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”

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”

Major League Baseball 2014: The Atlanta Braves Playoff Hopes Hinge On This Weekend’s Series Against The Washington Nationals

Jason Heyward (.271 BA, .357 OBP) has been hot of late but the Braves will need more all around
Jason Heyward (.271 BA, .357 OBP) has been hot of late but the Braves will need more from everyone all around 

The Atlanta Braves need to sweep (dream scenario) or win (ideal) this weekend’s series against the Washington Nationals if they expect to play in October. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: The Atlanta Braves Playoff Hopes Hinge On This Weekend’s Series Against The Washington Nationals”

Major League Baseball 2014: No Bigger All-Star Snub Than Sonny Gray In 2014

Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.97 ERA, 103 K's) is the best pitcher on the best team in baseball (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)
Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.97 ERA, 103 K’s) is the best pitcher on the best team in baseball (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)

Let me start by saying I am 100% in favor of getting rid of the rule that each team has to have a representative. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014: No Bigger All-Star Snub Than Sonny Gray In 2014”

Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: National League East

Jason Heyward seems to have found his comfort zone in the leadoff spot, from which he hit .322 with 6 HR, 16 RBI's and a .403 OBP.
Jason Heyward seems to have found his comfort zone in the leadoff spot; from which he hit .322 with 6 HR, 16 RBI’s and a .403 OBP.

In the National League East things are getting tight in a hurry.

Last season, everyone (myself included) picked the Washington Nationals to run away with this division. Could you blame me? They had a bullpen, a deep lineup, a strong rotation, and the manager to lead them. They were also coming off a season in which they had already won the division, so forgive me for picking the favorites.

But boy did I struggle again this year. Continue reading “Major League Baseball 2014 Preview: National League East”

Major League Baseball Preview 2014: Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper Key To 2014 Resurgence

If the Nationals have any shot in '14, Bryce Harper needs to play 145 or more games
If the Nationals have any shot in ’14, they will need Bryce Harper to play 145 or more games

For all the talk of Bryce Harper as he rose through the ranks of the games elite one narrative hasn’t been spoken enough.

Bryce Harper: irreplaceable.  Continue reading “Major League Baseball Preview 2014: Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper Key To 2014 Resurgence”

Dear Pittsburgh Pt. 2: I Think You’re On To Something

Top prospect Gerrit Cole is 4-0 with a 3.70 ERA in his first four career starts
Top prospect Gerrit Cole is 4-0 with a 3.70 ERA in his first four career starts

Back in 2009 when I started my sports writing exodus I wrote about the Pittsburgh Pirates after another purge of their team to figure out the blueprint they wanted to follow. Continue reading “Dear Pittsburgh Pt. 2: I Think You’re On To Something”

The Week (Er…Weeks) That Were In Major League Baseball (5/24/2013)

Yu Darvish and the Rangers are rolling early in 2013, but Oakland still looms
Yu Darvish and the Rangers are rolling early in 2013, but Oakland still looms

Yes it has been a few weeks since I last posted this and I apologize (mainly to my mom whose my most avid, yet sports clueless reader). I’m back on it though so I won’t waste time. onward! Continue reading “The Week (Er…Weeks) That Were In Major League Baseball (5/24/2013)”

The Week That Was In Major League Baseball (5/1/2013)

We recognize everything Mark Reynolds has done in 2013 here at The Locker
We recognize everything Mark Reynolds has done in 2013 

Another week has passed and still no sign of Roy Halladay, Josh Hamilton, or the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen. For their sake, they hope that changes heading into the second month of the season. For now, we recap. Onward: