Georgia College baseball alum named to top prospect league

Published in The Colonnade on Oct. 26, 2016

Georgia College baseball alumnus Josh Taylor has been selected to play for the Salt River Rafters in one of the most selective offseason leagues in professional baseball, the Arizona Fall League. The AFL is considered a stepping stone to the Major Leagues, with 60 percent of AFL players making it to the Majors.

“It means a lot,” said Taylor, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ No. 25 overall prospect according to MLB.com. “I didn’t have the greatest year statistically, so for [the D-backs to select me] means a lot.”

The AFL is an offseason league monitored by Major League Baseball that is comprised of six teams, each made up of seven prospects from five different Major League teams. Taylor, along with six other D-backs prospects, have been assigned to the Salt River Rafters.

“It’s humbling being able to see and being able to compete with [some of the top prospects in the game] and being able to show my talents as well,” Taylor said.

Besides D-backs Minor-Leaguers, the Salt River Rafters are comprised of prospects from the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers. This environment breeds competitiveness, but also allows for the bonding of a baseball community.

“[It’s been great] just being able to meet people you played against during the season and being able to build relationships with these guys,” he added.

Taylor, a left-handed pitcher, graduated from GC in 2014 and played his senior season for the Bobcats before being signed by the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 12, 2014. He credits his time at GC in helping him be mentally tough and pushing himself to get better, which has carried over to his time in the Minors.

In 2016, the 23-year-old D-backs farmhand posted a 5-11 record with a 5.36 ERA between Single-A Adv. Visalia and Double-A Mobile. His 2016 season included a complete game, three-hit shutout in his first Double-A start against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on July 5, which led him to be named Southern League Pitcher of the Week on July 10.

So far in the AFL, Taylor has recorded nine strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings pitched. Although he struggled in his first start with the Rafters, Taylor bounced back by going four innings while allowing just one hit, one walk and striking out seven batters on Oct. 19 against the Glendale Desert Dogs. He is focused on getting better with the mental side of the game.

“I’m working on staying focused and competing, and not letting things get to me,” said Taylor.

Taylor hopes to open eyes during his time in the AFL and looks to showcase his skills heading into D-backs’ spring training in 2017.

The future is bright in San Diego

Although the San Diego Padres experienced another rough season, failing to reach the .500 mark for the sixth season in a row, they had room for excitement with the promotion of two of its top prospects, Manny Margot and Hunter Renfroe (No. 2 and No. 3 respectively), who both made their Major League debut on Sept. 21.

Both players received a taste of PetCo Park at the SiriusXM Futures Game in July, with Margot representing the World team and Renfroe representing U.S. Margot's day included a 1-for-4 offensive showing, in addition to a homer-robbing catch in center field. Renfroe went 0-for-2 with a walk as the U.S. fell to the World 11-3.

Margot, ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 27 overall prospect, is an athletic outfielder who has a variety of tools. The 22-year-old signed as an international free agent with the Red Sox in 2011, and was traded to the Padres in the offseason deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox before the 2016 season. In 124 games with Triple-A El Paso, Margot hit .304 with six home runs, 21 doubles, 12 triples, 30 stolen bases and 55 RBIs.

Renfroe, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Padres, is also ranked in MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects, coming in at No. 41. The former Mississippi State Bulldog is known for his power, belting 20 or more homers in all of his full seasons in the Minors. At Triple-A El Paso this year, Renfroe hit a career high 30 home runs, while also maintaining a .306 average. He was selected as the Pacific Coast League's Most Valuable Player in addition to winning the Joe Bauman Home Run Award for Triple-A.

The two took advantage of their promotion, and played almost everyday down the stretch. In 35 at-bats, Renfroe totaled 13 hits, four homers and 14 RBIs. Margot started off hot, tallying eight hits in his first 23 at-bats, with four of them going for extra bases, but cooled down towards the end as he totaled just one hit in his next 14 at-bats.

The Padres have a lot to look forward to as more of their top prospects are set to make the jump to the Majors in 2017. Margot and Renfroe could make the roster out of Spring Training next year and are early 2017 Rookie of the Year Award candidates.

Mile high start

It usually takes rookies a few games to muster up their first hit in the Majors, but that was not the case for Rockies outfielder David Dahl. Ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Rockies' No. 2 overall prospect, Dahl started his career off with a bang, recording a hit in each of his first 17 Major League games, tying a 75-year-old Big League record previously set by Reds rookie Chuck Aleno in 1941.

Although the streak ended on Aug. 12, Dahl found his way back into the hit column Saturday and Sunday, going 2-for-5 with two doubles and 1-for-3 with two walks, respectively. He has a .342 batting average with nine extra-base hits, 10 RBIs and six walks in 79 at-bats. Dahl, the No. 10 overall pick by the Rockies in 2012, was tearing up the Minors at the time of his promotion, having posted a .314/.394/.569 slash line between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque.

The 22-year-old should see consistent playing time down the stretch, and he will be a significant piece to the Rockies' team of the future, adding to an already impressive outfield consisting of Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon and Gerardo Parra.

The Kemp effect

On Jul. 30, the Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Matt Kemp in exchange for Hector Olivera. This was a move to attempt to provide better protection for first baseman Freddie Freeman. So far, the plan has worked, with Kemp being just the right person behind Freeman. Since Aug. 3, Freeman is hitting .333 (11-for-33) with four homers, four doubles and 11 RBIs, while Kemp is hitting .235 (8-for-34) with four extra-base hits and five RBIs. Although Kemp is off to a slow start, his name alone has impacted the way pitchers handle Freeman.

The whole lineup has also benefited from Kemp's presence. Since Aug. 3, the Braves have averaged 5.2 runs per game, which is well above their season mark of 3.6 per game. The top of the lineup, led by Ender Inciarte and Erick Aybar, has gotten hot too. In the month of August, Inciarte is hitting .370, while Aybar is hitting .333. Behind Kemp, Nick Markakis and Adonis Garcia have had more opportunities to drive runners in. Since Aug. 2, Markakis is hitting .333 with 10 RBIs while Garcia is hitting .262 with six RBIs. Having Markakis and Adonis in the fifth and sixth spots in the order has created more depth for Atlanta's offense.

