Good evening, I'm Karl Ravech, and this is the Baseball Tonight Midseason Special. Tonight, we'll look at the first half of the 2015 SLB season, the big performers, the surprise teams, and, later, will speculate on the months ahead, and who will vie for the World Series Ring.
 

Joining me during tonight's All Star Break broadcast is our very own lineup of BBTN All Stars. First, we have Hall of Famer Peter Gammons.
 *basks in own awesomeness*
 To his left is former New York Mets general manager, Steve Phillips.
*gets makeup girl's phone number*
Moving on, we have ESPN.com writer Buster Olney
*makes up three trade rumors in head*
Former manager of the Giants and Cubs, Dusty Baker
*chews toothpick, fishes*
Writer for ESPN The Magazine, Tim Kurkjian
*breathes nasally*
Former major leaguer, John Kruk
*sweats Italian dressing*
And finally, Hall of Fame second baseman and broadcaster Joe Morgan.
*does nothing, wins Sports Emmy*
Okay, let's get right to it. Who is this year's surprise team?
There have been a lot of great surprises this year, but I'll go with London. So many things went wrong last year, but everything seems to be clicking for the Knights. They've scored the 2nd most runs in the league and have drawn the second most walks.  They've gotten enough from the starters and have a shutdown closer in Julio Mateo.
The Dawgs won 68 games last year and I really didn't see them battling for more than 3rd place in the North this season. While I'm not sure they can hang on, they should be commended for a fine first half. I'm not convinced that pitching staff can hold up. Both Seth McClung and James Howell are in the rotation and they have career ERA's of 5.81 and 4.80.
I didn't expect the Kwaan to be that good. I didn't see much of them last year, but read that they were in last place. We did one of their games last week and saw how good they are. They have great players and so should be good, though I didn't know if they would be.
I'd have to say the Baltimore Panthers.  Weren't they supposed to be horrible?  And they're not.  They're bad, sure, but they're not the worst.  But right now they have more wins than San Juan, last year's champs, more wins than Ireland and more wins than Osaka and a better winning percentage than Taipei.  I don't know how they figure out winning percentages but still, that's a good thing being ahead of somebody.
I’ll say Atlanta, not so much because of the Flyers’ record, but because of just how un-Atlanta like their roster appeared coming into the season. Jacobo and Chapman at third? Lind at first? Angel Berroa at shortstop? This group doesn’t resemble the Atlanta teams of the past, and it’s reflected in their record. Most Disappointing Team
We've heard the big surprises, so what team has most disappointed?
This one is easy. Rarely in SLB history has a team had such a meteoric rise and such an abrupt decline as San Juan. The Senadores came into the league in 2013, won it all in 2014 and now have the worst record in the league, even behind perennial cellar-dwellers Baltimore, who, by the way, are ahead of San Juan in the standings.
I thought Ireland had something going last year, but the veterans in the lineup haven't been enough to compensate for all those kids. You can't with all them kids out there every day.
It has to be the Osaka Ronin.  This team has totally imploded. From 91 wins last season to this monumental disaster, really, I'm surprised no one has been fired or traded yet. Have they had more than their share of injuries?  Absolutely.  But they are supposed to be making trades or calling up players from the minors, not wallowing in self-pity.  And if you're serious about contending, you don't put Rick Ankiel anywhere near your roster. In 526.2 innings, Ankiel has a 5.86 ERA.  And you want him to close?  What an embarrassment.
We've heard what the panel has to say about the teams, now let's focus on players. Which player has been the biggest surprise so far this year?
Joe Belinda from the Kwaan.  25 years old and leading the league in hits?  Leading the league in batting average and slugging percentage?  Okay, I'm not sure how to figure out slugging percentage either but that's got to be good, right?  Sure, people thought he'd be good when he was drafted but nothing like this.  And he's played a pretty good left field as well without committing an error.
Trevor Bayne is tied for fifth in the league in average, fourth in slugging percentage, first in triples, first in runs, fifth in runs created and second in stolen bases. All this after a total of 88 big league at-bats. Who saw this coming? Certainly not me, I like to trade young players for over-the-hill veterans. 
I'll say Scott Williamson on San Juan. Usually you don't see much success when teams try making a reliever into a starter, but it hasn't seemed to slow Williamson down.
