Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

This week in baseball blogs:

• Inside the ‘Zona looks at which areas the Diamondbacks could address prior to the trade deadline.
• Clubhouse Corner interviews Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer about reaching career milestones.
• Outside Pitch MLB recommends the Yankees trade for Hosmer.
• FiveWAR argues that it’s time for the Mets to sell.
• ThinkBluePC lists some potential options for the Dodgers if they seek pitching help before the deadline.
• BP Toronto isn’t concerned about Blue Jays reliever-turned-starter Joe Biagini‘s workload.
• Big Three Sports notes that, despite his injury, Angels center fielder Mike Trout could still win the AL MVP.
• Fueled by Sports ranks the top 10 Giants of all-time.
• Camden Depot wonders if the Orioles’ recent struggles are a more accurate representation of the team than its season-opening hot streak.
• Mets Daddy wants no part of Jose Reyes in the team’s starting lineup anymore.
• The Point of Pittsburgh applauds Pirates right-hander Jameson Taillon for his speedy return from testicular cancer surgery and ponders if more changes are in store for their rotation.
• The Sports Tank suggests that Cubs manager Joe Maddon gets too much credit.
• Padres Prospectus writes about whether a move to the bullpen would enhance starter Jhoulys Chacin‘s trade value.
• Bleeding Royal Blue delves into Kansas City’s recent surge and some other topics related to the team.
• Prospects1500 highlights top performances from each minor league level for the week of June 5.
• Call to the Pen focuses on potential prospect promotions for the Phillies.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) recaps the A’s entire draft and touches on the Yankees’ thriving offense.
• MetsMind profiles first base prospect Dominic Smith.
• Sports Talk Philly doesn’t see the Phillies as a fit for Buck Showalter if he leaves the Orioles in the near future.
• A’s Farm examines the Athletics’ picks in the first 10 rounds of this year’s draft.
• Jays Journal, Clutchlings and Everything Bluebirds are excited about one of Toronto’s top prospects, infielder Bo Bichette.
• FanRag names some potential 2018 draftees to watch in the College World Series.
• Rotisserie Duck pays tribute to Jimmy Piersall.
• The Runner Sports points out that, with the drafting of 35th-rounder Trei Cruz (the grandson of Jose Cruz and the son of Jose Cruz Jr.), three generations of the Cruz family could end up playing for the Astros.
• Pinstriped Prospects profiles the Single-A Staten Island Yankees.
• Outfield Fly Rule reviews the first half of the Braves’ new Single-A affiliate, the Florida Fire Frogs.
• The 3rd Man In recaps the second day of the Brewers’ draft.
• Nyrdcast offers a Cardinals draft tracker.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Off The Bench expects the Mariners to regret extending shortstop Jean Segura.
• Infield Shift opines that dealing left-hander Alex Wood to the Dodgers in 2015 could go down as Braves general manager John Coppolella’s worst trade.
• Pirates Breakdown searches for the causes of Bucs right-hander Gerrit Cole‘s recent woes.
• The K Zone analyzes which players’ hot starts are for real and which players are bound to come back to earth.
• NatsGM scouts highly touted Nationals outfield prospect Victor Robles, while Notes From the Sally observes well-regarded Braves Single-A hurler Ian Anderson.
• ThinkBluePC asks if the Dodgers should attempt to acquire more offensive help by the trade deadline.
• Inside The Seams notes that the success of the Rockies’ rookie pitchers isn’t nearly as surprising as many believe.
• Big Three Sports delves into Mets righty Matt Harvey‘s struggles and his fantasy outlook.
• Rotisserie Duck checks in on the league’s WAR leaders at the one-third mark of the season.
• FiveWAR, BP Toronto and Call to the Pen each have pieces on Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak‘s breakout.
• Pinstriped Prospects talks with Yankees outfield prospect Clint Frazier.
• Sports Talk Philly lists the five players the Phillies are most likely to trade.
