Plus: 3 teams that upgraded their defenses
Who was the last pitcher to lead the Major Leagues in strikeouts in back-to-back seasons? |
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| With all the 2023 rule changes we're about to see, there's been a common theme: More action. More balls in play, more quickly. If that comes to pass – and even if it doesn't, given the presence of the shift restrictions – it's going to put more pressure on a team's fielders, since they now can't position themselves as freely and don't have the time to get into those unorthodox positions between pitches anymore anyway.
With that in mind, a few teams have made real, clear improvements to their defenses headed into 2023. We'd like to say that's evidence of a sport-wide trend, though we can't quite go that far, since it's fair to look at the Dodgers, Marlins, Padres and Royals and wonder if their winter changes have made the fielding weaker, not better.
But for this trio of teams, all of whom harbor some hopes of being in the playoff mix this year, the defense looks like it's taking a big step forward, in ways that are going to be pretty easily noticeable. |
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Take a look back at Ken Griffey Jr.'s performance in the 1999 Home Run Derby, where he secured his record third victory as well as back-to-back crowns. |
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Gerrit Cole led the Major Leagues in strikeouts for the second time in his career with 257 last season. Can he do it again this year? Here is what the projections say. |
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Fresh off signing a three-year, $33.6 million contract with the Blue Jays, Bo Bichette gave back by hosting a PLAY BALL event in Florida with the help of George Springer and other teammates. |
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Mookie Betts is not only a perennial All-Star in baseball, but he's an accomplished bowler. He put his talents to good use last week with the inaugural Mookie Betts + Friends Bowling Tournament. |
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