Welcome back, America’s pastime fans!

Stephen Strasberg, pitcher with the Washington Nationals, should place beyond 25, perhaps even 30 or farther. Strasberg is the third best pitcher in the NL East and maybe the sixth best in the whole NL. He’s pretty good, I’ll say that, but his ERA was a 2.52, which is OK, but the Nats need Ks for the new power-hitting players of the NL East like Todd Frazier. He is a good and consistent pitcher but now hitters are starting to figure him out and he’s getting easier to hit off of.

Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians showed himself really well during the 2017 and 2018 postseasons. He slugs HRs and has depth at infield apart from first and he could play DH. Ramirez is the fastest third basemen/infielder/DH that could do 17 stolen bases, 6 triples and wait for it – 56 doubles and was 1st in stolen bases among third basemen last season. He was a silver slugger, All-Star and 3rd in MVP voting in ’17 behind Jose Altuve, the winner, and Aaron Judge, who came in second. He is an MVP caliber player and this 25 year-old could win the title during his career.

The Houston Astros’ George Springer is better that 28^th. Everyone saw him during the World Series last year, making great catches to help the ‘Stros and hitting in the clutch with homers. Also, on the first pitch of the Astros’ season, he went yard. In my book, he is the fifth best outfielder in the MLB. He is one of the few centerfielders that are slow the base paths – but on the field, he’s super-fast. The hitting covers up for that pretty well and the catchers don’t have to worry about him stealing bases. He should be where he is in the rankings.

The Colorado Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon is one of the best centerfielders in the game and illuminates the National League with his home runs – four already, speed – 14 stolen bases and 14 triples and flowing hair. He is the reigning BA champ in the NL last year. He is a really good centerfielder and I’ll say that he is the second best centerfielder in the MLB right behind Mike Trout. He should get a better spot because he is a two-time All Star and a two-time Silver Slugger and came in 5^th in the MVP voting in 2017. No doubt about it, he will get an MVP award in his career and would’ve gotten a Gold Glove in center field if Juan Lagares hadn’t been in his way in 2014.

Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants is NOT the 29^th player. Yeah, everyone knows he is great at fielding but to win, in the catcher’s position, the catcher can’t pass the ball behind him but you also have to score runs and to score runs 97.3849034% of the time you must hit the ball preferably far. That’s his weak spot, but in 2015 and 2016 he was the best catcher and now he’s not (Check the stats!!). But he’s in the top 10 among catchers. He’s still got the power to drive it, but not out of the park – something like doubles, singles and 2 triples.

The Texas Rangers’ Adrian Beltre, YAY! He got 3,000 hits and people are going to start worshiping him, yes, you should, he’s really good – don’t check the stats. He got his hits and homers in, but fielding, he’s not someone like a Gold Glove though he used to. I think he should take it down a couple of notches trying to win World Series, and if he doesn’t the Rangers’ lineup will get a big smudge because they will lose him. I think he’s good and he has a good spot this time ‘round.

The Mets are officially the tied-for-second best team in baseball right after they whooped the Nationals today 3-2. Bryce Harper hit a dinger and Asdrubal Cabrera hit a double to drive in a run. Yoenis Cespedes isn't really being as good as he should be and the Mets little guys are stepping up and making a push to be higher in the lineup. but as history goes, no matter how horrible the “big power hitter” is in a span of a few games, he always hits 3rd or 4th.

So on that high and not-so-modest-on-the-little-guy's note I will talk about just MLB. Charlie Blackmon of the Rockies had a great span of about four games but now he went from “adored great hitting center fielder with speed” to just “starting center fielder.” I think he will come back to an elite player.

The Phillies scored 20 runs against the Marlins, OK, I'll tell you this, I am really not surprised, because the team from South Beach is supposed to be not so good. And by “not so good” I mean bad. Also, two grand slams by the Phils.

OK, so the Astros-Padres game just ended or whenever you're reading this and the game ended on April 7 and – I think this is a joke – by a pop-up single to first base and wait, who is this – D-d-d-d-derek F-f-f-fisher scored, wait, yeah, Derek Fisher scored. I'm not saying he’s bad, he's OK, he’s good, five dingers, in only 53 games last season. Orioles actually went into extras with the Yankees on Friday and Pedro Alvarez hit a go-ahead grand slam to help the O’s win which was exciting. Alvarez actually knows my fifth grade teacher and Albert Pujols and Mike Trout, which I think is really cool. On Saturday the Dodgers and Giants are in the 14th when I'm writing this which is surprising that the Giants are handling against the Dodgers this well – I'm really surprised. Buster Posey hit his first home run today, so that’s what helped the Padres hold up against the Dodgers. Today and yesterday were some good days for rounding the bases and some good games.

Also, I had my first Little League game and I went 1 for 2 with a double and a RBI and I played second base. The Millers are 1 and 0 with many more wins to come.

Grab another hot dog on the way out.