This month, I give you my most interesting 2,020 players for the 2020s.
. . . Wait, I have an editor on the line.
Fine, since Baseball America won’t just give me 15 pages, I’ll lower my sights. Here are 20 players who will help set the course of the 2020 season.
ANDREW BENINTENDI, RED SOX.
One reason the Red Sox entertained the idea of trading Mookie Betts is the presence of Benintendi, like Betts a complete player. The sweet swinger lost ground in 2019, however, dropping to career worsts in average (.266), on-base percentage (.343), homers (13) and stolen bases (10). With or without Betts, Benintendi’s return to stardom is essential to the Red Sox competing with the Yankees in the American League East.
EDWIN DIAZ, METS. Diaz went from the No. 2 reliever in baseball with the Mariners in 2018 to a dinger machine with the Mets. His ERA nearly tripled as he allowed 15 homers in 58 innings, and he lost the closer role in August. The Mets lost 24 games in which Diaz appeared, an insane number for a closer. The Mets hope to catch the Braves and Nationals this year, and they can’t do it if Diaz is blowing one-fifth of his save opportunities.
JESUS LUZARDO. ATHLETICS. The lefty was supposed to have a big impact on the 2019 club, but injuries held him to 55 innings all year and just 12 in the majors. Those A’s won a wildcard berth again in spite of his absence, but after years of patching together a rotation and using openers, the A’s are ready to have a true ace. Luzardo, who pitches in the mid 90s with an excellent curveball and changeup, just needs to stay healthy to become the best pitcher on the best challenger to the Astros in the AL West.
この記事は Baseball America の February - March 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Baseball America の February - March 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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
SUMMER STANDOUTS
The top prospects in summer college leagues are poised to impact the 2025 draft
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.
IN WITH THE NEW
The 2024 draft is in the books. The trade deadline is history.
WALCOTT BLASTS OFF
It took some time for Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott to find his footing at High-A Hickory.
A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS
Four key takeaways from the 2024 draft
K.C.MASTERPIECE
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins games for the Royals with his bat, glove, speed and baseball IQ. He might be the most tooled-up player in the game.
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.