Overall, the lineup has benefited from the presence of Kemp, who takes the weight of hitting fourth off players who are better suited in the fifth through seventh spots. The Braves may not be able to sustain the offensive pace they have set of late, but they are in a better position for the transition to SunTrust Park in 2017.

Winner of the 2016 Trade Deadline

The non-waiver Trade Deadline is always a busy time of the year, and 2016 was no exception. There were a total of 48 trades completed from June 1 through the Deadline, five more than last year. Many contenders were loading up for October baseball, while other teams chose to rebuild. The Texas Rangers came out on top as the winner in my eyes because of the impact players they received.

It was only two weeks ago that there was concern surrounding the Rangers, who had dropped 15 of 19 from June 29 to July 22. Houston was creeping up on them, only 2 1/2 games back in the American League West on July 22. Texas has gone 7-3 since, extending its lead to 5 1/2 games. Their most glaring need was a starting pitcher, but with the elevated price of starters due to a barren upcoming free-agent class, the Rangers looked to improve elsewhere.

They made two significant moves, the first a trade for veteran Carlos Beltran from the Yankees to solidify their designated hitter spot due to the absence of slugger Prince Fielder. Beltran is having an excellent year at age 39, hitting .300 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs. He is a professional hitter who makes those around him better. Beltran also carries an excellent postseason track record. In 52 postseason games, Beltran owns a .332 average with 16 home runs, 13 doubles and 40 RBIs. Texas is looking to make a run at the World Series, and adding a hitter of this caliber to a lineup only increases its chances.

The second major move was the acquisition of catcher Jonathan Lucroy and right-handed reliever Jeremy Jeffress from the Brewers. Lucroy was acquired by the Rangers a day after he nixed a deal to the Indians. The 30-year-old backstop is hitting .297 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs. His value goes beyond his offense. On the defensive side, Lucroy is rated as one of the best pitch framers in the game in addition to being one of the top game callers. His experience behind the plate can help a pitching staff tremendously. Jeffress is having a career, owning a 2.22 ERA to go along with 27 saves in his first season in the closer role. He bolsters a bullpen that is 28th in the Majors in bullpen ERA at 4.81. The 28-year-old Jeffress gives Texas the option of closing or setting up for Sam Dyson.

While many other teams acquired an impact player, the Rangers stockpiled three impact players who can make a difference in the quest for a World Series.

Debut day

Three players have been called up to the Major Leagues and will make their Major League debut tonight -- Alex Bregman, David Dahl and Braden Shipley.

Bregman was the No. 2 overall pick by the Houston Astros in last year's draft, and was often overshadowed by Dansby Swanson and Brendan Rodgers. Bregman has begun to make a name for himself this year, posting a .306 average with 20 homers and 61 RBIs between Triple-A Fresno and Double-A Corpus Christi. He is ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 18 overall prospect, and his best tool is his hit tool. With Correa at short, Bregman, being the athlete he is, should be seen all around the diamond, including third base and possibly left field.

Dahl, the Rockies' first round pick in 2012, was hitting .314 with 18 homers, 61 RBIs and 17 stolen bases between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque before his promotion to the Majors. The 22-year-old outfielder will play left field in his debut, and could make an impact immediately with Gerardo Parra still on the disabled list. He has solid tools all around, and can impact a game in many ways. Dahl's health has been an issue in the past, but if healthy, he can be a terrific player for the Rockies.

The 24-year-old Shipley was the Diamondbacks' first selection in 2013 out of the University of Nevada. He features a good fastball with an above average changeup and a power curveball. At Triple-A Reno, Shipley was 8-5 with a 3.70 ERA in 119 1/3 innings pitched. Ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 58 overall prospect, Shipley projects as a future No. 3 starter, and if healthy can be even better. He will take the mound tonight against a Brewers team that has gone 3-7 in their last 10 games.

Why Jose Altuve is one of the best overall players in the Majors

When you think of Jose Altuve, you might think of a man in a kid's body. It is no secret that Altuve doesn't possess the size we typically equate with success in baseball. Listed at a mere five foot, six inches, Altuve gets the most out of his frame. This year, Altuve is fourth in WAR (5.2) according to FanGraphs, and is establishing himself as one of the best players in baseball.

Altuve has taken off in a new dimension this year -- hitting for power. Prior to the 2016 season, he had 36 career home runs, and only reached the double-digit plateau with 15 homers in 2015. Altuve has already matched his 2015 total in 261 fewer at-bats. He is also hitting third on an Astros team that features sluggers such as Carlos Correa and George Springer.

While the power has gone up, the other aspects of his game have not diminished. Altuve currently leads the Majors in batting average (.358), hits (135) and OBP (.427). He is still the stolen base threat of years past, swiping 25 bags in 29 attempts. Even with the power surge, Altuve has kept his strikeout numbers down, and has more walks (44) than strikeouts (40).

On the defensive side, Altuve is second among AL second baseman with a .992 fielding percentage. He has committed only three errors this season, and has totaled only eight since the start of the 2015 season.

Altuve is more than just a contact hitter, he is the whole package as a player. He plays the game with a refreshing energy, and proves that size doesn't matter. He is on pace to have a career year, and with 66 games left in the season, only time will tell if Altuve will emerge as the 2016 American League MVP award winner.

Atlanta Braves' Update

Although the Atlanta Braves own the worst record in the National League at 25-48, they have been playing better of late, winning seven of their last nine games, including a sweep of the Mets in Queens.

The offense has been hot, averaging 4.9 runs per game over the nine game span. Freddie Freeman has led the assault, hitting .436 (17-for-39) with two home runs, four doubles and six RBIs over his last nine games. Freeman would be named NL Player of the Week for the week ending Jun. 19, after hitting .548 with three homers, two four-hit games and adding in the cycle. He has raised his batting average to .275, a 33 point raise since Jun. 12. Right fielder Nick Markakis has also begun to heat up, posting a .324 average with four doubles and five RBIs over his last nine games. If they can keep these two hot at the same time, the run scoring should continue to improve.

Pitching has been an ailment of the Braves this year, but they have had more consistency of late. Julio Teheran has found his old self, pitching to an ERA of 2.66 this season. In his last seven starts, Teheran is 3-3 with a 2.17 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP. The 25-year-old dazzled in his last start, throwing a complete-game, one-hit shutout against the Mets on Jun. 19. Matt Wisler, after struggling in his first two starts in June, has settled in, posting back-to-back starts of 6 2/3 innings and three or fewer earned runs. Teheran and Wisler will need to continue to be consistent for the Braves to be able to stay in ball games.


What to watch for

The Braves have two more games with the Mets this weekend, followed by home series with the Indians and the Marlins. They will then travel to Fort Bragg in North Carolina on Jul. 3 to finish their series with the Marlins. The game at Fort Bragg will be the first regular season game in sports to be played at an active military base. After Jul. 2, the Braves will not be back until after the All-Star Break when they play a weekend series with the Rockies beginning on Jul. 15.

The "Freak" is back

When you hear the name Tim Lincecum, you might think of the two National League CY Young Awards he won early in his career, the two no-hitters against the Padres or how he lead the Giants to their first World Series since 1954. You might also think of the recent adversity Lincecum has faced, posting an ERA of 4.13 or higher from 2012 to 2015.

Last fall, the 32-year-old right-hander underwent left hip surgery, and in November, elected free agency. The Giants opted not to re-sign the veteran, and he went without a team for the entire offseason. In May, Lincecum began working out for Major League teams, showcasing his stuff, and hoping for another chance to start at the Major League level. The Angels took a flyer on him, with their rotation having been decimated by injuries to Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney and C.J. Wilson.

Lincecum sparkled in the Minors, going 0-2 with a 2.65 ERA over three starts with Triple-A Salt Lake. On June 18, he was recalled by the Angels and would make his first start in the Majors since June 27, 2015 against the Rockies. The three-time World Series Champion threw six innings of four hit ball, surrendering the only earned run of the game on an RBI single by Danny Valencia.

Although it was just his first start back, he showed good stuff and the ability to retire hitters. If he continues to pitch like he did, Lincecum has the opportunity to re-establish himself as a dependable starter.

All-Star worthy -- American League edition

The 2016 MLB All-Star Game is less than a month away, and players continue to build their cases for an All-Star game appearance. Last year, first time All-Stars was a theme, and this year could be a similar story. Here are the American League players worthy of a starting spot in the 2016 All-Star Game.

Catcher -- Salvador Perez -- Kansas City Royals
2016 stats: .295 average, 11 home runs, 32 RBIs and 13 doubles

Perez was the starter on last year's squad and has continued to hit. The postseason workload over the past two years has not affected his bat this year as he leads AL catchers in homers (11), average (.294) and RBIs (32). He is also first among catchers with 62 hits and is second to only Oakland's Stephen Vogt with 13 doubles. Perez is no stranger to All-Star games, having been selected the past three years, and he is very deserving of another appearance this year.

First base -- Eric Hosmer -- Kansas City Royals
2016 stats: .315 average, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs and 78 hits

First base was a toss up between Hosmer and Tigers' first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Hosmer is first among AL first basemen in hits (76), average (.315), and is second in RBIs (41) and doubles (13). He has been a key part to a Royals' lineup that has lost Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas. Surprisingly, Hosmer has not been selected to an All-Star Game, so now is the perfect time for the 26-year-old to start on one of the biggest stages in baseball.

Second base -- Jose Altuve -- Houston Astros
2016 stats: .346 average, 10 home runs, 38 RBIs and 18 stolen bases

This year, second base is flooded with players having career starts to a season including Ian Kinsler, Dustin Pedroia and Robinson Cano. Altuve comes out on top, second in the league in average (.346) and hits (91) to only Xander Bogaerts. On the bases, he is 18-for-20 in stolen bases. Altuve has also flashed additional power this year, and at 10 homers is only five away from his season high of 15 set last year. A two-time All-Star, Altuve deserves to start for the second year in a row.

Shortstop -- Bogaerts -- Boston Red Sox
2016 stats: .352 average, eight home runs, 45 RBIs and 20 doubles.

While second base was a toss up, shortstop was a no brainer. Bogaerts currently leads the majors with 96 hits, and is second with a .352 average. He has started to look like the player that the Red Sox expected him to be, and has displayed five-tools throughout the 2016 season. The 23-year-old looks to be on his way to his first All-Star Game appearance of his career.

Third base -- Manny Machado -- Baltimore Orioles
2016 stats: .308 average, 17 home runs, 41 RBIs and 26 doubles

Machado has continued to grow into his power, currently second in the AL with 17 homers. It seems like the 23-year-old has been around for a while, currently in the fifth season of his career. Machado has had two previous All-Star Game appearances, and is looking for the first start of his career.

Left field -- Ian Desmond -- Texas Rangers
2016 stats: .314 average, 10 home runs, 44 RBIs and 18 doubles

Although Desmond has moved over to center field after starting the season in left, it is hard to leave him out after the start he has had. Desmond leads AL outfielders with 83 hits, is second with 18 doubles and tied third with 44 RBIs. He is also 12-for-14 in stolen base attempts. He has been a pivotal bat in the Rangers' lineup that has battled injuries. Desmond has also made a nice transition to the outfield from short and is certainly worthy of a starting spot in the American League outfield.

Center field -- Mike Trout -- Los Angeles Angels
2016 stats: .305 average, 13 home runs, 44 RBIs, 14 doubles

Although Jackie Bradley Jr. and Desmond are crafting great seasons of their own, it is hard not to go with the perennial MVP candidate Trout in center field. Trout is quietly putting up another great season hitting .305 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs. He is also 9-for-10 in stolen base attempts after swiping only 11 bags a year ago. Trout is definitely deserving of a fifth straight All-Star Game appearance.

Right field -- Mark Trumbo -- Baltimore Orioles
2016 stats: .283 average, 20 home runs, 49 RBIs and 11 doubles

This offseason Trumbo and C.J. Riefenhauser were traded from the Mariners to the Orioles in exchange for catcher Steve Clevenger. You can guess who has gotten the most out of that deal so far. Trumbo has been on a tear in 2016, returning to the player that he was back with the Angels. He leads the American League with 20 homers and is fourth in RBIs with 49. Trumbo was previously an All-Star in 2012, and should start in 2016.

Designated hitter -- David Ortiz --Boston Red Sox
2016 stats: .344 average, 18 home runs, 57 RBIs and 29 doubles

The 40-year-old Ortiz is off to one of his best starts, first with 29 doubles, second in the AL with 57 RBIs, and third with a .344 average. He is an MVP candidate as well, and is hoping to lead the Red Sox to a World Series Championship in his final season. The nine-time All-Star hasn't played in the All-Star Game since 2013, and another start would only solidify his Hall-of-Fame resume.

