Explain It With Baseball!

A blog devoted to explaining various concepts using baseball metaphors. She/her, Mariners fan

[baseballexplains]

How to Trades Work Part 2: Mariners Trade Targets

As an important note, I am primarily selecting trades I think have a reasonable likelihood of actually happening in real life. Would I like to have Mason Miller in my bullpen or James Wood in my outfield? Yes. Will I have those guys on my team? No.

As a second important note, I will be less focused on trying to teach in this writeup and more focused on trying to strategize. This may be a little advanced.

Taylor Ward (Baltimore Orioles, Outfielder)

The most archetypal Mariners signing would be Taylor Ward. An understated outfielder with a right handed bat is what the most popular pundits think Seattle needs, but is he really the right choice?

The Pros: Every sportswriter in the East Coast thinks Taylor Ward is getting sent to us, and he would fill out needs without blowing the bank, especially on a mostly injured Orioles pitching staff that badly needs any starting pitcher it can get.

The Cons: Taylor Ward is not a very exciting pick. He's the kind of player who would be lovely to have on your team, but not lovely to pick over any of these other people. So, I would prefer to aim higher for a season where the Mariners could conceivably make a long playoff run.

Wilyer Abreu (Boston Red Sox, Outfielder)

Normally, this would be a no-go: a young player with versatile tools and a hot streak is not the kind of player GMs want to trade. However, the Boston Red Sox are not a normal team, in fact, they are one of the worst teams in the league right now. They want to shed payroll and need to rebuild, so Abreu might actually be on the table.

The Pros: A quality bat who can play right field, has long-term team control and is a very reliable team player is absolutely worth shelling out for, especially if the Mariners want a long term solution for when Randy Arozarena leaves. He might not be the biggest star but the Mariners can only dream of having him.

The Cons: Wilyer Abreu is probably the pick on this list that is least likely to actually happen. If Breslow actually agrees to do this, Boston will crucify him, and the price will very likely include prospects that the Mariners don't want to give up- prospects plural.

Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals, Outfielder)

St. Louis is a team on a rebuild, one which badly needs prospects- and the Mariners have some juicy ones. Jordan Walker is a young talent who the Cardinals have been overlooking for years, and not without reason. He has consistent bat speed and power, but his rate of ground balls is extremely concerning and he's fallen of the wagon in terms of his rankings as a young talent. However, I think the Mariners can get more out of him this year than the Cardinals can, and could reasonably snag him if they're careful

The Pros: Jordan Walker is having an All-Star caliber season with almost 3 WAR, almost 20 homers and a bat that's hot as can be with a .288 / .342 / .509 slashline. If any right field power bat is worth trying your luck with, it's him, and he's got a number of years on his contract still.

The Cons: There's also a chance Jordan Walker is not, in fact, going to keep this up. He's had mostly rough seasons during his days as a rookie and his issues could flare up again. Furthermore, with all that team control on him, Walker could be an albatross that hamstrings the Mariners for the future. There is also the issue that the last Mariners prospect who came to the Cards, Jurrangelo Cijntje, is not panning out at the moment so the Cards may be reluctant to try again.

Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs, Outfielder)

The Chicago Cubs are also falling on hard times in the last month, but for the diametric opposite reasons compared to the Mariners. A full MLB rotation's worth of pitching staff on their team are hurt, and while their bats are hot, their pitching is simply not doing its job in run prevention. That fosters the grounds for an even trade.

The Pros: Realistically, Suzuki solves every current problem. He can hit lefties and righties equally, he can play right field, he has enough contact to justify a high lineup spot and given the Cubs need for a good starter he's reasonably simple to acquire, if not cheap.

The Cons: The biggest con for Seiya Suzuki is longevity. The Cubs are in contention as we speak and will almost certainly demand a quality starting pitcher- perhaps George Kirby, Bryce Miller or Emerson Hancock. There's a pretty good chance Suzuki won't be a Mariner next season once his free agency comes, and if the Mariners can't contend this year, that could hurt a lot.

