TEAM TO BEAT: TEXAS TECH
Texas Tech is the Big 12’s master of reloading each season in the face of roster turnover, and while there is less of that to do this year, it’s most concentrated on the mound, where it will replace Clayton Beeter and Bryce Bonnin in the rotation. Look for junior college transfer righthander Brandon Birdsell, who can run his fastball up to 98 mph, third-year sophomore righthander Micah Dallas (1-0, 0.57) and third-year sophomore lefthander Mason Montgomery (3-1, 3.00) to get the first crack at weekend starts. In the lineup, second-year freshman Jace Jung (.264/.438/.604) is a solid bet to be the Red Raiders’ breakout star after he enjoyed a standout summer with the Santa Barbara Foresters. He’ll support third-year freshman shortstop Cal Conley (.371/.444/.643), fourth-year junior center field Dylan Neuse (.355/.438/.487) and second-year freshman catcher Nate Rombach (.308/.440/.677), who led the team in homers last season with six.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: PEYTON GRAHAM, 3B, OKLAHOMA
Graham arrived as a freshman at Oklahoma last season at a time when the Sooners were looking for a jolt on offense, and he wasted no time in giving it to them.
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THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
