MLB

The MLB rookie class of 2016 has a lot to live up to.

Last year's class, after all, was historically loaded. Let's just rattle off a list of names to refresh your memory: Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Noah Syndergaard, Joc Pederson, Matt Duffy, Kyle Schwarber, Maikel Franco, Miguel Sano, Jung Ho Kang. Impact players, all.

The AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles have a formula for winning games, and they're sticking to it.

This is thanks in no small part to Mark Trumbo, who just won't stop dropping Trumbombs.

The St. Louis Cardinals announced Monday that they have optioned second baseman Kolten Wong to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. 

Instead of promoting someone else from the minors to fill Wong's spot on the roster, the Cardinals expect veteran infielder Jhonny Peralta to come off the disabled list Tuesday.

What a difference a year has made for David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox.

In 2015, the club landed in the cellar in the American League East—15 games behind the division-winning Toronto Blue Jays. This year, as the third month of the season rolls along, the Red Sox own the second-best winning percentage in the circuit.

The AL East heavyweights are the most improved team of 2016, but they're far from the only rejuvenated squad this year.

In order to rank the most improved teams of 2016, we zeroed in on three key factors:

Roughly one-third of the 2016 MLB season has been played, and at this point everyone is still chasing the Chicago Cubs.

The No. 1 team in our weekly power rankings for 10 straight weeks dating back to Opening Day, the Cubs have been nothing short of dominant aside from a brief hiccup in the middle of May where they went 4-8 over a 12-game stretch.

Meanwhile, teams continue to jostle for position in the rankings behind them, and for the fourth straight week we have a new No. 2 team.

Never permanently discard an MLB player who doesn't immediately offer fantasy baseball production.

One way or another, most waiver-wire recommendations are getting a second chance to meet previously higher expectations. This includes a player almost ditched before playing an official game.

Some former contributors on this list never met their potential, but they're currently reaching new heights. It may feel like they have been around forever, but none of these forgotten players has celebrated his 30th birthday yet.

The Miami Marlins' Jose Fernandez twirled seven shutout innings on Sunday in a 1-0 victory over the New York Mets, scattering four hits, no walks and matching a career high with 14 strikeouts.

The proper response? An appreciative nod.

Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill announced Sunday that 2015 first-round draft pick Josh Naylor injured minor league teammate Stone Garrett with a knife during an incident at their apartment, per Craig Davis of the Sun Sentinel.

According to Davis, Garrett needed three stitches to close a cut on his right hand.

Madison Bumgarner wants to participate in the Home Run Derby.

Yes, the same Madison Bumgarner who pitches for the San Francisco Giants.

After taking part in batting practice Sunday in St. Louis, the three-time All-Star and 2014 World Series MVP told ESPN's Buster Olney he wants to take part in the annual long-ball competition.

Mother Nature interrupted Sunday's game between the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals in the sixth inning. The clouds opened, the tarps came out and the two American League Central foes endured a three-hour-plus delay.

These days, however, nothing can rain on the Indians' parade.