Toolshed: Spring invitees to follow in AL

Tigers' Cameron, Angels' Jones among NRIs worthy of attention

Toolsy outfielder Daz Cameron should open 2019 one stop away from Detroit with Triple-A Toledo. (Scott Grau/Toledo Mud Hens)

By Sam Dykstra | February 15, 2019 10:29 AM ET

Detroit Tigers outfielder Daz Cameron and Los Angeles Angels second baseman Jahmai Jones are two of the many exciting American League prospects headed to spring camp as non-roster invitees.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

The Show Before the Show: Episode 196

Jays' Smith calls from Dunedin to talk spring, breakout 2018

By Sam Dykstra | February 14, 2019 12:23 PM ET

Blue Jays prospect Kevin Smith calls into the show from Dunedin to talk about Spring Training, Tyler and Sam go over Kyler Murray's decision and Ben has more details on Hartford's peanut ban.

Listen to The Show Before the Show podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Yard Goats take peanuts out of the ballgame

Hartford becomes first team to ban increasingly common allergen

Dunkin' Donuts Park, home of the Eastern League's Hartford Yard Goats, will be peanut-free in 2019 and beyond.

By Benjamin Hill | February 14, 2019 10:11 AM ET

The Hartford Yard Goats have banned peanuts from Dunkin' Donuts Park, becoming the first professional sports team to prohibit the increasingly common allergen.

Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Ambassadors for Change: Andrea Williams

Spotlighting the people, programs and stories that champion diversity and inclusion in Minor League Baseball

Andrea Williams visits a Jacksonville-area elementary school for literacy week programming.

By Benjamin Pereira | February 14, 2019 9:46 AM ET

Throughout Black History Month, Minor League Baseball will spotlight the people and programs that champion diversity and inclusion in the industry. This edition features Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp director of community relations Andrea Williams.

Benjamin Pereira is an associate at Minor League Baseball. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Peoria groundskeeper growing 'Super' career

Chiefs' Reno was seen catching field goal during Super Bowl LIII

Head groundskeeper Mike Reno joined Peoria in 2011 after stints in college and the National Football League. (Dennis Siever/Peoria Chiefs)

By Tyler Maun | February 13, 2019 10:42 AM ET

The career of Mike Reno -- head groundskeeper for the Class A Peoria Chiefs -- has taken him from the Minor Leagues to the Super Bowl, and around the world.

Tyler Maun is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @TylerMaun. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Farm system rankings: Position players 10-1

Rays still loaded; Jays have talent to back top prospect Vlad Jr.

Wander Franco notched a 1.004 OPS in 61 Appalachian League games last summer. (Chris Robertson/MiLB.com)

By Kelsie Heneghan | February 13, 2019 10:09 AM ET

With Opening Day just around the corner, MiLB.com takes a look at the state of all 30 farm systems. Here are organizations 10-1, based on the strength of position players.

Kelsie Heneghan is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kelsie_Heneghan. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Nats' Kieboom, Garcia score spring invites

Nos. 25, 75 overall prospects going to Washington camp

Carter Kieboom and Luis Garcia both played in the Futures Game at Nationals Park in 2018. (Patrick Cavey/MiLB.com)

By Sam Dykstra | February 12, 2019 4:50 PM ET

The Washington Nationals extended non-roster invites to Major League Spring Training to No. 25 overall prospect Carter Kieboom and No. 75 Luis Garcia, the club announced Tuesday.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Farm system rankings: Position players 20-11

Pirates, Astros prospects excite; Rockies boast impressive infield

Pittsburgh's Ke'Bryan Hayes notched a career-high .819 OPS for Double-A Altoona in 2018. (Andy Grosh/agphotosports)

By Kelsie Heneghan | February 12, 2019 10:12 AM ET

With Opening Day just around the corner, MiLB.com takes a look at the state of all 30 farm systems. Here are organizations 20-11, based on strength in position players.

Kelsie Heneghan is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kelsie_Heneghan. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Toolshed: 2019 Spring Training preview

Top-100 prospects head to Arizona, Florida with plenty to prove

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a walk-off home run in a 2018 preseason exhibition in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

By Sam Dykstra | February 12, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Top-100 prospects like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Eloy Jimenez (White Sox) and Nick Senzel (Reds) will head to Spring Training camps prepared to push for Major League looks.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

A's Murray chooses football, commits to NFL

Days before Spring Training, Heisman winner decides on career

Kyler Murray won the Heisman Trophy in his junior season with OU in 2018 after getting drafted by the A's. (Danny Wild/MiLB.com)

By Danny Wild | February 11, 2019 2:07 PM ET

The A's lost their No. 4 prospect before he even stepped on the field. Kyler Murray, due to report to Spring Training with Oakland this Friday, announced on Twitter that he was committing to a career as a quarterback in the NFL.

Danny Wild is an editor for MiLB.com. Follow his MLBlog column, Minoring in Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.