The big influx of rookies over the last several seasons has since changed the landscape of Major League Baseball. The aging veterans have become more like dinosaurs on the verge of extinction, while a youth rebellion has taken over the big leagues. Names like Corey Seager, Tyler Naquin, Michael Fulmer and Gary Sanchez were some of this year’s big breakouts.
Who’s on tap for 2017? Let’s take a look at five first baseman who could contribute as early as Opening Day.
Travis Taijeron is in one of those career stalemates. Now 27 years old and coming off his sixth minor league season, he is no longer one of the Mets top prospects, yet there seemingly is no room in Queens for Taijeron to make his big league debut.
So what’s next?
The Philadelphia Phillies have a good problem on their hands. In an era that elite catchers seem to be wearing thin, the Phillies have two of the premier catching prospects in the game. This past season, they purposely left Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro at two different levels of the minor leagues. Now, both appear ready for big league stardom.
So what’s next for the Phillies behind the plate?
Anfernee Seymour has had an interesting journey since beginning his professional career. First, he switched positions, converting from a high school center fielder to minor league shortstop. This season, he switched organizations, coming to the Atlanta Braves from the Miami Marlins in an August trade.
So, what do the Braves have in Seymour?
So far in our Baseball Bloodlines series, we have looked a how different generations have passed down their Baseball DNA to their youthful counterparts, specifically in what they themselves accomplished. Vladimir Guerrero and Dante Bichette passed down their power bats, Mariano Rivera passed down his abilities at the back of the bullpen, and Carl Crawford seems to have shared his “toolsiness” with his baby cousin.
What happens when your son doesn’t play your position?
Being the son of a Hall of Famer isn’t easy. It’s even more difficult when you are trying to etch out your own identity as your own unique ballplayer. Cavan Biggio has quietly been doing that, stepping out of his father’s spotlight.
I’m sure you have figured out that it has been Atlanta Braves week here at Wayniac Nation. In honor of the Braves moving out of Atlanta we have turned our attention to the oldest franchise in the game, who is once again on the move. Monday we took a look at my final memories from Turner Field and yesterday, we looked at why Brian Snitker should get to keep his job and be the 2017 skipper of the Atlanta Braves.
Today, we look at Freddie Freeman.
The concept of a last place team having the Most Valuable Player in baseball is a silly concept to me. I should say was. I didn’t understand how Andre Dawson took home the award in 1987 for a team that finished in sixth place. Was he the best player in the National League that year? I think so, but just how valuable was he for a last place team?
Enter 2016 and the Year of the Freddie Freeman. I now believe in the last place MVP.
So far in our fun little trip around the family affair that is Major League Baseball, we have looked at some of the games’ fathers who are getting to watch their sons climb the minor league ladder. We have also taken a look at some baseball DNA that was shared between cousins. Today, we turn our attention to some brotherly love.
Not every player is going to be a Hall of Famer. Not every player is even going to enjoy an All-Star season. Some players just bide their time, waiting for their moment to shine when their team needs them most.
Jose Vizcaino etched out an 18-year baseball career behind solid contact, sound defense and becoming one of the best utility players in baseball. He was well-traveled, playing for eight teams over the course of his career, picking up his lone World Series ring in 2000 as a pivotal member of the New York Yankees bench. That 2000 ALCS against the Seattle Mariners showed Vizcaino’s true value as a player. He came off the bench in four of the six games that series. Twice he delivered crucial RBI pinch-hits, and another, as a pinch-runner, he stole a base and scored. That’s who Vizcaino was.
The regular season is in the books. Tonight starts the MLB Playoffs, a playoff that went right down to the very last day to decide who would be playing. That means everyone is giving their predictions.
Who are we not to play along?
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