Baseball Blogs Weigh In News & Rumors

This week in baseball blogs..

• Good Fundies chronicles the meddling of Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon.
• Bronx To Bushville believes the Yankees have what it takes to win the trade deadline.
• Twins Daily debates which players Minnesota should consider extending.
• Rox Pile runs down players on each non-contender whom the Rockies should consider pursuing.
• FSH Baseball analyzes Juan Nicasio‘s unusual season.
• Angels Avenue examines how Halos reliever Cam Bedrosian is adjusting to a drop in velocity.
• Bucs Dugout sees signs that Pirates outfielder Austin Meadows is a legit building block.
• Camden Depot focuses on the Orioles’ terrible outfield defense.
• Sports Talk Florida takes a look at the outside-the-box ways in which the Rays are trying to keep up with their higher-payroll division rivals.
• Foul Territory Baseball pays tribute to Red Schoendienst.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed proposes five big trades that that should happen by the deadline.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) contends that Max Scherzer is the early NL MVP front-runner, and uncovers three Phillies-related statistics.
• The Sports Tank advises the Red Sox to move Drew Pomeranz to the bullpen.
• Outfield Fly Rule writes about the reinvention of Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki.
• Rising Apple asks if it was a mistake for the Mets to re-sign Yoenis Cespedes to a megadeal.
• Jays Journal interviews longtime Blue Jays reliever Duane Ward.
• Chin Music Baseball names the 10 worst players of May.
• A’s Farm profiles the Athletics’ top 11 draft picks.
• The K Zone recaps the Mets’ draft.
• Pinstriped Prospects reports on new draftees who have signed with the Yankees.
• Extra Innings breaks down players taken in the MLB draft with European connections.
• STL Hat Trick says the Cardinals should replace hitting coach John Mabry.
• Rays Colored Glasses urges Tampa Bay to embrace a youth movement.
• Mets Daddy explains why the club hasn’t called up first base prospect Peter Alonso.
• Everything Bluebirds calls for honesty from the Blue Jays’ front office.
• Pirates Breakdown lists three quick fixes for the Bucs.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) wonders which Twins injury is the most frustrating, and profiles Astros minor league pitcher Brock Dykxhoorn.
• Tim Ryder is still holding out hope for a David Wright return.
• Friars On Base is excited about the Padres’ offense.
• SportsTalkPhilly.com talks to Willie Schwanke, who was a teammate and then coach of Phillies first-round pick Alec Bohm.
• Rotisserie Duck looks at the best vintage baseball nicknames.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

