The Red Black Green Baseball Blog
Patrick Ellington Jr.
Novelist/Journalist/Screenwriter
United States
Sports journalist with a concentration on baseball, screenwriter, & author.
United States
Sports journalist with a concentration on baseball, screenwriter, & author.
The Red Black Green Baseball Blog
This is the first article in a series where I will rank the top ten Black baseball players at each position.
This is the second article in a series where I will rank the top ten Black baseball players at each position.
This is the third article in a series where I will rank the top ten Black baseball players at each position.
This is the fourth article in a series where the top ten Black baseball players at each position will be ranked.
This is the fifth article in a series where the top ten Black baseball players at each position will be ranked.
When Satchel Paige became the first Black pitcher to record an appearance in a game in the American League as a swingman for Cleveland's pitching staff in 1948, he joined a ball club that had already cultivated a reputation and history for finding great starters.
Driven to provide for his family based on his life experiences, Noel's belief that his family deserves better is the source of his strong competitive spirit and business-like attitude on the field. He's extremely straightforward about the hard times his family frequently faced during his childhood.
Cleveland had one of the most unproductive outfields in all of baseball during the 2010s, ranking 25th in fWAR, 26th in wRC+, 27th in OPS, 28th in runs scored, and 29th in home runs in comparison to collective outfields fielded by the other 29 teams during the 2010s.
Ozhaino "Ozzie" Albies is a 25-year-old second baseman who plays for the Atlanta Braves from Willemstad, Curaçao. Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island in the Southern Caribbean Sea. Albies is trilingual, being able to speak English, Spanish, and Papiamento. Papiamento is a Portuguese creole with African, Dutch, and Spanish influences spoken across the Dutch Caribbean.
Francisco Lindor is a 27-year-old shortstop from Caguas, Puerto Rico that plays for the New York Mets. Lindor began playing baseball at an early age, as his father nurtured his love for the game. His father had him doing fielding drills and exercises at four years old.
Cedric Mullins is a 26-year-old centerfielder that plays for the Baltimore Orioles, the organization that drafted him in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Cambell University in North Carolina. He is from the greater Atlanta area, graduating from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia.
Mookie Betts is a 30-year-old right fielder from Nashville, Tennessee who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Betts had an illustrious high school baseball career at Overton High School in Nashville and was also a standout basketball player and bowler.
Julio Rodríguez is a twenty-two-year-old centerfielder that plays for the Seattle Mariners. He is from Loma de Cabrera, a small town of 20,000 in the Dominican Republic. Rodríguez noticed that he was good at baseball around 14-15 because most of the guys he played baseball with were older than him and getting signed by MLB organizations.
Jasrado "Jazz" Chisholm Jr. is a twenty-three-year-old Afro-Bahamian from Nassau, Bahamas who plays for the Miami Marlins. Chisholm's path to professional baseball started when he was scouted and signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization as an international amateur free agent during the 2015 J2 Signing Period, receiving a $200,000 dollar signing bonus after he put his signature on the dotted line.
Michael Harris II is a twenty-one-year-old center fielder who plays for the Atlanta Braves from DeKalb, Georgia. He was drafted by the Braves in the third round(98th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Stockbridge High School. He was ecstatic to be selected by the hometown team he grew up watching and rooting for.
Background + Path to Professional Baseball Rafael Devers is a twenty-four-year-old third baseman that plays for the Boston Red Sox. He is from Sánchez, a central region of the Dominican Republic. Devers was a top international amateur free agent and was seen as the best left-handed hitter amongst his peers in the 2013 J2 class.
Emmanuel Clase(pronounced CLAH-say) is a twenty-four-year-old relief pitcher from Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic who plays for the Cleveland Guardians. Clase's path to professional baseball started in 2015 when he signed as an amateur free agent with the San Diego Padres, receiving a 125,000 dollar signing bonus.
Oneil Cruz is a 23-year-old Dominican shortstop who plays in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization from Nizao, Dominican Republic. He is the son of a former MiLB player named Rafael Cruz who spent three years in the Braves farm system before a career in Japan playing professional baseball.
