Oakland Athletics 3B Josh Donaldson Benefiting From Strong Plate Discipline

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Athletics 3B Josh Donaldson has been the topic of much discussion and statistical analysis. With a breakout offensively thus far, many are discussing if Donaldson is likely to sustain this level of success. While there are some true improvements [...]

Oakland Athletics Are Perfect Fit For Grant Balfour

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

  Due to the “Money Ball” phenomenon, many associate a certain stigma with the Oakland Athletics. Though not the most conventionally talented bunch, the team creates a situation where each player’s contributions add the maximum amount of value. As they [...]

Logan Morrison’s Return Should Mark Improvement For Miami Marlins

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

According to fWAR, there are seven teams that have gotten negative value from their first basemen this season. The Miami Marlins rank fourth worst. While Greg Dobbs and occasionally Nick Green have unsuccessfully manned first base, the Marlins hope that [...]

Tampa Bay Rays OF Wil Myers To Be Promoted Soon

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

When the Kansas City Royals traded OF Wil Myers to the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, one of the biggest criticisms of the trade on the Royals’ end was that Myers is better than their current right field options. Myers [...]

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Gerrit Cole Impresses in Debut

Gerrit Cole Pittsburgh Pirates debut

As the first overall pick in the 2011 draft, much was made of Pittsburgh Pirates SP Gerrit Cole’s major league debut on Tuesday night. After striking out leadoff hitter Gregor Blanco with three pitches at or over 96 mph, Cole [...]

Atlanta Braves OF B.J. Upton Turning Around

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves OF B.J. Upton endured highly publicized struggles in the early season. As his brother and new teammate Justin Upton got off to an extremely hot start, B.J. struggled in equally massive proportions. With a .143/.225/.275 April and .147/.237/.206 [...]

Detroit Tigers SP Justin Verlander Should Not Be An All-Star

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Though every fifth day Detroit Tigers SP Justin Verlander garners as much respect and attention as any starter in baseball, he has not performed to an All-Star level thus far in 2013. Averaging a shade over six innings per start [...]

Texas Rangers SS Elvis Andrus’ Slow Start Warrants Concern

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Replacement level at shortstop in baseball is currently obscenely low. The lack of elite talent at the position is as palatable as ever. Manny Machado could be an elite shortstop, though he’s playing third base. Jurickson Profar was the top [...]

Pittsburgh Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen Is Likely All-Star Snub

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ranking fifth among National League outfielders in WAR, Pittsburgh Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen’s performance has warranted another All-Star selection. A budding superstar coming off of an MVP-level season in 2012, McCutchen has dramatically improved his base-running and defense. With 14 [...]

National League Boasts Elite Young Pitchers

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The All-Star game faces a constant imbalance. Besides the World Series, it is baseball’s best marketing venue. With millions more viewers for the July exhibition than for any other single game, baseball uses the opportunity to market their best and [...]