You might not believe it, but the first sport I loved to play was basketball. The only summer camp I ever attended as a kid was a two week basketball camp at Long Beach State in 1997. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a co-director of the camp and I remember for the final day of camp they had a family BBQ event where Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp of the Seattle Supersonics appeared on stage.
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MLB Awards
NL MVP – OF Ronald Acuna Jr. – Atlanta Braves
AL MVP – C Adley Rutschman – Baltimore Orioles
NL Cy Young – Tyler Glasnow – Los Angeles Dodgers
AL Cy Young – Kevin Gausman – Toronto Blue Jays
NL Rookie of the Year – OF Jackson Chourio – Milwaukee Brewers
AL Rookie of the Year – INF Jackson Holliday – Baltimore Orioles
NL Manager of the Year – David Bell – Cincinnati Reds
AL Manager of the Year – Brandon Hyde – Baltimore Orioles
Postseason Projections
NL Division Winners – Braves, Dodgers, Cubs
NL Wild Card Winners – Diamondbacks, Phillies, Reds
AL Division Winners – Orioles, Astros, Twins
AL Wild Card Winners – Rangers, Blue Jays, Mariners
NLCS – Braves over Dodgers
ALCS – Orioles over Astros
World Series – Braves over Orioles
* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
A lot has been said about how much money they have spent this past offseason. Even with their offseason splurges, they haven’t been back to the World Series since winning it in 2020.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
They shocked the baseball world by getting to the World Series last year. With the way their offseason went, they want to prove it wasn’t a fluke.
3. San Francisco Giants
It could all go well and they get back into the Postseason or could come crashing down. Bringing in Bob Melvin as the manager would suggest that it will work out.
4. San Diego Padres
For all that this franchise has done the past few seasons, it’s probably best that they fly under the radar.
5. Colorado Rockies
If not for a draft lottery now, they would be guaranteed the number one pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Player to Watch: P Tyler Glasnow – Los Angeles Dodgers
Best Acquisition: DH/P Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
New Kid on the Block: OF Jackson Merrill – San Diego Padres
Continue reading* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Chicago Cubs
While they faltered at the end last season, it was an encouraging sign that they were trending in the right direction.
2. Cincinnati Reds
The youth movement is in full swing and now is the time for them to capitalize on it with a weak division.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
Getting Sonny Gray puts the top of their rotation in a stable setting, but will they be able to get production out of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado once again?
4. Milwaukee Brewers
Their pitching staff as a whole has taken a hit and not having Craig Counsell as their manager could put this franchise in a state of flux for a while.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
Like their counterparts in Cincinnati, there is a fair amount of prospects ready to take the leap into the majors. Time to see if it clicks for Pittsburgh.
Player to Watch: OF Cody Bellinger – Chicago Cubs
Best Acquisition: P Sonny Gray – St. Louis Cardinals
New Kid on the Block: OF Jackson Chourio – Milwaukee Brewers
Continue reading* – indicates new to team
+ – indicates injury
1. Atlanta Braves
There aren’t many weaknesses on this team. They just need to find success in October where it counts.
2. Philadelphia Phillies
Even if they don’t out-duel Atlanta for the division title, they’ve had their number in October the last two years now.
3. Miami Marlins
They have a lot of injuries in their rotation. That could knock them down a peg or two in the standings.
4. New York Mets
After last seasons fire sale, it will be interesting to see how this season plays out with Pete Alonso a pending free agent.
5. Washington Nationals
There is a lot to like about what are they building with the bats they have accumulated. It’s still going to take time for the pitching to catch up.
Player to Watch: 1B Bryce Harper – Philadelphia Phillies
Best Acquisition: P Chris Sale – Atlanta Braves
New Kid on the Block: OF James Wood – Washington Nationals
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