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Anthony Castrovince has been a reporter for MLB.com since 2004.
 | George Brett is the first to admit that he has a lot to learn about the high-tech aspects of hitting in the modern game, but the Hall of Famer is doing his best to help turn around the Royals' struggling offense.
More»Brett shares excitement of being Royals hitting coach |
 | If 2012 is to be remembered as the year Mike Trout and Bryce Harper were first unleashed upon the Major League Baseball world, then 2013 is shaping up to be remembered as the season Matt Harvey and Shelby Miller established themselves as aces in the making, the type of top-end starting talent teams dream of developing.
More» Harvey fans seven over seven strong frames |
 | This month has already seen Yasiel Puig's dazzling debut with the Dodgers, Anthony Rendon's return to D.C., Gerrit Cole's promotion in Pittsburgh and Mike Zunino's assumption of Seattle's catching duties. On Tuesday, two particularly prominent promotions will be added: Wil Myers will bring his right-handed power bat to the Rays' lineup, and Zack Wheeler will toe the rubber for the Mets.
More» Collins excited for Wheeler's MLB debut |
 | Stephen Strasburg has always had to balance reality vs. the public perception. While his big league performance has not yet lived up to the tremendous hype, the Nationals right-hander continues to grow as a pitcher.
More» Strasburg goes five coming off disabled list |
 | Seventy-five years ago this weekend, Johnny Vander Meer tossed his second no-hitter in as many starts.
More»Relive Vander Meer's consecutive no-hitters |
 | It has been a strange year for the defending World Series champions, with the offense carrying a struggling starting rotation. However, injuries to key hitters will force the Giants to get more from their starters.
More» Vogelsong breaks hand, exits game in fifth |
 | In a place like Pittsburgh -- a place that can be a great baseball town, on the condition that it gets great baseball -- the hype and the hope are particularly palpable. But the Pirates' top prospect, righty Gerrit Cole, to put it plainly, did not disappoint en route to winning his Major League debut Tuesday night at PNC Park.
More» Cole holds Giants to two runs in his debut |
 | Once the First-Year Player Draft passes, general managers begin turning their focus toward the Trade Deadline. Why should we be any different? The non-waiver Deadline remains July 31, and the way this season is playing out, we might have plenty of sellers to make for an active July swapping season.
More» Nolasco fans six, holds Phils to two runs |
 | Credit to the nine young men who let their Draft day developments play out in living color, in the shadow of the New Jersey Turnpike, in an MLB Network studio loaded with MLB royalty. For in this room, you could see the tears of joy, but you could also feel the anxiety.
More»Frazier interviews with Ryan after being drafted |
 | The Nationals have struggled to recapture their 2012 magic, thanks in large part to injury woes. And their frustrations have grown considerably with the recent losses of Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg.
More» Harper collides with wall, exits the game |
 | Aren't we due for a no-no here in 2013? And if so, who's going to be the one to throw it? If the questions sound presumptuous, preposterous or simply greedy, there are a few things to be considered about this year's pitchers.
More» Scherzer strikes out 10 over eight innings |
 | The Rays are -- dare we say -- an offensive juggernaut right now. They scored the most runs per game in all the Majors last month, taking full advantage of the presence and production that comes from having a healthy Evan Longoria in the middle of the order and reaping the benefits of rebound seasons by offseason additions James Loney and Kelly Johnson.
More» Longoria launches a two-run homer to right |
 | Relievers are being identified and developed earlier than ever before, sometimes even at the amateur level. And while this trend might very well be stunting the potential starting strengths of some of the more high-velocity arms in the baseball world, it's made for some particularly bullish bullpens in the big leagues.
More» Chapman strikes out Santana for the save |
 | Thanks to their patience at the plate, Shin-Soo Choo and Joey Votto are on pace to become just the third pair of teammates in the past 75 years to reach base 300 times apiece.
More» Votto goes 4-for-4, reaches base six times |
 | What the general populace has come to accept is that Miguel Cabrera is, indeed, the Best Hitter on the Planet. It's a subjective term, surely, but it's also difficult to dispute. And although there might be subtle fluctuations from month to month or year to year, only a select few carry that distinction for a true, sustained stretch.
More»Miggy hits six homers in his last four games |
 | When it comes to the ninth inning, the statistical and the psychological simply don't mesh. While we have a mountain of mathematical data to suggest that so-called proven closers are, indeed, overrated, the psychological impact of instability in that inning cannot be overstated.
More» Indians fall on Ellsbury's walk-off double |
 | Justin Verlander has struggled in recent starts, but he will end up where he should -- maybe not in line for another American League Cy Young Award, but probably not far off.
More» Verlander reflects on rough start |
 | In today's game, be it because of deep bullpens or more sophisticated advance scouting or any of the oft-cited elements that have created a culture of run-suppression, it's in your best interest to score early. Or else.
More» Baker discusses Leake's start and offense |
 | You'd have to assume there isn't a discerning fan alive who would, at this moment, not vote Cabrera to be the starting third baseman on the AL All-Star team. It's a no-doubt-about-it no-brainer. I mean, it's not like there's some kid in his age-20 season who is deemed by the advance metrics to actually be having a season comparable to that of Cabrera, right?
More» Miggy belts three homers vs. Rangers |
 | While the Mariners have struggled, their crop of young players give them reason to be optimistic. If hitters like Jesus Montero and Dustin Ackley get on track, they can help support a young group of pitchers waiting to come up from the Minors.
More» Montero launches go-ahead homer in seventh |
