We’ve just turned the calendar on another Month and May is gone. That means it’s time for BBRT’s traditional look back at the previous month in MLB. They say April showers bring May flowers – but what does May bring?  If you’re a baseball fan (particularly if, like me, you are a Twins fan), this May brought a shower of surprises. In this post, BBRT will recap some of the month’s performances, look at some statistical surprises and throw in a few diversions that impressed me along the way,

Let’s start by considering the teams with the most wins in the month of May. Only two teams notched 20 or win over the course of the month – the Minnesota Twins and the San Francisco Giants.

Lots of surprises at Minnesota’s Target Field – like first place at the end of May.

The Twins were the real surprise, going 20-7 (.740) – MLB’s best winning percentage for the month – and closing May in first place in the AL Central. (Full MLB standings as of May 31 can be found at the end of this post). How surprising is this? Over the past four seasons, the Twins have gone 265-383 (averaging 96 losses) per season – and they started 2015 with just one win in their first seven games. I promised both surprising and impressive, so here are a few things I found impressive about the Twins’ May performance: 39-year-old (soon to be forty) RF Torii Hunter led a fairly balanced offense with a .333-6-25 month, RHP Ricky Nolasco won an AL-leading five games (5-0, 4.25 ERA) after going 0-1, 18.00 in April, RHP Kyle Gibson had an AL-low (among full-time starters) May ERA of 1.36 (three wins and one loss) and closer Glen Perkins saved an MLB-high 13 games.

Then we have the less-surprising and defending World Series Champion Giants, who ran up an MLB-best 21 wins (nine losses – .700 pct.) for the month. The Giants moved from last at the end of April to second (just ½ game behind the Dodgers) at the end of May. Looks like the Giants/Dodgers rivalry lives on!

More surprises?  How about the continuing success of the Houston Astros – who averaged more than 100 losses over the past four seasons (232-416)?    The Astros finished April leading the AL West by four games – and, closed May with a 31-20 record, still holding a four-game margin over the second-place Angels.

May-King An Impression

Houston Astros’ 22-year-old prospect Derek Fisher made quite a May impression. On May 30, Fisher made his first appearance for the Class A Advanced California League Lancaster JetHawks – having just been promoted from the Class A Quad Cities River Bandits of the Midwest League. Well, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and Fisher took it.  

The 6’ 1”, 207-pound Fisher, who started in left field and batted second, came up in the first inning and ripped a solo home run to right.  In the second, he came to the plate again – this time with the bases loaded – and scorched a Grand Slam to center. The JetHawks’ offense continued to pulverize the High Desert Mavericks pitching staff and. in the third inning, Fisher came to the plate with the bases loaded once again. He had already cleared the fences in right and center, so this time he drove a homer (his second Grand Slam of the game) to left.  In his first three innings played after his promotion, Fisher – hit to all fields, went three-for-three, rapped three home runs, scored three runs and drove in nine.  Pretty good first impression.  Oh, and later in the game (a 16-3 Lancaster win), Fisher rapped a bases-loaded double – giving him 12 RBI for the game (a new California League record.)  

While at Quad Cities, Fisher had gone .305-6-24 in 39 games. Fisher also is a former High School Gatorade Player of the Year (Cedar Crest High School, Lebanon, PA) and college Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American (University of Virginia). Impressive? Indeed.

On the other side of the surprise coin – the disappointing side – no team lost more games in May than the Boston Red Sox (early and popular AL East favorites). The Red Sox went 10-19 in May, ending the month at 22-29, in last place, but just four games out of first.  Other teams losing 19 for the month were less surprising – The Marlins went 10-19 in May, while the A’s went 11-19.

Michael Wacha- part of a pitching staff driving the Cardinals to MLB’s best record through May.

Through May 31, only three teams were playing .600 or better:  The Saint Louis Cardinals (33-17, .660); Minnesota Twins (30-19, .612); Houston Astros (31-20. .608); and Kansas City Royals (29-19, .604). On the other end of the spectrum, four teams were performing at an under .400 pace: The Milwaukee Brewers (an MLB-worst 17-34, .333); Oakland A’s (20-33, .377); Philadelphia Phillies (19-33, .365); and Miami Marlins (20-31, .392).

So what’s it all add up to?  What if the season ended on – in this case – May 31? Your playoff teams would be:

• AL … Yankees or Rays (playoff to break tie); Twins; Astros. Wild Cards: Royals; Tigers. (Note: Three AL Central teams.)
• NL … Nationals; Cardinals; Dodgers. Wild Cards: Giants; Mets.

Another Impressive “First Impression”

On May 6, as the Twins took the measure of the Oakland A’s 13-0, Eddie Rosario made his major league debut – and he got off to a pretty fast start.  In his first at bat, in the third inning, the rookie right fielder hit a Scott Kazmir fastball into the left field bleachers – becoming 119th player to homer in his first MLB at bat.  More significantly, Rosario become only the 29^th MLBer to homer on the very first pitch he ever saw in “the show.” For more on first-pitch-ever round tripper – including two first-pitch Grand Slams, click here. 

Just a few final team observations before we look at some individual performances and surprises.

• Through May 31, no team had scored more runs than the Blue Jays (268) – who had scored 35 more runs than the second-highest-scoring AL team (Rangers) and the highest-scoring NL team (Diamondbacks), both at 233. The Blue Jays (six games under .500), however, had the AL’s worst ERA through May at 4.59. Fewest runs scored? The Phillies at 157.

• The Houston Astros led all of MLB in home runs through May (68), with the Dodgers topping the NL at 64. The fewest? The Phillies again at 27, while the White Sox (with the DH) had the AL’s lowest total at 32.

• Only three teams were hitting .270 or better through May – the Royals (.278); the Giants (.272); and the Tigers (.272). The Brewers had the lowest team batting average through May at .228.

• From the mound, the Cardinals were the only team to carry a sub-3.00 ERA through May – at 2.73 (followed by the Pirates at 3.14 and the Dodgers at 3.16). Over in the AL, the Rays set the pace at 3.36 (followed by the Royals (3.40 and Astros (3.54).

• The surging Twins proved they “pitch to contact.”  Through May, the Minnesota pitching staff had the fewest strikeouts 281 and the second-fewest walks (117 – only the NL Mets were lower at 103). Leading MLB in K’s was the Cubs’ staff at 476, while Houston led the AL with 464.

Now let’s look at some individual May performances.

Brycae Harper – 13 May home runs.

Nobody raked the baseball more in May than the Nationals’ RF Bryce Harper, who put up a .360-13-28 line for the month – which made him the May leader in HRs and RBI (tied). But, we’ve all been waiting for this type of breakout from Harper.  There were, however, some impressive offensive performances and a few surprises in May.

