Here’s a look back at MLBTR’s original analysis and reporting over the past seven days:
- Chuck Wasserstrom engaged in an in-depth and informative interview with Tyrone Brooks, the recently named Senior Director of MLB’s Front Office and Field Staff Diversity Pipeline Program. Brooks is at the helm of an effort “to help increase the pool of minority and women candidates for baseball operations positions.” The Brooks-led program starts people off in internships and entry-level positions as they work to climb the ladder toward more prominent jobs. Brooks can relate, having started his career in baseball as an intern with the Braves 20 years ago before ultimately becoming the Pirates’ director of baseball operations in 2009. He left the Bucs after last season to fill his current role.
- In the first edition of this year’s Draft Prospect Q&A series, Chuck spoke with University of Louisville center fielder Corey Ray. Baseball America recently projected Ray to go sixth overall in June’s amateur draft. The Mariners chose Ray in the 33rd round of the 2013 draft, but he instead went to college at the insistence of his father. Ray touched on how his time at Louisville has been key for his development, his upbringing in Chicago, and which past and present major leaguers he’d like to emulate, among other subjects.
- On this week’s edition of the MLBTR podcast, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald joined host Jeff Todd to discuss several Red Sox topics. MLBTR’s Steve Adams also hopped on to talk about the early season struggles of the Braves and Twins. A new episode of the podcast is released every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
- Steve examined the Padres’ offseason, during which time the club took a much more guarded approach toward spending than it did a year earlier. Their most notable transaction was shipping elite closer Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox for a prospect haul.
- Jeff took a look back at a Mets offseason that featured several beneficial moves, including the re-signing of star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, on the heels of last year’s National League pennant.
- Steve also reviewed the Rangers’ offseason. After winning the AL West last season, Texas had a modest winter in terms of spending. Its biggest addition was outfielder and erstwhile shortstop Ian Desmond, who unexpectedly remained on the free agent market until late February. Of course, the Rangers’ thrifty offseason was sandwiched between the acquisition of expensive lefty Cole Hamels last summer and the pricey extension given to third baseman Adrian Beltre earlier this week.
