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.   

Fantasy Baseball: June 1 Update

The Major League Baseball season is in full swing!  It is June 1, and it seems like a good time, being 1/3 of the way into the season, to do a Fantasy Baseball check-in.  If you missed the opening post from April 11, check it out here.  That the Kid's manager's thoughts at the top of the season and a look at the team as it was drafted.  

Here is the roster of The Coca Cola Kids on June 1: 

C: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

1B: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox

2B: Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies

3B: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

SS: Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

OF: Nick Castellanos, Cincinatti Reds

OF: Trey Mancini Baltimore Orioles

OF: Nick Solak, Texas Rangers

Utility: Javy Baez, Chicago Cubs

SP: Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox

SP: Nick Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox

SP: Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers

SP: Michael Pineda, Minnesota Twins

RP: Yimi Garcia, Miami Marlins

RP: Alex Reyes, St. Louis Cardinals

P: Giovanny Gallegos, St. Louis Cardinals

P: Tejay Antone, Cincinatti Reds

Bench: Adalberto Mondesi, SS Royals; Josh Rojas, 2B, SS, OF Diamondbacks; Brian Reynolds, OF Pirates; Gavin Lux, 2B, SS Dodgers; Luis Garcia, SP Astros; Diego Castillo, P Rays; Michael Kopech P, White Sox.

Injured List: Luis Robert, OF White Sox; KeBryan Hayes 3B, Pirates; Ryan Jeffers, C Twins.

The Coca Cola Kids have taken their beatings early in the season, but as the weather is heating up so are the Kids.  Just 2 weeks ago, the Kids were sitting in 9th place several games under the .500 mark thinking it would be time to start looking at buyers for some draft picks next year, but then the hitting and pitching have come around.  The team is really coming together.

An early-season trade giving up Ketel Marte and Michael Kopech for Ryan McMahon and Eddie Rosario, worked out well as Marte is on the DL, Kopech was dropped by the team picked back up by the Kids.  Kopech is a nice back-up on the bench and Ryan McMahon took the starting 2B position and  hit really well in May!  The Kids did pick up Nick Solak and a hot-hitting Gavin Lux as bench back-up  if McMahon cools off or there are injuries. 

The Kids also picked up Trey Mancini off the waiver wire early in May and dropped Ian Happ who is difficulty finding his stroke from last season.  Mancini has been the hottest hitter on an Orioles team who is having a hard time winning games this season.  

The Injured List has been tough on the Kids this season with Jose Abreu, Buster Posey, Kris Bryant and Javy Baez all hitting the Day-to-Day status or 10-day injured list.  Mondesi, second-round pick, Luis Robert, and keeper from last season Ke'Bryan Hayes have been out almost the entire season.  Mondesi just came off the list on May 31. 

As of June 1, the Kids currently sit in 6th place overall in the league and 3rd place in their division.  They have managed to bring their record above .500 with a record of 75-69-16.  They are 8.5 games out of first place.  The last two weeks they won their match-ups 11-5-4 and 13-6 respectively against current 9th and 5th place teams.  The first week of June the Kids face off against the current 4th place team.  This will be a good test, and the Kids manager will be looking to see where the team is deficient against upper-tier teams.  Stay tuned for another Fantasy Baseball update in July.  

Marvel The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary Covers by Chris Sprouse

One of my favorite things, when I visit my local comic shop, is finding something I don't expect.  A couple weeks ago, I stopped in to get my pull list and took a look around at what was new.  That is when my eyes fell upon this unexpected comic book with Yoda on the cover!  Upon further exploration, this book is a collection of The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary covers by Chris Sprouse.  Flipping through the book, there is a collection of cover art that follows a chronological order of The Empire Strikes Back.  Wow, this was an easy choice to add to my stack of comics.  What a surprise!  

When I got home, I pulled out this issue from the collection of books I purchased and flipped through the cover images.  I have included a few of my favorite images below in this post.  At the back of the book is an interview with Eisner Award-winning illustrator, Chris Sprouse by Jess Harrold.  The interview covers topics such as how were the drawn moments chosen, who was Sprouse's favorite character to draw, among other subjects.  What really caught my eye is the interview includes a number of original sketches Sprouse used to develop the covers.  I always enjoy seeing the evolution of an artist's works, because for years as a child or even a teen, I thought those artists just drew that final art in one sitting.  It never dreamed to me that there is a process of multiple sketches that lead to the final art that appears on a cover.  If nothing else, it brings much more appreciation to the work that goes into each cover and page of a comic book. 