Devin Williams is a 28-year-old relief pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers from the Greater St. Louis Area, Missouri, growing up in the city's suburbs. He was seen as a top 100 talent by many reputed sources as he approached eligibility for the MLB Draft.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is a 25-year-old Afro-Venezuelan outfielder from La Guaira, Venezuela. Acuña Jr. belongs to a family that has an extensive history with professional baseball. His grandfather and father played in the minor leagues, and he has one uncle and four cousins that played in MLB at one point or another as well.
Hunter Greene is a 23-year-old starting pitcher from Los Angeles, California who plays for the Cincinnati Reds. He was committed to UCLA on a full baseball scholarship, which happens to be one of the top college baseball programs in the country.
Background + Path To The MLB Randy Arozarena is a 28-year-old Afro-Cuban outfielder who plays for the Tampa Bay Rays. He is from Arroyos de Mantua, Cuba, a small town about four and a half hours away from Havana.
Triston McKenzie is a 25-year-old starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians from Royal Palm Beach, Florida. His love for the game of baseball was nurtured by his father, an immigrant from Jamaica with a deep love for the game. McKenzie's father helped him study film and drove him to practices and games.
A 2x All-Star with a batting title and a Silver Slugger, Tim Anderson didn't begin playing baseball until he was in the eleventh grade
One of the greatest sluggers of his generation, Giancarlo Stanton has been one of the best professional baseball players on the planet since he was a teenager
George Valera is a 22-year-old outfielder in the Cleveland Guardians system from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Born in the United States, he spent the first half of his life living in The Bronx, New York before moving back to the Dominican Republic with his family.
Taj Bradley is a 21-year-old starting pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization from Stone Mountain, Georgia, a suburb in the greater Atlanta area. A versatile two-way star for Redan High School's standout baseball program that produced MLB alumni such as second baseman Brandon Phillips, Bradley was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft as one of the youngest high school seniors in his class at 17 years and three months old.
Estevan Florial is a 25-year-old Haitian-Dominican center fielder in the New York Yankees organization. Florial's place of birth on the island of Hispaniola has many conflicting reports due to his background. Legislation in the Dominican Republic was also passed that stripped Haitians born and raised in the Dominican Republic of their Dominican citizenship.
Royce Lewis is a twenty-two-year-old shortstop in the Minnesota Twins organization from Orange County, California. He attended JSerra High School, where he played second base, third base, shortstop, and centerfield during a career where he won the LA Times Player of the Year Award for high school baseball players in California and the Gatorade Player of the Year Award for California.
Jordan Nwogu is a Nigerian-Canadian outfielder in the Chicago Cubs farm system. He was drafted in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of the University of Michigan after a three-year collegiate career with a .976 OPS.
Masyn Winn is a 20-year-old shortstop in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system from the Greater Houston, Texas area. He was drafted in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft by the Cardinals out of high school with the 54th overall pick, foregoing a commitment to Arkansas' Division I baseball program.
Markevian "Tink" Hence is a 20-year-old starting pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Drafted by St. Louis in the 2nd round (54th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft directly out of high school, he forewent a commitment to Arkansas' Division I baseball program to start his professional baseball career.
Jordan Walker is a twenty-year-old third baseman and outfielder in the St. Louis Cardinals organization from Atlanta, Georgia. He was selected in the 1st round(21st overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Decatur High School, where he was one of the best high school baseball players in the entire country.
James Wood is a 20-year-old outfielder in the Washington Nationals organization from Olney, Maryland. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2nd round(62nd overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft out of IMG Academy in South Florida.
Xavier Edwards is a 23-year-old infielder in the Miami Marlins organization from Broward County, Florida. He was drafted out of North Broward Prep High School with the 38th overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres as one of the top high school prospects in his class.
Ceddanne (pronounced say-DAHN) Rafaela is a 22-year-old prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization from Willemstad, Curaçao. Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island in the Southern Caribbean Sea. Rafaela is quadrilingual, being able to speak English, Spanish, Papiamento, and Dutch. He played on Curaçao's Little League World Series team at 12 years old, standing only 4'9''.
Justyn-Henry Malloy is a 23-year-old third baseman and outfielder from Northern New Jersey in the Detroit Tigers organization. He stood out as one of New Jersey's best amateur prospects at a young age, representing the United States in different international tournaments for its U15 team.
