CATEGORIES

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

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.

ORGANIZATION REPORTS

Blaze Alexander entered spring training as a long shot to make the team, but there he was on March 28, starting and batting seventh in the D-backs’ Opening Day lineup.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Louisville Slugger makes Prime bat 30% harder by dipping into 1902 company patent

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

After narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament last year, UC Irvine is determined to finish strong

MORE HARM THAN GOOD?

Dramatically scaling back young pitchers’ workloads has failed to keep them healthier

GEM COLLECTOR

In just four years, Diamond Baseball Holdings has become the most powerful owner ever in Minor League Baseball. What is the plan for their 33 teams—and counting?

LIFE AFTER AFFILIATED BALL

For many minor league teams that lost their MLB affiliations, it has been business as usual— with some unexpected benefits

EARNING POWER

A dramatic upgrade to playing conditions for minor leaguersincluding pay, housing and nutrition has made pro baseball economically viable for all players

NOBODY'S PERFECT

No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile

ORGANIZATION REPORTS

At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.

ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS

For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS

No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.

NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM

The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors

INTERNATIONAL TREASURES

Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever