Though the full-time debut seasons of Mike Trout (OF, LAA) and Bryce Harper (OF, WAS) could well be Storyline #1 when we look back on 2012 from afar, reality is that only one of them is an MVP candidate right out of the chute.

Robinson Cano's OPS is 444 points lower vs. LHP than vs RHP. We found other batters with big left-right splits.

From the moment he arrived in Texas, Yu Darvish (RHP, TEX) brought instant star power and considerable talent to the Rangers starting rotation. Darvish dispatched the competition with relative ease during his first month in the big leagues, but hitters have caught up to him since and the Japanese hurler has been scuffling since the All-Star break.

Mike Minor (LHP, ATL) has been on a roll since July 1. His skill split when pitching with the bases empty vs. runners on base suggests there's more growth on the horizon if he can refine his approach while pitching from the stretch.

Kris Medlen is looking good in a starter's uniform. Should he don your team's jersey? Read on.

Madison Bumgarner has stepped up his game this year, at least on the surface. And Aramis Ramirez keeps doing what he does. Will their production hold up to the discerning eye of BaseballHQ.com?

In the off-season, there was concern with how Miguel Cabrera (3B, DET) would handle the hot corner. When an errant ground ball fractured his orbital bone in spring training, those fears weren’t quelled. Fast forward to mid-August, and Cabrera is holding his own in the field.

Owners need to take risks and get incremental value if they are going to catch the leaders with less than 50 games to go. Here are some of those calculated risks with MIL, SD, SF, OAK and BAL.

It's NOT a head-scratcher: Carlos Gonzalez is a sure-fire stud.

Need speed? <<That guy ain't available. So look at fast guys on running teams.

Lester's bad luck, Ackley's discouraging trends, Reynolds' vanishing power and more ...