Baseball America (BA) is asports publication company that coversbaseball at every level, includingMajor League Baseball (MLB), with a particular focus on up-and-coming players inMinor League Baseball (MiLB)college, high school, and international leagues. It is currently published in the form of an editorial and statswebsite, amonthly magazine, apodcast network, and three annualreference book titles. It also regularly produces lists of the top prospects in the sport, and covers aspects of the game from ascouting and player development point of view.
Baseball America was founded in 1981 and has since grown into a full-service media company. Founder Allan Simpson began writing the magazine from Canada, originally calling it theAll-America Baseball News. By 1983, Simpson moved the magazine toDurham, North Carolina, after it was purchased by then-Durham Bulls owner Miles Wolff. Simpson left his position at the magazine in 2006.
Source Interlink (later theMotor Trend Group) purchased Baseball America in December 2011 and sold the publication in February 2017. The new Baseball America Enterprises includesGary Green and Larry Botel of Alliance Baseball, owners of minor league franchises inOmaha, Nebraska, andRichmond, Virginia, in partnership with David Geaslen, founder and CEO of 3STEP Sports.[1] Today,Baseball America is led by president Tom Dondero and Editor in Chief J.J. Cooper. It also uses outsourced correspondents.
Baseball America is published on the web and monthly in print. Every issue features coverage of themajors,minors, baseball's draft,college andhigh school baseball. Other features include reviews and analysis of prospects as well as tracking the progress of the best players inamateur baseball and theminors.[2]
Other annual publications produced by the company includeBaseball America Almanac,Baseball America Prospect Handbook (aNew York Times sports best-seller in March 2016), and theBaseball America Directory.Baseball Americaalso has an active social media presence on YouTube and Instagram.
Baseball America Independent Leagues Player of the Year[47]
Baseball America Minor League All-Star Team[3] (First team and Second team)[48]
Baseball America Triple-A Classification All-Star Team[49]
Baseball America Double-A Classification All-Star Team[50]
Baseball America High Class A Classification All-Star Team[51]
Baseball America Low Class A Classification All-Star Team[52]
Baseball America Rookie-Level Classification All-Star Team[53]
Baseball America Dominican Summer League Classification All-Star Team[54]
Baseball America Short-Season Classification All-Star Team[55]
Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year[3]
Baseball America Minor League Team of the Year[56]
Baseball America Minor League Executive of the Year[57]
Baseball America Bob Freitas Awards (for outstanding minor-league operations at Triple-A, Double-A, Class A, and short-season) (first awarded in 1989)[58][59]
Baseball America Independent Organization of the Year (first awarded in 2006)[60]
Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year[67][68]
In addition to these awards,Baseball America releases rankings of the top 25 teams in the nation, as voted by its staff. A preseason poll is compiled, in addition to a weekly poll during the season.
^abcdefBaseball America award winners. Includes MAJOR LEAGUES: Player of the Year (1998 to date), Rookie of the Year (1989 to date), Organization of the Year (1982 to date), Executive of the Year (1998 to date), Manager of the Year (1998 to date). MINOR LEAGUES: Player of the Year (1981 to date), Executive of the Year (2002 to date), Manager of the Year (1989 to date), Team of the Year (1993 to date). FREITAS AWARDS (top organizations in Triple A, Double A, Class A, Sort-Season). INDEPENDENT LEAGUES: Player of the Year (1996 to date). COLLEGE: Player of the Year (1981 to date), Coach of the Year (1981 to date), Assistant Coach of the Year (1999 to date), Freshman of the Year (1982 to date), Summer College Player of the Year (1984 to date). HIGH SCHOOL: Player of the Year (1992 to date), Youth Player of the Year (2002 to date), Team of the Year (1992 to date). Retrieved 2016-11-15.