Top rookies in the American League

1. Nomar Mazara – Right field – Texas Rangers

Mazara, the No. 14 overall prospect in baseball in 2015 according to MLB Pipeline, was called up on Apr. 10 after a right calf injury sent Shin-Soo Choo to the disabled list. In his Major League Debut, Mazara went 3-for-4 including a solo-homer off Angels’ righty Jared Weaver. Mazara, who is known for his bat, has not slowed down, leading AL rookies with a .315 batting average (minimum 100 at-bats) and 67 hits. He is also first among AL rookies with 28 RBIs and is tied second with Dae-Ho Lee with 10 homers. His hot start named him AL Rookie of the Month in April and in May. Even with Choo coming off the DL soon, it seems that Mazara is here to stay.

2. Michael Fulmer – Starting Pitcher – Detroit Tigers

Acquired in the trade that sent Yoenis Cespedes to the Mets, Fulmer immediately slid into the Tigers’ No. 1 prospect slot. He had a breakout 2015 season in which he went 10-3 with a 2.24 ERA between Class-A Adv (St. Lucie) and Double-A (Binghamton and Erie). The 23-year-old Fulmer made his Major League debut on Apr. 29 against the Twins, surrendering two earned runs over five innings while picking up the win. Over his last seven starts, Fulmer is 6-0 with a 1.65 ERA in 43 2/3 innings pitched, and he is 7-1 overall. The Tigers, only 3.0 games back of the Indians in the AL Central, will need Fulmer to continue to lengthen their rotation.

3. Dae-Ho Lee – First Baseman – Seattle Mariners

Lee is an unconventional rookie, migrating from the Japan Pacific League to the Major Leagues as a 33-year-old. The Korean first baseman has always hit for a high average, boasting a .303 career average in 15 seasons between the Japan Pacific League and the Korean Baseball Organization. His approach in the Majors has been no different as Lee is sporting a .296 average, 2^nd among AL Rookies. He has also shown the power that allowed him to hit 20 or more homers in 10 of his 15 seasons overseas. Lee is tied second with Mazara in home runs with 10, but has almost half of the at-bats. He has been a solid addition to the new-look Mariners, and although he may not receive the at-bats to keep up in the AL Rookie of the Year race, he has certainly impressed early in the 2016 season.

There is a new Ranger in town

Feb. 29, 2016, the day Ian Desmond officially signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Texas Rangers. It was only two years after he reportedly turned down a seven-year, $107 million deal from the Washington Nationals. It was a surprise that a player with his track record signed so late. He won three-straight NL Silver Slugger awards from 2012-14, and tallied 19 or more homers from 2012-2015. After playing shortstop for 913 games, the Rangers, with Elvis Andrus at short, wanted Desmond to play the outfield. Prior to 2016, Desmond logged only 7 1/3 innings in the outfield in the Majors, and although he possesses the athleticism to play the outfield, only time would tell if he could make the transition.

Desmond has been one of the best signings of the offseason so far, hitting .310 with eight homers and 37 RBIs in 57 games. He has also smacked 15 doubles and has stolen 11 bases. In his last 30 games, Desmond is hitting .374 (49-for-131) with five homers and 25 RBIs. His presence in the lineup has been much needed with outfielders Shin-Soo Choo, Drew Stubbs and Josh Hamilton on the disabled list.

In the field, Desmond does have four errors, but has looked better of late, accruing three assists. He is taking better routes, and is continuing to get better each game.

The 30-year-old has been a leader in the clubhouse, adding to the likes of Adrian Beltre, Prince Fielder and Cole Hamels. If he keeps it up, Desmond will surely be in contention for an All-Star game appearance. The Rangers are atop the American League West at 36-22, and Desmond has been an instrumental part of the Rangers' success.

Papi playing like a kid

At the start of the 2016 season, David Ortiz announced that he would retire at the end of the year. The 40-year-old designated hitter has played parts of 20 seasons in the Majors, 14 of which have been with the Boston Red Sox. Although most players experience a drop off in production after their mid-30s, Ortiz has continued to perform at a high level. Over his last three seasons, Ortiz has averaged 34 home runs and 105 RBIs. In 2015, Ortiz hit 37 home runs, the most for him in a season since he hit 54 in 2006.

This year, Ortiz is off to a torrid start, hitting .337 with 14 homers and a Major League leading 47 RBIs. He has been a key cog in the Red Sox’s lineup that includes Jackie Bradley Jr., Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts. The Red Sox as a team lead the Major Leagues in average (.295), RBIs (290), runs (302), hits (537) and doubles (133), and their success at the plate has shot them into first place in the AL East.

Ortiz has also been moving up the milestone lists, four home runs away from tying Ted Williams, Frank Thomas and Jimmy Foxx for 19^th all-time. He is 27^th all-time for RBIs with 1688, and 11^th all-time with 607 doubles. His numbers are Hall-of-Fame worthy, and only time will tell if he is voted in.

There is no doubt Ortiz is playing like he was 25-years-old, and his numbers are some of the best in the league. If he keeps this level of production up, Ortiz will be a front-runner in the AL MVP race.

The streak ends in Boston

Red Sox’s center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has long been thought of as the center fielder of the future. Bradley struggled mightily at the plate in his first two seasons with the Red Sox, and struggled to find consistency. 2016 has been a complete turnaround for the 26-year-old, as he is off to a .350 average with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in his first 45 games. On May 26, his 29-game hit streak was snapped against the Rockies, going 0-for-4 from the leadoff spot. The 29-game streak ties Johnny Damon for the fourth longest in Red Sox team history. Bradley has been on fire, hitting .415 with eight homers, nine doubles, and 30 RBIs during the streak. He also did most of his damage out of the No. 9 spot in the order.

His success was fueled by the leg kick he implemented towards the end of 2015. Before the leg kick, he was often late on pitches, and wasn’t in a smooth, continuous motion throughout his swing. The leg kick has also given him more power to tap into because of the better use of his legs. He is two home runs shy of his season high (10), and has totaled a .625 slugging percentage so far this season. Bradley reminds teams why they need to be patient with young players. Coming into the season, Bradley owned a .213 career average in 700 at-bats, and it could have been easy to give up on him. The streak may be over, but Bradley has cemented himself into history, and should be a staple in the Red Sox's lineup for years to come.

