This week in baseball blogs…
- MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed argues that Mike Trout shouldn’t re-sign with the Angels.
- The Sports Tank wonders if the Red Sox should pursue a trade for Manny Machado.
- A’s Farm talks to Athletics scouting director Eric Kubota about the team’s top picks in this year’s draft.
- The K Zone looks into the Dodgers’ Max Muncy’s breakout season.
- Pitcher List observes that the Cubs’ Albert Almora Jr. is getting a noticeably high number of first-pitch strikes.
- Angels Avenue examines Kole Calhoun’s nightmarish season at the plate.
- The Runner Sports responds to Miguel Sano’s demotion and recommends a couple other moves for the Twins.
- Bronx Bomber Ball says the Yankees should trade Brandon Drury.
- Reviewing The Brew regards Lorenzo Cain as the Brewers’ MVP thus far.
- Good Fundies has a guide to supporting the Mets without supporting their ownership.
- Outfield Fly Rule (links: 1, 2) runs down Rangers and Reds the Braves could acquire.
- East Village Times isn’t sure if Hunter Renfroe’s part of the long-term solution for the Padres.
- SportsTalkPhilly.com puts Aaron Nola’s great start to 2018 into historical perspective.
- The Point of Pittsburgh weighs how to feel about Jung Ho Kang’s worth as a player versus what things he’s done off the field.
- District On Deck examines Nationals reliever Justin Miller’s incredible start to the season.
- The Pinch Runner names six teams that are set up to succeed for the long haul.
- Chin Music Baseball points out nine players who have undone their hot starts.
- Friars On Base believes the Padres could remain competitive even if they sell at the trade deadline.
- Mets Daddy doesn’t think the team has any piece to sell.
- The Giants Cove looks ahead to the deadline for San Francisco.
- Pro Baseball Detroit lists five reasons why the Tigers have exceeded expectations thus far.
- MetsMerizedOnline.com notes that the club is wasting Jacob deGrom’s brilliant campaign.
- Rox Pile assesses Rockies GM Jeff Bridich’s performance.
- Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) recommends Tommy John surgery for Shohei Ohtani, and predicts the Phillies’ offense will determine the team’s success the rest of the way.
- Everything Bluebirds opines that the Blue Jays should remove Marco Estrada or Jaime Garcia from their rotation, not Sam Gaviglio, when Marcus Stroman returns from the disabled list.
- Pirates Breakdown asks why Clint Hurdle is protecting Gregory Polanco.
- The First Out At Third highlights Brewers infielder Eric Sogard’s dreadful season.
- Bronx To Bushville writes about Jonathan Loaisiga’s journey to the Yankees.
- Extra Innings UK scouts and interviews Indians pitching prospect Shao-Ching Chiang.
- Nyrdcast (links: 1, 2) shares informative draft trackers for both MLB and the Cardinals.
- Camden Depot recaps the Orioles’ draft.
- Notes from the Sally shares thoughts on Braves prospects Drew Waters and William Contreras.
- Bucs Dugout explains why Trevor Williams is struggling.
- Rising Apple doesn’t want the Mets to use Robert Gsellman as a closer.
- The Runner Sports profiles hot-hitting Astros corner infield prospect Randy Cesar.
- Foul Territory Baseball focuses on three Blue Jays prospects with famous fathers.
- Birds On The Black’s Kyle Reis pays tribute to his father, an avid Cardinals fan.
- Rotisserie Duck ranks the top 10 baseball cards of the 1970s.
Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com
Off topic question: when a pitch hits the borderline on Gameday, is it supposed to be called a strike? Or is it only technically a strike if the ball is more in the zone than out of the zone?
and what if its not gameday?
Not certain, but pretty sure that if any part of the ball touches the strike zone it is supposed to be called a strike.
