Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Thome, Draft, Angels

Four years ago today, John Smoltz struck out Mark Reynolds to become the Braves' all-time strikeout leader. His 2,913th whiff moved him past Phil Niekro. Smoltz finished his Braves' career with 3,011 strikeouts, and he is also the franchise's career leader in strikeout rate (7.98 K/9) and saves (154). He's in the top ten of almost every other significant pitching statistic as well.

Here is the best the blogosphere had to offer over the last seven days…

• In the wake of his 600th homer, Brotherly Glove looks at Jim Thome's impact on the Phillies.
• Infield Chatter broke down Thome's case for the Hall of Fame.
• Replacement Level Baseball recapped the draft signing deadline.
• MLB Reports recapped the big name draftees that did not sign this year.
• FanSpeak says the Nationals' big draft class sets them up for the future.
• Padres Prospects broke down the big money players the Padres signed before the deadline.
• Bleacher Nation recapped the Cubs' entire draft haul.
• River Ave. Blues thinks Gerrit Cole's rejection may have scared the Yankees.
• True Grich wonders if the Angels are in trouble financially.
• Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness picks apart a recent interview with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
• The Friahood mused about a recent report of the Padres increasing payroll.
• Rant Sports Indians looks at five contenders that could use Austin Kearns.
• Yankees Fans Unite wonders who should play center field for the Yanks, Curtis Granderson or Brett Gardner.
• Twinkie Town, meanwhile, provides the definitive guide to booing the Yankees.
• Jays Journal thinks Jesse Litsch could be long-term bullpen option for the Blue Jays.
• Rant Sports Red Sox tries to figure out what Jonathan Papelbon is worth on the free agent market.
• Days of Yost looks at what has made Randy Wolf so effective this year.
• Ol' Ball Game explains why Brandon Morrow is a top shelf starter.
• Call to the Pen wonders if Roy Halladay already has the Cy Young Award locked up.
• Cracked Bell Sports doesn't think the Phillies rotation has been overworked.

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