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Mike Micucci, image- Jay Floyd I am back with another Patreon exclusive! Last weekend, I talked one-on-one with Class A Lakewood BlueClaws manager Mike Micucci about several topics including the defensive progress of middle infielders Luis Garcia and Jonathan Guzman, the promotion of Matt Kroon, the addition of Luke Miller, Cole Stobbe's playing time as well as the free base runner that starts extra innings in the minors. Please head on over to Patreon.com/PhoulBallz to subscribe and support my work.  Contributions there are helpful in simply allowing me to take less of a financial loss in producing this type of content for you, the readers.  Your patronage will get you early access to nearly all of my news and articles but more importantly exclusive interviews and other posts. I also intend to offer some baseball related giveaways once the patron count increases. Direct link to the interview is right here .   

Per a press release from Minor League Baseball on Friday, new pace of play initiatives will be in place for the upcoming 2019 season.  Double-A and Triple-A levels will now require starting pitchers or any substitute pitcher to face a minimum of three consecutive batters. Mound visit limitations will also see some refinement as will the second base runner to start extra inning frames. See complete details below. PITCHERS TO FACE MINIMUM OF THREE BATTERS    - At the Triple-A and Double-A levels, the starting pitcher or any substitute pitcher is required to pitch to a minimum of three consecutive batters, including the batter then at bat (or any substitute batter), until s uch batters are put out or reach first base, or until the offensive team is put out, unless the starting pitcher or substitute p itcher sustains injury or illness which, in the umpire-in-chief’s judgment, incapacitates him from further play as a pitcher.    EXTRA INN...

Image- Jay Floyd The national pastime is changing.  At least at the developmental level for affiliated professional teams. In a rule change announced by Minor League Baseball on Wednesday, all extra innings will start with a runner on second base. The goal with the rule adjustment is to expedite games and reduce any over-usage of pitchers. Specifics on the announcement from MiLB are listed below. The runner at second base will be the player in the batting order position previous to the lead-off batter of the inning (or a substitute for that player). By way of example, if the number five hitter in the batting order is due to lead off the 10th inning, the number four player in the batting order (or a pinch-runner for such player) shall begin the inning on second base. Any runner or batter removed from the game for a substitute shall be ineligible to return to the game, as is the case in all circumstances under the Official Baseball Rules. The extra inning rule c...