I originally had not planned to buy this one, but on my next appearance on the What’s on Second Internet radio program (shameless self-promotion), I’ll be discussing the annual publications, so that’s how I justified the purchase.
Actually, it’s better than I first thought. Although it’s light on features, the team profiles more than make up for any shortcoming.
Features
The section leads off, fittingly enough, with “Leading Off,” a few seemingly random observations about the past season. There’s also a set of “5 Best” lists for pitching and hitting coaches; ball-strike umpires (worst, too); “gotta-see” young players; strongest and fastest players (what are they, superheroes?); and “platinum glovers.”
Another article examines the problems with the amateur draft system and how to fix them. There’s also a profile on SF Giants star rookie Buster Posey.
Team analysis
The five-page profiles (presented alphabetically by league) are preceded by a “fearless forecast” of finishes and individual award winners.
Each profile includes:
- a brutally honest “scouts snapshot” (“I think [the Mets are] going to be dead last.”)
- a brief but detailed analysis of starting and relief pitching; catchers, infielder; outfielders; designated hitters; and organizations (along with the direction in which they’re heading). Capsule (p)reviews talk about key players’ strengths and weaknesses and include a couple of different grading systems
- arrivals and departures
- a brief “Fantasy Spin” for three players. This is the only editorial mention of FB in the publication
- a projected rotation and batting order, almost guaranteed to change by opening day (just look at what happened to the Cardinals)
- the three top prospects
- the 40-man roster
- a grid schedule
- 2010 statistical leaders
The rest
Lindy’s offers a list of the top 50 MLB prospects, prepared by Will Lingo, although it does no identify him as editor in chief of Baseball America. I find it somewhat puzzling that this list differs from the one he published in the Baseball American Prospect Handbook 2011. I wonder if that’s like doing a song cover: as long as you change one word, you don’t have any legal problems.
Allan Simpson contributes a list/analysis of the top 20 college and top 10 high school draft prospects.
The magazine winds down with the standard list of team and individual statistics.
Consensus
If you want a down-and-dirty frill-free publication to learn about the individual players, Lindy’s is certainly worth the newsstand price of $7.99.
Previous baseball annual reviews:
USA Today 2011 Complete MLB Preview
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