Offensively, there isn’t much to speak of, outside of course, Evan Longoria. Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon were their best offseason signings. That just isn’t going to cut it when the Red Sox got Crawford and Gonzalez, the O’s got Guerrero, Reynolds, Lee and Hardy, and the Jays and Yankees already had superior offenses.

14. Detroit Tigers: The Tigers are an intriguing pick to dethrone Minnesota for the AL Central crown. They are a deeper, more stable, better coached team than Chicago, but they aren’t playoff savvy like Minnesota. When it comes down to it, the Twins are used to having to grind for a full season and more often than not, come out of the season with a division win. Detroit, despite adding Victor Martinez, still aren’t on Minnesota’s level.

15. Milwaukee Brewers: Thanks to no true dominant team in the NL Central, and Adam Wainwright scheduled to miss all of 2011, and the Brewers adding Zach Greinke and Shaun Marcum, the Brew Crew are certainly a trendy pick to win the division, but like the White Sox, they have too many what ifs. Zack Greinke can’t pitch like he did last year. Prince Fielder must rebound. Rickie Weeks, who is always consistent, must have his second good year in a row. Casey McGehee and Corey Hart, too, must build on 2010 success. Too many question marks.

16. Florida Marlins: It’s a shame the Marlins don’t play in a different division. As of right now, they’re the third-best team in their division, but they are a very good team. Their lineup oozes with potential. Hanley Ramirez, from a skill set standpoint, is probably the best player in baseball, and his pedigree can’t be debated. Mike Stanton has outstanding power, and some even project him to be a surprise MVP candidate. Logan Morrison, Chris Coghlan, and Gaby Sanchez are all young with tons of promise. For about two-thirds of last year, their ace, Josh Johnson, was the Cy Young leader, and there is certainly good rotation depth. They’re a solid team stuck in a tough division. Also, Omar Infante is an underrated addition at second base. Better fielder and contact hitter than Dan Uggla ever will be.

17. St. Louis Cardinals: Some project the Cardinals to win the NL Central even without Adam Wainwright. I’d tend to say those who make that argument are crazy, but I can’t deny there is merit there. Any Tony LaRussa managed-team is a good one. They also have the best player in baseball (Albert Pujols), the third best left fielder (Matt Holliday), probably the best defensive catcher (Yadier Molina), and unquestionably the best pitching coach (Dave Duncan). However, there are tons of questions for them. Is Pujols’ contract situation a distraction? Will Lance Berkman play good defense in right field, and will he hit? Will Jake Westbrook return to Cleveland form? Can Carpenter stay healthy again?

18. Toronto Blue Jays: They don’t have the deepest lineup, but they have the most power. They don’t have the best pitching staff, but it’s solid. They have a good coaching staff, too. Any baseball fan should appreciate the Blue Jays. Their young pitching is beyond exciting, and while almost everybody in the lineup hits for power, they have some speed/defense guys like center fielder Rajai Davis and shortstop Yunel Escobar. Also, watch out for catcher J.P. Arencibia and pitcher Kyle Drabek. Both are rookies starting on the active roster. Drabek was received from Philly in the Roy Halladay trade, and Arencibia is a very complete catcher. This duo could be good for a long time.

19. Los Angeles Dodgers: It’s sad how much the Dodgers have declined. They once had one of the best catchers in baseball (Russell Martin), a seemingly ageless Manny Ramirez, four good pitchers (Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Vicente Padilla, and Hiroki Kuroda), a dominant closer (Jonathan Broxton), a Hall of Fame manager (Joe Torre), and two elite outfielders (Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp). Most of that is gone now. Russell Martin is a Yankee, Manny is a Ray, the rotation has taken a step back, Jonathan Broxton was bad last year, Joe Torre retired, and both Ethier and Kemp declined. They still have a good rotation, but it’s half-new, as Ted Lilly and Jon Garland are new guys, and the offense is very bad. Outside of Ethier and Kemp, not much to watch out for.