Top NL position player rookies of 2016

Every year, it seems like more and more young talent is making an impact at the Major League level. This season, 12 rookie position players have recorded at least one at-bat, with five of the 12 making their Major League debut this year. Although Astros' shortstop Carlos Correa didn't make his debut until Jun. 8 last year, he went on to win the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year award. It might be early, but here are the three position player rookies in the National League that are making the biggest impact so far in 2016.

1. Trevor Story – Shortstop – Colorado Rockies

Story burst onto the scene in April, hitting eight home runs in the first 13 games of his Major League career, a feat never accomplished in the modern era. His performance led him to be awarded NL Player of the Week honors for the week of Apr. 10, and NL Rookie of the Month for April. Although he has not kept up his torrid start, he has continued to impress at the plate as well as on defense. The 23-year-old is currently hitting .272 (49-for-180) and leads all rookies with 12 home runs, four triples and 31 RBIs. MLB.com’s projections project that Story will finish at 27 homers and 33 doubles. What is amazing about his numbers is that eight of his 12 homers have come away from the hitter-friendly Coors Field. He has performed so well, that it seems that the Rockies have no place for veteran shortstop Jose Reyes. If he keeps up the pace, Story will definitely be a front-runner for NL Rookie of the Year.

2. Aledmys Diaz – Shortstop – St. Louis Cardinals

Signed as a free agent on Mar. 9, 2014, Diaz was never a top prospect for the Cardinals. He had two decent Minor League seasons, most recently hitting .278 with 10 homers and 52 RBIs between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis in 2015. A Jhonny Peralta left thumb injury opened up a spot at short, and the rest was history. At first, the Cardinals seemed to have a void that could not be filled, but then Diaz took off. Diaz currently leads all rookies in batting average (.336), hits (50), doubles (15) and runs (29). Although he is tied for the most errors in baseball with 10, he has made up for it with his offense. Things may get tricky with Peralta set to come back soon, but Diaz is a versatile player that will find his way onto the field one way or another.

3. Brandon Drury – Right fielder – Arizona Diamondbacks

Drury, a 13^th round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2010, was one of the pieces acquired by Arizona in the deal that sent Justin Upton and Chris Johnson to Atlanta in 2013. He nearly made the D-backs 2015 Opening Day Roster, but was sent to Double-A Mobile for more seasoning. Between Mobile and Triple-A Reno, Drury hit .303 with five home runs and 40 doubles in 2015. He has always been a good hitter, possessing a quick swing that allows him to hit for a high average. This swing has been on display so far in 2016, with Drury sitting at a .300 average with seven homers and 15 RBIs. The power is continuing to develop, and with time, Drury could be a potential 20 homer threat.

Other notables:

Corey Seager (LAD): .269 average, seven home runs, 12 doubles and 23 RBIs.

Trayce Thompson (LAD): .290 average, seven home runs and 19 RBIs.

Tomahawk flop

The Atlanta Braves struggled mightily in 2015, finishing fourth in the National League East at 67-95. The front office used the offseason to rebuild a barren farm system, and did so at the cost of many established players such as shortstop Andrelton Simmons and right-hander Shelby Miller. Although they brought in veterans such as Gordon Beckham, Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson, the Braves have struggled mightily, off to a 9-29 start, the worst record in the Majors. Their struggles have extended to multiple facets of their game, and ultimately led to the dismissal of manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Inconsistent is the perfect word to describe Atlanta’s offense, who came into the day last in the Majors with 123 runs scored, last with 13 home runs and 28^th with a .233 team average. The offseason acquisitions of outfielder Ender Inciarte and shortstop Erick Aybar were thought to have been upgrades offensively, but both have stumbled out of the gate. Inciarte, coming off a left hamstring strain, has hit only .216 with one double in 13 games. The 25-year-old is coming off of a season in which he hit .303 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Aybar, 32, seems to be in decline, hitting a mere .180 while striking out 26 times in 128 at-bats. The Braves originally saw Aybar as an upgrade offensively over Simmons, but seems to have lost some of the bat-speed that allowed him to hit .270 or better in seven of the past eight seasons. Right fielder Nick Markakis was one of the few bright spots in the lineup until a recent slump that saw his average dip 38 points in the last 15 games.

A few hitters have turned it on of late, including first baseman Freddie Freeman, center fielder Mallex Smith and infielder Gordon Beckham. Freeman began the season 4-32, and seemed to be trying to do too much. He has hit .308 in his last 30 games including five home runs. Smith, having been called up on Apr. 11 to fill in for the injured Inciarte, has settled in nicely, posting a .311 average and three home runs in his last 15 games. Beckham, since being activated from the disabled list on May 9, is hitting .375 with four doubles and four RBIs. Over their last seven games, the Braves have averaged just under 4.5 runs per game, giving hope that they can be more consistent down the road.

Growing pains were expected with the young arms in the starting rotation, but it has been the bullpen that has really let the Braves down, currently owning the fourth-worst bullpen ERA in the Majors at 4.74. They also have the second-most losses (11) in addition to six blown saves. Veteran right-handers Jason Grilli and Jim Johnson have not been able to find their 2015 forms, and have ERAs of 7.30 and 7.90 respectively. Arodys Vizcaino on the other hand, has shown the Braves why he is the closer of the future, pitching to a 1.10 ERA in 16 1/3 innings.

The starting rotation, although combined to have a 4.68 ERA, has been decent of late. Julio Teheran, although winless so far, seems to be inching closer and closer to his 2014 form, pitching to an ERA of 3.17 over his first eight starts. Righty Matt Wisler has also pitched well, sporting a 3.24 ERA in eight games, seven of which were starts. 24-year-old Mike Foltynewicz has come back strong after being sent down before the start of the season. Over his last two starts, Foltynewicz is 1-0 with a 1.20 ERA. The big key for him has been limiting walks and keeping a lower pitch count. It seems that he has finally learned to pitch, instead of being just a thrower. He has walked none in his last two starts and also went seven or more innings in back-to-back starts for the first time in is Major League career. Aaron Blair and Bud Norris have not had the same success as these three, pitching to ERAs of 7.59 and 6.11 respectively. The back end of the rotation will have to be more stable, but Teheran and Wisler’s success is good news to the Braves so far.

