Fantasy Baseball: Introducing the 2026 Coca-Cola Kids B-Team (updated 6/28/26)

We are two weeks into the baseball season, and the Coca-Cola Kids B-Team is deep in it! The Kids B-Team plays in the UPCBaseball League, which is a high-maintenance league because the roster may change daily. That is a lot of days of changing rosters in a baseball season. I am excited for the Kids this year as they had a nice draft and feel good about the season for these players.

In fifteen weeks, I will create a new post offering my thoughts on the team as we enter the summer months. Until then, I will update this post with weekly match-up results and any roster changes that I make.

Week 1: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Anyone but the Cubs 9-5 “Kids Off to a Nice Start in 2026” (4th in League)

Week 2: Coca-Cola Kids (9-5-4) vs. Acuna Matada (7-7-4) 12-5 “Kids Pitching is Dominant in Win” (2nd in League)

Week 3: Coca-Cola Kids (21-10-5) vs. Bregging Rights (16-14-6) Match-up of the Week 10-4 “Kids Deliver a Balanced Attack Against Bregging Rights” (1st in League)

Week 4: Coca-Cola Kids (31-14-9) vs. Release the Kimbrel (33-16-5) Match-up of the Week 8-6 “Kids Bring a Balanced Attack to Sneak by Kimbrel”

Week 5: Coca-Cola Kids (39-20-13) vs. Gourmet by Gorman (28-31-13) Match-up of the Week 5-10 “Kid’s Bats Go Silent Against Gourmet”

Week 6: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Splendid Splinters Matchup of the Week 5-7 “Kid’s Pitching Falls Far Short!”

Week 7: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Underdawgs 6-10 “The Slide Continues for the Kid’s Ballclub”

Week 8: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Trot’s Cardinals 7-9 “Kids Cannot Find the Winning Way”

Week 9: Coca-Cola Kids vs. All Choked Up Matchup of the Week 7-11 “All Choked Up is the Better Team in Week 9”

Week 10: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Anyone but the Cubs 14-2 “Kids Come to Life!!”

Week 11: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Acuna Matada Matchup of the Week 8-7 “Kid’s Hitting Finds a Way To Win”

Week 12: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Bregging Rights 7-9 “Kids Can’t Finish Them Off in Week 12”

Week 13: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Release the Kimbrel Matchup of the Week 9-6 “Hitting Winning Ugly While Pitching is Struggling” (3rd in League)

Week 14: Coca-Cola Kids (107-91-36) vs. Gourmet by Gorman (117-84-33)  7-7  "Kids Draw Against 2nd Place Gourmet" 

2026 Coca-Cola Kids B-Team (updated 4/26/26)

C: Hunter Goodman, Colorado Rockies

1B: Munetaka Murakami, Chicago White Sox

2B: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

3B: Kevin McGonigle, Detroit Tigers

SS: Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels

OF: Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers

OF: Ronald Acuna Jr. Atlanta Braves

OF: Seiya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs

Util: Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves

Bench:

1B: Rafael Devers, San Francisco Giants

SS: Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs

C: Dillon Dingler, Detroit Tigers

Pitchers:

SP: Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees

SP: Freddie Peralta, New York Mets

SP: Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers

RP: Dennis Santana, Pittsburgh Pirates

RP: Robert Suarez, Atlanta Braves

P: Paul Sewald, Arizona Diamondbacks

P: Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

P: Erik Sabrowski, Cleveland Guardians

Bench:

SP: Shane Baz, Baltimore Orioles

SP: Kris Bubic, Kansas City Royals

IL: Carlos Estevez, Kansas City Royals

IL: Hunter Brown, Houston Astros

Fantasy Baseball is Back: Introducing the 2026 Coca-Cola Kids A-Team (Updated 6/28/26)

I always look forward to the baseball season to watch my Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers make a run for the World Series. I’ve been a fan of the Cubs since I was a tiny little child, and I have been a fan of the Tigers since 1984.

In 1988, I found a new reason to love the game, Fantasy Baseball. I have played on some iteration of fantasy baseball every year since the paper and pencil years, checking statistics in the USA Today every Tuesday to score, to my first online baseball league on Sandbox? or something like that. Now I play in two leagues, hence the A-team and B-team, and this is the 25th year I have had the Coca-Cola Kids A-Team in the League of the Gorgeous Rogues. At fifteen weeks, I will create a new post offering my thoughts on the team as we enter the summer months. Until then, I will update this post with weekly match-up results and any roster changes that I make.

Week 1: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Brutes FBC 2-15 “Kids off to a Bad Start…Horrible, Actually” (4th Division, 9th League)

Week 2: Coca-Cola Kids (2-15-3) vs. BrownTown (3-15-2) 5-11 “Things Couldn’t Be Much Worse for the Kids: Looking for a Turnaround” (5th Division, 10th League)

Week 3: Coca-Cola Kids (7-26-7) vs. Pacaya Chiltepes (17-17-6) 5-9 “Chiltepes Offense Too Much for the Kids” (5th Division, 10th League)

Week 4: Coca-Cola Kids (12-35-13) vs. Affianced Buddhas (30-24-6) 3-12 “Kids Offense Anemic as it Fails to Score”

Week 5: Coca-Cola Kids (15-47-18) vs. Fried Chicken Bucket (37-36-7) 7-11 “

Week 6: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Fried Chicken Bucket 9-9 “Kids Power Creates a Draw with Fried Chicken” (5th Division, 10th League)

Week 7: Coca-Cola Kids vs. ACEsymptomatic 3-17 “Kids Pitchers Miss Qualifying for Points by .1 Innings” (5th Division, 10th League)

Week 8: Coca-Cola Kids vs. The Mecca of Red Necka 8-9 “Kid’s Hitting Shows Up to Almost Cause a Draw”

Week 9: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Oxford Publicans 6-12 “Kid’s Pitching Doesn’t show Up This Week: 1 Point”

Week 10: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Orange Drink 11-8 “Pitching Still Struggles but Hitting Lifts Kids”

Week 11: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Oxford Publicans 13-6 “Kids Redeem Themselves from Week 9”

Week 12: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Brutes FBC 7-10 “Kid’s Pitchers Fall Just Short of Getting Win”

Week 13: Coca-Cola Kids vs. Pacaya Chiltepes 6-13 “Chiltepes Dominate Kids Across the Scoring Board”

Week 14: Coca-Cola Kids (85-142-33) vs. Affianced Buddhas (149-85-26)  9-9  "Kids Split Even with 1st Place Buddhas"  

Hope springs eternal at this point of the season, so here are the members of the Coca-Cola Kids A-Team (updated 4/26/26).