20. Arizona Diamondbacks: This team is the most underrated in baseball. In fact, I would go as far as to say this team will finish at least third in the NL West. Sure, in losing Reynolds and LaRoche, they lost 57 home runs. But they also lost a ton of strikeouts, and Reynolds’ replacement at third, Melvin Mora, doesn’t have much left, but is an outstanding mentor. Their shortstop/second base combo of Stephen Drew/Kelly Johnson is very good, and the pitching is young, but also very talented. Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, and Joe Saunders all have 15-win potential. I bet the Yankees regret letting Kennedy go right about now.

21. Baltimore Orioles: Baltimore, to me, is the most improved team. Some would say Boston, but not to me, for the simple reason that Boston was a legit contender just by being healthy going into 2011. Last year, Baltimore had young pitching that figured it out late, but no offensive fire power. That’s fine, because they added J.J. Hardy, Mark Reynolds, Derrek Lee, and Vladimir Guerrero to fill holes at short, third, first, and designated hitter. They also filled holes in the bullpen by adding Kevin Gregg, Jeremy Accardo, and Josh Rupe. They should be a decent team, hovering at or around .500 all year.

22. Chicago Cubs: These next two teams have fallen. Just a couple of years ago, the Cubs were one of the best teams in the league. Now, they’re one of the funniest jokes in baseball. Adding Matt Garza certainly won’t hurt them, but they’re a team of overpaid players. Alfonso Soriano was signed to a $136M deal in 2006, and made $19M of it last year to hit .258. Kosuke Fukudome made $14M last year with 44 RBI, averaging 318,181 dollars per RBI. Can’t forget Carlos Pena, who they signed this offseason to a one-year, $10M pact. I don’t know many guys who make over ten million while hitting below .200, which Pena did last year.

23. New York Mets: The Mets are the funniest joke in baseball, because with the talent they have, it’s beyond inexcusable for them to be one of the worst teams in baseball – but they are. Last year, even with David Wright breaking out, they finished 20th or worse in essentially every offensive category. The pitching isn’t stable, either. Johan Santana will be out for about half of 2011. Mike Pelfrey was good last year, but like the Yankees’ Philip Hughes, faded down the stretch. Which Pelfrey will we see more of this year? R.A. Dickey was outstanding at times, but can a guy like him be depended on? Also, Francisco Rodriguez continues to disappoint on and off the field.

24. Houston Astros: The Astros are a better team than you think. Yes, they’re probably the fifth best team in their division, but there is definitely promise in Houston. Remember, it was just a few years ago that Houston was a perennial contender. They have young talent in the infield – Brett Wallace at first, Chris Johnson at third, Clint Barmes at short – and an outstanding outfield. Pitching wise, they’re capable. Obviously, there’s a reason they finished 76-86 last year, but they’re not a bad team, and I could see them finishing fourth this year.

25. Seattle Mariners: It’s ironic – the Mariners have two of the top 15 players in baseball – Ichiro and Felix Hernandez. Yet still, the Mariners are a horrible baseball team. First of all, behind Felix in the rotation, there’s nothing. Jason Vargas and Doug Fister are below average. Erik Bedard is done. Michael Pineda is a talent, but is he ready? Outside of Ichiro, not much to note offensively. Justin Smoak, a former Rangers top prospect and sent to Seattle in the Cliff Lee trade, is very talented, but was rushed to the majors. Chone Figgins and Milton Bradley were tremendous disappointments. While Seattle added some power, with Jack Cust, all that’ll do is give Felix one or two more wins – not much more.

26. Washington Nationals: Why again, did Jayson Werth leave Philadelphia for Washington? How dumb does he feel right about now? But then again, had he stayed in Philadelphia and signed an extension, the Phils likely wouldn’t have gotten Cliff Lee. However, the fact remains that Cliff Lee or not, the Phils are head-and-shoulders above the Nats. The Nats have some talent – some talented young arms, Ryan Zimmerman is a heck of a player at third, Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa are exciting in the infield, and Jayson Werth is of course, a very solid right fielder. When it comes down to it, they don’t have the pitching, and even a lineup as talented as theirs isn’t good enough in the big leagues today. Don’t expect them to win much more than 65 games.

