Not only are Astros shortstop Carlos Correa and right-hander Mark Appel the two most recent No. 1 overall Draft picks, they also form the best hitter/pitcher prospect tandem in baseball, edging out Minnesota’s combo of Byron Buxton and Alex Meyer.

This week’s Pipeline Perspectives challenge: Which organization has the best hitting-pitching prospect tandem? The answer: the Twins’ do-it-all outfielder Byron Buxton and right-hander Alex Meyer.

In a little more than two weeks, Phillies pitchers and catchers will hold their first official workout at Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla. There, Ruben Amaro Jr. and Ryne Sandberg almost certainly will answer another round of questions about the age of the Phillies’ roster, and whether its core can stay healthy and be productive enough to help the team return to the postseason for the first time since 2011.

Giants third-base coach Tim Flannery nearly doubled his goal for what he hoped to raise last weekend for Bryan Stow, the Giants fan who was seriously injured in a beating outside Dodger Stadium after the 2011 season opener.

The Rangers have given away Nelson Cruz’s old jersey number to free agent acquisition Shin-Soo Choo, but have not completely ruled out the idea of bringing the one-time fan favorite back to Texas on a club-friendly deal.

Lane Adams and Yordano Ventura have won the top awards in the Royals’ Minor League organization.

If you missed it, and you probably did, the Giants added some intrigue to their Spring Training pitching competition. San Francisco acquired left-hander David Huff from the Yankees last Friday for cash considerations.

Chris Iannetta and Hank Conger gave the Angels above-average offensive production last season, but opposing basestealers enjoyed a lot of success against them. Catching duties will again fall to the pair in 2014, and they hope for improvement in every area.

Jerry Remy, a fixture broadcasting Red Sox games on NESN since 1988, announced he will return to his post for the 2014 season. Remy took a leave of absence on Aug. 15, 2013, after his son, Jared, was arrested for the murder of longtime girlfriend Jennifer Martel.

For someone with such an intense personality during the season, Victor Martinez had a very laid-back vibe going at TigerFest. That still didn’t hide the urgency in his mind.

The Cubs have filed a permit application to install a 650-square foot sign in right field that would partially block the view from some of the rooftops. According to reports, Monday’s action comes after talks last week between the Cubs and rooftop owners failed to reach a resolution.

Astros manager Bo Porter and his wife, Stacey, hosted the Bo Porter Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, the couple’s latest fundraising event to benefit their S.E.L.F. Foundation, which provides assistance to the Houston Independent School District.

Having endured Tommy John surgery and then a cleanup procedure, Brandon Beachy is ready to put a trying 2013 season behind him.

It’s been a whirlwind year for Cardinals 2013 first-rounder Rob Kaminsky, but the talented lefty knows it’s no time to get complacent.

The Brewers added more experience to their farm system Monday by signing 34-year-old utility man Pete Orr to a Minor League contract.

For a fourth straight year, the Cardinals have invited a select group of Minor League players to participate in early workouts and seminars as part of the organization’s STEP (Spring Training Early Program) camp. Among the two dozen Minor Leaguers slated to report early to Jupiter, Fla., for the camp are three of the organization’s first four picks from the 2013 First-Year Player Draft — Rob Kaminsky, Oscar Mercado and Mike Mayers.

The Rangers hope Leonys Martin can build on what, overall, was a good first full season in the Major Leagues in 2013 and be more than a No. 9 hitter in a winning lineup.