A great analysis. Why are there 1200 more D1 players in 2023 than in 2017? I see it jumped in 2021, so is this because of rosters of 40 instead of 35? 5 x 240=1500?
Covid impact allowed expanded rosters, more d1 teams. I think there were 297 in 2017, whereas in 305 in 2023. Currently, doing some other projects, so can't provide a more detailed answer, If you are on x(twitter), reach out to Keep Playing Baseball.