Kuzul

After an offseason of analyzing teams on paper and making predictions based on potential, there are finally some on-field results to influence this week’s MLB power rankings.

However, we are dealing with an incredibly small sample size at this point, so potential and overall outlook will play a significant role in where teams fall.

This is a fluid process, with teams rising and falling based on where they were ranked the previous week. If a team keeps winning, it will keep climbing—it’s as simple as that.

So while the first week of action influenced teams’ climbing and dropping, don’t expect these rankings to mirror the current standings.

Overall, this week’s changes were mostly minor shuffling, with more substantial moves to come as teams get some games under their belts.

One week into the 2016 season, here is a look at where all 30 MLB teams stand.

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From rising superstar Carlos Correa to established giant Miguel Cabrera, there are no shortage of ultra-talented big leaguers vying for the top spot in the rankings of the best Latin American baseball players.

Before we run down the top 10, let’s first lay out just who exactly qualifies for this list and explain what we mean by “best.”

For the purpose of this exercise, only players who were born in Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking nations south of the United States were eligible for inclusion.

When it comes to the best, the idea was to rank the players who will be the most productive and make the most significant impacts in 2016.

In the ranking process, the most important factor was 2015 stats—both traditional and advanced. We also took the given player’s larger body of work into consideration—especially to help distinguish between major leaguers with similar credentials.

As it turns out, Correa was the youngest player to make this list, but he wasn’t the only Houston Astro who earned a spot in the club.

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Established big league stars make the big dollars and generally represent the face of their respective franchises, but young up-and-coming players are often the most exciting guys on the roster.

Cost-effective players with dynamic skill sets can make a real difference for teams that are looking to make a run at a title, and there’s more high-end young talent around the league right now than any time in recent memory.

So with that in mind, what follows is a position-by-position look at Major League Baseball’s all-under-25 team.

Some specifics before we begin:

• MLB experience: Only players with major league experience were considered, so while guys like J.P. Crawford, Orlando Arcia, Nomar Mazara, Lucas Giolito, Tyler Glasnow and Jose Berrios are all close to big league-ready, they don’t qualify just yet.

• Age cut-off: In order to eliminate players who are not yet 25 but will be playing the bulk of the upcoming season at the age of 25, a player must still be 24 or younger on June 1 to be eligible for inclusion. This excluded a notable trio in Nolan Arenado, Marcus Stroman and Steven Matz.

• Production vs. upside: Eligible players were chosen based on their current skill level and previous production, not on their ceiling and future upside. Kyle Schwarber might have a higher ceiling than Christian Yelich, but Yelich was the choice in left field based on what he’s already accomplished.

• Injured players: While they may not currently be playing, injured players were still considered for inclusion on this list.

A full starting lineup of position players, a starting pitcher and a reliever were selected to this under-25 team, and we included a look at what a full 25-man roster of under-25 players might appear like, so be sure to check that out as well.

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The 2016 MLB season kicked off with a tripleheader of games on Sunday, and ahead of Monday’s full slate of action it’s time to officially unveil our Opening Day power rankings.

All offseason we’ve shuffled teams around based on free-agent signings, trades, injuries, position battles and in many case a simple shift in opinion as the months went on and we moved closer to the start of the regular season.

From here on out, we’ll have actual on-field results to base these rankings on, but for now they’re still largely subjective and based on how the teams stack up on paper.

These rankings are a fluid process throughout the course of the season. Win, and you climb. Continue to win, and you’ll continue to climb. It’s as simple as that, yet it never fails to spark some of the best debate in the MLB community.

So who is baseball’s No. 1 team on Opening Day? Where does your favorite team fall in our first regular-season power rankings?

Let’s get things rolling.

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For a baseball player, MLB spring training is like hand measurements and 40-yard-dash times at the NFL combine. It’s a necessary function of the evaluation process but guarantees nothing about a guy’s future prospects when games get serious.

Likewise, the performance of a team or player in spring training doesn’t indicate anything about how the regular season may end. There have been teams that looked great in the spring but flopped during the season and vice versa.

Spring training is more like a glorified health club than anything that represents high-leverage competition. It’s a means to achieve better performance when the season actually starts. The baseball world is still waiting for a player to earn the moniker “Mr. March.”

But what spring training does provide us is a blueprint for how teams may achieve their playoff goals. Injuries, breakout performances and drama can all indicate—positively and negatively—what action a team may take to chase a division crown.

We won’t come out of this year’s spring training with an idea of who might win the World Series or a division title. However, what may have been a clearer playoff picture when spring began now resembles more of an abstract painting.

Spring training hasn’t told us where the road to the playoffs may turn. But it has given us an indication as to where those turns lie.

