Baseball America

College Top 25 Chat: March 25

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:53:14 EST

Aaron Fitt took readers' college baseball questions on March 25.

Ask BA

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:47:39 EST

Did righthanders Michael Wacha (Cardinals) and Jose Ramirez (Yankees) boost their stocks with their spring-training performances? Which pitchers have been the most successful after having Tommy John surgery?

Top 25 Tracker: March 25

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:01:54 EST

What happened over the past week up to March 24.

College Top 25: March 25

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:58:33 EST

Five new teams joined the Baseball America College Top 25 including Georgia Southern, making it's first appearance since 1990.

College Weekend Preview: March 21-23

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:07:51 EST

This week's Weekend Preview looks at five unlikely underdogs in this weekend's games.

Zunino Builds On Father's Foundation

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:33:41 EST

As far back as he can remember, Mike Zunino was hanging around ballparks, tagging along with his father Greg, a scout with the Marlins back then.

Football Fever Leaves Towson's Baseball Team Reeling

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:53:13 EST

Towson's baseball team is reeling after news that the program will be shut down.

Athletics Trade Parker To Brewers For Byrd

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:46:42 EST

The Athletics' busy offseason continued with the trade of 2009 fifth-rounder Steve Parker to the Brewers for righthanded reliever Darren Byrd, who spent last season in Double-A.

Prospects/Draft Chat With Jim Callis

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:30:56 EST

Jim discussed potential draftees in his March 20 chat.

Pinder Makes Mark As Potential First Rounder

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:51:54 EST

Virginia Tech junior third baseman Chad Pinder has become accustomed to flying under the radar. He did it in high school, when he wasn't a highly scouted prospect and graduated without being drafted. And he has continued to do so as a key contributor to a Hokies program that doesn't traditionally churn out premium draft talent. In fact, Virginia Tech has the fewest draft picks in the Atlantic Coast Conference over the past 10 years (20, tied with Duke).

Bullpen Delivers Dominican Championship

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:11:19 EST

Riding a pitching staff that gave up just two runs in its last 44 innings, the Dominican Republic won its first World Baseball Classic championship.

Sooners Pack Quite The One-Two Punch

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:04:24 EST

It's easy to see why Dillon Overton and Jonathan Gray are best friends. Both have easygoing, gregarious personalities. They like to laugh, and to make others laugh.

Minor League Parks Drive Performance

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:15:33 EST

Isotopes Park in Albuquerque will use a humidor this season in an effort to become less hitter-friendly. Even if they succeed in scaling back offense, the park still will play differently than parks at lower elevations and with thicker, more humid air. That diversity of ballpark context adds a layer of fascination to the minor leagues.

California League Presents Variety Of Challenges

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:46:51 EST

The Mariners skipped Taijuan Walker past High Desert and straight to Double-A last season, begging the question: Has the California League's reputation as a hitter-friendly circuit prompted organizations like the Mariners to skip their frontline pitching prospects over the league?

Trap's View: Eye In The Sky

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:44:41 EST

Paul Trap has an idea for expanding instant replay in baseball.

College Top 25 Chat: March 18

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:21:34 EST

Aaron Fitt answered college questions on March 18.

Ask BA

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:51:12 EST

Could Loganville (Ga.) HS outfielder Clint Frazier be the next Mike Trout and/or the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft? Where would Rubby de la Rosa rank among Red Sox prospects if he were eligible? How did the Royals take Luke Hochevar with the top choice in the 2006 draft?

Pawelek Pops Back Up As Dutch Team Reliever

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:43:17 EST

All things considered, Mark Pawelek would rather be a baseball player. After all, he's tried working customer service as a gas station. He's tried being a door-to-door salesman. And he's tried baseball player.

College Top 25 Tracker: March 18

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:09:32 EST

All of the happenings from the past week of college baseball.

College Top 25: March 18

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:09:49 EST

Preseason No. 1 North Carolina continued its run atop the Baseball America College Top 25 rankings with an ACC series win against Miami.

Ochinko Still Catching On For Jays

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:35:20 EST

Ramirez Won't Be First Option For Yankees

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:21:25 EST

A lot of things would have to go wrong for Yankees righthander Jose Ramirez to surface in the major leagues this season.

Bringing Heat Not Necessary For Boston's Hernandez

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:13:30 EST

Red Sox righthander Chris Hernandez doesn't light up the radar gun, but he's managed to have success without relying on velocity.

Wait Is Over For Orioles' Urrutia

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:09:32 EST

The wait for Henry Urrutia is over, and it took just seven months.

The Cuban outfielder, who agreed to terms with the Orioles last July, obtained his work visa and was able to leave Haiti. He arrived in Miami in late February and took his physical in Sarasota.

Puerto Rico Goes On Without Vazquez

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:10:10 EST

A WBC notebook focuses on Puerto Rico going on without top pitcher Javier Vazquez and in the draft era, and the Dominican Republic's reliance on its hard-throwing bullpen.

Emotion, Absentees Don't Explain Team USA's WBC Exit

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:52:38 EST

Team USA has taken a lot of criticism for its performance in the World Baseball Classic. Is any of it justified?

Japan Gets Comfortable With Pressure

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 00:08:23 EST

Japan keeps its focus on winning the next WBC game, rather than worrying about winning a third straight Classic title.

Semifinal Berth Represents Next Step For Honkbal

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:27:53 EST

The Netherlands once was just happy to compete in major international tournaments. Now it expects to do well, and reaching the World Baseball Classic semifinals was just a natural progression.

WBC Finals Preview: Puerto Rico

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 11:20:13 EST

Puerto Rico is the surprise semifinalist with a win over the U.S.

WBC Finals Preview: Dominican Republic

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 11:17:19 EST

Previewing the Dominican Republic team as it readies for the World Baseball Classic semifinals.