• Indians’ 2B Jason Kipnis hit .429 for the month, with four home runs, 17 RBI and a MLB-best 30 runs scored – after a disappointing .218-1-8 April.
• Rangers’ 1B Prince Fielder, coming off 2014 neck surgery, started slowly with just one home run and ten RBI in April (although he did put up a .333 average). In May, the power returned, as Fielder went .379-9-28 and took over the AL batting race lead.
• Marlins’ 2B Dee Gordon came back to earth. Carrying a .400 average as late as May 19^th, Gordon’s average had dropped to .377 by May 31 – still enough to lead all of MLB.
• Pirates’ C Francisco Cervelli’s .377 May average topped all NL hitters (with at least 75 plate appearances) for the month.
• The bright spot for the struggling A’s was catcher Stephen Vogt, who hit .301, with seven homers and 23 RBI  in 83 May at bats. Vogt  had 38 RBI through May, just one off the AL lead.  The 30-year-old Vogt’s previous season-highs are .279-9-35.
• Padres’ LF Justin Upton had the highest number of stolen bases without getting caught through May at 10.
• Marlins’ RF Giancarlo Stanton hit only .185 in May, but still managed to rap nine home runs and drive in 23. Hitting just .228 through May, Stanton still leads MLB with 44 RBI.

The pitchers got into the act as well.

• 42-year-old Mets’ hurler Bartolo Colon led all of MLB in victories through May with 8 (tied with Felix Hernandez of the AL’s Mariners) – despite a 4.72 ERA. In May, Colon went 4-2, with a 6.00 ERA in six starts. MLB’s other eight-game winner, Felix Hernandez was 8-1, with a 1.91 ERA.
  

  Corey Kluber – whiffed 18 on a very pecial day.

• The Indians’ Corey Kluber, the MLB strikeout leader for May and through May, saved his best for May 13 – the day the Indians officially opened their Bob Feller exhibit. Kluber threw eight innings of one-hit shutout ball in the Indians’ 2-0 win – walking none and tying Hall of Famer Feller’s Indians’ team single-game strikeout record with 18 whiffs. With the performance, Kluber became just the 29th pitcher in MLB history to fan 18 or more hitters in a game – and one of only five to accomplish the feat without issuing a single base on balls (joining Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Luis Tiant and Kerry Wood). An impressive showing on an appropriate day.

• Only three pitchers managed five wins in May – the Pirates’ A.J. Burnett; Nationals’ Max Scherzer; and Twins’ Ricky Nolasco.

I’m Impressed – and so was the Baseball Hall of Fame

Katie Brownell – The “Perfect” Perfect Game

Here’s someone who “May-ed” their impression on a May day ten years ago. On May 14, 2005, eleven-year-old Katie Brownell – the only girl playing in the Oakfield-Alabama Little League (upstate New York) – took the mound for her team (the Dodgers) expecting to pitch three innings against the Yankees.  Six innings later, the Dodgers had an 11-0 win and Brownell was on her way to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Brownell not only threw a shutout that day, she threw a perfect game and struck out all eighteen batters she faced. She never went to a three-ball count the whole contest and the best at bat of the day went to the game’s final batter, who fouled off three 2-2 pitches before striking out. On July 7, 2005, Brownell’s traveled with her teammates to Cooperstown, New York to see her Dodgers Little League jersey ‘inducted” into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Note: Brownell’s dominance was no fluke, she was coming off a 14-strikeout game in her previous start.

Speaking of impressive performances, here are your May batting and pitching leaders.

Batting Average (minimum 75 plate appearances)

AL

Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians – .429

Prince Fielder, 1B, Rangers – .377

David DeJesus, RF, Rays – .368

Chris Colabello, RF, Blue Jays – .368

NL

Francisco Cervelli, C, Pirates – .377

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – .365

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – .360

HRs

NL

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 13

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – 10

Four with 9

AL

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 10

Price Fielder, 1B, Rangers – 9

Evan Gattis, C/DH, Astros – 9

RBI

AL

Prince Fielder, 1B, Rangers – 28

Torii Hunter, RF, Twins – 25

Three with 23

 NL

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 28

Ryan Braun, RF, Brewers – 28

Four with 23

Runs Scored

AL

Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians – 30

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 25

Brian Dozier, 2B, Twins – 25

NL

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 24

Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants – 23

Ryan Braun, RF, Brewers – 22

Adrelton Simmons, SS, Braves, 22

Stolen Bases

NL

Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – 12 (1 CS)

Justin Upton, LF, Padres – 9 (0 CS)

Three with eight

AL

Delino DeShields, CF, Rangers – 10 (1 CS)

Billy Burns, CF, A’s – 9 (1 CS)

Wins

NL

A.J. Burnett, Pirates – 5 (no losses)

Max Scherzer, Nationals – 5 (one loss)

AL

Ricky Nolasco, Twins – 5 (no losses)

ERA (minimum 20 innings pitched in the month)

AL

Alex Wilson, Tigers – 0.86 (11 games, one start)

Kyle Gibson, Twins – 1.36

Chris Young Royals – 1.45

NL

Shelby Miller, Braves – 0.95

Zack Grienke, Dodgers – 1.05

Mike Bolsinger, Dodgers – 1.05

Strikeouts

AL

Corey Kluber, Indians – 60 (42 2/3 IP)

Chris Sale, White Sox – 46 (37 IP)

Chris Archer, Rays – 45 (35 2/3 IP)

NL

Max Scherzer, Nationals – 56 (43 IP)

James Shields, Padres – 47 (37 1/3 IP)

Francisco Liriano, Pirates – 45 (35 1/3 IP)

Saves

AL

Glen Perkins, Twins – 13

Brad Boxberger, Rays – 10

Luke Gregorson, Astros – 9

Zack Britton, Orioles – 9

NL

Drew Storen, Nationals – 11

Santiago Casilla, Giants – 9

Jason Grilli, Braves – 8

Mark Melancon, Pirates – 8

And now, a look at the MLB Leaders Through May.

Batting Average

NL

Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – .377

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – .354

DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Rockies – .340

AL

Prince Fielder, 1B, Rangers – .359

Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians – .340

Nelson Cruz, RF/DH, Mariners – .335

HR

AL

Nelson Cruz, RF/DH, Mariners – 18

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 15

Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees – 14

NL

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 18

Todd Frazier, 3B, Reds – 16

Paul Goldschmidt, 1b, D-backs – 15

Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Marlins – 15

RBI

NL

Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Marlins – 44

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – 43

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 43

AL

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 39

Nelson Cruz, RF, Mariners – 38

Prince Fielder, 1B, Rangers – 38

Stephen Vogt, C, A’s – 38

Runs

Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 43

Brian Dozier, 2B, Twins – 41

Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 38

NL

Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 42

Paul Goldschmidt, 1b, D-backs – 39

Four with 34

Stolen Bases

NL

Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds  – 21 (3 CS)

Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – 20 (7 CS)

AL

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros – 15 (9 CS)

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF, Yankees – 14 (6 CS)

Wins

NL

Bartolo Colon, Mets – 8-3 (4.72)

Gerrit Cole, Pirates – 7-2 (2.11)

Micheal Wacha, Cardinals – 7-1 (2.27)

AL

Felix Hernandez, Mariners – 8-1, 1.91

Dallas Keuchel, Astros – 7-1 (1.76)

Four with six

Strikeouts

AL

Corey Kluber, Indians – 96 (76 2/3 IP)

Chris Archer, Rays – 82 (68 IP)

Felix Hernandez, Mariners – 71 (70 2/3 IP)

Danny Salazae, Indians – 71 (54 2/3 IP)

NL

James Shields, Padres – 88 (68 1/3 IP)

Max Scherezer, Nationals – 85 (71 2.3 IP)

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 83 (65 1/3 IP)

