Oakland general manager David Forst was among the crowd of 300 scouts and executives on the first day of MLB’s International Showcase at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal on Wednesday.

Several months after the All-Star Game spotlight has dimmed, the conversation continues on issues affecting the African-American community. On Wednesday at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the focus was on economics.

George Bryner Bell, son of former Major League outfielder George Bell, and Josue Guerrero, nephew of Vladimir Guerrero are among 59 prospects competing in MLB’s international prospect showcase.

JD meets JT.

In 2015 there were only two Major League teams that repeated as division winners. Don’t count on a 6-for-6 performance by the current division champs in 2016, either.

Wise fantasy owners will be keeping tabs on battles across the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues, looking for an edge to fill their roto and head-to-head rosters. Let’s take a look at 10 competitions to monitor over the next month-plus.

Right-hander Carlos Torres and the Braves have agreed to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training, according to multiple reports.

Catcher is arguably the most grueling position on the diamond. Due to the lack of offensive difference-makers at the position, the following catchers can be valuable fantasy assets.

Fenway Park goes Xtreme.

Tom Singer, among the first journalists hired at MLB.com, passed away suddenly on Monday at his residence in Scottsdale, Ariz.

When the Padres open the season on April 4 against the Dodgers, Matt Kemp will be the lone returning outfielder from the Opening Day lineup a year ago.

If the Orioles do land free-agent starter Yovani Gallardo, with the two sides in serious negotiations on Wednesday, Baltimore may not be done making moves.

Shohei Ohtani is the next heralded player from Japan. He’s a 6-foot-4 right-hander with a 100-mph fastball and four other pitches. And at 21, he is so productive with the bat that his team utilizes him at DH in many of the the games he doesn’t start on the mound.

Very little gray area exists for Melky Cabrera when judging his team’s success. If his squad reaches the postseason, then put that year in the win column. If his team isn’t playing into October, then mark it down as a failure. So even though the White Sox improved from 73 wins in 2014 to 76 in ’15, Cabrera knows this talented squad didn’t reach its primary goal.

Someone should bring in Bob Vila.

Construction has begun, and the Blue Jays are well on their way to having an all-dirt infield installed at Rogers Centre in time for the start of the 2016 season.

Tom Singer was special. Unfortunately that is in the past tense. Life seems to come in reverse.