Bases Covered is a daily roundup of the most interesting stories in baseball.
Great expectations
There are currently 12 active MLB players who were drafted first overall; here’s a rundown. Arizona Diamondbacks fans will find plenty to dream on, and Alex Rodriguez fans can look back at simpler days.
Spring thaw
U.S.–Cuba relations are warmer than they’ve been in a generation, and Rob Manfred has taken note. The commissioner discussed opportunities to bring MLB to Cuba, with the potential for spring training games in the country as soon as 2016.
Best two out of five
For the first time in the history of the MLB draft, a team will make two of the draft’s first five selections. After failing to sign first-overall pick Brady Aiken following the 2014 draft, the Houston Astros were guaranteed the second-overall pick this year as compensation, and their 70–92 record last season earned them pick number five. Astros scouting director Mike Elias is understandably pleased.
Mistakes were made
Yesterday MLB reached out to Royals manager Ned Yost to apologize for blowing the same call twice. Yost had challenged a safe call at first base — replays showed Jose Ramirez to be out — but the call was upheld because the replay official didn’t have access to a super-slow motion view of the play. Asked his opinion of video review following the mishap, Yost said, “I think it’s a great system,” adding, “There’s going to be mistakes made.”
Clemente on the big screen
A film covering the life and triumphs of baseball legend Roberto Clemente is in the works. Based on the book Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero by David Maraniss, the film is being developed by the same studio that produced the Jackie Robinson biopic 42.
