AGRI Biz

Austin Jackson was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Curtis Granderson’s large contract to the New York Yankees. As of Saturday, he is hitting .369/1/9/5, has reached base in 24 consecutive games, and is the odds on favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award. He’s hitting at a very high rate, and even though his other numbers aren’t very high, that batting average pace is completely ...

So far this season has been, shall we say, "uncomfortable" for the Boston Red Sox and their fans. The pitchers being paid tens of millions of dollars to get people out aren’t getting people out. The hitters making tens of millions of dollars aren’t hitting, and the fielders on this team supposedly built to prevent runs are seemingly providing Boston’s opponents with 30 outs a game. Simply put, ...

With Matt Harrison heading to the DL, Derek Holland will be recalled to start against the A’s this week, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (click here for the article). Holland has been dominant at Triple-A this season, going 4-1 with a 0.93 ERA over six starts (38.2 innings) in the Pacific Coast League. He had put his control on display, with 37 strikeouts vs. seven walks (for more ...

After a full season at Citi Field without a walk-off home run, the New York Mets hit two in two days against the San Francisco Giants this weekend. Rod Barajas went deep to give the Mets a 6-4 victory on Friday night, and backup catcher Henry Blanco repeated the game-winning heroics Saturday afternoon. The walk-off home runs were the 102nd and 103rd of the team's history, bringing the other members of the ...

Starlin Castro had Chicago Cubs' fans licking their chops since they first caught wind of his Arizona Fall League performance and while they watched his spring training. The newly turned 20-year old Dominican made his major league debut on Friday night.  To say he did not disappoint would be like saying Cubs' uniforms aren't blue. The wunderkind joined the exclusive club of 104 others by popping a shot over the wall off of ...

Here’s a look at the unheralded players who played well Friday, May 7.   Chris Volstad, Florida MarlinsVolstad, one of Friday’s streaming recommendations, gave up 2 runs on 4 hits in 7 innings to improve to 3-1 with a 4.12 ERA.   Craig Stammen, Washington NationalsStammen got a no-decision despite giving up just 1 earned run in 6-2/3 innings. He struck out 8 and lowered his ERA to 5.63.   Jamie Moyer, Philadelphia Phillies (pictured)The crafty vet ...

Talk about making an immediate impact as Starlin Castro had a record setting debut.  Rod Barajas has entrenched himself as a usable option in all formats.  Phil Hughes & David Price continue to shine.  Let’s look at these stories and all the rest from yesterday’s games: Hitters: Ike Davis (2-3, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R) -  Amazingly, the two home runs came against Jonathan Sanchez (7.0 IP, 4 ER, ...

The Cleveland Indians' bullpen, usually the source of anguish amongst fans when seasons are going right, is this year at least handling itself well. The Indians' bullpen ERA up to now is 4.03, which is not amazing, but it is definitely an improvement from 4.66 last year, fourth worst in the league. With Kerry Wood being activated earlier today, the bullpen is sure to knock the number under four as the ...

The biggest news so far today is the Cubs’ decision to call up 20-year-old Dominican shortstop Starlin Castro all the way from AA ball.  Castro was hitting a robust .376 with a .990 OPS for the Tennessee Smokies in the Southern League, but that’s a long way from the Show. Castro is one of the more highly regarded prospects in baseball (Baseball America ranked him 16th among all prospects before the start ...

Comedian actor Will Ferrell was on hand at Round Rock’s Dell Diamond on Thursday evening, May 6, guest starring for the Express (the Houston Astros’ triple-A affiliate). After watching a majority of the game from the owner’s suite, Ferrell entertained fans when he emerged from the bullpen as Billy Ray “Rojo” Johnson to start the sixth inning. The character “Rojo,” an American-born pitcher out of Venezuela, was used as part of a ...