Position Players

C: Dillon Dingler, Detroit Tigers

1B: Kazuma Okamoto, Toronto Blue Jays

2B: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks (Keeper)

3B: Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds

SS: Andres Gimenez, Toronto Blue Jays

OF: Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (Keeper)

OF: Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

OF: Randy Arozarena, Seattle Mariners

Utility: Taylor Ward, Baltimore Orioles

Bench

OF: Rafael Devers, San Francisco Giants

C: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners (Keeper)

SS: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres

1B/2B: Kody Clemens, Minnesota Twins

Pitchers

SP: Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants

SP: Freddie Peralta, New York Mets

SP: Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies

SP: Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants

RP: Robert Suarez, Atlanta Braves

RP: Mason Montgomery, Pittsburgh Pirates

P: Caleb Thielbar, Chicago Cubs

P: Ranger Suarez, Boston Red Sox

Bench

RP: Pete Fairbanks, Miami Marlins

RP: Seranthony Dominguez, Chicago White Sox

IL: Carlos Estevez, Kansas City Royals

The World Baseball Classic Gets It Right

As I sit here watching the championship game of the World Baseball Classic between Team USA and Team Venezuela from Miami, Florida, USA, I couldn’t help getting drawn in by the opening ceremony.

In the US, these ceremonies are filled with celebrity performances of national anthems, seventh-inning stretches, and pregame performances. It is all fine, but to me, it distracts from what we are there to watch, a baseball game. This is where the World Baseball Classic (WBC) got it right.

The producers of the WBC had three clear goals. First, they wanted to celebrate baseball and the tournament. They did this with music, dance, and highlights of how we got to this evening’s game. For television viewers, we got graphics and video of each WBC host location, each highlighted with key game moments, accompanied by music fitting to each location. A country music intro for Houston, a Latin drum introduction for Puerto Rico, an Okedo-daiko (drum) with Bachi (wooden sticks) intro for Tokyo, and, of course, a party DJ introduction for Miami. This entire intro celebrated the game, the tournament, and put the “world” in World Baseball Classic.

Goal number two, the WBC celebrated the players as each team marched out from the outfield foul lines, with the team captains each carrying the flag of their country. Aaron Judge led Team USA as Salvador Perez led Team Venezuela. It was a slow march to home plate for each team as the players had their moment celebrating their achievement. Then, each starting lineup was introduced to the delight of the crowd, especially the Venezuelan fans, who American fans could learn a thing or two about baseball passion, myself included.

Finally, after team introductions, goal number three was met. Each national anthem was played to celebrate each country. No celebrity performances, they left that to the fans. It was a spectacular celebration of country pride on both sides.

It was a perfect set-up for what ended up being a great baseball game with Venezuela winning 3-2. I hope more classic sports games, such as the MLB All-Star Game, World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and others, use this as an inspirational model for celebrating their respective sports. Congratulations to Team Venezuela and the fans and people of Venezuela. They celebrated national pride through the game of baseball.  

Topps Bunt Top 5 of 25

This post finishes up the series of Top 5s of three Topps Digital platforms. The Topps Bunt sets are massive compared to Marvel Collect and Star Wars Card Trader. I found that it is much more challenging to pick a top 5 in Bunt than on the other platforms. Generally, I flip through my sets and add to the favorites that I already marked throughout the year. With Marvel and Star Wars, I usually end up with 8-9 favorites that I need to weed down to the top 5. With Topps Bunt, I had over 20 cards in the favorites that needed to whittle down to a top 5. I left a lot on the cutting room floor, but I hope you agree this is good top 5 list and as a bonus I always include my lowest card count card of the year. So, here we go with my top 5 Topps Bunt of 25.

5. Rickey Henderson, Topps Chrome 25, Series 1 - Ultraviolet All-Stars, Super Rare, Card Count 2515

This groovy card stands out! There isn’t a single player style that I don’t like, but Rickey Henderson is a classic. When a baseball card looks like the next baseball card, this one brings it. I love the classic action shot of Henderson with the circle cut-out with a face image, and his name shooting out of the top of the wavey checkerboard is his name Rickey Henderson.

4. Pete Crow Armstrong, Creature Feature 25, Series 1 - Moonlight, Rare, Card Count 11,355

Holiday cards are a ton of fun, and this creepy motion shot with the broken screen, static view, vampire castle in the background of this PCA card is great. What more is needed for some Halloween spooks?

4. Riley Greene, 12 Days of Topps 25, Special Event - Relic, Super Rare, Card Count 1,419

Seems like I made a mistake and have a tie. I mean, I did say it was hard to narrow down to the top 5. It is fitting however, because they are both special event, holiday cards. Like the Halloween card, this card is a motion with snow falling and every now and then Santa flies by on his sleigh pulled by reindeer. It even comes with a little present uniform patch in the card.

3. Tarik Skubal, Postseason Match-ups 25, Wild Card Round - Gold, Super Rare, Card Count 909

There is so much cool stuff happening on this card. First the text, making it feel like the playoffs with “The Matchups,” “Tigers Vs. Guardians,” and the Wildcard Logo. Yes! This is a playoff card! The feature player, Tarik Skubal, prominently displayed on the front and in the back a Guardians opponent waiting for the pitch. This design does exactly what it is supposed to do, build anticipation in the playoffs.

2. Greg Maddux, Icons of the MLB 25, Series 2 - Bronze, Uncommon, Card Count 25,780

Yes, clearly this top 5 is heavily dominated by Tigers and Cubs (don’t worry, #1 isn’t either). But, it really is more about the design of the card than the subject…until this card. This is all about the subject. I love this entire set that celebrates some of the best from the past like Carlos Delgado, Trevor Hoffman, Larry Walker, and Frank Thomas. I chose the Greg Maddux card because he is one of my top 3 pitchers of all time. I really like the late 1980s uniform and his high kick delivery. This card is also a motion card where the boarders slide in to frame the Icon of the past.

