MLB's first month has delivered surprises, slow starts and early shakeups. To make sense of it, 20 front-office executives were polled on what stands out this season.
Between the expanded October format and other considerations – such as the impact of young talent and the balanced schedule -- we can see truly wild swings in a season, and that can benefit teams off to sluggish starts.
The 2024 Draft already looks like one of the best classes in years, and now comes Travis Bazzana, the first player selected and the one whom many believed to be the most pro-ready in the class.
Freshly turned 20-year-old Konnor Griffin definitely takes some ribbing for being the young guy in the clubhouse, so what better way to remind him than by gifting him that staple of every little kid's birthday party growing up.
Olivia Pichardo, who made history when she debuted for Brown University in 2023, became the first woman to pitch at the Division I level when she tossed one-third of an inning and retired the only batter she faced.
Carlos Cortes of the A's and Ildemaro Vargas of the D-backs may not be household names, but they soon could be after taking home Player of the Week honors for eye-popping numbers at the plate.