Daniel Lynch IV (Kansas City Royals, Pitcher)

There are a few good relievers that would be amazing to get, but Daniel Lynch IV would be a good choice. The Royals are in no position to seriously compete and will be struggling uphill with or without him. He would be a good addition to the bullpen.

The Pros: Daniel Lynch IV is a solid underrated reliever with interesting offspeed pitches and the ability to effectively induce low-quality contact for hitters.

The Cons: The Royals will likely upcharge for DLIV compared to what he's actually going to do. The Mariners will be in steep competition to get him and may have to offer up Kade Anderson or Ryan Sloan as well as potentially other prospects if they want him, which for a reliever is a tremendous ask.

Adrián Morejón (San Diego Padres, Pitcher)

The Padres under Preller are notorious for their all-out strategy of trading for what they need right now, and they do not need a powerful bullpen right now. Although Adrián Morejón will be coming with a steep price, he would be worth it if the Mariners think they can contend.

The Pros: Morejón is an all-star reliever with a proven record who could be a closer on a team that doesn't have Mason Miller on it. There's absolutely no doubt he would be a great acquisition for this season.

The Cons: Adrián Morejón is a Boras client whose free agency is hitting in 2027. There is absolutely no way he's going to stay a Mariner at after the season, so if the Mariners try trading for him, they have to be absolutely sure they are a playoff team.

Erik Miller (San Francisco Giants, Pitcher)

The San Francisco Giants are currently an open wound in baseball, expected to play .500 ball and in reality outclassed by the Colorado Rockies in their division. They will badly need a rebuild, and their only real trade pieces are Luis Arraez, Robbie Ray, Bryce Eldrige... and their bullpen arm, Erik Miller.

The Pros: Erik Miller was at one point considered a potential starter, though his pitch mix is great for the bullpen- a 96mph sinker and a slider which induces an immense amount of whiffs. Furthermore, the Giants are one of the few teams who would probably be willing to recruit Luis Castillo.

The Cons: At age 29, Erik Miller is still untested, and he's a riskier pick than the other two I mentioned given his low number of appearances and the Giants having a poor record. I would still be happy to have him, but there are things to give DiPoto's front office pause.

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How Do Trades Work in Baseball?

Here's how to trade

When a baseball team wants to make a trade, the General Manager of a team makes a call or sends an email to another General Manager, offering about one to five players in return for another one to five players.

The vast majority of trades involve only players, but some also involve what are called cash considerations- payments to the other team, or draft picks- which are the ability to choose a young player in an amateur draft. Once traded, a team has to start paying the contract of whoever they picked up, and vice versa for the other team.

Generally, three types of players get traded:

An older player whose contract is almost up

A young prospect in the minor leagues who isn't ready to play

A player who the team doesn't want to keep for whatever reason- e.g. they are causing trouble in the clubhouse or are declining in production

As an important note, trades are different from DFA and waivers. A player who is DFA'ed or on waivers can be claimed by any team willing to start paying their salary, and this is done for players who aren't going to be feasible to trade. Free agency is also different from a trade but will require a separate post.

Example: Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien

In the offseason before the 2026 season, the New York Mets sent Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in return for Marcus Semien. As a trade, a one-for-one is a relatively easy one to analyze, as only two players need to be examined and value is easy to assess.

At first glace, moving Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien is relatively even. Both players are in their 30s this season, and have a relatively decent pedigree- Marcus Semien is a multi-time All-Star known for good middle infield defense, and Brandon Nimmo is a strong if underrated power bat. There are also rumors that Nimmo was tense within the Mets clubhouse, though this is impossible to confirm.

Here, we can also discuss the strategy of trading. At first glance, the trade seems relatively even, as both players are veterans with a solid resume and needed skills. However, this season is Marcus Semien's age 35 season, and what I think the New York Mets were counting on is him aging gracefully. So far, he has not aged gracefully, and his defense has declined badly while his offensive numbers have become drastically worse. By contrast, Nimmo is exactly as advertised- a good power bat who can play corner outfield at an appreciable level.