Scott Kazmir. Here's a guy who just gave up a ton of home runs last year and now has totally turned it around for Chiang Mai. He gave up 34 long balls for Cleveland last year, but has surrendered just 5 so far in 2015.
And who have been the biggest let downs?
Prince Fielder blew up the league in 2014, hitting .298 with 50 home runs. He blew up in the off season, cashing in on a 3-year, $30 million contract with Bedford by gaining too much weight, much to the chagrin of Crunch fans. He absolutely must get back to the svelte form he showed in 2014, or Bedford will be in big-time trouble.
Scott Hodges can't get no hits for San Juan. I like him because he's always hitting his way on. Give me a guy who gets over 200 hits a year any day. He's just not hitting this year.
Cap Jackson.  I know, he's 23, but he's got two and half seasons under his belt now, that's 1682 AB's, and he's giving the
Chiang-Mai Kwaan next to nothing.  This second baseman has great stolen base totals, 53 so far, but it just makes you wonder how many he'd get if he actually made it to first base more often.  He's hitting .261 and bats leadoff with a .308 OBP. And he's made 9 errors already.  Will the Kwaan end up losing some post-season games when their leadoff hitter repeatedly
goes 0-4?
Are there any players you would consider to be overrated? How about underrated?
Eric Valent is probably the most underrated outfielder in baseball. This guy was in the shadow of Lemming and Dennis in Atlanta but put up great numbers in 3 seasons. This year he has 20 HR and 60 RBI and no one is talking about him. A great grass-roots movement got him voted onto the All Star Team, and he deserved it.
How about anyone playing in Osaka right now?  They can put up gaudy homerun totals due to their home field but on the road the Ronin are 14-30, worst in SLB.  The Ronin turn into Pumpkin when they have to travel.  Peppers has 30 homerun so far, so what?  Tell me what he'd get playing all of his games on Planet Earth.  Will this guy get a ridiculous free-agent contract this offseason?  Will he want to pad his totals playing at Domukun Field or play for a winner elsewhere?
Why are you moving your hands like that?
He may be the best pitcher that the casual SLB fan doesn’t know. I’m talking of course about Kelvim Escobar. He just got traded to Kyoto and is now in the middle of a playoff race, so maybe, hopefully, that changes.
I disagree. Kelvim Escobar is very overrated, as he's only won 4 games. That's just not what pitchers should do. I know stats people will say his ERA is really good, but pitchers are paid to win. I'd rather have a guy who wins 20 games with a 5.00 ERA than one who wins 12 games with a 2.00 ERA.
If Atlanta made the playoffs last year and is way behind Savannah this year, and Chiang-Mai is way out in front in the Far East, I think the obvious difference is Dennis Dennis.  He gets his team to the postseason.  Most people, including myself, probably thought Lemming was the leader there last year but now we know.  The Kwaan finished last in 2014 and then signed Dennis and look at them now.
Adam Dunn leads the league in home runs – but is just tenth in the league in RBI, all that despite a .295 average. What’s the missing ingredient? Sac Flies, a key missing element in Dunn’s game that could turn him into a top-10 talent.
Looking back at the off season, who would you say were the best signings of the winter?
Though he was expensive, Dennis Dennis Jr. was THE big signing of the winter. Everyone was so in awe of Darren Lemming's  numbers in Atlanta that no one realized that D2J made that offense run. Now he's brought that magic to the Kwaan, and it's turned that team around.
Well heck, its gotta be Dennis Dennis, doesn't it? I mean come on, the Kwaan are spending over 10 million on this guy and
they've got 60 wins.  They only had 66 wins all of last year!  Too easy.
I just said that.
Savannah resigned Phillip Humber to a 3 year, 30.75 million dollar deal.  And he's delivered.  He's 10-4 and has a career low
2.30 ERA.  And he's third in SLB with 133 strikeouts.  Awesome.
What deals are GM's regretting?
I'm not sure what the Baltimore GM was thinking when he signed Kyle Newby for $5 million a season. He has been better recently, but he hasn't been great. That said, he could be alright, but only if he's used right and is more consistent.