Saves

AL

Glen Perkins, Twins – 19

Houston Street, Angels – 17

Three with 15

NL

Drew Storen, Nationals – 16

Four with 15

______________________________________________________________

Finally, MLB standing as of May 31

AL East

Yankees          26-25   .510

Rays               26-25   .510

Orioles            23-26   .469     2.0

Blue Jays        23-19   .442     3.5

Red Sox          22-29   .433     4.0

AL Central

Twins              30-19   .612

Royals             29-19   .604     0.5

Tigers              28-24   .538     3.5

Indians            24-26   .480      6.5

White Sox        23-26   .469     7.0

AL West

Astros              31-20    .606

Angels             27-24    .529     4.0

Rangers           26-25     .510    5.0

Mariners          24-26     .480    6.5

A’s                  20-33     .377   12.0

NL East

Nationals          28-22     .560

Mets                28-23     .549    0.5

Braves             25-25     .500    3.0

Marlins             20-31    .392     8.5

Phillies             19-33   .365     10.0

NL Central

Cardinals         33-17     .660

Cubs               26-22    .542     6.0

Pirates             26-24   .520     7.0

Reds                22-27   .449     4.5

Brewers            17-34   .333    16.5

NL West

Dodgers          29-20    .592

Giants             30-22   .577     0.5

San Diego        25-27   .481     5.5

D-backs           23-26   .469     6.0

Rockies            22-26   .458     6.5

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

I tweet baseball @David BBRT

Opening Day, of course, leads to opening month.

It’s May 1, which also means, it’s time for BBRT’s look back at the previous month in major league baseball.  This means touching upon:

• the expected and unexpected – like the Dodgers (expected) and Astros (unexpected) sitting atop their respective NL and AL West Divisions;
• the ups and downs – like the Mets’ eleven-game winning streak and the World Champion Giants’ eight losses in a row;
• a few unique events that caught BBRT’s attention – like Nelson Cruz’ 483-foot home run (longest in the majors so far this year) and Paulo Orlando’s first three MLB base hits being triples; Mark Teixeira finishing a game a year older than when he started it; and
• more.

First, however, I’d like to honor a May 1 anniversary that really brings home how the game has changed.

On May 1, 1920, the Brooklyn Robins (later Dodgers) took on the home team Boston Braves (later Milwaukee and Atlanta) in a 26-inning contest that was suspended due to darkness with the score tied 1-1.  It remains, in terms of innings, the longest MLB game ever. It is not just this game’s length that makes it special. On that day, 95 years ago, both starting pitchers (Leon Cadore of Brooklyn and Joe Oeschger of Boston) went the distance – each throwing more than 300 pitches.  And, as far as pace of game issues, it took the two squads just 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete 26 innings.

What prompted this look back was the Twins-Mariners contest of April 24, when the Mariners topped the Twins 2-0 behind Felix Hernandez.  Not only did both starting pitchers go the distance (Phil Hughes for Minnesota), but the game was completed in a nifty two hours and three minutes.

These days the likelihood of two opposing hurlers going the distance is pretty limited. In April, MLB saw only five complete games – and, in 2014, the 30 MLB teams achieved a total of only 118 CG, just 2.4 percent of games started and just under four complete games per team.  Here’s a look at the “devolution” of the complete game.

– In 1900, 82.3% of games started were complete games;

– 1925 – 49.2%

– 1950 – 40.3%

– 1975 – 27.2%

– 2000 – 4.8%

– 2014 – 3.9%

For a look at BBRT’s take on how the approach to pitching has changed over the years, click here to go to a post from May of 2012.

Now let’s take a look at some April observations. A number of things have gone as expected – The Dodgers and Cardinals, for example, sit atop their divisions and the Cubs, Mets and Padres all look improved. There also have been a few surprises – positives like the first-place Astros and Yankees and negatives like the last-place (defending World Champion) Giants and slow-starting Washington Nationals.

If the post season began May 1, the playing field would look like this:

AL: Division leaders – New York, Kansas City, Houston.  Wild Cards: Detroit , Tampa Bay/Boston (tie).

NL: Division Leaders – New York, Saint Louis, Los Angeles. Wild Cards: Chicago, Pittsburgh.

For the month, only the Saint Louis Cardinals played  .700-or better ball (15-6, .714) and only the Milwaukee Brewers ended the month below .300 (5-17, .227).

At the close of April, the closest race was in the AL East, where only one team was below .500 (Blue Jays 11-12) and only 2 ½ games separated first and last place.  The biggest gap between first and second was in the NL East, where the Mets finished April 4 ½ games ahead of the Braves and Marlins – and only the Mets were above .500.

For full standings, go to the end of this post.

Winning Streaks

No team got off to a better start than the Kansas City Royals, who shot out of the gate by winning their first seven contests.  The longest winning streak during the month belonged to the Mets, who took advantage of a ten-game home stand to fuel an eleven-game winning streak – in which they won five one-run contests and outscored their opponents 57-31.  Note: The Mets nearly completed a perfect 11-0 home April. They lost their first home game – to the Nationals by an 8-2 score – on April 30.  The hottest team at the close of the month was the Houston Astros, who won their final seven April games.

Losing Streaks

On the negative side, The Brewers went the longest before their first victory – starting the season with four straight losses.  Milwaukee also shared April’s longest losing streak, an 8-gamer stretching from April 15 through April 22. During the streak, they scored a total of only 21 runs – with nearly half  of those coming in a 16-10 loss to the Reds on April 21.  The reigning World Champion Giants also suffered through an eight-game losing streak –  April 10 through April 17 – during which they were shut out three times and outscored 43-15.

Those Surprising Astros

Jose Altuve – Like the Astros, flying high.

Between 2010 and 2014, the Astros won 308 and lost 502, never finished higher than fourth, and ended up an average of 34 games out of first place. The Houston squad ended this April in first place in the AL West – staking their claim to a competitive season on the strength of their pitching. Houston ended April with the AL’s lowest ERA (3.04). The staff was led by starters southpaw Dallas Keuchel (3-0, 0.73 ERA) and righty Collin McHugh (3-0, 2.92) – a pair who showed their potential last season, both posting winning records and sub-3.00 ERAs for the 70-92 Astros.  Offensively, the team’s 103 runs scored area respectable eighth in the AL.  Notably, Houston led the AL in both home runs (29, tied with the Orioles and Yankees) and stolen bases (also 29) through April 30. Who is leading the charge?   A big guy and a little guy who both play up the middle.  Six-foot-four CF Jake Marisnik – hit .379 in April, with 2 home runs, 10 RBI, 12 runs scored and eight steals.  Right there with him was last year’s NL batting champ, Jose Altuve (at five-feet five-inches currently the shortest MLB player), who hit .367, with two  home runs, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored and  a league-leading nine steals for the month.

Ahh, the DH

As you might expect – given the DH – the top seven run-scoring teams for April were in the AL – led by the Toronto Blue Jays (122 runs).  The retooled San Diego Padres – not known in the past for offense – led the NL with 105 runs (thank you very much newcomers – Kemp, Upton and Myers).

League Leaders – Runs Scored (through April 30)

AL

Blue Jays – 122

Royals – 119

Red Sox – 113

NL

Padres – 105

Nationals – 103

Dodgers – 100

The fewest runs plated in April? The Phillies in the NL with just 63 and the White Sox in the AL at 64.

Hitting .300 – AS A TEAM

Mike Moustakas – hit .356 in April.

