Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2020 i Baseball America

The eight participants in the 1983 College World Series adorned the cover of our June 15 issue that year. Seven of those teams needed no introduction. In the first round of that year’s draft, Oklahoma State catcher Robbie Wine went eighth overall to the Astros. Texas righthander Roger Clemens was the 19th overall pick by the Red Sox. Alabama third baseman Dave Magadan and Michigan third baseman Chris Sabo were selected in the second round by the Mets and Reds, respectively. Stanford first baseman Mike Aldrete went in the seventh round to the Giants. In 1984, Maine righthander Billy Swift went second overall to the Mariners. Arizona State outfielder Oddibe McDowell went 12th to the Rangers. Clemens won 354 big league games and Magadan hit .288 over 16 seasons. Swift…

It’s 82 degrees with a healthy breeze as the sun sets behind the third-base line at Coors Field. It is without a doubt a perfect day for baseball in Denver. At the same time, roughly 500 miles east in Kansas City, Mo., the Royals are still waiting to play a game that was scheduled to start two hours ago. The rain is falling in sheets over the soaked tarp. It’s a bad day for baseball. Since the 1870s, weather and baseball have been tied together by rainouts, snowouts and coldouts. Games have been played entirely in the rain, while others were not played because of forecasted rain that never came. I have spent most of the past decade studying baseball weather, looking at the perfect weather in Denver and the…

Tommy Pham had a point. When the outfielder played against the Padres as an opposing player in past seasons, he observed that Padres hitters “didn’t do a good job controlling the strike zone” and didn’t “make the pitcher work” for outs. With Pham and others in tow in 2020, the Padres’ offense underwent a startling transformation. San Diego improved dramatically in several crucial metrics, including on-base percentage, OBP versus righthanders, out-of-zone swing rate and OPS with two strikes. In short, the 2020 Padres clearly controlled the zone and made pitchers work. The numbers in parentheses indicate overall rank among all 30 MLB teams. The 2020 stats were as of Sept. 24, with three games to go. How did the Padres do it? Four reasons stand out. (1) First-year manager Jayce…

Making an all-star team is one of the highest individual accomplishments for any player. For young players in particular, it’s a sign they’ve finally arrived as impact major leaguers. This year’s All-Star Game was a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting abbreviated season. For many players, it means their first all-star selection will be delayed at least a year—if not longer. Still, many players delivered all-star performances through the first half of the season. Here is a look at 15 young players who would have been in contention for their first career all-star selections had there been an All-Star Game this season. WILLY ADAMES SS, RAYS Adames blossomed in his third year in the majors after checking in at No. 19 on the Top 100 Prospects entering 2018.…

The short-season Northwest League had a banner season for future talent in 1987, the year the draft was streamlined into one June phase. For the first time, players from high school, college and junior college were draft-eligible at the same time. This created a situation in which prep outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. (No. 1) and juco righthander Kevin Appier (No. 6), the first and ninth overall picks in 1987, could debut together after signing. Griffey made a rousing pro debut, hitting .313 with 14 homers and 13 steals in 54 games. “He can do anything he wants,” one manager said of Griffey’s obvious five-tool potential. Appier recorded a 3.04 ERA in 15 starts, striking out 72 in 77 innings with an “above-average major league arm,” including a “good live fastball,…

Through the years the low Class A Midwest League has been the starting point in full-season ball for the likes of Greg Maddux and Rafael Palmeiro (1985), Larry Walker (1986), Alex Rodriguez and Billy Wagner (1994), Miguel Cabrera (2001), Clayton Kershaw (2007) and Mike Trout (2010). The MWL class of 2017 is shaping up to be historic, too, headed by Fernando Tatis Jr., Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Yordan Alvarez. But in 2000 the Midwest League was headlined by two future greats—No. 5 prospect Albert Pujols and No. 7 Jake Peavy—whose talent snuck up on people because they were late-round draft picks. Pujols was drafted in the 13th round in 1999 but signed late and made his pro debut in the 2000 MWL. He hit .324 with 17 homers…