1. Squirrel, Topps Now 25, August - August 22, Uncommon, Card Count 24,041

I promised that the number one card of 2025 would not be a Tiger or Cub, so here you go, it is the cute squirrel that snuck into Yankee Stadium on August 22. I don’t recall if they caught him or he got away, but this Topps photographer caught the whole thing. This has to be one of the most unique cards celebrating the human or natural side of the game. It is my #1 Topps Bunt card of 2025.

Bonus Entry: Lowest Card Count of 2025

Jason Varitek, 1990 Topps Baseball 25, Series One - Gold Signature, Legendary (Super Premium Pack Exclusive), Limited Edition Count 50

A Sunday Morning Reflection

Bull Durham 1988
Annie Savoy and Crash Davis

I woke up on Sunday, November 2 thinking about baseball.  The 2025 World Series had wrapped up the night before less than 12 hours ago.  I can't think of any other team (maybe Milwaukee or St. Louis) who I wanted more to NOT win than the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Here we are, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the World Series Champs and not just the WS Champs but back to back WS champs.  Congrats to them and their fans.  I firmly believe that to win the World Series back-to-back is more difficult than any of the major U.S. team sports (NBA, NFL, NHL).  

When I think of baseball on a Sunday morning, I can't help but think about the Church of Baseball.  This is not my creation, the Church of Baseball.  It comes from perhaps the best baseball film of all time, Bull Durham. 

I believe in the Church of Baseball.  I've tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones.  And the only church that truly feeds the soul, day-in and day-out, is the Church of Baseball. 

         -Annie Savoy 

I woke up thinking about baseball and what a memorable season this has been for me.  It was an amazing first half of the season with the Cubs and Tigers leading the way in first place in their respective divisions.  Both teams giving us a peek at the future as both teams showed a youth movement as young players became team leaders.  Pete Crow Armstrong, Michael Busch, Matt Shaw, Cade Horton led by veterans Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, James Taillon, Matthew Boyd, Seiya Suzuki were impactful players for the Cubs.  Colt Keith, Trey Sweeney, Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter, Dillion Dingler, Casey Mize, Will Vest, Tarik  Skubal all emerged as players who make an impact for the Detroit Tigers.  While both teams struggled in the second half of the season, both went on to make the playoffs and both advanced to the NLDS and the ALDS.  I believe happy days are ahead. 

My thoughts returned to the World Series and what an amazing series it turned out to be.  Let's review: 

• Each team gets a win in games 1 and 2.
• An 18 inning Monday night game that the Dodgers win to go 2-1 in the series.
• The Blue Jays come back with two wins to make the series 3-2. 
• The Dodgers win in Toronto in Game Six to tie it up 3-3. 
• Game 7...let's recap
• Shohei Ohtani is the starting pitcher and bats leadoff for the Dodgers.
• Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer is the oldest (41 yrs) starting pitcher in WS game seven.
• Blue Jays objected to the more than 3 minutes Ohtani took between innings to start the inning.  
• Benches cleared in a shoving match situation after Gimenez is hit by pitch, the second time the Dodgers pitchers plunked him this World Series.  
• Light hitting Miguel Rojas ties the game for the Dodgers in the ninth with the  Blue Jays two outs from a World Series title. 
• Extra innings!  
• The Dodgers never led the game until the 11th inning.  
• Previous night's Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto closes out the game

No wonder my mind was still buzzing with baseball when I woke up Sunday morning.  An amazing  baseball season replayed itself in my mind filling my soul with the Church of Baseball.  

Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club makes the Playoffs

Semifinal (lower bracket):

Coca Cola Kids vs. Trot's Cardinals  10-5 "Kids Move Past Trot's Cardinals to make it to the Fifth Place Finals Matchup with Gourmet by Gorman" 

Finals (5th Place Match-up)

Coca Cola Kids vs. Gourmet by Gorman  7-8 "Kids Can't Hold the Lead and Drop the Final Contest to Gourmet by Gorman"  

6th Place finish

The Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club missed the top bracket of the playoffs with three games back.  It is disappointing as they spent the majority of the season in the top three spots of the league.  But, if you go back to the Week One opening back in April, you'd find that the Kids excel at mediocrity.  

If the Kids round out the bottom of the bracket with two wins and a fifth place finish, that is, well, right in the middle of this 10 team league.  Kinda feels, mediocre.  

Well, here is the line-up for the 2025 playoffs for the Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club: 

C: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

1B: Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves

2B: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

3B: Blaze Alexander, Arizona Diamondbacks

SS: Jose Pena, Houston Astros

OF: Siya Suzuki, Chicago Cubs

OF:  Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

OF: Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox

Util: Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians

Bench: Kyle Tucker, Chicago  Cubs

SP: Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres

SP: Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs

SP: Bryan Woo Seattle Mariners

RP: Ryan Helsley New York Mets

RP: Fernando Cruz, New York Yankees

RP: Luke Weaver, New York Yankees

BN: Jesus Luzardo Philadelphia Phillies

BN: Jason DeGrom Texas Rangers

BN: Carlos Vargas Seattle Mariners

IL: Kyle Stowers OF Miami Marlins

IL: Daniel Palencia, Chicago Cubs

Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club makes the Fantasy Playoffs

It was a season to remember for the Coca Cola Kids as they dominated the first half of the season.  Players that contributed to the historic first half are Cal Raleigh, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Josh Naylor, Katel Marte, Elly de la Cruz, Julio Rodriguez, Matthew Boyd, Jason Adams, Freddie Peralta and Shota Imanaga.  The Kids blew out teams week after week mid-July.  

July and August was a different story for the Kids.  As players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Elly de la Cruz, and the starting pitching went cold and players like Spencer Torkelson, and Bryson Stott cooled off the Kids' dominance ended.  They lost the last six weeks of the regular season, and their first place in the league.  

Some roster changes heading into the playoffs include bringing in Blaze Alexander 3B (Arizona), Mike Yastrzemski OF (Kansas City), Zach Gelof 2B (Las Vegas), Will Vest RP (Detroit) to help fill or back up some spots that have shown weakness in the last several weeks.  

The Kids did manage to hold onto, by a thread, the second spot in the playoffs, earning a first week bye.  This post will update the results of the playoffs for the Kids, so stay tuned. 

