TEAM TO BEAT: FLORIDA
The Gators last spring were off to the best start in program history and were playing like the best team in the country when the season halted. That team returns almost completely intact with a top-five recruiting class joining it. Florida will have one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country, as it returns its rotation of Tommy Mace, Jack Leftwich and Hunter Barco and several key relievers, all of whom have the ability to pitch multiple innings. That gives coach Kevin O’Sullivan a lot of options and will make for a tough matchup for opposing hitters. Offensively, Florida returns eight of nine regulars from last year’s team, including center fielder Jud Fabian, who could be the first college position player drafted in July. Also returning is fellow outfielder Jacob Young, its leading hitter, catcher Nathan Hickey, shortstop Josh Rivera and plenty of experience around the diamond. In every facet of the game, Florida will have premium talent and depth, making it the favorite not only for the SEC, but also for the College World Series.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: JUD FABIAN, OF, FLORIDA
Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Baseball America.
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Denne historien er fra February 2021-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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.