As a large league with agreeable springtime weather, the low Class A South Atlantic League is where many future Hall of Famers see their first taste of full-season ball. The list includes Tom Glavine (1985), Craig Biggio (1987), Ivan Rodriguez (1989), Chipper Jones (1991), Derek Jeter (1993) and Vladimir Guerrero (1995). Potential future Hall of Famers Scott Rolen (1994), Andruw Jones (1995) and Adrian Beltre (1996) also played in the SAL. The South Atlantic League class of 2011 is notable for its depth, including future MVPs Bryce Harper (No. 1) and Christian Yelich (No. 5) as well as quality regulars Manny Machado (No. 2), Xander Bogaerts (No. 10) and Marcell Ozuna (No. 7). The depth continues. Harper, Jameson Taillon (No. 4) and Machado were the first three picks in the…

SHAWN BARTON, a shortstop and second baseman who played in the minor leagues from 1981-1987 and from 1989-1990, died Aug. 11 in Citrus Heights, Calif. He was 58. DOC BOWDEN, a second baseman who played in the minor leagues from 1950-1954, died Aug. 11. He was 91. JAMES BRADBURN, who played in the minor leagues in 1949, died Aug. 21. He was 93. BOB BROCK, who played in the minor leagues in 1953, died Aug. 16. He was 92. LOU BROCK, a Hall of Fame outfielder who spent 19 years in the major leagues for the Cubs and Cardinals and who shattered Maury Wills’ single-season stolen base record in 1974 with 118 stolen bases, died Sept. 6. He was 81. Brock finished his career with a .293/.343/.410 slash line, 149…

As the country has tried to return to some sort of normalcy—and we have a long way to go before things are anywhere close to normal again—sports have played an integral role. Baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer and now football have resumed at the highest levels, but it is at the roots of youth sports where the largest impact has been felt. This has been a summer like no other, and while it was a welcome sign to be able to turn on a ballgame and watch breakout stars like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Robert, seeing kids on fields across the country honing their skills, laughing with their friends and simply having fun has been a much-needed respite for players and families alike. I have seen this firsthand with the…

Before the world changed and baseball screeched to a temporary halt this spring, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn stood in the back of the rival Cubs’ Arizona press box ahead of a Cactus League game on the first Friday of March as a bright sun belied the impending coronavirus storm clouds. The White Sox had just signed slugging third baseman Yoan Moncada to a five-year, $70 million extension, and Hahn, who isn’t exactly Mr. Braggadocious, in his low-key way uttered what we now can ID as perhaps the understatement of the season. “We can objectively sit here today and feel like we have three of arguably the most exciting young players in the American League under control for at least the next six years,” Hahn said. “And that is…

As a 14-team league with favorable early-season weather and access to spring complexes, the high Class A Florida State League has seen its share of elite talent. The list includes Roger Clemens and Bret Saberhagen in 1983, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz in 1986, Frank Thomas in 1989, Derek Jeter in 1994, Scott Rolen in 1995, Roy Halladay in 1996, Adrian Beltre and David Ortiz in 1997, Miguel Cabrera in 2002 and Justin Verlander in 2005. The FSL in 1990 boasted transcendent young catcher Ivan Rodriguez (No. 1) plus two late-round college draft picks who far exceeded expectations. Rodriguez zoomed to the FSL at age 18 and drew immediate attention for his arm and rapid rate improvement. “He has really handled himself well behind the plate,” his manager said. “And…

Pound for pound, the Double-A Eastern League has seen more future major league talent flow through it than any other league. The EL expanded from eight teams in 1981, when BA began, to 10 teams in 1994 to 12 teams in 1999. Players who ranked in various Eastern League top 10s went on to produce more big league WAR than any other league but the International. The list of all-time great EL alumni is long and includes Roger Clemens (1983), Rafael Palmeiro (1986), John Smoltz (1987), Mike Mussina and Jeff Bagwell (1990), Jim Thome (1991), Manny Ramirez (1993), Derek Jeter (1994), CC Sabathia (2000) and Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor (2014). The Eastern League class of 1996 takes the cake, with a record four players who would go on to…