This week in baseball blogs…

• Rays Colored Glasses sees the Cubs as logical suitors for Chris Archer.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball lists Archer and 20 other players who could end up on the move at the trade deadline.
• Always The Jake wants the Indians to revolutionize their pitching staff.
• Angels Avenue examines the early success of Halos rookie Jaime Barria.
• Know Hitter names the seven best fits for Hanley Ramirez.
• Bronx To Bushville (links: 1, 2) analyzes the performance of the Brewers’ rotation.
• East Village Times focuses on Padres third baseman Christian Villanueva‘s highly productive rookie season.
• Rox Pile goes through starting pitchers the Rockies could acquire.
• The Pinch Runner contends that the Pirates misused Charlie Morton.
• FSH Baseball writes an “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” episode called “The Gang Gets Chase Utley into the Hall of Fame.”
• Rotisserie Duck checks in on the WAR leaders from the season’s first two months.
• Believeland Ball argues that the Indians should pursue Athletics closer Blake Treinen.
• The Sports Tank regards Max Scherzer as the best pitcher in the game.
• Camden Depot looks into the reasons for Chris Davis‘ drastic decline.
• Jays From the Couch assesses Toronto’s season to date.
• Rising Apple offers early grades for the Mets’ offseason free-agent signings.
• Bucs Dugout focuses on Josh Bell‘s middling season thus far.
• Chin Music Baseball names the 10 best players of May.
• PhoulBallz interviews Phillies pitching prospect JoJo Romero.
• Notes from the Sally scouts Marlins pitching prospect Trevor Rogers.
• Minor League Ball picks out five minor league teams worth watching.
• The Runner Sports makes a case for the Astros to promote Double-A outfielder Myles Straw to the majors instead of the more touted Kyle Tucker.
• The K Zone features interviews with a few draft prospects.
• Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network profiles and interviews Cal State Fullerton righty/draft prospect Colton Eastman.
• The 3rd Man In talks to California-based high school pitcher/draft prospect Dominic Pipkin.
• A’s Farm shares a progress report on the team’s top 10 picks from last year’s draft.
• The Point of Pittsburgh gives odds on whom the Pirates will select with the 10th pick of the draft.
• Pro Baseball Detroit runs down five players the Tigers could draft after the first round.
• Pinstriped Prospects lists players the Yankees could redraft.
• Foul Territory Baseball asks if Odubel Herrera is an NL MVP candidate.
• SportsTalkPhilly.com looks at Herrera and the Phillies’ other All-Star candidates.
• Everything Bluebirds credits Russell Martin for his versatility.
• Mets Daddy assesses rookie manager Mickey Callaway’s first two months at the helm.
• Sports Talk Florida notes that the Rays have a rather daunting June ahead.
• Pirates Breakdown views the Bucs as an unpredictable team.
• Redleg Nation urges the Reds to retire Vada Pinson‘s number.
• Jays Journal makes a case for Toronto to move on from manager John Gibbons.
• Call to the Pen takes a look at the late-game setup of the Phillies’ bullpen.
• Motor City Bengals breaks down which colleges the Tigers have drafted the most players from.
• MetsMerizedOnline.com is hoping the Mets’ offense turns things around with RISP.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

This week in baseball blogs…

• Blue Jays From Away argues that Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s next stop should be Triple-A, not the majors.
• Bronx To Bushville offers a quality piece on Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
• The Point of Pittsburgh looks at launch angles and exit velocity to see how the Pirates have crafted a top offense.
• NatsGM.com has an in-depth scouting report on Juan Soto.
• Birds on the Black examines Marcell Ozuna‘s struggles.
• Bronx Bomber Ball isn’t closing the door on Gleyber Torres‘ AL Rookie of the Year chances, despite Shohei Ohtani‘s presence in the same league.
• Camden Depot observes that Orioles slugger Chris Davis has been the majors’ worst player over the past year.
• Know Hitter constructs a 25-man roster consisting of players Jerry Dipoto has traded away as Seattle’s GM.
• Hardball Via Hardcore responds to Dipoto’s latest trade, this week’s deal with the Rays.
• East Village Times names five teams that could acquire resurgent Padres righty Tyson Ross.
• The Sports Tank (links: 1, 2) reacts to Boston designating Hanley Ramirez for assignment.
• Chin Music Baseball breaks down 10 players who have put their slow starts behind them.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed wonders whether the playoffs are truly random.
• The K Zone talks with Cuban pitching prospect Sandy Gaston.
• The Loop Sports interviews White Sox catcher prospect Zack Collins.
• A’s Farm speaks with James Naile, one of the Athletics’ top Triple-A starters.
• Good Fundies has an entertaining piece on the history of Keith Hernandez discovering Michael Conforto.
• SportsTalkPhilly.com examines Jorge Alfaro‘s season thus far.
• Pinstriped Prospects expects the Yankees to capitalize on their impressive depth to make trades.
• Believeland Ball looks to determine whether the Indians’ early season mediocrity will persist.
• The 3rd Man In profiles 34 draft prospects.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) names the six biggest surprises of the early season, and compares Cesar Hernandez and Scott Kingery.
• Mets Daddy is pleased with the club’s Devin Mesoraco acquisition.
• Jays From the Couch isn’t panicking over Toronto’s sub-.500 mark.
• Bucs Dugout examines Jameson Taillon‘s decreased curveball usage.
• Friars On Base is bullish on the Padres’ future.
• Locked On Pirates is encouraged by Tyler Glasnow‘s improved control.
• Foul Territory Baseball sees enough young talent on the Nationals for them to remain contenders even if Bryce Harper leaves in free agency.
• MetsMerizedOnline.com notes that young Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo has been among the majors’ top offensive players this year.
• The Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network profiles Wright State University’s Diamyn Hall, one of the only full-time mental skills coordinators in Division I college baseball.
• Everything Bluebirds contends that the shorstop position in Toronto still belongs to Troy Tulowitzki.
• PhoulBallz asks if it’s time to be concerned about struggling Phillies outfield prospect Mickey Moniak, the top pick in the 2016 draft.
• Jays Journal runs down 10 Toronto minor leaguers off to impressive starts this year.
• Rising Apple looks into whether the Mets’ Tim Tebow, a former NFL quarterback, is actually a legitimate MLB prospect.
• Motor City Bengals lists the five best trades in Tigers history.
• Rox Pile revisits former Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd’s first-round history.
• Rotisserie Duck focuses on players whose careers ended too early and others who hung around too long.
• The Pinch Runner delves into the three true outcomes.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) sees an opportunity for the Twins to take over first place in the AL Central, and covers minor league baseball’s return to Fayetteville, N.C., courtesy of the Astros.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