Look on the Leader board and who don't you see? Not anywhere, not even Strikeouts.  Prince Fielder has given the Bedford
Crunch a .250 batting average, 14 homeruns and 41 RBI's.  For a first baseman making 10 million dollars a year, the Crunch deserve more.
Definitely Prince Fielder. He’s not even hitting his weight, which is, admittedly, harder to do now that he has ballooned to well over 300 pounds. 
The other way GM's can help their team is via the trade. What have been the good and bad deals this year?
I think a deal that worked out for both teams was the Kazmir/Howell deal back in March. Both pitchers had lousy seasons in '14, but both have really performed well in their new environments.
Kyoto did good getting Lohse and Barfield from Scotland. Those guys have stepped it up over there while they guys Scotland got haven't really done anything. That's a steal.
I look at that from Scotland's perspective and say it was the worst trade. Zizzo is still in AAA, so that's something I guess. Paris has stunk at catcher, hitting .247.  Greinke is pitching his way out of the league and instead of Barfield, Scotland has been giving playing time to a rookie hitting .225 or Matt Bush, who's never been able to hit big league pitching.  I bet the Rebels wish they never made this trade.
Hate to rip on anybody here, you know I may have to talk to the same GM tomorrow, but what the heck was Ireland doing giving Tadeshi Kawabata like that?  Kawabata was signed through next season, has a 2.46 ERA so far and the Invaders also threw in 23 year-old shortstop prospect Hayes. For Pedro Beato?  You got Pedro Beato back?  He couldn't get anybody out in Rookie ball this year!
I didn't understand that Dennis trade. Why would Atlanta trade one of their best hitters for spare parts? Why is the front office so afraid to pay people? Is this going to happen with Lemming next year?
Alright, let's go around the horn and hear everyone's mid season picks for some of the big awards.
Adam Dunn, Scotland.  Belinda has Bayne and Dennis.  Hunting has Miggy.  Delmon Young has .... okay, but his team is in last.  Dunn leads SLB with 30 homeruns while playing half his games in the fog AND he's hitting .295.  Without his bat, the Rebels don't sniff the playoffs.
My MVP is Andruw Jones in Savannah. That team is constantly knocked for having a do-nothing offense, yet Jones has taken the team on his back and launched them near the top of the league in offense. It would be a great end to a remarkable career.
I like dudes that can hit. Ain't no one hitting more than Joe Belinda over there in Thailand. Good fishing over there too.
It just has to be Belinda. That should be the slogan hanging on every illegal shoe factory in Thailand, as the young outfielder makes a run at the MVP award.
I agree. I like comfortable shoes. Nice, comfortable shoes that you can trust. That you can put faith in and know how they will perform. I just bought some new Nike Shox the other day, but I would gladly trade them for the Nike Air’s from 1993 that I can have confidence in.
I don't think any one player has changed his team's fortunes more than Dennis Dennis Jr. He gets my vote.
Cy Young?
This might not be the popular pick, but I’m going to say Phillip Humber out of Savannah for the Cy Young. To do what he’s done – come over with all the pressure in the world on his shoulders, pressure not seen since since the halcyon days of Hank Aaron’s chase of Babe Ruth’s home run record, and turn this franchise around. It’s truly remarkable.
Lance Broadway, because he wins. Period. That's what pitchers have to do.
Lance Broadway of Chaing-Mai.  Your job as pitcher is to win games.  Broadway's won the most so far.  Hello?  Too easy. Wouldn't every other team want a pitcher who's gone 13-3?
I just said that.
*looks at espn.com, sees Lance Broadway’s win totals, desperately tries to trade top prospects for him*
The Cy Young is like a day at the lake, casting your line out there and hoping to hook a big-mouthed bass. Sometimes you go all day and can't buy a bite, and other days they're jumpin' in your boat. Some days you need 60 pound test, others you just use a bamboo pole and some twine. That's why I pick Homer Bailey.
Phillip Humber is due.
And finally, who is your Rookie of the Year?
I like guys who hit, so –
- Trevor Bayne.
Right.
I don’t think there can be any kind debate on this subject, Trevor Bayne is the pick here. Earlier in the season he had a stretch where he made contact on 49 straight pitches, either fouling them off or hitting them into fair territory. That was the longest such streak since Wee Winnie Wheeler all the way back in 1925. Yes, the same Wheeler who is Bayne’s great, great, great Uncle. Little things like these are what makes Baseball the only thing that gets me up in the morning.