The Kansas City Royals hit .306 – as a team – for April; twenty points ahead of the next best mark (Orioles and Tigers). The NL’s leading team batting average for the month was the Colorado Rockies’ .280. The Royals line up on April 30^th included six .300+  hitters:  Alex Gordon (LF-.303); Mike Moustakas (3B-.356); Lorenzo Cain (CF-.329); Eric Hosmer (1B-.310); Kendrys Morales (DH-.315); Salvador Perez (C-.326).

The Rangers and Phillies had the lowest team batting averages for April, at .210 and .223, respectively.

A Couple of Free Agent Pickups that Really Worked Out

The off season saw the  Mariners signing free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz (the 2014 AL HR leader) and the Red Sox signing (the then soon-to-be) outfielder Hanley Ramirez. In response to the old “Where are they now?” question – they are tied for the AL and MLB lead in both home runs (10) and RBI (22) through April. To go along with the power, Cruz is hitting .322 and Ramirez .293

RBI Leaders (through April 30)

AL

Nelson Cruz, Seattle – 22

Hanley Ramirez – Boston – 22

NL

Giancarlo Stanton, Miami – 21

Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona – 20

HR Leaders

AL

Nelson Cruz, Seattle – 10

Hanley Ramirez, Boston – 10

NL

Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles – 8

Todd Frazier, Cincinnati – 7

Joey Votto, Cincinnati – 7

Trades Can Work Out, Too

Dee Gordon – Looking even better in a Miami uniform.

The Miami Marlins picked up second baseman Dee Gordon in a trade with the Dodgers – and couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. Through April, Gordon was leading all of MLB in batting average (.409) and base hits (38) and was second in the NL in steals with eight. Gordon is one of three players who closed out April at .400 or better.  Joining him in that rare air were another second baseman – DJ LeMahieu of the Rockies at .406 – and the AL batting leader, Baltimore CF Adam Jones at an even .400.

Batting Leaders

AL

Adam Jones, Baltimore – .400

Jose Iglesias, Detroit – .377

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit – .373

NL

Dee Gordon, Miami – .409

DJ LeMahieu, Colorado – .406

Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles – .383

Stolen Base Leaders

NL

Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati – 13

Dee Gordon, Miami – 8

AL

Jose Altuve, Astros – 9

Jake Marisnik, Astros – 8

George Springer, Astros – 8

Jacoby Ellsbury Yankees – 8

If You Really Like Offense

Now, if you really like offense, check out the Blue Jays and Red Sox in the AL.  The Blue Jays led all of MLB in runs scored in April (122), while the Red Sox were third (113).  They reversed the order when it came to runs given up.  The Red Sox gave up the most tallies for the month (119), the Blue Jays the third most (115).  How did this go in the W-L columns?  The Red Sox were 12-10, the Blue Jays 11-12.

If you have an NL interest, the Padres (as noted earlier) scored the most runs (105) and the Brewers gave up the most runs (118).

Team Power – Or Lack Thereof

Only two teams reached 30 home runs in April, the Dodgers with 32 and the Reds with 31.  The Orioles, Astros and Yankees tied for the top in the AL with 29 April dingers. At the bottom of the long ball list were the Twins and White Sox in the AL with 12 home runs and the Phillies and Marlins (despite Giancarlo Stanton) in the NL with thirteen.

Nationals Under-Achievers

Most analysts expected the Nationals to run away with the AL East, largely based on the strength of their pitching staff. Oops!  Through April, the Nationals had given up the fourth-most runs in the NL, on the way to a 10-13 record (fourth place). But, the pitching may not be to blame. The Nationals 3.69 ERA was the NL’s fifth best.  The team, however, led the major leagues in errors (24) and 24 of the 107 runs (22%) the Nationals gave up in April were unearned. Over in the AL, two teams in the West tied for the lead in errors at 21 – the Athletics and Rangers.

ERA Leaders (through April 30)

NL

Cardinals – 2.43

Pirates – 2.95

Mets – 3.33

AL

Astros – 3.04

Royals – 3.10

Yankees – 3.23

Strikeout Leaders (pitching)

NL

Dodgers – 202

Padres – 198

Pirates – 195

AL

Yankees – 208

Indians – 202

Red Sox 191

First To Four Pitching Victories

Seven pitchers picked up four wins in April, but the surprise was that the first to get there was 41-year-old Mets’ starter Bartolo Colon, who  picked up that fourth win on April 23.  Colon went 4-1, 3.31 for the month.  The remaining four-game winners were:  Garrett Cole (Pirates, 4-0, 1.76); Zack Greinke (Dodgers, 4-0, 1.93); Matt Harvey (Mets, 4-0, 3.04); Felix Hernandez (Mariners, 4-0, 1.82); Michael Wacha (Cardinals, 4-0, 2.42); and Alfredo Simon (Tigers, 4-1, 3.13).

Among qualifying ERA leaders, the Rangers’ Nick Martinez has the lowest mark in MLB (0.35 ERA in four starts), while the Reds’ Anthony DeSclafini holds sway in the NL at 1.04.  BBRT finds it interesting that all sub-1.00 ERA are in the AL, with its DH.

ERA Leaders (through April 30)

AL

Nick Martinez (Rangers, 2-0, 0.35)

Dallas Keuchel (Astros, 3-0, 0.73)

Chris Archer (Rays, 3-2, 0.84)

NL

Anthony DeSclafini (Reds, 2-1, 1.04)

Max Scherzer (Nationals, 1-2, 1.26)

Adam Wainwright (Cardinals, 2-1, 1.44)

Strikeout Leaders

AL

Chris Archer (Rays, 37 K/37 1/3 IP)

Felix Hernandez (Mariners, 36 K/34 2/3 IP)

Cory Kluber (Indians, 36  K/ 34 IP)

NL

Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers, 43 K/31 1/3 IP)

James Shields (Padres, 41 K/31 IP)

Johnny Cueto (Reds, 38 K/37 IP)

_______________________________________________________

A FEW OTHER OBSERVATIONS

One Very Cold Start

Evan Gattis, Houston’s new designated hitter, was anything but that to start the season – at one point even striking out eight times in eight plate appearances over two games (losses to Cleveland on April 8 and April 9).  The DH, in fact, didn’t get his first “H” until his 23rd at bat – and he had 13 strikeouts in those first 22 at bats.

And, On the Other Hand …

Adrian Gonzalez – a blazing start.

Dodgers’ first baseman Adrian Gonzalez  started 2015 as hot as Evan Gattis was cold.  Gonzalez went deep in the first three Dodger contests of the season – topped off by a three-homer game in LA’s 7-4 win over San Diego on April 8.  Baseball tracks pretty much everything, so we know that Gonzalez became the first MLBer to hit five home runs in a season’s first three games.  In those first three contests, Gonzalez was ten-for-thirteen, with five home runs, two doubles, seven runs and seven RBI.

Four Strikeouts on Just Twelve Pitches

Oakland 3B Brett Lawrie had a tough night on April 7 – just his second game as a member of the A’s.   After going one-for-four on Opening Day, Lawrie took the collar in game two (0-for-4).  It’s how he did it that drew notice.  Lawrie came to the plate four times in the 3-1 loss to the Rangers and struck out four times – on a total of just twelve pitches. Lawrie faced three different pitches, had a nice balance of six called strikes and six swinging strikes. His final swinging strike also marked the final out of the contest.

