TEAM TO BEAT
HOUSTON ASTROS
The defending World Series champions bring back eight of nine starters from last year's lineup, four of their top five starters and every key member of their bullpen. Offseason signee Jose Abreu represents an upgrade from Yuli Gurriel at first base, Michael Brantley is set to return from injury and reigning World Series MVP Jeremy Peña should continue to progress in year two as the club's shortstop to give the Astros potentially an even more explosive offense than last year's championship team. The loss of reigning Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in free agency hurts, but the Astros still have a rotation that runs six deep, led by burgeoning ace Framber Valdez.
TOP PLAYER
SHOHEI OHTANI, RHP/DH, ANGELS
At this point, there seems to be nothing Ohtani can't do. After hitting 46 home runs and posting a 3.18 ERA en route to winning the AL MVP award in 2021, Ohtani took a step forward as a pitcher to become a true ace last season. He finished fifth in the majors in ERA and sixth in strikeouts while also batting .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, finishing second in AL MVP voting. The two-way superstar is entering his final year under contract with the Angels and will be plenty motivated to deliver another historic season as he heads into free agency.
TOP PITCHER
JACOB deGROM, RHP, RANGERS
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Baseball America.
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Denne historien er fra April 2023-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.