27. Cleveland Indians: It has got to be rough being a Cleveland sports fans. The Browns are awful every year, the Cavaliers are the worst team in the NBA, and the Indians are one of the worst teams in the majors, as well. The Indians have some decent young talent (Fausto Carmona, Grady Sizemore, Matt LaPorta, Asdrubal Cabrera), but they don’t have enough pitching. Carmona was good last year, but can he do it again? With him, consistency is an obvious question mark. In addition that, there’s nothing behind him. The offense is full of unprovens, as well.

28. San Diego Padres: Remember when the Padres had the Giants on the ropes to win the National League West? Seems like so long ago. Led by great pitching and clutch hitting, mainly Adrian Gonzalez, they won 90 games last year. I’d be surprised if they won 70 this year. First of all, they traded Gonzalez, easily their best player, to Boston for prospects who aren’t in the majors yet. That puts even more pressure on the young pitchers, and the best one, Mat Latos, will start the year on the disabled list. They added some decent players, like Orlando Hudson, Brad Hawpe, Jason Bartlett, which is always nice. But, they needed to keep Adrian, and that will kill them when it counts.

29. Pittsburgh Pirates: I might be the only one in the world not listing them as the worst team in Major League Baseball. From a talent standpoint, Pittsburgh does have decent value. The offense has potential. At first base, Lyle Overbay is a proven quality starter. Young third basemen Pedro Alvarez had an excellent rookie year, and much more is expected this year. Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones are quality outfielders, especially McCutchen. The pitching is horrendous, but not as bad as one other team that you’ll be introduced to later. Pittsburgh is awful, and I w0uldn’t rule them out to lose 105 games again, but they’re not worse than…

30. Kansas City Royals: I don’t see how this team will score any runs this year, nor do I see how they get people out. Without Zack Greinke, they have nothing in the rotation. What’s more, Gil Meche retired. Their Opening Day starter, as of right now, is Jeff Francis. The offense isn’t horrible. Well, that’s a lie. At first, Billy Butler is elite. And both Mike Aviles and Alcides Escobar have high upsides at third and short, respectively. However, Aviles is no difference maker and Escobar has yet to prove he is a legit major league shortstop. The Kansas City Royals are the worst team in baseball – bar none.

Award Predictions:

American League MVP: Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins. Since the Twins are a small market team, the perception is that the Twins are a small-ball team – and in a sense, they are. But the association with small-ball is made with weak lineups, and the Twins have far from a weak lineup. Morneau returning makes it even better. He missed about half of 2010 with a concussion, but him returning helps the Twins so much. His defense is outstanding, and he’ll get tons of RBI opportunities.

National League MVP: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers. Braun, to me, is the only sure thing in Milwaukee’s lineup, which is ironic, in such a powerful group of bats. Prince Fielder slipped last year. Rickie Weeks is inconsistent. Both Casey McGehee and Corey Hart aren’t exactly dependable, but Braun is. Regardless of Milwaukee’s standing, I think Braun wins MVP with a 35/125/.315 performance.

American League Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers. He had a Cy Young worthy year in 2010 with an 81-81 team, and the Tigers probably won’t be taking home the AL Central crown this season, but adding Victor Martinez helps. Also having young guys like Brennan Boech and Austin Jackson develop helps the team, but specifically Verlander. Look for him to win around 20 games this season.

National League Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies. He’ll repeat. You know why I think so? Ask yourself this. Say to yourself, ‘self, give me one valid reason Roy Halladay won’t win it again this year’. There’s nobody better than him, and while I’d say a teammate of his like Cole Hamels has a shot plainly because of wins received due to matchups, Halladay will be the more dominant pitcher. No questions asked.

American League Rookie of the Year: Zachary Britton, Baltimore Orioles. Jeremy Hellickson of the Rays is obviously an option, as is Kyle Drabek, and Ivan Nova, but I believe Britton has the best chance. A lefty, he has an outstanding sinker, and has worked his way to become one of the elite young arms in baseball. In spring training, he baffled Yankees hitters – twice. Yankee superstar first baseman Mark Teixeira even said of Britton: “you don’t see a lefty with that much movement.”

