Casey Drottar
@caseydrottar.bsky.social
Editorial Producer/words with Major League Baseball. University of Dayton alum. Adjunct Instructor/MSJ ‘21 at Northwestern University Medill School. Grunge enthusiast.
Pinned
Casey Drottar
@caseydrottar.bsky.social
· Jul 22
Piazza dreaming big while reshaping baseball’s foundation in Italy
“It all starts with a dream.”
Ask Mike Piazza about his goals for baseball in Italy and he’ll likely find his way back to this thought. The Hall of Fame catcher has already made multiple noteworthy co...
www.mlb.com
Mike Piazza has spent the past few years trying to rebuild the foundation of baseball in Italy. What does a challenge that imposing involve for the Hall of Fame catcher? I spoke with him to find out:
www.mlb.com/news/mike-pi...
www.mlb.com/news/mike-pi...
The news of Anthony Rendon being on the verge of getting bought out and then retiring solidifies what a massive letdown that monster contract was for the Angels.
Rendon’s best season with the Nationals was worth 7.3 bWAR. In five years *combined* with Los Angeles, he was worth 3.9 bWAR. Just…yikes.
Rendon’s best season with the Nationals was worth 7.3 bWAR. In five years *combined* with Los Angeles, he was worth 3.9 bWAR. Just…yikes.
November 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The news of Anthony Rendon being on the verge of getting bought out and then retiring solidifies what a massive letdown that monster contract was for the Angels.
Rendon’s best season with the Nationals was worth 7.3 bWAR. In five years *combined* with Los Angeles, he was worth 3.9 bWAR. Just…yikes.
Rendon’s best season with the Nationals was worth 7.3 bWAR. In five years *combined* with Los Angeles, he was worth 3.9 bWAR. Just…yikes.
Sonny Gray's fastball velo may be on the decline, but he still gets guys to chase a lot, just posted the lowest walk rate of his career and his FIP has been above 3.40 just once in the past six seasons. Him plus Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello makes for a formidable top of the rotation.
November 25, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Sonny Gray's fastball velo may be on the decline, but he still gets guys to chase a lot, just posted the lowest walk rate of his career and his FIP has been above 3.40 just once in the past six seasons. Him plus Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello makes for a formidable top of the rotation.
Worth noting: Brandon Nimmo has a full no-trade clause in his contract, so he had to give this move a green light in order for the Mets to make it
I just yelled “woah” out loud.
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
November 23, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Worth noting: Brandon Nimmo has a full no-trade clause in his contract, so he had to give this move a green light in order for the Mets to make it
I just yelled “woah” out loud.
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
November 23, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I just yelled “woah” out loud.
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
Northwestern is going to a bowl game? In this economy?
November 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Northwestern is going to a bowl game? In this economy?
Adolis García capped off a monster '23 postseason with a walk-off winner in Game 1 of the World Series. A little over two years later, he's been non-tendered by the Rangers. Tough to see such a tumble from a genuinely fun player to watch.
November 21, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Adolis García capped off a monster '23 postseason with a walk-off winner in Game 1 of the World Series. A little over two years later, he's been non-tendered by the Rangers. Tough to see such a tumble from a genuinely fun player to watch.
A little surprised Trent Grisham accepted his qualifying offer. Coming off an age-28 season of career highs in homers, RBIs, slugging and OPS+, figured he might be tempted to test the free-agency waters
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 PM
A little surprised Trent Grisham accepted his qualifying offer. Coming off an age-28 season of career highs in homers, RBIs, slugging and OPS+, figured he might be tempted to test the free-agency waters
Shota Imanaga and Brandon Woodruff both accepting qualifying offers to return to their respective clubs seems like one of those situations that makes sense for literally everyone involved
November 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Shota Imanaga and Brandon Woodruff both accepting qualifying offers to return to their respective clubs seems like one of those situations that makes sense for literally everyone involved
Josh Naylor has already proven he’s willing to sacrifice everything to help the Mariners win
a baseball player with the number 21 on his back
ALT: a baseball player with the number 21 on his back
media.tenor.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Josh Naylor has already proven he’s willing to sacrifice everything to help the Mariners win
It took like two weeks for Josh Naylor to gain cult status in Seattle. Him returning to the Mariners felt inevitable.
November 17, 2025 at 1:17 AM
It took like two weeks for Josh Naylor to gain cult status in Seattle. Him returning to the Mariners felt inevitable.
When your team forces five turnovers and still finds a way to lose
November 15, 2025 at 8:47 PM
When your team forces five turnovers and still finds a way to lose
Don’t you go teasing me, Northwestern
November 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Don’t you go teasing me, Northwestern
Aaron Judge lands his third MVP Award, but man did Cal Raleigh put up one hell of a fight in the voting. A 20-point difference between first and second place, that's a damn good race.
November 14, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Aaron Judge lands his third MVP Award, but man did Cal Raleigh put up one hell of a fight in the voting. A 20-point difference between first and second place, that's a damn good race.
By the end of the first half of the season, Pete Crow-Armstrong led the NL in fWAR, topping even Shohei Ohtani. Him ending the year finishing ninth in MVP voting goes to show just how significant his second-half struggles really were.
