By Scott Barancik, Editor The minor-league season is more than a month old, so we decided it was about darn time to provide you an update. We begin by noting that at least six Jewish players are ranked among their franchise’s Top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com. First Name Last Name Level Team Rank 1…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Momentum is building for MLB Jews. Although only six Jewish players made it onto Opening Day rosters last month, the fewest in memory, four reinforcements have arrived: pitchers Colton Gordon (Astros), Dean Kremer (Orioles), and Jared Shuster (Cardinals), and catcher Garrett Stubbs (Phillies). Who will be the next call-up? Don’t forget to check the Jewish Box Score for in-game…
By Scott Barancik, Editor D-1 colleges have been at it for eight weeks—plenty of time to get a sense of the year’s top performers. Today, we lay it all out for you. Although the MLB season is a mere two weeks old, there’s enough news to merit an update. Mind you, it ain’t all good….
By Scott Barancik, Editor The 2026 MLB regular season debuted last night with a game featuring three Jews. It was an auspicious start to a season in which only six Jews appeared on Opening Day rosters—the lowest number in memory. Remember to check Jewish Baseball News for our Jewish Box Score, which updates in-game stats…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Backed by an error-free performance, Israel defeated the Netherlands 6-2 in World Baseball Classic action on March 10. Though the win was sweet—featuring a dramatic five-run 6th inning that erased a 2-0 deficit—both teams had already been mathematically eliminated from advancing to the next round. Israel finished the 2026 tournament with…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Baseball is coming back to life after its offseason slumber. Team Israel’s first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic is this Saturday, March 7, at 7:00pm ET against Venezuela on FS2. MLB’s regular season starts March 25. NCAA baseball began three weeks ago. Jewish ballplayers across the sport are already…
By Shel Wallman (Note: Originally published on 6/16/2023, this article has been updated three times. On 6/27/2023, we added IF Hank Zeisler of the U. of Missouri and C Will King of Eastern Kentucky U. to our All-America team. On 7/12/2023, we added P Ben Simon of Elon U. to the team. On 7/16/2023, we…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Following a historic appearance in the 2020 Olympics, the Israel Association of Baseball is looking to refresh its roster and build a pipeline of future players. One solution? Sponsor a series of Player Evaluation Weekends across the U.S. to identify promising high-school athletes. The first such academy, aimed at scouting ballplayers…
By Scott Barancik, Editor The Jewish Baseball Card Book, a hardcover history of trading cards covering the 169 Jews who played Major League ball between 1871 and 2016, is now available for just $18. The coffee-table book initially cost $49.95. You can purchase single copies on Amazon. But the $18 offer expires March 27. And…
By Scott Barancik, editor Team Israel has several household names on its expanded Olympic roster, including former Major League stars Danny Valencia and Ian Kinsler. Minor legal issues. however, have prevented the organization from printing any names on its branded clothing. That is, until now. In a move backers hope will goose sales — and…
By Scott Barancik, editor Team Israel beat long odds to earn a spot in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Qualifying tournaments were conquered. More than a dozen Jewish American ballplayers obtained Israeli citizenship in order to participate. The payoff will be national pride — and, hopefully, an awakening to the beauty of baseball. The team’s 24…
By Scott Barancik, editor (NOTE: This article was updated on March 6, 2021.) At least 15 least Jewish players are participating in Spring Training with a Major League team this season. Some are familiar names, including LF Joc Pederson (Cubs), CF Kevin Pillar (Mets), 3B Alex Bregman (Astros) and P Richard Bleier (Marlins). Both Pederson…
By Scott Barancik When Israel and the United Arab Emirates inked the Abraham Accords last year, the two countries pledged to “provide all children a better future.” Who knew the plan would include baseball? Today, the Israel Association of Baseball and the Dubai Little League announced a forthcoming competition for their 12-and-under national teams. The…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Two undrafted collegians have signed contracts with MLB teams. Matt Mervis of Duke University was picked up by the Chicago Cubs this month. A two-way ballplayer who bats left but throws right, Mervis was co-captain of the Blue Devils during the abbreviated 2020 season, hitting .304 while leading the team in…
By Scott Barancik, Editor This year’s MLB draft is limited to just five rounds versus the normal 40, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and related financial concerns. But that didn’t prevent a Jewish player from cracking Round 1. Yesterday, the Atlanta Braves chose lefty Jared Shuster with the 25th overall pick. A native of New…
By Scott Barancik, Editor If you could assemble the greatest Jewish baseball team of all time, who would you pick to play? On June 21, Jewish fans around the world will get to watch live as five celebrity duos — including Team Israel member and former MLB All-Star Ian Kinsler — compete to select the…
By Scott Barancik, Editor A veteran oddsmaker wouldn’t have taken the bet. A Hollywood producer wouldn’t have entertained such a preposterous plot line. No one — except perhaps Israel Association of Baseball president Peter Kurz, the eternally optimistic uncle you might dismiss as delusional — would have believed the Israeli national baseball team could earn…
By Scott Barancik, Editor After finishing 4th in the 12-team European Championship in Germany last week, the Israeli baseball team is moving on to Italy. Starting today (9/18/2019), Israel will compete with five other countries — Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic, South Africa and Spain — for the right to represent Europe and Africa at the…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Israel’s national baseball team, buoyed by American players who obtained dual citizenship this year, dominated France 8-2 today in the European Championships to guarantee a spot in the upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament. Israel never trailed, scoring three runs in the first inning and going ahead 7-0 before France scored its two…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Israel’s bid to play baseball in the 2020 Olympics just grew a little more believable. Danny Valencia, a 34-year-old infielder who spent nine years in the Major Leagues, obtained Israeli citizenship today and is headed to Germany to play in the European Championships later this week. The top 5 finishers in that…