National League Rookie of the Year: Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants. Called ‘Buster Posey 2.0′ by some, Belt gives the Giants some offensive firepower, and gives them the versatility to put Aubrey Huff in the outfield and not have to play a less productive player like a Nate Schierholtz or Travis Ishikawa. Some didn’t think Belt would start the year with the big club. But it’s possible Bruce Bochy learned his lesson with Buster Posey. Posey is obviously a top five catcher, and was ready to start in the majors last year, but he wasn’t called up until May. I’m sure they feel the same way about Belt.

Division Standings:

AL East: 1. Boston Red Sox (98-64), 2. New York Yankees (94-68), 3. Tampa Bay Rays (87-75), 4. Toronto Blue Jays (86-76), 5. Baltimore Orioles (82-80)

AL Central: 1. Minnesota Twins (93-69), 2. Chicago White Sox (86-76), 3. Detroit Tigers (84-78), 4. Cleveland Indians (66-96), 5. Kansas City Royals (55-107)

AL West: 1. Texas Rangers (89-73), 2. Los Angeles Angels (87-75), 3. Oakland Athletics (85-77), 4. Seattle Mariners (65-97)

NL East: 1. Philadelphia Phillies (93-69), 2. Atlanta Braves (91-71), 3. Florida Marlins (88-74), 4. New York Mets (75-87), 5. Washington Nationals (67-95)

NL Central: 1. Cincinnati Reds (90-72), 2. Milwaukee Brewers (84-78), 3. St. Louis Cardinals (83-79), 4. Chicago Cubs (78-84), 5. Houston Astros (79-83), 6. Pittsburgh Pirates (60-102)

NL West: 1. San Francisco Giants (95-67), 2. Colorado Rockies (85-77), 3. Arizona Diamondbacks (81-81), 4. Los Angeles Dodgers (80-82), 5. San Diego Padres (70-92)

Playoff predictions:

ALDS: Boston over Texas. This is an interesting matchup. These two have the best lineups in baseball, and while Texas gained some valuable playoff experience last year, Boston is just too good. Their bullpen and rotation puts Texas’ to shame. Even their lineup is superior to Texas’.

ALDS: New York over Minnesota. Once again, Minnesota comes up small in the big stage against the Yankees. The Twins will win at least 90 games, but they’re a virtual guarantee year-in, year-out, to play as if they don’t belong playing the Yanks, when the fact is, they do.

NLDS: Philadelphia over Cincinnati. A rematch of last year’s NLDS, Philadelphia will be even more dominant on the hill. If it even gets to game four, the Reds will see Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt in a four-game stretch.

NLDS: Atlanta over San Francisco. A rematch of last year’s NLDS again, I think this time, Atlanta reigns supreme. They’ve seen Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez, are determined to get their redemption, and their staff is improved.

ALCS: Boston over New York. No surprise here. Boston is simply the better team. Better rotation, slightly better lineup, better coaching staff.

NLCS: Atlanta over Philadelphia: When it’s most needed, the Phillies’ offense will fail them – that’s the only flaw in the Phillies’ offseason plan. They didn’t have a backup plan for injuries, which before the season even starts are already a concern.

World Series: Atlanta over Boston. Perhaps an upset, but Atlanta has the offensive artillery to pull it off, and while Boston has a great lineup, Atlanta has some quality arms, and Boston, going through Texas and New York thus far, haven’t seen guys like Hanson, Hudson, Lowe. The Braves have seen the likes of Halladay, Lincecum, Lee, Cain, Hamels, Oswalt, and Sanchez. Jason Heyward wins World Series MVP.

Coaching staff:

Hire a knowledgeable coaching staff. Obviously, you’ll need a pitching coach, hitting coach, bench coach, and a bullpen coach.

I want a stern manager. I want a manager who after a 100-62 season, will go home disturbed that his team lost 62 games. Jim Leyland is perfect. With two World Series Titles, he never seems content or happy with his team, or never shows it. I want it to be darn near impossible for my manager to throw any kind of significant compliment to one of my players.

At pitching coach, I want an old guy. A guy who has been around for at least 20 years in the majors, and preferably has experience in the majors. A guy like Bob Apodaca (Rockies). He pitched from 1973 to 1977, posted a 2.84 ERA, and 26 saves. Since 1996, he’s been a pitching coach somewhere (Mets, Brewers, and now Rockies). He’s a good one for that job. I want a pitching coach with an old-school approach. A guy who doesn’t believe in such thing as pitch counts, and only lets the game dictate when it’s time to talk to his pitchers. A guy who knows the game and wants his pitchers to know it just as well.