The Braves defense has not helped the pitching staff, committing the second-most errors in baseball (33). Third baseman Adonis Garcia was responsible for seven of those errors, and has since been sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett to work on his defense. Aybar struggled early on defense as well, continuing to remind Braves’ fans that the Gold Glover Simmons is not roaming the infield. Tightening up the defense will be a key to winning more games down the road.

Although the Braves are scuffling, and might have over-evaluated the talent on their roster, fans need to remember that it is a rebuilding year and need to trust the process. The Cubs, Royals and Astros all went through rough seasons, but through building up their farm system, they were able to construct winning teams. Working out the kinks now can help Atlanta's young players grow while experiencing the daily life in the Major Leagues. It might be frustrating to watch, but when all said and done, the Braves should be back to competing in the NL East.

Gonzalez out as Braves’ manager

The Braves, owners of the worst record in the Majors at 9-29 have fired manager Fredi Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who has managed the club since 2011, posted a .512 winning percentage while leading the team to two postseason appearances. Although 2016 was going to be a rebuilding year, no one could have expected that the Braves would be this bad. It was an unfortunate turn of events for Gonzalez, as he had no control over the inconsistencies that faced many of his players. In the end, the Braves were just looking to shake things up, and after an 0-9 start to the season, bidding adieu to Gonzalez was inevitable. Taking over for Gonzalez is long-time Brave Brian Snitker, who will serve as skipper on an interim basis. The 60-year-old Snitker has been with the Braves’ organization since 1977, most recently serving the Major League club as their third-base coach from 2007-13.

Looking ahead to 2017, the Braves have a multitude of options at the managerial position. In-house names include Eddie Perez and Terry Pendelton. Perez increased his managerial stock this past offseason while managing the Venezuela’s Tigres de Aragua to the Caribbean series. Perez, a former catcher for the Braves, served as their bullpen coach from 2007-16, and was just named the Atlanta’s first-base coach. The former NL MVP Pendelton was just named bench coach to Snitker, and most recently served as the team’s first-base coach from 2011-16. Snitker could also be given a look for the job if he can prove successful for the remainder of the season.

External managerial options include former Brave Mark DeRosa and former Padres’ manager Bud Black. DeRosa, a current MLB Network analyst, last played in the Majors in 2013, and has always been a clubhouse favorite. Black was thought to be named the Washington Nationals’ manager before the club tabbed Dusty Baker as their skipper. Over eight-plus years with the Padres, Black led the team to a .477 winning percentage while winning the 2010 NL Manager of the Year award.

Although Gonzalez was stuck in a tough position, a new voice could greatly benefit the Braves, who look ahead to the opening of SunTrust Park in 2017. President of baseball operations John Hart and general manager John Coppolella will do their due diligence this offseason as they look for a manager who can be a positive influence on the young core of players soon to be playing at the Major League level.

Playing like bears

If you’re not on the Chicago Cubs’ bandwagon, you should hop on now. The Cubs currently own the best record in the Majors at 27-9, and have been playing great baseball all season. This is no surprise after their terrific 2015 campaign that saw them finish third in the NL Central at 97-65. Their success has come from a mix of youthful exuberance and veteran presence. The Cubs went out to acquire four veterans this past offseason, right fielder Jason Heyward, center fielder Dexter Fowler, second baseman Ben Zobrist and right-handed starter John Lackey. These four added just what the Cubs needed -- experience. Although Heyward has struggled at the plate so far, Fowler and Zobrist have been picking up the slack. So far Fowler leads the team in average (.331), stolen bases (six), OBP (.449) and doubles (14). Zobrist has been a force at the plate as well, hitting .317 with five homers and 28 RBIs. On the mound, John Lackey is third on the team in strikeouts with 47, while pitching to an ERA of 3.54.

The youth of the Cubs continues to grow with each day. 26-year-old first baseman Anthony Rizzo is off to a hot start, currently tied for fifth in the Majors with 11 home runs, and is tied first in RBIs with 34. In his last 15 games, Rizzo is hitting .351 with three homers and 11 RBIs. 2015 NL Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant has continued hit success from last year, posting a .275 average while smacking six home runs. He has also proved versatile with the absence of Kyle Schwarber, making 23 appearances in the outfield while making another 23 at third base. Addison Russell has also made strides, currently sitting at a .265 average and is third on the team with 27 RBIs. He has also begun to show more power this season after adding a leg kick in 2015. The lineup as a whole is third in the Majors in RBIs (203), first in OBP (.365) and sixth in slugging percentage (.434). They are also averaging just under six runs a game, and have given their pitchers plenty of support.

The pitching of the Cubs has been the real key so far. The Cubs staff as a whole leads the Major Leagues with a 2.64 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP, and have only used five starters so far. Jake Arrieta has continued to dominate on the mound, currently sitting at 7-0 with a 1.29 ERA. He has not lost a game since Jul. 25 of 2015, when he fell to the no-hitter of Cole Hamels, and since 2014, Arrieta is 39-11 with a 1.98 ERA in 66 starts. Behind him, Jon Lester, Lackey, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks have all held their own. In eight starts, Lester is 4-2 with a 1.88 ERA, seventh best in the Majors. Hammel has been equally brilliant, pitching to a 5-0 record with a 1.77 ERA, which is fifth best in the Majors. Finally, Hendricks is 2-2 through six starts with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. If the rotation continues to be strong one through five, the Cubs can certainly continue their torrid start.

The Cubs are showing that they are World Series material, and only time will tell if they get there. The odds are in their favor, as six of the last seven teams to begin their first 30 games of the season 24-6 or better have gone on to reach the World Series, with four of them eventually winning the World Series.

South side success

The Chicago White Sox were one of the worst teams in the American League in 2015, finishing up with a record of 76-86. They scored the fewest runs in the AL (622), were 12th in batting average (.250) and 14th in OBP (.306). There pitching was decent at times, as they finished 7th in ERA (3.98) and 3rd in strikeouts (1359). They had high hopes coming in to 2015 after they signed Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche and acquired Jeff Samardzija via trade. Many of these players were plagued by underperformances and inconsistences. LaRoche, coming off a year where he hit 26 home runs and drove in 92 with the Nationals, hit a mere .207 while hitting only 12 home runs, the fewest he has ever hit in a full season. Samardzija had the third worst ERA in the league at 4.96, and struggled with his mechanics.

