A good friend of mine, a three-year catcher at a ACC school and a pro that got to Double A ball before he hung of the spikes and I were, as we sometimes do, discussing the state of pro-baseball.

He suggests, and I find it hard to disagree, that the MLB has gotten younger and more athletic (Tampa's success last year, he asserts, is just the beginning). The conclusion I would draw then, is that the sheer athleticism of the ballplayers matters more than ever before.

Now, before our more seasoned posters lament the diminished skills of pros and high amateurs alike (seems like we get one of those at least once a season =)), I hope that we can keep to a more objective view of the topic. Evidence, even anecdotal, pro and con...

In this post ‘roids and greenies era, is the way to the brass ring (the pro contract) paved more and more with weights and on the track?

Speed is making a MAJOR comeback, both in how MLB games are played and what scouts are looking for.

I think athleticism is always at a premium, but now there may be more demand for natural athleticism vs. chemical athleticism.