Like any part of a ball touching the foul line or foul pole is a fair ball.
forwhomjoshbelltolls….Right you are…Official Baseball Rules – Definitions (pg 149) – A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which:
(b) Is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any part
of the strike zone;
http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/8/0/268272080/2018_Official_Baseball_Rules.pdf
Even the slightest overlap of the black box is a strike
MACHADO TO STLOUIS AND HE STAYS
Manny n the Evil Empire have been sending kisses to each other all yr. it borders on tampering, not caring if they are they deserved to have him lead the Storm Troopers to the battle each night, eventually loading up all their FA with crazy contracts n they can bathe in mediocrity.
the yankees don’t need him anymore, they have andujar & torres for the future. And still have Didi at short.
Y would the Sox trade for Machado 2 months then gone.. Devers under control done..
Is this shortwave?
To upgrade over Devers’ -0.1 WAR. Done.
I lover Devers, he’s already good, but he’ll be great one day soon. I just hope the Sox do right by him. I feel Mookie will be going one day, but I wish once those crazy contracts finish they can give Mookie what he deserves. The Redsox have a fantastic out field, n JBJ not even hitting.
JBJ straight up for Tim Tebow
The trade scenarios mentioned for the Braves and Rangers/Reds are difficult for me to imagine as likely given the out of balance deals. Absolutely NO WAY that Atlanta would give that up for Hamels.
I did think that the Outfield Fly did a good job discussing Waters and Contreras. Waters especially has been on fire of late. I look for him to make solid jumps in the next major prospect rankings.
Anthopoulos is a big fan of Happ. Its not out of the question he makes a call to his old team if Atlanta is running in first place a month from now.
I got it backwards in my first comment. I wasn’t fond of the trade proposals from Outfield Fly, but loved the prospect analysis from Notes from the Sally.
Hey southl, thanks for reading.
I agree that Atlanta would wouldn’t likely make that move for Hamels. That’s just the kind of package it would likely take to pull him. I don’t advocate the Braves actually do that deal (or something like it).
And I agree that John at Notes From the Sally did a great job on his Waters and Contreras reports.
While I do occasionally read Outfield Fly, I just don’t think it is likely Atlanta would pursue Hamels, nor do I think that he would cost nearly that much. He will be in some demand, but the price tag listed is probably double what it would cost. Just my opinion, and time will tell if the Braves choose to go down that road.
Fair enough.
If Mike Trout is a winner or wants to win, then why would he want to resign with an organization that is lost year after year after year. Simple fact…. Last 2 season 20 games out and under .500, and this season looks as if it could be 3 in a row.
Where’d you realistically imagine he’d end up?
Being a Philly guy, and that they seem to be rebuilding he may fit in with them well. Yankees are always an option as well. End of day, just going to a winner is better than being on a bad organization he is on now.
And he’s an eagles fan. I can definitely see the fit from his perspective, but odubel Herrera seems to be a good fit for center field in philadelphia
bravesandcrewfan…….Odubel’s contract runs through 2021 (with 2 team options after that). Do you really think the Phillies would pass on Trout to keep Herrera if they had a chance? Would any team pace on Trout?
It is well known that he grew up a Phillies fan and even rooted for them after signing with the Angels so they are a possibility.
“Trout’s father recalled a story from a few years back when in the middle of the night, Jeff heard Mike scream from his room.
“Dad, we got Roy Halladay!” Mike yelled. To which his Dad responded: “the Angels got Halladay?”
“No, the Phillies did!” Mike replied. “Son, you’re a member of the Angels. What’s with this we?!””
https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/09/27/mike-trout-still-a-phillies-fan/
I’m very good friends with Trout’s agent. IF Mike moves on from the Angels his choice would be the Phillies.
I’m dating Adriana grande
I just ate a whole wheel of cheese
Wheel cheese or pwocessed cheese pwoduct?
Trout grew up in the small town in Mass , so why the Phillies? Boston would never sign him but if he did it would make the Sox a huge threat bat wise. I’m sure Price will opt outta contract so they’ll have money. But they need pitching too,
pasha2k……Trout grew up in Millville NJ and still goes home to South Jersey in the offseason. He was born in Vineland, the nearest hospital to Millville. Look at his BBRef page.
ding-ding-ding wrong answer…thanks for playing
I conquered Rome with the Visigoths!