Termarr Johnson is on the path towards a profile as an offensive oriented second baseman. He was drafted fourth overall in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Mays High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
The first player at his position to be selected in the 2022 MLB Draft, Xavier Isaac has the tools to be a premier offensive force
Jordan Lawlar is a shortstop from the Dallas, Texas area with a tangible chance to be a dynamic up-the-middle piece for the Arizona Diamondbacks as they step into a contention window.
Nasim Nuñez is a switch-hitting shortstop who would've thrived in past eras of professional baseball because of his strike zone awareness, top tier defensive ability, and elite base stealing skills.
The professional athletes that have played in Minor League Baseball are already the best in the world at the game of baseball. The almost twenty thousand individuals who have worn an MLB uniform are outliers in a world of hundreds of thousands who dream of but do not reach baseball's most competitive stage.
The 2023 World Baseball Classic was an absolute win for baseball, and it was thoroughly needed. The irony of MLB fans pointing out that the WBC is less than 20 years old every time an important MLB player got hurt captures the point of why the WBC is long overdue and necessary for the sport to thrive on a global level.
One of the main things I looked forward to when the 2023 World Baseball Classic rosters were announced was watching all the young Black talent on teams such as Great Britain and Canada.
James Grant was the first Black pitcher to win 20 games in MLB and an important ambassador for Black baseball history. Born in 1935, the former FAMU student was a 12-year-old newspaper boy when Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut in 1947.
Drafted by Cleveland in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft directly out of high school, Bo Naylor put together an impressive rookie season that deserves a thorough breakdown.
Baseball is heavily associated with family, as the love for the game is often passed down from an elder family member to a younger one. My earliest memories of the game of baseball involve me spending time with my father at his house watching Derek Jeter and the Yankees on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
This 2200-word feature article is my first paid feature on this blog. If you are reading this, thank you for helping me get to this point.
"Notable Black Baseball Families" is an article series on Black families from throughout the African diaspora who have had multiple members make notable contributions to professional baseball. I have decided to make the odd-numbered articles in this series free and the even-numbered articles in this series are behind a paywall.
The fourth article in this series focuses on Justin and Melvin "B.J." Upton, two brothers who were drafted first and second overall in their respective draft classes and played over ten years in MLB.
MLB dot com
CLEVELAND -- Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie and first baseman Josh Naylor are at the epicenter of the youth movement at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. Together, they are working to establish themselves as valuable pieces for the franchise. They have also bonded over their shared Jamaican heritage along
Shortstop Brayan Rocchio, who was promoted to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, patterns his game after a few of the greatest shortstops to ever suit up for Cleveland. If all goes according to his plan, the organization's No. 4-ranked prospect hopes to have a similar career one day. "Growing up I
Ron Knight knew he wanted to wear an MLB team's logo on a polo shirt rather than a baseball jersey from a young age. The Director of Minor League operations for the Atlanta Braves was around 10 when the realization occurred, and he still remembers the moment like it was
The Bronx is home to Yankee Stadium, while San Pedro de Macoris, in the Dominican Republic, is the birthplace of countless baseball players who have worn an MLB uniform. They are two of the most important spots in the game. Guardians prospect George Valera, who was raised in both places,
Baseball Prospectus
The backstop has a skillset unlike most catchers, and is pushing fast through the Guardians system.
The former Vanderbilt star has scuffled, as has the Giants' number two prospect, but Braylon Bishop is taking off.
Another season of starting off your Mondays with a look at prospects from across the minors.
Also featuring looks at Joe Whitman, Jake Bloss, Druw Jones, and six more prospects.
Plus notes on Brayan Bello and Taj Bradley's midseason 50 prospects, Jairo Pomares' struggles, and more.
The Guardians have been dealing with injuries and ineffectiveness in their rotation, and turn to (another) one of their top arms in the minors.
With multiple middle infielders on the shelf, the Guardians dip a little deeper into their prospect stash.
A look at the many ways the 2021 season could play out for Cleveland.
