Rankings/List

The job security for scores of general managers around Major League Baseball is in doubt right now, and one of the best ways to get off the hot seat is having a strong draft.

Every year there are players littered throughout the first round that are either the biggest bust this side of Justin Smoak or the next Hall of Famer.

The 2012 MLB season is about to hit the quarter mark, and a lot of teams who were considered "playoff contenders" are still struggling to find their footing.

A lot of baseball fans are counting out the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Tigers, but be warned, there's a ton of baseball left to play, and all five of these teams will lean on their experience to pull through in the end.

After starting out 2012 sluggishly, the Philadelphia Phillies have put the pedal to the medal over the last week, winning six straight games and seven out of eight against San Diego, Houston, Chicago, and now Boston.

Tonight, nobody cares that Josh Hamilton hasn't played more than 135 games but once in his career. Nobody cares that his past alcohol and drug abuse may shorten the career of one of the most talented players of his generation.

Tonight, May 8, 2012, Josh Hamilton is just the 16th player in major league history to hit four home runs in a single game—and just the fifth since 1986.

This time last week, Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver was in the American League Cy Young discussion, but not quite at the top of it.

He must have sensed our doubts. Weaver's last two starts consist of a no-hitter and a gem on the road against the Minnesota Twins. He's now seven starts into his 2012 campaign, and he has video-game numbers that make baseball geeks like you and I drool uncontrollably.

Getting that first hit in the major leagues is a big moment in the career of any player. There are some players who've had the hits mean even more because they came in a big spot.

Jordany Vladespin is the latest player whose first hit had some extra meaning, because he was able to help the New York Mets to a victory.

Currently, the Toronto Blue Jays are holding down the second wild card spot in the American League. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels have all had rough starts and might not have the season most people thought they would. That would leave room for a few teams—like the Blue Jays—to sneak up in the standings.

Everyone has seen sports video games in which you can draft your own team from the entire player pool? Well, what would happen if all the current major and minor leaguers were placed into a pool and drafted by the league's 30 general managers? 

How would age come into play? How would they consider defensive prowess, off-the-field concerns, injury history or leadership reputation? How would players like David Ortiz or Jesus Montero be valued considering their probably DH status? Also, would teams be pressured to reach for fan favorites?

One of the greatest things about the game of baseball is that it is filled with pitching greats who put up eye-popping numbers. It is also filled with great streaks, surprises and hurlers that emerge from nowhere to take the game by storm.

It's been hard to be a Milwaukee Brewer fan for the last 25 years or so. Only a handful of memories stick out.

But then 2011 came along.

One of the most memorable seasons started when the Brewers acquired Nyjer Morgan from the Washington Nationals.

Nyjer Morgan was the Brewers fans favorite player in 2011. The eccentric "T-Plush" brought enthusiasm and energy night in and night out.