MLB

Since Bleacher Report is such a distinguished blog, I must presume that Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane reads it, especially the postings that appear in the sports section of the Houston Chronicle . Perhaps he's reading this very post, thinking to himself, "What kind of a writer uses a weird name like Zoe-wee? Is that a pen name?"

Every winning baseball team has a player or two that goes relatively unnoticed, their contributions undervalued by the bigger names on the team. Sometimes they are bunt specialists, defensive wizards, or pinch hitting specialists.

But, to the true baseball eye there are many underrated players in the MLB today putting up quite remarkable numbers in equally remarkable ways.

Manny Corpas is a polarizing figure amongst Rockies fans.

Just two nights into his tenure as the host of KNBR 680 AM's Sports Phone 680, the evening show that airs at 7 p.m., former big leaguer F.P. Santangelo is proving to be an upgrade over the overly opinionated, sometimes under-informed Damon Bruce.

Sandy Koufax, hands folded in his lap, sat in the center of Nokia Theatre's bright stage between the Skipper and the Local Sports Columnist , who sat waiting for him to say something.

If there is one member of the 2010 rookie class that seems destined for stardom, it's Atlanta Braves rookie right fielder, Jason Heyward. In fact, stardom may be setting the bar too low for the ultra-talented 20-year-old Georgian.

Heyward will be given every opportunity to become the every day starter for the Braves this spring. The team made their intentions known when they traded former hometown hero, Jeff Francoeur in July, and let Garret Anderson depart in free agency this winter.

It was a three-run fifth inning that sparked the New York Mets to a 4-2 win over the Atlanta Braves today in Grapefruit League action.  Russ Adams hit a solo shot off of Chris Resop in the eighth to put the game away.

Mets also got offense from Jesus Feliciano, who was 2-for-2, and Ike Davis made his name known for the first baseman job with a 2-for-3 day with a double.

The Detroit Tigers, as nearly everyone knows by now, were on the wrong end of one of the most exciting baseball games in years. But losing to the Minnesota Twins in a playoff play-in game was just the culmination of what had been a horrific September/October collapse.

Speaking with a co-worker yesterday, we both agree that the Mets lineup is deep and that they will be one of the better hitting teams this year.

We also agree that the difference between winning 83 or 90 games will be determined by who steps up to take the second spot in the rotation.

Getting that second pitcher would make Mike Pelfrey and John Maine a solid three and four, respectively. It would also move Oliver Perez to the fifth spot and easier to replace, if his bad habits appear.

Brian Sabean and the San Francisco Giants' front office deserve a hearty round of applause heading into 2010 Spring Training.

Their winter of discontent following a disappointing finish to the 2009 Major League Baseball season could've been Ugly with a capital "U."

Considering how the anemic offense submarined an otherwise exceptional campaign from the starting staff and bullpen, the easy thing would've been to start the ol' printing presses and shell out max dinero for one of the best bats on the market.

But "easy" is all too infrequently synonymous with "smart."