The Game Will Age You

On April 10 (and April 11), the Yankees and Red Sox engaged in the longest game at new Yankee Stadium  – 6 hour and 49 minutes (19 innings).

• The game started at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and ended at 2:13 a.m. on Saturday; and included a 16-minute light failure delay.
• The teams used a total of 42 players.
• Seventeen of those players were pitchers and they threw a total of 628 pitches (332 by the Yankees, 296 by the Red Sox.)
• Yankees’ first baseman Mark Teixeira (born on April 11, 1980) started the game as a 34-year-old, and finished it at age 35.
• The Red Sox took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth, a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the 16^th and a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the 18^th – and gave up the tying run each time – until winning it 6-5 in the 19^th.
• The Red Sox’ Steve Wright pitched the last five innings – blowing two leads (16^th and 18^th innings), before earning the win in the 19^th.

Triple Your Pleasure, Tripe Your Fun

On April 9, 29-year-old MLB rookie Paulo Orlando started in left field and hit in the eight spot for the Kansas City Royals.  In the bottom of the third inning, facing Chicago southpaw John Danks, Orlando walked in his first-ever MLB plate appearance. One inning later, the right-handed hitter achieved his first-ever MLB at bat and lashed a triple to deep center.  It was his only hit in a one-for-three day (remember that number … three.) His triple, however, was a sign of things to come.

Orlando’s next start came on April 12, against the Angels, in Los Angeles. The 6’ 2”, 210-pound rookie was once again manning left field and hitting eighth. This time he collected two hits in five at bats. His first hit of the day came leading off the top of the sixth.  Like his very-first (and until then only) MLB hit, it was a triple to deep center.  Sensing a pattern here?  Orlando picked up his second hit of the game in the eighth and switched things up a bit, lacing the ball to left field for – you may have guessed it – a triple.   So, after two games in the major leagues, Orlando had three hits – all triples. He was the first player ever to log triples for his first three MLB hits.

Slam-A-Rama

On April 21, the Brewers and Reds tied an MLB record by hitting a combined three grand slam home runs in a single game – as Cincinnati topped Milwaukee 16-10. The first grand slam came off the bat of the Reds’ Jay Bruce with two outs in the top of the third inning. One inning later, the Red’s Todd Frazier went deep with the bases full – again with two out.  The Brewers countered with a grand slam by Elian Herrara in the bottom of the sixth.  Overall, the game featured seven round trippers.

It was only the fourth time in MLB history that three grand slams were hit in a single game. The first time was in a 13-11 Texas win over Baltimore (at Baltimore on August 6, 1986) – featuring grand slams by Texas 2B Toby Harrah, Baltimore DH Jim Dwyer and Baltimore LF Larry Sheets.   The following season (June 3, 1987) saw the first NL three grand slam game, as the Cubs topped the Astros 22-7 in Chicago.  Cranking based loaded homers in that one were Astros’ CF Billy Hatcher, Cubs’ LF Brian Dayett and Cubs’ 3B Keith Moreland. Then on August 25, the Yankees became the first (and still only) team to manage three grand slams in a single game on their own – as they topped the A’s 22-9 in New York. The slams went to 2B Robinson Cano, CF Curtis Granderson and C Russell Martin.  The three Yankees totaled 16 RBI in the game.

The Fresh-Faced 100-100 Club

There’s really not stopping Mike Trout – unless he wants to take a breather.

On April 17, when Los Angeles Angels’ center  fielder Mike Trout came to the plate in the top of the sixth inning of a tie game (1-1) against the Astros, he was thinking “contact” not “history” – but he quickly made both.  Trout made contact, taking Astros’ pitcher Roberto Hernandez deep for a 3-1 Angels’ lead.  He made history by hitting his 100^th career home run – becoming the youngest player ever to amass 100 career homers and 100 career stolen bases. Trout was 23 years and 253 days old, beating the previous mark for reaching 100-100 (Alex Rodriguez) by 56 days.

Not Exactly a Pitchers’ Duel

On April 11, the Minnesota State (Mankato) Mavericks (NCAA Division II) won the first game of their double header against the Bemidgi State Beavers 10-9 – but compared to game two, that was a pitcher’s duel. In the second game, the Mavericks  plated 41 runs (to “just” 20 for Bemidgi State). In a game that went eight innings (mercy rule), the line score looked like this:

Minnesota State     3   6   10   0   3   0   4   14      41   35   2

Bemidgi State        0   7     1   0   3   7   2      0     20   21   6

Minnesota State swept the four game series at Bemidgi – outscoring the home team 88-34.

________________________________________________________

MLB Standings through April 30

AL East

Yankees          13-9    .591

Red Sox          12-10   .545     1.0

Rays                12-10   .545     1.0

Orioles             10-10   .500     2.0

Blue Jays         11-12   .478     2.5

AL Central

Royals             15-7     .682

Tigers              15-8     .652     0.5

Twins              10-12   .455     5.0

White Sox         8-11   .421     5.5

Indians             7-14   .333     7.5

AL West

Astros              15-7     .682

Angels             11-11   .500     4.0

Mariners          10-12   .455     5.0

A’s                    9-14   .391     6.5

Rangers             7-14  .333     7.5

NL East

Mets                15-8     .652

Braves             10-12   .455     4.5

Marlins            10-12   .455     4.5

Nationals         10-13   .435     5.0

Phillies              8-15   .348     7.0

NL Central

Cardinals         15-6     .714

Cubs                12-8     .600     2.5

Pirates             12-10   .545     3.5

Reds                11-11   .500     4.5

Brewers           5-17    .227     10.5

 NL West

Dodgers          13-8     .619

Rockies           11-10   .524     2.0

San Diego       11-12   .478     3.0

D-backs           10-11   .476     3.0

Giants               9-13   .409     4.5

I tweet baseball @David BBRT

On April 9, 29-year-old MLB rookie Paulo Orlando started in left field and hit in the eight spot for the Kansas City Royals.  In the bottom of the third inning, facing Chicago southpaw John Danks, Orlando walked in his first-ever MLB plate appearance. One inning later, the right-handed hitter achieved his first-ever MLB at bat and lashed a triple to deep center.  It was his only hit in a one-for-three day (remember that number … three.) His triple, however, was a sign of things to come.

Orlando’s next start came on April 12, in Los Angeles against the Angels and starting pitcher (another lefty) C.J. Wilson.   The 6’ 2”, 210-pound rookie was once again manning left field and hitting eighth. This time he collected two hits in five at bats (and scored three runs). His first hit of the day came leading off the top of the sixth.  Like his very-first (and until then only) MLB hit, it was a triple to deep center.  Sensing a pattern here?  Orlando picked up his second hit of the game in the eighth (off reliever Fernando Salas, a righty this time) and Orlando switched things up a bit, lacing the ball to left field for – you may have guessed it – a triple.   So, after two games in the major leagues, Orlando had three hits – all triples. He was the first player ever to log triples for his first three MLB hits.  Bet we won’t be seeing that again.  But there is more to come.

