2019 MLB Season Preview

The reigning world champion Red Sox brings back most of their team from last year (excluding Craig Kimbrel) as they resigned Steve Pearce and Nathan Eovaldi. An interesting player to watch this year will be Rafael Devers. Can he get to that next level?

For some reason, there have been a lot of pieces out there questioning if the Yankees are the world series favorites, which I don't quite get. They have some questions in that rotation, with Luis Severino dealing with his shoulder injury. They were able to get Gio Gonzalez on a minor league deal, but will that be enough? They were able to acquire James Paxton.

The Rays made an interesting run last year, with there opening man pitching strategy. They were able to add Charlie Morton, further boosting their pitching rotation.

The Blue Jays and Orioles, well, they're just kind of there.


1) Red Sox
2) Yankees (6 GB)
3) Rays (7 GB)
4) Blue Jays (36 GB)
5) Orioles (47 GB)

The Twins added Nelson Cruz to their young team. The question for the Twins will be if last season was the aberration, or their playoff year a couple years back. Have the Indians' window closed? Time will tell this season. The rest of this division is a bit of a mess (though we'll see what a young White Sox squad will do).

1) Twins
2) Indians (2 GB)
3) Tigers (14 GB)
4) White Sox (18 GB)
5) Royals (24 GB)

The Astros continue to look like a powerhouse. Hopefully this year their core will be able to stay healthy. I could see the rest of this division being fairly compacted (though significantly behind Houston). The Mariners added Domingo Santana, but parted with Robinson Cano in a deal to the Mets. Oakland bolstered their bullpen with Joakim Soria. It'll be interesting to see what the Angels will do, with Mike Trout extended.

1) Astros 
2) A's (19 GB)
3) Angels (21 GB)
4) Mariners (22 GB)
5) Rangers (34 GB)


Wildcards:
1) Yankees
2) Rays


AL WildCard: Rays v. Yankees

ALDS: Rays v. Astros/ Twins v. Red Sox

ALCS: Red Sox v. Astros

The Phillies did a lot this offseason. The big addition was Bryce Harper, but that wasn't all. They bolstered their bullpen with David Robertson, and added Andrew McCutchen. The Braves brought back a familiar face in catcher Brian McCann. They also made an interesting signing with Josh Donaldson. If the Mets' pitching staff can actually stay healthy, they could be a contender. How will the Nats handle life without Bryce Harper? They do have a set of young, quality outfielders, so we'll see.

1) Phillies
2) Braves (8 GB)
3) Mets (10 GB)
4) Nationals (13 GB)
5) Marlins (27 GB)

The Cardinals added a big bat in Paul Goldschmidt. Its a big bat they've been missing since the days of Albert Pujols. There are some injury question marks with the Brewers. How will Jimmy Nelson bounce back? Same for the Cubs and Yu Darvish. The Pirates didn't do much, but will be relying on a young rotation they hope is promising. The Reds added Yasel Puig, who should make an impact. But the Reds still have a giant question mark with their pitching.

1) Cardinals 
2) Brewers (7 GB)
3) Cubs (10 GB)
4) Pirates (19 GB)
5) Reds (21 GB)

The Dodgers will really need Clayton Kershaw to stay healthy (which is a big 'if' at the moment). The Rockies added Daniel Murphy, and extended Nolan Arenado. Will they be able to build off of last year? The Padres made one of the most surprising free agent signings in Manny Machado. They'll also have top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr start the year on the big league squad. I could see the D'Backs taking a giant step back, losing Goldschmidt and A.J Pollock.

1) Dodgers
2) Rockies (1 GB)
3) Padres (8 GB)
4) Giants (15 GB)
5) D'Backs (19 GB)

Wildcards:
1) Brewers
2) Rockies

NL Wildcard: Rockies v. Brewers

NLDS: Rockies v. Cardinals/ Dodgers v. Phillies

NLCS: Phillies v. Cardinals


World Series: Phillies v. Astros


I think the Astros (coming off a rough playoff series with the Red Sox last year) will power through this year (if they're healthy). I'm really trusting the Phillies here. They have what it takes to win the NL, but going up against the Astros I think will just be too much for them.


AL MVP: Alex Bregman

Bregman's coming off a power number year with 31 HRs and 103 RBIs, with a line of .286/.394/.532. He finished in the Top 5 last year.

