Facts & Flukes
Billy Butler's power breakout in 2012 is sure to get the noticed—can he deliver a strong encore performance? Plus profiles of Rick Porcello, Jason Bay, Brian Matusz and Andy Dirks.
Feb 1 2013 12:02am
Feb 1 2013 12:02am
It's fair to say that Kris Medlen was the most dominant pitcher in the majors over the final two months of 2012. But with sky-high expectations, can he produce similar results over a full season? Plus Nick Hundley, Neil Walker, Justin Ruggiano and Mike Leake.
Jan 25 2013 12:03am
Jan 25 2013 12:03am
Though he missed most of 2012, Brett Gardner's most valuable asset—his legs—remain in perfect working condition. Also looks at Adrian Beltre, Joe Blanton, David Murphy and Hector Noesi.
Jan 18 2013 12:03am
Jan 18 2013 12:03am
Andrew McCutchen has a rough road to repeat 2012. Plus Matt Cain, Ike Davis, Donovan Solano and Juan Nicasio.
Jan 15 2013 12:04am
Jan 15 2013 12:04am
Does Adam Jones (OF, BAL) still have a growth spurt in him? Plus Ricky Romero, Mike Moustakas, Blake Beavan and Coco Crisp.
Jan 4 2013 12:04am
Jan 4 2013 12:04am
Can Ryan Ludwick (OF, CIN) fulfill the expectations of his new contract? Plus Alvarez, Niese, Martin and Samardzija.
Dec 21 2012 12:05am
Dec 21 2012 12:05am
After Jose Bautista posted a .302 batting average in 2011, should we be worried about last season's 1H decline (.241 BA)? Plus Alcides Escobar, Felix Dubrount, Brandon Morrow and Chris Carter.
Dec 14 2012 12:03am
Dec 14 2012 12:03am
Tim Lincecum's (RHP, SF) 2012 metamorphosis from elite ace to a struggling back-of-the-rotation starter torpedoed many a fanalytic season. It's easy to say his 2013 outlook is much better than his 5.00+ ERA, but can we expect a full rebound?
Dec 7 2012 12:06am
Dec 7 2012 12:06am
Expectations were high for Michael Bourn (OF, ATL) after the speedster piled up 174 stolen bases from 2009-2011. But with just days left this season, his SB total stands at 39—a big drop-off from last season's 61. In fact, he has just one SB in September after posting no fewer than seven steals every other month this year.
Sep 26 2012 11:04pm
Sep 26 2012 11:04pm
Nice season, Mike Trout (OF, LAA)—so, what do you have planned for an encore? Trout will definitely be one of the first players picked in 2013 drafts; the question is what are the odds that he can deliver a repeat performance?
Sep 25 2012 11:04pm
Sep 25 2012 11:04pm
After repeating his 2011 narrative of showing up for spring training in 2012 not really ready to play due to knee discomfort, Chase Utley's (2B, PHI) was a big question mark. He looked sluggish and a far cry from one of the best second basemen in the game in 2011, but once he took the field in late June of 2012, he showed he still had some juice left.
Sep 24 2012 11:04pm
Sep 24 2012 11:04pm
Billy Butler's power breakout in 2012 is sure to get the noticed—can he deliver a strong encore performance? Plus profiles of Rick Porcello, Jason Bay, Brian Matusz and Andy Dirks.
Feb 1 2013 12:02am
Feb 1 2013 12:02am
It's fair to say that Kris Medlen was the most dominant pitcher in the majors over the final two months of 2012. But with sky-high expectations, can he produce similar results over a full season? Plus Nick Hundley, Neil Walker, Justin Ruggiano and Mike Leake.
Jan 25 2013 12:03am
Jan 25 2013 12:03am
Though he missed most of 2012, Brett Gardner's most valuable asset—his legs—remain in perfect working condition. Also looks at Adrian Beltre, Joe Blanton, David Murphy and Hector Noesi.
Jan 18 2013 12:03am
Jan 18 2013 12:03am
Andrew McCutchen has a rough road to repeat 2012. Plus Matt Cain, Ike Davis, Donovan Solano and Juan Nicasio.
Jan 15 2013 12:04am
Jan 15 2013 12:04am
Does Adam Jones (OF, BAL) still have a growth spurt in him? Plus Ricky Romero, Mike Moustakas, Blake Beavan and Coco Crisp.
Jan 4 2013 12:04am
Jan 4 2013 12:04am
Can Ryan Ludwick (OF, CIN) fulfill the expectations of his new contract? Plus Alvarez, Niese, Martin and Samardzija.
Dec 21 2012 12:05am
Dec 21 2012 12:05am
After Jose Bautista posted a .302 batting average in 2011, should we be worried about last season's 1H decline (.241 BA)? Plus Alcides Escobar, Felix Dubrount, Brandon Morrow and Chris Carter.
Dec 14 2012 12:03am
Dec 14 2012 12:03am
Tim Lincecum's (RHP, SF) 2012 metamorphosis from elite ace to a struggling back-of-the-rotation starter torpedoed many a fanalytic season. It's easy to say his 2013 outlook is much better than his 5.00+ ERA, but can we expect a full rebound?
Dec 7 2012 12:06am
Dec 7 2012 12:06am
Expectations were high for Michael Bourn (OF, ATL) after the speedster piled up 174 stolen bases from 2009-2011. But with just days left this season, his SB total stands at 39—a big drop-off from last season's 61. In fact, he has just one SB in September after posting no fewer than seven steals every other month this year.
Sep 26 2012 11:04pm
Sep 26 2012 11:04pm
Nice season, Mike Trout (OF, LAA)—so, what do you have planned for an encore? Trout will definitely be one of the first players picked in 2013 drafts; the question is what are the odds that he can deliver a repeat performance?
Sep 25 2012 11:04pm
Sep 25 2012 11:04pm
After repeating his 2011 narrative of showing up for spring training in 2012 not really ready to play due to knee discomfort, Chase Utley's (2B, PHI) was a big question mark. He looked sluggish and a far cry from one of the best second basemen in the game in 2011, but once he took the field in late June of 2012, he showed he still had some juice left.
Sep 24 2012 11:04pm
Sep 24 2012 11:04pm