This week in baseball blogs…

• theScore profiles Mookie Betts and discusses the Red Sox superstar with some of his teammates.
• Astros County examines the outstanding work of Houston’s rotation.
• The K Zone researches the best ways to build a winning team.
• The Runner Sports believes the Yankees will make an attempt to sign Bryce Harper in the offseason.
• Clubhouse Corner talks with Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli.
• Viva El Birdos details the change in approach Cardinals first baseman Jose Martinez has made this season.
• Know Hitter, Hardball Via Hardcore and Foul Territory Baseball each react to Robinson Cano‘s suspension.
• FSH Baseball delves into Matt Kemp‘s productive season thus far and predicts how he’ll fare for the rest of the year.
• SportsTalkPhilly.com asks if it would make sense for the Phillies to reacquire Cole Hamels from the Rangers.
• BP Toronto breaks down how Seung Hwan-Oh, John Axford and Tyler Clippard have altered their pitch mixes to succeed as their stuff changes, and discusses the subject with Axford and Clippard.
• The First Out At Third focuses on Brewers outfielder Domingo Santana‘s 2018 power outage.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed expects Ozzie Albies‘ excellent numbers to regress significantly as the season advances.
• Mets Daddy opines that the club has begun laying the foundation for a Jacob deGrom trade.
• Pinstriped Prospects chats with former outfielder Nick Swisher about his new role with the Yankees.
• Rox Pile seeks a first base bat for the Rockies.
• Motor City Bengals sees the Tigers and Mariners as logical trade partners.
• The Loop Sports explains why the White Sox need to start showing improvement in the win-loss department.
• Camden Depot wonders how much longer the Orioles can pencil the struggling Chris Davis into their everyday lineup.
• Chin Music Baseball isn’t worried about the Indians’ mediocre start.
• STL Hat Trick analyzes the difference between young Cardinals hurlers Alex Reyes and Jordan Hicks.
• Jays From the Couch advises Toronto to move on from Kendrys Morales.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) names five potential replacement for injured Nationals catcher Matt Wieters and assesses the Phillies’ starting options after Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta.
• The Sports Banter has an outside-the-box idea for how the Mets should approach this year’s draft.
• Notes from the Sally scouts Rangers outfield prospect Bubba Thompson.
• Bronx Bomber Ball offers an update on the Yankees’ top 10 pitching prospects.
• The Point of Pittsburgh wants to know when people will start showing up again to watch the Pirates.
• RSNStats looks at the rare feat of going 6-for-6 in a game, something George Springer did earlier this month.
• The 3rd Man In profiles and interviews LSU outfielder/draft prospect Zach Watson.
• Rotisserie Duck looks back at the past 20 No. 1 overall draft picks.
• The Giants Cove sees big problems with the team’s farm system.
• The Sports Tank credits Red Sox manager Alex Cora for some of J.D. Martinez‘s success so far this season.
• Everything Bluebirds hopes the Blue Jays give more third base time to Russell Martin, thanks to fellow backstop Luke Maile‘s early season output.
• Believeland Ball lists three reasons why Indians fans should care about this year’s draft.
• The Pinch Runner writes about the rise of Tommy John surgery.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) responds to Twins catcher Jason Castro‘s season-ending injury and profiles Astros pitching prospect Joshua James.
• Rising Apple constructs a lineup of the Mets’ all-time worst hitters.