Until then, here are the regular season leaders for the Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club: 

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 94 - Elly De La Cruz

1B: 95 - Julio Rodriguez

2B: 34 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

3B: 6 - Elly De La Cruz

HR:  50 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 107 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  32 - Elly De La Cruz

BB:  81 - Cal Raleigh

K's: 160 - Cal Raleigh

Ave:  .291 - Ketel Marte

IP: 164.1 - Framber Valdez

W:  16 - Freddie Peralta

L: 13 - MacKenzie Gore

SV: 20 - Will Vest

Hits: 142 - MacKenzie Gore

BB: 58 - Freddie Peralta

K: 173 - MacKenzie Gore

HLD:  29 - Jason Adam

SP ERA:  2.58 - Freddie Peralta

RP ERA:  1.81 - Jason Adam

QS:  18 - Framber Valdez

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club Weeks 19-23

Week 19:  

Kids (162-123-39) vs. All Choked Up (174-119-31)  5-10 "Kids All Choked Up with 4 Weeks Before Playoffs" 

(5th League)  

Week 20: 

Kids (167-133-42) vs. Underdawgs (78-227-37)  9-5  "Kids Offense Comes Alive in Week 20" 

(4th League) 

Week 21: 

Kids (176-138-46) vs. Release the Kimbrel (179-141-40)  6-6  "Kids and Kimbrel Even Steven"

(4th League)

Week 22: 

Kids (182-144-52) vs. Trot's Cardinals (166-157-55) 8-7  "Kids Pull One Out Against Trot's" 

(4th League)

Week 23: 

Kids vs. Acuna Matada  7-10 "Kids Finish Regular Season with a Loss Heading into the Playoffs"

(5th League) 

B Team Weeks 13 - 18

B Team Weeks 7-12

B Team Weeks 1-6

As Week 19 begins, the Kids find themselves in a respectable 3rd place, which is the lowest they have found themselves this season.  Hitting has been up and down.  Power hasn't been a problem, but consistent singles and extra base hits have been lacking. Pitching has just been holding its own, but definitely needs to improve if the Kids are to be serious contenders in the playoffs.

Cal Raliegh continues to be the MVP of the year leading the team in home runs and runs batted in.  Kyle Schwarber could arguably be an MVP candidate as he leads the team in runs, walks and OPS.  From the mound, Jacob DeGrom definitely makes an impact, but our top pitcher is Bryan Woo from Seattle as he leads the team in innings pitched, WHIP and quality starts.     

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 80 - Kyle Schwarber

1B:  92 - Steven Kwan

2B:  28 - Matt Olson

3B: 4 - Kyle Tucker

HR:  45 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 98 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  24 - Kyle Tucker

BB:  78 - Kyle Schwarber

OPS: .957 - Kyle Schwarber

IP: 146.0 - Bryan Woo

W:   11 - tie Jesus Luzardo / Nick Pivetta

CG: 0

SV: 21 - Ryan Helsley

K:  151 - Jesus Luzardo

HLD:  14 - Carlos Vargas

SP ERA:  2.86 - Jacob DeGrom

RP ERA:  1.73 - Daniel Palencia

SP WHIP: 0.95 - tie Jacob DeGrom / Bryan Woo

RP WHIP:  0.83 - Luke Weaver

QS:  17 - Bryan Woo

Here is the team roster as of the beginning of Week 19: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Matt Olson, Braves

2B: Mookie Betts, Dodgers

3B: Willi Castro, Cubs

SS: Jeremy Pena, Astros

OF: Kyle Schwarber, Phllies

OF: Seiya Suzuki, Cubs

OF: Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox

Utility: Kyle Stowers, Marlins

Bench: Steven Kwan, Guardians

Bench: Kyle Tucker, Cubs

SP: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP: Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays

SP: Jacob DeGrom, Rangers

RP: Ryan Helsley, Cardinals

RP: Daniel Palencia, Cubs

P: Carlos Vargas, Mariners

P  Luke Weaver, Yankees

P: Nick Pivetta, Padres

Bullpen: Bryan Woo, Mariners

Bullpen: Lucas Giolito, Red Sox

Bullpen: Jesus Luzardo, Phillies

IL: Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves

Players Added Weeks 7-12

Kyle Stowers, OF Marlins

Luke Weaver, RP Yankees

Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox

This post will be updated at the beginning of each week through Week 23.  

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club Weeks 19-21(Regular Season Concluded)

Week 19: 

Kids (174-140-46) vs. Pacaya Chiltepes (172-156-32)  8-12 "Kids Losing the Fizz Down the Stretch"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 20: 

Kids (182-152-46) vs. ACEsymptomatic (165-186-29)  7-12  "Kids Relinquish First Place for the First Time this Season"

(1st Division, 2nd League)

Week 21: 

Kids (189-164-47) vs. BrownTown (186-172-42) 8-9  "Kids Stumble into the Playoffs"

(1st Division, 2nd League)  

  

A Team Weeks 13-18

A Team Weeks 7-12

A Team Weeks 1-6

The Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club still sits in first place in the league, but the dominance is no longer the norm.  During the weeks 13-18 stretch, the Kids are 54-50.  Winning record?  Yes.  Winning enough?  No.  The rest of the league has advanced, and three teams are within 5 games back.  Cal Raliegh and Elly De La Cruz have continued to lead the team.  Pete Crow-Armstrong has gone stone-cold with the bat as Julio Rodriguez had heated up.  Overall, pitching has gone soft, especially the starters.  MacKenzie Gore has lost his touch as the hits and walks have skyrocketed and strikeouts have dropped.  Shota Imanaga has been the best pitcher in this stretch.  

Randy Arozarena has been the top pick-up in the last six weeks.  His solid play has helped to balance out some losses and dropping numbers in other areas.  

