Five-tool center fielder Mason Williams wasn’t the only outfield prospect on the Yankees’ radar this spring. Corner outfielder Zoilo Almonte impressed the Yankees in the early part of spring training with his bat, speed and live arm.

Second baseman Phillip Evans became a minor part of Mets history when the 15th-rounder signed for $650,000 just before the signing deadline. The franchise never had offered a larger bonus for a player taken after the second round.

When Brewers righthander Santo Manzanillo regained his senses following a rollover car accident, he knew something was wrong with his shoulder and right side, and his baseball career flashed before his eyes.

First baseman Joe Mahoney is expected to begin the 2012 season on Triple-A Norfolk’s roster. He just wants to make sure it’s the active roster and not the disabled list.

Ben Wells was almost one who got away from the Cubs. Theo Epstein and his staff in the rebuilt Cubs front office are glad that Jim Hendry and Tim Wilken went the extra mile to get a deal done.

Twins righthander Alex Wimmers started last season without recording an out. He closed the year without allowing a hit. The 23-year-old knows which extreme he prefers, but only time will tell if the 2010 first-rounder becomes a more consistent performer.

Major leaguers come from everywhere. Brandon Beachy was a nondrafted free agent, Travis Hafner is from North Dakota and Mariano Rivera is from Panama. However, they are the exceptions. Where do the rest of the players come from?

Our new diarist Eric Pettis explains the dread that surrounds cut-down day.

Miles Head hadn’t played third base since his pro debut in the Red Sox system in 2009, but that didn’t stop the Athletics from thinking creatively. Oakland shifted Head from first base back to the hot corner after acquiring him in December.

With five series between ranked opponents on the docket, Week Seven should be fun for college baseball fans. The week’s marquee series pits a pair of top 10 clubs against each other, as No. 2 Stanford visits No. 8 Arizona. Like the Wildcats, Georgia an…