At hitting coach, I want a younger, more relaxed guy. A guy who has had success at the big-league level who is easy-going and more likely to have a relationship beyond the field with his guys. I’d hire Paul Molitor, who would be, granted, a first time hitting coach, but he’s certainly one who would command respect. In 21 years in the big leagues, Molitor made seven All Star games, hit .306 with 3,319 hits, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He’d be a first time hitting coach, but he’d earn merit in any locker room just based off of experience, and guys would feed off of it, I think.

On the bench, I want a guy who has forgotten more about this league than anybody has remembered. For me, that guy is Cito Gaston. Gaston first saw the majors in 1967, and enjoyed a 12-year career as an outfielder, hitting 91 homers. He was also a manager from 1989 to 1997, winning two World Series, and again from 2008 to 2010, posting a .516 winning percentage. Who better to have mentoring the guys on the bench?

Farm system:

I want my team to pride itself on developing players through the minor leagues, and be taught the fundamentals of baseball and be incredibly adept at ‘situational baseball’. So for guys hitting, I want them to always be thinking ‘what do I do if the pitcher throws a fastball here?… But since he knows I’m sitting fastball, he’ll probably try to sneak a changeup by me.’ I want fielders to always be thinking ‘what do I do if the ball is hit to me’, and I always want pitchers to be taught the finer mechanics of pitching.

Essentially, I want my team to develop smart baseball players.

That way, the ones who don’t have through-the-roof potential can be solid contributors due to above-average instincts, and those who do have great potential go from potentially great players to actually becoming great players at the big league level.

Every year, I want a team of scouts to be 100 percent commited to the draft that year, and I don’t ever want them to take a guy due to need. If the team currently struggles with pitching, well, we could always develop a current minor leaguer, or even sign a free agent or make a nice trade. Take the best player available – at all times. If we have a good shortstop, and the best player available is a shortstop, take the shortstop! You never know. The current shortstop could get injured and fall off, leave through free agency, things happen in baseball.

Best case scenario, the big-league player uses this selection as motivation to push himself even harder, and in the future, the draftee (if he makes the majors) could play another position, so you have two quality players and everybody’s happy.

I want tons of facilities and scouts in other countries, like Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Japan, and Cuba. I could rattle off an unbelievable big league team from each of those countries, and I want my team’s presence to be known down there. That, to me, is just as key as drafting.

The team:

Now let’s get down to the actual baseball team. Pitching wise, my philosophy is pretty simple… I want experience at the top and youth on the bottom. Sticking to a relatively low budget, most of them won’t cost much.

However, I’ll break bank with the first one and sign an elite-level pitcher, like Cliff Lee, and in my number two spot, I’ll have a quality vet like Mark Buehrle. Behind them, I want a couple of young guys who could be considered top prospects. For those two, I’d take Brian Matusz and Gio Gonzalez. For my number five spot, I want two guys competing – a prospect and an average veteran. I’ll take Brad Penny as the vet and Ross Detwiler as the prospect. An inexpensive, yet good, rotation.

I want an effective balance of lefties and righties. Lefties aren’t as common place, so if you’re looking to fool a team, you might want to get more lefties than righties, but I want power arms in the ‘pen – guys capable of closing, and there aren’t many power arms from the left side.

I want two guys in there in a long relief role who were at least developed as starters – or, preferably, have been starters in the majors. I’d like to have David Hernandez and Kerry Wood. Two power arms from the right side, who have histories as starters. I’d like two more righties who are good at getting the double play. I hate to call them ‘specialists’, but sometimes, you need a guy like that. Preferably, I’d want veterans who can teach a young guy like Hernandez and the young starters. I’d like Brandon League, a 28-year-old with some promising stuff and a sinker, as well as Scott Downs, a 35-year-old who flourished in Toronto.

