After 21 years at Baseball America, it's time for another challenge as a scout for the Twins
My first week at Baseball America was back in September 1996, and then-prospect Vladimir Guerrero was on the cover of the magazine. Working at BA was a different gig back then. I filed some photos, went on food runs for Jim Callis and Will Lingo and tried to learn from and listen to BA founder Allan Simpson. The knowledge in the office was daunting; I know where the phrase “out of my depth” comes from. I experienced it first-hand.
With time, I adjusted, covering the college beat after Jim left BA for two years and taking to the wider latitude afforded by the 1999 launch of BaseballAmerica.com. The next year, I not only got married to Becky Kirkland—by far the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to me—but I also spent a full year of wall-to-wall college beat work online and covered the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Five years later I was promoted, with Lingo, to co-editor-in-chief, starting a dozen years at the helm of Baseball America. I considered it a privilege and tried to cover the game with passion, integrity and a depth of knowledge to earn readers’ respect and subscription.
That’s been my goal and I have done my best to meet it. But after 21 years, I had started to look for new challenges and have found one with the Minnesota Twins, for whom I’ll work in the professional scouting department.
In honor of my time at BA, I decided to write one last top 10 (in addition to the Cubs in this issue!)—my top 10 BA moments.
10. 1998 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES: You never forget your first. Mine ended with Southern California's insane 21-14 win in the title game against Arizona State. I’ve been to every CWS since but two. I will greatly miss the Series and Omaha.
Denne historien er fra November 17, 2017-utgaven av Baseball America.
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Denne historien er fra November 17, 2017-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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