Baseball America

From BR Bullpen

Founded in 1981, Baseball America is a publication that has been noted for its in-depth coverage of minor league, college and high school baseball, areas often not addressed by the mainstream sports media at the time of its founding. It is renowned for its focus on scouting and on the ranking of prospects. Baseball America has been printing Almanacs (previously called Statistics Report) for the past couple of decades, which present end-of-year recaps for many leagues.

The magazine was founded by Allan Simpson, a former minor league executive, from the garage of his house in White Rock, BC. It was originally called All-America Baseball News, but changed its name to its current one when Simpson moved the operation to Durham, NC after Miles Wolff took an interest in the magazine and provided additional capital in 1982.

Baseball America has also published books:

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball - edited by W. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, 1993
The Minor League Register - edited by W. Lloyd Johnson, 1994
The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (2nd edition) - edited by W. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, 1997

The publication releases an annual ranking of the top 100 prospects. Since 1990, 21 different players have been named baseball's top prospect (three of them won the honor twice in successive years). They are as follows:

Year Player Team
2017 OF - Andrew Benintendi Red Sox
2016 SS - Corey Seager Dodgers
2015 3B - Kris Bryant Cubs
2014 OF - Byron Buxton Twins
2013 SS/2B - Jurickson Profar Rangers
2012 OF - Bryce Harper Nationals
2011 OF - Bryce Harper Nationals
2010 OF - Jason Heyward Braves
2009 C - Matt Wieters Orioles
2008 OF - Jay Bruce Reds
2007 RHP -Daisuke Matsuzaka Red Sox
2006 OF - Delmon Young Devil Rays
2005 C - Joe Mauer Twins
2004 C - Joe Mauer Twins
2003 3B - Mark Teixeira Rangers
2002 RHP - Josh Beckett Marlins
2001 OF - Josh Hamilton Devil Rays
2000 LHP - Rick Ankiel Cardinals
1999 OF - J.D. Drew Cardinals
1998 OF - Ben Grieve Athletics
1997 OF - Andruw Jones Braves
1996 OF - Andruw Jones Braves
1995 SS - Alex Rodriguez Mariners
1994 1B - Cliff Floyd Expos
1993 SS - Chipper Jones Braves
1992 LHP - Brien Taylor Yankees
1991 RHP - Todd Van Poppel Athletics
1990 LHP - Steve Avery Braves

Source: All-Time Top 100 Prospects