If you have the opportunity to pick up this issue for yourself, I highly recommend it.  It is well worth the price tag to have a special edition of an award-winning artist's work in a collection.    

"Han and Leia" Star Wars (2020) #6

"The Emperor" Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #5

"The Deal" Star Wars (2020) #10

"Full of Surprises" Star Wars: Darth Vader #10

Bad Batch Check-in Episodes 1-3

I have been impressed with the Bad Batch in Episodes 1-3, but episode 3 left me feeling a little empty.  While I would agree that there are several important moments, I feel like I am looking for a purpose for the Clone Force 99.  They picked up Omega and want to bring Crosshair back but how and what's next? 

It is becoming clear that while Omega is young and just learning to be confident in herself away from the comforts of Kamino, she is quite capable and special.  She chases after the Ordo Moon Dragon to acquire the capacitor after Hunter loses consciousness when his respirator falls off.  She uses her tracking (maybe an enhanced ability?) and her smarts to find and evade/distract the moon dragon.  She even uses what she learns from the Nexu encounter in episode 2 and finds a non-lethal escape.  I look forward to seeing what other skills/abilities Omega demonstrates going forward.  

The Crosshair storyline has the strongest focus at this point.  We meet a new Imperial leader, Admiral Rampart, as Tarkin continues to deal with the Clones and introduces Project War-Mantle.  Tarkin sends Crosshair, as leader, with a crew of Imperial soldiers handpicked by Rampart himself, to confront Saw Gerrera on Onderon.  Crosshair's crew easily ambushes the insurgent camp to discover that Saw Gerrera is not there.  Instead of leaving or taking political prisoners, Crosshair orders the crew to kill everyone in the camp.  The Imperial soldier who had been challenging Crosshair's longevity in the Empire as a Clone, challenges the Crosshair's order.  Crosshair sticks to the "Good soldiers follow orders" mantra and executes the trooper in front of everyone.  In shock, the other soldiers follow the order given by Crosshair and murder all in the camp, even the innocent people. This solidifies Crosshair as a force to be feared.  His strict adherence to the orders from Tarkin is a result of the boosted inhibitor chip in his head.  It sets up a difficult task for the Bad Batch going forward; it isn't going to be easy to bring Crosshair back.  Will Tech, Echo, and maybe even Omega be able to find a way to disable Crosshair's chip?  How much damage will/can Crosshair cause before that happens?  

As for the Bad Batch themselves, I am struggling to see the purpose at this point.  Where are they heading?  Maybe it is okay to not know right now; it is only episode 3.  They are learning a new dynamic without Crosshair and the addition of a new member in Omega.  As discussed, she joins Hunter on a mission while Tech and Echo get the ship back together.  Wrecker, who is nursing a headach or head injury suffered in the crash, shows his soft side for children by creating a room for Omega.  They are definitely warming up to Omega, but where is this group headed?

There is a lot left in this season of Bad Batch.  There are characters who need to continue to develop, and there is a team that needs to continue to rebuild. In reflection, I am okay without knowing the full purpose at this point.  I am okay with a slow build to the story as we continue to learn who the members of Clone Force 99 really are.  Stay tuned, I'm sure the story will start to take off soon.  

What I'm Reading in Marvel Unlimited

Heads up true believers, if you have been thinking about trying out Marvel Unlimited, you can receive your first year of Marvel Unlimted for $60!!  That is a great value for an incredible collection of over 28,000 titles available and new titles are added each week.  I am not sponsored by Marvel Unlimited, by the way, I just really like the service!  

Anyway, we are halfway through the month of May and I wanted to share what I am reading in Marvel Unlimited.  

The month is wrapping up a couple mini-series that I have thoroughly enjoyed and, if the martial arts or werewolves are your thing, these are must-reads.  Issue #5 of Shang-Chi was released on MU the week of May 3.  I was enthralled by this character and story written by Gene Yuen Lang, and you can catch my early thoughts on the series here.  Can't get enough Shang-Chi and need more to get you ready for the film coming out this summer?  Check out The Legend of Shang-Chi by Alyssa Wong that released on May 10.