My Mariners Trade Wishlist

So who do I want to trade? That's a good question.

To send away, here are my picks.

Luis Castillo is *just* good enough to potentially be subject to a trade. He's not as good of a pitcher as he once was due to age and regression, but he might still be able to have a few good outings for another team. A trade involving him is unlikely but would be very good for the Mariners.

The Mariners also have several young pitchers who are immensely valuable- in fact, they are a surplus of them. Emerson Hancock, Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan are all possibilities, and will be valuable whether they get traded or not.

JP Crawford, a franchise mainstay as a shortstop who will probably transition to second or third base, and Randy Arozarena, a left field power bat currently having an excellent season, are both on the last year of their contract and over 30. They could be traded to fit a need in a pinch.

To obtain, we need

An outfield power bat is absolutely crucial. Wilyer Abreu is my dream pick- he's a young right fielder with good hitting and solid defense who has a few years on his contract and is playing for the Red Sox, an actively bad team- but Taylor Ward (Orioles), Riley Green (Tigers) and a few others are all in the mix.

A good left handed relief pitcher to support Jose Ferrer would be important to get at some point. Adrian Morejon (Padres), Erik Miller (Giants), Jose Alvarado (Phillies) and a few others fit this bill for the season.

My name is Adi Kung, and thank you for reading.

[baseballexplains]

What is the Hall of Fame, and Who Goes In?

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, or for short the Hall of Fame, is a foundation in Cooperstown, New York which is, even in an increasingly competitive sports media world, the greatest crowning achievement a baseball player, manager, executive or umpire can possibly have. To be in the Hall of Fame defines one's career more than anything else could- no other achievement comes close, not even the World Series. So how do you get it?

How to become a Hall of Fame player

After 15 years of retirement, a baseball player's candidacy is considered by the Hall of Fame's committee, though only players with ten years of time in the Major Leagues will be on the ballot. Managers, executives and umpires have similar criteria, but are overseen by a committee more relevant to their careers. There are three committees- the Contemporary Players Committee (1980-present), the Classic Committee (before 1980) and the Contemporary Non-Players Committee (1980-present).

Anyone who the committee nominates will be on a BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) ballot sent to sportswriters around the country, who are all journalists specialized in sports coverage. They range from reporters primarily associated with one team to high-profile figures such as Stephen A Smith or Jeff Passan (albeit the latter elects not to exercise his vote for several reasons). Any player with 75% of the vote will be in the Hall of Fame.

The qualifications are deliberately up to interpretation, but the following are unofficial criteria which can boost one's profile to Hall of Fame voters. Bear in mind that Hall of Fame voters are notoriously fickle and their personal criteria can include everything from favored team bias to how much they personally like a player.

Impressive career statistics such as WAR, batting average or ERA are usually considered

World series wins or playoff performance

Certain awards, such as MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year or the Triple Crown

Hall of Fame awards tend to go to players with longer careers due to more opportunities for accomplishments

Hall of Fame awards tend to go to players with more steady careers as opposed to high peaks

Some players have such significant importance to the history of baseball that they receive votes that way.

Plays with significant blemishes on their reputation such as cheating, PED usage or poor sportsmanship tend to be disfavored.

Future Hall of Famers

There are several players that are active or recently retired from Major League Baseball that I would consider to be likely future Hall of Famers. Their names are presented below.

Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer is one of only about a dozen pitchers ever to pitch a game with 20 strikeouts, has won Cy Young twice, was instrumental in the Nationals winning their only World Series title so far and is still in the Blue Jays rotation today as one of the oldest pitchers in the league. He might be the most lauded Nationals player ever depending on whether you count their time in Montreal or not.

Aaron Judge

Aaron Judge is possibly the best outfield bat of the modern era. He’s had 3 seasons with over 50 home runs at this time, has won MVP three times, and even with a rocky early season his career batting average approaches .300, an exceedingly rare feat for any player in the contemporary game. As the most lauded active player of the most historically lauded team, I have no doubt he will be in the Hall of Fame.

Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander is beloved by both the Tigers and Astros, the latter of which he carried to a World Series twice. He is a terrific presence on the field with three Cy Young awards, an MVP win as a pitcher (which is incredibly rare) and not one but three no-hitters. Perhaps the most impressive feat of all is none of these- he is the last active player from the original MLB the Show, which was released in 2006. Twenty years after the prime of his life, he is well regarded enough that the debate around him is not whether he should be in the Hall of Fame but what hat he should wear in it.

Paul Goldschmidt

Unless you’re a Diamondbacks or Cardinals fan this is probably the most obscure name on this list. Paul Goldschmidt has put up a 15 year career without even one negative season according to his WAR, which not even Aaron Judge has done, and has been one of the most consistent players in modern baseball. He’s only won MVP once but he’s had votes for MVP in the majority of his seasons, his career batting average is not that far from that of Aaron Judge and he’s one of the few first basemen who is actually well regarded for defense. There has never been a bad year to have Goldschmidt on your team- even this year while pushing 40 he’s leading off for the Yankees.

Clayton Kershaw

Almost no modern player can claim to have been on the same team for 18 years- even Jose Ramirez only has 14 and Jose Altuve only has 16. Kershaw can claim this, and he can also claim three Cy Young awards, three World Series wins, and perhaps the three most emblematic of his career- the Tripe Crown, an award for leading the Nationa League in wins, earned run average and strikeouts.

Mike Trout

Mike Trout is the epitome of a five tool player. As a defender, he’s a legendary center fielder whose defense at the notoriously difficult position has been unmatched in the American League for almost all of his career. As a hitter, he hits often, he hits hard and in his prime he could steal bases better than almost any extant everyday player. Perhaps the scariest thing about him is that he’s actually performed below expectations due to injuries- even with diminished health and gaps in playing time he is one of the most versatile and respected players alive.

Chris Sale

A perennial runner up for Cy Young who only won once, Chris Sale is nothing if not consistent. He has been an ace for three teams, has repeatedly come back from injuries and aging beyond all expectations and behind Scherzer and Verlander, he’s one of the best veteran pitchers active today. Even with a checkered injury history, he’s still dominated well into his late 30s.

Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is the best active player in baseball, there is no question about it. Ohtani is a pitcher who has had Cy Young caliber seasons while also being one of the most feared hitters ever, a two way player at a level so advanced no current player can do what he does. He is the easiest choice for the Hall of Fame possible, he just needs to get the service time.

Others

I can’t name everyone who could be a Hall of Famer. I think out of all current players Salvador Perez, Aroldis Chapman, Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor, Gerrit Cole, Jacob DeGrom, Nolan Arenado, Jose Ramirez, Tarik Skubal and Andrew McCutchen all will likely have a case at the end of their career. I encourage you to read about them and learn about them because if nothing else, they brought you joy- that’s the greatest achievement a ball player will ever have.

[baseballexplains]

Explaining the Formation of the Roman Empire with Baseball

The Triumvirate

We begin our story with a Roman Republic as a massive powerful entity. The Romans have destroyed their greatest enemy, the maritime state of Carthage, and stand with no real opposition. Then comes internal strife- not unlike the clubhouse conflicts of a baseball team, but on a large scale. Big egos all want to accumulate vast wealth, destabilizing the state.

Then comes what is known as the First Triumvirate, which is a political alliance of Caesar, Crassus and Pompey, three important leaders in Rome who agreed to work together for mutual gain. Pompey is an already-respected general who commands incredible legitimacy due to his wars in the eastern fringes of Anatolia, but needs support to keep his powerful enemies at bay. Caesar is a young man with little influence and a family not nearly as wealthy as Pompey's, but he is a master tactician and a great military leader to send out while Pompey remains in Rome. Crassus, an obscenely wealthy patrician, agrees to bankroll them both so that they can feed into his coffers.