• Outfield Fly Rule profiles just-promoted Braves pitching prospect Sean Newcomb.
• World Series Dreaming reacts to the domestic violence allegations against Cubs shortstop Addison Russell.
• Prospects1500 highlights top performances from each minor league level for the week of May 29.
• MetsDaddy argues that the team is out of excuses for not calling up top infield prospect Amed Rosario.
• Fueled By Sports ranks the 10 best five-tool players in major league history.
• Jays From the Couch takes a look at right fielder Jose Bautista‘s up-and-down season.
• The Point of Pittsburgh breaks down 20 potential first-round picks for the Pirates.
• RSNStats revisits Ted Williams‘ 502-foot “red seat” home run at Fenway Park, which occurred 75 years ago Friday.
• MetsMind asks which position infielder Wilmer Flores should play.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2, 3) previews two potential draft picks for the Astros and writes about the present and future of surging Yankees pitching prospect Chance Adams.
• Clubhouse Corner proposes some tweaks to improve the fan experience.
• Everything Bluebirds provides reasons why the Blue Jays should and shouldn’t trade infielder Ryan Goins.
• Reviewing The Brew and The 3rd Man In examine some of the Brewers’ draft possibilities.
• Minor League Ball spotlights some draft-worthy Division II college players.
• Call to the Pen focuses on the Phillies’ improved play in June.
• Bronx Bomber Ball wants the Yankees to recall first baseman Tyler Austin.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmai.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Jays Journal writes that Toronto’s Justin Smoak and Jose Bautista are covering for Edwin Encarnacion‘s offseason departure.
• Outfield Fly Rule breaks down the Braves’ trade assets.
• Baseball Hot Corner defends Giants catcher Buster Posey for not involving himself in the brawl between teammate Hunter Strickland and Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper.
• Inside the ‘Zona offers analysis on how Diamondbacks southpaw Robbie Ray is overcoming a high hard-hit rate.
• Camden Depot wonders if Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has a contact problem.
• A’s Farm talks with Athletics assistant general manager Billy Owens about the team’s best prospects.
• Motor City Bengals argues that Tigers catcher Alex Avila should make the All-Star team.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) looks back at the Phillies’ offseason and names the Padres who could end up on the move by the trade deadline.
• Underthought revisits the preseason projections for both the AL East and NL East.
• BP Toronto looks at the various 2017 versions of the aforementioned Jose Bautista.
• Clubhouse Corner’s Bernie Pleskoff, a retired major league scout, shares his thoughts on pitch framing.
• District On Deck examines the possibility of the Nationals acquiring reliever Brad Hand from the Padres.
• Pirates Breakdown asks if the Bucs should attempt to acquire just-designated Rangers reliever Sam Dyson.
• Mets Mind has a piece on top infield prospect Amed Rosario‘s defense.
• Sports Talk Philly interviews ex-Phillies Billy Wagner and Brett Myers about the team’s current struggles.
• The 3rd Man In profiles 50 of the draft’s top prospects.
• Brew Crew Fever has a May report card for Milwaukee.
• The Runner Sports recaps the Yankees’ May.
• Jays From the Couch notes that Toronto closer Roberto Osuna has been “sneaky good” this year.
• Mets Daddy isn’t writing off the club just yet.
• Reviewing The Brew points to Milwaukee righty Jimmy Nelson‘s latest outing to show that a pitcher’s record doesn’t matter.
• Pinstriped Prospects features a scouting report on young Yankees righty Chance Adams.
• ThinkBluePC focuses on Dodgers infield prospect Edwin Rios‘ 2017 success.
• The Point of Pittsburgh uses Cleverbot to humorously answer questions about the Pirates.
• Notes From The Sally scouts Yankees outfield prospect Estevan Florial.
• The Runner Sports sees catcher prospect Deon Stafford Jr. as a potential draft target for the Astros.