Although the team struggled in 2015, they looked to turn the page in 2016. Spring Training brought a lot positive energy to Chicago's camp, with the team retaining a young core of players, 16 of which are under the age of 30. As of May 3, the White Sox own the best record in the AL at 18-8 and are three games ahead of the second-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. Their schedule hasn't been easy of late, having to face the Rangers, Blue Jays and Orioles in three straight series. They would go on to sweep the Rangers and Blue Jays, two teams coming off division titles in 2015. Their success has been largely due to the pitching staff, but the offense is holding their own as well.

The pitching rotation, led by 27-year-old lefty Chris Sale, has dazzled so far, posting the best starter's ERA in the AL at 3.13. Sale is a perfect 6-0 through his first six starts while pitching to an ERA of 1.66. Behind him, Jose Quintana and Mat Latos have also started off well. Through five starts, Quintana is 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA. Latos, after struggling through three teams in 2015, is off to being his old self, beginning the season 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA.

The bullpen has been equally spectacular, currently sporting the best ERA in the Majors at 1.60. They are also second in holds (21) and have surrendered the second-fewest hits in the AL (50). At the back-end, David Robertson is 8-for-9 in save opportunities, and has struck out 14 in 11 1/3 innings. Zach Duke, Nate Jones and Matt Albers have combined for a 0.79 ERA in 34 innings pitched.

On the hitting side, the White Sox are 6th in OBP (.314), and 9th in slugging percentage (.387). They have been led by the hot starts of Cabrera and Brett Lawrie. Cabrera is hitting .297 with six extra-base hits, while Lawrie is hitting .290, with eight doubles and four home runs. Center fielder, Adam Eaton is also off to a good start with a .283 batting average and 28 hits out of the leadoff spot. Newly acquired Todd Frazier has also blasted seven home runs while knocking in 17, but only has a .220 batting average. Jose Abreu is still off to a slow start, hitting only .240 with three home runs, but is hitting .379 with six RBIs in his last seven games. When at full potential, this is a high on base line up with some pop.

The White Sox, often overlooked by the Cubs on the North side, still have a long way to go in the season, but if they continue their success on the mound and get some guys going at the plate, they will surprise many teams in the American League.

Story begins a new chapter

Last season, Colorado Rockies' No. 11 ranked prospect Trevor Story finished the year in Triple-A Albuquerque, with a Major League shortstop still in front of him on the depth chart -- Jose Reyes. Reyes was acquired in the Troy Tulowitzki deal with Toronto, and was set to be a place holder until Story was ready. After a domestic violence incident left Reyes on the restricted list, the 23-year-old Story was given an opportunity to take the starting shortstop role for the first time. Taken with the 45^th overall pick in 2011, Story has always been seen as a solid, future Major League shortstop. Last year between Triple-A Albuquerque and Double-A New Britain, Story hit 20 home runs, with 40 doubles and 22 stolen bases. He had a strong showing this spring, finishing up with a .340 average (18-for-53), with six home runs and 13 RBIs, and was rewarded by manager Walt Weiss with the Opening Day shortstop job.

The story only gets better from there.

In his debut, Story faced 2015 NL Cy Young Award runner-up Zack Greinke, and in his second at-bat, promptly hit a three-run-home run the opposite way for the first hit of his Major League career. He wasn’t done there, and in his third at-bat in the fourth, he followed up with a 439-foot no doubter off of Greinke. Story finished his debut going 2-for-6, with four RBIs and two home runs. He became only the fifth player since 1900 to homer twice in his debut. Offense wasn’t his only tool showcased, as he also showed off the glove by robbing D-backs’ catcher Wellington Castillo of a hit with a diving grab in the seventh. In his second Major League game, Story flashed the power again, hitting a 433-foot shot off of newly acquired right-hander Shelby Miller. Finally, his fourth home run was a two-run blast that came against lefty Patrick Corbin in the third game of the season.

With the home run on Wednesday, Story became the first player in the modern era to have a home run in each of his first three Major League games. As of Thursday, Story is 4-for-14 (all four hits are home runs) with seven RBIs in three games. Now don’t expect him to keep hitting home runs at this pace, but with Coors Field playing a factor in 81 of the Rockies’ games, we might just see a 20 homer season from the rookie.

Prediction time 2016

Although predicting the outcomes of a season is often hard, it is still something that many enjoy doing. This offseason provided the hope of improvement for some, while others stood idle. It should be a very interesting 2016 season, with many new teams in the hunt to make the playoffs. Here are my predictions, division-by-division, for the 2016 season.

American League

American League East
1. Boston Red Sox
2. Toronto Blue Jays
3. New York Yankees
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles

American League Central
1. Kansas City Royals
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Minnesota Twins
4. Cleveland Indians
5. Chicago White Sox

American League West
1. Texas Rangers
2. Houston Astros
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Los Angeles Angels
5. Oakland Athletics

AL Wild Card
1. Toronto Blue Jays
2. Houston Astros

National League

National League East
1. New York Mets
2. Miami Marlins
3. Washington Nationals
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Philadelphia Phillies

National League Central
1. Chicago Cubs
2. Pittsburgh Pirates
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Cincinnati Reds

National League West
1. San Francisco Giants
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. Arizona Diamondbacks
4. San Diego Padres
5. Colorado Rockies

NL Wild Card
1. Pittsburgh Pirates
2. Los Angeles Dodgers

World Series
San Francisco Giants over the Kansas City Royals

Stay tuned this week for a breakdown of each prediction, team-by-team.

A "Baby Brave" is back

The Atlanta Braves have named right fielder Jeff Francoeur to their Opening Day roster. Francoeur last suited up for the Braves on July 9, 2009, and when he signed a Minor League deal to reunite with the Braves on Feb. 24, many thought he was a longshot to make the roster because of Atlanta's outfield depth. He proved himself all throughout Spring Training, building upon a bounce-back 2015 season with the Phillies in which he hit .258, with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs after spending most of 2014 at Triple-A El Paso. Through March 30, Francoeur has hit .327 (17-for-52), with a homer and four RBIs in 20 games. He will be a valuable piece in the Braves' clubhouse and will provide some right-handed pop off the bench.