In baseball terms, think of Caesar like a shortstop- he can support Crassus with his fielding and Pompey as a leadoff hitter, but he isn't necessarily the greatest player on the team. Pompey was the last shortstop- he's still a great hitter with immense clout, but he's six years older than Caesar and plays third base nowadays. Crassus is an ace pitcher with exceptional control- he's important, but does something fundamentally different for the team.

However, this did not last forever.

Caesar Consolidates Power

Baseball, like the First Triumvirate, is about the team. While the team is together, it is strong, but if it splinters, it is weak even if it still has the same good players. Sometimes, all it takes for the team to splinter is a key piece being destroyed.

Caesar's place in the Triumvirate has fundamentally changed at this point- his conquests in Gaul are not only equal to Pompey's in Anatolia, but Gaul is much closer than Anatolia- meaning more valuable immediately. Pompey now sees Caesar not as a protege but as a rival.

In baseball terms, this is around the time the shortstop darling would get a five year contract worth a lot of money, and the third baseman who used to be the guy is traded for prospects. Pompey and Caesar are now no longer on the same team, eventually fighting against each other in one of Rome's many civil wars.

Pompey can't come out on top- his time in the sun is over. Once his season ends, he's never the star player he once was and ends his career failing to ever win the glories he wished to. By contrast, Caesar is lauded more than Pompey ever was- but Caesar is not immune to the sands of time himself.

Hail, Caesar!

If you were to compare Julius Caesar to any real world baseball shortstop, he would be Yankees shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Alex Rodriguez was one of the most lauded offensive shortstops throughout his career and arguably one of the most important defining players of the 2000s and 2010s, but he suffered from numerous blows to his reputation from immense ambition and pride.

Alex Rodriguez was not originally a Yankee- he left the Mariners and later the Rangers during free agency, gaining immense fame and wealth but alienating fans of both teams. This is almost like how Julius Caesar turned on the Triumvirate, and later on his allies in the Senate.

Julius Caesar was a masterful general whose victories at military engagements such as the Battle of Alesia earned significant accolades and powerful friends, not dissimilar to the free agency of Alex Rodriguez. Increasingly over time, however, he gained unheard of amounts of power over Rome, a nominally republican state. By the time his downfall was planned, he was dictator for life.

Julius Caesar's political opponents, the Senators, used various allegations of tyranny against him. A-Rod was likewise brought down by scandals- his reputation never recovered after he was found to be actively using performance enhancing drugs and his integrity as a baseball player was permanently tarnished.

Although A-Rod was never murdered with a knife and is still alive as of writing, Julius Caesar was not so lucky. He was murdered by the senate, who stabbed him many times each. Caesar fell over and died, just as A-Rod's career eventually died with injury, age and growing fan backlash.

The Empire is Born

When Julius Caesar died, his young nephew Augustus, who was intelligent and powerful, inherited his riches and prestige. Augustus hunted down the assassins in the senate and created a new system of governance, one where the Senate would now bow to a first citizen- that being Augustus. The Republican trappings remained, but the Senate no longer had any real power.

When Alex Rodriguez retired from baseball in real life, the Yankees did bring on an heir- albeit not the heir they expected. In addition to shortstop and later second baseman Gleyber Torres, the Yankees brought up a young prospect named Aaron Judge, who played as an outfielder. Since A-Rod's retirement, Judge distinguished himself as the greatest hitter of the 21st century, still playing today. He is as iconic to the Yankees as Augustus is to Rome- but he has his Caesar to thank for that.

[baseballexplains]

What Does That Guy Do? A Guide to Baseball Positions

Something a lot of people who don't follow baseball struggle with is the concept of what exactly each position does. Generally, each position on a baseball field is unique and requires different skills, and a player who is great at one position might be bad at another one. My goal today is to provide context.

In this diatribe, I will describe what exactly each position does, going in order of traditional scorekeeping numbers. I will cover each position, including both starting and relief pitchers as well as the designated hitter.