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The 2016 MLB season starts Sunday with a triple-header of games capped by a rematch of last fall’s World Series meeting between the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals on Sunday Night Baseball.

After an offseason of exciting wheeling and dealing, ongoing arguments about which team will reign supreme in 2016 and the always prevalent overreaction to spring training performances, what really matters is finally about to begin.

So before Opening Day arrives, let’s set the stage with a rundown of the game’s 50 best players heading into the season.

For position players, offensive production, defensive metrics such as defensive runs saved and ultimate zone rate per 150 games and track record of success were taken into account with an eye on potential indicators of regression such as batting average on balls in play.

For pitchers, performance, pure stuff, durability and track record of success were factored into the equation, with fielding independent pitching and the aforementioned BABIP making up the two biggest potential indicators of regression.

That being said, a certain level of subjectivity always goes into a list like this.

The simple question “Would I rather have Player A or Player B if I were building a team?” also played a part in determining where each of the following players landed in the rankings.

Let’s kick things off with a few guys who just missed the cut before diving into the best 50 players in the game at the start of the 2016 regular season.

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March Madness might be in full swing right now, but you know what’s only a few days away from beginning? The baseball season, meaning that, for the next six months, sports fans will get to experience America’s pastime nearly every single night.

As great as the smell of the fresh-cut grass inside of a stadium is, here’s your guide to the best food, uniforms and promo nights that fans should really be excited about. Because, whether your favorite team wins or not, these are a few things that every fan can enjoy.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs Change Name to the Cheesesteaks for One Game

Playing in the shadows of Philadelphia—where cheesesteaks are like communion to locals—the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are doing something to pay homage to the delicacy and changing their name to the Cheesesteaks for one game only.

I’m not sure if this has ever been done before by a sports franchise or not, but it’s pretty awesome to see—and the uniforms are straight fire!

Milwaukee Brewers’ Jalapeno Popper Dog

The name itself makes it sound like this Jalapeno Popper Dog that the Milwaukee Brewers are debuting at Miller Park this year will be incredible—and extremely spicy. But what makes it so good is all the ingredients.

How does a local hot dog with cheese sauce, fried jalapeno and a sausage roll sound to you? If you’re anything like me, it sounds like heaven.

Sure, the dog will be a challenge to eat, but I have a feeling it’s well worth it.

Buffalo Bisons’ Star Wars Night

One of the things that makes minor league baseball so unique are the various promotional nights teams run throughout a season.

And while MLB teams do things like giveaways and other contests, it’s their minor league affiliates that pull out all the stops—and the Buffalo Bisons’ Star Wars Night is one that has become quite the tradition over the years.

Bringing actors in to reenact some of the famous scenes from the film and other cool festivities, Bisons players will don their own customized Star Wars jerseys, with this year’s being an all-black design inspired by Darth Vader.

Toronto Blue Jays’ Chicken & Waffle on a Stick

The Toronto Blue Jays enjoyed a deep run in the postseason in 2015, and they’re hoping that some extra protein and carbs will help give them the strength to go even further this year, because the team announced a new dish: Chicken & Waffles on a Stick.

Where else can a fan go to get something as good as chicken mixed with the sweetness of a waffle and take in some awesome baseball? Here’s your answer—the Rogers Centre at a Jays game this year.

Minnesota Twins’ Red Alternate Jersey

For as long as I can remember, the Minnesota Twins have always sported either white, gray or navy blue tops throughout their history. Not anymore, though.

That’s because the Twins unveiled some sick new jerseys that they’ll be wearing this season, with a whole lot of red being the emphasis. These uniforms will be paired with alternate caps during home games.

Some may think they’re a little too in your face, but, come on, it’s about time the Twinkies changed up their look a bit.

Gary SouthShore RailCats’ Top Gun Night

Much like the aforementioned Star Wars Night from the Buffalo Bisons, the Gary SouthShore RailCats are paying homage to a classic movie, too, by busting out their bomber jackets and aviators for Top Gun Night this year.

Wearing unis that are modeled after Maverick’s flight suit from the film, the team will take the field in style, with the jerseys being auctioned off after the game for charity.

It’s the 30th anniversary of the movie, so this should remind everyone to never lose that lovin’ feeling while at a RailCats game.

Kansas City Royals’ Champions Alley Burger

After winning their first World Series in 30 years, the Kansas City Royals figured they just had to give their fans something to snack on to celebrate for the year after. So that’s exactly what they did.

Creating the Champions Alley Burger—which also has a hot dog version—the Royals’ new sandwich is everything one would want to chow on while at Kauffman Stadium, as it’s tempura-battered and stuffed with bacon and cheese, then served with some slaw on top.

