As this issue went to press, I had just started my 20th year at Baseball America.
That’s a lot of baseball. Twenty years encompasses more than 3,000 hits, 600 doubles and 500 home runs of Miguel Cabrera’s career. It’s almost the entirety of Justin Verlander’s college and pro career.
The last prospects from when I started at BA are edging into retirement. Most of the players I remember from my formative years at BA are now coaches or front office officials, if they are still around the game. Jackson Chourio wasn’t born when I became a BA employee.
I’m fortunate to have a dream job, one that exceeds anything I could have imagined when I was growing up. So thank you Baseball America subscribers for providing this opportunity. I am truly grateful.
But the other thought that I can’t dislodge from my head is how much baseball is better now than it was two decades ago.
I’m an optimist by nature, but I don’t think this is just a matter of seeing the glass half full. As a baseball fan, as well as someone who covers the game, I find now to be better than then.
The current game does have its issues. If you want to talk about too many strikeouts, not enough on-field action or other complaints, you have valid points.
But baseball changes, adapts and develops. And if you pull back to a wide-angle view for a moment, you can realize how good we have it in 2022.
Bu hikaye Baseball America dergisinin October 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Baseball America dergisinin October 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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.