1 - The Pitcher

The pitcher is the one everyone can describe- the pitcher throws the ball to try to get the batter out. They can do this in a few ways, but the mathematically best is to strike them out- throwing three pitches into the strike zone and forcing them out.

Most pitchers you can name are starters. The starting pitcher is in play from the beginning of the game to about the 5th to 7th inning, and their job is to ensure as few people get on base as possible.

If a starting pitcher gets tired, hurt or just psyched out, the manager can bring in a relief pitcher. A relief pitcher is usually a pitcher that either wasn't able to have enough stamina or versatility to be a starter, or is just too specialized to start games. Most relievers are fairly anonymous, and languish in what's called the bullpen until they are asked to pitch. If a reliever gets really good, they can become what's called a closer, and pitch in the 9th inning to end the game.

Starter Examples: Sandy Alcantara (Marlins), Paul Skenes (Pirates) Reliever Examples: Mason Miller (Padres), Ryan Helsley (Orioles)

2 - The Catcher

This is the most complex position to explain to someone that doesn't follow baseball. The catcher has several jobs, all of which are important but all of which are difficult to explain to someone new to baseball. I will go over the main ones here.

A catcher, first and foremost, is supposed to assist the pitcher. They tell the pitcher what to throw, traditionally using hand signs but today being assisted by a special radio. The pitcher is not bound by game rules to obey the catcher (though most managers expect them to) but rather is guided on what to do. The catcher also catches every pitch.

In order to assist the pitcher, some catchers do a technique called "framing", which is where they catch the ball in a way that makes it difficult for the umpire to know if it's a strike or not. This can occasionally cause an umpire to call a pitch outside the strike zone a strike, and so good framing is very useful.

Catchers also have an additional responsibility. Whenever a player attempts to steal a base (by running to the next base without a hit), the catcher tries to tag them out by throwing to the base they're running to in order to get them out. This necessitates great arm strength and a keen eye by the catcher.

Catchers tend to prioritize defensive work and working as part of a team rather than being a superstar in their own right. Although most catchers can hit decently well at higher levels, this is the most excusable position to not hit well in.

Examples: Shea Langliers (Athletics), Cal Raleigh (Mariners)

3 - First Base

The first baseman (there is unfortunately not a widely accepted gender neutral phrasing) is arguably the one with the easiest defensive job- to catch the ball and run to first base, so that the batter grounds out. This is not especially challenging for most players, though it does take a bit of practice as all positions do.

Uniquely, the first baseman is almost mandated to be at very least a decent hitter. Many first basemen are well known for their power hitting, and the greatest totals of home runs in the sport are hogged by first basemen. A first baseman stays in the lineup on offense, not defense.

Examples: Munetaka Murakami (White Sox), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

4 - Second Base

The second baseman is possibly the most forgettable role in baseball. Their task is similar to the first baseman in that they protect their base, albeit it usually requires a good throwing arm and a bit of running as well. It's a difficult and often thankless job they have, with second basemen often being overshadowed by the shortstop.

No one trains to be a second baseman. The vast majority of second basemen in the Major Leagues are players who trained as a shortstop but who couldn't move fast enough to keep the job. Still, they remain an important part of the game, and they can make a name for themselves if they try.

Examples: Brice Turang (Brewers), Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks)

5 - Third Base

The third baseman, as one would except, protects third base, but they have a unique other duty- they pick up the ball when it's hit close to them and throw it to first to prevent singles. Third basemen are usually good defensive players who can throw accurately while maintaining decent running speed.

Third basemen are often forgotten, even by the Hall of Fame which has fewer of them than any other position, but they are an extremely important part of play. Their defensive contributions can be the most notable on a team, and it's hard to miss when they screw up. Most of them are also fair hitters as well in modern baseball.

