2013: The Most Exciting Year of Baseball, Ever?

As a baseball fan, I’ve personally never been more excited about an upcoming year of baseball than the right around the corner 2013 MLB season. I’ve also never been more terrified for the team in which I have a rooting interest for, the New York Yankees. But in my efforts to be impartial, I can say I agree with media absolutes that this year’s campaign will be the most exciting season in league history.

So yes, I think 2013 will be the most exciting year of baseball, ever. There are a bunch of reasons I could rattle off as to why firing up MLB.tv this year will unlike any other, but it all starts with…

Understanding: I’m only 19 years old and I can undoubtedly say I understand baseball right now from top-to-bottom more than I’ve ever have in years past. The point where intricate details of baseball don’t seem so, well, intricate. From teams delaying their top prospect’s service time by keeping them in the minors to draft pick compensation and everything in between. Of course, sabermetrics and its huge role in today’s player evaluation at the MLB level.

Prospects: After that, I think a lot of it has to do with the era, which sounds silly coming from a 19 year old. But seeing how big of a role prospects have to fans, even casual fans, it’s a fair assessment. Growing up, there wasn’t many better feelings than seeing my Yankees acquire a player for some guys I’ve never heard of before and cash considerations. But in today’s game, it’s the other way around. Could you imagine the vitriol the Mets would have received for the Carlos Beltran trade? Better yet, the trade that sent R.A. Dickey to Toronto?

Crap shoot: Anything can happen in the regular season in terms of injuries and any team could massively overachieve to make it into the playoffs (see: 2012 Orioles). But this season, it seems there are two or three teams per division that have a legitimate case on paper with current talent to win their respective division. Besides the AL Central where you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone picking a non-Tigers team. This might be the year everyone gives up on making division predictions, or decides winners on how most of America fills out the opening round of their March Madness bracket: coin flips.

Too. Many. Choices.: I have no idea what, who or when I’ll be watching when I fire up MLB.tv, also known as the greatest thing on the internet. I’m guessing that’s a good sign for the sport. The only thing I know is that an extra monitor will be required and probably a flow chart that helps me decide, starting with ”Is Stephen Strasburg starting? Yes –> Watch Nationals.”

A new challenge: I’ll be doing my best to attend games this year at the lower levels with the purpose of scouting. For the most part, it’ll be minor league games, but I’m sure I’ll end up at some games that are at the college and high school level. Take all the aforementioned reasons, put it into one and apply it.

It’s the next one: The biggest reason, though, is obvious and there is no explanation needed. It’s the next one. I mean, seriously, what’s so exciting about last year? We’ll be writing about the upcoming MLB season with previews, handicapping over/under win totals and much more throughout the season, so stay tuned.