Baseball Connection

Christian Hackenberg is going to give baseball a try. Hackenberg was the New York Jets' 2nd round pick in 2016, but never appeared in an NFL game. With his football days seemingly over, he's going to try to become a Major League pitcher. He's reportedly throwing 90-92 mph, and his trainer believes Hackenberg could get up to 95 mph. All this on today's episode.

Everyone likes milestones. Big round numbers like 500 home runs or 3,000 hits certainly boost a player's resume. There have been many players who've come just short of major milestones. Would Fred McGriff have joined the 500 home run club if not for the 1994 strike? Johan Santana surely would've cleared 2,000 strikeouts if not for an injury-plagued career. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Let's take a look back at the 2013 MLB season. It's already been over seven years since David Ortiz delivered his powerful speech at Fenway Park in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing. The Red Sox rallied around that moment and went on to win the World Series that year. We realized Mike Trout was an all-time great. Mariano Rivera rode off into the sunset and the Dominican Republic had the most dominant World Baseball Classic team ever. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The MLB Draft has concluded with 160 players selected across 5 rounds. We saw some interesting selections on Day 2 of the draft, including the most recognizable/popular player in this class. All this on today's episode.

The MLB Draft kicked off on Wednesday with Spencer Torkelson going #1 overall to the Detroit Tigers. The Arizona State product is a power-hitting first baseman who's bat should carry him to the Majors. Vanderbilt's Austin Martin "fell" to #5 where the Blue Jays snagged him. Martin joins an exciting future nucleus in Toronto. What other surprises were there? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Unlike other sports, top draft picks in baseball aren't expected to contribute at the Major League level immediately. Most players still need further development and spend a few years in the Minor Leagues before being called up. Only 21 players have gone straight from the MLB Draft to the MLB. Who are they? All this on today's episode.

Denard Span has decided to hang up his cleats. The former centerfielder decided to call it a career after receiving a few offers that he found insulting. Span believes he can still play and he hit pretty well in his last season, but few teams are willing to dole out any real money to older players like him anymore. Span retires with more triples than home runs and was a solid leadoff guy. All this on today's episode.

As of now, no progress has been made towards having a 2020 MLB season. Players and owners are at odds over money. That's what it all comes down to. If there is a season, many believe it could be as short as 50 games. For a sport like baseball, that's not nearly enough to determine the top talent - but is it better than nothing? What would be the implications of no baseball this year? All this on today's episode.

When the Rays drafted Kevin Kiermaier in the 31st round of the 2010 MLB Draft, he wasn't expected to become a big leaguer. Most players who sign that late are just farm system fodder. Kiermaier has become a three-time Gold Glove winner and is the best defensive center fielder in baseball. He also signed a six-year deal for a cool $53.5 million. Not bad for a late-round flyer. All this on today's episode.

Something must be in the water at Harvard-Westlake School. The Los Angeles high school produced three of last year's breakout aces - Jack Flaherty, Lucas Giolito, and Max Fried. All three pitchers were high school teammates. But there's more. Two more Harvard-Westlake teammates will be selected early in next week's MLB Draft. All this on today's episode.