Four local players have been pegged as top-100 prospects by Baseball America for this June’s Major League Baseball draft.

Mesa’s Youth Sports League is partnering with the Chicago Cubs and hosting a free pitch, hit and run competition on 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Hohokam Stadium, 1235 N. Center St. Boys and girls, ages 7 to 14, can compete in pitching accuracy, hitting distance and quickness on the base. Winners in each division will receive two tickets to the Saturday game against the Cleveland Indians.

Finding the right combination doesn’t always happen on the first try.

The city of Mesa believes it will seal a deal to become the home of its second Cactus League team by the end of this year.

The decision has clearly paid off and then some.

As a pitcher, Taylor Kaczmarek is known for his fastball, changeup and curveball, not to mention his work ethic even under the most of challenging times when it would be easy to leave the game he’s invested so much of his life in.

As a pitcher, Taylor Kaczmarek is known for his fastball, changeup and curveball, not to mention his work ethic even under the most of challenging times when it would be easy to leave the game he’s invested so much of his life in.

Joey Curletta, professional baseball player.

It’s a hard job, but we decided it had to be done:

About a year ago, C.J. Cron was spending time in The BAR Fitness in Ahwatukee Foothills.

About a year ago, C.J. Cron was spending time in The BAR Fitness in Ahwatukee Foothills.

Hamilton third baseman Mitch Nay sat at his house on Monday night, intently watching the Major League Baseball draft unfold with family and close friends.

It says in his bio that Chris Cron has raised two ballplayers – one in pro ball and the other in college - but nothing could be further from the truth.

It says in his bio that Chris Cron has raised two ballplayers – one in pro ball and the other in college - but nothing could be further from the truth.

Taste barrel-drawn wines and compare them to bottled selections. Live jazz and blues music throughout the weekend, along with a New Orleans style menu. MLB Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers will be in for bottle signings.

The worlds of Scottsdale and the lower East Valley cities will collide in Division I baseball this season.

When it comes to all the changes that took place in the National League West this offseason, Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson might have put it best.

From Joel Adamson of Phoenix, to George Zuverink of Tempe — the last player listed in the Baseball Encycolopedia — more than 400 former major league alumni make Arizona their home. This includes the 120 or so who live in the East Valley alone, according to information from the Arizona Major League Alumni Association.

From Joel Adamson of Phoenix, to George Zuverink of Tempe — the last player listed in the Baseball Encycolopedia — more than 400 former major league alumni make Arizona their home. This includes the 120 or so who live in the East Valley alone, according to information from the Arizona Major League Alumni Association.