Brian Menéndez
FiveThirtyEight
Atlanta, GA, United States
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Past articles by Brian:
Meet Lewin Díaz, Baseball’s Biggest Hot-Potato Prospect
During the MLB offseason, we can rely on at least two things: players changing uniforms via trades or free-agent signings, and the ensuing roster crunch that us… → Read More
Why The Angels’ Small Moves Might (Finally) Add Up To Big Success
As team-building tactics go, having the two best players in a particular sport on the same roster would seem to be a pretty good one. Surely you’d expect that l… → Read More
The Teams That Won, Lost And Confused Us This MLB Offseason
UPDATE (Dec. 21, 2022, 9:16 a.m.): As it turned out, the Mets were even bigger winners than we thought. In addition to all of the moves detailed below, it was r… → Read More
Paul Goldschmidt Is On His Way To The MVP — And Maybe Even The Hall Of Fame
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is no stranger to the Most Valuable Player discussion. Now in his 12th season, he’s been a top-three vote get… → Read More
Dylan Cease Fixed His Fastball — And Turned His Slider Into MLB’s Best Pitch
Some MLB pitchers have fastballs that can reach triple digits, pushing the limits of what is possible for the human body. Others have breaking balls that disapp… → Read More
The Orioles Are Not Just A One-Streak Wonder
In recent years, the Baltimore Orioles have generally been synonymous with historically bad baseball. The team had a nice five-season run from 2012 to 2016, ave… → Read More
Tommy Edman Is The Latest Unlikely Star In St. Louis
The 27-year-old is among the league leaders in value this season. → Read More
Yordan Álvarez Might Just Be Baseball’s Best Hitter (Look Out, Mike Trout)
Baseball's best hitter plays in Houston. → Read More
These 5 MLB Breakouts Are (Probably) For Real
Which position players are making a splash so far this MLB season? → Read More
These 5 Breakout Pitchers Are (Probably) For Real
When May comes around, we can reliably count on at least three things: spring fully blooming, millennials posting a certain Justin Timberlake meme and MLB fans … → Read More
The Yankees Finally Have A Great Defensive Catcher. Could He Also Boost Their Offense?
Kyle Higashioka could be poised for a breakout. → Read More
How Enrique Hernández Went From Utility Infielder To The Hottest Hitter In The Playoffs
Enrique Hernández has transformed his game. → Read More
Bryce Harper Didn’t Need Luck For An MVP-Level Season
If you do a Google search for “Is Bryce Harper overrated?” you’ll find plenty of evidence to support the claim that he is. Similarly, if you search, “Is Bryce H… → Read More
The Resurgence Of Joey Votto
After a decline and brief benching, the Cincinnati first baseman is back among baseball's best. → Read More
Max Muncy Was Just Another MLB Project. Then He Joined The Dodgers
Max Muncy wasn't supposed to be this good. → Read More
What are the Dodgers going to do with David Price?
They have essentially turned him into a $30 million swing man. → Read More
New York Yankees make splash by acquiring Joey Gallo from Texas Rangers
The Yankees add a player who will impact them on both sides of the baseball. → Read More
MLB Trade: What Nelson Cruz adds to the Rays lineup
The first big trade happened on Thursday night when the Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-handed slugger Nelson Cruz from the scuffling Minnesota Twins. This marks the end of a three-year saga for the Rays trying to bring in Cruz, as they were serious contenders to sign the designated hitter after the 2018 and 2020 seasons. The Rays, a team chock full of young stars, have now acquired two 41… → Read More
A more reasonably timed look at the MLB awards races
As the second half starts today, let’s look back on the baseball that has been played so far → Read More
Morning Mound Visit: The end of the shift?
Also, Mets sign Kumar Rocker (ICYMI), and the Brewers made a trade the night before the All-Star Game → Read More