This week in baseball blogs…

• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed makes a case for the Dodgers to trade Clayton Kershaw.
• Musings Of A Baseball Addict has a different idea for the Dodgers, arguing that they should trade for Manny Machado.
• NY Yankees Digest advises the Bombers to pass on Kershaw if he hits free agency in the offseason.
• Chin Music Baseball names eight players who have gotten off to surprising starts this year.
• Clubhouse Corner’s Bernie Pleskoff discusses several players who have gotten off to slow starts.
• STL Hat Trick tries to find out why Matt Carpenter is off to such a poor start.
• Orioles Hangout shares an extensive piece on the O’s front office, and opines that the team should choose one person to be the unquestioned leader of its baseball operations department.
• Pirates Breakdown says the Bucs are better off without Andrew McCutchen.
• Rox Pile focuses on first base trade possibilities for the Rockies.
• Bronx To Bushville wonders if a turnaround will come for the Brewers’ struggling offense.
• SportsTalkPhilly.com praises Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera.
• BP Toronto makes an argument for Blue Jays third base prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to stay in the minors for the time being.
• Foul Territory Baseball writes about Vlad Jr. and a couple other high-end prospects, outfielders Eloy Jimenez (White Sox) and Juan Soto (Nationals).
• Notes From The Sally scouts Royals catcher prospect MJ Melendez.
• Sports Talk Florida explains why the Rays haven’t promoted infield prospect Willy Adames to the majors yet.
• PhoulBallz profiles and interviews Phillies outfield prospect Cornelius Randolph
• The 3rd Man In does the same with Oregon pitcher/draft prospect Matt Mercer.
• The Point of Pittsburgh studies stats and video to see what is wrong with Josh Bell‘s swing.
• The Loop Sports interviews Dr. Demetrius Lopes, a Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeon at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, about White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar‘s future.
• Rotisserie Duck runs down who has and hasn’t benefited from BABIP luck so far.
• Dodgers Way offers scouting reports on some of the team’s top High-A prospects.
• Everything Bluebirds notes that three inexpensive relief signings have come up big for the Blue Jays thus far.
• Camden Depot doesn’t have much hope for the Orioles.
• Locked On Pirates notices a downward trend in the Bucs’ pitch-framing skills.
• 216Stitches (podcast) discusses James Paxton and Luke Weaver, among other subjects.
• MetsMerizedOnline.com and Mets Daddy each have pieces on Matt Harvey‘s exit from the organizaion.
• The Sports Tank is thrilled with J.D. Martinez‘s performance in his first month-plus as a member of the Red Sox.
• The Runner Sports rounds up some first-round draft pick possibilities for the Astros.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) ranks the most prolific “three true outcomes” hitters of all-time, and takes a look at some of the Phillies’ early season performances.
• Motor City Bengals names some of the best draft picks in Tigers history.
• Rising Apple hopes young infielder Luis Guillmore sticks with the Mets.
• Jays from the Couch argues that Toronto needs to move Joe Biagini back to the bullpen.
• Friars On Base sees Padres outfield prospect Franmil Reyes nearing the majors.
• The K Zone still has hope for Mets infield prospect Gavin Cecchini, their first-round pick in 2012.
• Pinstriped Prospects has a piece on young Yankees hurler Mike King.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