On April 16, Orlando and the Royals found themselves in Minnesota, where Twins’ pitchers held the rookie (playing left field and batting seventh) to a mundane infield single in four trips to the plate. The string of triples was over, but Orlando’s penchant for three-baggers was not. The next day (yesterday), back in Kansas City facing the Oakland A’s, Orlando was in right field, batting eighth. He collected one hit (one run and one RBI) in  four at bats – a triple to deep right center in the eighth off right-handed reliever Dan Otero. So, Orlando – after playing in four major league games – had five hits (.313 average), and four of them were triples.

Of course, the speedster’s penchant for baseball’s rarest hit – the triple – should not come as a surprise. In nine minor league seasons, Orlando hit a total of 63 three-baggers – topping ten triples three times, with a high of 14 in 2008. Over 1,017 minor league games, Orlando hit .275, rapped 63 home runs (the identical total as his triples) and stole 200 bases. Last season, at AAA Omaha, Orlando hit .301 with nine triples, six homers and 34 steals in 136 games.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Opening Day is the most hopeful and optimistic day of each year.  At least for this one day, every team is a contender, every rookie a potential “phenom,”  every fading veteran a potential “Comeback Player of the Year,” and every new face in the lineup or on the bench a welcome addition.

Baseball Roundtable – March 26, 2013

Opening Day is upon us and – to celebrate – BBRT would like to focus this post on thirty players (one from each team), I’ll be watching with special interest this year – as well as a few “honorable mentions” that have caught my eye.  You may also find some of them interesting – and worth keeping track of during the season.

Also, for those who may have missed my pre-season predictions (and are interested), you’ll find them by clicking here –  AL   NL   Prospect Watch

Now, some players worth a look or two (or more) in 2015.  Spring Training numbers mean little, but I’ve included them to update you on how things have been going for the players on this watch list.

Arizona Diamondbacks

1B Paul Goldschmidt – Is this THE year?

Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt is a top flight run-producer who does not get the credit he deserves – and, at 27, he may be ready for a breakout season. In 2013, he led the NL in home runs (36), RBI (125) and total bases (332), while hitting .302 and stealing 15 bases. Last season, limited to 109 games after suffering a fractured hand from a hit by pitch, he went .300-19-69, with nine steals.  BBRT is looking for a career year out of the Diamondbacks’ first-sacker, who is also a plus defender. Ultimately, Goldschmidt may be headed for Jeff Bagwell-like numbers. Goldschmidt hit .293, with three home runs, in 22 Spring Training (ST) games.

Atlanta Braves

SS Andrelton Simmons – How many base hits will he steal?

If you want to watch defense, no one does it better than Braves’ shortstop Andrelton Simmons. In his first two full seasons, Simmons has captured two Gold Gloves, two Fielding Bible Awards and two Wilson Defensive Player of the Year recognitions. In the field, Simmons is well worth watching. At the plate, he’s still a bit of mystery (again worth watching). In 2013, his first full season, he hit .248, but popped 17 home runs.  Last season, the average was about the same (.244), but the power dropped off (seven home runs). BBRT will be watching that defensive range, and looking to see what Simmons’ potential is at the plate (his minor league stats indicate he may end up closer to the seven home runs than the 17). Simmons hit .340, with two homers and 13 RBI, in 18 ST games

Baltimore Orioles

1B Chris Davis – Will the real Chris Davis please step into the batter’s box?

Heading into 2014, the Orioles’ Chris Davis was on an upward swing – .270, with 33 home runs and 85 RBI  in 2012; .286-53-138 in 2013.  Then in 2014, Davis suffered through an Adderall-use related suspension and a .196 season (173 strikeouts in 127 games).  He still showed power, with 26 home runs and 72 RBI and – having now been given a therapeutic exemption for Adderall use – should get back to 30+ home run/100+ RBI performance in 2015. Hit .250-3-12 in ST.

Honorable mention: OF-1B Steve Pearce is a late bloomer who seemed to find his stroke last season (at age 31), hitting .293 with 21 homers in 102 games. His previous MLB career stats were 290 games (seven seasons), .238 average, 17 home runs. Will he continue his 2014 surge? He looked good this spring. Hit .302, with five home runs, in 17 ST games.

Boston Red Sox

RHP Clay Buchholz – Can he be the Red Sox’ top of the rotation “ace?”

The Red Sox re-armed for 2015, both in the batter’s box and on the mound (via the additions of Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Justin Masterson, Wade Miley, and Rick Porcello). The trade of Jon Lester last July, however, left them without a true number-one starter.  That role now falls to Clay Buchholz, who has shown flashes of brilliance (17-7, 2.33 ERA in 2010 and 12-1, 1.74 in 2013), but also proven fragile (Buchholz has spent time on the Disabled List in each of the past five seasons). The Red Sox need Buchholz, coming off an 8-11, 5.34 campaign in 2014) to step up his game. Buchholz put up a 2.84 Spring Training ERA, with 22 strikeouts in 19 innings.

Chicago Cubs

RF Jorge Soler – How good is this Cuban import?

In 24 games for the Cubs, Jorge Soler – who signed a nine-year deal in June of 2012 – hit .292, with five home runs (14 extra base hits) and 20 RBI.  In 2012, at the Rookie level, Soler hit .299, with five home runs, 25 RBI, 12 steals and 12 walks – in just 34 games.  In 2013, he put up a .281-8-35 stat line in 55 games at the High A level. Last season, Soler played at the Rookie League, AA and AAA levels before making his late-season MLB debut with the Cubs. In his three 2014 minor league stops, Soler hit .340-15-57. Soler should be fun to watch in “The Friendly Confines” of Wrigley Field.  Continued to rake in ST , posting a line of  .345-4-15 in 19 games.

Honorable mention:  3B Kris Bryant hit .325 with 43 home runs and 110 RBI in two  minor league stops (AA and AAA) last season – not to mention 15 steals.  Then he hit .425 with nine home runs in just 40 at bats in 2015 Spring Training.  He’ll start the season at AAA (some controversy there), but will be in Chicago soon. When he gets there, he’ll be well worth keeping an eye on.

Chicago White Sox

RHP Jeff Samardzija – How good will he be with the new White Sox offense to support him?

Jeff Samardzija (got to love that name on the back of a uniform), acquired in a trade with the Athletics, was a lot better in 2014 than his 7-13 record (Cubs and A’s) would indicate.  He put up a nifty 2.99 ERA and struck out 202 hitters in 219 2/3 innings. Samardzija is slotted in at the number-two spot in the White Sox rotation (assuming Chris Sale returns from injury in mid-April as expected) – and he looks ready to put up a solid season.  Samardzija had a rough spring giving up 20 runs (including 9 home runs) in 21 1/3 innings.

Honorable mention:  LHP Carlos Rodon, drafted (first round) out of NC State last year, looks ready for the major leagues at age 22.  In his first pro season, he moved from the Rookie League to High A to Triple A – posting a 2.96 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings. This spring, Rodon tossed 17 2/3 innings, going 3.06 with 12 whiffs and only five walks.  Rodon will start the season at Triple A, but BBRT will be watching for his call up.

Cincinnati Reds

Closer Aroldis Chapman – Just how hard can this guy throw?

The Reds may not be going anywhere this year, but LHP Aroldis Chapman’s fastball is going to be flying past hitters once again. Acknowledged as the hardest thrower in MLB, Chapman’s fastball routinely tops 100 mph. In 2014, Chapman saved 36 games (in 38 opportunities) – and struck out 106 batters in just 54 innings. If you watch Chapman, you may not see that fastball, but you’ll probably be able to hear it. Struck out 16 in 12 ½ innings in ST.

