Four weeks ago, the 2014 Major League Baseball season arrived. The glitz and glamour of Opening Day came with reactions from offseason moves and spring training narratives.
While it’s foolish to amend most preseason expectations and declarations with only about 15 percent of the schedule finished, perspective is starting to arrive for the season playing out in front of our eyes. Four weeks of competition isn’t enough to win a pennant, but it could be enough to make analysts and fans reconsider what seemed academic just one month ago.
Last week, Yasiel Puig’s plight, struggles in Arizona and brilliance in Atlanta were the stories. Now we have a new slate of evolving trends to consider and dissect. The season is taking form and potentially laying the groundwork for a special summer in the sport.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the first four weeks of the 2014 MLB season.
Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted, and are valid through the start of play on April 25. All contract figures courtesy of Cot’s Baseball Contracts. Roster projections via MLB Depth Charts.