Baseball Prospectus 2002 [Paperback]

Clay Davenport (Author), Joseph Sheehan (Author), Chris Kahrl (Author)

Book Description

Series: Baseball Prospectus | Publication Date: February 2002

Here's the book that ESPN.com's Rob Neyer has called "the best book of its kind." Updated for the 2002 season, the BASEBALL PROSPECTUS analyzes every top player in each organization all the way down to rookie ball and does it with objective, intelligent commentary. The PROSPECTUS gives the final word on what the players did, why they did it, and what they're going to do in the future. Readers will get the in-depth statistics covering every crack of the bat from the 2001 season that they would expect. They'll also find entertaining essays on every team and articles on special-interest topics not found anywhere else. Sprinkled throughout are the same touches of irreverent humor that BASEBALL PROSPECTUS readers enjoy and expect. The exclusive Davenport Translations again compare performances across leagues and ballparks, and the PROSPECTUS provides new ways to analyze everything, from starting pitchers' win-loss records to pitcher workloads to bullpen effectiveness. Find out why ESPN's Peter Gammons says, "BASEBALL PROSPECTUS's rankings are an invaluable tool. If more general managers understood them, they wouldn't do some of the trades they do."

The BASEBALL PROSPECTUS is the best value out there. To get the information packed into the 2002 edition, fans would have to buy several other books. It's comprehensive enough for serious fantasy baseball enthusiasts who need the most in-depth insight yet entertaining for casual fans seeking a better way to understand the intricacies of the game.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joseph Sheehan, Chris Kahrl, and Clay Davenport are among the leaders in the discipline of sabermetrics - the analysis of baseball statistics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books; 2002 edition (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157488428X
• ISBN-13: 978-1574884289
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,115,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TOP NOTCH BASEBALL WRITING, March 6, 2002

By 

Timothy E Krug (Horsham, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baseball Prospectus 2002 (Paperback)

I hope you have alot of time on your hands because you will not be able to put this great book down.

Provides totally honest and intelligent team reviews, explaining why transactions were made and what were the good/bad ramifications.

Excellent and witty player insight, brutally honest at points.

Found myself laughing out load many times.

You won't believe what you've been missing.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all about the team, March 6, 2002

By 

Mark Armour (Corvallis, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baseball Prospectus 2002 (Paperback)

The revolution in baseball analysis in the 1980s, led by the works of Bill James and Pete Palmer, spawned a boom in baseball writing. Unfortunately, most analytical baseball books begin and end with the measuring of player value, which is great for fantasy baseball players or who-should-be-in-the-Hall-of-Fame discussions, but ultimately leaves me feeling hungry.

The folks at Baseball Prospectus put the focus on the "team", stressing that focus even within the player comments. Arguing about whether someone is the sixth best second baseman in the National League, or merely the eighth best, is refreshingly missing here. Instead, the discussion rests on whether the player is advancing the cause of contending for a championship, what he has to do to contribute more, how likely he is to improve, how long he is likely going to continue contributing, what the team needs to do to be prepared for his decline, etc. The team comments focus on where the team is in the development cycle, what it has to do to advance to the next stage, and whether the people in charge are likely to do it. The essays in the back of the book challenge us to understand how this game works.

This annual has made me a better fan and has made my own conversations around the hot stove much more interesting. As a baseball researcher, what I wouldn't give for a complete set of BPs, beginning about 1871.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Baseball Book -- with no hesitation, February 28, 2002

By 

Adam Strasberg (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baseball Prospectus 2002 (Paperback)

Whether you're interested in Fantasy baseball research or just love reading about the game and the players, the Baseball Prospectus is the best, most interesting book on the market.

There are general team comments which tend to focus on personal, economic and historical issues. Then come the player comments --the book is organized by league and team then by player dividing hitters from pitchers. It doesn't just write about players in the majors or top rookies, its breath of players is impressive and reason enough to buy it -- from the deep minors on up.

The writing is interesting, usually insiteful; although sometimes they try to get too funny (usually about a player who's perfomance needs more analysis than humor). Still that's a minor quible.

Would I use it for a fantasy baseball draft, yes (I do); although its probably more valuable in season as teams start adding players you've never heard of (the Prospectus has, don't worry).

Would I read it if I weren't in a Fantasy Baseball league -- yes without a doubt. In fact, I would say the book is geared to discussing baseball as a sport more than assessing fantasy value.

There are hours of reading here.

One word of warning -- the stats listed in the book are NOT the actual stats, but rather translations to a "normal" league environment (they list the past 4 stat lines). This translation makes it easier to compare a player's A Ball performance with another's AAA and another's Major league stats, but it can cause some confusion on the first read.

If you are looking for Fantasy Baseball books, also take a look at Shandler's Baseball Forcaster, which is probably better for draft preparation. Still, if I was buying only one baseball book, The Baseball Prospectus would be it.