MLB Players off to a good start Major League baseball appears headed in a different direction from the NFL as the sport is enjoying a new infusion of young white players that should be a force in the game for years to come. While the NFL virtually forbids white players at many positions, no matter how talented, from getting a chance to play, baseball has gone somewhat in the other direction and given white players good opportunities. Undoubtedly the fact that white players make up a large percentage of the best pitchers, encourages teams to develop players at other positions. Perhaps a couple of factors are weighing in white players favor. The parents of white kids have invested a lot of effort in their kid’s baseball. They haul them around to games and tournaments, pony up big bucks so they can play, and invest a lot of time in running leagues, umpiring games, and coaching players. This privately financed source of talent development has to be welcome to the baseball establishment which is burdened by the tremendous escalation in player contracts and the cost of supporting minor leagues. Not to mention their foolish attempt to invest millions trying to get black kids to play the game. The fact that the NFL and NBA have become virtual no-go areas for white American kids has literally forced them into the one game that will give them a look. Since black kids have made it clear that they will not play baseball under any circumstances college baseball teams have plenty of roster spots open for white kids. While nearly every Division I, II, and III, college will fill every open football and basketball scholarship with vibrant diversity (under orders from the vibrant diversity departments that infest those schools); they are unable to do so for baseball. Thus you get the ludicrous situation that some historically black colleges are forced to field majority white baseball teams. And perhaps white guys are wising up. Jeff Samardzija is a well paid pitcher for the White Sox. He could have went to the NFL as a receiver, and possibly had to endure the treatment that Riley Cooper, Eric Decker, and even Jordy Nelson, have to face on a regular basis. Namely constant media sniping that the untested black rookie on the bench is better, head hunting black defensive backs that love collecting white scalps, and a race graduated salary rate that if it existed for blacks would be the subject of a congressional investigation. Currently perhaps the best young player in either league, maybe the best players in their respective leagues are Mike Trout in the AL and Bryan Harper in the NL. Both of these guys are so young that they could still be playing college ball. Trout is on a career arc that could make him one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He is the youngest player ever to reach 100 career HR’s and steals, possessing an extremely rare combination of power and speed. Harper has been a highly touted rookie for a couple of years, starring while only 19. If both players can continue to play well for a long time there is a HOF ballot in their future. But they have to avoid the various pitfalls that have affected other white players that seemed destined for greatness (see exhibit A: Josh Hamilton). Here are some other young white position players to keep an eye on. Rookie Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant was a spring training sensation hitting more home runs then anyone else before the season started. Bryant took a while to heat up but has been on a tear of late. Another rookie, Joe Pederson of the Dodgers has already hit 10 HR’s. Other young guys off to a good start are Todd Frazier, Reds, 3B, and Stephan Vogt, catcher for the A’s. Josh Donaldson is playing well for his new team, the Blue Jays. Paul Goldschmidt has started hot as have the Royals trio of white talent, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Alex Gordon. Another hot hitting Red is SS Zach Cozart. At the start of the season Caste Football veteran poster Leonardfan compiled a list of white players by position to keep an eye on this year: C Buster Posey Giants Johnathan Lucroy Brewers Evan Gattis Astros Devin Mesoraco Reds Brian McCann Yankees Matt Wieters Orioles Derek Norris Padres Jarrod Saltalamacchia Marlins John Jaso Rays Mike Zunino Mariners Tyler Flowers White Sox Chris Ianetta Angels Steven Vogt A's Blake Swihart Red Sox 1B Paul Goldschmidt D-backs Anthony Rizzo Cubs Freddie Freeman Braves Joey Votto Reds Chris Davis Orioles Brandon Belt Giants Adam LaRoche White Sox Matt Adams Cardinals Brandon Moss Indians Lucas Duda Mets Justin Morneau Rockies Mike Napoli Red Sox Billy Butler A's Adam Lind Brewers Joe Mauer Twins Logan Morrison Mariners 2B Ian Kinsler Tigers Brian Dozier Twins Dustin Pedroia Red Sox Jason Kipinis Indians Neil Walker Pirates Daniel Murphy Mets Ben Zobrist A's Chase Utley Phillies Jedd Gyorko Padres Scooter Genett Brewers DJ LeMaheiu Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki Rockies J.J. Hardy Orioles Brad Miller Mariners Jed Lowrie Astros Brandon Crawford Giants Jordy Mercer Pirates Chris Owings D-backs/Nick Ahmed D-backs (in a battle for the position) Zack Cozart Reds 3B Josh Donaldson Blue Jays Todd Frazier Reds Evan Longoria Rays Kyle Seager Mariners Kris Bryant Cubs David Wright Mets Matt Carpenter Cardinals Brett Lawrie A's Chase Headley Yankees Trevor Plouffe Twins Lonnie Chisenhall Inidans Chris Johnson Braves Casey McGehee Giants David Freese Angels Mike Moustakas Royals OF Mike Trout Angels Bryce Harper Nationals Cory Dickerson Rockies Matt Holiday Cardinals Christian Yelich Marlins Charlie Blackmon Rockies Kole Calhoun Angels Jay Bruce Reds Alex Gordon Royals Brett Gardner Yankees Ryan Zimmerman Nationals Mark Trumbo Diamondbacks AJ Pollock Diamondbacks Ryan Braun Brewers (PED abuser...not his biggest fan) Brandon Moss Indians Hunter Pence Giants Jayson Werth Nationals Joc Pederson Dodgers Adam Eaton White Sox Wil Myers Padres Steve Pearce Orioles Michael Cuddyer Mets Steven Souza Rays Josh Hamilton Rangers Nick Markakis Orioles Drew Stubbs Rockies Michael Saunders Blue Jays Dustin Ackley Mariners Josh Reddick A's