The Rookie-level Appalachian League seldom receives the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but it happened twice in three years from 1999 to 2001, when Josh Hamilton and Joe Mauer (No. 1) graced the league. The Appy League class of 1999 featured Carl Crawford in addition to Hamilton, but the 2001 group outshines the Rays duo with Mauer and David Wright (No. 10), who both developed into franchise icons who remained with their drafting teams until retiring after the 2018 season. Mauer hit .400 in his pro debut with Elizabethton, using an “effortless swing that sprays line drives up the middle and to the opposite field.” He showed an ability to “stay inside of the ball” and had an “excellent eye.” Mauer hit .306 in the big leagues and…

Even with its picturesque backdrops, the Rookie-level Pioneer League earned a reputation as unrelenting. It plays 76 games, more than any other Rookie league. Its North and South divisions are separated by great distances and mountainous terrain. Oh, and because of its altitude, the Pioneer League is one of the highest scoring environments. Some scouts eagerly volunteer for Pioneer League coverage because of its scenic beauty; players are less eager. Even still, the league has seen its share of epic prospect classes: David Wells and Cecil Fielder in 1982, Helena teammates Gary Sheffield, Greg Vaughn and Darryl Hamilton in 1986; and Great Falls teammates Pedro Martinez and Raul Mondesi in 1990. However, the PL class of 2009 has them all beat for sheer volume of future major league regulars. Nolan…

No minor league has seen its alumni produce more WAR in the big leagues or accumulate more plate appearances or innings than the Triple-A International League. Cal Ripken Jr. ranked as the IL’s first-ever No. 1 prospect for BA in 1981. Following him as IL top 10 prospects were fellow Hall of Famers John Smoltz (1988), Mike Mussina (1991), Chipper Jones and Jim Thome (1993), Derek Jeter (1995) and Roy Halladay (1997 and ’98). Francisco Lindor (No. 1) headlined the IL class of 2015 and could one day join the others in the Hall of Fame. The IL that season also featured future impact big leaguers Trea Turner (No. 4) and Aaron Judge (No. 10), along with power arms Luis Severino (No. 2), Eduardo Rodriguez (No. 5) and Jose Berrios…

In late August, Baseball America reported that the 2021 draft was being pushed back to July 11-13, the latest it has ever been held. The event will take place in Atlanta during All-Star Game weekend. While moving the draft back on the calendar might seem like a minor tweak, the ramifications and ripple effects that it has for amateur players, college teams and both amateur and pro scouting officials are plentiful. The most obvious benefit of the new system is avoiding a scenario where college players are drafted in the middle of a College World Series run. “We’ve had players who are playing and get drafted in the middle of a game,” one Power 5 Conference college coach said. “Like, we’re about to play and you just got drafted in…

The trades to acquire Trent Grisham and Jake Cronenworth were consummated in late November and early December, respectively, but the process began much earlier. The Padres sent lefthander Eric Lauer and middle infielder Luis Urias to the Brewers for Grisham and righthander Zach Davies on Nov. 27. While Davies was already an established major league starter, Grisham was only beginning to show hints of his potential after a breakout season that began in Double-A Biloxi and finished as a part of Milwaukee’s playoff roster. Grisham didn’t exactly come out of nowhere—he was the Brewers’ first-round pick in 2015—but little about his minor league production before 2019 pointed to his sudden surge. Still, the Padres saw something in Grisham and made acquiring him a priority. “Grisham was one of those guys…

On Aug. 26, as a protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the Brewers, Mariners and Dodgers chose not to play. The move came three days after police in Kenosha, Wis., shot Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back after responding to a 911 call. It was the latest in a string of disturbing incidents involving police and Black Americans, following the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville earlier this year. The NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks were the first professional team to act when they refused to take the court for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, and baseball followed within hours. The Brewers, Mariners and Dodgers were the first to sit out. The following day, Aug. 27,…