Clubhouse Conversations Interview Series
The first featured guest of the Clubhouse Conversations interview series is Justin Lewis, a twenty-five-year-old pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization from Gwinnett County, Georgia. Justin Lewis is a graduate of Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. Lewis was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 12th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Kentucky University, and currently plays for the Diamondbacks' Double-A affiliate Amarillo Sod Poodles.
The featured guest of the second Clubhouse Conversations interview series is DJ Gladney, a nineteen-year-old third baseman in the Chicago White Sox organization from Chicago, Illinois. Gladney was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Illiana Christian High School in Lansing, Illinois. Gladney currently plays for the Chicago White Sox Low-A affiliate Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in the Low-A East League.
This is the third Clubhouse Conversations interview in a series that is produced and hosted by Unculture’s Senior Baseball Contributor Patrick Ellington Jr. This episode features Quin Cotton, a 23-year-old outfielder in the Cincinnati Reds organization from Aurora, Colorado. Cotton was drafted by the Reds out of Grand Canyon University in the 8th round(234th overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft. Cotton currently plays for the Cincinnati Reds High-A affiliate Dayton Dragons.
This is the fourth Clubhouse Conversations interview in a series that is produced and hosted by Unculture’s Senior Baseball Contributor Patrick Ellington Jr. This episode features Randy Wilkins (@pamsson on Twitter), a three-time Emmy Award-winning director and editor from the Bronx, NY.
This is the fifth Clubhouse Conversations interview in a series that is produced and hosted by Unculture’s Senior Baseball Contributor Patrick Ellington Jr. This episode features Mahki Backstrom, a 19-year-old first baseman in the Atlanta Braves organization from Los Angeles, California.
his is the sixth Clubhouse Conversations interview in a series that is produced and hosted by Unculture’s Senior Baseball Contributor Patrick Ellington Jr. This episode features Teddy Blackwell, the Minor League Medical Coordinator for the Cleveland Indians. He started working in the Indians organization as a trainer in 1988.
This series's seventh installment features Trey Harris, an outfielder in the Atlanta Braves organization from Powder Springs, Georgia. Harris was drafted by the Braves in the 32nd round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of the University of Missouri and currently plays for the Braves Double-A affiliate.
The eighth installment of this interview series features Glenallen Hill Jr., a 20-year-old second baseman and outfielder who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks Low-A affiliate Visalia Rawhide. He was selected by the D-Backs in the 4th round of the 2019 MLB Draft directly out of high school and forewent his college commitment to become a professional baseball player. He is the son of Glenallen Hill Sr., a former MLB player with a 13-year career in the big leagues and a 13-year career as a...
Other
Robinson’s tale serves as such ripe material for creatives because of how singular and inspiring it is. Over time, those creative representations have shaped the story of Jackie Robinson, taking him beyond his true, complicated personhood and elevating him to an inspirational symbol. The only other American athlete to ascend to the level of folklore is Babe Ruth, a son of immigrants whose “rags to riches” journey resonated with the hopes of early twentieth century Americans. Robinson’s tale,...
In the 75 years since Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball, six Black people have held the de facto title of MLB general manager. One of the few individuals with a tangible chance to increase the number to seven is Billy Owens, the Athletics' director of player personnel and assistant general manager.
Buy Not an Easy Tale to Tell: Jackie Robinson on the Page, Stage, and Screen: Read Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com
In case you have not heard the news, Amed Rosario may be patrolling centerfield for the 2021 Cleveland Indians on Opening Day. Rosario is a 25-year-old shortstop who was acquired by the Cleveland Indians from the New York Mets in the Francisco Lindor trade.
The Red Black Green Baseball Podcast aims to truthfully capture the African diaspora's relationship with the sport of baseball from Little League all the way to MLB by telling the individual stories of the Black fans, players, coaches/managers, scouts, front office members, writers, etc.
As the start of spring training approaches, I will be providing my 2021 Indians Predictions, a preview of the current state of the team, as well as what may change between now and Opening Day.
The long-rumored Francisco Lindor trade has finally happened, as the New York Mets acquired the four-time All-Star shortstop and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco from the Cleveland Indians on January 7th, 2021. I will be focusing on the trade package Cleveland got in return and why they decided to move on from Lindor and Carrasco.