The Prospects

Leigh says: A delightful debut contemporary romance focused on minor league baseball. Gene is the first openly trans professional baseball player and a shortstop for the Beaverton Beavers. That is, he’s the shortstop until his rival Luis is traded to the Beavers and takes his position, leaving Gene to play second base instead. Gene thinks Luis is a miserable grump when Luis is actually dealing with severe anxiety…and a secret crush on Gene, just as Gene has been secretly crushing on him too. I loved watching these two fall for each other and then figure out how they can make it work as players who could potentially get traded at any time. This doesn’t shy away from the hard topics, like figuring out how or when to come out and systemic transphobia in the baseball world. But the camaraderie of the Beavers also shines a light on how inclusive baseball could become. (Open door.)