Opinion

Brandon Belt has received a lot of buzz, and rightly so. The 6'5" left-handed slugger has batted for a .352 average in 136 minor league games.

In his debut in spring training yesterday, Belt drove in four RBI on two doubles and one single.

But what about Aubrey Huff and the solid job he did for the team last year? Huff is still the guy, but with each appearance by the young stud, Huff might be counting his reps.

Finally...It’s baseball season.

Last year I experienced my first spring training and it was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I got the chance to chat with Buster Posey, Bruce Bochy, Barry Zito and Jeremy Affeldt. I ran into Dave Flemming, Jon Miller and Shawon Dunston in the parking lot.

I saw newcomers Aubrey Huff and Mark DeRosa take their first hacks in the black and orange. I saw the eventual Rookie of the Year, Posey try to master first base.

We all have regrets. Some of us more than others.

Take your author for example. While I was in Miami for a bachelor party last weekend, my girlfriend was in Boston visiting my friend's wife who recently had a baby.

The Rockies are three games into their 2011 spring schedule. So far so good; they are 3-0.

Small market teams don't trade away a player that they control with two years to go before free agency.  Most teams would try to get the most out of him before trading such a player away. 

Which leaves me to the Twins floating around Francisco Liriano's name out in trade winds and more than likely trading him away this season.

What baseball fan doesn't love Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants?

I know I do.

He has elite talent on the mound and seems to understand that baseball is first and foremost entertainment before anything else.

Oh and he has the BEST beard in the universe. It rivals Tom Selleck's mustache for the most famous facial hair known to man.

The Minnesota Twins have started their Grapefruit League campaign without their two big guns—catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau. 

Granted, we're only in the first week of the Grapefruit League, and there is plenty of time for the Twins to get ready as they look to win their third consecutive AL Central title, and the seventh since Ron Gardenhire took over in 2002.

For Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher Matt Anderson, being in Clearwater, Florida is a blessing.

A former flamethrower on the hill, arm injuries derailed Anderson's career before it even began. The former first overall draft pick was limited to far fewer appearances with the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies than many would have expected when he was still a top prospect—long before he was considered one of the biggest draft busts of all time.

One of the more important aspects of drafting in fantasy sports is finding a solid “sleeper.” As most of you know, a sleeper is a player who is ranked low in the draft, but turns in gold numbers during the season.

With the fantasy baseball season rapidly approaching, and mock-draft lobbies filling up in anticipation, let’s take a look at potential pitching sleepers for this year.

Madison Bumgarner

If actions and words are any indicator, there appears to be a difference of opinion regarding the importance of New York Yankees starter Phil Hughes developing his changeup.

Coaches keep mentioning Hughes' further development and use of the pitch as the primary goal for him this spring.