Cleveland Indians

2B Jason Kipnis – Can he come back from injury-interrupted 2014?

Second baseman Jason Kipnis, a 2013 All Star (.284-17-84, with 30 steals), missed most of May last season (oblique strain) and fell to .240-6-41, with 22 steals.  A return to health (and power plus speed) would give the Cleveland offense a boost.  Hit .229 with one home run in 13 ST games.

Colorado Rockies

SS Troy Tulowitzki – Will he play 150 games?

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is a key cog in the Rockies’ lineup, but in the eight seasons since his first full MLB season, he’s only reached 150 games played twice (2007 and 2009). The Rockies need their Gold Glove/power hitting shortstop to stay on the field. He’s coming off hip surgery, so it’s worth watching his progress closely. Tulo did look sound in Spring Training and, if healthy, he’s a potential .300-25-100 guy.  In 16 ST games, hit .381, with five home runs and 12 RBI.

Detroit Tigers

RHP Justin Verlander – Can he rebound?

With Rick Porcello (trade) and Max Scherzer (free agency) gone, there is pressure on Justin Verlander (who will start the season on the DL – his first ever DL stint) to recapture his old form. (Verlander – triceps soreness – is expected back by mid-April.)  Verlander has seen his ERA increase in each of the past four seasons (from 2.40 in 2011 to 4.54 in 2014) and his strikeouts per nine-innings drop from 9.0 to 6.9 in the same time span.  The Tigers need a return to form from the 2011 Cy Young winner if they are to retain the Central Division’s top spot. You can bet Tiger fans will be watching with interest. Had a 5.63 ERA, with 10 whiffs in 16 innings this ST.

Honorable mention:  1B Miguel Cabrera – Who wouldn’t like watching Cabrera do what he does best\?  Crush baseballs. The 2012 Triple Crown winner and two-time MVP hit .345, with three home runs in 11 ST games.

Houston Astros

2B  Jose Altuve – Is the 5’ 5” spark plug for real?

Jose Altuve, currently MLB’s shortest player, is fun to watch.  He puts the bat on the ball – often.  In 2014, the 24-year-old led the AL in hits (225), batting average (.341) and stolen bases (56). If that’s not a show worth watching, what is? Hit .333 in 16 ST games.

Kansas City Royals

RF Alex Rios – Can he put some pop back in his swing?

Free-agent signee Alex Rios was acquired to help offset the departures of Nori Aoki and Billy Butler. Rios brings a steady bat (.280 last season, .278 career) and speed (17 steals in 2014, 244 in eleven MLB seasons).  Notably, that combination was part of the Royals’ formula for success in 2014 – the team finished second in the AL in batting average and first in all of MLB in stolen bases (153, the only team to steal 150 bases.) They did, however, lack power, hitting only 95 home runs – the major’s lowest total.  Rios hit only four round trippers a year ago, but hit between 15 and 25 home runs every season from 2006 to 2013.  BBRT will be watching to see if Rios can recapture his power stroke. Hit .308, with three homers, in 20 ST games.

Honorable mention: With James Shields gone (free agency) RHP Yordano Ventura – 14-10, 3.20 in his first full season (2014)  – will be expected to step into the number-one slot in the rotation.  With his high 90s fastball, the 23-year-old looks ready to step up. Ventura produced a 4.50 ERA, with 16 whiffs in 18 ST innings.

Los Angeles Angels

CF Mike Trout – Another MVP?

Of course, BBRT will be watching Angels’ CF Mike Trout.  What baseball fan wouldn’t? Just 23-years-old, with three full MLB seasons on the books, Trout has one AL MVP Award (two second-place finishes), a Rookie of the Year Award, and has led the AL in runs three times and RBI and stolen bases once each.  He also has a .305 career average, with 98 homers.  Just have to watch to see what’s next from the future HOFer. Hit .441, with five homers, in 22 ST games.

Los Angeles Dodgers

LHP Clayton Kershaw – What’s the record for most Cy Young Awards again?

Who wouldn’t want to watch Clayton Kershaw deal from the mound?  Over the past four seasons, he’s 72-26, with a 2.33 ERA – leading the league in ERA four times, wins twice and strikeouts twice, while also earning three Cy Young Awards and one MVP Award. Hey, when Kershaw pitches, tune in. This ST, put up a 1.61 ERA, with 22 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings.

Honorable mention:  OF Joc Pederson was the Pacific Coast League’s 2014 Most Valuable player – hitting .303 with 33 home runs, 106 runs, 78 RBI, 30 steals and, importantly, 100 walks (in 121 games). Despite the fact that Pederson hit .143, with 11 whiffs in 28 at bats for the Dodgers last September, BBRT thinks he’ll have a season worth watching as a Dodgers’ rookie in 2015.  Hit .338-6-13 in 26 ST games.

Miami Marlins

RF Giancarlo Stanton – Does anyone hit the ball farther – more consistently – than Stanton?

Giancarlo Stanton led the NL with 37 home runs last season, while hitting .288 with 105 RBI.  According to ESPN’s Home Run Tracker, his home runs averaged 415.3 feet, second in MLB only to Matt Holliday (418.3 feet), who hit 17 fewer homers. Stanton also hit three of the eight longest 2014 home runs – and, of the fifty 2014 MLB home runs of at least 450 feet, Stanton had seven. (No one else had more than two.)  Want to see long home runs, watch Giancarlo Stanton whenever you get the chance. Hit .313-4-14 in 19 ST games.

Milwaukee Brewers

RF Ryan Braun – Did thumb surgery do the trick?

No doubt the Brewers’ RF Ryan Braun has had problems in a career that started with a Rookie of the Year Award (2007), followed by five straight All Star selections – and the NL MVP Award in 20ll. Then there was a suspension in 2013 and injury issues in 2014.

When healthy, Braun has shown the ability to deliver speed and power (in 2012, he hit .319, with 41 home runs, 112 RBI and 30 steals).  He appears healthy again and BBRT is anxious to see if he comes back strong.  Looked good with a  .395 average and three home runs in 16 ST games.

Minnesota Twins

1B Joe Mauer – More batting titles in the future?

Twins’ 1B Joe Mauer, a three-time AL batting champion with a .319 career (11 seasons) batting average, hit only .277 in 2014. The 2009 AL MVP spent time on the disabled list in three of the past four seasons.  The Twins need a healthy and hitting Mauer and BBRT expects to see Mauer at or near his career average in 2015.  Hit .273 this ST.

New York Mets

RHP Matt Harvey – Is he ready fully recovered from Tommy John surgery?

Nearly 18 months after Tommy John surgery, Met’s starter Matt Harvey looks ready to step up and be the Mets’ ace. Remember, in 2013, Harvey went 9-5, 2.27 with 191 strikeouts (just 31 walks) in 178 1/3 innings. If he’s back, he’ll be fun to watch –unless you’re in the batter’s box. This ST, Harvey logged a 1.19 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings pitched.

New York Yankees

Closer Dellin Betances – Can he replace, not Mariano Rivera, but David Robertson?

