I have devoted my first six My Five columns to ranking the best in baseball in a variety of categories, but I figured it was time to toss a change-up this week. With the All-Star break just around the corner, I'm taking a look back at what has been a thrilling first half and highlighting my favorite storylines. Enjoy. By Sean Raposa.
I have devoted my first six My Five columns to ranking the best in baseball in a variety of categories, but I figured it was time to toss a change-up this week. With the All-Star break just around the corner, I'm taking a look back at what has been a thrilling first half and highlighting my favorite storylines. Enjoy. By Sean Raposa.
All-Star break? Not for Indians prospect Wes Hodges, who'll play in the Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday and follow that up with an appearance in the Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday. The Tribe's No. 4 prospect and third baseman of the future is also a candidate for the U.S. Olympic Team and could be in line for a September call-up. By Jay LeBlanc.
All-Star break? Not for Indians prospect Wes Hodges, who'll play in the Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday and follow that up with an appearance in the Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday. The Tribe's No. 4 prospect and third baseman of the future is also a candidate for the U.S. Olympic Team and could be in line for a September call-up. By Jay LeBlanc.
I have devoted my first six My Five columns to ranking the best in baseball in a variety of categories, but I figured it was time to toss a change-up this week. With the All-Star break just around the corner, I'm taking a look back at what has been a thrilling first half and highlighting my favorite storylines. Enjoy. By Sean Raposa.
Recent media reports suggest that the Indians and Brewers are trying to hammer out a deal in which Cleveland would send reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee in exchange for top prospect Matt LaPorta, minor leaguer Taylor Green and a lesser prospect. My advice to both clubs? Just get this deal done already! By Jay LeBlanc.
Recent media reports have suggested that the Indians and Brewers have been trying to hammer out a deal in which the Tribe would send reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia to the Brew Crew in exchange for Milwaukee's top prospect, Matt LaPorta, minor leaguer Taylor Green and a lesser prospect. My advice to both clubs? Just get this deal done already! By Jay LeBlanc.
After the All-Star break, teams that think the solutions to their problems can be found within their own organizations - as well as teams that are out of contention and want to fast-forward their youth movements - will start to promote their top prospects, giving fans a sneak preview at the future of baseball. Here are my super seven prized prospects likely to debut to great fanfare in the second half. By Jay LeBlanc.
After the All-Star break, teams that think the solutions to their problems can be found within their own organizations - as well as teams that are out of contention and want to fast-forward their youth movements - will start to think seriously about promoting their top prospects, giving fans a sneak preview at the future of baseball. Here are my super seven prized prospects likely to debut to great fanfare sometime in the second half. By Jay LeBlanc.
That was the decision facing nine high schoolers taken in the first round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft, not to mention the scores of college underclassmen who were selected. However, the students are the ones who are dictating the price tag nowadays, and consequently the word "signability" has gained significant meaning. By Tom Stad.
Rookie Johnny Cueto pitched the Reds past the Nats, while the Royals outslugged the O's despite a pair of jacks by Aubrey Huff. Elsewhere, the D-Backs rallied for six runs in the ninth to top the Brewers and the Red Sox took out their frustrations on the Yankees after getting swept by the Rays. All that and more in today's Morning Report. By Tim Whitman.
The Nationals felt like they got a steal last summer when they selected high school outfielder Michael Burgess with their supplemental first-round pick in the 2007 MLB Draft, but they figured it would be a while before he started to realize his vast potential. Apparently, Burgess - ranked by Baseball America as Washington's No. 4 prospect - had other plans. By Jay LeBlanc.
Alfredo Amezaga's two-run seventh inning blast lifted the Marlins over the Nats, while Daniel Cabrera went the distance as the O's topped the Royals. Elsewhere, the Cards' Troy Glaus and A.J. Pierzynski of the White Sox slugged walk-off shots to lift their squads to victory. All that and more in today's Morning Report. By Jay LeBlanc.
2009 will be the seventh year Andre "The Hawk" Dawson's name has appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot. Last year, Dawson garnered more than 65 percent of the vote but fell 50 votes short of meeting the 75 percent requirement for induction. Will 2009 be the year Dawson gets in? Does he deserve to get in? National Pastime's Nick Leco has got the answers for you.
Ronnie Belliard's sixth-inning grand slam helped Nats rookie Collin Balester to his first big league win, while O's closer George Sherrill proved that the third time is in fact the charm by slamming the door shut after blowing his last two save opportunities. Meanwhile, the Pirates, Dodgers and White Sox worked overtime in their respective quests for victory. Catch up on all yesterday's MLB action in today's Morning Report. By Jay LeBlanc.
