Mike Leake in the batting cage - A Hunt and Peck

A seemingly apparent strategy of the Cardinals has not just been to acquire skilled baseball players, but skilled athletes in general. The starting rotation is evident of this, from the former shortstop Carlos Martinez to a multi-sport high school athlete in Adam Wainwright, athletic skill is prevalent up and down the rotation. Mike Leake, the newest addition, is no exception. A bit has been made about Mike Leake's ability not just as a pitcher, but as hitter as well. Watch him talk hittin' with MLB Network's Al Leiter on the network's 30 Clubs in 30 Days.

what else is going on in baseball...

• Rays to play Cuba in historic exhibition | MLB.com
• Full schedule of games as Rays face Cuba | MLB.com
• 5 Cuban National Team players you should know about before Tuesday's game in Havana | MLB.com
• Rays' Dayron Varona returns to native Cuba | MLB.com
• See what Bryce Harper and other MLB stars had to say about President Obama's first pitch form | MLB.com
• The President of the United States is at a baseball game in Cuba, and that might make people's lives better | SBNation.com
• Who are the oldest active players in baseball? | Sports on Earth
• The Surprising Double-Play Machine | FanGraphs Baseball
• 2016 Positional Power Rankings: Shortstop | FanGraphs Baseball
• Shelby Miller on Changing His Mix | FanGraphs Baseball
• Michelle Obama is the international baseball ambassador we deserve | SBNation.com
• Andre Ethier has broken right tibia, expected to miss 10-14 weeks | True Blue LA
• David Ortiz popped the 'old school' bubble by responding to Goose Gossage | Over the Monster

what the cardinals are up to...

• ‘Elite’ closer Rosenthal still has eye on starting | St. Louis Cardinals | stltoday.com
• After brief appearance, Cooney slowed again by soreness | Derrick Goold: Bird Land | stltoday.com
• Hazelbaker's 'great camp' earns start against Marlins | Cardinal Beat | stltoday.com
• The Cardinals Did the Right Thing In Sending Diaz to Memphis | 101Sports.com

KNOW THINE ENEMY...

the nl central

• Watch Anthony Rizzo take on Eric Hosmer in MLB The Show '16 | MLB.com
• Joe Maddon announces Cubs' new dress code policy: 'look hot' | MLB.com
• Evaluating the 2016 Prospects: Pittsburgh Pirates | FanGraphs Baseball