This move seemingly decreases Michael Bourn and Emilio Bonifacio's chances at cracking the roster. The left-handed-hitting Bourn is not the speedster he used to be, but is another good clubhouse presence as well as a good defensive outfielder. So far this spring, Bourn has hit .245 (12-for-49), with two triples and five RBIs. Bonifacio, whose value comes through his speed and versatility, is coming off a down year in which he was released by the Chicago White Sox. Bonifacio is hitting .260 (13-for-50), with four extra-base hits and 17 strikeouts in 21 games this spring. The Braves signed him to a club-friendly one-year, $1.25 million contract, and would seemingly be willing to eat the money if they decide to part ways.

To add to their outfield options, the Braves signed outfielder Drew Stubbs to a Minor League contract this week after he opted-out of his contract with the Texas Rangers. Over the final days of Spring Training, the Braves plan to give him a shot at making the Opening Day roster. When at full potential, Stubbs brings a power-speed combination to the game, evidenced by accruing 89 home runs and 152 stolen bases over his seven Major League seasons. He has battled inconsistencies throughout his career, often hitting for a low average, and racking up high strikeout totals, but is worth taking a chance on. Stubbs, the No. 8 overall pick in 2006 by the Reds, has posted a .300 average (12-for-40), with two home runs and three stolen bases in 19 spring games thus far. This has given the Braves the hope that Stubbs can be a productive right-handed-hitting back up option in center, to complement the left-handed-hitting Ender Inciarte.

Let the games begin

Spring Training is a fresh start for all 30 teams, who all have an equal chance at winning a ring. It is a time of hope, new beginnings and revivals. Prospects seek to prove themselves, veterans take in another year and non-roster invitees look to resurrect careers that have fallen short in recent years. For fans, it is a time to see their team's newest player in a new uniform, watch batting practice, and collect autographs. Spring Training is where the opening chapter to the year's book begins. With many teams starting play on Tuesday, here are the top three things to watch for in Spring Training this year.

1. New Cubs on the North side
Last year was a monumental year for the Chicago Cubs, who won 97 games, advanced to the NL Division Series and featured the NL Cy Young Award winner, Jake Arrieta, the NL Rookie of the Year, Kris Bryant and the NL Manager of the Year, Joe Maddon. This offseason the Cubs dug deep into their pockets, spending a total of $285 million on four players -- right fielder Jason Heyward, right-hander John Lackey, utility man Ben Zobrist and most recently center fielder Dexter Fowler. They also added Adam Warren and Rex Brothers via trade. The lineup this season looks to be even better than last year by adding Heyward and Zobrist to the likes of Anthony Rizzo and Bryant. The Cubs will also benefit from a full year of Kyle Schwarber, who hit 16 home runs in 69 games as a rookie last year. On the pitching side, the rotation is even deeper than in 2015, with Arrieta positioned in the No. 1 slot, followed by Jon Lester and Lackey. Maddon's presence has continued to be felt, and with a full year under his belt in Chicago, he can have an even greater impact on the team in 2016.

2. The Diamondbacks' new snakes and skins
Although they are a relatively new franchise, dating back to only 1998, the Arizona Diamondbacks are already on their third uniform change. This offseason they debuted the "D-backs Evolution" by unveiling eight new uniforms. They kept the Sedona red and black color schemes, but added a teal accent in their home alternate, road alternate and red alternate jerseys. They also changed the fonts in addition to adding a darker grey to the road uniforms. To better connect with their name, they added a diamond pattern to the shoulders and the back of the pant legs to represent snakeskin. On the baseball side, chief baseball officer Tony La Russa and general manager and senior vice president Dave Stewart were busy this offseason finding pieces to bolster their club, whose offense scored the second-most runs in the National League in 2015. Their notable acquisitions include 2015 NL Cy Young Award runner-up Zack Greinke, right-hander Shelby Miller, shortstop Jean Segura and right-handed-reliever Tyler Clippard. Only time will tell whether or not this team will compete in 2016, but with a cast of Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock now paired with pitchers like Greinke and Miller, the Diamondbacks certainly have put themselves in a position for success. Hopefully for the Diamondbacks, the D-Backs Evolution can usher in an age of winning, after averaging only 76 wins over the past four seasons.

3. Minor risk, Major reward
Every year, handing out a Minor League contract with an invite to big league camp seems to pay off  for at-least a handful of clubs. Last year Kelly Johnson revived his career by going back to the Atlanta Braves on a Minor League deal. He finished the year hitting .265 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs in 335 plate appearances between the Braves and the New York Mets. Here are five non-roster invitees to look out for in 2016.

Jimmy Rollins - Chicago White Sox
The 2007 NL MVP had a down year last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .224 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs in 144 games. The 37-year-old shortstop can still play, and even turned down offers to be in a utility role. The White Sox have 22-year-old Tim Anderson waiting in the Minors, but starting the season with Rollins at short could give Anderson more seasoning before being tested at the Major League level.

Bronson Arroyo - Washington Nationals
The 39-year-old Arroyo was one of the most durable pitchers in the game until his 2014 season was cut short due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Arroyo pitched at-least 200 innings from 2005 to 2013 except for 2011 when he threw 199 innings. If he proves healthy, this could be a high-reward move for the Nationals.

Jeff Francoeur - Atlanta Braves
After enduring almost a full year in the Minors with the Padres in 2014, Francoeur made the most of his time in 2015 with the Phillies, hitting .258 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs. Though he most likely won't command a starting job in Atlanta, he could be valuable in a platoon role, as well as in the clubhouse. Francoeur was tops in the Majors off the bench last year going 11-for-30, and was second with 11 RBIs. Atlanta can definitely find a spot for a former "Baby Brave."

Domonic Brown - Toronto Blue Jays
A career year in 2013 led many to believe that the left-handed-hitting Brown would be a key piece in the Phillies team of the future, but after struggling mightily the past two years, Brown found himself at Triple-A Lehigh Valley for most of 2015. Although he might not hit for a high average, Brown still has some pop in his bat, and could be an asset in a platoon role in Toronto.

Ricky Romero - San Francisco Giants
After a breakout 2011 season where he posted 15 wins and a 2.92 ERA in 225 innings, the five-year $30.1 million extension that Romero signed in 2010 was looking like a steal for the Blue Jays. Romero, though, fell off of the map in 2013 after being demoted to Class-A Dunedin. He hasn't reached the Majors since 2013, but could be a diamond-in-the-rough for the Giants.