Anyone who can take one of these down can definitely claim to being a champion—because the thing is massive.

Rochester Red Wings’ Batman Night

Of all the promotion nights that are going on in baseball this season, the Rochester Red Wings’ Batman Night might just be my favorite—because they don’t hold anything back in making it great.

In addition to bringing in the actor who played Catwoman in the 1966 Batman movie (Lee Meriwether), the team is also rolling in a replica Batmobile—which is awesome.

Voted as one of the top 10 promo nights in MiLB in 2014, the Red Wings know that the Batman will save the day and bring plenty of fun to fans in attendance.

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Yellow Alternate Jersey

Finally, the Pittsburgh Pirates decided to bring back their yellow “We Are Family” jerseys that became so popular after the 1979 World Series team—and they’ll be wearing them for every Sunday home game throughout the 2016 season.

Originally leaked by a staffer accidentally on Twitter, once the news broke about the new threads, I’m sure everyone in the Steel City began thinking of players like Willie Stargell and Dave Parker, who helped make the mustard-colored tops so famous.

Props to the Pirates for honoring their past and breaking these out for more than just one or two games, too.

Texas Rangers’ Chicken & Donut Skewer

Everything is always bigger in Texas, so of course the Texas Rangers wanted to make sure they could get as many different tastes together in one dish to make the ultimate snack for fans.

Enter this Chicken & Donut Skewer, which is a 12-inch skewer with fried chicken and donut holes on it that’s then drizzled with spicy buffalo honey sauce.

It sounds like an absolute blast in the mouth, so make sure to prepare yourself before housing it.

Arizona Diamondbacks’ Cheeseburger Dog

How does a foot-long hot dog made of chargrilled hamburgers and mixed with bacon, green peppers and cheese sound? Oh, and then to top it all off, how about deep-frying it and topping it with smoked bacon and secret sauce?

If your mouth isn’t watering right now, you might not be American.

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Cheeseburger Dog might be a heart attack on a plate, but it’s worth the hospital trip, because it looks incredible.

St. Louis Cardinals’ Meatball-Filled Bread Cone

The summer is normally a time for scoops of ice cream inside of a cone, but the St. Louis Cardinals are trying to make it the time for, get this, meatballs and a cone. No joke.

Stuffing four meatballs and sauce into an Italian bread cone, the Cards are giving fans one of the most unique dishes I think I’ve ever seen at a ballpark before—and definitely one that reminds me of my grandmother.

Eating something like this on a 100-degree summer day doesn’t sound too enjoyable, but to each his own, I suppose.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ ‘Bipartisan’ Jersey

Having difficultly deciding which candidate you’re going to vote for in this year’s election? Maybe the New Hampshire Fisher Cats can help, because they’re wearing a “Bipartisan” jersey that appeals to both Democrats and Republicans.

Rather than deal with debates and key issues, the Fisher Cats are torn right down the middle with these Opening Day jerseys that pay tribute to the state’s primary celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Don’t think that fans are off the hook from voting, though, because they need to decide which hat the team dons with the special uniforms—a red elephant or blue donkey cap.

Atlanta Braves’ T.E.D. (The Everything Dog)

Words can’t describe the feelings I have for this new Atlanta Braves dish called The Everything Dog or, simply, T.E.D.

I say that because I can’t quite tell if I’m excited or grossed out by this foot-long hot dog topped with pretty much everything imaginable, including french fries, chili, nacho chips, beer cheese, jalapenos and popcorn. To top it off, it’s drizzled with Coca-Cola-infused sauce. Oh, and if you needed a soft pretzel bun, you’ve got that option, too.

So. Much. Food.

Frisco RoughRiders’ Throwback Uniform Collection

There are throwback uniforms and promotional nights, and then there are the Frisco RoughRiders, who have the best uniform collection I’ve ever seen from a sports team.

The minor league affiliate of the Texas Rangers, the RoughRiders will be wearing a number of jerseys this season influenced by pop culture lore, including a Ghostbusters version, a Top Gun jersey and, yep, even a Game Boy top.

I want to know where in the hell I can get one of each, because these are absolutely incredible.

Arizona Diamondbacks’ New Uniform Rotation

The Arizona Diamondbacks haven’t been around for that long, but they’ve already seen quite the change in their design over the years—and the latest updates are just freaking amazing.

Unveiling seven new home and away uniforms for the upcoming season, the D-Backs’ new look is both fresh and progressive, bringing a different spin to baseball uniforms than what we’ve seen from other MLB teams before.

There are a lot of options to choose from, but each one of these versions brings heat!