Examples: Matt Chapman (Giants), Austin Riley (Braves)

6 - Shortstop

If you are a shortstop, you are quick, you can throw, and you are likely to be a young hotshot with loads of potential. The shortstop arguably is the most important defensive position aside from catcher, as their job is to guard any base that is otherwise unoccupied when an infielder needs to grab the ball. A shortstop is wherever they are needed- though usually somewhere between second and third base.

Shortstops tend to be the most versatile and youngest players, though when in doubt defensive ability is prioritized. They tend to use their speed to compensate for any shortcomings in offense, though many shortstops are what are called five-tool players- good enough at power hitting, contact hitting, speed, throwing and catching to have no real weaknesses.

Examples: Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals), Elly de la Cruz (Reds)

7 - The Left Fielder

Whenever a player is in a corner outfield (right or left field) position, they are someone to watch out for in hitting. Outfielders usually have the most respected bats, the best baserunning ability and the most offensive potential.

Defensively, an outfielder does one thing- they catch balls that go their way, and they throw them back to the infield. This benefits from a strong and accurate throwing arm, as well as decent running ability. However, this is one of the simpler defensive positions to play.

Examples: Juan Soto (Mets), Wyatt Langford (Rangers)

8 - The Center Fielder

A center fielder is basically a supercharged version of the other outfielders. They have the unique issue of having to run either left or right on a dime to make catches, which is much harder than it sounds. The center fielder is also the most likely player to make what is called a home run robbery by jumping over the fence to catch the ball before it hits the ground- the most exciting of defensive plays.

Centerfielders usually aren't very powerful with their bats. It's rare for them to hit for power, and they usually either lead off using their running speed or hit lower in the lineup.

Examples: Mike Trout (Angels), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs)

9 - The Right Fielder

The Right Fielder is, in many ways, the most variable position. At an amateur or little league level, playing right field is usually where the weakest fielders go, as it is difficult to hit the ball into the right field with a right-handed batting stance.

At a Major League level, the role of Right Fielder is more based on where the home team actually plays. Some argue that playing left or right field is basically interchangable in terms of skills at higher levels, but this can vary- for instance, Citi Field has a more hostile right field than a left field, but this is not true for other ballparks.

Examples: Aaron Judge (Yankees), Wilyer Abreu (Red Sox)

0 - The Designated Hitter

The Designated Hitter was the last baseball position to develop, and is the most controversial. Some leagues don't even observe it as legitimate or only adopted it very recently, including the National League of Major League baseball. Put simply, the designated hitter subs in for the pitcher when batting. What else do they do? Nothing. Some argue it takes away from the strategy of the game and removes the element of a hitting pitcher, but nowadays, the controversy has died down significantly.

The designated hitter is by necessity good at offense, and must justify their inclusion on that alone. Most of the time, this is either a position that rotates between whoever needs rest or the position given to the worst fielder on the time.

There is also one special designated hitter- the two way player. A pitcher can still try to hit if they wish to, but most pitchers cannot hit well enough to do so on an MLB field. Currently, only one pitcher can actually play as a two way player- Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Examples: Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Yordan Alvarez (Astros)

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Explaining "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" with baseball

The classic novel "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson, one of the most renowned Scottish novelists of all time who also wrote Treasure Island, is known by many as a story of a man named Dr. Henry Jekyll who drinks a potion that turns him into a mean brute named Mr. Edward Hyde. However, the story is often misunderstood, and I wish to use baseball metaphors to explain why.

Historical Context

Robert Louis Stephenson published "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" in 1886, before the modern understanding of baseball developed. He wrote during the Victorian era and was attempting to capture the imaginations of readers who would be hearing about new medical and scientific discoveries daily.

During this time, although baseball was widely played throughout the United States, what we know as Major League Baseball did not exist. Instead, various baseball leagues around America were formed, the most long-lasting of which was the National League, which merged with the American League in 1903 to become the Major Leagues. This is why the World Series is always played between the National League and American League.

In 1886, several baseball teams that exist today existed. The Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies all had a predecessor active in 1886. However, the Atlanta Braves played in Boston and the San Francisco Giants played in New York City, specifically the Borough of Manhattan.

