Baseball America

Baseball America has been bringing you the best baseball information in the game for more than 30 years, a must-have resource for fans as well as people who work in the game. Every issue features coverage of the majors, minors, college and high school baseball as well as prospects, prospects and more prospects. Whether you’re looking to win your fantasy league or stay on top of the game at all levels, Baseball America puts it all in your hands.

Leading Off • DECEMBER 2023 / JANUARY 2024 VOLUME 44, ISSUE 1

MAIL BAG • Multiple times every month at BaseballAmerica.com, subscribers get exclusive access to BA writers to ask any question they want. Here are excerpts from November.

THINK THERE’S NO BASEBALL IN JANUARY? THINK AGAIN!

Baseball America

MAKING THE GRADE • Assessing the future value of graduated American League prospects

20 MORE NAMES TO KNOW • We go beyond the top 10 to highlight 20 more graduating AL prospects with their end-of-season BA Grades. The AL rookies lacked the depth of the NL but had more midrange presence.

A DREAM REALIZED • A late bloomer in high school, Ryan Lavarnway willed his way to MLB

Trap Toon

RAPSODO HELPS MAKE SEAM-SHIFTED WAKE WORK FOR YOU • The Rapsodo PRO 3.0 opens new avenues to pitcher development, including how to master seam-shifted wake.

TEXAS RANGERS • The Rangers round up the right mix of talent through scouting, player development and financial muscle to win the World Series ahead of schedule

FROM WORLD SERIES TO WORLD RENOWN • Six prospects in the past 35 years have played in the World Series and then ranked as a top 10 overall prospect the following spring

FARM FUTURES

KERRICK JACKSON • Jackson accepts the responsibilities that come with being the first Black head coach in SEC history at Missouri

MIKE RADCLIFF, MINNESOTA TWINS • Radcliff left a lasting legacy on the Twins with his scouting acumen, dedication and mentorship

MIKE ELIAS, BALTIMORE ORIOLES • After completely making over Orioles baseball operations, Mike Elias has Baltimore poised to become beasts of the AL East

TOREY LOVULLO, ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS • Lovullo navigated a summer swoon to prove he was the right long-term fit for the emerging D-backs

D-BACKS DYNAMIC DUO

KEVIN SEITZER, HITTING COACH, ATLANTA BRAVES • The Braves’ record-breaking offense rolled under the steadying hand of veteran hitting coach Seitzer

CLASSIC MYSTERY PACK

NORFOLK TIDES • A prospect-loaded Norfolk roster realizes the fruit of its talent, teamwork and high character with a Triple-A championship

BRIAN DINKELMAN, CEDAR RAPIDS • Dinkelman showed the deft touch to help a young Cedar Rapids club overcome early adversity to win the Midwest League

ROB ZERJAV, WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS • Zerjav fulfilled his dream of working in minor league baseball—and making a difference—without straying far from his Wisconsin roots

ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES • Albuquerque is a great baseball town, especially on nights when the Isotopes transform into the Mariachis

AMARILLO SOD POODLES • Amarillo resonated with its fanbase when the Sod Poodles became their award-winning Calf Fries alternate brand

SOUTH BEND CUBS • South Bend knows how to draw a crowd while also giving back to its Indiana community

FULL 2023 WINNERS LIST

You already knew. • Major league organizations usually know their own personnel best. Usually—but not always.

TOP 10

TOP 10

TOP 10

TOP 10

You already knew. • Colson Montgomery hails from the same region of Indiana as Scott Rolen. Like Rolen, he was also a famous basketball player in high...