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Cracker Jack & Mac Hot Dog

While the Pittsburgh Pirates may have won their fans over with the release of the throwback yellow jerseys I mentioned earlier, it’ll be interesting to see the reaction to the team’s newest food item, the Cracker Jack & Mac Hot Dog.

Served on pita bread, this foot-long hot dog is covered with macaroni and cheese and then, for some reason, topped with Cracker Jacks to add some sweetness and then jalapenos for some spice.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this, but if you try it, I’ll be interested to hear the reaction.

San Diego Padres’ Uniform Changes

As much as I love what the Arizona Diamondbacks did with their new uniform designs, I think the San Diego Padres may have even beaten them with their updated look.

Not only did the team unveil a new color scheme with the unis, but the jerseys and hats themselves are amazing. The team will also keep the tradition of honoring the Navy during Sunday home games with the camo jerseys.

Some may think that brown is a little much, but paying tribute to their old-school unis, I can’t help but like them.

Texas Rangers’ Wicked Pig

The aforementioned Chicken and Donut Skewer is a lot to handle, sure, but imagine trying to eat the Wicked Pig at a Texas Rangers game this season—which, honestly, I can’t even fathom.

While it sounds like the best thing on the planet thanks to its five types of pork—pulled pork, bacon, sausage, prosciutto and ham—seeing how it’s layered to a double-decker makes it seem nearly impossible to eat.

Doused with BBQ sauce and topped with coleslaw and pork grinds, the entire meal costs $27 and will either kill you or fill you up for a week. But, wow, does it sound like a treat.

Atlanta Braves’ New Menu, Which Includes the ‘Burgerizza’

Ladies and gentleman, prepare yourself for something that only drunk college kids have probably ever even thought about trying to eat—a burgerizza.

Instead of poor 20-somethings making this in their dorm room, though, the Atlanta Braves are actually selling it to fans this season, as a 20-ounce beef patty is covered with five slices of cheese, topped with bacon and served between two eight-inch pepperoni pizzas.

If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, any of the other items that the Braves are releasing for their final season in Turner Field might do the trick, as the menu includes things like the aforementioned T.E.D., a sandwich called “The Punisher,” some more-than-loaded nachos and a concoction called “The Tater Tot Chop.”

Eat at your own risk at Atlanta games, guys.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Before their 2016 regular season opens on April 4 against the Washington Nationals, the Atlanta Braves have a few questions to answer.

Even with the well-known youth movement in place with for the Braves, there is plenty of controversy surrounding their veteran players.

Michael Bourn, Jeff Francoeur, Nick Markakis and Emilio Bonifacio are all embroiled in the team’s vague outfield plans. Likewise, Atlanta will need to make some tough decisions concerning its pitching staff, which could carry more veteran arms than previously expected.

Over the next week, many of these issues will be resolved—for the time being. Until then, let’s take a look at the five most burning questions, and what the most likely resolution appears to be at this point.

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If we were to pitch a show about Major League Baseball’s best starting pitchers to HBO, it would obviously be called True Aces. That’s the easy part.

But we’re here to consider what would be the hard part: casting it.

In a landscape so densely populated with dominant starting pitchers, it’s hard to separate the regular aces from the true aces. Lest we water down what should be an exclusive club, we need ground rules.

• A good start is defining a “true ace” as a pitcher who is a virtual lock for at least 200 dominant innings in 2016.
• To help narrow the field, let’s consider only pitchers with at least two straight years of ace-like pitching in their wake.
• Said ace-like pitching also has to be believable, to the extent that it’s featured plenty of strikeouts, few walks and/or strong contact management.
• And though postseason excellence isn’t a requirement, it’s definitely a bonus.

In normal circumstances, we’d have a list with 10 names on it. But this list goes to 11, ranked from least-best to best-best, plus we have a whole bunch of honorable mentions. Let’s get to it.

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Before the 2016 MLB season officially gets underway next week and we roll out one last version of our preseason power rankings, we’ve decided to stack up all 30 teams a bit differently.

This time the focus is on three key areas and how each team ranks compared to the rest of the league: offense, starting pitching and relief pitching.

We ranked all 30 teams in those three areas and averaged the rankings to position each club among the other 29.

Of course, there is more to winning games than pitching and offense.

Team chemistry, coaching, defense, baserunning, overall organizational depth and eventual prospect arrivals will all make a significant impact on how a team performs this coming season.

However, being strong in the three key areas is usually a good sign a team will at least be competitive, so think of this exercise as a way of sort of separating the contenders from the pretenders.

Note: In the case of a tie in an average, which did happen more than once, the team with the highest rank in its lowest category was given the higher spot in the rankings. The logic for this is that you never want one area to be a major weakness.

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