• Everything Bluebirds compares this year’s Blue Jays offense to the 2015 version.
• Big Three Sports is optimistic about Angels righty Alex Meyer.
• Rotisserie Duck creates a baseball card collection based on players’ nicknames.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Bronx Bomber Ball lists five moves general manager Brian Cashman has made that have fueled the Yankees’ resurgence this season.
• North Shore Nine delves into Pirates utilityman Adam Frazier‘s blistering start to the season.
• Camden Depot considers an Orioles-Athletics trade centering on Trey Mancini and Kendall Graveman and an O’s-Marlins swap consisting of Mancini and Dan Straily.
• Extra Innings: Baseball Around the World speaks with Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano about the World Baseball Classic.
• Big Three Sports asks if the Astros are starting a ground-ball revolution.
• Outside Pitch MLB contends that scuffling White Sox southpaw Jose Quintana still has time to revive his trade value.
• Sports Talk Philly argues that the Phillies haven’t gotten enough from the players they received in trading reliever Ken Giles to the Astros in 2015.
• Banished to the Pen points out that Braves right-hander Julio Teheran isn’t faring well at the team’s new ballpark.
• The Point of Pittsburgh suggests the Pirates were right to cut the cord on Francisco Liriano when they did, while Everything Bluebirds addresses the left-hander’s poor performance with Toronto.
• The Swinging Strike compares Orioles righty Dylan Bundy and Nationals righty Stephen Strasburg.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2, 3) opines that Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner is too valuable to trade, profiles Astros first base prospect Yordan Alvarez and names potential picks for the A’s at No. 6 in the draft.
• Reviewing The Brew regards this as a make-or-break year for Brewers righty Jimmy Nelson.
• Fueled By Sports ranks the 10 biggest busts in major league history.
• The 3rd Man In and Baseball MTJAG offer first-round mock drafts.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2, 3) points out that tanking isn’t foolproof and looks at the Phillies’ middle infield options for 2018.
• Pirates Breakdown believes that center fielder Andrew McCutchen has hit rock bottom.
• BP Toronto and Jays From the Couch look ahead to the trade deadline for the Blue Jays.
• Welcome To Tim Street focuses on Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez‘s 2017 struggles.
• Mets Daddy wonders which of the team’s lefty-swinging 30-home run hitters will be the odd man out when injured left fielder Yoenis Cespedes returns.
• Notes From The Sally scouts Marlins lefty pitching prospect Braxton Garrett.
• PhoulBallz talks with Phillies second base prospect Scott Kingery and his Double-A manager, Greg Legg, about the success Kingery has had this year.
• Real McCoy Minor News interviews Rockies infield/outfield prospect Mylz Jones.
• Clubhouse Corner looks inside the role of a closer.
• Motor City Bengals is optimistic about the Tigers’ bullpen.
• AngelsWin breaks down the importance of this year’s draft for the Halos.
• Pinstriped Prospects sees Wake Forest first baseman Gavin Sheets as a potential draft pick for the Yankees.
• RSNStats recaps the Red Sox’s three-game sweep of the Rangers.
• Jays Journal writes about free agent catcher Dioner Navarro, whose wife nearly passed away during the offseason.
• Rotisserie Duck notes that it’s possible for a player’s real-life contract status to affect his fantasy value.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Blue Jays From Away and Jays Journal react to Toronto center fielder Kevin Pillar‘s use of an anti-gay slur in a game against the Braves on Wednesday.
• North Shore Nine analyzes Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen‘s precipitous decline.
• World Series Dreaming examines the struggles of Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta.
• The First Out At Third shares one stat that proves Brewers slugger Eric Thames is for real.
• Die Hard NYY lists the moves that have seemingly turned the Yankees back into a powerhouse.
• Banished to the Pen delves into Royals left-hander Jason Vargas‘ stunning start to the season.
• Clubhouse Corner takes a look at the state of the fifth starter.
