D'Backs SP Robbie Ray has useful tools, especially an elite K rate, but he has to get better command do better limiting contact—especially hard contact—to be anything more than an average pitcher.
Hidden beneath some of the bad surface stats recently posted by Bud Norris is an elite collection of skills that haven't been able to translate into shiny stats due to extreme bad luck with his H%, S%, and hr/f rates.
How has Rougned Odor earned $20+ with a sub-.300 OBP and is Edwin Encarnacion showing signs of wear beneath the surface? Plus performance validation analysis of Ivan Nova, Billy Butler, and David Robertson.
Starling Marte isn't hitting for as much power as he did in 2015, but with a step forward on the bases, he may be in the midst of a career year. Plus, Asdrubal Cabrera, Welington Castillo, Jacob deGrom, and Zach Eflin.
Nolan Arenado is having a dynamite follow-up to his 2015 breakout season. Can he keep it going? Plus Justin Turner, Aaron Nola, Tyler Clippard and Jose Peraza.
As goes Alex Gordon, so go the Royals. Can Gordon turn around his season and help get Kansas City back into the pennant chase? Also Paxton, Lind, Betances, and P. Alvarez.
After a terrible April, Matt Shoemaker has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. What's changed? Plus Carlos Santana, Kyle Seager, Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin.
Francisco Lindor is one of several young, high-upside bats whose monthly skill growth in the first half bodes well for big things from them down the stretch.
D'Backs SP Robbie Ray has useful tools, especially an elite K rate, but he has to get better command do better limiting contact—especially hard contact—to be anything more than an average pitcher.
Hidden beneath some of the bad surface stats recently posted by Bud Norris is an elite collection of skills that haven't been able to translate into shiny stats due to extreme bad luck with his H%, S%, and hr/f rates.
How has Rougned Odor earned $20+ with a sub-.300 OBP and is Edwin Encarnacion showing signs of wear beneath the surface? Plus performance validation analysis of Ivan Nova, Billy Butler, and David Robertson.
Starling Marte isn't hitting for as much power as he did in 2015, but with a step forward on the bases, he may be in the midst of a career year. Plus, Asdrubal Cabrera, Welington Castillo, Jacob deGrom, and Zach Eflin.
Nolan Arenado is having a dynamite follow-up to his 2015 breakout season. Can he keep it going? Plus Justin Turner, Aaron Nola, Tyler Clippard and Jose Peraza.
As goes Alex Gordon, so go the Royals. Can Gordon turn around his season and help get Kansas City back into the pennant chase? Also Paxton, Lind, Betances, and P. Alvarez.
After a terrible April, Matt Shoemaker has been one of the best pitchers in baseball. What's changed? Plus Carlos Santana, Kyle Seager, Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin.
Francisco Lindor is one of several young, high-upside bats whose monthly skill growth in the first half bodes well for big things from them down the stretch.