Some of the most accomplished hitters of the 1990s and early 2000s passed through the high Class A Carolina League on their way to the majors, including Barry Bonds in 1985 and Chipper Jones and Manny Ramirez in 1992. But the Carolina League class of 1983 stands out for its breadth of talent, with five players who accumulated 10 or more WAR in the big leagues. Lynchburg teammates Dwight Gooden (No. 1) and Lenny Dykstra (No. 4) dominated the Carolina League on their way to becoming core pieces of the Mets’ 1986 World Series champions. In 27 starts for Lynchburg, Gooden used his “outstanding curveball” and “90-95 mph fastball” to go 19-4, 2.50 with a mind-bending 300 strikeouts in 191 innings. He is the last minor leaguer to top 300.…

The Double-A Southern League has a rich prospect tradition, none better than the class of 1987 headlined by Hall of Famers Randy Johnson (No. 2) and Larry Walker (No. 3) and 1996 National League MVP Ken Caminiti (No. 1). Other contenders for best prospect class in Southern League history include 1990 with Frank Thomas and Chuck Knoblauch, 2006 with Joey Votto and Ryan Braun, 2008 with Clayton Kershaw and David Price and 2009 with Giancarlo Stanton and Freddie Freeman. Johnson won five Cy Young Awards but didn’t receive his first vote until he was 29 because of untamed wildness stretching back to his amateur days. In the Southern League he walked 128 in 140 innings while leading the league with 163 strikeouts thanks to his “93 mph-plus fastball.” One manager…

In a bygone era, the Pacific Coast League was considered the top minor league in the land. It still occupies a spot at Triple-A, the top of the minor league hierarchy. All-time greats including Alex Rodriguez (1995), Mark McGwire (1986) and Tony Gwynn (1982) passed through the PCL on their way to the majors, but the 1992 prospect class was the one we chose to highlight. Albuquerque teammates and future Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez (No. 3) and Mike Piazza (No. 5) headlined an unusually strong group that also included Tim Salmon (No. 1), the 1992 Minor League Player of the Year, and long-time big league middle infielders Bret Boone (No. 2), Damion Easley (No. 4) and Royce Clayton (No. 8). While Martinez would go on to become the best…

No Minor League Top 10 Prospects ranking in BA history has produced more value, as measured by WAR, than the Texas League class of 1998. Among its top 10 were five future all-star position players, plus Freddy Garcia, the ace of the 2001 Mariners, the winningest team in history. Adrian Beltre (No. 1) spent half the season in the Texas League, hitting .321 with 13 homers in 64 games, and the other half in the big leagues as a 19-year-old. “He can do just about everything,” one manager said. Curiously, Beltre’s fielding at third base was viewed as his “weakest area” at the time; he went on to win five Gold Gloves in 21 big league seasons. Troy Glaus (No. 2), the third overall pick in 1997, reached Anaheim by…

The Rookie-level Arizona League is both the newest league and the fastest growing. From its humble origins as a four-team league in 1988, the AZL had expanded to 21 teams by 2019 and will remain an important step in the developmental ladder even in the reorganized minor league structure coming in 2021. Because the Arizona League has less history than other leagues, its prospect classes don’t quite measure up to other leagues. Angels first-round picks Mike Trout and Randal Grichuk graced the AZL in 2009. Jake Peavy and Jose Valverde were members of the class of 1999. Sluggers Joey Gallo and Jorge Soler played in the AZL in 2012. But the best Arizona League class had a distinctly international flavor. In 2001, back when it was a seven-team league, the…

If Allan Simpson wasn’t just a little bit crazy, I would not have my career. Neither would anyone else at Baseball America. And it’s likely that a number of draft and prospect writers at other outlets also have their vocations because one Canadian baseball fan looked at baseball differently. If you’ve ever scanned a list of top prospects, you also have reason to thank Simpson. Because of that, we can’t help but be thrilled that Simpson, the founder of Baseball America, is one of three finalists for the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for his “meritorious contributions to baseball writing.” The winner is selected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and awarded every summer during Hall of Fame induction weekend. Simpson’s selection would be a non-traditional choice for the Spink…