• The Process Report focuses on the solid early season output of Rays shortstop Tim Beckham.
• Inside the ‘Zona doesn’t expect center fielder A.J. Pollock‘s groin injury to affect the Diamondbacks all that negatively in the short term.
• Pirates Breakdown contends that first baseman Josh Bell could be emerging as the Bucs’ best hitter.
• Mets Daddy isn’t buying the team’s excuses for keeping star shortstop prospect Amed Rosario in the minors.
• Minor League Ball evaluates Cubs prospect Ian Happ‘s career potential.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) likens highly touted White Sox outfield prospect Luis Robert to longtime major leaguer Cesar Cedeno and laments the fact that the Astros passed on now-Yankee Aaron Judge in the 2013 draft.
• The 3rd Man In profiles and interviews high school shortstop Royce Lewis, one of the top prospects in this year’s draft.
• Notes from the Sally scouts Yankees center field prospect Blake Rutherford.
• A’s Farm projects the Athletics’ 2018 roster.
• The Point of Pittsburgh doles out blame to some of the Pirates’ bigwigs for the team’s subpar start.
• Call To The Pen (links: 1, 2, 3) writes about the surging Rangers and Adrian Beltre‘s forthcoming return, and looks at the Phillies’ first base and catcher options for 2018.
• Outside Pitch MLB proposes a Yankees-Mets trade.
• Motor City Bengals has an idea for a Tigers-Mets swap.
• Jays From the Couch argues that first baseman Justin Smoak is worth every penny Toronto is paying him.
• Camden Depot says an adjustment is in order for Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy.
• Sports Talk Philly wonders what would have happened had Jayson Werth re-signed with the Phillies instead of joining the Nationals after the 2010 season.
• MetsMind opines that Zack Wheeler‘s high pitch counts are holding him back.
• Pinstriped Prospects relays Brian Cashman’s thoughts on the Yankees’ 2013 draft.
• East Village Times discusses Padres prospects with FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen.
• Rotisserie Duck ranks the 10 best baseball cards of the 1980s.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Minor League Ball uses advanced stats to evaluate Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge.
• Baseball Hot Corner argues that the Mets should trade Matt Harvey.
• The Point of Pittsburgh and Pirates Breakdown each have pieces on Bucs right-hander Gerrit Cole.
• Camden Depot, using wins above replacement, names four ways to define an ace.
• Notes From The Sally scouts Phillies Single-A outfield prospect Mickey Moniak, the top pick in last year’s draft.
• Big Three Sports explains why Red Sox ace Chris Sale can save Cy Young voting.
• Now On Deck contends that Trey Mancini is vital to the Orioles’ future.
• The 3rd Man In interviews and profiles one of the best prospects in this year’s draft, left-hander MacKenzie Gore.
• BP Toronto believes the Blue Jays’ Roberto Osuna is back in elite closer form.
• Bronx Bomber Ball and Call To The Pen each pay tribute to Derek Jeter.
• District On Deck wants the Nationals to give Jayson Werth a contract extension.
• A’s Farm talks with right-handed prospect Logan Shore, who was the team’s second-round pick in last year’s draft.
• Outside Pitch MLB analyzes the Brewers’ rotation.
• Call To The Pen (links: 1, 2) applauds the Tigers’ decision to pull Francisco Rodriguez from the closer role and looks ahead to 2018 for the Phillies.
• Jays Journal wonders what Toronto should do with out-of-options infielder Ryan Goins once Troy Tulowitzki comes off the disabled list.
• Pinstriped Prospects ranks the Yankees’ top 50 prospects.
• Clubhouse Corner focuses on the Mets’ injury woes.
• Everything Bluebirds writes about the possibility of the Blue Jays signing Doug Fister.
• Mets Daddy points out that, despite all the turmoil, the Mets have played better of late.
• The Tenth Inning Stretch profiles newly acquired Twins left-hander Kevin Chapman.