In 2014, David Robertson was charged with replacing retired Yankee Mariano Rivera as closer and did so admirably, saving 39 games, with a 3.06 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings.  Robertson is now gone (free agency) and 26-year-old Dellin Betances moves into the NY closer’s role. Last season, Betances threw 90 innings (70 appearances), with a 1.40 ERA and 135 strikeouts (versus just 24 walks).  He looks ready. Struck out nine in 8 1/3 ST innings, with a 5.40 ERA.

Oakland Athletics

3B Brett Lawrie – Would YOU like to replace Josh Donaldson?

3B Brett Lawrie (acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays) is being asked to replace arguably the A’s best player for the past two seasons – Josh Donaldson (traded to the Blue Jays).   Donaldson – 53 homers, 191 RBI in 2013/2014 – will be a tough act to follow. Lawrie, who spent time on the Disabled List last year, did hit 12 home runs and drive in 38 in just 70 games. Hit .245-4-11 in 19 ST games.

Philadelphia Phillies

1B Ryan Howard – What does the former Rookie of the Year and NL MVP have left in the tank?

Ryan Howard won the 2005 NL Rookie of the Year Award, hitting .288, with 22 home runs and 63 RBI in just 88 games.  He followed up with a .313-58-149 season and an MVP Award in 2006 – and kept right on hitting.  From 2006 through 2011, Howard averaged just over 44 home runs and 113 RBI per season. However, time and injuries (knee and Achilles tendon) appear to have caught up with the Phillies’ slugger.  In 2012 and 2013, he played a total of 151 games and last season, his stat line (in 153 games) was .223-23-95.  Phillies’ fans will be watching to see if the 35-year-old can turn this around. Hit .176-3-10 in 26 games this ST.

Pittsburgh Pirates

CF Andrew McCutchen – Can he help drive the Pirates to the post season AGAIN?

Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen is well worth watching.  He’s a true five-tool player – a Gold Glove winner and the 2013 NL MVP (he’s finished in the top three in the NL MVP voting each of the past three years). Last season “Cutch” went .314-25-83, with 18 steals. He’s likely to do even better in 2015.  Hit .375 in 11 ST games.

Saint Louis Cardinals

RF Jason Heyward – More highlight reels in his future?

Although a lot of what happens in Saint Louis depends on the three “Matts” – Adams, Carpenter and Holliday – BBRT has special interest in the Redbirds’ new right fielder Jason Heyward (acquired in a trade with the Braves). We’re likely to see the two-time Gold Glover in plenty of defensive highlight videos and – at just 25-years-old – there is plenty of time to see his offensive skills develop further. (Heyward went .271-11-56, with 20 steals a year ago, but has shown 20-homer/20-steal potential.)  Hit .300, with one home run, in 17 ST games.

San Diego Padres

The entire outfield – Has San Diego finally found its offense?

Rather than watch just one Padres’ player, BBRT is interested in San Diego’s entirely new – and much more offensively potent – outfield:  Justin Upton (trade  with Braves); Will Myers (trade with Rays); and Matt Kemp (trade with Dodgers). If these three live up to their potential at the plate, the San Diego offense could be vastly improved. Consider that Upton went .279-29-103 last season; Kemp put up a .287-25-89 line and has a .324-39-126 season under his belt (2011); and 2013 Rookie of the Year Myers is still considered to have considerable upside at age 24.  This outfield may change San Diego’s approach to the game. This ST, Myers hit .259 with three homers; Kemp hit .370 with four round trippers; and Upton hit .314 with three long balls.

San Francisco Giants

LHP Madison Bumgarner – What does he do for an encore?

The post-season heroics of Madison Bumgarner should be no surprise, he also went 18-10, 2.98 with 219 strikeouts in 217 1/3 innings pitched during the 2014 regular season.  The question is, did the 2014 workload (he also threw 50+ posts season inning) take anything out of him. Watch for the answer.  He’s only 25, so BBRT anticipates, he’ll do just fine – and be among the top five in 2015 Cy Young voting.  Had a 4.91 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings this ST.

Seattle Mariners

RHP Felix Hernandez – Is it time for another Cy Young Award?

How good is Felix Hernandez?  The five-time All Star won the 2010 Cy Young Award with a 13-12 record. Now that’s respect. (He did have a league-low 2.27 ERA). The Mariners have worked to improve their offense (adding Nelson Cruz and his 40 home runs, for example) and that should mean even more victories for King Felix (15-6, 2.14, with 248 strikeouts in 236 innings pitched in 2014).  This Spring Training, Hernandez had a 10.2 ERA, with eight strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.

Honorable mention: RHP Taijuan Walker, a 2010 first-round draft pick, has been the talk of Spring Training for the Mariners – and may soon be the “talk of the town” in Seattle.    Struck out 26 in 27 ST innings, with a sparkling 0.67 ERA.

Tampa Bay Rays

OF Steven Souza – Is he ready?

Acquired from the Washington Nationals, Steven Souza was the International League (AAA) Rookie of the Year and MVP in 2014 – hitting .350, with 18 home runs, 75 RBI and 26 steals in 96 games with Syracuse. Souza was a 2007 third-round draft pick as an 18-year-old.  It took the 6’ 4”, 225-pound right-handed hitter a few seasons to adjust (he hit just .227 over his first five minor league seasons). In 2012, Souza began to turn it on – hitting.297-23-85, with 14 steals in 97 games at A and High A.  In 2013, he proved 2012 was no fluke, going .297-15-46 with 22 steals at two levels (Rookie and AA).  Last season, Souza hit .345-18-99 with 28 steals, while working has way from A to AA to AAA.  Souza hit only .130 in a couple of major league call-ups (21 games), but he looks like another player well worth watching (at the major league level) this season.  Hit  .130 in 19 ST games.

Texas Rangers

1B Prince Fielder – Is he healthy, is he back?

The Rangers expected 1B/DH Prince Fielder to lead their offense when they acquired him before the 2014 season. After all, the big guy had averaged 36 home runs and 108 RBI over the previous seven seasons.  A neck injury limited Fielder to 42 games (three homers, 16 RBI) in 2014.  BBRT (and the Lone Star State) will be watching to see how Fielder rebounds from neck surgery.  Hit .341-1-7 in 17 ST games.

Toronto Blue Jays

LHP Daniel Norris – Was he really living in a van down by the Wal-Mart?

How can you not want to watch a guy with eye-popping stuff and a two-million-dollar signing bonus, who chooses to live (during Spring Training) in a Volkswagen van behind a Wal-Mart.  Norris will be in the Jay’s starting rotation. Look out!  Logged a 2.93 ST ERA, with 30 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.

Washington Nationals

The entire starting rotation – How good (great) can they be?

Kind of a cop out, but you really have to watch that entire starting rotation – anyone in it could be a Cy Young winner.  Here they are with their 2014 stats:  Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15); Stephen Strasburg 14-11, 3.14); Jordan Zimmerman (14-5, 2.66); Doug Fister (16-6, 2.41); Gio Gonzalez (10-10, 3.57).  Their ST ERAs were: Scherzer (1.35); Gonzalez (2.79); Zimmerman (3.80); Strasburg (4.20); Fister (5.96).

Honorable mention: People keep waiting for Bryce Harper to become the NL’s Mike Trout. Well, keep an eye on him.  Remember, he’s only 22-years-old.  This could be the year.  Hit .267-3-8 in 19 ST games.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT