Brendan Smith, Author at Baseball Essential

Carter Stewart to Sign Overseas, Forgoing 2019 Draft

May 22, 2019

Just two weeks ahead of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft, a top prospect has shocked the baseball world. Carter Stewart, who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves with the eighth overall pick last June but didn...

Kansas City Inks Former Top Pick to Major League Deal

Brendan Smith

Jan 6, 2019

Headlines, Kansas City Royals

A former top five pick has just signed a major league contract. No, Bryce Harper or Manny Machado have not announced where they plan to play in 2019. Kyle Zimmer, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft by...

With Trevor Bauer Injured, AL Cy Young is Chris Sale’s to Lose

Brendan Smith

Aug 16, 2018

American League, Boston Red Sox, Opinions & Predictions

In the midst of a career year, Cleveland Indians star right-hander Trevor Bauer has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with what is being referred to as a "small stress fracture" in his right fibula, accor...

Yankees Make Two Trades for 40-Man Roster Relief

Brendan Smith

Jul 30, 2018

Headlines, New York Yankees, Transactions

As the non-waiver trade deadline rapidly approaches, the New York Yankees have made two more trades, these trades opening up more spots on a crowded 40-man roster. Just hours after splitting a double-header ...

Yankees Land J.A. Happ, Likely Not Finished on Trade Market

Brendan Smith

Jul 26, 2018

Headlines, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays

For the second time this week, the New York Yankees have traded with a division rival, this time grabbing J.A. Happ from the Toronto Blue Jays for Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney. Certainly, the Yankees were a...

Yankees Acquire Zach Britton from Orioles for Three Pitching Prospects

Brendan Smith

Jul 25, 2018

American League East, Headlines, Transactions

In a rare trade between division rivals, the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees have agreed to a blockbuster trade. Baltimore has sent closer Zach Britton to the Yankees in exchange for prospects Dillon Tat...

Should a Contending Team Take a Flier on Josh Donaldson?

Brendan Smith

Jun 29, 2018

Features, Opinions & Predictions, Toronto Blue Jays

As the trade deadline looms at the end of July, teams are beginning to fall in to the "buyer" or "seller" categories. With time at a premium, the Toronto Blue Jays currently sit in fourth place in the loaded Am...

Tanaka Injury Highlights Yankees’ Need for Starting Pitching

Brendan Smith

Jun 10, 2018

Headlines, New York Yankees

Doing his best Chien-Ming Wang impression, Masahiro Tanaka injured himself running the bases in an inter-league game Friday night. Being sent home on a medium-depth fly ball to right field, Tanaka pulled up lam...

Strengths and Weaknesses of Three Tigers’ Potential Number-One Picks

Brendan Smith

Jun 4, 2018

College, Detroit Tigers, Draft

MLB.com reporter Jonathan Mayo has announced that the Detroit Tigers, owners of the first overall pick in Monday's 2018 MLB Draft, have narrowed their focus to three prospects. https://twitter.com/JonathanMa...

Five Candidates to be Picked First in 2018 Draft

Brendan Smith

May 1, 2018

Draft

In spirit of the NFL Draft just having wrapped up and the June 4 MLB Draft rapidly approaching, it is never too early to take a look at some potential first-overall picks. Projecting draft picks is an inexact s...

Author Brendan Smith