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High Five: Top Stories From Spring Training 2015

Major League Baseball officially begins its regular season on Sunday, when the Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals on one of baseball’s oldest diamonds at Wrigley Field. As the season imminently returns, exhibition games will come to a close.

 

This year’s Cactus and Grapefruit League action has teased baseball fans with a variety of stories. Whether headlines involve revamped teams, returning players, or rookie sensations, Spring Training is hyping fans and analysts alike as we all look forward to a brand new season. This week’s High Five will focus solely on the top five stories coming out of baseball’s pre-season:

The Oxford definition of optimism is “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.” Optimism is a word used rarely in the lexicon of Mets’ fans, but their team’s play in Spring Training can provide fans with hope. The New York Mets have the best record in the Grapefruit League (18-12) thanks to a resurgent offense (led by Michael Cuddyer who has blasted 6 HRs) and the return of its ace.

Although the Mets lost their young standout Zack Wheeler to season-ending Tommy John Surgery, the team has combined for a 3.89 ERA. NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom and Dillon Gee have turned in exceptional performances, and Matt Harvey has shown only positive signs throughout Spring Training. The returning phenom is boasting a 1.45 ERA, striking out 17 batters in 18.2 innings. His fastball has even reached as high as 99 MPH. If exhibition play will prove anything, Matt Harvey is back! This is great news for Mets fans, but bad news for hitters.

 

 

Kris Bryant: The Future is Now

As the Cubs officially open the 2015 regular season, their active roster will not occupy its most prized prospect, Kris Bryant. Since Bryant will spend more time in the minor leagues, his free agent eligibility will be increased by one more season. The Cubs’ decision to start Bryant in the minors triggered a negative reaction from the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). The union tweeted “…This decision, and other similar decisions made by clubs will be addressed in litigation, bargaining or both” with the belief that Bryant’s extra year of team control is the sole reason for his demotion.

The fact is Kris Bryant is an outstanding prospect, and his demotion is only temporary. Bryant is arguably the MVP of Spring Training, batting .425 while clubbing 9 HRs and collecting 15 RBIs in only 14 games. Bryant is the #1 ranked prospect by Baseball America. Most analysts (including this KIRS writer) believe he will be the Rookie of the Year for the National League. Some even think he’ll make a legitimate run for MVP. Most importantly, Bryant will serve as the heart of a refurbished Cubs team.

 

The Curious Case of the Oakland A’s

The 2014-2015 MLB offseason witnessed a once-prominent Oakland Athletics franchise nearly demolish its entire roster. Longtime A’s GM Billy Beane decided to not resign ace Jon Lester, and traded away All-Stars Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss, Derek Norris, and Jeff Samardzija. During the Moneyball Era, team dismemberment isn’t a rare occurrence, but has once again worried the A’s fan base.

Amid a 21-9 record, the Oakland Athletics are the best team in the Cactus League. Their offense leads American League teams in hits, runs scored, and runs batted in. The A’s newest players have also made an impact in exhibition play. Kendall Graveman (acquired from the Blue Jays for Josh Donaldson) has compiled an outstanding 0.42 ERA in 21.1 innings and former-Ray Ben Zobrist is batting .347. With a fresh, younger team taking the field, A’s fans will have to hope that their team’s Moneyball approach will finally pay off.

 

A-Rod’s Redemption

One of baseball’s most controversial players, Alex Rodriguez is set to make his return to the Bronx following his 162-game suspension from baseball. Between 1996 and 2011, A-Rod hit 624 HRs, was selected for 14 All-Star games, and collected three American League MVP Awards. Since then, controversy and injuries began to torment A-Rod which kept him from playing. His 2014 suspension from baseball due to performance enhancing drugs may have been Rodriguez’ last straw.

In 2015, Rodriguez has three years remaining on his current contract. A-Rod will look to salvage his final playing days in pinstripes by staying healthy and producing from his DH spot. Although he is fairly producing in Spring Training (.308 AVG and 3 HRs in 39 at-bats), the 39-year old Rodriguez is expected to provide a veteran presence to the Yankees’ younger talent. In A-Rod’s road to redemption, he must be able to contrast pure baseball from his vices of controversy.

 

Speeding Up the Game

Since its inception, baseball is the only professional team-sport that is not confined by a game clock. In baseball, there aren’t three periods or four quarters, just nine untimed innings. Although baseball fans enjoy this tradition, there are many who believe the game is way too slow.

In order to speed-up the games, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has instituted the “Pace-of-Play” restrictions in his inaugural season. Spring Training is serving as a platform for players to adapt to new regulations, including the batter’s box rule (keeping at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout an at-bat) and the half-inning break clock (2:25 for local telecasts and 2:45 for national telecasts). Any breakage of the rules will result in initial warnings, but can eventually warrant $500 fines.

Red Sox’ David Ortiz was exceptionally vocal about new rules, stating “Well, I might run out of money…I’m not going to change my game. I don’t care what they say.”

 

Exhibition baseball may have the unfortunate nickname of “meaningless games,” but this High Five analysis can make any baseball fan look forward to a headline-capturing season. From a returning controversial sports figure to quickening baseball overall, there is plenty to anticipate.

All aforementioned statistics and standings are present as of Wednesday, April 1st, 2015.

 

Rich Rivera will turn heads claiming to be a "baseball historian" (jokingly, of course) but the Staten Island native certainly knows his stuff. Since opening up his first pack of 2003 Upper Deck Baseball cards, Rich has been in love with the game. He is an avid fan of the New York Yankees and considers Mariano Rivera (whose unfortunately a non-relative) his all-time favorite athlete. Rich is a graduate of St. John's University, earning his degree in Communication Arts with dreams of becoming an on-air broadcaster for MLB. Currently, Rich serves as the Show Day Coordinator for "CenterStage with Michael Kay" (where he's even made a few brief cameos) at YES Network. He can be heard on the It's Your Radio variety program, "Hit Talkers" every Tuesday night from 8PM to 10PM EST. Rich is also a professional wrestling enthusiast, a theater junkie, and enjoys his weekend mornings as a player-manager for his softball team. Follow Rich on Twitter and Instagram: @RichJRivera

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