My final two spots go to veterans who can teach. I’d go with Arthur Rhodes and Mike Timlin. Both have been in playoff environments, and know what (and what not) to do in any baseball situation, regardless of position. For my closers spot,  I want straight up power. Here’s where I spend some money and nab Giants closer Brian ‘Fear The Beard’ Wilson. He’s improved every clubhouse he’s ever been in, and having 127 saves in three seasons can’t hurt anything, either.

Offensively, I want a defensive-minded catcher. Offense is nice, don’t get me wrong; but I want a catcher who can call a game with the best of them. Nothing infuriates me more than a catcher who has to look at the manager to make a correct call for pitches. Who better than Ivan Rodriguez? Is he old? Yes. But can he still hit for decent contact? Absolutely. Most importantly, he calls an outstanding game and has an, as always, great arm. At first base, this is where I really break the bank, and go for Joey Votto.

Votto, the 2010 NL MVP, hit .324 with 37 homers, 113 RBI, 106 runs, and a .424 OBP last year. He’d be the main cog in my lineup, obviously. At second and short, I want speed and defense. You don’t have to look very far to find a quality second baseman who can run well and play good defense. A good guy for that role is Marlins utility player Omar Infante. Last year, he hit .321 with eight homers and 47 RBI. He has a career average of .274, and is obviously not a great source of power, but gets on base and can play either second, short, or third. At short, I want a little more power, but I want more speed and defensive play. At shortstop, I want one of the brightest players in all of baseball – Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro.

For a guy who would be my leadoff hitter, he strikes out too much, but I expect that to improve with age. At third base, I want power to protect – and complement – Votto. Pedro Alvarez is absolutely perfect for that role. He’s young, has great power, plays good defense, and all in all, projects as one of the best overall third baseman in baseball for now and in the future.

In left field, I want a solid number six hitter who can drive in Votto. For that role, Giants veteran Aubrey Huff would be optimal. He has enough experience at that position, and has proved to be servicable in that spot. Last year, he had 26 homers, 86 RBI, 100 runs, and a .290 average, and was one of the main reasons the Giants offense was even mediocre for much of the year.

In center field, I want youth and speed. Ideally, I’d have Angel Pagan. The Mets outfielder had 11 homers, 69 RBI, and a .290 average, along with 37 steals. In right and at DH, I want veterans. Give me Jonny Gomes and Vladimir Guerrero. While they are vets, they have very good track records with plenty left in the tank.

On my bench, I want four things - a catcher, a corner and middle infielder, and a fourth outfielder. At catcher, since I have Ivan Rodriguez, who isn’t of age to catch 150 games a year, I want a guy effective enough to spell him every once in a while and not miss a beat. I like Yankees backup Francisco Cervelli. He calls a good game, and while he, too, doesn’t provide much power, he hit .271 as a backup. Not bad at all.

I won’t need much insurance corner-infield wise, as I have Joey Votto and Pedro Alvarez, but just in case… I’ll take some more power, and a guy who’s versatile, like Neil Walker of the Pirates, who had a .296 average, 12 homers and 66 RBI. He’d spell Alvarez and Votto effectively, and even Castro and Infante when they need it. Walker is like Infante 2.0…except with a little more power. For my backup middle infield spot, I want a veteran who can teach Castro and Infante all that I expect out of them – speed and defense. Who fits that role more than Omar Vizquel? He’d only be on my team for a year, but who cares? A year of Castro learning from Omar could last me a decade.

For my backup outfield job, I want some speed. Outside of Pagan, I have no speed in the outfield. I’ll take Julio Borbon here. As a backup center fielder in Texas, Julio hit .276/3/42 with 15 steals, but once he learns about leads, that number will shoot. He’d be a solid situational pinch runner.

