A new baseball season is upon us, with a new reigning World Series champ, new rookies, and (of course!) the new ESPN The Magazine MLB Preview Issue—complete with all you need to know for the 2011 season. Highly touted phenom Aroldis Chapman, who defected from Cuba in 2009 and debuted in the Major Leagues last August, graces the cover of the current issue, on newsstands Friday. ESPN The Magazine writer Molly Knight’s feature on the stylish Cincinnati Reds pitcher, “Speed Bump,” proves that the only thing slowing down the modeling career of Chapman is his ability to throw 105 MPH. 

Cover 

Also in the MLB Preview issue, The Mag teamed up with Dan Szymborski of Baseball Think Factory to forecast the 2011 season including standings, schedule strengths, and best pitching staffs and batting orders in each division. The guide, “To Serve and Project,” predicts:

MLB Preview 2011 Features:

One Season, One Million Decisions
When it comes to most of the choices that impact livelihood, players are pawns in a game controlled by suits. And they like it that way. By Buster Olney

Hey, Bud!
In times like these, it’s a revelation that MLB is the stable pro league. The commissioner would like some credit for that. Interview by Peter Keating

Get Your Jokes in Now
To some, the prospect of a Royals postseason is a farce. After they get a load of Kansas City’s farm system, the laugh track won’t be necessary. By Tim Keown

Not-So-Heavy Hitter
The Giants tolerated Pablo Sandoval’s weight when he was hitting .330. But when a production dip led to a Triple-A threat, the Venezuelan hit the chicken and lettuce. By Molly Knight

Beisbol From the Ground Up
Yes, soccer is king in Brazil. But if the Rays get their way, a stream of talent will soon flow from São Paulo to Florida’s Gulf Coast. By Jorge Arangure Jr.