TEAM TO BEAT
NEW YORK YANKEES
The Yankees committed more salary in free agency than any club-$574 million-to retain American League MVP Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo and add Carlos Rodon. Rodon begins the season on the injured list with a strained elbow, while a shoulder injury will keep Frankie Montas sidelined indefinitely, but the Yankees have the pitching depth to compensate for those losses. Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt assume rotation spots along with Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino and Nestor Cortes. On offense, the Yankees need new faces to support Judge, Rizzo, Gleyber Torres and Giancarlo Stanton. Second-year Oswaldo Cabrera takes an outfield spot, while rookie shortstop Oswald Peraza is a strong defender who hit well as a September callup. Top prospect Anthony Volpe is the wild card. If he hits, he could add a spark the Yankees' offense needs.
TOP PLAYER
AARON JUDGE, RF, YANKEES
At times during the second half last season, Judge seemed to will the Yankees to the division title. He hit.349/.502/.785 after the All-Star Game, hitting 29 home runs in 68 games to establish the American League record with 62 homers. Judge claimed all but two first-place votes for AL MVP, which was a testament to his historic season because he played in the same league as all-world Shohei Ohtani. Judge's 211 OPS+ is seventh-highest since 1961, trailing only four Barry Bonds seasons, one from Mark McGwire and one from Frank Thomas.
TOP PITCHER
GERRIT COLE, RHP, YANKEES
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Baseball America.
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This story is from the April 2023 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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.
