S2, Ep. 10: Alexandra Noboa, St. Louis Cardinals, International Communications Specialist

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I first met Alexandra Noboa in 2014 at Major League Baseball’s Diversity Summit in New York City. Besides being one of the nicest humans you could ever meet, you could tell she had a passion for the game of baseball, journalism, and reaching MLB’s  Latino audience on a larger scale.  Continue reading “S2, Ep. 10: Alexandra Noboa, St. Louis Cardinals, International Communications Specialist”

Major League Baseball 2015: The Locker’s First-Half MLB All-Stars

Joe Panik was inserted into the Giants starting lineup just before their World Series run in 2014. He's an All-Star in 2015, and a First-Half All-Star here as well.(Photo By: Scott Strazzante)
Joe Panik was inserted into the Giants starting lineup just before their World Series run in 2014. Now he’s an All-Star in 2015, and a First-Half All-Star here on the blog as well.(Photo By: Scott Strazzante)

First-half of the 2015 Major League Baseball season is in the books. That means it’s that time of year when debate will rage on about who made the All-Star teams and who should have made the All-Star teams.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2015: The Locker’s First-Half MLB All-Stars”

MLB 2015: Want To Understand The Cardinals Espionage Accusations? Start With Jeff Luhnow And His Threat To The Cardinal Way

Jeff Luhnow, now General Manager of the Houston Astros, worked with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2003-2011
Jeff Luhnow, now General Manager of the Houston Astros, worked with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2003-2011

My Advice to understanding the St. Louis Cardinals espionage investigation is simple:

Get to know Jeff Luhnow. Continue reading “MLB 2015: Want To Understand The Cardinals Espionage Accusations? Start With Jeff Luhnow And His Threat To The Cardinal Way”

First Impressions From the 2015 MLB Season and (Finally) My Division and Wild Card Predictions (Part One)

Kris Bryant, the #1 Prospect in baseball, has arrived in Chicago. They still have more young help on the way.
Kris Bryant, the #1 Prospect in baseball, has arrived in Chicago and they still have more young, top-flight prospects on the way.

It’s been almost three weeks since the season started and there are quite a few storylines to discuss. I figured I would break this into two parts and give a few first impressions starting with the National League. I also will (finally) dole out division predictions so without further delay let’s get to it. Continue reading “First Impressions From the 2015 MLB Season and (Finally) My Division and Wild Card Predictions (Part One)”

MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015

Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the "Overrated" label levied by his peers.
Bryce Harper (55 HR, .272 BA, .816 OPS) has put up solid numbers in his first three seasons. Unfortunately 2015 will need to be even better to buck the “Overrated” label levied by his peers.

A make or break year for a baseball player isn’t always one that sees them going into free agency. It’s also one that changes perceptions placed on a player after a couple of inconsistent or down years. Continue reading “MLB Preview 2015: Top-5 Players Facing A Make Or Break Season In 2015”

Atlanta Braves Change Course, Now What?

Jason Heyward produced a 6.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in 2014 and won his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove in Right Field (Photo Credit: Atlanta Braves Official Facebook Page)
Jason Heyward produced a 6.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in 2014 and won his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove in Right Field (Photo Credit: Atlanta Braves Official Facebook Page)

Wanna know how my day started? Here, I’ll show you: Continue reading “Atlanta Braves Change Course, Now What?”

Major League Baseball 2014: The Division Races and Other Second-Half Predictions Pt. 2

Mike Trout of the Angels and Robinson Cano of the Mariners make the AL West as exciting a race as ever (Harry How/Getty Images North America)
Mike Trout of the Angels and Robinson Cano of the Mariners make the 2014 AL West as exciting a race as ever to watch in the second half (Harry How/Getty Images North America)

What a second-half it is shaping up to be.

I saw the other day a statistic that said for the first time in Major League Baseball’s history four divisions are separated by no more than a game and a half. Four! So where does that put things for those contenders who are, not only fighting to avoid the Wild Card play-in game, but fighting for the opportunity to be in that playoff conversation? Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: The Division Races and Other Second-Half Predictions Pt. 2”

Major League Baseball 2014: Five Contenders And What They Need To Fix For A Playoff Push

The Braves Tommy La Stella (.343 BA, .410 OBP in 19 games) has warranted a spot in the top third of Atlanta's lineup)
The Braves Tommy La Stella (.343 BA, .410 OBP in 19 games) has warranted a spot in the top third of Atlanta’s lineup)

We’ve passed the point of its early. You’re either a “contender” at this point or you’re not. Of course there are teams that can put together a run, but generally they have the talent on their roster to be considered a team to watch as we head into the All-Star break in the next four weeks. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: Five Contenders And What They Need To Fix For A Playoff Push”

Major League Baseball Preview 2014: National League Central

Michael-Wacha
Michael Wacha (NLCS MVP) will be a full-time starter in 2014.

In the National League Central the way of life still sees the St. Louis Cardinals as the cream of the crop.

In 2013, however, the Pirates made it known they would like to join the conversation. With a rotation that might be the best in the business and professional hitters up and down their lineup the Cardinals look ready to make another World Series run. The Pirates, who finally broke through after 20-consecutive losing seasons, have a good thing going in Pittsburgh with a good mix of youth and veteran leadership. Continue reading “Major League Baseball Preview 2014: National League Central”

Major League Baseball 2014: These Pitchers Are Poised For A Breakout In 2014

Andrew Cashner (1.131 WHIP, 3.09 ERA) is an Ace in every sense of the word
Andrew Cashner (1.131 WHIP, 3.09 ERA) is an Ace in every sense of the word

Over the next few weeks I’ll be putting out quite a few lists before my divisional breakdowns and team reports. 

The definition of a “breakout performance” can vary from person-to-person but the general idea is always the same: that player who takes the next step from potential star to household name. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: These Pitchers Are Poised For A Breakout In 2014”