The Tools of Ignorance: Saturday News

Sergio Mitre went through the Rays' regular lineup last night.  He's going to make the team, so the haters just have to get over it.

If you read the book Fantasyland, about the fantasy baseball player in one of those super expert leagues, you might be interested in the documentary embedded in this thread over at our M's sister-site, LookoutLanding. 

As someone who has been playing fantasy baseball for years, I love it because it forces me to more familiar with all the good players in the league.  At the same time, I've learned to mentally segment my fantasy team from the Yankees; I'm following two completely different games.  I worry about the baseball game while it's on, and I don't think about fantasy until I set my roster the next morning.

I watched about 40 minutes of Fantasyland, and I found it cringe inducing, in the way it would be cringe inducing if they did a documentary about how much time I spend sitting on my couch: nobody needs to know this, keep it to yourself.  The guy goes to spring training and talks to the players he's 'drafted.'

Speaking of LookoutLanding, they've finished their sabermetrics primer.  They explain all the key terms in depth.  If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, click the link, then read posts #1-#5.  That'll walk you through all the background about how the numbers try to account for the human elements (and randomness) of the game.

They're short reads, and they're quality.

For all you minor league gurus out there, Scouting the Sally's Mike Newman has the New York Yankees' top prospect page ready to go for the season.  He's followed Abraham Almonte, Carmen Angelini, Manuel Banuelos, Andrew Brackman, Corban Joseph, Dan Kapala, Melky Mesa, Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Bradley Suttle.

Hopefully this year, Mike will add reports for Zach Heathcott, John Murphy and Adam Warren (the Yanks' top 3 draftees of 2010).