This week in baseball blogs…

• Medium pays tribute to Ichiro Suzuki.
• Good Fundies and Mets Daddy says goodbye to Matt Harvey.
• Future Blue Jays asks if it’s time for Toronto to promote star prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• The Loop Sports chats with White Sox director of scouting Nick Hostetler.
• Chin Music Baseball (links: 1, 2) names the 10 best and worst players of the season so far.
• Bronx Bomber Ball lists six players the Yankees could potentially target at the trade deadline.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed wonders what the Dodgers should do next.
• The Giants Cove assesses the Dodgers and the rest of the NL West.
• The Sports Tank focuses on Mookie Betts‘ incredible season.
• Bronx To Bushville praises budding Mariners star Mitch Haniger.
• A’s Farm talks to Athletics infield prospect Sheldon Neuse.
• The Point of Pittsburgh and Locked On Pirates each have pieces on Bucs outfielder Corey Dickerson.
• Blue Jays Beat tries to figure out what’s wrong with Marcus Stroman.
• Rotisserie Duck runs down the league’s exit velocity leaders thus far.
• Notes from the Sally breaks down four intriguing pitchers in the Single-A South Atlantic League.
• The 3rd Man In shares a first-round mock draft.
• Minor League Ball scouts Braves prospect Dustin Peterson.
• Jays From the Couch posits that Toronto’s offense might be the most balanced in MLB.
• The K Zone explores ways the Dodgers could limit Walker Buehler‘s innings.
• Friars On Base notes that Eric Hosmer‘s Padres tenure is off to an excellent start.
• MetsMerizedOnline.com observes that the Mets have decisions to make at first base and in the outfield.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) writes about Mexico’s role in the integration of baseball, and likens Sonny Gray to A.J. Burnett.
• BP Toronto (links: 1, 2) offers pieces on Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and reliever Tim Mayza.
• NatsGM.com puts together an in-depth scouting report on Nationals pitching prospect Wil Crowe.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2, 3) regards the NL East as one of baseball’s most intriguing divisions, asks where Ichiro ranks among the Mariners’ all-time greats, and looks at Phillies manager Gabe Kapler‘s lineup strategy.
• East Village Times expects Padres third baseman Christian Villaneuva to remain a valuable contributor even if he regresses.
• Pinstriped Prospects features quotes from Yankees pitching prospect Justus Sheffield regarding his promotion from Double-A to Triple-A.
• Rox Pile names three strange numbers from the Rockies’ first month.
• Everything Bluebirds regards Kevin Pillar as an all-around force for the Blue Jays.
• Rising Apple makes a case for the Mets to keep Steven Matz in their rotation.
• Pirates Breakdown takes a look at Colin Moran‘s first month-plus as a Buc.
• Ladodgereport reacts to Corey Seager‘s season-ending surgery.
• Motor City Bengals talks to former major league righty Shane Loux.
• Foul Territory Baseball explains why we love power pitchers.
• We The People Sports believes baseball, with its strikeout-happy ways, is on the wrong track.
• Off The Bench details Diamondbacks utility player Daniel Descalso‘s historically great results as a pitcher.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