AL Cy Young: Chris Sale

I think Sale finally gets that Cy Young. He was on pace last year before injuries started cropping out towards the middle of the season. He still finished in the top 4.

NL MVP: Nolan Arenado

Coming off a Top 3 mvp finish, with 38 HRs and 110RBIs, with a .297/.374/.561 line. He'll get this in part by powering the Rockies back to the playoffs.

NL Cy Young: Aaron Nola

Nola is coming off of a 2018 that saw him win 17 games with 224 Ks and a 2.37 ERA. He finished in the top 3.

2019 Draft: Steelers Prospects Preview - Pt. 1

These draft prospects come from a selection of mock drafts connected to the steelers, and/or team visits. The player summaries come from NFL.com.



DE/OLB Jaylon Ferguson (La. Tech)   6'5", 271lbs

2018: AP 3rd All-American, 64tckls/26TFLs, 17.5scks, 3 breakups, 2FFs

strengths: Consistent high-impact production during his college career. Able to unhinge from blocks with a spin move & violent hands. Varies pass-rush approach with go-to moves for all angles of attack. An instinctive rusher. Plays with forward lean and powerful rip-and-run move around the edge.

weaknesses: Could struggle to chase & close out outside run plays. Loses leverage battle when he fails to strike and lock out early. Upright attack limits his effectiveness of inside moves. Hard-charging, downhill approach to QB hinders body control to corral pocket-climbers.

comp: Marcus Davenport

grade: 6.06 (Should become instant starter)




CB Deandre Baker (Georgia)  5'11" 193lbs

2018: 1st All-SEC, 1st All-American, Thorpe Award, 40tckls, 2INTs, 10 breakups

combine: 4.52s 40, 14reps

strengths: Confident on press-coverage. Quick trigger to turn & sprint when needed. Good feel for timing of route breaks for effective matching. Has excellent field awareness. Impressive burst to close. Good timing on jump balls. Willing and able as open-field tackler.

weaknesses: Early to open hips against press faking. Grabby when trailing complex routes. Inconsistent reading QB's eyes for early jumps on the throw. Struggles to disengage from blocks in perimeter run support.

comp: Asante Samuel

grade: 6.15 (Should become instant starter)




LB Germaine Pratt (NC State)  6'2" 240lbs

2018: 1st All-ACC, 104tckls/10.5TFLs, 6scks

combine: 4.57s 40, 24reps, 32.5" vert

strengths: A controlled stepper in scrape to pursue. Backside lateral burst to find playside tackles. Play speed to range & chase. Above-average reaction twitch. Times up blitzes. Fluid, fast drops into space. Has ability to cover TE's.

weaknesses: Plays with tight ankles and below-average bend. Not a natural gap filler. Lacks some feel for blocking schemes. High pad level limits change-of-direction quickness.

comp: Tahir Whitehead

grade: 5.58 (Chance to become a starter)



LB Devin Bush (Michigan) 5'11" 234lbs

2018: Big 10 DPOY, 2nd All-American, 80tckls/9.5TFLs, 5scks, 6 breakups

combine: 4.43s 40, 21reps, 40.5" vert

strengths: Trusts his eyes. Has good patience. Very good body control & balance. Proactive with hands to balance against wash-down blocks. Strong legs drive through upright blocks. A sideline-to-sideline runner. Disguises launch point as a blitzer.

weaknesses: Average reactive time in early response. Slow to process & diagnose against misdirection. Too many block challenges. Requires better pursuit leverage. Runs himself out of tackle attempts.

comp: Stephen Tulloch

grade: 5.99 (Chance to become a starter)



LB Tre Lamar (Clemson)  6'3" 253lbs

2018: 2nd All-ACC, 85tckls/5.5TFLs, 3scks, 1int

strengths: Good knee-bend and eye-discipline in set-up. Power & size to leverage gap. Occupies blocks and clouds run lanes. Gas special teams values.

weaknesses: Feet are heavy & hips are tight. Poor foot quickness. Limited range to sideline. Absence of recovery traits. Needs to improve hand aggression. Below-average cover talent.

comp: Josh Perry

grade: 5.20 (Backup/Special teams potential)



TE Foster Moreau (LSU)  6'4" 252lbs

2018: 22rec/272yds/2TDs

combine: 4.66s 40, 22reps, 36.5" vert

strengths: Sustains & finishes blocks. Long strides to maintain positioning of hips. Well-conditioned and maintains technique late in games. Tends to be a punishing runner after the catch.

weaknesses: Sluggish start-up quickness. Doesn't work hard to create space. Can be clumsy around excessive foot traffic.

comp: Logan Paulsen

grade: 5.39 (Backup/Special teams potential)



CB Byron Murphy (Washington)  5'11" 190lbs

2018: 1st All-Pac 12, 2nd All-American, 58tckls/4TFLs, 4ints, 13 breakups

combine: 4.55s 40, 14reps, 36.5" vert

strengths: High football IQ & instincts. Twitchy feet for instant plant & drive. Good downfield body control to track and play the ball. Steps downfield & strikes. Hyper-competitive in run-support duties.

weaknesses: Below-average footwork. Grabs & hitches to receiver. Can overrun tackles. Lacks fluidity in transition. Not an explosive leaper. Has average recovery burst.

comp: Brent Grimes

grade: 5.95 (Chance to become a starter)



LB Lyndell "Mack" Wilson (Alabama) 6'1" 240lbs

2018: 2nd All-SEC, 71tckls/5TFLs, 2ints, 5 breakups

combine: 32" vert

strengths: Good with his hands. Able to unlock hips and explode into blockers. Anticipates run-lane choice. Can trigger downhill. Able to cover TE's & RB's. Fluid in drop coverage. Makes acrobatic catches.

weaknesses: Limited number of instinctive shots into gaps. Tends to widen run-lane  when side-stepping blocks. Needs to better constrict the run lane. Some issues getting off of blocks.

comp: C.J. Mosley

grade: 5.90 (Chance to become a starter)


CB Andraez "Greedy" Williams (LSU)  6'2" 185lbs

2018: 1st All-SEC, 2nd All-American, 33tckls, 2int's, 9 breakups

combine: 4.37s 40

strengths: Patient & calm. Balance and agility to recover from missteps. Maintains route feel. Smooth hips. Good ball production. Balances his eyes. Able to find passing lanes.

weaknesses: Release mirror is average. Lacks initial quickness. Needs to eliminate grabbing & clutching from trail. Issues locating the ball when his back is to it. Not competitive enough getting off of blocks. A below-average tackler.

comp: Antoine Cason

grade: 6.21 (Should become instant starter)



DE/OLB Christian Miller (Alabama)  6'3" 247lbs

2018: 36tckls/11.5TFLs, 8.5scks, 1 breakup

combine: 38.5" vert

strengths: A quality get-off. Effective use of arm length. Maintains distance as a rusher. Avoids being punched squarely. Sudden, aggressive swats. Loose hips to pivot around the edge. Above average pursuit speed to the sideline. Fluid to drop & cover blocks headed out of the backfield.

weaknesses: Lacks sand to anchor and can get manhandled by tackles. Needs to ramp up physicality. He's unable to convert speed into power. Can't power through edges as a rusher. Doesn't have the base strength to balance against redirect blocks.

comp: Samson Ebukam

grade: 5.83 (Chance to become a starter)



RB Benny Snell (Kentucky)  5'10" 224lbs

2018: 3rd All-American, 1st All-SEC 289car, 1,449yds, 16TDs

combine: 4.66s 40, 16reps, 29.5" vert

strengths: Patient letting blocks develop. Eyes are quick. Preemptive fakes in open field creates additional running room. Has a strong base. Above-average catch radius out of the backfield.

weaknesses: Runs with heavy feet. Below-average lateral quickness. Trouble getting geared back. Very average burst through the line of scrimmage.

comp: David Cobb

grade: 5.34 (Backup/Special teams potential)


TE Jace Sternberger (Texas A&M)  6'4" 251lbs

2018: 1st All-SEC, 48rec/832yds/10TDs

combine: 4.75s 40, 17reps, 31.5" vert

strengths: A talented route-runner. Sets off-man coverage up before accelerating past. Runs routes like a big WR. Keeps some energy in & out of breaks. Above-average hands. Plus in-air adjustments and grab radius. Runs with vision after the catch.

weaknesses: Below-average run blocking. Allows backside leakage due to poor angles. Needs longer sustain as a blocker in space. Inconsistent finishing catches through contact.

comp: Jacob Tamme

grade: 5.66 (Chance to become starter)