Jeff Bagwell: An all-time great batting eye

Jeff Bagwell: An all-time great batting eye

On Sunday, the Houston Astros’ Jeff Bagwell will enter the Hall of Fame. We’re particularly pleased with Bagwell’s election, since it seemed for a little while that he might unduly suffer from PED speculation (while in a certain sense it’s reasonable to suspect any player from the era, there is *zero* evidence specifically against Bagwell). Bagwell is a clear Hall of Famer, 6th all time in WAR among first basemen and possessed of one of the best batting eyes in Major League history. Read more

Aaron Judge and Baseball’s “Youth Movement”

Aaron Judge and Baseball’s “Youth Movement”

Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ rookie phenom, has spent the first half of the season ripping the covers off of baseballs and sending them into low earth orbit. A mountain of a man with a charismatic smile, Judge has already been dubbed the ‘new face of baseball’ by many (including commissioner Rob Manfred). The rookie slugger has also been heralded as the next superstar in Major League Baseball’s “Youth Movement,” potentially eclipsing even MVPs Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. How does Judge actually stack up to his peers? And is MLB’s Youth Movement a reality or just perception? Read more

Burning Question: Who was the Most Average Major League Player of All-time?

Burning Question: Who was the Most Average Major League Player of All-time?

An entirely average Major League starter is still among the few hundred best baseball players on the planet. The average Major League starter produces around 2.0 Wins Above Replacement – in most seasons, fewer than 100 position players reach that mark. So when we ask “Who was the most average Major League player of all-time?” it’s not meant as an insult. It does however make for an interesting question. Read more

Top Nine Predictions for the 2017 MLB Season

Top Nine Predictions for the 2017 MLB Season

Baseball is back for the 115th MLB season. Last season, the Chicago Cubs broke the longest running curse in sports and Mike Trout actually won another MVP award, making him two for five in seasons where he was the best player in baseball. What does the 2017 Major League Baseball season hold for MLB fans? We’ve got some ideas. As always, if we beat a coinflip’s accuracy, we’re calling it a win. Read more

The NL Cy Young Race is…Interesting

The NL Cy Young Race is…Interesting

The 2016 National League Cy Young Award race poses several interesting questions this year. What is of more value: a great pitcher pitching fewer innings or a very good pitcher pitching more? What tools are best to measure run-prevention? What part will emotion and sentiment play in the minds of the voters? While the field worth considering in the National League is roughly as large as in the American League, unlike the AL there are three clear frontrunners in the National League – each with a compelling argument. Read more