• The Runner Sports spotlights Astros right-handed prospect Trent Thornton.
• When Sid Slid shares its latest Braves prospect hot sheet.
• Die Hard NYY suggests the Yankees can solve their first base problems from within.
• Clutchlings regards Danny Jansen as the Blue Jays’ catcher of the future.
• Rotisserie Duck presents “71 Reasons I Love Baseball.”
• Baseball Hot Corner opines that the impatience of fans, not pace of play, is the sport’s problem.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Now On Deck delves into the feud between the Orioles and Red Sox.
• Inside the ‘Zona examines the Diamondbacks’ payroll situation, while BP Toronto does the same with the Blue Jays’.
• Extra Innings: Baseball Around The World chats with Mariners shortstop Jean Segura about the World Baseball Classic.
• Big Three Sports focuses on the quality (or lack thereof) of baseball broadcasts and the sport’s pace-of-play concerns.
• The 3rd Man In offers a detailed mock draft.
• North Shore Nine weighs in on whether Pirates owner Bob Nutting is a hero or a villain.
• Camden Depot wonders if Orioles righty Dylan Bundy will emerge as the franchise’s first post-Mike Mussina ace.
• Clubhouse Corner writes about the emergence of a new core in the Big Apple.
• Chin Music Baseball analyzes Red Sox ace Chris Sale‘s early season dominance.
• PhilliesNation highlights a potential service time issue with highly touted shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford.
• The Point of Pittsburgh marvels at how right-hander Ivan Nova has turned his career around in Pittsburgh.
• The Unbalanced checks in on the longest home runs of the season thus far.
• Sports Heaven argues that Angels center fielder Mike Trout‘s defensive play is overrated.
• Rising Apple isn’t confident that the Mets will be able to withstand their onslaught of injuries.
• The Runner Sports recaps the Yankees’ April.
• Outside Pitch MLB observes that Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel has regained his elite form.
• Sports Talk Philly opines that the Phillies should consider extending righty Jeremy Hellickson.
• Pirates Breakdown places the blame on the Bucs’ players for the team’s sub-.500 start.
• PhoulBallz talks with Phillies Single-A pitching prospect Trevor Bettencourt, who was part of a combined no-hitter Saturday.
• MetsMind and Mets Daddy have separate pieces on outfielder Michael Conforto.
• Everything Bluebirds makes a case that catcher Russell Martin is the Blue Jays’ most important player.
• Die Hard NYY is bullish on Yankees Double-A pitching prospect Chance Adams.
• The Runner Sports (links here) profiles Astros righty prospect Akeem Bostick and a pitcher the team could target in the first round of this year’s draft.
• When Sid Slid shares its latest Braves prospect hot sheet.
• Call To The Pen looks at what’s ahead for the Phillies this month.
• Pinstriped Prospects breaks down some potential picks for the Yankees in the upcoming draft.
• District On Deck ranks Nationals manager Dusty Baker’s top five quotes from April.
• Rotisserie Duck names the greatest players to wear single-digit uniform numbers.
• Chris Zantow revisits the day then-Brewer Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s career RBI record.
• MLB451 takes a look at the history of No. 2 in the Yankees organization as they prepare to retire it in honor of Derek Jeter.
• Jays Journal lists the walk-up music of Toronto’s hitters.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Clubhouse Corner suggests Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray is becoming a complete pitcher, and talks with Ray, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, manager Torey Lovullo and pitching coach Mike Butcher, among others, about the hurler’s success.
• Jays From the Couch revisits Toronto’s offseason and speaks with an inside source about the front office’s approach.
• The Unbalanced names some players who could benefit from hitting more fly balls.
• The Runner Sports writes that the Astros’ Chris Devenski is “the poster boy of the high-leverage reliever.”
• Camden Depot explains that Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph has contributed to southpaw Wade Miley‘s resurgence.
• Inside the ‘Zona details the strides Diamondbacks left fielder Yasmany Tomas has made at the plate.