I also like Bayne, as he sets the table for all other great hitters on that team. As for my Rookie Pitcher, I think it's clear that Gabriel Hernandez and Rand McPherson are the front runners.
Even though he's on the DL, I'd have to take Trevor Bayne of Chaing-Mai.  If he was just hitting .336 that would be one thing, but the kid has 45 stolen bases already. Do I think he'd be this good without Dennis Dennis showing him the way and providing leadership?  No way, but that doesn't matter
What’s a rookie? 
Everyone give me a Team and a Player to watch in the second half.
Don't sleep on Atlanta. They may not be able to catch the Sabers in the South, but with Lemming healthy and Bailey returning soon, the Flyers can easily pass all the water-treading teams in the North. As for a player to watch, I'm interested to see if Kelvim Escobar can take Kyoto to the next level. He's 4-10, but with a 2.59 ERA, and gave up zero runs in his first start for the Bushido.
My team to watch is Scotland. That team is hotter than an Alabama fishing hole. My player is Darren Lemming. This young man is going to make short work of the home run record at the end of his career. Did you know I was in the on-deck circle when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record?
San Juan. And no, they're not going to win anything.  But I think they'll turn it on and escape losing some of that money they earned last off season and pass Baltimore.  At least, that's one of a few races to watch in the second half.  The Senadores are 5.5 back of habitual last-place finishers Baltimore.
I watch them all - what does this even mean?  Okay, how about Kendry Morales of London?  He's a free agent after this season and he's going to have to turn it up a notch if he wants the real big money.  He only has 5 homeruns this year after hitting 39 last season.  He hit over 50 a couple years ago and he'll need a surge in the second half to get his big payday.
Watch Dan Posedel in Taipei. His numbers have been decent, but he’s been dealing with chronic heel bruises all season. When he’s fully healthy, which should be soon, look out.
Is there a guy down on the farm that you think will make an impact on his team in the second half?
Though he doesn't usually rush guys to the majors, I have to think that Jim Masters has a bevy of young arms that can help if the team gets into the wildcard lead. Frankie High can slot in at closer, while Al Krieger or Ryan Tucker look ready to step into a starter's role.
If Atlanta calls up a rookie pitcher, either Ryan Tucker or Al Krieger, it could be the shot in the arm that propels them into the playoffs. And who knows what happens when they get there? In past seasons, Atlanta has looked like the team to beat going into the post-season, but struggled when they got there, while wild-card teams took home the trophy. Maybe this will payoff for Atlanta this year.
*stabs Tim Kurkjian in eye with Commemorative Cooperstown Hall of Fame Pen*
I disagree with Tim, I think there’s a rule that says that rookies can’t actually make an impact. That’s why I trade em for veterans.  
I haven't seen enough of the young kids to say. Hank Daniels had some success at times for Kyoto, but has to be more consistent. Guy Harrison maybe be back in Philly soon and could put that speed to use. John Miller hit everything for San Juan's minor league team, and could help the team get out of last place. But I don't really know, so I won't comment.
I don't really follow "prospects".  Until you've proven you can do it in the Show, I don't care if you're a first round pick or fifth round pick.  Any guy you tell me will make a difference as a rookie, a so-called "can't miss" guy, can fall flat on his face. I'm not going there.
I think we may see number 2 pick Diego Clemente in the second half.  London is being pressured by Scotland and Paris in the standings and may have a short leash on TJ Mackey. Will Clemente be the spark the Knights need to make the playoffs? Will
Mackey be a distraction riding the bench?
Thanks to our panel for being here and offering their, um, insight to the first half of the season. Well, not Kruk, he's worthless. Before we go, let's hear everyone's picks for the playoffs.
I think we see Savannah and Atlanta out of the South, with the North going to whichever team can make the big trade. I think Cleveland can pull it out if they are willing to accelerate the rebuilding program. In the WL, I like London, Chiang-Mai and Kyoto with a great wildcard race. Chiang-Mai over Atlanta in the World Series.
Well, the Senadores are the champs until someone unseats them. If someone can do that, it's probably Savannah.