Team Leaders after 18 Weeks:

Runs: 82 - Elly De La Cruz

1B: 81 - Elly De La Cruz

2B: 31 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

3B: 4 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

HR:  45 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 98 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  31 - Elly De La Cruz

BB:  69 - Cal Raleigh

K's: 140 - Cal Raleigh

Ave:  .292 - Josh Naylor

IP: 145.2 - Framber Valdez

W:  13 - Freddie Peralta

L: 12 - MacKenzie Gore

SV: 6 - Ronny Henriquez

Hits: 129 - MacKenzie Gore

BB: 49 - tie Framber Valdez/Freddie Peralta

K: 158 - MacKenzie Gore

HLD:  27 - Jason Adam

SP ERA:  2.45 - Matthew Boyd

RP ERA:  1.51 - Randy Rodriquez

QS:  16 - Framber Valdez

Team roster as of the beginning of Week 19: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks

2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks

3B: Jorge Polanco, Mariners

SS:  Bryson Stott, Phillies

OF: Randy Arozarena, Mariners

OF: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

OF: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers

Utility: Elly De La Cruz, Reds

Bench: Matt Shaw, Cubs

Bench:  Spencer Torkelson, Tigers

Bench: Michael Busch, Cubs

Bench: Pete Crow Armstrong, Cubs

IL: Isaac Paredes, Astros

SP: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP: Michael Boyd, Cubs

SP: Framber Valdez, Astros

SP: Freddy Peralta, Brewers

RP: Reed Garrett, Mets

RP: Jason Adam, Padres

P: Ronny Henriquez, Marlins

P: Lucas Giolito, Red Sox

Bullpen: MacKenzie Gore, Nationals

Bullpen: Randy Rodriguez, Giants

Players Added Weeks 13-18

Jorge Polanco, 3B Mariners

Ronny Henriquez, RP Marlins

Lucas Giolito, SP Red Sox

This post will be updated at the beginning of each week through week 20.

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Baseball Club Weeks 13-18

Week 13: 

Kids (111-81-24) vs. Trot's Cardinals (104-83-29)  13-4  "Kids Handle Trot's in Week 13"  

(3rd League)

Week 14: 

Kids  vs.  Acuna Matada  8-6 "Offence Carries the Kids in Week 14" 

(2nd League)

Week 15: 

Kids (132-91-29) vs. you have to C it (134-91-27)  6-10  "Kids Overpowered by you have to c it"

(2nd League)

Week 16: 

Kids (138-101-31) vs. Gourmet by Gorman (135-102-33)  8-8  "Kid's Hitters fall Short in Week 16"

(4th in League) 

Week 17: 

Kids (146-109-33) vs. Anyone but the Cubs (89-179-28)  11-6  "Pitching Dominates in Week 17"

Week 18: 

Kids vs. Splendid Splinters

B Team Weeks 7-12

B Team Weeks 1-6

Entering Week 13, the Kids are still in good shape, but they have bounced around the standings from 1st place to as low as 6th place in the league with inconsistent play.  Other teams in the league have discovered if they can continually slot starting pitchers in throughout the week, and pile on the innings, they can beat the Kids.  I don't play that game.  I post the best team I can without dropping and picking up pitchers because they start that day.  

Enough complaining, the Kids offense is keeping them competitive each week and the front office hopes the pitching staff can win categories not dependent on massive amounts of innings like era, wins, holds and quality starts.  The Kids have gotten really steady work from their top 3 starters Schwellenbach, DeGrom, Luzardo with Imanaga coming off the IL supposedly this week.  

At the plate, Raleigh is the team's MVP so far with Tucker, Suzuki and Schwarber close behind.  Those four are solidly supported with numbers from Pena, Betts, Olson, and Kwan.  Front office is really looking forward to some exciting play and speed on the bases from Caballero.  

Team Leaders after 13 Weeks:

Runs: 57 - Kyle Schwarber 

1B: 71 - Jeremy Pena

2B: 19 - Seiya Suzuki

3B: 4 - Kyle Tucker

HR:  31 -  Cal Raleigh

RBI: 66 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  18 - Kyle Tucker

BB:  55 - Kyle Schwarber

OPS: 1.042  Cal Raleigh

IP: 976.2 - Spencer Schwellenbach

W:   - Tie  Jacob DeGrom, Jesus Luzardo and Nick Pivetta

CG: 1 - Spencer Schwellenbach

SV: 14 - Ryan Helsley

K: 104- Jesus Luzardo

HLD:  9 - Carlos Vargas

SP ERA:  2.24  Jacob DeGrom

RP ERA:  1.71  Luke Weaver

SP WHIP: 0.92 Jacob DeGrom

RP WHIP:  0.80 Luke Weaver

QS:  11 - Spencer Schwellenbach

Here is the team roster as of the beginning of Week 13: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Matt Olson, Braves

2B: Mookie Betts, Dodgers

3B: Jose Caballero, Rays

SS: Jeremy Pena, Astros

OF: Kyle Schwarber, Phllies

OF: Seiya Suzuki, Cubs

OF: Steven Kwan, Guardians

Utility: Kyle Tucker, Cubs

Bench: Willi Castro, Twins

Bench: Spencer Torkelson, Tigers

SP: Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves

SP: Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays

SP: Jacob DeGrom, Rangers

RP: Ryan Helsley, Cardinals

RP: Daniel Palencia, Cubs

P: Carlos Vargas, Mariners

P  Jesus Luzardo, Phillies

P: Nick Pivetta, Padres

Bullpen: Bryan Woo, Mariners

IL:  Tylor Megill, Mets

IL: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

Players Added Weeks 7-12

Josh Jung, 3B Rangers

Daniel Palencia, RP Cubs

Carlos Vargas, RP Mariners

Jo Adel, OF Angels

Jose Caballero, Rays

This post will be updated at the beginning of each week through Week 18.  

 

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club Weeks 13-18

Week 13: 

Kids (122-90-28) vs. Brutes FBC (106-113-21)  9-8  "Kids Hold off the Brutes Rush"  

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 14: 

Kids  vs. Fried Chicken Bucket 12-5 "Kids Flex Their Muscles with 21 Home Runs vs Fried Chicken Bucket"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 15

Kids (143-103-34) vs. BrownTown (127-120-33) 10-8  "Kids Overcome Strong Pitching from Browntown"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 16

Kids (153-111-36) vs. Orange Drink (122-148-30)  9-11  "Starting Pitching Goes Flat for the Coca-Cola Kids"  

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 17

Kids (161-122-37) vs. BrownTown (145-136-39)  8-8  "Kid's Bats Go Cold Against the Brutes FBC"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 18

Kids vs. The Mecca of Red Necka  6-10  "The Kids Have Lost The Winning Way"

(1st Division, 1st League)

A Team Weeks 7-12

A Team Weeks 1-6

The Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club finds themselves in territory they haven't seen in quite some time, first place at the end of June.  The season has settled in and the blowouts have become more rare unlike the first six weeks.  At the end of twelve weeks, the season MVP is emerging to be Cal Raleigh with Pete Crow-Armstrong a close second.  The Kids manager is happy to see Marte return from the IL picking up where he left off, and the steady play of Josh Naylor.  Front office went to the waiver wire to get a couple reliable outfield bats as Crow-Armstrong and Rodriguez's bats have shown a steady cool down.  They picked up Adolis Garcia from the Rangers and Randy Arozarena from the Mariners.  Both got off to slow 

(starts this season, but have shown an uptick in stats recently.  