So, while spending real money on only a couple of guys, I have this team:

SP1: Cliff Lee

SP2: Mark Buehrle

SP3: Brian Matusz

SP4: Gio Gonzalez

SP5: Brad Penny

LRP: David Hernandez

LRP: Kerry Wood

SU: Brandon League

SU: Scott Downs

SU: Arthur Rhodes

SU: Mike Timlin

CL: Brian Wilson

SS: Starlin Castro

CF: Angel Pagan

3B: Pedro Alvarez

1B: Joey Votto

DH: Vladimir Guerrero

LF: Aubrey Huff

RF: Jonny Gomes

2B: Omar Infante

C: Ivan Rodriguez

So basically, here’s what you do:

• Hire an experienced, knowledgeable coaching staff
• Build up your team through the minors and stress smart baseball.  
• Put a lot of focus into the draft
• Mix up your staff with the young and experienced (experienced at top, young in 3/4/5 spots
• Have power righty arms in ‘pen with versatility (guys who have started)
• Need a smart catcher
• Get a 40 HR guy at first
• Speed and defense at 2B/SS
• Power at third and left field
• Speed in center field
• Well-rounded veterans at right field/designated hitter
• Have a young backup catcher to spell a veteran one
• Have a versatile infield bench and a speedy backup outfielder

20. Fausto Carmona, Indians: Carmona, the talented, and also frustrating, Indians ace, had 13 wins and a 3.77 ERA last year. Signed through 2011, Carmona figures to be a well-sought after free agent next offseason. In his career, he’s extremely inconsistent, but when he’s healthy, he’s been mostly solid.

19. Francisco Liriano, Twins: Like Carmona, Liriano is a guy who isn’t always healthy, but when he’s on, he’s solid. As a rookie in 2006, Liriano was dominant, with a 12-3 record and 2.16 ERA. He didn’t play in 2007, and in 2008 and 2009, combined for an 11-17 record. He was steady last year, with a 14-10 record and 3.62 ERA.

18. Johan Santana, Mets: I’ll bet Santana regrets leaving Minnesota right about now. In his Minnesota career, he was 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA. With the Mets, he’s been solid, but the Mets as a team aren’t very successful. Also, Santana isn’t expected to see the field until around the All Star break.

17. Wandy Rodriguez, Astros: At 5’11″, 195, Rodriguez isn’t a big guy, but he has an explosive motion and nasty stuff. In the last three years, for some awful Houston teams, Rodriguez is 34-31 with a 3.36 ERA, 502 strikeouts, and 175 walks. He signed a three-year, $34 million extension this offseason.

16. C.J. Wilson, Rangers: Wilson was one of the central reasons the Rangers went to the postseason in 2010, and will be key going forward. A former closer, he won 15 games, lost just eight, posted a solid 3.35 ERA, and struck out 170 batters. If he can assume the ‘ace’ role, the Rangers will be on cruise control in the American League West.

15. Trevor Cahill, Athletics: Cahill is one of many talented young pitchers in the A’s rotation, and he’s the best one. A 2010 all star, he won 18 games with a 2.97 ERA, his improved command proved to be key. Going forward, Cahill is absolutely a player to watch.

14. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: You could make a strong argument this guy’s an underrated pitcher. Just 22 years old, he’s already had two excellent seasons. In two years, he’s just 21-18, but he has a 2.85 ERA, and 397 strikeouts. If the Dodgers can get some offense, Kershaw could be a Cy Young contender.

13. Mat Latos, Padres: Latos, a confident 23-year old pitcher, carries the future of the Padres organization on his shoulders. Without Adrian Gonzalez in San Diego, the Padres’ forecast is certainly low, but they always have Latos. In 2010, his first full year, he had 14 wins and a 2.92 ERA, and had gaudy statistical numbers across the board. Hopefully, the Padres generate some offense – I’m not holding my breath.

12. Jered Weaver, Angels: At 28, Jered Weaver has already logged five solid, healthy seasons in which he is 64-39 with a 3.55 ERA. In 2010, on a mediocre Angels team, he posted an impressive 3.01 earned run average, 13 wins, and an American League-leading 233 strikeouts. This year, the Angels will add Vernon Wells and Kendry Morales (at some point), so there’s no reason to believe Weaver can’t win 15 games.

 11. Zack Greinke, Brewers: All fans of baseball and fairness should be happy for Zack. In Kansas City, he had more losses than wins, but that’s very misleading. For all of his time in Kansas City, the Royals had an anemic offense – perhaps the worst in baseball. In 2009, he had to post a 2.16 ERA to finally get national attention. He took a major step back in 2010, but in Milwaukee, with a lineup that features five possible 100-RBI guys, you have to figure Greinke will take a step up.