The Story

The story of "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" begins in London, and is about a man named Mr. Gabriel Utterson who works as a lawyer. He is walking with his cousin, who recounts a man named Hyde who tramples a young girl while walking.

When a batter in baseball gets a hit that is not a foul ball, they run across the bases, attempting to reach first, second, third base or home plate. Any interference via collision will result in the baserunner being automatically out. Deliberately colliding with another player is considered an illegal play, and will result in an ejection from the game.

As the story goes on, Dr. Jekyll, a man well regarded in the community, seems to have an odd interest in defending Mr. Hyde, who does increasingly heinous things. Hyde is considered suspect, but because Jekyll and Hyde look different physically, the people around him do not understand that these are the same person. Eventually, Mr. Utterson finds out that Jekyll is impersonating Hyde.

Eventually, Mr. Utterson funds out that Dr. Jekyll was deliberately turning into Mr. Hyde with a magical potion to commit evil acts without blame, and that he even ended up killing people. Dr. Jekyll is already dead at that point, but he had tarnished his good name.

Use of potions to alter one's physical capabilities is illegal in Major League Baseball, as it is considered cheating to use a performance enhancing drug (PED). If Dr. Jekyll were a baseball player, he would be suspended for around 80 games on the first offense if caught drinking a magic potion. Understandably, using a magic potion to commit crimes is unacceptable in 19th century London on similar grounds- it is a hazard to the integrity of the world around the perpetrator.

Themes

The most important theme of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the theme of integrity. Integrity is crucial in baseball, because good sportsmanship keeps the game fun for everyone and helps everyone stay safe. This is why PEDs are banned- it ruins the game by giving whoever takes the most drugs an unfair advantage, and also can negatively impact one's health via side effects. However, some players such as Jurickson Profar still choose to take PEDs.

When Dr. Jekyll turns into Mr. Hyde, his appearance changes and his inhibitions are lowered, but he still is fundamentally the same person- being Mr. Hyde doesn't change who he is. All of the things that Mr. Hyde does are things Jekyll always wanted to do- that's why he keeps drinking the potion when he knows he will end up being violent and churlish. So, the lesson is that when someone with bad intentions believes they will not be held accountable, they will do bad things.

Jurickson Profar, a first round draft pick who impressed many people with his hitting ability, joined the Atlanta Braves to be their leadoff hitter. At first, many people though he would be good despite his age, and he was even set to represent the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, an international baseball tournament. However, he was suspended for a full season and banned from the WBC after testing positive for PEDs after already using them in another year.

Jurickson Profar's decision at first seems like it makes no sense. Even if he didn't hit very well, he would have still been paid a lot of money and been able to represent his country if he didn't take steroids. However, in cases like this, players do not make these choices thinking they will be caught- they think they'll get lucky, that they can sneak past the rules. They want to be great, and they are willing to compromise their integrity to do that. That is why being accountable is always important, and that is what Dr. Jekyll's story teaches us.

[baseballexplains]

Intro to Explain it with Baseball

Hello! I am Adi Kung, the host of Explain It With Baseball. This is a blog aside from my regular Tumblr devoted to explaining important and unimportant concepts using baseball metaphors. I will be doing my best to explain anything I know how to explain using some kind of baseball metaphor, including in-game scenarios, baseball history or terminology. I also hope this will educate the people of Tumblr about baseball.

Additionally, I will also explain important information about baseball, including anything that the users of Tumblr wish to know. I never played baseball except as a child, but I know a fair bit about the history and gameplay behind baseball, and I can provide commentary regarding important issues. 

In addition to user submitted baseball explanation requests, I will also occasionally cover certain important events in baseball, as well as explaining things I like using baseball metaphors. Below, I list some things I am likely to cover.

Things I am good at explaining:

Actual baseball facts

Books, movies and TV shows

Video games 

Tabletop games

LGBT+ culture

Historical time periods and events

Political, religious and economic theories

Now, play ball!

My name is Adi Kung, thank you for reading