• The First Out At Third asks if Brewers right-hander Chase Anderson is for real.
• Extra Innings: Baseball Around the World interviews Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
• Pirates Breakdown is optimistic about Andrew McCutchen‘s offensive performance thus far.
• Bleeding Royal Blue delves into the early season struggles of Kansas City’s offense.
• The Runner Sports opines that Yankees first baseman Greg Bird‘s April slump shows how little spring training numbers matter.
• Chin Music Baseball points out that healthy versions of outfielders A.J. Pollock and David Peralta have made big impacts for the Diamondbacks during their hot start.
• BP Toronto expects Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis to turn around his season.
• Outside Pitch MLB notes that Eric Thames isn’t the only hot-hitting Brewer.
• PhoulBallz talks with Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan.
• MetsRewind looks back at the life of former outfield prospect Brian Cole, who passed away in a car crash in 2001.
• Yanks Go Yard wonders how good the Yankees actually are.
• The Process Report lays out reasons for hope regarding struggling Rays reliever Austin Pruitt.
• The Point of Pittsburgh is frustrated with the Pirates’ defense.
• That Ball’s Outta Here writes about the Phillies’ four-corners offense.
• The K Zone shares a slew of player interviews, including chats with Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar and Dodgers reliever Grant Dayton.
• District On Deck breaks down the impact Koda Glover‘s injury will have on the Nationals’ bullpen.
• Mets Daddy is worried about the workload of the Mets’ bullpen.
• Jays Journal interviews Toronto outfield prospect Anthony Alford.
• Clutchlings says Alford’s regaining his luster as a top prospect.
• The 3rd Man In interviews and profiles left-hander Jacob Heatherly, one of the top prospects in this year’s draft.
• When Sid Slid offers its latest Braves prospect hot sheet.
• Pinstriped Prospects talks to Yankees Single-A right-hander Albert Abreu.
• Notes From The Sally scouts Braves outfield prospect Cristian Pache.
• MetsMind lists the good, bad and ugly of right fielder Jay Bruce‘s defense.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Jays From the Couch interviews Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and Pirates general manager Neal Huntington.
• The Point of Pittsburgh doesn’t expect Pirates outfielder Starling Marte‘s 80-game suspension to affect the futures of Andrew McCutchen or Austin Meadows.
• Off The Bench Baseball ponders Marte’s future (or lack thereof) in Pittsburgh.
• The Unbalanced, in the wake of Marte’s ban, questions Major League Baseball’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
• theScore salutes Josh Hamilton, whom the Rangers released Friday.
• Climbing Tal’s Hill suggests Astros southpaw Dallas Keuchel is returning to ace form.
• Cleveland Indians Perspective wants the Tribe to sign Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert.
• Camden Depot argues that WAR underrates great relievers.
• Call To The Pen ranks the top 30 second basemen in the majors.
• Chin Music Baseball focuses on the contrasting strikeout numbers of Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts and Twins center fielder Byron Buxton.
• District On Deck writes about resurgent Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
• Inside the ‘Zona praises the early season output of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen.
• Pirates Breakdown addresses McCutchen’s return to center field.
• Bunt to the Gap searches for the positives in what has been a dreadful season thus far for the Blue Jays.
• MLB451 looks at the Hall of Fame cases of Bobby Abreu and Lance Berkman.
• The 3rd Man In offers a mock amateur draft.
• Mets Daddy focuses on how first baseman Lucas Duda and second baseman Neil Walker have fared returning from 2016 back injuries.
• MetsMind wonders if the club should sign Walker to an extension.
• Notes From the Sally scouts Braves southpaw pitching prospect Joey Wentz.
• The Runner Sports delves into Yankees left-hander C.C. Sabathia‘s solid start to the season.
• Outside Pitch MLB asks if Madison Bumgarner‘s injury will torpedo the Giants’ season.