This week in baseball blogs…

• Clubhouse Corner chats with Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins about his position change and hitting approach.
• SportsTalkPhilly.com takes a look at Hoskins’ early career excellence.
• Rox Pile interviews Rockies manager Bud Black, reliever Jake McGee and center fielder Charlie Blackmon about the importance of the inside pitch.
• The Loop Sports regards young White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada as must-see TV.
• Bronx Bomber Ball argues that the Yankees should try to acquire Giants ace Madison Bumgarner over the summer.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed lists potential trade destinations for Manny Machado.
• STL Hat Trick is cautiously optimistic about Cards shortstop Paul DeJong.
• The Point of Pittsburgh breaks down all the potential obstacles that Jung Ho Kang has to overcome before returning to the majors.
• Chin Music Baseball points to Sean Manaea‘s improved control as a reason for his terrific start to 2018.
• Know Hitter opines that the Tigers are amid a best-case scenario start.
• Underthought details the effect one hot day at the plate can have on the the April leaderboards.
• Blue Jays Beat delves into catcher Luke Maile‘s hot offensive start.
• Rising Apple names four Mets who won’t be members of the team in 2019.
• The 3rd Man In profiles and interviews potential first-round pick Tristan Pompey, brother of Dalton Pompey.
• Notes from the Sally scouts Royals first base prospect Nick Pratto.
• The First Out At Third examines Eric Thames‘ April prowess.
• A’s Farm talks to Oakland shortstop prospect Nick Allen.
• East Village Times evaluates Padres GM A.J. Preller.
• Locked On Pirates lays out how Bucs third baseman Colin Moran has fared against the fastball, changeup and curveball.
• Call to the Pen looks at some Phillies who could be either key cogs or placeholders.
• Everything Bluebirds explains how Teoscar Hernandez‘s success changes the Blue Jays’ outfield situation.
• 216Stitches (podcast) discusses the early season performances of Miles Mikolas, Jordan Hicks, Nick Pivetta and Jarlin Garcia.
• Mets Daddy breaks down the club’s in-house first base options with Adrian Gonzalez struggling.
• The Sports Tank checks in on baseball’s worst teams.
• Camden Depot notes that the Orioles haven’t really benefited from the Rule 5 draft.
• Jays Journal talks with Toronto pitching prospect Patrick Murphy.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2, 3) wonders how the Yankees will dole out playing time at first when Greg Bird returns, ranks the members of the Twins’ struggling bullpen, and profiles towering Astros prospect Taylor Jones.
• Friars On Base provides major league ETAs for some of the Padres’ prospects.
• Pirates Breakdown is optimistic about the Bucs’ offense.
• District On Deck wants the Nationals to bat Trea Turner second when the injured Adam Eaton returns.
• Jays From the Couch focuses on Randal Grichuk‘s struggles.
• MetsMerizedOnline.com approves of the Mets’ Todd Frazier signing thus far.
• Foul Territory compares the majors’ best teams to the Avengers.
• Motor City Bengals ranks the 10 best shortstops in the history of the Tigers.
• Rotisserie Duck assesses some fantasy baseball picks in the early going.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

This week in baseball blogs…

• theScore sees a hole in Giancarlo Stanton‘s swing.
• Camden Depot doesn’t expect the Orioles to trade Manny Machado this early in the season.
• Talking Chop explains why Dansby Swanson has gotten off to such a hot start.
• The K Zone interviews Dodgers righty Ross Stripling.
• SportsTalkPhilly.com examines the impressive early season performances of Phillies righties Nick Pivetta and Vince Velasquez.
• Orioles Hangout uses sprint speed to calibrate speed grades by position.
• Bronx To Bushville is thrilled with the Brewers’ addition of Christian Yelich thus far.
• Nyrdcast wonders if Michael Wacha has what it takes to stick in the Cardinals’ rotation.
• The Loop Sports thinks the April version of the White Sox will be a distant memory soon.
• The Giants Cove delves into San Francisco’s myriad issues.
• NY Yankees Digest looks ahead to next offseason, when Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Patrick Corbin could be among New York’s targets in free agency.
• Rotisserie Duck pays tribute to Jackie Robinson.
• Below Replacement Level tackles the curse of being a .500 team.
• Chin Music Baseball lists eight struggling players who’d like to start 2018 over again.
• Think Blue Planning Committee asks whether Joc Pederson, Alex Verdugo or Andrew Toles is the best fit for the Dodgers’ 25-man roster.
• The 3rd Man In profiles and interviews high school outfielder Jarred Kelenic, one of the best prospects in this year’s draft class.
• A’s Farm talks to outfielder Austin Beck, Oakland’s top pick in last year’s draft.
• Bronx Bomber Ball says the Yankees erred in not trading for a starting pitcher during the offseason.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed highlights players who have reversed their groundball and fly ball percentages early this season.
• The Daily Jay is impressed with the Blue Jays’ depth.
• 1 North 2 West doesn’t want Ian Happ leading off for the Cubs.
• East Village Times names areas in which the Padres must improve.
• The Point of Pittsburgh advises Pirates fans not to get their hopes up regarding the recent payroll grievance the MLBPA filed.
• Notes from the Sally scouts Rockies shortstop prospect Ryan Vilade.
• Clubhouse Corner‘s Bernie Pleskoff writes about career underachievers.
• Rising Apple focuses on Jeurys Familia‘s early season resurgence.
• STL Hat Trick is concerned that flamethrowing Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks is having trouble racking up strikeouts.
• Pirates Breakdown points to ways the Bucs can continue winning.
• The Runner Sports regards Didi Gregorius as a top shortstop in the making
• Friars On Base notices similarities between Padres lefty Joey Lucchesi and one of the greatest southpaws of all-time.
• Future Blue Jays reports on pitching prospect Sean Reid-Foley‘s progress.
• District On Deck offers an early assessment of Nationals manager Davey Martinez.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) turns its attention to the Reds’ inability to develop pitching, and contends that the Phillies’ young players are buying into Gabe Kapler‘s methods.
• Foul Territory makes an argument for a 140-game schedule.
• Motor City Bengals names the 10 greatest pitching performances in Tigers history.
• Rox Pile revisits some trades from ex-GM Dan O’Dowd’s tenure.
• Locked On Pirates makes a case for Pittsburgh to put Starling Marte in the leadoff spot.
• Mets Daddy opined before they moved Matt Harvey to the bullpen that he deserved one more start to turn things around.
• Pinstriped Prospects talks with Yankees Double-A outfielder Ben Ruta.
• Chris Zantow revisits the 15-inning game then-Indians righty Gaylord Perry threw against the Brewers in 1974.
• Everything Bluebirds believes Curtis Granderson‘s attitude is having a positive effect on the Blue Jays.
• The Runner Sports profiles Texas Longhorns corner infielder Ryan Reynolds, son of former Astros righty Shane Reynolds.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