Both the Euro and North Divisions are total tossups at this point, but the other selections seem easy. Expect to see Savannah and Atlanta from the American, and Chiang-Mai and Kyoto from the World. Other than that, who knows? And that’s what makes Baseball the best sport in the world.
I once traded Scott Zazmir for Victor Zambrano.
I think the playoffs shake out just like we see it now, with Savannah, Atlanta, Philly, London, Chiang Mai and Kyoto. I'm picking Savannah over a surprise Kyoto team in the World Series.
Well, thank you all for watching Baseball Tonight's Mid Season Special here on ESPN. I'm Karl Ravech, and how I havent' shot myself in the face after all these years is anyone's guess. Good Night.

 

Surprise Team LON ATL CLE BAL CHNG CHNG SAV
Disappointing Team SJ SJ OSKA ATL SJ HAL IRE
Surprise Player P Scott Kazmir (CHNG) CF Trevor Bayne
(CHNG)		 CF Andruw Jones (SAV) RF Joe Belinda (CHNG) CF Trevor Bayne
(CHNG)		 P Scott Williamson (SJ) LF Adam Dunn (SCOT)
Disappointing Player C Earl Hickey (IRE) P Dontrelle Willis
(PAR)		 2B Cap Jackson (CHNG) P Felix Hernandez (TAI) 1B Prince Fielder
(BED)		 P Felix Hernandez (TAI) 2B Scott Hodges (SJ)
Over/Underrated Player UNDER:
LF Eric Valent (ATL)		 UNDER:
P Kelvim Escobar
(KYO)		 OVER: 
1B Dave Peppers (OSKA)		 UNDER:
 RF Dennis Dennis Jr. (CHNG)		 UNDER:
RF Joe Belinda (CHNG)		 OVER:
P Kelvim Escobar (KYO)		 UNDER:
2B Josh Barfield (KYO)
Best FA Signing RF Dennis Dennis Jr. (CHNG) P Phillip Humber
(SAV)		 P Phillip Humber (SAV) RF Dennis Dennis Jr. (CHNG) RF Dennis Dennis Jr. (CHNG) P Derek Thompson (CHNG) RF Dennis Dennis Jr. (CHNG)
Worst FA Signing 2B TJ Mackey (LON) 1B Prince Fielder (BED) 1B Prince Fielder (BED) 2B TJ Mackey (LON) 1B Prince Fielder (BED) P Kyle Newby (BAL) 1B Prince Fielder (BED)
Best/Worst Trade BEST: Kazmir/Howell - WORST: Kawabata/Beato WORST: Lohse+Barfield/
Paris+Greinke		 - WORST: Dennis/Players BEST:
Lohse+Barfield/
Paris+Greinke
Midseason MVP CF Andruw Jones (SAV) 1993 Nike Airs LF Adam Dunn (SCOT) CF Andruw Jones (SAV) RF Joe Belinda
(CHNG)		 RF Dennis Dennis Jr. (CHNG) RF Joe Belinda (CHNG)
Midseason Cy Young P Phillip Humber (SAV) Not Prospects P Phillip Humber (SAV) P Lance Broadway (CHNG) P Phillip Humber
(SAV)		 P Lance Broadway (CHNG) P Homer Bailey (ATL)
Midseason ROY CF Trevor Bayne (CHNG) I Don't Understand the Question CF Trevor Bayne (CHNG) CF Trevor Bayne (CHNG) CF Trevor Bayne (CHNG) CF Trevor Bayne (CHNG) CF Trevor Bayne (CHNG)
Darkhorse Team ATL - SJ ATL - KYO SCOT
Player to Watch P Kelvim Escobar (KYO) 1B Dave Peppers
(OSKA)		 1B Albert Pujols (TAI) LF Kendry Morales (LON) 1B Dan Posedel
(TAI)		 LF Adam Dunn (SCOT) CF Darren Lemming (ATL)
Impact Rookie P Ryan Tucker (ATL) Trade Them SS Diego Clemente (LON) No Pick P Ryan Tucker
(ATL)		 P Hank Daniels (KYO) HIIIIITTTTTSSSS
World Series Pick CHNG CHNG SAV CHNG SAV SAV SAV