The starting pitchers have been steady.  The team is looking forward to having Shota Imanaga back, but relief pitching has been a struggle and revolving door all year.  The Kids are fine to target either saves or holds, but the relief staff is not accruing either.  Expect to see a relief pitching staff turn over in the next six weeks.  

Team Leaders after 12 Weeks:

Runs: 60 - Elly De La Cruz

1B: 59 - Josh Naylor 

2B: 17 - Tie, Josh Naylor and Pete Crow-Armstrong

3B: 3 - Tie, Julio Rodriguez, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch

HR:  31 - Cal Raleigh

RBI: 66 - Cal Raleigh

SB:  23 - Pete Crow-Armstrong

BB:  45 - Cal Raleigh

K's: 87 -  Elly De La Cruz

Ave:  .310 - Ketel Marte

IP: 96 - Framber Valdez

W:  8 - Framber Valdez

L: 7  - MacKenzie Gore 

SV: 2 - Reed Garrett

Hits: 84 - MacKenzie Gore

BB: 34 - Freddie Peralta

K: 123 - MacKenzie Gore

HLD:  17 - Jason Adam

SP ERA:  2.76 Freddy Peralta

RP ERA:  0.79 - Randy Rodriguez

QS:  11 - Framber Valdez

Team roster as of the beginning of Week 13: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks

2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks

3B: Isaac Paredes, Astros

SS:  Elly De La Cruz, Reds

OF: Adolis Garcia, Rangers

OF: Pete Crow Armstrong, Cubs

OF: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers

Utility: Michael Busch, Cubs

Bench: Matt Shaw, Cubs

Bench: Bryson Stott, Phillies

Bench:  Spencer Torkelson, Tigers

Bench: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

Bench: Randy Arozarena, Mariners

SP: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP: Michael Boyd, Cubs

SP: Framber Valdez, Astros

SP: Freddy Peralta, Brewers

RP: Randy Rodriguez, Giants

RP: Jason Adam, Padres

P: Steven Cruz, Royals

P: MacKenzie Gore, Nationals

Bullpen: Reed Garrett

Players Added Weeks 7-12

Patrick Meadows, OF Tigers

Randy Rodriguez, RP Giants

Reed Garrett, RP Mets

Steven Cruz, RP Royals

Chris Paddack, Twins

Randy Arozarena, Mariners

Adolis Garcia, Rangers

This post will be updated at the beginning of each week through week 18.  

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Baseball Club Weeks 7-12

The Kids are off to a great start in 2025.  Even after a blowout loss in Week 6, they are still 21 wins over losses (63-42-15).  Two key players on the team are currently on the IL, SP Shota Imanaga and OF Teoscar Hernandez.  Both of these players have been key in the Coca Cola Kids hot start.  The Kids are also waiting for OF Garrett Mitchell to come off the IL too.  

It seems that the top comeback player of the year candidate, Spencer Torkelson, is beginning to cool off after his hot start.  But Torkelson is tied in team lead in doubles (11) for the Kids, second on the team in both runs scored (28) and RBI (33) and among team leaders in home runs (10).  

The Kids management did well with their Keepers from last season.  Elly De La Cruz leads the team in stolen bases with 14 and is among team leaders in runs scored (26) and hits (29).  Cal Raleigh has been pounding the ball in April and May.  He leads the team in Home Runs (12) and walks (27) and is among the leaders in runs scored (26).  Julio Rodriguez is the most pedestrian from last year's keepers.  It didn't seem that he could have as dismal a season as last year, so it seemed worth the risk to keep him.  It isn't paying off quite as much as management had hoped, but his numbers are strong enough to call it a win so far.  He leads the team in triples (2) and is among team leaders in runs scored (27).  The team would like to see more in the power and speed categories, but we will take slow and steady in his performance.  

Pete Crow-Armstrong is the MVP and RoY for the team in the first six weeks.  He leads the team in runs scored (31), tied for first in doubles (11), and second on the team in stolen bases (13).  Additionally, Crow-Armstrong is among team leaders in home runs (10) and runs batted in (28). 

Here is the team roster as of the beginning of Week 7: 

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Michael Busch, Cubs

2B: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks

3B: Isaac Paredes, Astros

SS: Elly De La Cruz, Reds

OF: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

OF: Pete Crow Armstrong, Cubs

OF: Kerry Carpenter, Tigers

Utility: Spencer Torkelson, Tigers

Bench: Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks

Bench: Bryson Stott, Phillies

Bench: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers (IL)

Bench: Pete Crow Armstrong, Cubs

Bench: Ozzie Albies, Braves

IL: Garrett Mitchell, Brewers

NA: Matt Shaw, Cubs

SP: Luis Severino, A's

SP: Michael Boyd, Cubs

SP: Framber Valdez, Astros

SP: Freddy Peralta, Brewers

RP: Luke Weaver, Yankees

RP: Jason Adam, Padres

P: Fernando Cruz, Yankees

P: MacKenzie Gore, Nationals

Bullpen: Kirby Yates, Dodgers

IL: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

Picked up in the first six weeks: 

Spencer Torkelson 1B

Ozzie Albies 2B

Michael Boyd  SP

Fernando Cruz RP

See Weeks 1-6 Here

Week 7: 

Kids vs. BrownTown  10-7 "A Balanced Offense and Pitching Attack brings Win for Kids"  

(1st Division, 1st League) 

Week 8: 

Kids (73-49-18) vs. Oxford Publicans (57-65-18) 12-5 "Publicans Offense Can't Keep Up with the Kids"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 9: 

Kids (85-54-21) vs. ACEsymptomatic (57-88-15) 10-9  "The Kids Squeak One Out Against ACE" 

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 10: 

Kids (95-63-22) vs. Orange Drink (71-88-21)  9-11  "Kid's Pitching Can't Keep It Together for Loss"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 11:  

Kids (104-74-22) vs. Pacaya Chilitepes (88-90-22)  10-8  "Kid's Win with Balanced Attack"  

(1st Division, 1st League) 

Week 12:  

Kids (114-82-24) vs. Tuffy's Tamaskan Buddhas (101-88-31)  8-8 "Kids Come From Behind to Tie It Up"  

(1st Division, 1st League) 

Head over to Weeks 13-18

Fantasy Baseball: Coca Cola Kids "B Team" Weeks 1-6

Okay, so "B Team" implies the second best.  That is not the case here.  It is simply the designation between one team and another.  Last week, I wrote about the Coca Cola Kids "A Team" fantasy baseball team that is part of the League of Gorgeous Rogues.  You can read that and keep up with the "A Team" weekly RIGHT HERE  

This week the focus is on the Coca Cola Kids "B Team."  The B is a part of the UPCbaseball league which has been in existence since 2010, and the Kids best league finish is 3rd place which they finished in 2011.  They have finished 4th in the league twice (2012 and 2017).  Like the "A Team," the kids are professors of mediocrity.  

This league is a high maintenance league as managers can make adjustments to the team daily.  Managing two clubs, as the owner, there just isn't the time to do daily changes.  Nonetheless, the Kids fight every day and thank the baseball gods for the opportunity to play ball!

Here is the 2025 Roster of the Coca Cola Kids "B Team"

C: Cal Raleigh, Mariners

1B:  Matt Olson, Braves

2B:  Andres Gimenez, Blue Jays

3B: Willi Castro, Twins

SS:  Mookie Betts, Dodgers

OF:  Kyle Tucker, Cubs

OF:  Kyle Schwarber, Phillies

OF:  Kerry Carpenter, Tigers

Utility: Seiya Suzuki, Cubs

Bench: Jeremy Pena, Astros

Bench: Jackson Merrill, Padres

Bench: Willy Adames, Giants

SP:  Jason DeGrom, Rangers

SP:  Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP:  Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves

RP:  Ryan Helsley, Cardinals

RP:  Jordan Romano, Phillies

P:     Bryan Woo, Mariners

P:    Tylor Megill, Mets

P:     Nick Pivetta, Padres

Bullpen: Jesus Luzardo, Phillies

Bullpen:  Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays

The Kids B have gotten off to a hot start in the 2025 season.  Week 1 found them  cruising to a win 12-5 over the All Choked Up club.  That win placed the Kids B in 3rd place after week one behind the Splendid Splinters and Gourmet by Gorman.  

Follow this post as it will be updated weekly with each match-up Weeks 1-6.   

Week 1:

Kids vs All Choked Up 12-5 (3rd in League) "Kids Power Win with 22 HR in Week 1"

Week 2: 

Kids vs Unerdawgs  13-3  (1st in League)   "Kids Dominate" 

Week 3: 

Kids vs. Release the Kimbrel  8-7 (2nd in League) "Kids offence with .800 OPS in Win" 

Week 4: 

Trot's Cardinals vs. Kids  7-10 (3rd in League)  "Kids Offense Cools Off to Finish May" 

Week 5: 

Kids vs. Acuna Matada  9-7 (2nd in League)  "Offense Flexes Muscle with 17 HR, .932 OPS" 

Week 6: 

Kids vs. you have to C it  5-12 (3rd in League) "Kids Slip in Standings after Big Loss"  

See Weeks 6-12 Here

Fantasy Baseball 2025: The Coca Cola Kids "A Team" Weeks 1-6

Smell the Earth reawakening as winter begins to thaw!  That means only one thing...Baseball season is here!  As of this writing, both the Cubs and Tigers are playing well in April.  That just makes my day!  

Baseball season also means Fantasy Baseball is here too.  The Coca Cola Kids have been around since 1988 and the Kids have and A team and a B team in two different leagues.  The Kids A team has been in action since 2005 in the ball league, League of the Gorgeous Rogues.  In 20 years of playing fantasy ball in The League of the Gorgeous Rogues, the Kids have been Champions twice (2026, 2013) and third place twice (2007, 2021).  The rest of the seasons are mostly less than mediocre, but we have fun anyway.  

The Coca Cola Kids B team plays in the UPC Baseball league.  The UPC Baseball league has been in existence since 2010.  In that time the Kids have never won the league, but took a 3rd place finish in 2011. 

Both leagues are super competitive with active players, but the UPC league is high maintenance with daily team adjustments as options where as the Rogues league has weekly roster adjustments.  

So allow me to introduce, from the League of the Gorgeous Rogues, the 2025 Coca Cola Kids A team:

C: Cal Raleigh Mariners

1B: Josh Naylor, Diamondbacks

2B: Bryson Stott, Phillies

3B: Maikel Garcia, Royals

SS: Elly De La Cruz, Reds

OF: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

OF: Teoscar Hernandez, Dodgers

OF: Kerry Carpenter, Tigers

Utility: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks

Bench: Isaac Paredes, Astros

Bench: Pete Crow Armstrong, Cubs

Bench: Garrett Mitchell, Brewers

Bench: Michael Bush, Cubs

Bench: Zach Gelof, A's

SP: Dylan Cease, A's

SP: Shota Imanaga, Cubs

SP: Framber Valdez, Astros

SP: Freddy Peralta, Brewers

RP: Kirby Yates, Dodgers

RP: Jason Adam, Padres

P: Luis Severino, A's

P: MacKenzie Gore, Nationals

Bullpen: Luke Weaver, Yankees

After the first weekend of baseball, the Kids snatched up undrafted Tigers infielder, Spencer Torkleson, which, so far, has paid off really well. 

After week 1, The Kids are in first place of the North Division with a 12-4-4 record.  First place overall belongs to the Oxford Publicans with a 16-3-1 record. 

It is a great start to what The Kids are hoping to be a great season!  