This week in baseball blogs…

• SportsTalkPhilly.com ponders Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez‘s future.
• Big Three Sports scouts several prospects, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Brendan Rodgers.
• The First Out At Third takes an early season look at the exit velocities of the Brewers’ hitters.
• The Point of Pittsburgh examines Starling Marte‘s newfound ability to draw a walk.
• STL Hat Trick evaluates Yadier Molina‘s excellent offensive start.
• DRays Bay polls readers on the futures of the Rays in Tampa Bay, the Athletics in Oakland, and Montreal’s chances of getting a franchise back.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed looks into whether a slew of players will be able to sustain their early 2018 success.
• District On Deck analyzes the April success Bryce Harper has enjoyed during his career.
• Mets Daddy says the red-hot club is in perfect position to take advantage of the division-rival Nationals’ slow start.
• The Loop Sports responds to the negative comments Pirates manager Clint Hurdle made about the Cubs’ Javier Baez on Thursday.
• The Sports Tank writes about a resurgent Rick Porcello.
• Jays From the Couch offers a retrospective of Roberto Osuna‘s career to date.
• Chin Music Baseball details the early career peaks and valleys of Rhys Hoskins.
• Know Hitter names a couple catchers the Mets could target via trade.
• Pirates Breakdown is impressed with new Bucs Colin Moran and Corey Dickerson.
• Camden Depot regards Richard Bleier as the unsung hero of Baltimore’s bullpen.
• Notes from the Sally scouts Nationals outfield prospect Juan Soto.
• The 3rd Man In profiles and interviews Arkansas righty Blake Wright, one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class.
• Dodgers Way previews the club’s top three minor league teams.
• Good Fundies wonders what an ideal Mets lineup would look like.
• Minor League Ball scouts Yankees righty prospect Glenn Otto.
• The Redbird Daily sees elite potential in the Cardinals’ offense.
• 216Stitches focuses on Shohei Ohtani‘s slider.
• Bronx Bomber Ball and The Runner Sports each recap this week’s Yankees-Red Sox dust-up.
• Friars On Base is pleased what the Padres have gotten from Eric Hosmer thus far.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2) hopes for a breakout from the Twins’ Max Kepler, and
  profiles Astros shortstop prospect Freudis Nova.
• East Village Times lists six Padres who deserve playing time this season.
• MetsMerizedOnline.com sees Asdrubal Cabrera as a key piece for the Mets.
• Call to the Pen opines that the Phillies are starting to gel.
• MadFriars reports on Padres lefty Joey Lucchesi‘s major league debut.
• Rising Apple wonders if Mets reliever Hansel Robles will be able to continue his early season success.
• Real McCoy Minor News covers the opener for the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate.
• Pinstriped Prospects talks with young Yankees lefty Josh Rogers.
• Everything Bluebirds observes that Yangervis Solarte is quickly emerging as a fan favorite in Toronto.
• The K Zone is optimistic about Mets shortstop Amed Rosario.
• Chris Zantow remembers the Brewers’ Opening Day snowout in 1973.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