• Jays Journal scolds Toronto fans for booing Jose Bautista.
• Sports Talk Philly is pleased with the Phillies’ organizational depth at second base.
• Think Blue Planning Committee takes a look at the Dodgers’ organizational bullpen depth.
• Real McCoy Minor News scouts some of the Athletics’ prospects.
• When Sid Slid has updates on recent performbuances by several of the Braves’ prospects.
• That Ball’s Outta Here says it’s too early to draw conclusions about the Phillies.
• Pinstriped Prospects reports on Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius‘ first rehab game.
• Clutchlings profiles Blue Jays infield prospect Bradley Jones.
• The Runner Sports revisits the injury that derailed then-Astro shortstop Dickie Thon‘s career in 1984 and checks in on Thon’s son, Dickie Joe Thon, who’s an infield prospect with the Cardinals.
• rascalsoftheravine has some uniform change ideas for the Dodgers.
• Rotisserie Duck looks back back on a 1968 set of Topps baseball cards featuring a slew of legends.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.

This week in baseball blogs:

• Chin Music Baseball looks into Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor‘s early season power surge.
• The Runner Sports pays tribute to two pioneers, Jackie Robinson and Willie Wells.
• Jays From the Couch talks with a source in the Blue Jays front office who explains why the team signed first baseman Justin Smoak to an extension last summer.
• Inside the ‘Zona details the potential effects of the humidor the Diamondbacks are installing at Chase Field.
• The Unbalanced checks how Giants ace Madison Bumgarner stacks up against some of the best hitting pitchers of all-time.
• The Point of Pittsburgh suggests that trading Francisco Liriano helped the Pirates keep Ivan Nova and David Freese.
• Pirates Breakdown is optimistic about the change in approach Freese has shown this season.
• BP Toronto highlights some of the Blue Jays’ all-too-familiar problems.
• Extra Innings: Baseball Around the World chats with former major league pitcher Jim Kaat.
• The 3rd Man In profiles and interviews draft-bound shortstop prospect Ricardo De La Torre, who has received guidance from Lindor and the Astros’ Carlos Correa.
• Notes From the Sally scouts Mets Single-A outfield prospect Desmond Lindsay.
• Call To The Pen focuses on the trade challenges that lie ahead for Phillies general manager Matt Klentak.
• Camden Depot is puzzled by Orioles manager Buck Showalter’s usage of outfielder Hyun Soo Kim.
• Mets Daddy doesn’t expect top prospect Amed Rosario to make his major league debut until at least June.
• South of the 6ix isn’t panicking over the Blue Jays’ rough start, while Jays Journal asks how long they’re capable of contending.
• MLB451, inspired by the Astros’ Brian McCann and Evan Gattis, names some strong catcher tandems from the past.
• MetsMind wonders if center fielder Juan Lagares is capable of regaining his once-solid offensive form.
• Motor City Bengals writes that the Tigers’ decision to trade Cameron Maybin has worked out well thus far.
• District On Deck wants the Nationals to hit third baseman Anthony Rendon lower in the lineup.
• Total Sports Live advises fans of the rebuilding Phillies to trust the process.
• Rum Bunter assesses the early season performance of the Yankees’ offense, while The Runner Sports does the same with the Yankees’ hitters.
• Outside Pitch MLB sees signs of life from Red Sox Triple-A outfielder Rusney Castillo.
• Nyrdcast compares Cardinals ace Carlos Martinez‘s first two starts of the year.
• Climbing Tal’s Hill shares an Astros podcast and notes that the team just did something it hadn’t done since 2012.
• Everything Bluebirds looks at the rivalry between Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and Rays right fielder Steven Souza Jr.
• Two Strike Approach: A Baseball Podcast (link to Stitcher) speaks with Sean Lahman, founder of the Lahman Database
• Rotisserie Duck explains the effect former major league pitcher John Littlefield has had on baseball card collectors and rotisserie league owners.

Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.