Week 1: 

Kids vs. Tuffy's Tamaskan Buddhas 12-4 "Kids Offense Dominates with 17 HR, 56 RBI"

(1st Division, 2nd League)  

Week 2: 

Kids vs. Pacaya Chiltepes 9-9 "Kids Come from Behind to Secure Tie"  

(2nd Division, 3rd League) 

Week 3: 

Kids vs ACEsymptomatic 11-8 "Offense Comes Alive while the Kid's Pitching Holds the Wins"

Week 4: 

Kids vs. Fried Chicken Bucket  15-3 "Kids Dominate as De La Cruz and Crow-Armstrong Heat Up"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 5: 

Kids vs. Oxford Publicans  12-3 "Kids Pitchers post 5 Wins, 2.63 ERA to Dominate the Week"

(1st Division, 1st League)

Week 6: 

Kids vs. The Mecca of Red Necka  4-15 "Kids Suffer First Lost in Grand Style!"  

(1st Division, 1st League) 

See the new post for Weeks 6 - 12 here.  

 

2022 Coca Cola Kids Fantasy Baseball Team

We are a couple weeks into the new Major League Baseball season so it seems appropriate to introduce you to this year's Coca-Cola Kids Fantasy Baseball Team.  Established in 1988 as a National League Rotisserie Baseball Club, but then upgraded to an online team in the mid-1990s on Sandbox, the Kids enter their 34th season of fantasy baseball.  The Kids joined their current league, the League of the Gorgeous Rogues, in 2003 and took 7th place.  Since then the Kids won the championship twice in 2006 and 2013.  In 2021, the Kids shocked everyone in the playoffs to finish third, the only sub .500 team in the playoffs. They have finished last more times than they would like to admit, however.  Enough history, it is time to look forward to the 2022 baseball season. 

Each year teams in the league may keep up to three players from the past season. The Kids elected to keep: Brian Reynolds, Outfield, Pittsburg; Javier Baez, shortstop, Detroit; Kris Bryant, third base, Colorado.  Brian Reynolds quietly put together a good season last year and both Bryant and Baez are with new teams this year with promise to have really good years.   

Here is how the remainder roster shakes out after the draft: 

C:  Eric Haas, Detroit Tigers

1B:  Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

2B:  Jonathan India, Cincinnati Reds

3B: Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies

SS: Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers 

OF1: Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox

OF2: Brian Reynolds, Pittsburg Pirates

OF3: Cedric Mullins, Baltimore Orioles

Utlility:  Shohei Ohtani, Los Angels Angels

SP:  Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox 

SP: Robbie Ray, Seattle Mariners

SP: Tyler Mahle, Cincinnati Reds

SP: Yu Darvish, San Diego Padres

RP: Gregory Soto, Detroit Tigers

RP: Michael Kopech, Chicago White Sox

P:  Diego Castillo, Tampa Bay Rays 

P:  Marcus Stroman, Chicago Cubs

Bench: Chris Taylor, 2b, 3b, SS, OF, LA Dodgers; J.P. Crawford, SS, Seattle Mariners; Jarred Kelenic, OF, Seattle Mariners; Austin Meadows, OF, Detroit Tigers; Justin Steele, SP, Chicago Cubs; Yimi Garcia, RP, Toronto Blue Jays; Casey Mize, SP, Detroit Tigers. 

If you are counting, there are more players than our 23 man roster.  That is because three players are already on the 10-Day Injured List.  

At posting, the Kids are currently in 9th place (out of 10 teams) and are looking to use the benefit of a long season to catch up!  Anyway it turns out, it will be a great season of baseball.  

My Top 5 Most Exciting MLB Players to Watch

This baseball season has, in short, been amazing! There are teams that are exceeding expectations like the San Francisco Giants, the Chicago Cubs, and the Tampa Bay Rays.  There are players who we expected to be amazing and exciting like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Dante Bichette.  There are players who have made incredible comebacks like Trey Mancini and Kris Bryant.  And, there are players who have popped onto the scene like Yermin Mercedes and Akil Badoo.  

I love the game of baseball for the competition and the loyalty of cheering for a team, but one aspect of the game I really enjoy is seeing postive individual achievement contribute to the overall team success. Here are the Top 5 players I am most excited to watch and follow at this point in the season.  

#5  Matthew Boyd  Detroit Tigers

He doesn't throw 100 mph.  He doesn't have a sub 1 ERA. He doesn't have the flash and flair that East Coast and West Coast team aces have, but Matthew Boyd gets the job done.  He also does it on a pretty bad Detroit Tigers team.  His record isn't great 3-6 but his ERA is respectable at 3.36.  He averages just under 6 innings a start, so he is keeping his team in the game every time he goes out there.  I enjoy his poise on the mound, and I love cheering for the underdog.  To me, Matthew Boyd is an old-school, "get the job done," pitcher who is fun to watch.  

#4  Kris Bryant  Chicago Cubs

Bryant won't win MVP as some have talked about, but he certainly should be considered for a comeback player candidate.  He is a significant part of the resurgence of the Chicago Cubs.  He is batting .297 with 13 HR and 39 RBI, but what is even more valuable about this guy is his positive presence on the field and in the clubhouse.  I really like it when I see Bryant in the line-up.  

#3  Brandon Crawford San Franciso Giants

Catcher Buster Posey is getting all the press and should be in consideration for the comeback player along with Bryant, but Brandon Crawford is who I like to watch when staying up late for a West Coast game.  Add this guy to the "All Dirt Team."  He is always getting his hands, jersey and hat dirty while making some really amazing plays look easy.  It feels like he has been patroling that space between second and third forever, but this nine-year veteran gets it done not only in the field, but also with his bat.  Even though his average is .251, his hits always seem to come at clutch moments.  He has also sent 14 HR's into the seats and knocked in 41 RBI.  Stay up late to see this guy play in the bay.  

#2  Cedric Mullins Baltimore Orioles

Once again, here is another guy who is getting overshadowed by a comeback player.  But if you look quickly, you will catch this center fielding, lead-off hitter in Baltimore.  It seems like every time I catch the MLB Instagram Reel, there is Cedric Mullins with a stolen base, home run or amazing running catch.  This guy is fast, skilled, and fun to watch.  

#1  Fernando Tatis Jr.  San Diego Padres

It isn't an exciting pick (he leads everyone's lists), but he is an exciting player to watch.  You never know what you will see with Tatis Jr.  Will he do something to challenge the baseball norms?  Will he pick a scorching line drive or make an off-balance throw for an out?  Will he simply "jack" the ball out of the park and let everyone know about it with a styled bat-flip?  Somehow, even when FTJ does something ordinary, it has a flair that just makes him special.