Batting Around: 2020's ballpark quartet

Checking in on the progress of the Minors' four new facilities

The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Rocket City Trash Pandas, Wichita Wind Surge and Fredericksburg Nationals are set to play in new parks.

By Benjamin Hill | November 21, 2019 10:18 AM ET

Four Minor League ballparks are opening in 2020. In Batting Around, Ben Hill provides updates on Kannapolis, Rocket City, Wichita and Fredericksburg.

Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Teens Mauricio, Vientos apple of Mets' eye

Overhauled new-look system has a decidedly youthful flavor

Ronny Mauricio was a South Atlantic League midseason All-Star as an 18-year-old in 2019. (Jeff Blake/Columbia Fireflies)

By Michael Avallone | November 20, 2019 10:19 AM ET

Highly touted teen prospects Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos are the new faces of the New York Mets' future, which looks a lot different than it did a year ago.

Michael Avallone is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @MavalloneMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Prospects added to 40-man MLB rosters

Players protected from Rule 5 Draft prior to Wednesday deadline

Cristian Pache is ranked as the No. 11 overall prospect in baseball by MLB.com. (Chris Robertson/MiLB.com)

November 19, 2019 6:01 PM ET

MiLB.com is keeping a running list of the Rule 5 Draft-eligible prospects added to Major League 40-man rosters ahead of the protection deadline at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Rays shine as Farm System of the Year

With wins galore, Franco and McKay, organization is a stunner

Top-ranked Wander Franco is one of four Rays prospects in the top 50 and one of six in the top 100. (Mark LoMoglio/Tampa Tarpons)

By Josh Jackson | November 19, 2019 10:26 AM ET

Having sent five non-complex affiliates to the playoffs and put six players -- including No. 1 overall Wander Franco -- among MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects, the Rays are MiLB.com's Farm System of the Year.

Josh Jackson is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @JoshJacksonMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Toolshed: 40-man protection preview

Outlooks for all 30 farm systems ahead of Rule 5 Draft deadline

At No. 11, Cristian Pache is the highest-ranked prospect in need of 40-man roster protection from the Rule 5 Draft. (Chris Robertson/MiLB.com)

By Sam Dykstra | November 19, 2019 10:16 AM ET

Ahead of Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft deadline, Toolshed takes a look at players on all 30 farm systems who are not yet on their teams' respective 40-man rosters.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Twins prospects up the ante in arms race

Three pitchers crack playoff roster, Lewis earns AFL MVP nod

Across two Minor League levels, Devin Smeltzer compiled a 1.04 WHIP with 104 strikeouts in 104 1/3 innings. (Pensacola Blue Wahoos)

By Duane Cross | November 18, 2019 10:16 AM ET

Twins pitchers Randy Dobnak, Devin Smeltzer and Cody Stashak worked their way through the Minors to earn big league callups, spots on the postseason roster and Organization All-Star nods.

Duane Cross is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @DuaneCrossMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Twins' Costello found dead in New Zealand

Infield prospect was set to play in Australian Baseball League

Ryan Costello homered in Game 3 of the Southern League semifinals on Sept. 6. (Daniel Venn/Pensacola Blue Wahoos)

By Daren Smith | November 18, 2019 1:43 AM ET

Minnesota Twins infield prospect Ryan Costello died overnight in Auckland, New Zealand, his Australian Baseball League team announced early Monday. He was 23.

Daren Smith is an editor for MiLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Legend has it: Vibes get spooky for Copa

'Lloronas de Montaña Rocosa' celebrates folkloric ghost mother

The Rocky Mountain Vibes' Copa de la Diversión identity pays tribute to the iconic Mexican ghost story of La Llonora.

By Benjamin Hill | November 15, 2019 10:46 AM ET

Of the 22 teams who unveiled Copa de la Diversión identities on Nov. 14, the Rocky Mountain Vibes were the spookiest. Ben Hill looks into Las Lloronas.

Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Supak, Ashby headline Brew Crew future

System sent Dubon, Grisham, Hiura up to Milwaukee in 2019

Trey Supak was named Southern League Pitcher of the Year after he was promoted to Triple-A. (Ed Gardner/MiLB.com)

By Brian Stultz | November 15, 2019 10:23 AM ET

While top prospects like Mauricio Dubon and Keston Hiura graduated to the big leagues, right-hander Trey Supak headlines a deep talent pool waiting its turn in the Brewers farm system.

Brian Stultz is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianjstultz. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Toolshed: Class A Advanced park factors

Third-highest level featured extreme environments at both ends

Rockies No. 2 prospect Ryan Rolison posted some extreme home-road splits in the California League this season. (Lancaster JetHawks)

By Sam Dykstra | November 15, 2019 10:22 AM ET

New stadiums in Dunedin and Fayetteville -- as well as extreme environments in places like Lancaster and Wilmington -- affected statistical performance at the Class A Advanced level in 2019.

Sam Dykstra is a reporter for MiLB.com. Follow and interact with him on Twitter, @SamDykstraMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.