Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have 20 rounds to select players with projectable ability to compete at the MLB level. In this exploratory study, players were evaluated for differences in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) related to draft round, first round pick, educational designation, and by team. It was hypothesized WAR differences exist by round, pick number, educational designation and by team. From 2005–2015, 1,623 players were examined to determine population differences owed to draft selection. First round draftees had greater average career WAR compared to Rounds 2 to 20. Collectively, the first five picks had greater WAR versus picks grouped 16 through 30. High school (HS) draft picks were selected in earlier rounds versus collegiate athletes and HS hitters displayed more WAR in first round versus 4-year college pitchers. WAR outcomes in the first 15 picks offer more success with greater performance of HS hitters versus 4-year college pitchers. These trends may influence the current landscape of scouting and draft selection in the new draft format that has reduced player selection from 40 to 20 rounds.

Conforti, CM, HBA, Crotin, RL, RSCC, C, and Oseguera, J. An analysis of playoff performance declines in Major League Baseball. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S36-S41, 2021-At present, it is unknown how athletes of varying talent in Major League Baseball (MLB) perform in the postseason as compared with the regular season. Anecdotal evidence from the authors' previous work experience in MLB established the hypothesis that players of higher caliber were expected to perform worse in the playoffs compared with lesser talented cohorts. Publicly available data on 1477 MLB players from 1994 to 2019 were used to separate athletes into excellent, above average, average, and below average pitching, hitting, and defensive groups with respect to Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+), and Errors per Inning Out (EpIO), respectively. Mixed-model analyses of variance with Tukey's Honest Significant Difference post hoc testing was used to determine whether the change in performance was significant within groups at an a priori alpha level of p < 0.05. Within-subject effects' tests were statistically significant within regular season talent groups for FIP, wRC+, and EpIO in comparison with their playoff performance (p < 0.001). Excellent performers suffered most with more than half depreciating in playoff hitting (58%) and pitching performance (52%), yet nearly 80% of 908 fielders retained defensive ability, which was unexpected. Results indicate that teams should consider providing greater mental performance support, implement periodization strategies to taper or lower training workloads, offer team support networks, and anxiety desensitization for excellent MLB performers in approach of the playoffs, as certain aspects of pitching and hitting significantly suffer.

The economic development-environmental protection dichotomy is an out-dated construct. A 21st century approach to the world's water problems is progressively being developed by researchers and practitioners, who are combining traditional and ecosystem-based engineering systems to yield cost-effective solutions. Given the continuing and widespread loss of ecological services and functions, water security in a multi-generational, SDG context requires a meaningful, global commitment to redirect the current downward trajectory in both (i) the state of the world's ecosystems and the services they provide to society, and (ii) our collective level of stewardship of these important resources. Achieving sustainable water security will require overcoming strategic challenges related to protected areas, ecosystem-based solutions research, water observatories and expanded technical readiness. It also needs to address other limitations and demands related to water infrastructure, economies, human settlements and water quality, sanitation and health. Four globally significant actions can support the adoption of more efficient and sustainable water futures: green infrastructure watershed banks, an accelerated global research and solutions program, a new global water-ecosystem services observatory, and an improved technical capacity/workforce development initiative. Finally, the engagement of relevant stakeholders from academia, government, the private sector and civil society are needed to ensure that humankind will be able to meet its water security goals and commitments, including those expressed in the sustainable development agenda.