Chris Bostick unleashed another outstanding game Tuesday as Salt River defeated Mesa 4-2 in Arizona Fall League play. The second baseman went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, three runs scored and two RBIs. It was Bostick's fourth double and fourth homer of the AFL season. Bostick hit out of the No. 2 hole and cranked a solo shot in the third inning off of Mesa starter Rob Zastryzny. Bostick raised his average to .275. Right-hander John Simms started and went three innings for the win,...

I was in the minority in the voting for the American League's Manager of the Year. I was one of two voters from the Baseball Writers' Association of America to cast my first-place ballot for New York's Joe Girardi, who led the Yankees to a wild card spot in the playoffs. Texas' Jeff Banister, with 17 first-place votes, won the award followed by Houston's A.J. Hinch and Minnesota's Paul Molitor. Banister led the Rangers to the AL West title. This was the most intriguing Manager of the...

Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer won't win the National League Cy Young Award tonight. When balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America is announced on MLB Network, that honor is likely to go to Cubs ace Jake Arrieta or Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke. But for the first half of the season, Scherzer seemed to be the clear-cut frontrunner to claim the second Cy Young of his eight-year career. After inking a record seven-year, $210 deal for a right-hander in January, Scherzer...

The San Francisco Giants made a move yesterday that seems to be playing to solid reviews, locking up one of their core players for the future. They signed shortstop Brandon Crawford to a six-year contract extension worth $75 million. The Giants signed him for his two remaining arbitration seasons and bought out four free agent years. Crawford is a homegrown player, drafted by the Giants in round four in 2008. He pulled off a rare trifecta this year when he was an All-Star and also won a Gold...

The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce the Cy Young Award winners in both leagues tonight on MLB Network. My guess is Dallas Keuchel beats out Sonny Gray and David Price in the American League. Four Orioles have won the Cy Young Award, including three-time winner Jim Palmer (1973, 1975, 1976). Mike Cuellar and Denny McLain were co-winners in 1969, Mike Flanagan won it in 1979 and Steve Stone won it in 1980. Stone went 25-7 with a 3.23 ERA and nine complete games in 37...

Following a season that was wrecked by numerous injuries, the Nationals have overhauled their training staff and developed a new approach to their medical system. "In an innovative shift, the Nationals are transitioning their medical department to one that utilizes a proactive model, with significant analytic input," the Nationals said in a team-issued release. "This will allow the Nationals to hone in on predictive factors to thwart potential injurious situations, and increase performance,...

With a focus on being proactive and utilizing injury-prevention techniques, the Washington Nationals announced a new medical structure and expansion on Tuesday, with several personnel additions and changes. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. In an innovative shift, the Nationals are transitioning their medical department to one that utilizes a proactive model, with significant analytic input. This will allow the Nationals to hone in...

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was the unanimous choice for National League Rookie of the Year last night. Bryant, who played youth baseball with Bryce Harper, smacked 26 homers and drove in 99 runs after making his major league debut in mid-April. Astros shortstop Carlos Correa took home the honors in the American League after slashing .279/.345/.512 with 22 homers and 68 RBIs. The 21-year-old did all his damage in only 99 games after debuting in early June. Who was the Nationals' top...

The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce its Managers of the Year tonight on MLB Network. Orioles skipper Buck Showalter won it last year in the American League, but he isn't a finalist in 2015. The choice comes down to the Rangers' Jeff Banister, the Astros' A.J. Hinch and the Twins' Paul Molitor. My guess is Banister, though I'd lean more toward Hinch for taking a team predicted to lose just about every game and guiding it into the playoffs. Manny Machado didn't win a...

For six players from the Orioles minor leagues, their time in the Arizona Fall League is almost over. They've played for the Peoria Javelinas, who are 12-12 with three games left and cannot finish in first place. But the six have gained valuable high-level experience. Orioles director of player development Brian Graham was recently in Arizona and I asked him about the O's prospects out there. Adrian Marin is a 21-year-old infielder who was the Single-A Frederick Keys' shortstop the past two...