10. Jon Lester, Red Sox: In his years in Boston, thanks to an array of pitches – all of which he commands well – Lester has won, won, and won some more. In 2010, he was outstanding, with a 19-9 record and 3.25 ERA. It’s almost scary to imagine how good Lester will be in 2011, as Boston has a healthier lineup, and acquired the two hottest offseason commodities – left fielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. 20 wins in the near-future for Lester? Not too much to ask of him.

9. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals: What a disappointing start for Wainwright’s 2011 season. In the last four years, he’s 64-34 with a 2.92 ERA, and his ERA’s have gotten better each year, including an outstanding 2.42 mark in 2010. This year is a contract year for Adam. Despite all of that, he’s an absolute elite pitcher.

8. Justin Verlander, Tigers: Verlander’s 2008 season (11-17, 4.84 ERA) has proved to be an abberation. In his other four full seasons, he has a 72-33 record, along with 795 strikeouts. The Tigers could have an even better offense this year, as they signed Victor Martinez, and young guys like Ryan Raburn, Brennan Boesch, and Austin Jackson have developed. He could win 20.

7. Josh Johnson, Marlins: Up until his injury, you could argue Johnson was just as worthy a Cy Young candidate as anybody. At 6’7″, 250, he’s an imposing figure on the mound. He gets his fastball up to 96 with an incredible hard slider and dominant changeup. He’s signed through 2013, and the Marlins have made a solid investment. Since 2008, Johnson has some incredible numbers, with 33 wins, 12 losses, a 2.94 ERA, 454 strikeouts, and 153 walks.

6. Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies: Jimenez’ future is just as bright as anybody’s. He’s gotten better each year, and with the Rockies extending guys like Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, and adding an underrated utility man like Ty Wigginton, I’d expect that upward spiral to continue for this dominant right hander. Will he win 20 games and start with a microscopic ERA again? Maybe not; but when it’s all said and done, Jimenez should finish 2011 with Cy Young-worthy numbers.

5. CC Sabathia, Yankees: Not many know just how good CC is. Since 2008, CC has 57 wins, 25 losses, and surprisingly enough, his wins have improved each year (17 in 2008, 19 in 2009, 21 in 2010) and his losses have continued to decrease (10 in 2008, eight in 2009, seven last year). CC is, perhaps, the only reason the Yankees rotation isn’t nationally known as an absolute abomination.

4. David Price, Rays: Undoubtedly, the Rays have gotten worse. They lost Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Rafael Soriano, and Matt Garza. They could be the worst team in the AL East. Boston and New York are who they are, Toronto is solid, and Baltimore has made some rapid improvements. The only reason Tampa Bay isn’t widely considered a cellar-dwellar is pitching, and that is led by David Price. His stuff is downright unfair, and he finished second in Cy Young voting (19-6, 2.72 ERA).

3. Tim Lincecum, Giants: Next to maybe Felix ‘King Felix’ Hernandez, Lincecum has the most electric stuff for any starter. In three full years, Lincecum has made the All Star Game three times, won Cy Young twice, and is a World Series Champion. He’s led the National League in strikeouts all three years. He has 49 wins and 22 losses, and he’s a safe bet for another filthy year. His velocity declined last year, but he has some ridiculous secondary stuff, so he can compensate.

2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners: It wasn’t until, perhaps, last year, that Felix lived up to his “King” billing. Signed through 2014, Felix has a 71-53 career record with a 3.20 ERA, but his best season was easily last year, when he won a Cy Young for the worst team in the American League. With just 13 wins, he had an outstanding 2.27 ERA, 249 innings, 232 strikeouts, and a 1.06 WHIP. If the Mariners offense improves, Felix will win at least 16 games this year.

1. Roy Halladay, Phillies: Thanks to an outstanding repertoire of pitches and even better command of them, Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball. He has an outstanding fastball and cutter, great changeup and curveball, and he’s easily the most prepared baseball player – regardless of position. In the last six years, he has 102 wins, 47 losses, and a remarkable 43 complete games – a stat more fitting in the early 20th century – not in this day and age, with pitch counts and situational relievers. He’s the best.