The other series that wrapped up May 3 that may have flown under the radar was Werewolves by Night which was a four-issue mini-series by Taboo & B. Earl and art by Scot Eaton.  From the summary of issue 1 on Marvel Unlimited, "A new Werewolf by Nigh is prowling the Southwest, but all is not as it seems!  A young man, a family curse, and an unholy experiment prove a dangerous combination for a small town in Arizona.  All young Jake wants is to protect his people, but who will protect him from the monster within?"  This was a very cool series to read and experience, especially if you like the wolf that comes out at night.  

Some other titles I am reading are:

Avengers: Mech Strike

Black Cat

The Union

Doctor Doom

Wolverine: Black and White

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters 

Star Wars: Darth Vader  

Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon

Ghost Rider: Return of Vengence

Eternals

And the X of Swords series

Free Comic Book Day Marvel update

Marvel recently released their Free Comic Book Day covers.  That's right, Marvel will have two titles available on Free Comic Book Day. Marvel is bringing the muscle on these covers, literally, check them out! One story features the Avengers and the Hulk and on the other The Amazing Spider-man and Venom.  

According to the Free Comic Book Day website, Marvel is bringing top talent for these one-shot stories that comic fans can get for free as Jason Aaron and Chip Zdarsky are crafting these stories.  Marvel Stormbreaker Iban Coello and Greg Smallwood are doing the art for these issues. 

Free Comic Book Day is on August 14 this year, so mark your calendar for these fantastic Marvel books in addition to 48 other titles that will be available.  Check out what I am looking forward in this previous post.  

Let me know what you are looking forward to or share some Free Comic Day memories of events you have attended or FCBD books you have collected in the past.  Leave the comment here or tag me on Twitter  @draftline 

A Fun Trading Card Activity

I recently read a short article published online by Becket that gave me some ideas and fun ways to display a baseball card collection.  It would work with any card collection.  In essence, take a set of baseball cards, film cards, game cards, and choose your favorite nine cards from a set.  The criteria could be nine players from the same team, nine favorite signature cards, nine cards with your favorite art.  It could be anything that strikes you at the moment.

Choosing the nine cards is the fun of this activity!  It gives you a chance to review the collection in more detail.  In some cases, it lets you revisit a set that you haven't looked at in a long time.  Once you've got your nine cards chosen, then grab a clear, 9-pocket sheet for cards.  Arrange your cards how you want in the 9-pocket sheet then use that to display your cards!  You could display them in a frame to look at on a shelf or on the wall of an office, or you could collect sheets in a binder that you keep out for frequent viewing.  Instead of having the entire 2-inch thick set binder, this creates a binder of multiple sets in a small, easy-to-view binder of your favorite cards.  

I really like that in order to create set sheets of favorite cards, you need to really dig through sets of cards.  Pull those binders or card boxes out of the basement storage area, and look at those cards that you love so much!  What good are they doing hiding in the basement or crawl space or closet?  Sure, they are out of the way and protected, but didn't we buy them because they are fun to look at?  I also like when I get tired of looking at the nine I chose, I can revisit the set and switch them out for another nine and continue to enjoy my sets of cards.

I don't know about all of you, but I have cards all over the place that I never get to look at because they are carefully put away in boxes and carefully placed on shelves off the floor in my basement storage area. Why do I do that?  Yes, they are nice and organized and safe, but I never get to look at them.  I have Star Wars cards, Topps Baseball and Football, Pokemon cards, Magic the Gathering cards.  My kids have Hello Kitty and My Little Pony and Pokemon cards.  With this activity, we spent 20 minutes recently filling some sheets to enjoy.  That is all it took.  A few minutes to locate the boxes and 15 minutes to flip through a few stacks of cards that we hadn't seen in a few years.  It was fun and we shared some memories and stories about where we bought them and how hard we tried to fill sets.

Anyway, I am happy that I came across this post from Becket with this fun activity.  It gave new life to those old cards and brought my family together with a quick and fun activity.  Enjoy!