Around the Leage
Around the League: Thoughts From the Mind of an Avid Baseball Guy
By Mike Carreiro
5/1/24
Heartbreaking Injury for One of Baseball’s Hottest Players
Mike Trout has been putting together an MVP level start to the 2024 season. Unfortunately on Tuesday it was announced that the perennial All Star suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee that will require surgery.
“Frustration” is the one word used by Trout to describe the latest setback. And baseball fans everywhere echo those sentiments, as Trout had been playing back to form so far this year with 24 Hits, 10 HRs, 17 Runs, 14 RBI and 6 SB’s.
There is no official time table reported for Trout’s return at this point, but best case scenario is a 6 week absence from the Angels. Thankfully for them though, Jo Adell has emerged as a viable offensive weapon and the AL West is still up for grabs!
The Craziest Delay of All Time
We have officially seen everything in baseball! From earthquakes to squirrels, and now swarming bees, baseball has had some of the craziest reasons for delaying a game.
On Tuesday the start to the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game was delayed due to a swarm of bees at Chase Field.
Thousands of bees gathered around the netting behind home plate and caused a nearly 2 hour delay to the start of the game. Only when local Bee-man Matt Hilton was called into action to disperse the swarm, was the game able to start.
Thankfully the Social Media managers for the Diamondbacks were witty enough to keep the incident as entertaining as possible on X (Twitter) and Instagram. To top everything off, the Diamondbacks had Hilton stick around to throw out the first pitch of the game! The crowd went wild!!
Red Sox Continue to Surprise (Not Me)
In each post I have to talk about my team, just a little! And here’s the opportunity. The Red Sox are surprising most of their harshest critics this season getting off to a 17-13 start. They have been hitting and pitching like a contender this season with one of the best run differentials in baseball (+37) and the best team ERA in baseball (2.59.)
This is a formula for winning baseball. As well as beating teams they need to and keeping tougher games competitive. This week, the Sox have match ups with National League opponents. Even with these teams coming in hot, the Red Sox have been able to cool them right down. Torching the Cubs for 2 of 3 and handedly taking care of good buddy, Grand Slam Sam’s, Giants.
The Red Sox have built a team with great chemistry and a will to win. I have chronicled the somewhat disappointing off season of Boston previously, but it does seem like the message from GM Craig Breslow and Manager Alex Cora are not only in line, but being absorbed by this team.
I will continue to shout from the rooftops that this team is the best team of guys you’ve never heard of until, everyone knows their names!
Arggghhh! A Prospect to Watch
The 2023 MLB Draft #1 Overall pick, Paul Skenes, who shined in Spring Training for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is continuing to perform to expectation during the start of his season in the minors. It was speculated that Skenes had a great shot at making the team as camp broke, but the Pirates optioned him to the minors.
Well, his time in the minors may be short lived at this point as the #3 Overall Prospect in Baseball has performed as advertised. His 100+ MPH fastball seems to grow stronger as his outings go longer, and his command of the zone is evident. During his last outing he threw 53 of 75 pitches for strikes, with 7 K’s and retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he’s faced.
I’m excited to see this kid debut and help re-energize a team that has lost a bit of it’s momentum recently. He is not only going to bring an impressive pedigree with him, but he also bolsters one of the best mustaches in the game!
Baseball is getting good! Competition is tight in almost every division so far. There seems to be an influx of young talent and an almost reinvigorated excitement around the league. It’s a great time to be a fan. Keep an eye on the farm and an eye on the stats and as always, enjoy every bit!!