TEAM TO BEAT
HOUSTON ASTROS
The defending World Series champions bring back eight of nine starters from last year's lineup, four of their top five starters and every key member of their bullpen. Offseason signee Jose Abreu represents an upgrade from Yuli Gurriel at first base, Michael Brantley is set to return from injury and reigning World Series MVP Jeremy Peña should continue to progress in year two as the club's shortstop to give the Astros potentially an even more explosive offense than last year's championship team. The loss of reigning Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in free agency hurts, but the Astros still have a rotation that runs six deep, led by burgeoning ace Framber Valdez.
TOP PLAYER
SHOHEI OHTANI, RHP/DH, ANGELS
At this point, there seems to be nothing Ohtani can't do. After hitting 46 home runs and posting a 3.18 ERA en route to winning the AL MVP award in 2021, Ohtani took a step forward as a pitcher to become a true ace last season. He finished fifth in the majors in ERA and sixth in strikeouts while also batting .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, finishing second in AL MVP voting. The two-way superstar is entering his final year under contract with the Angels and will be plenty motivated to deliver another historic season as he heads into free agency.
TOP PITCHER
JACOB deGROM, RHP, RANGERS
This story is from the April 2023 edition of Baseball America.
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This story is from the April 2023 edition of Baseball America.
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NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.
ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS
For the second consecutive year, the Orioles enter the season with the best farm system in baseball.
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEW ROSTER LIMITS
No one can fully predict what will happen with the reduced 165-player minor league roster limits, but baseball officials weighed in with predictions for 2024, some of which we heard repeatedly.
NO MORE SLACK IN THE SYSTEM
The in domestic minor leagues creates consternation for farm directors
INTERNATIONAL TREASURES
Why MLB teams value foreign professionals more than ever
HIGH-FLYING BIRDS
Learning from past success and failure in Houston, Mike Elias and his united front office remade the Orioles into winners— and they got there ahead of schedule
ARIZONA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Early promotions of star prospects led to a bit of a down season for the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Even before the Rookie-level Florida Complex League season began, scouts who saw extended spring training gushed over the Yankees' talent, starting with shortstop Roderick Arias and 6-foot7 pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange. Outfielder John Cruz mashed 10 home runs as a 17-year-old.
SALAS COULD BE SPECIAL
When Ethan Salas arrived in the California League on May 30, he immediately displayed talent well beyond his years.
