![ALL INCLUSIVE](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/6245/543180/5f96c5a70792d/ALL-INCLUSIVE.jpg)
Baseball writers have been voting to determine league MVP award winners, under various imprints, for more than 100 years.
But only in the past 25 years have players amassed the bodies of work in the postseason to jostle with regular-season performance in the overall value conversation.
In between the Year of the Pitcher in 1968 and Miggy’s Triple Crown in 2012, the number of playoff teams increased from two to 10, while the maximum number of postseason games possible in a given year grew from seven to 43.
At the extremes, Omar Vizquel logged 86 postseason plate appearances in 1997, while Madison Bumgarner pitched 52.2 October innings in 2014. Those totals come on the heels of a six-month regular season and give modern players’ October résumés gravitas that only players for select clubs—the Yankees, Cardinals and Dodgers—could match in the days before divisional play.
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/0Im5_7R-N1716983186325/HOW-THE-MAJORS-HAVE-CHANGED-FOR-YOUNG-PLAYERS.jpg)
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.
![ORGANIZATION REPORTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/jD4Tp2H2n1716980923576/ORGANIZATION-REPORTS.jpg)
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Blaze Alexander entered spring training as a long shot to make the team, but there he was on March 28, starting and batting seventh in the D-backs’ Opening Day lineup.
![BLAST FROM THE PAST](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/2_0wqYiq71716978663925/BLAST-FROM-THE-PAST.jpg)
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Louisville Slugger makes Prime bat 30% harder by dipping into 1902 company patent
![UNFINISHED BUSINESS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/uKJoNEDEi1716980728602/UNFINISHED-BUSINESS.jpg)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
After narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament last year, UC Irvine is determined to finish strong
![MORE HARM THAN GOOD?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/yfRq22Krc1716980624708/MORE-HARM-THAN-GOOD.jpg)
MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
Dramatically scaling back young pitchers’ workloads has failed to keep them healthier
![GEM COLLECTOR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/_hVjkXXmQ1716980363975/GEM-COLLECTOR.jpg)
GEM COLLECTOR
In just four years, Diamond Baseball Holdings has become the most powerful owner ever in Minor League Baseball. What is the plan for their 33 teams—and counting?
![LIFE AFTER AFFILIATED BALL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/ylCXqqS111716979989550/LIFE-AFTER-AFFILIATED-BALL.jpg)
LIFE AFTER AFFILIATED BALL
For many minor league teams that lost their MLB affiliations, it has been business as usual— with some unexpected benefits
![EARNING POWER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/gOKVU6inr1716978952320/EARNING-POWER.jpg)
EARNING POWER
A dramatic upgrade to playing conditions for minor leaguersincluding pay, housing and nutrition has made pro baseball economically viable for all players
![NOBODY'S PERFECT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1645297/iQO9HKEHG1711457625484/NOBODYS-PERFECT.jpg)
NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
![ORGANIZATION REPORTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1645297/x0Uu3Rq9E1711456602784/ORGANIZATION-REPORTS.jpg)
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.