Let's Talk Baseball

Many of you know that I am a huge fan of baseball. It was my favorite sport to play growing up and in school I played on our team. I played softball well into my thirties and I am a passionate follower of the MLB network. I see a lot of games.

We are lucky to be living in a market that allows me to see all the Dodgers, Angels, and Padres games. Throw in the national games on ESPN, TBS, and now NBC, along with the showcase games on the MLB network, plus their Extra Innings and Strike Zone cable coverage, and I would say I see at least twenty games a week.

As you can see, I love baseball. Over the past couple of seasons there have been some young players that have caught my interest for their passion, talent, and determination to play this game. They have become must see viewing when they are playing and I always take the time to watch their at bats or pitching.

I had the same feeling watching others growing up, and in recent years. Willie Mays was the best player I ever saw even if he routinely killed my beloved Cubs. Sandy Koufax was the best pitcher I ever saw even when he was throwing a perfect game against the same beloved's. Bob Gibson was must watch because you never knew when he would toss one at the head of a batter that did something he didn't like. More recently George Brett and Tony Gwynn were hitting machines and their at bats were a lesson in hitting not to be missed. Mike Trout had the chance to be the best player I ever saw until four years of injuries derailed his career.

Today there is a new crop of talented and exciting players that I love to watch and if you aren't familiar with them you need to start paying attention because most of them are headed for Cooperstown. Now, I know people are going to say, "but you left off your list Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani." Yes I did because I find them talented but boring to watch. Sue me or make up your own list.

In no particular order other than by what they do here is my list of favorite players to watch today.

Paul Skenes, on the left, and Mason Miller, on the right, are the two most exciting pitchers to watch today. Skenes is a Cy Young winner and Miller is a likely one to win this year. Like all starting pitchers Skenes will toss an occasional dud but pretty much when he is starting the Pirates know it is win day for them. Miller is just unhittable right now. There has never been a closer that is doing what he is doing. He is striking out batters at an almost 75% clip. Friends that is impossible, and it won't continue all year, but my god what a stretch he is on.

On the left is Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA). In the center is Jackson Merrill. On the right is Julio Rodriguez. Besides all three being the most exciting outfielders in baseball they all play center field. They have blazing speed and are defensive stars and they all can hit for power. Merrill has shown that he has no fear of any situation at the plate as he has hit for multiple game winning hits in his short career. All three are also the emotional leaders on their teams and play the game like it is still the pick up games at the park they grew up playing.

(From left to right and top to bottom)

Bobby Witt Jr., Jacob Wilson, Vladimir Guerrero, Nico Hoerner, Elly De La Cruz, Zach Neto, and Ketel Marte are the most fun infielders to watch in the game right now. Interestingly all play either second base or shortstop except for Guerrero who is a first baseman. It is not surprising that the most exciting players to watch are playing up the middle of the diamond since that is where your best athletes play. As for Vlad, well he is just a hitting stud and that makes him fun to watch. All these infielders are exciting and they can hit as well as field and many of them are either leading off, or batting second, for their teams which means they understand the strike zone and can hit to all fields.

While I enjoy watching all of them play, my two favorite players today are Nico Hoerner and Jackson Merrill. I just love the way they approach the game. They are not afraid to give themselves up to sacrifice over a teammate and they have the ability to drive in runs with guys on base.

I urge you to take the time to watch games of teams that might not be your favorites and you will see that baseball is in good hands for the future and that there are some young, exciting players playing right now.