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.
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
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
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