November 14, 2025 at 12:37 AM
By the end of the first half of the season, Pete Crow-Armstrong led the NL in fWAR, topping even Shohei Ohtani. Him ending the year finishing ninth in MVP voting goes to show just how significant his second-half struggles really were.
On top of Shohei Ohtani becoming the first player to win the MVP Award twice in both leagues, and becoming the only player to win the award unanimously more than once, here's a look at MLB players who've won at least four MVP Awards:
Barry Bonds
Shohei Ohtani
(end of list)
Barry Bonds
Shohei Ohtani
(end of list)
November 14, 2025 at 12:24 AM
On top of Shohei Ohtani becoming the first player to win the MVP Award twice in both leagues, and becoming the only player to win the award unanimously more than once, here's a look at MLB players who've won at least four MVP Awards:
Barry Bonds
Shohei Ohtani
(end of list)
Barry Bonds
Shohei Ohtani
(end of list)
Paul Skenes' 10-10 record matches Jacob deGrom (10-9, 2018) for the fewest number of victories for a Cy Young Award-winning starting pitcher in a full season.
Thankfully, everyone again realized a pitcher's win-loss record has become irrelevant.
Thankfully, everyone again realized a pitcher's win-loss record has become irrelevant.
Lord willing we won't have anyone refuse to give Paul Skenes first-place Cy Young Award votes because he had a 10-10 record...
November 13, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Paul Skenes' 10-10 record matches Jacob deGrom (10-9, 2018) for the fewest number of victories for a Cy Young Award-winning starting pitcher in a full season.
Thankfully, everyone again realized a pitcher's win-loss record has become irrelevant.
Thankfully, everyone again realized a pitcher's win-loss record has become irrelevant.
Paul Skenes joins Dwight Gooden as the second pitcher to win the Cy Young Award one season after being named NL Rookie of the Year
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Paul Skenes joins Dwight Gooden as the second pitcher to win the Cy Young Award one season after being named NL Rookie of the Year
Tarik Skubal is the fifth AL pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in back-to-back seasons, and the second Tiger to do it (Denny McLain, 1968-69)
November 13, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Tarik Skubal is the fifth AL pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in back-to-back seasons, and the second Tiger to do it (Denny McLain, 1968-69)
Lord willing we won't have anyone refuse to give Paul Skenes first-place Cy Young Award votes because he had a 10-10 record...
November 12, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Lord willing we won't have anyone refuse to give Paul Skenes first-place Cy Young Award votes because he had a 10-10 record...
Since voting occurred before the postseason, it’s pretty easy to argue that Pat Murphy (MLB’s best record after another winter of talent-shedding) and Stephen Vogt (overcoming the largest deficit ever to win a division) should be back-to-back Managers of the Year
November 11, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Since voting occurred before the postseason, it’s pretty easy to argue that Pat Murphy (MLB’s best record after another winter of talent-shedding) and Stephen Vogt (overcoming the largest deficit ever to win a division) should be back-to-back Managers of the Year
(pats himself on the back for batting .500 and getting the most obvious prediction correct)
My guess for NL Rookie of the Year: The run Cade Horton put together from July 20 on (7 ER over 61.1 innings) gives him enough fuel to bring the award home.
I can't even refer to AL ROY as a guess. That thing was Nick Kurtz's to lose the second he slugged four dingers in a single game.
I can't even refer to AL ROY as a guess. That thing was Nick Kurtz's to lose the second he slugged four dingers in a single game.
November 11, 2025 at 12:55 AM
(pats himself on the back for batting .500 and getting the most obvious prediction correct)
Four Brewers showed up on the NL Rookie of the Year final results. Their top prospect, Jesús Made, is viewed as the No. 4 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline.
A decent night for Milwaukee's farm system.
A decent night for Milwaukee's farm system.
November 11, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Four Brewers showed up on the NL Rookie of the Year final results. Their top prospect, Jesús Made, is viewed as the No. 4 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline.
A decent night for Milwaukee's farm system.
A decent night for Milwaukee's farm system.
Colson Montgomery finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. It may not seem like much, but considering the White Sox sent him to Arizona in the first half of the season because they felt he needed a mental reset, that result is pretty impressive.
November 11, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Colson Montgomery finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. It may not seem like much, but considering the White Sox sent him to Arizona in the first half of the season because they felt he needed a mental reset, that result is pretty impressive.
My guess for NL Rookie of the Year: The run Cade Horton put together from July 20 on (7 ER over 61.1 innings) gives him enough fuel to bring the award home.
I can't even refer to AL ROY as a guess. That thing was Nick Kurtz's to lose the second he slugged four dingers in a single game.
I can't even refer to AL ROY as a guess. That thing was Nick Kurtz's to lose the second he slugged four dingers in a single game.
November 10, 2025 at 11:10 PM
My guess for NL Rookie of the Year: The run Cade Horton put together from July 20 on (7 ER over 61.1 innings) gives him enough fuel to bring the award home.
I can't even refer to AL ROY as a guess. That thing was Nick Kurtz's to lose the second he slugged four dingers in a single game.
I can't even refer to AL ROY as a guess. That thing was Nick Kurtz's to lose the second he slugged four dingers in a single game.