This week in baseball blogs…

• Bronx To Bushville and The Sports Tank each write about Shohei Ohtani‘s impressive start to the season.
• theScore and District On Deck each focus on Bryce Harper‘s early season excellence.
• Bronx Bomber Ball argues that the Yankees must offer an extension to Didi Gregorius.
• Chin Music Baseball delves into Xander Bogaerts‘ hot start.
• Twins Daily sees Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon‘s extension as a potential comp for Brian Dozier‘s next deal.
• Foul Territory is concerned about Kenley Jansen‘s rocky start to the season.
• STL Hat Trick calls out some Cardinals fans for their opinions on Carlos Martinez.
• Talking Chop explains why the Braves’ Mike Foltynewicz is better off as a starter than a reliever.
• FSH Baseball advises Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy to adjust his batting mechanics.
• Mets Daddy regards Seth Lugo as the Mets’ version of Andrew Miller.
• The Point of Pittsburgh hopes the Pirates don’t make the same mistakes with Chad Kuhl that they did Gerrit Cole.
• Know Hitter views J.D. Martinez as a perfect addition for the Red Sox.
• Always The Jake takes a reasonable approach with respect to Indians star Jose Ramirez‘s early slump.
• Think Blue Planning Committee highlights five Dodgers minor leaguers who could contribute to the big club this season.
• The Giants Cove wants no part of banning defensive shifts.
• MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed contends that pitcher distinctions need to end.
• Minor League Ball scouts Braves outfield prospect Drew Waters, while Notes from the Sally scouts Phillies outfield prospect Jhailyn Ortiz.
• Nyrdcast ranks the Cardinals’ top 50 prospects.
• Rox Pile lists the top 25 Rockies who are under the age of 25, while Real McCoy Minor News profiles one of their prospects, outfielder Yonathan Daza.
• The 3rd Man In projects the top 10 picks in this year’s draft.
• Jays Journal previews Toronto’s minor league system for 2018.
• The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2, 3) is optimistic about the Twins; doesn’t see a World Series hangover for the Astros; and covers the early struggles of the Yankees’ bullpen.
• Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) details where baseball’s top 25 prospects are playing in the early going, and looks at the Phillies’ lineup options.
• Now On Deck notes that the Orioles’ experiment with leading off Chris Davis already seems to be over.
• Motor City Bengals approves of Jeimer Candelario as the Tigers’ No. 2 hitter.
• Everything Bluebirds sees Kevin Pillar as one of the keys to a balanced offense for the Blue Jays.
• Locked On Pirates wonders if Pittsburgh has a looser clubhouse this year.
• Clubhouse Corner‘s Bernie Pleskoff offers some early season observations.
• Camden Depot opines that the Orioles’ Rule 5 strategy has already backfired.
• Jays From the Couch explains what last year’s J.P. Howell signing taught Toronto’s bullpen.
• Pinstriped Prospects shares scouting reports on the Yankees’ Single-A starters from their pitching coach, Justin Pope.
• Rotisserie Duck (podcast) interviews with Harry Swartout of Sports Illustrated regarding fantasy baseball and the use of advanced statistics in finding a winning edge.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com