The Atlanta Braves are tough to watch right now. When you look over their April schedule, it doesn’t appear that it will get any better anytime in the near future.
Remember though, Tomahawk Faithful, that was the plan. What Braves fans should be happy about is that their big names on the farm that are part of this big rebuilding process are off to a great start.
My latest prospect profile from Today’s Knuckleball takes a look at one of the first pieces acquired under the John Hart Era of Braves baseball. Max Fried was the centerpiece of the Justin Upton deal. A year after sitting out from Tommy John, he was back on the mound. How did he do?
It’s hard to believe that Kobe Bryant is hanging it up tonight. The end of a 20-year career that had its fair share of ups and downs is also an end to one of the NBA’s GOATs. No matter how un-Kobe-like he has played the past season, the face of the Los Angeles Lakers will be a new one come October.
Perhaps it’s not as dramatic as the title indicates. Matt Harvey is still quite a good pitcher. There is no question that the New York Mets young staff is exciting to watch.
They are struggling a bit right now. Jacob deGrom is working through injury and is currently on paternity leave. Steven Matz looked lost in his 2016 debut after an amazing run in 2015 before getting hurt. Bartolo Colon is simply not human and Harvey is still struggling to learn what kind of pitcher he is.
Every year there are big name prospects ready to blast on the scene. Last season, rookies took the league by storm and this year, Nomar Mazara and Mallex Smith are already up and the rest of the MLB is waiting for names like A.J. Reed, Trea Turner and J.P Crawford to make their big league debuts.
Working their way up the ladder are some interesting names to keep an eye on this season – Dom Nunez and Javier Guerra of the Rockies and Padres, respectively. Part of the reason to keep tabs on them has to do with their skill-set and overall game, of course. The other reason to know of their names, however, is that the organizations they are part of need help at those positions.
It’s a question that has been mired ever since Joe DiMaggio became the first to be considered “The Greatest Living Yankee.” It wasn’t the organization, nor the media, nor Major League Baseball who crowned him with the honor, but Joey D himself who demanded he be introduced that way whenever he appeared. The Bambino and Iron Horse probably laughed off their ghostly derrieres.
Since DiMaggio passed away in 1999, the honor has been passed down. The most recent recipient of the honor, passed this past year in Yogi Berra. Now the question arises as to whom will carry the torch.
Many will turn to Derek Jeter. However, it may be someone who threw his last pitch 50 years ago this season.
The first week of baseball is just about in the books. The American League East is pretty much flip flopped as to how every expert seemingly felt the season would go with the Baltimore Orioles undefeated atop the division and the Toronto Blue Jays at the bottom of the division. Right smack in the middle are the New York Yankees.
Some people will tell you the first week and April don’t mean too much. The spring training hangover is still looming, players aren’t in the proverbial “midseason form”, and some game changers are either on the DL or in the minors.
While I will agree that one’s record is somewhat insignificant, I think April is very important. You want to set the pace for the season, and getting a few wins under your belt to set up for the long haul is highly significant. You also want to see — win or lose — good baseball being played.
Most of you know that I write for the official website of the NCAA as well as the relatively new Division II website. I have shared a few stories this season on my own blog that I felt we’re interesting stories on more than simply the collegiate level. This week, I was fortunate to have three such stories.
The Oakland Raiders have been doing some work this offseason. They are in the process of completely revamping their defense to add some support to that young offense. They are seemingly starting to put together the roster that can compete with the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos yet again.
The minor league baseball season kicks off today. As many of you are aware, this is as equally exciting for me as MLB Opening Day. When you cover prospects for a guy like John Sickels for the past year, Minor League Baseball is a pretty big deal.
The first prospect I took a look at entering this season is Tampa Rays Brent Honeywell. You may have heard his name this past week when he attack Bryce Harper via Twitter for his now infamous “Make Baseball Fun Again” hat. One thing is for certain, this kid has the intestinal fortitude to make it in the big leagues.
Yesterday was Opening Day. The Atlanta Braves teased their fans in the last home opener at The Ted as the Washington Nationals came back in extra innings to win the game.
Earlier in the day on the way to work, I tuned in to The Front Row on 680 the Fan. Steak Shapiro, Sandra Golden and Brian Finneran were playing what they called the Atlanta Braves Over/Under Game. Steak would read a stat and poll Finneran, Sandra and some of their listeners for their thoughts.
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